Seren - 206 - 2008-2009 - May 2009

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PA SP GE EC IAL !

ISSN 1755-7585

Issue No. 206

End of Year Issue 2009

We’re still standing

INSIDE:

More from the Summer Ball

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Willow Does Ultimate Frisbee

The future of Bangor Students’ Union looks more certain and Seren can exclusively reveal plans for the future

he Students’ Union as you know it will stay exactly where it is for another year, before construction of the Arts and Innovation Centre (and the deconstruction of the current, rather attractive building) can begin.

Until now, the University have been unable to give a definite answer as to where our Students’ Union would be operating from in September, (or if it would actually be here at all) which has been largely due to the lengthly processes associated with the planning and funding of the swanky new Arts and Innovation Centre. Work on the site is now due to commence after May 2010. Although this is a slight delay on the initial proposed timescale, ultimately it means less relocation upheaval for the SU staff and us students too.

The aforementioned relocation of the Students’ Union in May is expected to take us to Rathbone (the older University halls near Main Arts), which the university is planning to deck out and make suitable changes to, in order to accommodate a lively Students’ Union such as ours. Rathbone (for those of you who haven’t been lucky enough to get a guided tour of the place) includes reasonably sized bedrooms that

was quick to respond to: “We have been in can be knocked thorough and converted into offices, as well as a large catering hall close consultation with the Students’ Unfor bigger SU events. Although these plans ion user group; John Jackson and the other Sabbatical Officers throughout this planare by no means definite, Students’ Union President, John Jackson has said Rathbone ning process. A concern raised by the SU at the beginning was the loss of their identity is “the most preferable and likely option”.

In a recent within the project meeting with the as a whole and this is something University Regis• Union not to be trar – Dr. David we have been careful to ensure Roberts - Seren demolished for 12 won’t happen. was given an outmonths line of what exactHowever, one of the main ideas ly is going on with • Rathbone possible the Arts and Inbehind the Arts location for interim and Innovation novation Centre.

Centre are the As Seren reported • Time may stay open back in October, shared spaces, which are availplans for the Arts whilst new building able for anyone and Innovation is constructed Centre have been to use and will steaming ahead, ultimately benefit with a feasibility both the students study published at the beginning of the year and members of the local community for whom this project is catering.” and public consultations taking place since early November. In October, we raised a Obviously, when the Union is finally concern that the Students’ Union felt a demolished, we are going to lose one (if little lost in the grandiose plans for Arts not two) of our nighttime venues – Time and Academi. As the ‘going out’ options in and Innovation, a feeling that Dr. Roberts

Bangor are rather limited, Seren thought it was important to find out what the plans are for provision of suitable entertainment in Bangor, whilst construction goes ahead. Both Dr. Roberts and John Jackson contributed to delivering an answer. “We hope to be able to keep Time open whilst the Arts and Innovation centre is built,” Dr. Roberts told us “the current blueprint for the new build should allow for Time to remain standing until the new centre is finished, although nothing can be one-hundred percent certain at this stage.” Positive news then, but what about a replacement for Academi? Your President had the answer for this one: “At the moment, we really aren’t sure what is going to happen, but it is possible that a bar similar to The Basement in the current Students’ Union building could operate from Rathbone site.”

So, the word on the street is that we’re here for at least another 12 months… make the most of it whilst you can guys, because soon that fine piece of architecture we call the Students’ Union will be nothing more than a pile of 1970s rubble.

Creative

Jo Caulfield

Corner

Unsung Heroes hits the decks

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EDITORIAL End of Year Issue 2009

Contributors: Aaron Wiles Georgia Mannion Daniel Turner Sion Wyn Laszek Liz Stevens Liam Plummer Willow Manuel Will Pedigrew Gemma Ellis Rosie Jones Iain Dalton Joe Firth San Elvin Emma Bailey Jake Basford Rosie Macleod Frances Birkett Dwight McCarthy Lewis Brookes Lee Howson Laura Stephenson Zoe Perranoud Charles Winnett Sam Butcher Nicholas Cowen Barnaby Gilford Danny Southward Toby Davidson Nabeel Mansoori Owain Rice Ed Roberts Gemma Carter Jes Harvery Photography: Aaron Wiles Dan Turner Kirsty Flow Dyas Special thanks to: Jess Hughes Jez Harvey Proof reading:

Sion Wyn Laszek Emily Collins Georgia Mannion

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

“This is the end, my only friend, the end...” wever, when be depressing. Ho n ca n so rri Mo deprived hrist, Jim this is my last sleep at th t fac e th g tin akeness contempla my 24th hour of aw hit st ju ve (I’ ce pie editorial propriate to focus its !) it seemed only ap se – hello hallucination used and trite phra ably the most over w ho ve lie be finality. This is prob n’t y ca of sorts, but I reall related to farewells rday I was shoved ste ye ly on e seems lik quickly it’s gone. It d now look at me, and told to edit, an into the Seren Office st mention of my yboard at the slighte weeping into this ke abdication. am here have nderful year. The te It truly has been a wo Seren team e ) done me proud. Th (for the most part… st be newspaper wn in history as the 08/09 should go do ht, the world ever seen. That’s rig team the world has Piers Morgan).

(I’m talking to you, got an gh this issue – we’ve So, a quick run thou d feat te en ed ec this time! A unpr with amazing 28 pages em th ed tory. We’ve jamm to in recent Seren his le ab be l ubt whether you’l e so much stuff, I do Th . wn do t having a little sit r take it all in withou ou as s ice s offered her serv lovely DJ Mouse ha she is. or, and what a hero unsung hero of Bang ssly ele tir am were working Whilst the Seren te us llo ve ar bring you this m through the night to at in ra e lked through th newspaper, Jess wa . We awberries and cream 2 am to bring us str select few a ink actually th (I joy th wi pt we nearly this Jesus-like act ed a tear or two at sh did rs can remain be em m n Sere rrass them, so they ba em to sh wi n’t er, which promises of kindness, but I do a new Creative Corn t go o als n though the ’ve We . ace; an amazing ru sp at th anonymous for now) tch wa so , spelling errors xt year’s Serens here; probably a few ws ne of to be a staple in ne bit a !); oo w Does Seren (w Summer Ball; Willo absolutely lovely. t there; but overall it’s y year” section, bu ole “highlights of m wh a s do ha ar uld ye wo I is th s; y sa d upward I would just like to Anyway, onwards an u actually care. So, yo publication that r is he th et ad wh re t ub to e do king the tim ta r to be honest, I fo h uc m ry ve boys who have been thank you so ren team, the Union Se e been amazing, and th to e lov g Bi . o’s made me a cup y life away and to everyone wh ) ed has literally eaten m Al u, yo es lud I’m off to finish my tive (that inc dy newspaper.” Now loo nothing but suppor “b e th t ou ab e involves. to me whing the hell my degree at of tea and listened wh r be em m re d al and try an dissertation propos

C

and goodnight.

Thank you Bangor,

d now redundant), n (a l fu te ra g er ev e Th

Jo Caulfield

TEAM SEREN

BRINGING NEWS TO YOUR CRIB.

Editor News Features Music Film Books Travel Sports Design

Jo Caulfield Stephen Davies Bianca Murray Emma Dixon Mark Varley Emma McColl Stef Black Will Varley Dan Turner

RECYCLE Here at Seren, there’s nothing we love more than Mother Nature and d’ya know what she loves? Recycling! After you’ve finished with us, can you put us in your blue box and make sure we get made into something else? Thanks very much.

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NEWS

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

Swine Flu - What is it and should we be worried?

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nless you have been living under a rock for the past few weeks, you will have heard of swine flu, the latest global outbreak of infection that has caused worldwide panic and confusion.

Much has been made of the outbreak on a national and global level, with much of the information being sensationalised, so we here at Seren have decided to give you the basic facts, and what to do if you are worried about infection.

The first reported case of swine flu came from Mexico on April 14th, and more diagnoses swiftly followed within the country. Cases across the world have followed, although the worst affected areas remain Mexico, the USA and Canada, with 727, 286, and 140 cases confirmed, respectively (at the time of writing).

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue, and often additionally, diarrhoea.

The pandemic alert status of the disease is currently at level 5, with the highest level possible being 6. The university is on level 2 of 4 which means they are operating under concerned awareness and making preparations should the infection become more threatening. Cases in the UK currently remain limited to Scotland and England (with the Midlands and London worst affected); although numerous people have been tested in Wales for the virus (including someone in Gwynedd), no diagnosis of the flu have been made as of yet here.

The question remains, however, should we be worried? Cases in the UK are still being confirmed as we speak, but will swine flu be recognised in a year as nothing more than another moral panic instigated by the British media, or should we genuinely have cause for concern?

Much has been made of the fact that most of the cases have been confined to the younger generations, with seasonal flu usually disproportionately affecting the elderly. It is certainly worth noting, how-

Wednesday afternoons free by 2010?

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Seren exposes the true source of the disease ever, that deaths have remained confined to Mexico, which has had 26 deaths, and

“The UK Government also has a stockpile of Tamiflu, the drug being used to treat the virus, as an added precaution against a possible pandemic.” the US, with 1 fatality (who was a Mexican child). With 1,273 total confirmed cases, and 27 deaths, the percentage of deaths from swine flu only currently stands at approximately 2%. Seasonal flu is just as much of a concern to public health, with approximately 250,000 – 500,000 deaths a year.

Nearly all reported cases of swine flu have also been mild, particularly in the UK, with most diagnosed and treated swiftly and effectively. The first two cases confirmed in the UK had recently re-

turned from a trip to Mexico, and nearly all subsequent cases have had contact with a sufferer. The UK Government also has a stockpile of Tamiflu, the drug being used to treat the virus, as an added precaution against a possible pandemic. The UK Government has antiviral drugs to treat 50% of the population.

Therefore it would appear at this stage that the virus is being contained. However, there are a number of precautions one can take to safeguard against general infection. Government leaflets are winging their way to every household in the UK providing information on protection against the virus, but basic hygiene advice is strongly recommended. Facebook groups and Twitter feeds also have updates on the outbreak as well as further advice. As a final pointer, Seren would like to remind you that the virus is being passed human to human; eating pig meat is perfectly safe, with experts stressing that fact.

t seems that finally, the University are working towards making Wednesday afternoons free of lectures for students to participate in extra-curricular activities (and no, this does not mean hanging out in Yellow pub from lunchtime onwards).

Many universities across the country keep Wednesday afternoons free, so students can play matches for their AU clubs, volunteer in the community or even edit a lovely student newspaper, without it affecting their courses. Although the Students’ Union have been pushing for such a scheme to reach Bangor for several years, until now there has been little headway. However, in a meeting with Dr David Roberts, the University Registrar, Seren was informed that the wheels are in motion to finally free up the Wednesday afternoon slot.

AU President Rob Samuel: “Wednesday afternoons off for sport will help all our AU clubs and show that the University is definitely taking sport seriously in Bangor. At the moment, it’s almost as if students are

penalised for representing their University. I think that by doing this, the University will be showing real support for our representatives and be proud that we have people competing for the University. This is such a positive thing. Freeing up Wednesday afternoons is an enormous part of the Sports Strategy that we’ve put forward this year and I believe it shows that the University are taking it seriously and wish to place emphasis on sport as a part of campus life.”

At the moment, the problem lies with timetabling. Apparently, there’s so much module choice here at our wonderful university, that currently there is little room for manoeuvre.

However, Dr. Roberts informed us that they are working like troopers to try and make this happen for us in the 2010/2011 academic year. Ultimately, this may have to mean there’ll be a reduction in module choice across courses, but we’re assured that the changes to be made will be nothing but positive for the student body at large. Watch this space, Bangor…

Jo Caulfield

Citizens of Bangor continue fight for better city

Liz Stevens

Bangor Pride - Do you have it?

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t’s not just the citizens of Bangor that have been hard at work establishing better facilities for the city – a new group entitled Bangor Pride have been established to help benefit the city.

Currently separate from ‘The People of Bangor Community Group’ – although group spokesperson Nigel Pickavance has stated his willingness to collaborate with the group in a recent interview – the group is essentially an amalgamation of Local Authority figures and community players fighting to restore pride in the area.

It is worth noting that the scheme is entirely voluntary, and brings together a number of public and private sector agencies working together for the benefit of Bangor. Each agency has a defined role and commitment, and the Students Union are currently heavily involved in the movement, offering volunteering and community involvement.

Deputy President Spencer George has

also described plans for a LOVE BANGOR discount card, similar to the NUS Extra card currently available. Although the latter allows students to obtain discounts at outlets such as Amazon, many of the facilities are not available in Bangor. The LOVE BANGOR card would be tailored to stores and resources available in the city. Once launched, the logo and its symbolism would also be attributed to other community causes and benefits, and would work alongside other groups and campaigns to help restore some Bangor Pride.

Liz Stevens

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ollowing on from a protest march last month, which saw over 200 attendees, the disgruntled citizens of Bangor have taken a step forward in their fight for a better city.

Dissention began in a Facebook group entitled ‘The Citizens of Bangor Deserve Better’, which currently boasts over 1000 members. Members took to the streets to protest about the problems currently engulfing the city of Bangor, including a lack of facilities, dirty and underdeveloped facilities and a failure to secure adequate resources for future generations. Spokesperson Nigel Pickavance has been extremely vocal about the fight for the city, claiming in newspaper interviews that without their fight, ‘the city will die’.

Subsequently, the fight for the city has been taken to the next level, with members meeting to discuss the possi-

bility of establishing a political party or a community group to fight for the members and their desires. Voting for the political party was in the negative, however, support for the community group was overwhelming, and steps have been taken to establish such a group.

Entitled ‘The People of Bangor Community Group’, it has given the views established by the initial Facebook group a more official footing, and have established a constitution outlining their non-profit aims and general aims for the city, which include improving Christmas lighting and general cleanliness in the short term.

Liz Stevens

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NEWS University launches new green agenda

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

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angor University have released the details of their new Environmental Policy, originally drafted in December of last year. The plans consider the potential impact an institution of Bangor University’s scale can impose upon its immediate surroundings as well as assessing the University’s role in promoting a ‘green’ reputation for Bangor. As the policy states, Bangor University buildings and installations range across a total of three-hundred and forty-six hectares, including among them the University’s presence at its affiliated institution in Wrexham and so it has a large role to play in improving environmental standards.

The plans ensure collective responsibility to maintain and improve the natural environment in and around the University’s grounds. These plans are cogent with those of the ongoing Bangor Werdd project, a network of direct action protesters hoping to maintain and improve sites of environmental interest in the Bangor area, and a possible link for the University’s Environmental Policy to dovetail with the aims of Bangor citizens.

A number of measures are planned in keeping with the aims of the policy. Some such as improved waste management and a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions are similar to those agreed to by local businesses. In addition, the policy is striving to increase knowledge of green stewardship on the part of both staff and students in order to promote a more conscientious relationship between those involved with the University and the Bangor community as a whole. The policy also promises to keep to the Green Dragon Environmental Standard, an independently-checked fivelevel standard that displays the quality of an organisation’s Environmental Management System (EMS). Beyond this, more specific measures on how the plans will be implemented are yet to be finalised and it is yet to be seen whether cuts elsewhere in the University will impact on how the Environmental Policy is put into action.

Stephen Davies

Honorary joy for the hoi-polloi

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he University has announced the names of seven individuals who will become Honorary Fellows at the graduating ceremonies in July.

According to University Registrar, Dr. David Roberts, those chosen ‘have excelled in their field and they represent fine role models for our graduates’, and include CBE’s, OBE’s, and former graduates of Bangor.

The seven represent a wide range of vocations and have each contributed to their field in a unique and significant manner. Receiving fellowships for their services to sport are, David Brailsford, CBE, born and raised near Caernarfon, and coach of the successful Team GB Cycling team at the Beijing Olympics, and John Disley, CBE, co-founder of the

London Marathon and a former Olympic Bronze Medallist.

Also collecting a fellowship for her services to music is Bangor Graduate, Christina Coker OBE, Chief Executive of the UK’s largest children’s music charity Youth Music. Her fellow Bangor PhD graduate Sandra Shumway, one of the world’s leading authorities on shellfish biology, is also set to accept an honorary fellowship.

Taking fellowships for their services to politics, banking and law and higher education are Tom Ellis, Dyfrig John and His Honour Eifion Roberts QC, respectively. Former MP for Wrexham and Member of the European Parliament from 1975 to 1979, Mr. Ellis is also the author of a number of books, and a

former coalminer and colliery manager, whilst Mr. John has only recently resigned as the Chief Executive of HSBC, and is a native of West Wales. His Honour Mr. Roberts was born on Anglesey, educated in Oxford, and served on the Council of Bangor University for over 20 years.

Conspicuous by their absence this year are Honorary Fellows from the world of celebrity, however, those accorded by the University this year are well deserving; the majority of Honorary Fellows with connections to both the University and Wales, and an undeniable range of impressive achievements in a wide number of fields.

Liz Stevens

Prospective park revamp promises plenty P lans have been unveiled for a £1million revamp of College Park, and they’re certainly ambitious.

Unveiled by the landscaping company Gillespie’s, plans have been revealed for a complete makeover of the currently tired and largely unused piece of land, with the hopes of creating a new space for all to enjoy.

The Students’ Union are heavily involved with the scheme, and along with Gillespie’s, envision an area that is user friendly and accessible; something that shall become much more than just an alternative route to Main Arts. The proposal is a revitalised park for all to enjoy community and students; an integral and enjoyable part of Bangor.

The University are keen to stress that the project is separate from the new Arts and Innovation Centre, but it is undeniable that considerations of the latter will play a role with regards to the Union’s involvement in the revamp. Another potential stumbling block for the park is the issue of funding. Plans are wide ranging and optimistic - securing funding for all of the proposed may prove tricky. Nevertheless, the scheme is gathering steam,

and the plans are certainly a vast improvement on the currently seldom used landscape No timetable or start date for the renovation have of yet been decided upon, it is however, agreed that the scheme will span a period of several years, as plans are certainly impressive. Plans and ideas are currently divided into three main subcategories – essential, desirable and aspirational. Essential, obviously, is the most important, key work that will be done to improve the area, with desirable and aspirational being achieved if funding allows.

A number of ideas have been discussed regarding essential work to be done to the area. The first is to thin out the current trees in the area, to allow work to be done. Accessibility is a key feature recurring throughout the plans; access to the park will be improved by reducing the fence around the park, and adding in an entrance opposite the Post Office on Deiniol Road. Plans are also in place, if at all possible, to reduce the topography of the park in order to host activities and stalls within the area. Walkways are to be widened and improved, as is signage within the entire area. Walls will be reduced in order to prevent people using them as seating; the safety and welfare of users being another paramount concern of the scheme. Improved, energy efficient lighting will be utilised, and a number of routes will be created towards Main Arts,

as opposed to the single one currently in use. Laws regarding disabilities are also of principal importance; all plans will have such considerations in mind.

The second stages of consideration are those labelled ‘desirable’ – still of importance to the scheme, but their inclusion is not a necessary requirement. Such plans include the preservation of a nature area, with which societies such as STAG and BIFSA can get involved. The current plan is to have such an area in the far corner of the park. Another consideration is the inclusion of ‘trim trails’, common within campus universities – a series of gym equipment of cascading difficulty to enjoy within the park. Students with families and families from the locality are also being catered for, with the insertion of children’s play areas into the park. Health and safety considerations however, may limit the scope of such areas.

The final subcategory of plans is aspirational; those plans which may drain

“Plans revealed for a complete makeover of the currently tired and largely unused piece of land, with the hopes of creating a new space for all to enjoy.” the funding the most but will be the most aesthetically pleasing. These plans make provision for a grass amphitheatre, illuminating the trees at night, creating wi-fi docks within fake trees and lampposts, cascading the lighting of Main Arts at night, and completely changing the drop from Main Arts into the park from a steep slope into cascading stages.

It is therefore obvious that the plans are detailed, varied, and would provide Bangor with a wonderful asset should they ever come to fruition. Funding is the biggest issue that the scheme faces, but even some of the proposed would greatly benefit the park and the city. When asked about the Student Union’s involvement in the scheme and his feelings on the entire issue, Deputy President Spencer George had the following to say, ‘I am thrilled to bits that the scheme is gathering momentum and pleased that the company are taking the Union’s ideas on board’.

Student and community opinions are also being actively encouraged; any opinions or feelings on the plans can be made aware to the Union.

Liz Stevens

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NEWS

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

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Dealing with Exam Stress

tudents of Bangor, that dreaded time is once again upon us. Although all you can envision is sitting in a warm, sunny (this may be just a fantasy, we do live in Britain after all) beer garden with a nice cold pint; we must first make our way through the sheer bane upon existence that are the end of year exams. This period can take its toll not only on us, but on those around us, but there are some simple ways of coping and limiting this feeling.

Symptoms of stress are wide ranging, and although some are more obvious than others, it affects us all; particularly during periods of heightened workloads and intense pressure. The best possible cure for stress is to remove the cause, but this may or may not be possible in our instance. It is therefore crucial that other things are done to limit the possibilities of illness.

A study carried by the UNITE Group suggested that 53% of students had become more stressed since beginning university, but that overall 96% considered it a worthwhile experience, showing that stress can be managed and tackled effectively.

Sometimes solutions are so simple that people overlook them. Creating a realistic revision timetable and sticking

to it can help you manage the workload effectively. Study at a time which suits you. Do not even attempt revising at nine in the morning if you don’t usually start functioning until one in the afternoon. Make time for yourself, take regular breaks and if you want to do something, do it, or you will grow to resent the work.

Perhaps the most important piece of advice is to look past the present; think towards the future. 3 weeks of hard work and struggle now will equate to almost 3 months of chilling out and enjoying your summer soon enough. Don’t blow things out of proportion, calm down and move beyond the short term.

If things do get to be too much to cope with, there is a wealth of support systems available. The University itself operates Nightline, a confidential night time service where students can get advice from other students, which can be obtained by phoning 01248362121. Alternatively, help can be sought through a number of other outlets, including the Internet, the Students’ Union and through friends and family. Don’t forget; you’re not alone and you will get through it!

Liz Stevens

Fee fight continues T

Where do you stand in the war on the cost of your future?

he war on tuition fees remains infuriatingly far from over. With universities now more in debt than they have been for decades, the proposed fee hikes (up to £20,000 a year) could help ease them out of the hard times; the only thing is, everyone else is suffering too.

It’s no secret that nobody has any money at the moment (or that I am thoroughly opposed to raising tuition fees) but if universities are building up debts to maintain standards surely they should be making a plea to the government to ease this strain, rather than prising the already light wallets of students open. As if we don’t have enough to worry about.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency revealed that by the end of 2007 the University of London had racked up £6.9m of debt, Manchester University £12.4m and Nottingham Trent University £7.4m.

Our university is somewhat clandestine when it comes to revealing financial information but they don’t seem as worried as the above universities should be. They are looking to “streamline” their outgoings but aren’t giving anything away when it comes to their collective opinion on fee hikes.

Perhaps all universities should review their accounts to find a sustainable way to tackle their monetary difficulties rather than jumping to increase their fees which, (for want of a better term) seems like a bit of a cop-out. It may be impossible to abolish tuition fees in the immediate future; certainly an unrealistic aim for those campaigning for it, but to stop them being raised can only be a worthwhile pursuit.

Outspoken Skins favourite Naomi Campbell attended a rally with Battlefront to raise the is-

the attention of the people it affects most.

To quote her directly, “you can’t get a job without a degree, yet you can’t afford to live with one”. With 36% of students basing their university choices on how expensive it will be the UK Youth Parliament could focus on making their goals more realistic and useful by cracking down on this current proposal and moving onto fee abolition when the first battle is won.

Georgia Mannion

sue to young people across the UK. A brave move by Channel 4 and a very good thing in terms of bringing top-up fees to

Invisible children rescue in Cardiff O n Saturday 25th April, when most students were getting ready to go out, three members of Bangor Amnesty Student Society were preparing to bed down for the night on the lawn of Cardiff University. Not the most comfortable place to sleep, especially with a charming clock tower ringing every quarter of an hour, although it was strangely blissful waking up under a tree…

So why did we travel for five hours to

sleep without shelter for the night? Well, it was part of a worldwide movement; 99 other cities across 10 countries also held sleep-outs that evening. It was organised by a group called Invisible Children, who visited Bangor before Easter to show their documentary about Child Soldiers in Uganda.

This film shows the shocking situation caused a man called Joseph Kony.

This man kidnaps children from villages across Uganda and forces them to fight

for his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), in an attempt to overthrow the government. Not only does he abduct children from their families and force them to live in squalid conditions; Kony also tells them that by drawing a cross on their bodies will make them invincible to bullets. Kony believes he is guided by spirits (indicating his state of mind), and is convinced that he is a freedom fighter.

Forcing children with guns to fight Uganda’s trained army is, quite obviously,

a death sentence for many LRA ‘soldiers’.

But Kony is not only responsible for abducting children; his ‘army’ has killed over 10,000 people in Uganda and been responsible for the rape and mutilation of countless villagers. Not surprisingly, the International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for his arrest. Kony is the most wanted man in Africa.

This is why we ended up in Cardiff (admittedly less dangerous than Uganda). It was part of ‘The Rescue’, where ordinary people were ‘abducted’ in cities across the world and waited to be rescued by a politician or public figure. Quite a luxury, given that Kony’s abducted children have no such rescuer. In Cardiff, we were mercifully rescued that evening by Cardiff AM Jenny Randerson, who promised us she would put pressure on the Welsh Assembly to take action in Uganda. We also heard a debate about the pros and cons of using military action to sort out the problem (which would mean fighting against children – quite a serious commitment), and wrote to Gordon Brown and David Milliband, urging them to force the international community to confront this issue.

There was a real sense of community in Cardiff; we were all there with the same purpose, and we were part of a worldwide movement that was sending out a powerful message to governments across the globe.

Joseph Kony has committed blatant violations of human rights, and is

responsible for thousands of deaths; he must be held accountable. It is hard for us in the UK to imagine what it would be like if, instead of going to high school, we had been forced to fight for a deluded man. Kony’s child soldiers must be rescued from abduction, ill-treatment and war.

For more information, see http://www. invisiblechildren.com/

Liam Plummer

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COMMENT

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

Bringing you the best in news, views,

Gay Times

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by Emily Collins

f you’ve been reading any of my columns this academic year you will have noticed that I’m not your average ‘out and proud’ homosexual. I don’t own any rainbow paraphernalia, I have never marched in a parade, and frankly, the ‘gay scene’ freaks me out a little bit (even after being on the LGBT Pride committee for a year). I won’t launch into yet another rant about the issues within the gay culture (if you can get online check out the Seren archives for this year and you’ll get the idea) but suffice to say; I believe it needs a change.

So, Bangor being the centre of the world and all, I decided to live a cliché and be the change I want to see in the world right here in our little city (bear with me). The LGBT Pride society in Bangor has been through its ups and downs in the past few years; losing committee members, coping with poor attendance at events and even risking dissolution at one point. It has done well to get this far, which is thanks in no small part to the members of the committee this year; they have done an excellent job. However, I felt that a shake up was needed.

After last week’s LGBT Pride AGM there is a largely new committee made up of like-minded, enthusiastic and committed LGBT students. I can’t give anything away for certain yet but the new members

“The ‘gay scene’ freaks me out a little bit. I believe it needs a change.”

are focussed on making a positive change for the society and creating something that everyone can actually have pride (shudders) in.

Our currently active members do such an excellent job of turning up to our events and keeping the society going but there is a huge bank of LGBT students that would rather drink bleach than walk up to our Serendipity stall, for example. There are also a lot of LGBT students that – fortunately – haven’t really got a need for representation, advice or assistance and therefore don’t consider being involved with LGBT Pride. With this new direction the society hopes to include as many of these students as possible; whether it be providing a social event that is good enough to attract all and sundry or running a campaign that effects everyone.

The important message we are trying to get across to all of those LGBT students who frantically avoid ‘out loud and proud’ campaigns is this: it’s safe to come out of the woodwork now (not literally come out but, you know). We feel exactly the same as you and we are making the changes needed to be effective without all of that multicoloured, in-your-face stuff. But, we do need your help to make this change, if you have ideas, things you like/dislike or want to be involved (even if it’s just behind the scenes) then get in touch.

As for all of the lovely members we have at the moment; don’t think we’ve forgotten you; we’re still providing our usual nights out (and maybe the odd rainbow flag if you nag us enough).

The next year is going to be an exciting one for LGBT Pride, new people, approaches, socials and a new name (yet to be revealed). We need you all on board, even if it’s just an email every so often and we hope to start something inspirational here in Bangor.

Left Leanings A socialist perspective from Iain Dalton

No2EU – Yes to Democracy

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his is quite probably going to be my last column in this esteemed newspaper, so I guess I ought to draw the thread that has run through my previous columns together and conclude.

Any avid readers I may have may remember that last year I wrote my first article in Seren about the local council elections, they may also remember that at the time I said that none of the parties standing were worth voting for. This is not the case this time around.

As usual the press will probably talk about four main choices to vote: Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cyrmu. Just to recap my previous summary of these parties: they all really like cuts to public services and privatising stuff – well, that’s what they all do when they are in power!

Since last year we’ve had a massive economic crisis which seems to have eradicated half the shops in Bangor, unemployment has risen above 2 million and the prospects of getting a job for anyone finishing university (or college or school for that matter) are looking grim. Despite what Alistair Darling (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) said during his budget announcement; it isn’t going to get better any time soon. The economy returning to growth by the last quarter is very optimistic – but the governments unpopularity means that their only chance of staying in power is by being incredibly optimistic.

You may have heard about are the various protests that have taken place across the country. In January there were student

protests against the slaughter in Gaza at around 20 universities. Most of these protests had demands met such as their university not investing in arms companies and providing scholarships for Palestinian students. More recently there have been protests in workplaces where redundancies were likely. These workers were fedup with the idea that they could be thrown on the scrapheap whilst the likes of Sir Fred Goodwin walked away with multimillion pound pensions. These workers have either won their jobs back (Prisme packaging workers in Scotland) or a much better redundancy package than they were offered (Visteon car parts workers in

EU, what’s that about?

Well, since its conception the European Union has been about promoting the interests of big business at the expense of their workforces, the rest of us have to make do with a few crumbs off the table. For example, the EU Posted Workers Directive and subsequent European Court of Justice rulings allow for workers employed by a company based outside of Britain to pay lower wages than those nationally agreed within an industry. The part-privatisation of Royal Mail

“Workers were fed-up with the idea that they could be thrown on the scrapheap whilst the likes of Sir Fred Goodwin walked away with multi-million pound pensions” Basildon and Enfield).

That’s where the European Elections come in. Some of the workers who’ve led these protests are standing in this election as part of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT). RMT initiated the No2EU – Yes to Democracy electoral coalition, unlike the major parties I’ve already mentioned, this party is standing in defence of public services and against the interests of big business.

Now some people may be wondering about the name of the coalition - No to

which the government is currently trying to push through is linked to the 2007 EU Postal Services Directive to introduce a deregulated postal services market. The new re-packaged EU constitution (which originally got voted down in France and the Netherlands) has been put to the vote in only one country, Ireland. Because voters decided to reject it they now face a second vote in October this year to see if they ‘get it right this time’!

Of course, there is the possibility that the far-right, racist British Nation Party

(BNP) may get an MEP or two in these elections. At NUS conference this year there was great fanfare about a campaign called ‘Hope Not Hate’. It is about going out and engaging people to go and vote to keep the BNP out. But who do they vote for to do this?

Clearly the pro-New Labour leadership of NUS wants it to be a vote for Labour but a sizeable number of people who decide to vote for the BNP do so because of their frustration and anger at the major parties. The MPs of these parties seem more concerned with extravagant claims on expenses or second jobs as directors of multi-national companies. Having decided they don’t want to vote for the nosein-the-trough, public-service-cutting parties, they are not suddenly going to decide to forget about all of that. This is where the No2EU slate is of vital importance, as it provides the chance to vote for a positive alternative that is prepared to stand up for ordinary people.

Iain Dalton

Rambles of a mature(ish) student T his is my first column in Seren.

Ever since I came to Bangor as a mature(ish) undergrad, my friend Jack was badgering me and badgering me to write something for it. Eventually even the dear old editor Jo asked me a few times if I’d like to plug her gap. Or something.

Sadly, as I said, this is my first

article. It’s not that I’ve not wanted to; it’s just that I haven’t honestly had the time to do that. For instance, this is being written in a 15 minute gap between running an election and going out to the Storm FM Awards, wearing nothing but a towel. For those of you that don’t know me, I’m 6’2’’, nicely sculpted with brown eyes that go on forever and hair as dark as night. For those that do know me, don’t ruin it by telling the others the truth.

And that, eventually, is the point. Since coming to Bangor I have no time. Between actually writing my essays (something of a first for me), being involved with Storm, with the Union and having a circle of friends wider than the people left in my home town with an interest in suicide by booze, I find that life is full. To bursting.

And more amazingly I’m used to it.

From a ridiculously sedentary lifestyle

to writing articles in a towel should be a shock to the system but isn’t.

It’s amazing how quickly we can get used to things. Who really thinks about the fact that Barack Obama

regular flu! Arrgh!”), we’re students so we’re going to be scraping to get by anyway, and we get to stay in our cosy, crumbling little Students Union building for another year, which is

“Running an election and going out to the Storm FM Awards, wearing nothing but a towel” is black? For me, he’s the man who keeps giving banks more money than I thought actually existed.

Robert Mugabe is still in charge of Zimbabwe? Well, so what? He was last week, last month and last year and he probably will be next week, next month and next year.

Something’s of course still surprise me. The Daily Express still has an opinion on Princess Diana’s death? I reckon I’ll be forty before that stops surprising me. My Granny thinks David Cameron is a nice young man?

She may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer my gran, but surely even she can spot what he’s made of. Columbia’s finest….dark roast coffee if Gordon Brown’s advisors are anything to go by.

Hopefully there won’t be too many surprises for us here in Bangor.

We’re nicely out of the way of swine flu (“Oh no, its almost as bad as

great as far as I’m concerned. Being as busy as I am it was only last week that I managed to make a complete twonk of myself on Time’s dance floor. For those of you that saw me, I do apologise, and to the lady with the green dress, you shouldn’t have put your drink on the table, it was obvious I wanted to dance there.

I think most of all what I’ve got used to is the life in Bangor. Nowhere else seems to be quite so odd, quite so close-knit and quite so divided.

For those like me, who prefer life not to make much sense, Bangor is the perfect place to live. And for that reason, I’m glad the last year of my life has been here.

Jez Harvey

7

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

reviews but no cheap booze...

Day of protest, lifetime Naomi from Skins of indifference cares, why don’t you?

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t used to be that students were notorious freedom fighters, ready to paint placards with politically charged slogans and burn various items of oppressive underwear at any time. They were opinionated, free thinking and did the opposite of what their parents told them. Do you think we are the same?

Chinese students brought the world’s attention to Tiananmen Square in 1989 to bring about economic and political change, just 3 years earlier Parisian students teamed up with local workforces and brought the French government to its knees for social liberation, in 2006 almost 800,000 Chilean students took to the streets to pressurise their government into waiving tuition fees.

OK these students were campaigning against unjust political regimes, we are pretty well looked after in comparison, but when apathy is rife who knows what our government is getting up to? Politics is boring, no one cares do they?

“Apathy has stagnated our student lives so we forget that things go on outside Bangor” There are about 500,000 people attending university in Britain. A

good percentage of these must be aware, like you and I are, of the proposed fee hikes (between £4000 and £20,000 a year). They are probably outraged by it and yet a fraction of them seem prepared to do anything.

Being a university student yourself, you are already involved in this. The amount of students fighting fees is massively outweighed by the number who aren’t which sends a message to the government that we aren’t really bothered. Well I am bothered.

I’d rather not my mother have to remortgage our house so I can pass through higher education. You can’t get a job without a degree and yet you can’t afford to live with one.

If this were the 70s, 80s or even the 90s the academic population would be up in arms signing petitions, lobbying MPs, making it known that education should be available to everyone, not just those who can afford it. At the end of our time at uni some of us will have stacked up almost £20,000 of debt, that’s if fees don’t change. If they do I’m sure I won’t be the only person applying for a full time job at Tesco.

Maybe you’re a student who goes against the grain and wouldn’t mind spending that much on an education if it’s worth it. Then looks past that issue to innumerable others you could be involved in.

What about the 3rd runway at Heathrow? Supposedly a “green” runway, one where “green” planes which burn “green” fuel, which produce “green” carbon which puts bigger (but still green) holes in the ozone layer. How do you feel about

J

ust after the last Seren went to print a scandal gripped Bangor which plastered the fronts of local papers. What was this great scandal I hear you cry? A huge cut in University funding? Maybe it was to do with the recession? No. It was far worse. As one paper so ‘humorously’ put it, we found ourselves in the grip of the ‘Bangor Cathedral Loo Tube’ scandal. (Top marks to the person who came up with that title. I bet it

“It’s outrageous.

Won’t someone please think of the children!” computer says in on the shelf but in reality someone has already taken off the shelf and is treating it to a tour of the library) OR you’ve been trapped in your room under a pile of dirty clothes that have accumulated since your last trip home at Christmas, you probably don’t have a clue what I’m on about. So here’s the brief: a drunken man was been caught on camera in broad daylight urinating against the wall that surrounds the cathedral before falling over aforementioned wall. The video on YouTube has been viewed well over 35,000 times. I’m guessing the popularity is down to the guy falling over, rather than the

previous bit. Let’s ignore the fact that the video is not far off 12 months old and has been doing the rounds on mobiles since pretty much the day it was recorded, and simply join in with a good old traditional media generated public outcry.

It’s outrageous. Won’t someone pleeeeeaaaaase think of the children!

Ok. You’ve got me. I’m not really one to join in with media generated mock outrage. Far worse atrocities have occurred than a drunken man supposedly urinating against the Cathedral (I put ‘supposedly’ because the people who recorded the footage claim he didn’t actually relieve himself, although the video evidence suggests otherwise). Also, he wasn’t actually by the cathedral building itself. He was by the wall that separates the cathedral from the pavement opposite Yates’s bar, but who wants to let unnecessary facts get in the way of a good story. ‘Man urinates next to wall near Cathedral’ doesn’t quite have the same ring to it does it? I’m not condoning this man’s behaviour.

After all, as Councillor Eddie Dogan rightly pointed out: “It’s terrible. It’s

Life, the universe and whatsitsface

The world according to Joe Firth

THE LAST POST

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nuclear power/ pollution?

Do you care about poverty, human rights, gun crime?

You may have something to say about all of these things but you could actually make a difference.

Apathy has stagnated our student lives and being so out of touch with the “real” world we forget that things go on outside Bangor.

Whether you’re stirred into action, slightly more awake than 5 minutes ago or annoyed by my suggestion that you may want to move from your seat there’s plenty of ways you can support something you care about. I’m not asking you to don a Greenpeace tshirt and head to London to be abused by the metropolitan police, just take an interest. Go global and email Barack Obama about the 5000 children that die every day due to a lack of proper sanitation. Stay local and become a beneficial owner of a plot of land that may help stop the 3rd runway.

They aren’t after your money, they just want your voice. Why shouldn’t you give it to them if you agree?

Georgia Mannion

Bangor drunk in internet scandal! took you ages. In fact take the rest of the day off. No, no, the rest of the week.

If you have spent the last month or so either in the library (trying to find a book that the

COMMENT

one thing if it is little children with their mothers who are desperate for the toilet, but even then not on church grounds, and definitely not if you’re a grown man”. Quite right Eddie. Toddlers - yes. Grown men no. Unfortunately, Councillor Eddie doesn’t clarify if it’s ok or not for grown women.

On a serious note though, you shouldn’t urinate in the street whether its midday or midnight.

It’s disgusting and unhygienic.

And in addition, if this man HAD actually urinated against the

By Sam Elvin

his will be my last column.

That’s right, it’s the end of an era, and just like The Third Reich, all good things must come to an end. As I’m hanging up my boots (well technically laptop) I thought I’d share some secrets on the creation of these very words.

Firstly, writing this column is more difficult than it seems. No, seriously.

It may appear that I simply pluck one of my numerous character flaws or random thoughts and simply pour out the words in a form of written diarrhoea. In fact, writing a column takes dedicated organised thought, followed by a comprehensive plan, before finally producing a well rounded, balanced and structured piece of work. Ok, well done if you spotted the sarcasm.

Nevertheless, subject material can be surprisingly difficult to come by. I’ve often been tempted to write about my favourite past time, staring blankly out the window devoid of all thought and reason like the gormless zombies you find ‘plugged in’ on trains and buses (tip: next time you travel, take a pair of scissors and start cutting cords). Possibly

“People who leave half their pudding at a restaurant should be shot” wouldn’t yield enough material for a whole column, however. Columnists often find subject matter in simply going about life. They watch as seemingly ridiculous events unfold, like a fat person getting stuck in a revolving door. Yet I tend to find, reality bites and life tends to be much more mundane.

Other sources of material can be conversations. For example, my housemate just walked in to my room and we talked (moaned) about the rather futile and pointless nature of writing essays. I’m sure I could fill a column about squeezing out a few more sentences to hit the word limit and the various forms of procrastination in avoiding it (I find hoovering to be the best). Typically, however, I find subject matter comes whilst thinking about something completely different (which in my case, of course, is usually food, but does occasionally extend to things like rabbits on pogo sticks). Oddly, these thoughts only seem to occur when under pressure, and thus I only seem to come up with them moments before the Seren deadline (no doubt much to the frustration of Jo, our long-suffering editor, to whom I would like to publicly apologise for my repeatedly tardy submissions).

I suppose it’s like academic deadlines, no matter how much you try and kid yourself into setting personal deadlines you inevitably end up working up until the last possible moment. If only there was some sort of attachment for your computer which if you failed to churn out at least 300 words an hour, would release a boxing glove and punch you in the face. If nothing else, it would certainly liven things up in the library.

Anyway, I digress and I’m about to hit my word limit. I’ll leave you with one final thought: people who leave half their pudding at a restaurant should be shot.

8

UNION

End of Year Issue 2009

A year at the union

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

This year your Students’ Union has been engaging in loads of activities. From sports, to talent competiions, to Serendipity, to elections, to the Freshers’ Ball, loads of stuff has been happening. So, what better way to round off a fantastic year for Bangor Students’ Union than with a collection of photos, reminding you all of the awesome stuff that’s been going down in Bangor town?

End of Year Issue 2009

UNION

& what a good one!

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

9

10

FEATURES

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

Final farewell A

er, and Editor for this fabulous newspap is my final piece as Features Storm for s New of Head as post nd so I bid you farewell. This new re I run away and take up my stic befo fanta say e to s som thing met few I’ve ; a team have I Editorial working as part of the Seren le e. One of my most memorab FM. I have had a fantastic year com to s year for with h touc I know I will stay in Night which won Event of 90’S n Sere people and made friends that ant brilli rly utte a doubt, has to be the moments of this year without d that out yet.) (just in case you hadn’t foun ld not have been the Year at the Society Awards year and what I have learnt wou this er spap new the on ing is!! Thank you she so d worl the in I have gained a lot from work r edito particular. Firstly Jo, the best in le in it, I’m still peop stuff few y a craz out of with sorts possible me to put all e features pages and allowing extras you add to them to mak little for letting me run wild with my the for and n; Sere in that have appeared InDesign, I’m getting better use to getting emails about articles how me h teac to g for putting up with tryin ributed to the them look so brilliant. To Dan To all the people who have cont t supervision on it for a while. but I think I may still need adul a.

Laur cially Charlee, Rosie, Polly and Features pages this year; espe ul nothing without the wonderf be ld wou er spap new The of Bangor so thank you very ents stud the by e mad ions contribut . And of Seren so highly this year much for raising the standard Seren Team, it’s been the to ks than sive mas a finally I want to say hen, of you; Jo, Georgia, Aaron, Step a great year working with all have had I .

Sion and Dan Liz, , Willow, Emma, Stef, Will, Mark on to this year, memories I will hold great moments with you guys nothing left to say; apart from it, ’s that So . time long for a very Editor, for a great year as Features a very big thanks to everyone ! I wish Stef every craic t grea and t Nigh 90’S sunglasses socials, you she will do great things and bring success with Features, I know . have I than stuff om lovely students even more rand

Bianca Murray Features Editor 2008-2009

Help for those with an eating disorder

M

y name is Emma and I am in recovery from an eating disorder. I’m currently in my second year, happy and progressing well in my studies; however it was not always so. During my first year I struggled immensely trying to juggle the pressures of studying with my eating issues.

An eating disorder controls your every move and thought - your life is not your own. It is a vicious, degrading and invasive disease which is the hardest thing I have ever had to overcome in my life.

Whether you are currently living with an eating disorder or are in recovery from one, completing a degree at the same time is unbelievably difficult. You do not have to cope with this alone. I spent many years thinking I could make things better by myself, but I just got worse; reaching out for support is one of the most valuable things you could do to help yourself if you have an eating disorder. At the end of my first year I came into contact with a lady called Jan. She runs a positive eating group and various other services for all types of eating disorders in Menai Bridge. I e-mailed her telling her my background and asking for help and she replied with kind words of hope, telling me all about how the group could help me. The following is information from Jan about the services she offers at the Mental Health Users Forum in Menai Bridge.

The Positive Eating Group

offers individual support sessions, available on request and by appointment. These can be via e-mail, telephone or 1 to 1 in Menai Bridge (usually on the 1st Monday and 4th Thursday of every month).

Group meetings are also available - contact Jan through the address below for e-mail support for current details of these. All facilitators are b-Eat (Eating Disorders UK) trained counsellors, as well as having

“Balancing an eating disorder and a degree is unbelievably difficult. You do not have to cope with this alone” accredited qualifications in nutrition, counselling and training. The Mental Health Users Forum who host Positive Eating Group will be hosting seminars and training courses that are appropriate for those with Eating Disorders to attend, where the focus will be on motivation, building self esteem, time management, problem solving, life skills etc. E-mail support on PEGSIRFON@aol.com. Helpline open 7 days from 8 am - 8pm.

01407 730135 or 07979 606725 (It is requested that as this is a volunteer’s private line this service NOT be abused or overused).

You are not alone in struggling at University with your disorder, w h a t e v e r kind it may be.

Reaching

out to organisations such as the ‘Positive Eating Group’ can help you on your way to recovery and realising that life does not have to be so hard. Everyone has the power within them to recover - everyone does, regardless of how long you have had your disorder or how bad it is. Do not think you are either too sick or not sick enough to be helped; everyone has the right to be happy in life.

Useful contacts to have. Abbey Road Centre, 5-9 Abbey Road, Bangor. Phone: 01248 354888. www.abbeyroadcentre.com. Mental health resource centre offering support, advice and pop in sessions.

Training facilities, meeting and counselling rooms available. Mental Health Users’ Forum, Rear of 10 High Street, Menai Bridge, Ynys Môn. Phone: 01248 716615. www. mhuf.co.uk The forum is for anyone who is using or has used mental health services to gain mutual support, obtain information and pass views on to the people who plan services. www.b-eat.co.uk. b-Eat is the working name of the Eating Disorders Association, the leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families.

This website will provide you with all the information you need to know about eating disorders, where in the UK to get help, and online support. www.something-fishy.org.

An excellent pro-recovery website for suffers, as well as their family and friends who are also coping with the effects of their loved one’s illness.

Online support is available 24/7 through a bulletin board where one can ask questions, share problems, and communicate with others who suffer. Motivational exercises are also available, encouraging the individual towards recovery.

Emma Bailey

Think you could be the next Barack?

Initiative for young people interested in making a difference

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nterested in global politics?

Think you have the ideas and initiative to make a difference?

Then One Young World wants you.

The scheme in association with BraveNewTalent.com is looking for 1500 leaders of tomorrow from 192 countries to discuss global issues. One Young World states that the summit “gives young people interested in global issues and the future of the world a serious voice, and a platform from which to affect change.”

The competition has attracted serious attention, with links for entry posted on Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and on BraveNewTalent.com. For the first time in any competition of this kind, a social media based voting system will be used, a peer based process who will select the final delegates who will represent their respective nations at the summit in London from the 8th to the 10th February 2010. David Jones founder of One Young World stated that “achieving this level of support so early is a mark of just how important this initiative is.” The delegates will be selected to represent their countries in apportion to their population, this will be the first time that countries such as India and China have their population proportionally represented at a global level.

China for example will send 259 delegates, India 223 and the USA 61. Lucian Ta r n o w s k i , CEO and

founder BraveNewTalent.com and Global Enterprising Young Brit of the Year has spoken in favour of the scheme and the benefits it will bring for future generations. “It has never been more important for the next generation to take a leadership stance.”

The inaugural summit will feature discussions and debates on a number of global social and political issues such as developing political leadership, global business and its role in shaping society, interfaith dialogues between world religions, the environment and its protection, media and its identity and power, and global health challenges. The debates and discussions of the group of people chosen to represent their countries will be heard by universal figures such as Kofi Annan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Sir Bob Geldof. The cost is 3000 euro per candidate and this can consist of sponsorship, supplied by the candidates own means and grants. If you think you could represent Britain at this global gathering there are a number of ways you can enter; Facebook (http://apps.facebook.com/ oneyoungworld/), MySpace (http:// w w w . m y s p a c e . com/460031865), Bebo (http://www.bebo. com/app/oneyoungworld) or directly on the site at w w w. B ra v e N e w Ta l e n t . com/OYW.

“Achieving this level of support so early is a mark of just how important this initiative is.”

Bianca Murray

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FEATURES

End of year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

Diary of a Space Ship Chef F requently, at post-Christmas rehearsals, I asked myself: “I can’t cook. So how the hell did I end up in this role?”. By now, I had gotten over the fact that despite however much I wanted the role, the big bouncer from Time suited being the Captain of a Spaceship more than me, however I was still reeling from the fact that not only was I allowed to speak in English without the pretence of knowing Chinese, I had to swap the foreign language for an even worse one – Shakespearian Tongue. But let me rewind a bit.

SODA this year was a lot smaller than it had been for a while, making the casting even more difficult, and as the Director told us on a number of occasions when she was allowed space from her incredibly hectic schedule for a moment to stop and think, she had a nigh on impossible task. Saying that though, it wouldn’t have worked another way, despite the temper tantrums, and the feeling of disappoint some of the chorus members, and indeed a couple of the cameos, felt. That makes me sound big headed, considering (and this is still a big shock to me despite the fact that the show ended about six weeks ago) I was the youngest lead. I’m only 19 (and anyone telling me I look 22 plus gets a mental slap with that one).

My character, however, was perfect.

His reactions suited the way I fall over the idea of relationships and loving people, and so it helped greatly when I could empathise with his stupid way of inferring that Miranda, played by the one person I got on with best from last years production, fancied him from the fact that she simply didn’t understand his advances. So on stage, things seemed more together.

Publicity was a challenge trying to sell a show in Colwyn Bay . My personal and academic lives went on hold so that I could focus more (to the point where my lecturers wouldn’t know who I am if I walked up to them and slapped them) on SODA. This all seems like I didn’t enjoy what I was doing – I did. I love it; because unlike last year, where it was my escape from work and the mundane, this year it was my escape from a lot more. I

was told second year was the worst, and they weren’t half wrong. But I blinked too hard one day and we were at show week – the set was painted, even though it was completed only the weekend before; the tentacle was

“It is totally worth it when you hear a little kid down the front laughing inappropriately at something you’ve just said” done, although still mildly wet from the green paint I still cannot get off my boots; and we had the pyrotechnics, which there was a couple of arguments over, but eventually got sorted (and if you see the looks of shock and surprise on peoples faces on the DVD – they were real). So we left all to the last minute. So we had to run around like headless chickens – it was worth

it. Who else can say they’ve acted with pyrotechnics on stage, whilst a giant green thing decides to fly in, after which you have to dance with a robot? No-one. And the sad thing is, this might be it. This might be the last SODA show that is done, because it is hard, and it is a totally uphill slog 90% of the time. But it is totally worth it when you hear a little kid down the front laughing inappropriately at something you’ve just said, or you hear an elderly lady in a wheelchair singing along with the song, despite the fact that we have all stopped singing for a reason. It was daft, and funny, and chaotic and seemed like the fan splatters were never going to stop coming. But then the smoke goes on, and you’re backstage laughing at the people in the wings opposite dancing like Uma in Pulp Fiction. So yes, I hated it. Yes, I still But yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Even if my degree suffers as a result.

Jake Basford

Graduating this Year?

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f you are among the thousands of students graduating this year, the main thing on your mind is probably dissertations and exams. But have you planned what you will do once you have your degree? The choices for graduating students are wider than ever before, leaving you with much more choice of what to do with your diploma.

An increasing number of students are taking graduate gap years, whether volunteer work or through employers. Graduate gap years give you the opportunity to travel and see the world whilst applying your skills to positions such as working with children in summer camps, or working in another global branch of your employer. Graduate gap years are a great way to broaden your horizons and gain life skills. However if you are considering a gap year make sure you plan well ahead, be organised; check if you need visas, special permission or documents etc.

Postgraduate study is an attractive option for many graduating students, whether they want to study their subject more in depth or simply improve their employability prospects. Postgraduate study varies from the courses you can take to the amount of time it will take to complete your masters degree. Funding is crucial,

as unfortunately the fees for a postgraduate course are much greater than that of an undergraduate. Choosing to complete postgraduate study is a big decision so think very carefully before you decide, consider the time and commitment you will have to put in as well as financial issues you may face.

Starting a business after you graduate is another option available. Lots of universities around the UK offer help and support to students considering starting a business after leaving. Networking with other entrepreneurs and business owners is a great way to gain insight into the running of a business as well as work experience with successful companies. Whatever you decide to do after you graduate, consider your options carefully, finding employment is just one route you can take.

For more information on all your options visit www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/ChoicesAfterYouGraduate.

I wish all the Bangor graduates every success in their future, and remember; if all else fails you can always join the circus.

Frances Birkett

A Day in the Death of Joe Egg

I

n the words of Woody Allen, “comedy distracts, tragedy confronts.” The 1967 play A day in the death of Joe Egg by Peter Nicols unabashedly confronts the difficulties and unhappiness faced by the parents of a disabled child.

The play, which explores Nicols’ own experience of parenting a disabled child, breaks a very big taboo; it is not ashamed to show how challenging it is to raise a child with a disability, a far cry from any politically correct, euphemistic and rose-tinted vision of the situation.

BEDS unabashedly hit these issues on the head in their production of the play, and the result was a simply mesmerising performance.

The 1960’s-style set was highly realistic, which instantly immersed the audience into a British mentality of the day. This was very helpful to the play’s exploration of hostile attitudes towards sex before marriage, immigrants and poor people in 1960’s Britain, some other taboos the play is unafraid to break.

All the characters in the play

were highly thought-provoking, and embody socio-political observations.

Teri Howson portrayed a mother who blamed herself and her former promiscuity for her daughter’s disability. This guilt is in direct contrast to the perhaps over-romanticised view of 1960’s hippy free love in Britain. Nicola Churchman’s portrayal of a young female with cerebral palsy was hauntingly realistic. The scene before the interval in which she skips over the stage reminds the audience that disability is a mask; it is so easy to imagine the person the victim would otherwise be and what they would look like.

The BEDS production of this play ended differently from the original script, as it was more hopeful.

Although this ending did not confront the problem as much as I would personally have liked, it teaches us that the first step towards hope is to stop pretending and to accept the things we simply cannot change.

Rosie MacLeod

(Re)Introducing...

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ell, here we are at the end of another year in Bangor. I have decided to leave behind my days of venturing around the world and as a poor student I must stay in Bangor and save my pennies.

So, I am moving onwards and taking over as the lovely features editor of Seren.

As we say good bye to crazy Irish we shall welcome the radge Scot! (For those of you who do not know what a “radge” is, you will by the time I am finished with you.) I will continue in the footsteps of Bianca and bring you as many crazy and wonderful features as I can. I hope to bring you a whole range of new things; such as the introduction of a student debate page where we have some topical questions argued ‘for’ and ‘against’ by two passionate students of Bangor! We will have old favourites like the fashion feature and the introduction of some new things; such as a health feature.

If you have any ideas or articles that you wish to contribute to the Features page then don’t hesitate to get in touch features@seren. bangor.ac.uk I look forward to the year ahead and working with you all!

Stef Black Features Editor 2009-2010

S

o, you’ve waited, the girlfriend’s waited, the bloke opposite you in halls has waited, we’ve all waited for the Summer Ball 2009 line up to be announced. And what an announcement it was. Grumblings on Facebook were soon silenced when this awesome line up was revealed. Seren is bringing you some behind-the-scenes news, a detailed ticketprice breakdown and even an interview with the ball organiser himself! What more could you ask for? Get excited boys and girls, this year’s event promises to be the best one yet.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the acts you may not be familiar with:

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F

resh from his Britain’s Got Talent rejection, Brett Domino is proving that he ’s not going to let the small matte r of Simon Cowell’s disdain get him do wn by performing a medley of his Yo uTube super hits.

Plucked from obsc urity by The Chris Moyles Show for his good Keytar and Stylophone skills, Domino has been propell ed to internet superstardom dr agging his two band members Mi tch Hutchinson and Steven Peav is along for the ride. The Brett Do mino Trio will have you partying like it’s 1982, taking you to heigh ts of electrogeekiness that no t even Napoleon Dynamite could have dreamed possible.

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o a s i s are the definitive tribute to Manchester’s five piece super group Oasis. Noasis recreate songs from every era of Oasis from the hits of the 90’s when Brit Pop was at its height, to their hits of today.

Having toured Western Europe extensively playing many of its major venues and festivals Noasis have a wealth of experience when it comes to stagecraft.

Their audience continue to sing their hearts out to the classic Oasis anthems that we all know and love, whilst a glance round the sea of faces will be met with that knowing smile of satisfaction from the diehards when they pull out that special B side or album track. Noasis are the full five piece line up, there’s not a detail missing from this superb act as their Liam and Noel pick out every vocal harmony you’ve ever screamed to yourself in your car right down to that twitch your hands get when you hear those neat guitar licks.

No backing tracks or gimmicks, just full on five piece sound the way it was written!

aking inspiration from classic pop, reggae, dru m n bass, and funk, write r- producer- singer Ste ve Appleton crosses genres to create a sound that is totally distinctive, fresh and original. With an ear for a tune and an eye for an incred ible live show he wrote and produced his entire album, ‘When The Sun Comes Up’, by throwing in all sorts of life experienc es: everything from funky venues to one night stands and ruling the world.

It’s the sound of clubbing until 5am, the sound of nightbuses across town, the sound of the first tube home, crumbled but content in your seat as freshly-laundered commu ters hop on board ready for a hard day’s work.

It’s a song about being young, which we were all involved in at some point. If you ’ve got the mental image of a sound which is both modern and traditional, electronic and acoustic, just wait until you hear his songs.

W

things fair. e at Seren like to make niser of the So, we contacted the orga tly how far Summer Ball to ask exac ur ticket goes. Here that £45 you spend on yo are the details:

le all those litt s e d lu c in This g, as... stagin h c u s s g thin rs, ens, speake re c s tv , g n ti ligh ing, wiring, rigg , s p m a , s mic ing it meras, putt a c , rs o it n o m down taking it all r, e th e g to ll a Wait, that . g in m ti rd in reco little now... o s m e e s ’t doesn

Ticket price breakdown Venue Costs

Site equipment 7%

7%

Believe it or not, the use of Main Arts for the day doesn’t come free, so this percentage of your ticket pays the University to put up with us.

Production 36% Marketing Only a fraction of the cost pays for promotional posters / flyers and the snazzy booklet you get when you buy your ticket.

Acts 36%

3%

Staff 11%

This covers all the bar staff who spend the evening running around making sure everyone is suitably hydrated (with the beverage of their choice) as well as the security staff, stewards, car park attendents...

36% of your ball ticket price pays for all those lovely bands and performers to come and entertain you for the evening. Not bad really, considering how much is on offer.

SEREN STUDENT CENTREFOLD THROUGH

THE

SEREN KEYHOLE

This m o to exp nth: we in v ose o ur edi aded the S and th er t o e unu sual s r’s caffeine en office tash o If you f cond addiction h oms. to imp ave traffic co ress g et in t nes galore editor ouch! @sere or me n.ban ss gor.ac .uk

Going Up Seren Wins Society Award For Event of the Year!

Very.

most productive The door to the .. room in the world.

Summer Ball Line Up Confirmed

Why would the edi tor possibly need these?

Mystery Jets!

Wiley! Goldie Lookin’ Chain!

Definitely worth the wait, Seren will be seeing you there.

Exam Stress!

Exam period leaves students stressed and anxious! Brew up and calm down!

suit of mugs to lys a range Seren supp . ne yo ever

Is this you? Do you know who it is? If so, then get in touch and you’ll win a HANDPAINTED SEREN MUG! What more could you want? editor@seren.bangor.ac.uk

Election Recounts!

Voting for the same thing again?

Whatever next?

Last Month ’s W inner :

Spotted!

Amie Paintain

Going Down

...and her amazing Seren mug !

SEREN STUDENT CENTREFOLD

SEREN STUDENT CENTREFOLD A LIST OF THINGS I HATE... by Dwight McCarthy

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ational football team itten on the his article was wr shirts on holidays, break. r ste Ea e for be there’s no need to last day o’ 4 by in e du y portray the fact that you Having an essa g vin ha d library an have no culture, you idiot. clock, I got to the Attention all music nazis, ough printing my got halfway thr most music is good you inter jammed. pr g kin f** the essay plank, but evidently there’s rcastic sa a by d lpe This was he s**t, you just have to sift a d ble em res o wh through it. Overly priced library assistant d, me jam it wasn’t items - I know the lapmouse telling me r. I pe pa of t ou s top I’m writing on costs but rather it wa er nn sca de barco too much, my card statewanted to use the sk de t ment/bank balance tells t” check ou on the “convenien me that. Flat Beer. Pig r but a measure he on me to xt ne flu hype. Badly ranged hand. This my d lle sti int of restra wireless ininter pr t en sp re mo ternet conwas followed by . nd mi lly rea didn’t nections. credits, which I ly lar cu the parti Too much But then came waiting for my n e w l y infuriating bit, I’m the in rst fi found relit (it was essay to come ou s ist ance upon one person ins print queue) and technolgoing through re the ing nd on sta ogy. Ripothers ee thr of se tho d off stumy essay, an nt fro in ot sp his g dent nights. Over-used before relinquishin ult res a ob. So as themes of the 90’s after of the printer. Kn of to compile a list one exponentially popuof this i decided lar night. Bad pictures noyances within an ly tru i t tha s thing of a good night out. Faour world. Enjoy...

T

cebook rape. Indecisive

leaders. Mobile phones that don’t work. Cheap energy drinks. Broken doors. Dodgy landlords. The likelihood you got caught snogging on facebook. Missing a song at a club because you’re at the bar/in the toilet.

Expensive car insurance. Cheese and Onion Crisps. Sainthood of reality television idiocy. Lack of sleep. Too much sleep. TV Talent shows. TV talent show judges...

(Takes pause for air.)

Geordie Bloke Off The Apprentice. Missing High Fives. Losing belongings on a night out. Missing that golden opportunity. Woolworths shutting down. Confusion between artists and their respective songs. Not knowing the song playing at a club. Inability to act when you need to. Not being able to get to the bar at pound-a-pint events. Lack of clean cutlery and crockery...

...Deadlines.

Presentations.

Course designated reading that needs to be read otherwise your understanding is completely inhibited.

People who achieve better grades when you’ve worked harder than they have. Noisy printers. Bad service in shops/pubs/when eating out.

Being outsmarted by Children. People shredding stuff in the computer room. Unhealthy food tasting good, and stuff that’s good for you tasting awful. Getting barred from venues.

Broken utilities and landlords taking forever to fix them. False Hope high fives. Bad grammar. “Click the black arrow” in Indesign. Photoshop troubles. Bangor Clock Tower being obscured for too long. the demise of Bangor High street. The recession that was caused by a credit crunch that was in turn caused by Americans.

Oh, and last but by no means least: negativity.

(Grasps for oxygen mask.)

Bangor’s unsung heroes!

This month:

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Jess Hughes aka: DJ Mouse

et’s set the scene. It’s Jess’ first ever DJ slot, in Academi’s cocktail bar faced with a barrage of controls and mixers and the nerves set in. She’s getting it though and it’s flowing, right up until the DJ in the main bar suffers an allergic reaction and is forced to make an exit leaving Jess to control a roomful of ravers. Did she bail because nerves threatened to ruin her? Of course she didn’t. She played what she knew best, the songs her and her friends had danced to for years, music for the masses, the crowd loved it. It was this night that the legend was created, the legend now known as…

DJ Mouse.

Jess plays every fortnight, rocking your Saturday in Academi, and laps it up. “Every Saturday is an honour, hearing screams when you play songs gives me goosebumps, I’m the luckiest girl to have such a cushy and humbling job.” It’s also one of the most nerve racking for Jess, “My job is to turn up and play songs that people want to hear, I am in complete control of how good someone’s night is.”

Jess has to draw a fine line between her style and what people want to hear, she says how she likes to distance herself from the cheese but still likes to focus on finer moments of the 80’s, when dance

and choreography became more important.

When dealing with requests Jess says there are two kinds, arsey and lovely. Arsey requests for example are when she has to deal with “STOP PLAYING THIS S**T MUSIC!!!”, or when she has to explain that she doesn’t have every song and that sometimes she won’t be able to play every song that people want.

“The lovely side of requests is when the list gets smaller, not because people stop going, because it shows

“It was this night that the legend was created, the legend now known as...

DJ Mouse.” a regular crowd who’ve started to understand my style.” Jess also understands that when a song isn’t as well known, some people walk away, but recently, it pleases her to see that some are starting to give it

a try and will stay around to listen to the music.

In terms of set up, Jess doesn’t get much preparation time. As a recently-turned full time body piercer, she spends most of her day in Redskin, the tattoo shop on Bangor high street. Her day doesn’t finish until 5:30pm, then she has to rush home, make herself look respectable and head down to Academi to set up and start her 5 hour marathon. All the time the nerves are setting in, she jokes about how she’s shaking all the way to Academi “every week I think I can’t do it, but then I set up and people turn up, then I see the regular faces and this is why I love it, this is why it’s worthwhile.” Jess says that she would love to speak to the crowd at the end of the night but unfortunately they get turfed out too quickly at closing time. “I did however, receive appreciation from some Japanese girls who asked for a photo with me whilst heaping praise about my set. It was totally unexpected and left me amazed.”

Jess took her DJ skills to new levels recently when she got her first personal set of decks from her brother in law, now in her spare time she spends a ridiculous amount of money on iTunes and blogging websites so she can make her own CDs and more importantly, create her own mixes.

Her first ever mix is her favourite, Santogold’s Creator mixed with a song by a Swedish DJ, Vitalic. “That was amazing because I’v e figured it out, it worked so well.” Without the decks, Jess says that she was basically learning on the job, but now that she has them

she’s not under the same amount of pressure to get better because she can practise on creating her own style. Once again, Jess would just like to express how lucky she feels she is, “I never thought of it as a possible career, once I leave Bangor no one will know who DJ Mouse is, then it’s up to me to make this happen through my own CD’s and self promotion.” So in the future, if you ever attend a DJ Mouse set somewhere in the world, be sure to support, it’s no more than she deserves.

Aaron Wiles

Biya Ashraf

Birthday: 13th May Hometown: Crewe Studying: Psychology Music: Vengaboys, Meg and Dia, Hot Chip, The Prodigy, Steve Appleton Films: American Pie, Anastacia, 17 Again, Twilight, Juno.

Groups: My phone took a walk down a drain...never to be seen again :(, I Love the Innuendo in Harry Potter, I Love Willow from Willow Does

Biya’s acceptance speech...

“Wow, this is all so exciting! I would like to thank THE Sophie Maden and more importantly Mikes Bites! I am also in debt to the Maclabs for allowing me access to the internet, facebook and to steal my copies of Seren.”

Fancy a bit of this? Add us on Facebook to be in the running next year!

SEREN STUDENT CENTREFOLD

16

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

This year, Seren’s roving repor ter, Willow Manuel, is dedicating some time to trying out clubs and societies.

All photos of Willow in action taken by Daniel Turner and Kirsty Flow Dyas

Ultimate Frisbee F

or the final society for Willow does (dry your tears), I decided to try out Ultimate Frisbee, having no preconceptions of what this would involve. Nevertheless I became apprehensive about Ultimate Frisbee when my friend suggested that I should try to avoid getting a black eye from a Frisbee being launched into my face. Perhaps more alarming was my other friend, training to be a learning disabilities nurse, coming to cheer me on - quite fitting judging by my abilities!

Initially the coach taught me how to throw and catch the Frisbee, which we practiced for a while, bringing back memories of playing catch with a dog on the beach. I also faced the difficulty of having long nails, which scratched the Frisbee when I threw and caught.

I was then taught the rules of the game, which were basically to catch the Frisbee in the opponents ‘end zone’ (a square box at your end of the field). To begin, offensive (the team with the Frisbee) would line up on their end zone and choose an opponent who was at the same position as them on the defensive side of the pitch. Offensive would then launch the Frisbee across the pitch and both teams then charge at each other attempting to catch the Frisbee and pass it into

T

Seren

he one and only society that I am actually a member of, and have participated in for two years is Seren – and for this reason I felt that it would be fitting to end Willow Does with my favourite society.

When I first joined Seren I didn’t get involved much, but knew that I wanted to get more involved. I have managed to do this by being the Secretary and through the mind-blowing feature, ‘Willow Does’, and have found it very fulfilling. As the Secretary my role in the paper is to keep members informed about meetings, up and coming events, and what’s generally happening within the wonderful world of Seren.

the opponent’s end zone. Or at least that’s what I figured was occurring.

Bangor’s Ultimate Frisbee team are also apparently quite good, evident by them coming 9th out of 35 (ish) in the Regional competitions. There is no referee in Ultimate Frisbee, which brought to my mind in-game riots (perhaps that is just my cynical mind); however I was informed that games are based on fair play. Spirit points (not vouchers in this instance) are awarded to the team which demonstrates the most fair play. When the game commenced it was evident that you have to be in good physical condition to play; not only did you have to keep an eye on who you’re marking, but you have to do this across the length of a football pitch.

When the game had ended I was panting like a dog (fitting considering what we were playing with). I was then informed that there is actually a women’s Frisbee session, which may have been easier for me! All the same Ultimate Frisbee is a competitive sport; a bit of a cross between netball and football, yet is unique in its own way.

...bringing back memories of playing catch with a dog on the beach

Nevertheless you do not have to be a subeditor or secretary to join in on the fun and excitement of Seren. Articles need to be written on whatever takes your interest, from sheep grazing at Ffridd Site to rants about Carnage. If writing isn’t your thing it is still possible to get involved - without the team who actually put Seren together using InDesign Seren would not be able enhance your lives. Being involved with Seren is not limited to just producing the paper, either. We have some amazing socials courtesy of our outgoing Social Sec, which usually involve wearing inappropriate in sunglasses

lighting, heading off to Academi/Time/ Racubah and commenting on/tagging/liking way too many pictures on Facebook.

Seren is a really enjoyable society to be a member of. There are so many opportunities and it looks great on your CV. Whatever your interests are there is no doubt that you will be able to incorporate them into the paper. For these reasons I urge you to join Seren in the next academic year.

Articles need to be written on whatever takes your interest, from sheep grazing at Ffriddoedd site to rants about carnage

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End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

UPDATE

Tea Party!

O

SVB waves goodbye to some legends!

A

s the end of the year draws nearer,it’s time for SVB to hold its Annual Review and Awards Night which is always a bittersweet affair. Looking back on a great year of brilliant stuff is always fantastic but it also means that it’s time to say goodbye to some old friends. This year we wave goodbye to Alys Leighton and Gemma Nicholls who have helped rebuild Bangor RAG from the ground up. The amount of work these guys have put in has been phemomenal and we love them for it. Also moving on after 4 years apiece at Bangor are Hannah Stanley , Suzanne Cooper and Louise Carden who have run our Hergest Volunteering Project for the last year and have been involved with the project for a many as 3 years. Harry Ricketts our Sbectrwm Project Leader is also finishing this year. Harry has run the Sbectrwm project for the last 2 years and was a volunteer before that. We’re really going to miss him. Finally, to two special ladies who it’s fair to say do huge amounts for SVB. Debbie Wolsey has volunteered since her 1st year and has run our Splodge children ’s project for the last one. In addition, she’s also been our Social Secretary. Abi Moore, has been a member of our Promotions Team since her 1st year and has also run our Out and About project. Debbie and Abi have given hours, no days, of their time to SVB. They take part in everything that they can and SVB really wont be the same without them. Goodbye and Goodluck x

s d r a w A h s a C G RA 2008-2009

following the recent very successful year and a had e hav G RA or ang to a close until the new drawn their hard work fun of RAG week, have hard earned cash t we’ve got lots of our tha ans me is Th r. yea academic Wales Air Ambulance lucky charities are the the r, yea ed s thi and ay to give aw dge who will each receiv Play Group in Menai Bri g ’s itin gon vis Dra to tle rd Lit wa for the g and lookin lead by Robyn Noden are nt’ ‘gia a r ive del to ek £1000. The RAG team we t e nex the Wales Air Ambulanc going to the Caernarfon base of how useful their cash is ut abo re mo bit a rn lea and needed son ch per mu in buy cheque ir money to ygroup will be using the as the and air rep dis o be. The Little Dragons pla int s are fast falling ing ong bel t ren cur RAG ir n, the itio equipment as far indeed. In add nity, £1000 will go very mu ious com var the at by es run riti is group t of other cha ing sums for a whole hos G opp RA wh the sed of rai ry o cia als efi e ben hav has been a regular s rdo rna Ba y. ntr low fel cou h points across the region on £750 wit eived somewhere in the awesomeness and has rec r RAG too! All this suc ngo Ba of doing quite well out s and Kid rk wo rity d cha s har en’ the ldr t chi le withou have been at all possib Becky cessful work would not s, Gemma, Kim, Clare, Aly , ma Em , byn Ro m, tea G RA the of dedication i RAG. and newest recruit Rhodr

B

n the 25th of April SV B held an the elderly other Tea residents Party for of Bangor. success an The day w d th e old peop seeing a d as a great le once ag ifferent si ai de to stud a perform ents. On th n appreciated ance from e day ther SODA sing recent sh e was ing songs ow. There from their was bingo, the bingo most with Spen caller and cer Georg a raffle pre There was e as sented by also an ap p Jo ea Mayor of B hn Jackso rance from n. angor who th e so on to be D was impre do. eputy ssed by al l the work SVB

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MUSIC

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

The Enemy -

Music for the People

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Bye Kids.

S

o this is it, my two year reign as music editor is coming to an anti-climactic end. From the good times (interviewing Ladyhawke) to the bad times (interviewing Pendulum) and the very very bad times (interviewing The Twang), the past twenty-four months have been a rollercoaster ride of free gigs, Adobe InDesign and ‘no eating in the computer room, yeh’. Past achievements have included increasing the music section from one to three pages, then being decreased back down to two (cheers Jo), recording and producing a ‘Student Bands’ CD, which I have, admittedly, never listened to, and of course taking part in the almighty Seren SIN night – the original and best 90’s night this side of the Menai Straits (accept no imitations). But this would not be a farewell message without mentioning all the wonderful people that have made my Seren life possible: my predecessor Chris Thomson for mentoring me, the overrated Jo Caulfield, Adam Isbell the ultimate unsung hero, Dan ‘Photoshop’ Turner, all the rest of the Seren crew who I can’t be bothered to find appropriate adjectives for: Georgia, Liz, Emily, Willow, Sion, Bianca etc…as well as the deceased Jack Peat and the omnipresent Emma Dodd. And of course all my contributors, especially Tom Durkin, Lee Howson, Alex Farley, Rhodri Barker, Jack Sexty, Liam Randall and anyone else who has been bribed into writing something for me (Lewis).

But I’m saving the biggest Dixon love for Aaron Wiles, future music editor who has apparently been after my identity for 9 months now. Do me proud son.

I owe it all to the pregnant mug.

Emma Dixon

he Enemy return with their second instalment, Music for the People. They are a three piece band from Coventry consisting of Tom Clarke (vocals, guitar and piano) Liam Watts (drums) and Andy Hopkins (bass and backing vocals). Music for the People opens with an absolute smack in the chops, not too dissimilar to an Oasis warm up at Wembley or another massive venue - The Enemy seem (I say seem) to have cracked that tricky second album with the opening two songs ‘Elephant Song’, and ‘No Time for Tears’ a massive favourite of Zane Lowe the much respected Radio 1 DJ. But then the album takes a severe nose dive, the third song ‘51st State’ is a strange mix of piano, weird swoosh effects and horrible screaming from lead singer Tom, and I hate to admit it but apart from the odd glimmer of hope in some songs the album doesn’t get any better than that . I really can’t see why this album has received such huge praise, MOJO a magazine I thought was quite a credible read gave it 4/5 saying “an album rippling with muscular Led Zeppelin guitars, Armageddon drumming and sing along choruses,” surely there is no

The Noisettes – Wild Young Hearts.

guitar in this song that is anywhere near as good as say ‘Good Times Bad Times’ or ‘Black Dog’, and if you find yourself shaking your head at these song titles please please please check them out now and then you will see what I mean straight away. Obviously as usual NME have jumped on the general “indie” bandwagon and given Music for the People 4/5 and said “Music for the People is certainly gigantic beyond reason.” I’m afraid all I can say in defence of The Enemy was that their first album was a generally good middle of the road indie band first album, it went straight to number one and I can’t argue with that but it seems that a second album of the same quality was too much to ask from the Coventry three piece, it also seems that it will be a long time coming for anything else new and fresh on this scene I’m afraid (apart from the odd needle in a hay stack.)

This album is just a bit samey and just a general let down that sounds like it’s trying to be everyone else before them that were successful all at once.

Will Pedigrew

Win 1 pair of tickets to the UK’s largest electronic music festival Global Gathering.

Seren are offering 1 lucky reader the chance to win a pair of weekend tickets and a tent kit to the world’s biggest and most popular electric and live music festival, Global Gathering. The Prodigy, Orbital and Pendulum will headline, joining a stellar line up that features the greatest DJs on the planet including Armin Van Buuren and David Guetta.

Expect some heavy beats and high-energy hooks at this year’s Global Gathering Festival as 55,000 people congregate at the Long Marston Airfields for two-days of camping at a non-stop music weekender. The festival takes place at the height of summer on the 24th & 25th July and is set apart by its commitment to next generation technology with inter-galactic visuals and sound systems guaranteed to take the crowd “to another dimension”.

Winners will be able to experience nine musical arenas so get ready to abandon yourselves to a euphoric marathon of aural ecstasy from all ends of the dance spectrum including House, Trance, Leftfield, Breaks and so much more. This year sees the introduction of the brand new Tuborg Stage, which will include performances from Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Sneaky Sound System and The Whip.

To enter answer this simple question: Where does Global Gathering take place?

Email your answers to: music@seren.bangor.ac.uk Check out the website, www.globalgathering.co.uk for information, behind the scenes interviews and regular podcasts.

T

he Noisettes are a London based trio back with their second offering Wild Young Hearts. Their debut album What’s The Time, Mr Wolf? was described as a “spangly pearl necklace of a debut”, fans loved it. So how does the follow up compare? Well it seems that previous fans aren’t going to be happy with the new direction they’ve taken in their music, away from the punk and rock they go into an era of 60’s pop and jazz, and so far it has been successful. The catchy ‘Don’t Upset The Rhythm’ featured on a TV ad and charted at number two in the singles chart, for me it was a definite grower. I wasn’t a huge fan but every time I heard it I seemed to like it that little bit more. It’s one of the album’s strongest points.

The next single ‘Never Forget You’ is more chilled out and the 60’s style comes out a lot in this song, it’s easily for me the best song on the album. Other songs to look out for are ‘Wild Young Hearts’ and ‘24 Hours’, the former being the debut single off the album. Both are again slower but have nice beats in the background that you find yourself tapping to whenever they’re being played. Shingai Shoniwa has a good soulful voice that’s able to show off the emotion in these tracks.

However, the rest of the album leaves something to be desired, it’s not so bad that it’s awful but songs such as ‘So Complicated’ and ‘Atticus’ are just dull. I constantly find myself just skipping these songs trying to find something more interesting, and I always end up back at the beginning listening to the same few songs which is a shame because I was expecting more from what I’d previously heard. In the end, I think I’m more disappointed with this album because of how boring half of it is. I would however say it’s worth looking into it mainly for the gems that are ‘Never Forget You’, ‘24 Hours’ and ‘Wild Young Hearts’.

Aaron Wiles.

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MUSIC

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

Bugged A Out Mix

by Hot Chip

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he Bugged Out! franchise began as a set of clubnights, according to their website they describe themselves as “Bugged Out! is an all night electro/techno party that takes place in London, Manchester, Milan, Rome and Barcelona.”

The all night dance parties now happen across the globe, spanning from Japan back to the now uber hip sankeys in Manchester. The first Bugged Out! was on Friday November 25th 1994 at Sankeys Soap Manchester. From this they went to populate such legendary nightclubs as the Hacienda, Bugged Out! is also no stranger to big names having hosted nights by the likes of Daft Punk, the Chemical Brothers, and more recently have helped to launch new and pioneering dj’s such as the newly crowned prince of club, Erol Alkan.

Off the back of these epic club nights we saw the previously live artists commit their devastatingly cool and slick remixes to record, using their setlists to craft entire two CD albums beginning with the original Bugged Out! mix by Felix Da Housecat. Featuring hard to find and absolutely epic remixes by the likes of the Klaxons, Miss Kittin, Squarepusher, Boys Noize and Simian Mobile Disco, we see the albums take a leap forwards into the realm of Hot Chip.

This twisted piece of genius is spread across two CD’s but before I even mention the music, the artwork on the cd is absolutely fantastic as is the packaging design! The first CD is a sweet smooth mix of electronica that doesn’t even need vocals until track 14 when a Hot Chip track adds a nicely paced vocal into the melodic mix which creates a CD of morning after a heavy night before based bliss. CD Two opens up a world of opportunity from classic Hall & Oates tracks to Luther Vandross, mixed in with some electronica giving us a perfectly rounded CD of pre-club/pub chilled danceability. So ideally listen to CD Two while having a beer before hitting a nice eclectic night out, and when recovering the next morning, thank myself, Emma Dixon and Seren for soothing your banging head. This CD makes an amazing addition to the Bugged Out! Legacy of recordings but can be enjoyed without all the hype and background surrounding it.

Sion Wyn Laszek

ll good things must come to an end and alas, here I am writing my final article for Seren. Thanks a lot to all the editors, especially Emma for letting me write and forgiving my lack of punctuality in the process.

I would like to conclude my short lived career in the Seren Music section by writing about what I think the future holds for music and the music industry. I thought this would be an interesting change from the articles that I have submitted so far, and the old American artists that I have written about.

In our generation we have already seen two revolutions in the way in which music is distributed.

Firstly we saw the tape wiped out by the CD and now, it seems that the CD is slowly being wiped out by the increasing popularity of digital media.

Interestingly Radiohead became the first band ever to release an album exclusively on a USB stick last year.

The band also famed for releasing, “In Rainbows” via the internet in a style where the listener was invited to pay whatever they wanted. Some paid hundreds, where as others, like me, paid nothing.

Although vinyl looked to be making one of those ‘retro’ come backs in recent years, the prices have kept the buzz fairly quiet. I love the crackle and the quality but the average music listener doesn’t really want to fork out the hundreds of pounds to get a turntable set up, only to then have to pay around £20 (possibly more!) to listen to the latest album release from Bloc Party.

The Future of Music

by Tom Durkin

The Juan Maclean - The Future Will Come

I So digital music looks like set to be the future, with CD and any other form of musical media dying a slow and painful death in some seagull infested landfill site.

And I can honestly say that I don’t really mind. It’s just so much more convenient being able to have all your music on your computer, because let’s face it, our generation seems to spend most of its time in front of one.

The one brilliance of digital music is also the fact that the quality never changes, allowing you to listen to your favourite song, week in week out with the only worry being some virus may mean you have to wipe hard drive.

The way in which music is being distributed is something that I think everyone will be keen to embrace, mainly because the youth of today is so computer and digitally orientated.

I also think it’s a result of the boom of

the internet over the last ten years.

Can you honestly imagine back to a time where you couldn’t open up a laptop and stick on your favourite song, whether you owned it or not?

It seems strange by all accounts, but ten years ago you probably hadn’t ever heard of a laptop, never mind thought that one day, you and pretty much every single one of your friends would own one.

One last note is the way in which illegal downloading has become so popular over recent years. The music industry will definitely have to change in order to survive in the next five or so years. It will be extremely interesting to see what defences they try and contrive.

Put your hand up if you have an entire music collection made of illegal downloads… I just raised mine.

daydream a lot of the time about what the future will be like. Whether it will be full of all kinds of robots, flying cars, jet packs, virtual reality, or lots and lots of electro pop. This record led me to believe that at least the latter will certainly be true of times to come.

I often use record labels as a mark of quality especially if that record label happens to be headed

by James Murphey, the man behind LCD Soundsystem and massively enthusiastic music lover. So, in hopes of discovering another The Rapture or YACHT I gave Juan Maclean’s The Future Will Come a spin to see if it could get me dancing.

It almost feels a little 80s in parts, especially some of the synth sounds and the boy/girl vocal dynamic, which makes it a decidedly good thing. A little studio polish that suggests mainstream dancefloor aspirations whilst never staying in pop mode long enough to become boring.

It might not be for everyone but if like me you enjoy leftfield dance, 80s pop, and any/all of the DFA roster then you should check this out.

The Specials Live Music (aka Manchester Apollo 03/05/09 New Falling Asleep With The Specials Live You Heaphones On) T I - Manchester

w w w . m y s p a c e . c o m / t h e j u a n m a c l e a n www.thejuanmaclean.com

o say I was annoyed when I found out that Emma Dixon got free tickets to see The Specials on a bank holiday and hadn’t immediately promised them to me, would be a gross understatement.

Not only this but as I got wasted the night before, I spent my Bank Holiday Sunday in a totally shit mood knowing that in a few hours she’d be watching a band I’ve adored since I first danced around my parents lounge to ‘Monkey Man’ as a boy.

She’s an arsehole, seriously. She tells me she’s my friend, right…

Then.

Four o’clock rolls round like my eyeballs in the dull pits they call sockets, and my telephones ringing.

I’m going to see The Specials.

She is a good friend.

I don’t care that I’m a substitute for some fool who’s just bailed on a free ticket to see perhaps one of the most vital bands in British music history. I’m going to see Terry Hall do what I wish I could do half of.

So with every sweaty fortysomething skinhead, clad head to toe in Fred Perry, Dr Marten that bumped into me that night, Emma Dixon is thankfully the reason I am now able to say that my balls have tingled listening the ‘Ghost Town’ live.

Every ounce of sarcasm and dry wit with the timeless British youth culture reference and that Ska vibe that never ever sounds clichéd is still as vital as ever as The Specials roll through what has to be the most impressive back catalogue of songs I’ve ever heard.

I mean, I’m a Specials fan, and like everyone did at least once in the audience that night I went: “Fuck, I forgot they did this!”. And “Fuck, how do I know all the words?”

At not one stage did I ever think that watching the band

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o say I was annoyed when I found out that Emma Dixon got free tickets to see The Specials on a bank holiday and hadn’t immediately promised them to me, would be a gross understatement.

Not only this but as I got wasted the night before, I spent my Bank Holiday Sunday in a totally shit mood knowing that in a few hours she’d be watching a band I’ve adored since I first danced around my parents lounge to ‘Monkey Man’ as a boy.

She’s an arsehole, seriously.

She tells me she’s my friend, right…

Then.

Four o’clock rolls round like my eyeballs in the dull pits they call sockets, and my telephones ringing.

I’m going to see The Specials.

She is a good friend.

I don’t care that I’m a substitute for some fool who’s just bailed on a free ticket to see perhaps one of the most vital bands in British history. aI’m going to see was music like watching drunken uncle Terry Hall do fl what wish I your could embarrassingly irt Iwith do half of.not a fan of ‘comebacks’ girlfriend.

I’m So tours’. with every sweaty fortyor ‘reunion something skinhead, clad head You can dress it up how you like.to Fred Perry, Marten that Eventoe the in split length set,Dr brass section intobrought me that on night, Emma and bumped glitter ball halfway, thankfully the reason I am and Dixon the isalmost cabaret perfect now of able to say that my balls have delivery each song sounding more tingled the ‘Ghost Town’ electric thanlistening the hallowed recordings, couldlive. never make this seem less perfect.Every ounce of sarcasm and dry wit with the timeless British Uniting everyone with youth the culture and that vibe realist and reference puerile delivery ofSka these photographic songs by men you just

that never ever sounds clichéd is still as vital as ever as The Specials roll through what has to be the most impressive back catalogue of songs I’ve ever heard.

I mean, I’m a Specials fan, and like everyone did at least once in the audience that night I went: “Fuck, I forgot they did this!”.

And “Fuck, how do I know all the words?”

At not one stage did I ever think that watching the band was like watching a drunken uncle embarrassingly flirt with your girlfriend. I’m not a fan of ‘comebacks’ or ‘reunion tours’.

You can dress it up how you like. Even the split length set, brass section and glitter ball brought on halfway, and the almost cabaret perfect delivery of each song sounding more electric than the hallowed recordings, could never make this seem less perfect.

Uniting everyone with the realist and puerile delivery of these photographic songs by men you just wish drank in your local.

The Specials are vital. Every wish drank in your local. generation needs are a band do The Specials vital.toEvery what they’ve done. generation needs a band to do what Go listen they’ve done. to ‘Too Hot’ now, and try to be Gonot listen to swooned.

‘Too Hot’ now, and try I’m worried I might not not to beactually swooned. topI’m thisactually weekend ever inI my life.not I worried might don’t either. ever in my life. I top thiscare weekend one Emma Dixon, keep don’t Nice care either. those guestlists coming.

Nicepress one Emma Dixon, keep those pressFuck. guestlists coming.

Fuck.I’ve seen The Specials.

I’ve seen The Specials.

Lewis Brookes Lewis Brookes

f like me you are constantly searching for lovely music to fill your ears with then perhaps I can interest you in some of these under-the-radar bands that I’ve been excited about.

Corto Matese ----> Most likely to make the music press excited soon? Austin indie rock that sounds like a more electric Arcade Fire.

Oh Minnows ---->Side project from one half of Semifinalists with ace sounds of spacey shoegaze.

Internet Forever ----> Lo-Fi London/Cambridge trio popular with the likes of Huw Stephens for fans of No Age and twee pop.

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The last Seren of the year + my last ever column = sad times!

Fear not though, for your fix of more obscure indie music and other lovely curiosities you can still visit my blog at http://robotsmademedoit.blogspot.com . *

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Lee, x.

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End of Year Issue 2009

FILM

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

17 Again Z

ac Efron puts a cheeky twist on his usually innocent High School Musical character in this comical tale of a man given a second chance at being seventeen. The 'body-swapping' idea might be a familiar theme to comedy films, but director Burr Steers does a good job of bringing it into the 21st Century.

The film begins in 1989; Mike O'Donnell (Zac Efron), a 17 year old School Basketball Champion walks off the court in his final big game to be with his pregnant girlfriend. Into the present, O'Donnell (Matthew Perry) is going through a bitter divorce with his wife and is the father of two teens. He feels his life has not turned out the way it should have and has "been in a bad mood for the last 20 years."

In a strange encounter with a mysterious caretaker at his previous school which his children now go to, Mike wakes the next morning to find himself in his old body, but his present life. With the help of his geeky friend Ned, the pair decide this is an opportunity to sort his life out, and enrol him at school. His new classmates include his son; bullied by the basketball team, and his daughter who is dating one of the players. In Mike's new predicament he believes he can help his children and repair his marriage, but can he do it?

There are lots of laughs along the way, especially from Ned, a financially successful Star Wars geek who poses as Mike's Dad to get him into School, and repeatedly fails to woo the Principal. Despite being predictable, 17 Again is an enjoyable film you will want to watch over and over, even if it is just to see Zac Efron with his top off!

The Movies: Where you’re sure to find sunshine this summer mmer really now, but su like it right and sunny el m fe ar t w s no it’ er t may . And wheth this year, ay d aw rio r fa pe at mer isn’t th er the sum ov et w d a. or cold an the at the cinem May seeing place to be, g way with there is one rst bi Fi a . rs in te f us of t Things star ipated blockb rine’. The tic an ly gh hi veral ins: Wolve release of se ‘X-Men Orig role which ng-awaited in the lead an m of is the lo ck Ja gh g us how in Hu ow ck sh ba r, te ac film brings s of his char ar ye rly ea . charts the e we all know budget the Wolverin Abrams’ big he became lease of J.J. re e th es May 8th se ‘The ek’. aptation of g of ‘Star Tr his 2006 ad re-imaginin Tom Hanks follow-up to es s d’ se ar s’ w on Ho m Ron els & De tempting to de’ with ‘Ang Langdon at Da Vinci Co ng Robert yi ra rt po n once agai Vatican. der and against the solve a mur rrorist attack prevent a te

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ou’ll be in for a real tr With th e double eat in June whamm in both y of new the ‘Te rminato instalme fra r’ and nts ‘Termina nchises. The ‘Transfo tor Salv a c ti rmers’ o n a on the ro tion’, w begins h ic le of Joh actual w n Conno h sees Christia on with n Bale ta ar with r as we the mac finally g ke of the F hin et allen’ pro mises to es. ‘Transforme to see the film, ex pect som rs: Reve be even nge ething tr b If you’r uly spec igger than the first tacular. to check e more a come dy fan out ‘The then yo Michael Y u might Cera as ear One’ which wa stars Ja banishe two laz ck Black nt d from y hunte th and r-gathe eir prim epic jou re itive villa rney thro rs who a ge and ugh the set off o re ancient n an world.

Sarah Staples

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

By Bianca Murray

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he wait is finally over, after the huge success of the X-Men trilogy the second instalment of the films arrived at British cinema screens on Wednesday. Bearing in mind I am not exactly a film buff and I’m probably one of few people that has not seen any of the X-Men films, I went in with limited knowledge and no expectations of the film, but I was surprised in that not only did I like it, I now want to see the X-Men trilogy.

The film tells the background story of Logan (Hugh Jackman) a k a Wolverine w h o discovers his mutant power when his apparent “father” is shot. His best friend Victor (Liev Schreiber) who has now become his brother runs away with him. They fight side by side during all the major world conflicts and become highly decorated. Things change for the brothers when they are approached by William Stryker to become part of an elite group of soldiers. Logan disagrees with their actions and walks away leaving his brother behind. As Logan begins to

lead a normal life and find happiness, these newly granted privileges are brutally taken from him with the death of his wife. The rest of the film details his thirst for revenge and ultimately taking part in the weapon X programme. The film is billed as an action, fantasy, sci-fi, thriller; a mouthful but exactly what the film is. The film provides action to make you jump from the very beginning; m y favourite scene of the film b e i n g when the brothers a r e charged with killing a senior officer and sentenced to firing s q u a d .

W h e n a s k e d about it later Logan simply replies “it tickled.” For a comic book turned into an action film I had my doubts but I really enjoyed it. The special effects were brilliant; the dialogue although a bit ropey and even at certain points cheesy moved the plot along. The great thing about this film was that even if you hadn’t seen the previous films, it was still easy to follow.

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ugust g ets off to an with th e releas action packed s film dire ta e of G.I c . Joe: T rt. ted by S on the he Rise tephen toy line ’The Mu of Cobra of the s unit tak mmy’ S . The ame na ing on ommers me, foc an evil dealer. is uses on organisa Quentin an elite based tion led Tarantin director’ military o fans w by a n s next m otorious ho have o ‘Inglorio long be arms us Baste vie won’t have e n lo rd a This Wo waiting ng to w s’ finally rld War the a it h it a s s c h in Tw is latest ema scre fans hav film e been w o set film look ens on s to be A aiting fo be one u g u s t exactly 21st. summer r. So, th what Ta ere you with no in. rantino have it. shortag This is g e of cin o ematic treats to ing to indulge

Robert Mann

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FILM

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

Battle Royale

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his movie is a Japanese language movie based on the novel of the same name, this movie made in 2000’s Japan reflects the fears of the country when it came to the millennium of the youth running riot. This movie, in a very dystopian way proposes a way of dealing with the rebellious Japanese youth a scheme called Battle Royale. The films prologue states that "At the dawn of the millennium, the nation collapsed. At fifteen percent unemployment, ten million were out of work.

800,000 students boycotted school.

The adults lost confidence, and fearing the youth, eventually passed the Millennium Educational Reform Act - AKA: The BR Act..."

Don’t let the idea of a foreign film put you off; you tend to get sucked into the world of battle Royale and immerse yourself in the movie, picking up more hints off the acting and the body language the movie concentrates on Shuya Nanahara played by a very enigmatic Tatsuya Fujiwara, a charismatic young boy forced to live in the Kanagawa Prefecture, following the life changing events of his mother abandoning him and his father commits suicide, he becomes

disillusioned with life. The rest of his classmates are similarly disillusioned, and have little respect for authority. This leads to the stabbing of a teacher. This in turn by proxy nominates Shuya’s class year to take part in the gruesome game of Battle Royale.

The BR act takes place on an island off the coast of Japan and serves as an example to the other unruly schoolchildren of the nations as the act states that of a class only one will come back

and they must kill each other in a sort of twisted game show fashion until one is left and they are free to leave the island. I can’t divulge any more for fear of ruining the film but I can promise it will be typically Japanese in both tone and violence so it leaves me with just this to say, this movie already has a cult following and if you haven’t seen it already, watch it.

Sion Wyn Laszek

King Of Kong : A Fistful Of Quarters N ot being a fan of documentaries I was initially reluctant to watch this movie. The prospect of 30 something nerds and their aspirations of beating a world record on the arcade version of King Kong did not hold much appeal, but after the initial introduction I was pulled into their videogame rivalry.

King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters documents the rivalry and story Steve Wiebe as he tries to take the world’s highest score for the arcade game Donkey Kong from reigning champion Billy Mitchell. As the movie progresses we see the trials and tribulations of both players and how it affects them. Steve, a high school

teacher with a family and Billy, self proclaimed champion, hell bent on winning for whom second place will never suffice. He comes across as is unabashedly cocky and fond of self promotion, these two incredibly complex yet completely different people both show commitment to one goal and that is to have the highest score on Donkey Kong.

This movie is an excellent piece of cinema and shows how some people will stop at nothing to achieve what they want, putting themselves and friends and family through various trials to reach that high score.

Sion Wyn Laszek

Seren brings you some film reccomendations

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his movie falls into a particular favourite genre of mine, the studio Ghibli animations.

These Japanese movies are now popular all over the world thanks to the arrival of manga and anime within the western world this animation studio has been nicknamed the “Disney of Japan” and this label became even truer recently as the ex president of Disney Japan recently took over as the head of the studio following the former heads standing down.

Princess Mononoke falls into the category that Wikipedia categorizes as an “animated historical fantasy film” at first for me this sounded off-putting, but after five minutes I was enveloped in a world of fantastical period drama set within in the late Muromachi period of Japan but with numerous fantasy based elements and concentrates on the struggle between the supernatural guardians of a forest and the humans who consume its resources as seen by the outsider Ashitaka. "Mononoke" is in fact not a name, but a general term in the Japanese culture and language denoting a spirit or monster.

This movie as I previously mentioned deals with the struggle between the supernatural and the humans over the forest and the power it holds. It’s the idea that industry is ruining the forest and that the mythical creatures are fighting back to claim what is rightfully theirs, this movie is a rollercoaster of fantasy as the lush forest makes way (partially) in parts for the new industry.

This movie is beautifully illustrated with a deep plot and storyline and slight animation quirks that will enable you to watch it again and again.

Sion Wyn Laszek

Princess Persepolis Mononoke A great way to get hold of foreign and independent films is lovefilm.com. You can get hold of some reet good stuff on there.

ersepolis is one in a line of films translated from graphic novels onto the silver screen since Sin City was such a massive hit.

Although it isn’t as visually stunning as this (less Watchmen and more Felix The Housecat) after a few moments to adjust you forget your initial reservations and accept what you’re seeing, which is actually a serious film which tackles very real issues. It begins in 1979. Marjane, our heroine, is a nine year old Bruce Lee enthusiast living in Tehran, Iran.

Her family are cosmopolitan Marxists who have suffered incarceration, terrorization and the death penalty for their beliefs. As they welcome the positive change a revolution could bring about religious extremists seize control and Marjane’s world is drastically transformed around her.

When Iran goes to war with Iraq her family send her to school in Europe and Persepolis is the story of her encounters with a different world and the people within it. Although there are some funny scenes these are balanced carefully with much more ominous ones and moments of great tenderness. Her family, especially her grandmother, dictate the morality of the film constantly guiding Marjane in her decisions.

In the end, animation is a very effective tool to cut out distractions which draw you away from the actual content of the film. By the end of it, Marjane is a young woman and you’ll find yourself caring deeply about the future of her, her family and Iran. It draws similarities with Kite Runner and The Pianist with regards to documenting political circumstances and Crash and Amelie in terms of social comment. If you liked these films and are willing to give traditional animation a chance, you’ll enjoy this interesting take on the middle eastern affairs.

Georgia Mannion

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BOX

End of Year Issue 2009

The Apprentice

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he Apprentice probably controls way too much of my life, this year more than most.

Remember Paula, the amazing one, big bushy ginger hair, got fired?

Well she went to my school, got taught by my business teacher; I may or may not have been served by her when she did the odd shift at The Old House. This will mean nothing to you, but to me, I had already chosen my winner before the series even started, so to say I was gutted when she got fired is an understatement.

I even considered quitting watching the series, but how can I, when it’s so addictive? Plus it means that I will (hopefully) get to see Ben “I got into Sandhurst” get his comeuppance.

This guy deserves to get fired just for his general cockiness, arrogance and unneeded aggression. The task

Available on 4OD

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would start this review off with a snappy one liner from the series, but they’re all to crude to print.

That pretty much sums up the humour of the Inbetweeners, a comedy series on E4 about a group of 17 year olds who aren’t really cool or geeky, just stuck somewhere in between.

I was introduced to the series quite late, only just before the current, second, series was due to commence.

A 4oD marathon brought me right up to speed with the events of the first, and I fell in love. Centred on the lives of 4 middle class, London suburb dwelling sixth form pupils, Will, Simon, Jay and Neil, the series taps into the crude little teenager in all of us, and does so in spectacular fashion.

where they had to identify the value of certain goods and then sell them for this price showed that he doesn’t cope well under pressure, and when things get tough, he panics. I’m going to say that whilst that alone was nice to watch; the icing on the cake would have been Sir Alan’s finger pointing in his face whilst saying those magic words.

But as in previous weeks, the wrong decision has been made; or rather the producer’s decision has been made. To me it seems the biggest characters - those who cause more trouble - are being kept to provide more entertainment value, which is a shame because it means we don’t really get to see the abilities of the quieter candidates.

Don’t get me wrong though, Noorul should have gone weeks ago. I don’t

think I ever saw him do anything of any worth, and the task that demonstrated this (the one with the soaps) should have been his downfall. He was however, very lucky, and went on to get an unworthy win.

There is of course, another guy that is seriously annoying: Philip. Oh dear me, the amount of times I’ve looked at the laptop screen and wanted to scratch at where his face is makes me sick - he’s so negative all the time, and like a lot of previous and current candidates he doesn’t listen.

I actually felt sorry for Lorraine, who regularly stated that she didn’t like the idea for the cartoon character on a previous task and who regularly stated that she thought the rug was worth more in the ‘selling ten items’ task, and they failed on this criteria.

For others to lie in the boardroom

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

Weekly on BBC2 Catch up on iPlayer

about her apparently not speaking up wasn’t nice to watch.

But then this is the main appeal of The Apprentice, its cringe worthy viewing; you like to see people fail just to see a bit of action in the boardroom. Another appeal of The Apprentice this year just has to be the lump of emotion also known as James, the guy who physically feels pain and is generally hurt when people cross him. He also says the funniest things, including how he felt that his cat had died because of Howard’s betrayal of trust by bringing him back to the boardroom.

The stars of the show, however, are not the candidates. In fact, it’s not even Sir Alan, yep, I’m talking about Margaret and Nick. Complete legends, the facial expressions when things are blatantly going wrong and

the put downs in the boardroom are the most entertaining thing about this show. I often get the feeling Sir Alan’s patter is scripted, but with these two, you know that you’re getting exactly what they think.

High points of the series so far: Paula’s, “Can you clean people?” in her Brummie accent, James’ reaction when Ben almost brought him back into the boardroom, and Mona’s awful pitch for their awful cereal box.

Finally, who do I want to win? Out of the remaining candidates, it has to be Debra; she’s feisty and ruthless, and also because I feel the favourite Kate is too good and not as nice as she appears. That’s if Debra is still in by the time you’re reading this, I don’t even think Sir Alan knows who he’s firing.

Aaron Wiles

The Inbetweeners

Most of the humour is, predictably, based around the lads’ sexual exploits (or lack thereof, as the case may be.) Wonderfully written, each episode brings with it a host of crude, rude, hilarious one liners, and approximately 10 minutes after the episode is finished, I can guarantee at least 5 status updates will reflect this.

Each of the boys has their own distinct personality; part of the reason why I think the series resonates so well. I find something like Skins difficult to follow and unrealistic, noone at my school was as gorgeous as Effy or as mad as Pandora. But everyone and their mother went to school with a Will, Simon, Jay or Neil, and as gross as some of the content may be, it focuses on the everyday,

the mundane, something everyone has experienced, and does so with aplomb.

The series, however, can be extremely painful to watch at times, and may not be to everyone’s tastes. Some of the hilarious can be downright cringeworthy, but despite this, each episode doesn’t fail to leave me feeling thoroughly entertained.

Watching the boys struggle to define themselves in a world they don’t really fit into is something anyone can relate to, and will allow you to do so whilst killing yourself with laughter.

Let’s hope there’s not another year to wait for Series 3.

Liz Stevens

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TRAVEL

End of Year Issue 2009

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

D N A L T SCO St Andrews and Fife

The Highlands and West Isles If you travel far enough through the hills and greenery of a rather lifeless space you will eventually find the towns and villages of the north which will give you a little bit more of traditional Scottish heritage. You have the city of Inverness to the east and Loch Ness, home of the infamous monster, and to the west you have the small towns and villages which are the gateways to the beautiful western isles such as Isle of Mull and Isle of Skye. Some of the world’s most beautiful sceneries and nature conservations can be found here.

Checklist: Eilean Donan Castle Fort William, home to Britain’s tallest mountain; Ben Nevis Aviemore and the Cairngorm National Park Glenmorangie Distillery Nessie of Loch Ness; NOT a myth!!

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Saint of Scotland, Named after the patriot the third oldest St Andrews is home to and one of the University in Britain . Set on the East world’s best golf courses the River Forth, ind beh in ed tuck coast, wn as the city kno is pe sca land this quiet of learning.

Checklist: on the infamous Play a game of mini golf “Himalayas” ch, West Sands The award winning bea Bar Fish Anstruther St Andrews Cathedral her Secret Bunker in Anstrut

Situated on the west coast of Scotland Loch Lomond is amidst one of Scotland's most idyllic and unspoilt areas, with the largest expanse of fresh water in Britain and the backdrop of the mountains looming beyond. On the Loch you can do everything from canoeing to windsurfing, fishing to waterskiing.

Checklist: Trossachs National Park Glengoyne Distillery West Highland Way walk Urquart Castle

Stirling One of the smaller cities of Scotland this heritage deep site is the perfect stopping place between Edinburgh and Glasgow. This contemporary city is where the highlands meet the lowlands, where culture and history stem from. Apparently the luckiest place in Scotland this is where I call home.

A perfect blend of shops, bars, clubs and culture, it is hard not to fall in love with it.

Checklist: The Wallace Monument Stirling Castle Old town jail Battle of Bannockburn Heritage Site

The Highlands and West Isles

Edinburgh Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Stirling

St Andrews

Edinburgh

From the minute you arrive in this amazing city you will never be stuck for something to do. The best time to go is August when the city comes alive with the world’s largest arts festival: The Fringe!

The Edinburgh Mela festival from the 7th to 9th of August is a celebration of cultural diversity through the arts.

Checklist: The Dungeons Underground ghost walk The Edinburgh Fringe Festival Mela Festival Edinburgh Castle

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End of Year Issue 2009 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

Creative

Just a Dress

Welcome to the Creative Corner!and

The delicate fabric Falls around me, A touch of heaven in the crowded room

etic, artistic This page is dedicated to your po e to showcase Creative work. If you would lik r send it to go an B of s nt de stu e th to k or w your Seren! At.... either Gemma or Rosie here at elu917@bangor.ac.uk

I wonder wether His would be as gentle, on the night My smile stretches, stretches As the lacing on the corset pulls.

I cannot breathe and still I smile.

Short Story extract

I

n contrast to Jacks impressive physique, the gaoler in front of him was short, squat and what muscle he had once possessed had gone to fat with lack of use. His paunch was evidence a life of luxury, and his manner spoke of abusing his nominal powers over the wretches that ended up in the city’s gaol.

The kind of bully that pulled the wings from flies as a child, made into a man, with all of the childish insecurities and cruelties grown as large as the physical specimen.

Jack glared.

The fat man wilted under the intensity of the stare, “You want out, big man?”

Jack glared.

“You got coin? Pay the fine, you can go.” ”How much?”

Jack snarled, his voice gravelly.

Gods, let it not be much, his coin was cursed low.

“Lets see,” Gloating, “Disorderly conduct, Public

Drunkenness, causing a riot, Damages, Assault on a city official. 2 silvers.”

Jack spat onto the floor.

That would practically wipe out everything, well, there was nothing for it. He put his hand to the pouch he wore around his neck.

His heart skipped a beat, though a life time of experience let nothing show on his face. His hand went to his hips, in a vain hope, though Jack was nothing if not a creature of habit. The pouch was not there. Damn!

He must have lost it last night. The gods were cruel, but at least there was still hope, as long as he could get a message out to... no that wouldn’t do. Not anymore. If he could get to his lodgings there was always his secret stash. That would suffice.

Losing Face:

What keeps you behind that mask?

The false laugh and tepid grin, Happiness a constant task, True self hidden deep within, Petrified of the chagrin?

But now you cannot restore; What you were, the mask is more.

Danny Southward English and Creative Writing

They stare, Comment, Adjust my curls, Stare some more.

I can see the familiar envy in the eyes of some.

I long to tell them, but I cannot speak.

I smile and stand, burning.

No matter how dolled up, Made up, Strung up, Fed up I might be…

Click.Click-click.

Click. Flash. Clickclick.

Congratulation folks, it’s a wrap.

Extract from a short story

by Emma Daniels English Literature Nicholas Cowan Language & linguistics

…I am no bride.

And this is just a dress.

Zoe Perrenoud English Literature.

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End of Year Issue 2009 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

Charles Winnett Geography

Corner

‘Сндмзlеюи’

I tried to change skin s and become one of you Escape from that body that I always knew And wear a new coat I would be happy with To give up myself in at tempt to outlive The recluse in his room with nowhere to go Connected with no-on e, neither friend nor foe I craved fitting in an d not being left out I whispered and gagged but I wanted to shout Now, I try to speak; bu t it still comes out wrong I’d take off my mask but its hold is too stron g And even if I could, wh at would be there to find?

Another false face an d another false mind From the last time I tri ed to become something new And said to myself I’l l be fine without you

Photog

raph

Laura S y by tephens Th eatre an

d Media

on

Sam Butcher French with Spanish

Your Guardian From Afar...

For when the time comes I shall hear your call.

With passion, emotion and the fury of storms, I will appear swiftly to catch you before your fall.

Your pain will be vanquished.

Your soul cleansed.

Your misdeeds to be made amends.

I can replenish your courage.

Refuel you confidence.

Ignite your inner flame.

For I am solely yours.

For what it’s worth I can only be.

The neglected watchman.

A discarded observant.

An underestimated entity.

Which you classify as a nobody.

For I can do all the things that they cannot.

For if only you would let me in.

The change you so deserve could begin.

Barnaby Gilford Geography

Book of the month:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

T

his book is, as the title states, the classic tale that is Pride and Prejudice but it takes the Novel into an alternate 19th century where Zombies roam the once-quaint english countryside. This alternate reality is still populated with the humans that we have grown to know and that have entered popular culture, albeit in a brilliantly twisted way. The main characters are morphed ever so slightly into “monster hunters” and a fearless heroine who along with her sisters forms a zombie slaying team that are unparalleled. This novel,where instead of debates of dresses and etiquette we have deliberation over the zombie-slaying abilities of others, and although etiquette does come in a skewed form, in the deliberation of if carrying a musket is ladylike or not.

The background of this novel is actually intriguing, the co- author (Austen being credited as the other author) Seth GrahameSmith was given the task by the Quirk books editor, Jason Rekulak, who had taken an interest in taking public domain book titles and using “fanboy” related material, such as pirates ninjas and zombies to inhabit these classic works of fiction. Grahamae-smith is said to have begun with the original text of Austen’s novel, and then added elements of the zombie and the ninja cultures, whilst developing a new overall plot-line to the classic material. Grahame- Smith was even quoted as saying that the original text was perfectly suited to become a zombie horror story from the moment it was written “ You have this fiercely independent heroine, you have this dashing heroic gentleman, you have a militia camped, out for seemingly no reason whatsoever nearby, and the people are always walking here and there, and taking carriage rides here and there” and my personal favourite quote on why he created this piece of a newly coined genre of “mashup” literature is that “ It was just ripe for gore and senseless violence. From my perspective anyway.”

All i have left to say is that this book is a thoroughly good read with many twists and turns that breath Undead life into an old classic.

Sion Wyn Laszek

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SPORT

End of Year Issue 2009 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

H

ello all, my name is Will Pedigrew and I’m next year’s sports editor for Seren, I’d like to take this chance to say hello to all you sports fans and readers and hope you enjoy my page next year. I think Will Varley has done an amazing job over the last three years and trying to fill his shoes is going to a daunting task but hopefully I’ll be up to it. If you’re a member of an AU club then drop me an email whenever you want a piece in Seren, whether you’ve just thrashed another team 200-0 or you just want the people of Bangor university to know all about your society then get in touch, it’ll be a great way to get new members and also spread the word about your club.

Peace out guys.

Lions or Pussycats?

T

he latest British and Irish Lions squad for the May tour of South Africa has been announced and I can’t help but feel there are a few weaknesses in the squad. After a great Six nations it is not surprising to see many recognisable Irish faces in the squad, with the likes of second row Paul O’Connell captaining the side with Brian O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara in tow. There are however two Irish faces in the touring squad that may not be such household names.

Munster pair Keith Earls (centre) and Alan Quinlan (back row) are surprising members of the squad.

Although playing well for their club this year neither player appeared in the 2009 Grand Slam Squad. If a player has not impressed on a national basis then they should not be on the Lions tour, whether they have not been given the opportunity to impress or not. Another player who I don’t think is ready for a Lions tour yet is Leigh Halfpenny. Clearly a huge talent for the future and with great technical ability and flair Halfpenny is sure to be a Lion on other occasions.

On this occasion however he should have been left out of the squad due to the extreme physical nature of South African rugby.

Halfpenny may fair well against the clubs in South Africa but when it comes to the tests, facing up against the likes of Brian Habana may well prove too physically demanding for the young flyer.

There are only two Scottish players on this year’s tour, both Euan Murray and Nathan Hines take a rightful place in the squad but there was a shock omission for Scotland’s outstanding scrum half Mike Blair.

Blair was one of Scotland’s high points in quite a bleak six nations.

He may however get the chance to put on the Lions shirt as a result of the injury sustained to Tomas O’Leary in Munster’s victory over Llanelli Scarlets in the Magners League.

O’Leary has a broken ankle and could miss the tour of South Africa. One Englishman who I wasn’t too excited to see in the squad is Phil Vickery. For so long now I have seen him crumble under the pressure of an international scrum and come up from that scrum with a look on face that reminds me of a little child knowing he is in the wrong but not wanting to admit.

This may be the most frustrating sight on a rugby field and will be enraged if I see it in South Africa.

The clearly over-rated Vickery should be replaced by a more dynamic front row, Allan Jacobsen’s pace was obvious in many games in the six nations. That combined with his solid scrumaging makes him a fresh option to the squad which was not taken. Other surprising absentees include James Hook, Dellon Armitage, Steve Borthwick, Ryan Jones, Gavin Henson and Tom Croft.

“If a player has not impressed on a national basis then they should not be on the Lions tour”

Toby James Davidson

Bowled over

Bangor cricket season review

T

he Bangor University Men’s 1st Cricket team started the season with a win against MMU Cheshire at home on the 26th of April. Batting first MMU Cheshire scored a total of 57 all out in 29 overs. In reply Bangor achieved their target comfortably in 11 overs scoring 59 for the loss of four wickets with Rick Hannam showing us the win and some good bowling from Anthony Shepherd. The second game was away against Salford Men's 2nd and unfortunately ended badly for Bangor. After restricting them to a

total of 93 in 25 overs we could not achieve their target and were all out for 89 in 29 overs with Rob Godwin scoring 20 runs and Nabeel Mansoori 43. In their 3rd match at home against Central Lancashire's 2nd Bangor were all out for 133 in 39 overs with some good knock from James Van Santen and Nadeem Mohammad and later in the end by James O'Reilly. In reply to this Lancashire were all out for 111 in 32 overs with James O'Reilly and Andy O'Neil bowling Bangor to victory. The captain for this season is

Chris Randall and the Vice Captain is Anthony Shepherd. To support Bangor Uni please come this Sunday at the Bangor Cricket Ground where Bangor plays NEWI (Wrexham) on the 10th of May at 1200 the match starts. You can also join the group on facebook by searching: Bangor University Cricket Club 2009.

Nabeel Mansoori

Final farewell from your AU President

H

ello everyone, the end of my year in office is nearly here and I can’t believe this will be my last article in Seren as AU President.

It’s been an absolutely awesome year with lots of successes and fun throughout, and I would just like to highlight a few things that have been achieved by the AU this year.

The AU has seen a huge increase in the intramural activities available, something which I feel very strongly about as I feel it is vital to promote sport and recreation to everyone.

We started off the year trying to promote sport and a healthy lifestyle with a fun sports and crazy games afternoon on the new tennis courts at Maes Glas on Freshers’ Week weekend. This was to be the ethos for the year – fun!!

We didn’t stop here though. A 5-a-side football Christmas cup was organised for the end of term just before Christmas which was a huge success with a total of 12 teams comprising of around 80 to 90 people taking part in total. Healthy living week was also another huge success. A pool party that saw 65 people having loads of fun whilst getting active, a cycle ride down the Ogwen cycle track and various classes that Maes Glas very kindly agreed to put on for free. We also held the annual Crazy Sports Day a couple of weeks ago, helping to raise funds for cancer research in the process, and again this was a wicked

success!

I can’t only mention these successes though, as you are all probably well aware there is so much more to the AU. Men’s and Women’s Badminton both won their leagues and reached their respective cup finals, with the women going on to win. Rugby League won their league getting promoted to the Premier North Division. Men’s basketball narrowly missed out on winning their league and women’s fencing, in their first year of competition got to the final of the cup held at the BUCS Championships in Sheffield. On top of these huge successes we have continued to send more athletes and teams to competitions throughout the year, and with around 1700 members of the AU all of our clubs are achieving at some level, whether competitively or just making sure people get involved. Of course, there have been ups and downs but the ups definitely outweigh the downs and seeing the commitment and dedication shown by many towards sport has been fantastic.

As you can see Bangor sport is definitely on the up. What, with a sports strategy document soon to be taken to the university executive and also back to the students’ to see the vision that the university has for sport, alongside the numerous successes previously mentioned I will be happy to leave the AU in a strong position and wish my successor the

best of luck.

All that’s left to say are some HUGE thankyous to everyone who has supported me throughout the year.

Particularly, the AU Committee who have helped out with a wide range of jobs. Whether taking on tasks, giving advice, helping make decisions or just a friendly chat.

Glyn for whom without, Wednesdays would be a living hell, he has been a great support. The members of staff at the Student’ Union and of course the sabbatical team who have been amazing all year always lending a welcomed hand when needed.

They have become some of my best friends and I will miss them more than I can imagine!

Finally, not to forget every single club captain, committee member and participant in each and every sport. Without you there would be no AU. You are all a credit to the athletic union and your dedication to sport is massive and I wish you the very best of luck for the future.

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End of year Issue 2009 www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

Espace to the mountains

SPORT

Is this the end of football as we know it?

W

W

ith the exam season upon us many of you will be after an escape, and we at the University Mountain Walking club can offer you just that.

We meet every Saturday at 9 o’clock outside the SU under the curved lounge, going out for the day into the mountains. There are various levels of walks on offer, covering the needs and abilities of all that wish to come along, so

L

if you wish to join us for a fun and enjoyable day all you need to do is bring £4 for the bus, a pair of walking boots with ankle support, lunch, suitable clothing (we do offer hats, gloves and waterproofs on loan for the day if you require them), and finally a smile. It’s been a great year for the club. We’ve had walks out every Saturday to all parts of Snowdonia, held our Christmas meal in Llandudno, had a thrilling evening

at the fun centre and a semi away trip to the Lakes that unfortunately got rained off. A special mention must go to one of our Snowdon walks in January, where a few of our members were lucky enough to meet Chris Moyles of Radio 1 on a practice walk before attempting Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief!

ith massive takeovers and huge bids for players will the masses of money being injected into the game ruin the football that we all know and love?

Things have changed severely since the apparent dizzy heights of the 1 million pound transfer of Trevor Francis from Birmingham city to Nottingham forest, signed by then manager Brian Clough. Not a surprise that such an amazing manager, maybe one of the best that this country has ever seen signed the first player worth such a huge amount of money, the signing however worked in great fashion as Francis scored the winning goal for Forest in the 1979 champion’s league final against Swedish side Malmo, I wonder what the late great Mr clough would think about the recent Manchester city takeover by Abu Dubai united a business worth around a suspected 14.4 billion pounds, I’m sure he would be turning in his grave at the thought of the beautiful game being destroyed like this. Is this really a danger to football or a needed boost, some would see

rising ticket prices for example an adult ticket at one of the “big four” clubs costing in the region of £40 for adults and £20 for children so for an average family to watch their favourite team play they are looking at around £120 just to watch some men kick a football along the ground, the main reason anyone from a low income background will not see their team play in the near future.

However some people believe that bringing massive names to the premier league which in most people’s eyes is the best league in the world will only make this league bigger and better, with bids from Manchester city for the Brazilian star Kaka and reports that Manchester united have recently placed a bid in the region of £63 for French talisman Frank Ribery. Maybe this is just football catching up with the ever fast changing times or is the money recently being pumped into football a real danger to the sport only, time will tell I suppose

Will Pedigrew

Owain Rice

Mountain Bike Team Do Wheely Well

ast weekend the annual BUCS mountain bike championships took place in sunny Dorset. After prepping the bikes with help from Revolution Bikes, a nine man team set off for an epic drive South.

Several fast food stops later and minus one exhaust, the team arrived at the hill top setting of the UK Bike Park. Ample alcoholic lubrication the night before lead to the downhill boys letting rip for the first of two runs of Saturday morning. The guys went all out with some great times being recorded.

Joe Corcoran managed a blistering 11th place overall riding the bike like he’d nicked it. Carl James was also letting it all hang out placing a respectable 30th, which he would have bettered on his second run had he not decked it in spectacular style after being distracted by a rather shiney discarded Monster energy can or was it the monster girls?

Following a few more ales the lights were turned on and it was time for the floodlight 4X boys to take centre stage. With typical BUCS carnage the event unfolded.

Sam Cain was the best of the Bangor entries, with by far the smoothest riding of the entire field. Unfortunately a bad gate left him an uphill battle which was just too much to make up over the short course, getting knocked out in the semis.

After an early night for the Cross country boys, Sunday morning saw the start of the XC sport race. Both Wild Will and Dan Harrison put in a great performance, taking on three laps of a super technical downhill course followed by a lengthy gruelling (bitch hillesqe) climb. Following the sport race the Championship XC race got going with some of the top riders from around the UK in the field. It was a fast paced affair. After 6 laps, a lot of energy gels and numerous crashes the winners came in. Our own Ed Roberts and Ben Price came in not far behind placing a respectable 11th and 22nd.

A monster weekend was had by all and it was great to see Bangor cyclists starting to achieve.

Bring on Scotland next year.

Ed Roberts.

A

Top Gunn!

drian Gunn sealed victory and promotion for Bangor University’s rugby league team in a dramatic play off final against Northumbria in Manchester. Bangor will now be testing their might against some of the best University teams in the country in the Premier North Division next season. Despite trailing 10-0 after fifteen minutes, Bangor hit back through a Thomas Mottram score and then Rhodri Aled Davies completed a flowing move with a try in the corner. Although Northumbria led at the break, it was Bangor that took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half. Mottram, still providing the goods after five years with the team, powered down the wing to bring the scores closer but it was an unstoppable charge from Luke Donovan that gave Bangor the lead.

Northumbria tried all that they could to get back in it but speed proved the crucial component that they lacked as Gunn collected a kick to race 90 metres to score a scintillating try.

Complimenting the pace of Bangor’s back line was a powerful performance by the forwards. Man of the Match Liam Morton, who could probably do a good job of running through a brick wall, wore down Northumbria’s defence with Ben Richards and Danny Wright playing through their injuries to keep the Bangor attack in command. Mottram added two conversions and Max Bracken the other to make the final score 26-18.

It’s unchartered territory next year but here’s hoping Bangor all the best for the new season.

Will Varley.

Gold for orienteering

B

angor University Orienteers travelled up to Newcastle to take part in this year’s JK event 2009, with one of our members, Gordon Halton, winning a gold medal. He came first in his category of Men’s 21N. It is our first gold medal achieved as Bangor University Orienteers!

Gemma Carter

WEEKLY EV ENTS FROM MARCH 2009

MONDAY Tired of being a hair brush Diva?

Come and sing your socks off!

8pm KARAOKE NIGHT

TUESDAY TEXAS HOLD ‘EM POKER £7 JUG OF BEER

WEDNESDAY BIG SCREEN SPORTS NIGHT £7 JUG OF BEER

PIZZA & A PINT NIGHT

THURSDAY Pitch your wits in a battle of the brains!

8.30pm QUIZ NIGHT

FRIDAY Get your dancing shoes on!

8pm DJ NIGHT

SATURDAY Fancy yourself as a sharp shooter?

8pm Pool Tournament

Board games available every night — see staff @ Bar Uno - Safle Ffriddoedd Site