Seren - 218- 2010/11 - End of Year Issue

Bangor Students’ Union’s English Language Newspaper

ISSN 1755-7585

Issue No. 218

End of Year Issue 2011

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• Bangor to Declare Fee Plans at the End of May • Aberystwyth Opt to Charge the Full £9,000 Fee Gemma Ellis

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niversities in Wales have been asked to declare their plans for tuition fees for 2012 by the end of this month raising the big question, will Bangor be the next to charge £9000? Aberystwyth University have recently announced their plans to charge the full £9000 fee, making them the first Welsh University to confirm their intentions to charge the highest possible fee.

Bangor have not yet spoken publi-

cally about what they intend to charge, however the increasing number of universities charging the highest fee surely puts pressure on other universities to appear just as worthwhile as the highest priced institutions, making choosing a university more of a market place than ever before. Seren believes that construction on the Pontio project may encourage Bangor University to push for a higher fee as entrants after 2012 should see the benefits of the 27.5 million pound project centred around the arts. Furthermore it would come as no surprise if Bangor were to mirror Aberystyth’s decision.

Summer Ball: All you need to know The Teetotal

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WILL BANGOR CHARGE £9K?

INSIDE:

All fee increases in Wales have to first be approved by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales who will look into them before giving them the go ahead. Any welsh students wishing to study at a Welsh University will not feel the full force of a fee increase as they are to be subsidised by the Welsh assembly Government, however students from outside Wales will not have this luxury. The government have promised that despite these fee increases, efforts will be made to make sure universities widen their access to students from poorer backgrounds while looking at the bursary scheme, how-

ever there are still question marks over what this entails. With an increased number of Universities charging the maximum there are growing fears that the Government will have to save money somewhere else, with the unsettling possibility of this cut coming from the number of University places available.

Jo Caulfield from Bangor Students’ Union said “to date, over two-thirds of the universities that have declared their tuition fee plans have decided to charge £9,000 a year, including Aberystwyth.

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Page 24 What best to wear this Summer Page 27

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End of Year Issue 2011

Editorial

Students of Bangor, Here ends my reign as Editor of Seren.

This year the Seren team has done me proud. I have been very fortunate to find such friendly, hardworking and creative people who have kept me constantly entertained and don’t make a bad cup of tea. I could make a list as long as my arms (that’s right, both of them) telling you what each of them have achieved in the time dedicated to putting Seren together, but I believe this heartfelt dedication to their efforts should suffice. So here’s to the best-looking, most hardworking bunch of journalists I have ever laid eyes on (which includes the ever-fly Fiona Bruce and the silver fox that is Peter Levy, I might add). I would be nothing without you and neither would Seren.

So I hope you enjoy this, the very last issue of the year - in it, you will find all the information you should ever want about the summer ball, including what your ticket money is spent on, as well as a great interview with Liam Burns, the new president of NUS. I don’t have favourite pages this time; instead I think you should dedicate your time to reading each and every one of them until next time when you will be graced with the genius of Aaron Wiles. You may remember him from pages such as music, games and gadgets and, most recently, the centrefold. He’s very good.

Lastly: if, like me, you are graduating this year I wish you the very best of luck for the future. We will find jobs, we won’t sponge forever - hell, we might even be famous someday!

Good luck and much love,

Gemma Sponsored by Willow Smith, Pro Plus and the cheap energy drink you get from the supermarket.

Contents

Page 3-5 News

Page 16-17 Page 28 Features Health&Beauty

Page 6-7 Politics Page 8 Interview Page 9 Societies

Page 18 Creative Page 19 Quick Break Page 20-21 Centrefold

Page 29 What’s Up Page 30-31 Music Page 32-33 Games&Gadgets

Page10-11 Ball Page12 Union

Page 22-23 Food Page 24-25 What’s On

Page 34-35 Travel Page 36 Fitness

Page14-15 Page 26-27 Page 37-39 Comment What’s In Sports

The Seren Team Editor: Gemma Ellis News: Andy Trigg Features: Nicole Nally Creative Corner: Nayab Khan Music: Joe McNally Whats On: LJ Taylor Whats In: Kaden Wild Food and Drink: Steven Freeman Politics: Anna Hatfield Health & Beauty: Emily Tearle, Becky Sage and Sara Royle Whats up: Jennifer Krase Travel: Rowena Nathan Sport: Matt Cox Secretary, Games and Gadgets: Aaron Wiles Treasurer: Tom Knott Social Sec: Hayley Neill Design: Dan Turner

RECYCLE ME! Hello hello!

Seren is made from 100% recycled paper so Get in on the action and recycle me when you are done!

This months Contributors Andrew Gadie Ben Evans Luke Dobson James Berry Rebecca Carey James McGough Rich Gorman Antony Butcher Heather Boyles Scott Burrows Amy Westlake Tomos Davies Dave Hudson Will Osborn Peter Weale Vicki Harman Michael Ironside Robert Trigg Christy Sago Shon Prebble Georgia Mannion

End of Year Issue 2011

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News My View

Osama Bin Laden: The Aftermath Steven Freeman

A

merica’s most wanted man, Osama Bin Laden was killed by US forces earlier this month in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The news of Bin Laden’s death resulted in much celebration across America and to some extent Britain, but now the hype has calmed down a number of ques-

Osama Bin Laden

tions are being asked as to how significant go undetected in sending emails and his killing was in relation to the war on tercommunicating by other methods to ror. Directly after the event experts were the sub-divisions of Al-Qaeda. saying that Bin Laden was mainly just an Despite the findings that Bin Laden inspirational figure for Alwas as ever so Qaeda and that “Bin Laden will have a involved in the due to his high profile status prominent position in history” planning and running of he tried to lay low and not Al-Qaeda, have many direct dealings with particular terrorist experts are warning that Alevents, leaving coordination and Qaeda’s decentralised nature means planning to the sub divisions of that they can easily go forth with plans Al-Qaeda.

However, after the sting operation where a unit of 25 well rehearsed US Navy Seals stormed Bin Laden’s compound, it appears that a vast amount of intelligence, in the form of thousands of documents and handfuls of laptops and desktops were taken back to Virginia for examination. Arabic analysts from across the globe have been handpicked to help decipher the files and till present the US have found out that Bin Laden had a much more involved stance with future plans for Al-Qaeda, and have said that he was able to

they may have and have warned states that may be at threat to be vigilant and not let their guards down amongst the air of celebration.

Amongst all the action of the past few weeks with regards to the death of Osama Bin Laden, it is clear that Bin Laden will have a prominent position in history for being one of the most ruthless leaders of a terrorist organisation who caused fear and terror worldwide. Some experts reckon that he will become a figure head somewhat like Che Guevara and say that the reason Bin Laden’s body was buried at sea was to prevent a radical Islamist shrine being created to remember him. Nevertheless, it seems a great victory that one of the world’s most wanted has been eliminated.

Were the American’s Right to Rejoice the Death of Osama Bin Laden?

NO

YES Matt Cox (Sports Editor)

I wasn’t surprised to see Americans rejoicing when they found out Bin Laden had been killed. In my opinion, Bin Laden was more of a symbol. He may be only one man in a vast terrorist network, but he has been seen as America’s greatest enemy for the last decade. To finally find and end him has huge symbolic significance for the war on terror and for all the people who still keenly feel the effects of 9/11.

That’s why I did not mind the celebrations as such. Killing Bin Laden was always going to be a huge step; it is an action that goes far beyond the death of just one man.

Joe McNally (Music Editor)

September the 11th wasn’t an atrocity directed just at America. It was an attack by a fundamentalist group on a Western ideology and culture that radically differed from their own. The perception of America as an arrogant nation will not be lessened by the scenes of celebration at Ground Zero following the death of Bin Laden. If anything, it is likely to encourage more ill feeling amongst the fundamentalist groups in the middle-East. Celebrating at the scene of one of the worst terrorist attacks in history felt slightly shameful. I won’t be a hypocrite and say that people shouldn’t do this or shouldn’t do that, but out of respect for all those who died that day, perhaps a little decorum would have been slightly more becoming.

Dead or Alive: The World Has The Rise and Fall of Bin Laden A New Most Wanted

Mexican drug dealer becomes the next illusive World’s Most Wanted Man Robert Trigg

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he death of Osama Bin Laden sent a message to criminals around the world: you can run but you can’t hide. His premeditated attacks on the Western world killed thousands of innocent people which gave him the title of the worlds most wanted. His inconspicuous existence came to an unceremonious end, which knocked him off the top spot of earth’s most evil list. With Bin Laden dead, a new person had to become the worlds most sought after criminal.

Joaquín Guzmán 52, is a Mexican

drug-smuggling kingpin. His leadership of one of the world’s largest organised gangs has led to the death of over 15,000 people, including traffickers, police officers, soldiers and civilians.

Multi-ton shipments of cocaine are smuggled by Guzman from Columbia through Mexico and into the United States. In 2001 Guzman escaped from the federal maximum security prison in Jalisco, in the back of a laundry van after using his charisma and charm to bribe the prison staff. His marriage in

2008 was so heavily guarded by gang members, the Mexican army refused to arrest the groom after locating his whereabouts. It was estimated in 2009 that Joaquín Guzmán had one of the world’s richest fortunes with an a yearly income of $18bn. Guzman is nicknamed “El Chapo,”the spanish translation for shorty as he stands at 5 ft. Guzman is currently a fugitive in the USA and Mexico and the U.S State Department have a $5 million reward for information

Profile: Joaquín Guzmán Aliases: El Chapo, Chapo Guzman, El Rapido DOB: December 25, 1954 POB: Mexico Nationality: Mexican Citizenship: Mexico Height: 5 feet 8 inches Weight: 165 pounds Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown

1957: Osama bin Laden was born in Riy- 1998: Near-simultaneous bomb attacks adh, one of some 54 children born to Mohammad bin Laden, a building tycoon. His mother was of Syrian origin.

against US embassies in Nairobi and Dar-esSalaam kill 224 people, most of them Africans, and injure thousands.

: The US Federal Bureau of Investiga1969: Mohammed bin Laden dies in a 1999 tion places bin Laden on its "10 most wanted" helicopter crash. Osama, then aged around 11, is believed to have inherited $80 million.

list.

1984: Bin Laden travels to Afghanistan, 2001: Two hijacked US airliners crash responding to calls for a jihad, or holy Islamic war, against the Soviet occupying force. There, he finances and takes command of a force of some 20,000 Islamic fighters recruited from around the world.

1989:

The Soviet Union withdraws its forces from Afghanistan.

into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, which subsequently collapse.

A third hijacked plane crashes into the Pentagon outside Washington and a fourth in rural Pennsylvania. The attacks kill around 3,000 people. Washington offers a $25-million-dollar reward for any information leading to the arrest of bin Laden. 2002.

Bin Laden releases a series of state1991: A US-led alliance launches a war 2003: ments including comments on the conflicts in to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait, which Iraq had occupied the previous year. Bin Laden declares jihad against the United States because it had based forces in his native Saudi Arabia, where Islam's two most holy places are located.

1993:

An explosion in the basement of the World Trade Center in New York kills six people and injures around 1,000. The attack is later blamed on Al-Qaeda.

Iraq and Afghanistan, threats of more attacks, and offers of a truce with the United States.

2010:

Claims botched Christmas Day bombing of US airliner and threatens more strikes on US targets.

2011: Bin Laden is killed in a firefight

with covert US forces in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad, northeast of the capital Islama-

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Aber - Money Money Money • Aberystwyth anounces proposal to charge £9,000 • Bangor to announce plans later this month

Andy Trigg

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berystwyth University has become the first Welsh university to announce a proposal to charge students the full £9,000 when the new level of fees comes in to force next year. The plans were discussed at a meeting earlier in the month and are subject to approval by the Higher Education Funding Council of Wales. The hike in fees will not affect current students or Welsh students in the future, who will be exempt from the rise due to bursaries given to native students by the Welsh Assembly Government. In a statement on the Aberystwyth website, Jon Antoniazzi, President of the Guild of Students, showed his disappoint-

ultimate blame lies with the domino effect created by the Westminster Government which dealt a crippling blow to students in England and placed huge amounts of pressure on the Welsh Assembly Government to present an alternative.”

Bangor University is still yet to announce their proposal on whether they plan to charge students the full £9,000 next year. In an e-mail to Seren, Simon Hughes, the Vice-Chancellor at Bangor University said: “We have not finalised our Fee Plan yet. It has to be approved by our Council later this month. We will not be making an announcement until near the end of May.” Welsh universities are required to submit their proposals to the Higher Education Funding of Wales at the end

“Cardiff University are set to follow Aberystwyth as Cardiff forms part of the Russell group of elite universities” ment but claimed that Aberystwyth University had no choice: “The decision has not come as a surprise after the market in England has dictated the level at which this University has chosen to come out at. This is the most important debate we have engaged in with the University, and finger pointing is rife in student politics, but the

of the month. Cardiff University are set to follow Aberystwyth as Cardiff forms part of the Russell group of elite universities, which include Cambridge, Oxford and UCL, in which all have announced to charge the full amounts.

The decision to raise student tuition fees on all undergraduate courses was given the go ahead in December last

MP David Willetts announcing plans which could allow wealthy students a chance to ‘buy themselves’ a place at university year. Politicians predicted that most extra university places which would universities would raise fees to £6,000 be funded by the public and charged at and only a few would charge the full overseas undergraduate prices. Critics £9,000 in ‘exceptional circumstances.’ claim that the proposals could prove a So far, only a small number of univer- serious blow to ‘social mobility.’ In resities have announced plans to charge sponse to the critics Willetts said: "We less than the maximum which could will only consider allowing off-quota prove risky for the government who places where it contributes to the coawill end up paying more up front. This lition commitment to improve social could force the government in to claw- mobility and increase fair access. There ing back funds previously given to uni- is no question of wealthy students beversities or by reducing the number of ing able to buy a place at university. university places available.

Access to a university must be based The controversy surrounding tui- on ability to learn, not ability to pay." tion fees exploded again last week after David Cameron reacted to Willets Universities Minister David Willetts, proposal by announcing that no such was accused of allowing rich students proposal would be backed if it reduced a chance to ‘buy their way in to uni- social mobility. He said: "There is no versity.’ The row erupted when Wil- question of people being able to buy letts announced proposals to create their way into university."

Not So Super Injunctions

Christy Sago

gag them from mentioning the existence of the gag.”

A super injunction bans a paper herever you've been, what- from even stating that there is anyever you’ve been doing, one thing to talk about. So if a paper is thing is for sure; you will not allowed to say that they are not not have been able to escape the fact allowed to say something, how do susuper injunctions are back in the news per injunctions end up in the news? – once again. Reporting a super injunc- Complicated I know. tion is probably one of the most difWell one way is when people claim ficult things for a paper to be able to to know who has, or has not got a write about, so how can they be in the super injunction, such as the twitter news? The last time super injunctions user injunction_super, who tweeted were brought to our attention was the names of several people who supwhen Charlie Brooker gave a brilliant posedly had super injunction orders. explanation by saying “Super injunc- However, one of these people: Jemima tions are interesting legal weapons re- Khan - who was accused of having ally, they don’t just gag the press, they an affair with Jeremy Clarkson - has since said that she does not have a super injunction out for anything.

Other times, a celebrity may decide to tell the press about a super injunction that they bought out about themselves.

For example, the BBC reporter Andrew Marr, who recently told the press that he had bought out a super injunction to hide the fact that he believed he had fathered a child a few years ago, which he had been paying maintenance money for, until a DNA test proved the child was not actually his.

However, even though most super injunctions are merely ways for celebJemima Khan - defends claims of an alleged rities to stop the papers affair with Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson from writing about their

W

BBC Reporter and Presenter, Andrew Marr, who came clean about his super injunction last month. private lives, there are times when more serious stories have been covered up. Such as in 2009, when the Guardian planned to print an article follow-

Although, the super injunctions which have been in the news recently have not been to this standard, it does seem that just about any story can be

“Super injunctions are interesting legal weapons really, they don’t just gag the press, they gag them from mentioning the existence of the gag.”

Charlie Brooker

ing allegations that the oil company Trafigura had been dumping toxic waste off the Ivory Coast. But when the law firm Carter Ruck suggested that Trafigura gets a super injunction, it meant that the Guardian not only couldn't print the article, but they couldn't report that they couldn't print it. Trafigura eventually lifted the super injunction, which was probably due to Private Eye publishing the story.

hidden provided you have the right amount of money. As for who may, or may not have the super injunctions, well chances are the only people that know for sure are the judges who handed them out. So unless they are behind injunction_super on twitter, I wouldn't believe everything they say.

BANGOR IN BRIEF BANGOR IN BRIEF BANGOR IN BRIEF BANGOR IN BRIEF BANGOR IN BRIEF BANGOR IN BRIEF BANGOR

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

News

University Staff Member Completes ‘Toughest Foot Race on Earth’

Bangor University’s Head of International Student Services, Alan Edwards, has successfully finished the ‘toughest foot race on earth,’ which involves crossing the Sahara Desert. The challenge sees the competitors run the 150 mile Marathon Des Sables in temperatures as high as 48 Degrees Celsius. He crossed the finish line in 198th position out of 849 competitors. He was a massively impressive 74th position in his age category and raised almost £4,000 for Mencap. Alan, who is originally from Bala, said: “Finishing the race was such an amazing feeling and very emotional.

After two years of preparing and training, it felt very odd to have the whole thing over and done with and to have the medal round my neck on the finishing line was an overwhelming experience.” If you wish to sponsor Alan please e-mail alanbala37@hotmail.com

SU Goes Green You may think that they just sit around all day drinking coffee but you’re wrong! Bangor University’s Student Union has won three prizes for their recent work for the environment. They received gold in the NUS Green Impact awards, having achieved Bronze last year. This achievement meant that they were also awarded The Co-operative ‘Most Improved Union’ Award for their huge leap in performance. Green Impact is an environmental accreditation scheme run by NUS, offering an independent benchmarking of a union's environmental performance. The award challenges Students’ Unions to follow environmental best practice and keep sustainability in mind whilst achieving results for students. The Green Impact Award also seeks to capture the positive green innovations in students’ unions and promote them to the public. Bangor University Students’ Union also grabbed a third National Award: The Ecologist ‘Communications Challenge’ Award, as a result of a photo campaign promoting recycling.

Aid Sent to Japan A group of Japanese students at Bangor University have raised over £7,500 for the Japanese Red Cross Society, which will help alleviate the crisis in Japan after the major earthquake and tsunami which occurred earlier this year.

The money was raised through their efforts and that of ‘Bangor for Japan’, in organising events and collecting money at public places, on Bangor High Street, in Caernarfon and at the University.

Atsuchi Kajimoto, on behalf of Bangor for Japan said: “We’d like to thank everybody who contributed for their support. We collected £7535.97, which will be used to help victims to rebuild communities and their lives.”

End of Year Issue 2011

Welsh Copy Cats

‘Disturbing Levels’ of Plagiarism Committed in Welsh Universities Luke Dobson

O

ver the past three years plagiarism has peaked in Welsh universities, studies have shown.

Over a thousand students across the nation’s institutions have been reprimanded between the period 2008-2011 but why are so many students being caught out?

Turnitin, the system used to scan handed in essays, searches each document for chunks of writing that may have come from other sources. This means that even the quotes that you may be using in an essay to back up your argument are taken into account.

However, these are acknowledged by the software and show up as a low percentage of plagiarism, for example 25%.

As Dr Philip Dixon, director of ATL Cymru (Association of Teachers and Lecturers Wales) says, “Part of your argument might be showing how two authors disagree about a point, with quotes to show that.”

Yet this is not the problem facing our universities. The number of students whose work comes in with around 75% of the text matching another, which is almost solid proof of plagiarism, has peaked over the past few years and is seemingly not being dealt with.

The worst offenders seem to be at the University of Glamorgan who had to discipline 482 students last year. 6% of the essays that Cardiff checked over the past 6 six years came back over the 75% copied mark. Other institutions all had to deal with around What of Bangor? It appears that we are one of the most original institutions

in the country as only 22 people have been disciplined over the last three years, with the majority of essays falling into the low percentage reserved for poor academic referencing.

Dr Mike Reddy, an independent advisor to the Plagiarism Advisory Service, and others believe this to be a fault of our modern culture; that “In the real world copying gets rewarded, we all cut and paste.”

He goes on to say, “I think the questions of intent have to be proved and separated from inadvertent plagiarism and poor referencing, but universities have to be consistent in their approach.” It would seem that he is not alone in this though, as there have been calls for a more consistent approach in finding and dealing with the cases of plagiarism.

It should be noted that not all cases that the software finds to be in the 75% bracket are disciplined. Of the 774 cases found across Welsh universities last year, only 468 were taken further.

That’s almost over 200 students who had been wrongly accused of plagiarism and could, theoretically, have lost their degree.

This brings up two arguments; that, as Mike Reddy says, "We also need to update ways of assessing plagiarism," and how exactly are students disciplined?

Across Wales being ‘disciplined’ because of plagiarism can mean anything from an automatic fail on that particular essay to a formal warning or even expulsion.

It would appear that these calls for consistency in discipline and software should come first before we start to crack down on the perpetual plagiarisers.

Continues from front page...

This obviously puts a real pressure on Bangor University. There is an argument that says cheaper fees impact on the institution’s reputation (i.e. that if a university charges less than 9k, they will be seen as sub-standard). I reject this argument. Universities should not be using this fee increase as an opportunity to profiteer from students, should be justifying all fee increases and should show a real commitment to investing in areas that matter to students, when arguing for the ability to charge increased fees.

Bangor, like all other universities in Wales, is under scrutiny from the funding council and the Welsh Assembly to justify whichever fees they settle on.

This means that they have to set out, in clear terms, the benefits that students can expect to receive for their money.

Bangor University Students Union campaigned hard against the fees increase and we view any additional cost to students, particularly at the highest fee level, as unpalatable, unwelcome and a risk to the adage that higher education should be available to those with ability, not those with the ability to pay.

Having said that, increased fees are a reality and we have to make sure that Bangor students now get the best possible value from their investment. We are working with the university, making representations on your behalf to

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ensure that students’ extra investment is directed at improving resources and facilities, creating more opportunities for student development and removing barriers to participation.

The burden of paying for Higher Education has been passed on from central government to the individual and universities across the country are losing an enormous amount of their state funding (in some areas, up to 100%), which means institutions have little choice but to rely on student fees for income.

We will be at the forefront of discussions to ensure that Bangor students receive additional benefits in line with their additional investment”.

Seren also spoke to Bangor University student Hannah Smith about the possibly increase, she told Seren she would “certainly like to pay less” and that she believed “no University is worth £9000” but added that she thought Bangor wasn’t a bad University.

Another student added that he though he had “no choice” but to accept the increase and that if Bangor did not increase their fees they would be “seen as worse” in terms of quality.

With several question marks hanging over the future of higher education and Bangor University we await the announcement at the end of this month.

Gemma Ellis

News

A Month in News

15 April

– Hundreds of gay protestors staged a ‘gay kissin’ outside of the John Snow pub in Soho, London, after a gay couple were asked to leave the venue by the landlady the previous night, for kissing in public. The amount of protestors forced the pub in to closing their doors early as demonstrators gathered for a smooch outside. Jonathon Williams, one of the men evicted from the pub said, “I was shaking with rage. I myself do not enjoy seeing two people lip-locked for hours, but why should we not be allowed to kiss? As we move away from decades of backward laws that outline the differences between gay couples and straight, we should embrace being gay as just something ordinary and mainstream.”

20 April

– A parcel bomb was discovered by suspicious Royal Mail staff addressed to Neil Lennon, the manager of Celtic Protestors at the John Snow pub in Soho, London Rangers Football Club. Two other prominent Celtic fans were also during the staged “kiss-in.” targeted after suspicious packages were discovered at their offices in Scotland. Lennon, a Northern Irish Catholic had previously received hate mail, death threats and even bullets. The incident was an escalation for Lennon, who has been in previous disputes with Celtic’s rival Rangers, involving his own behaviour, the conduct of each team’s players and referee decisions. Lennon has publically announced that the threats will never force him to resign from his position.

22 April

– A demonstration in Bristol over the opening of a new Tesco store, escalated in to scenes of rioting and violence as protestors clashed with police. More than 160 officers in riot gear fought angry mobs leaving eight officers injured and four protestors arrested. The police were criticised with their handling of the situation which was deemed ‘heavy handed.’ The Tesco store was vandalised and petrol bombs were thrown.

24 April

– An 11-year-old boy died after falling from a zip wire at a theme park in Snowdonia. The accident happened at the Greenwood Forest Park, which boasts the longest zip wire in Wales.

An investigation is currently underway. In a statement on the park’s Riot police in Bristol battling with violent website, they said: "We are co-operating fully with the police and the protestors angry over the opening of a new Health and Safety Executive in their investigation. We have always Tesco store put safety as our number one priority and we are determined to understand fully what has happened. Our thoughts and sympathy are with the family of the boy." As a mark of respect to the boy’s family, Greenwood remained closed on Easter Monday.

26 April

– Technology giant Sony has warned that the names, addresses and other personal data on its Playstation network have been stolen. The hacking led to Sony suspending the gaming network for over a week as an investigation was launched. The hacker is said have access to over 77 million of its Playstation users personal data and credit card details but Sony assured their users that no money had been stolen. Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at security firm Sophos, described the hacking as “a public relations disaster.”

29 April

– An estimated 2.2 billion people across the world tuned in live to watch the marriage of Prince William and Katherine Middleton. Hundreds of thousands of revellers lined the streets of London to catch a glimpse of the happy couple as they made their way to Westminster Abbey to tie the knot. The pair then made their way to Buckingham Place where they shared TWO kisses on a balcony in front of an overwhelmed crowd. Parties were held across the UK as the nation enjoyed a bank holiday to celebrate the royal event. The pair are said to be honeymooning at the end of May, but until then, the Prince will continue his work as an RAF search and rescue pilot on Anglesey.

4 May

The noise of the crowd proves too much for a bridesmaid

– Heathland fires continue to burn across the UK as strong winds and high temperatures cause widespread unrest. With England and Wales only seeing 21% of the expected rainfall for this time of the year, April was classified as the hottest April since records began. The lack of rain hampered firefighter’s efforts, as all four nations within the UK battled with the sweeping blazes.

5 May

– The people of Britain took to the ballot boxes to vote in the local elections and a possible change to the current voting system. Nick Clegg suffered what he called a “bitter blow” as Britain voted against the alternative vote. The Liberal Democrats also lost hundreds of seats across England, Scotland and Wales with the Scottish Lib Dems being left with just five MSP’s. The Conservatives had a surprisingly good result after many MP’s predicted the Tories would lose countless seats.

They in fact gained an extra 81, while winning the ‘no’ campaign which David Cameron led.

13 May

– A British grandmother was stabbed and beheaded on the Spanish island of Nick Clegg after losing many Lib Dem seats Tenerife. 60 year-old Jennifer Mills-Westley is and the AV campaign said to have walked in to a souvenir shop to take refuge from somebody following her. The random attack then took place in which Mrs Mills-Westley was stabbed numerous times and her head decapitated. Deyan Valentinov Deyanov, 28, a Bulgarian national has since been arrested and is said to have been admitted to a pysciatric unit for assessment. One of Mrs Mills-Westley’s two daughters, Sarah, said her mother had been “full of life, generous of heart and would do anything for anyone.”

Jennifer Mills-Westley

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End of Year Issue 2011

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Politics

The Meeting With Miliband

I The documentation of the fraud and corruption which riddles the European Commission is well known but is easily forgotten. Yet the exploration of its extent leads to some shocking results

T

he Commission has a variety of different roles within the European Union, such as the ability to propose legislation alongside the responsibility of implementing and then enforcing European Law. Yet of the most important roles of the European Commission is to represent the EU on the international stage. It is able to do this through the President of the Commission, as the President is the closest the Union has to a head of state.

So bearing this in mind, the President of the Commission represents the entirety of the EU. Yet the history of the Presidency role has been marred by corruption and enforced resignations. How is not a good way to advocate the positive elements of the EU, for either it existing members or the wider world community?

The members are not elected but appointed by national governments so don’t have the legitimacy of being elected by the people of Europe yet they are given enormous responsibility within the EU. Their achievements are constantly overshadowed by their predecessors.

The 2004 appointment of Rocco Buttliglione proved detrimental to the credibility of the Commission. As a staunch Catholic Buttligione felt no qualms in publicly condoning homosexuality as a sin, calling AIDs a divine punishment for all of the carriers of the disease and labelling single mothers as bad.

With such a controversial candidate heading the post of Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, his lack of bias and outspoken views made headlines around Europe. Despite his eventual replacement, the initial appointment of such a Commissioner demonstrates why this unaccountable institution needs reform if not removal from the European Union.

Not only has it been accused of inefficient members but they have also struggled in the past to implement EU policies and decisions. 1999 saw a ban on British beef abroad due to various agricultural diseases etc. But once the beef had been safely tested for its quality and the ban was lifted, the Commission filed in implementing this ban reversal. European members still refused to buy the beef, leaving the British economy and farming industry enormously bereft for no good reason.

Despite British farming complaining of double standards, the EU proved ineffective and inefficient in dealing with the episode as they were unable to enforce the buying of British beef from the other European members.

Not only is the Commission unaccountable to its people, but it is inefficient in its role and has been dogged by controversial Commissioners and corruption which resulted in the sacking of the entire commission in 1999.

The incumbent President at the time was President Santer who was given the ultimatum of sacking the commission or be sacked himself. With such a colourful history and detrimental effects on the respectability and legitimacy of the European Union, is there really a place in the EU for such an institution as the Commission?

Anna Hatfield

Rocco Buttliglione : the sacked Commissioner

t was billed as an ‘Evening with David Miliband’ and when 7pm came on Friday 24th March, Bangor did not fail to deliver. The former Foreign Secretary, Labour leadership contender and brother of the Leader of the Opposition actually came to Bangor University.

Despite the audience containing enthusiastic Welsh Labour supporters alongside very few students, Miliband still delivered an interesting and impressive evening. He proved to have very humanised qualities, with a clear sense of humour alongside an impressive knowledge of current and international affairs. This comes at a time when the newspaper headlines are filled with questions concerning Ed’s marriage and how the brotherly reunion will go down and if their alienation continues due to David’s absence as Ed’s best man.

When quizzed over his current projects he appeared eager to discuss his community projects in his constituency, South Shields, his projects involving the environment and his keenness in retaining his international links from his time

as Foreign Minister. His humour was evident with such quips as when he talked with a student doing an MA dissertation on Labour Miliband asked if it was an autopsy and a reference to his close political relationship with Hillary Clinton. Although he appears to be keeping busy and politically active, it is impossible to imagine that Miliband is happy to spend his time helping his constituents when not long ago he harboured ambitions of not only becoming Labour leader but of running the country. He seemed eager to stress his happiness in his projects, yet I remained unconvinced.

Firstly, although coming to Bangor was not going to be a fierce challenge to his political career, the notably positive and encouraging audience did not pose a challenge for a man used to schmoozing with world leaders. His convincing and intellectual chat proved him to be of notable character and warmth but it begged the ques-

however, were his digressions during question time. This was the opportunity for members of the public and students alike to ask Miliband himself questions which were not premeditated or rehearsed, yet they proved hugely disappointing. Filled with local queries about the NHS and jobs in the post office, Miliband had no cause for alarm or concern if faced with an unortho-

“David Miliband is slowly gearing up for another leadership bid in the future” tion, what was the real reason behind his visit?

Despite maintaining his talk was due to being asked, even after asking him more than once, he remained tight lipped on the matter. Yet no man of such note would come and give such a small performance without an ulterior motive.

From what I gleamed, David Miliband is slowly gearing up for another leadership bid in the future. Despite Ed being safely installed as Leader of the Opposition, his position still seems precarious outside the safety zone of opposition politics and he is yet to face the challenge of a general election. Miliband was careful to stay and talk to members of the audience in the aftermath of his talk and proved willing to pose for photos and talk all local and political matters showing his political worth through his capabilities of appearing sympathetic to the public.

What was most interesting from his visit

dox question. When asked, however, when he was planning on returning to mainstream politics and if that would be under his brother, he finally faltered. Despite explaining how the media would continue to compare the brothers and making it clear it would not be under Ed, he did not answer when his return would be. So as he waits out to see his brother fail as Labour leadership, so too can Seren wait to catch him after his talk. When asked again when his return would be he answered that he genuinely did not know.

Asked whether he was preparing to launch a bid at the Labour leadership if Ed failed in the next election he commented that he had no plans to at the moment. At the moment. That could mean anything, so Seren, like the rest of the country will wait out his return to national politics and see in what sphere it will be.

MP David Chaytor, who was jailed for eighteen months following the revelations that he falsely claimed £18,350. Another former Labour MP jailed for false expenses, was the Eric Illsley, the first current sitting MP to be jailed for his scandal after falsely claiming in excess of £14,000 Another Political Scandal, this time French, which has been making waves in the headlines is through the head of IMF (International Monetary Fund), Frenchman Dominique StraussKahn who, until days ago was highly regarded as the favoured socialist political candidate for the French Presidency in the 2012 elections.

He is now in New York custody after his arrest on Saturday for attempted rape. The 62 year old has been accused of trying to force himself on a hotel maid. The allegations are so severe that he has been detained without bail and considered a flight risk. His arrest came as he was trying to flee the country from JFK airport. Despite petitioning a $1million bail, the Judge deemed him

too much of a flight risk due to his position when arrested.

The maid in question, a thirty two year old woman, has said how when entering StraussKahn’s hotel suite to clean it, he emerged naked from the ensuite. He then proceeded to chase her and sexually assault her. She has even been able to identify him in a line up, adding pressure the already tense situation. Another woman, Tristane Baron has come forward to accuse Struass-Kahn of trying to rape her when doing a routine interview with him in 2002.

The arrest has proved of high interest, as not only is Stauss-Kahn a major economic international figure but who was likely to secure the socialist nomination in the next French elections, which indicates that political scandal is not just confined to political spheres but private ones also.

The Scandal Of Political Figures C

hris Hugne, the Cabinet Minister for Energy and Climate Change is currently facing a police investigation into allegations of dodging speeding points picked up in a speeding offence in 2003. Although now 8 years ago many would believe it was an unworthy event to be dragged up. However, he is being accused of making someone else take his points for him and it has resulted in a formal complaint being lodged by a fellow MP. Labour’s Simon Danczuk made the complaint, citing public interest. Although the Cabinet Minister is in a minor ministerial role, he was the main contender to Nick Clegg for the Liberal Democrat leadership in 2007, making him a political figure of considerable note.

What makes this incident even more prominent is that the Liberal Democrats have also been recently embarrassed by fellow Cabinet Minister Vince Cable, due to his unprofessional and biased jibes at Rupert Murdock and BSkyB’s business takeover, which, yet again caused outrage. With such controversies hitting the Liberal Democrats, they seem to face an uphill battle to even remain afloat as a respected political party.

Yet scandals have not just been confined to the House of Commons. Lord Hanningfield, who sits in the House of Lords, has been arrested following accusation of six counts of false accounting. From 2006-2009, Hanningfield claimed overnight expenses to stay in London, when in fact he was driven back to his home in Essex. This shows how, despite the supposed ‘clean up’ of British politics, fraud and expense scandals are still ongoing, with some Peers and MPs refusing to abide by laws and refusing to respect tax payers money. This follows the arrest and eventual sentencing of former Labour

Anna Hatfield

Arrested on suspicion of attempted rape: Dominique Strauss-Kahn

End of Year Issue 2011

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www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

Politics

Profiles: Home Secretary

The Foreign Secretary is the role which involves all diplomatic and foreign relations taking place. They are often sent abroad and deal with all the international issues, including the European Union.

Foreign Secretary

T

AV Results

he Results of the AV referendum came in with bated breath. Many thought that the results went hand in hand with the outcome of Nick Clegg’s political career so as the heavy defeat came crashing in, all eyes were on Clegg and the Liberal Democrats. Out of almost 500 elections that took place, NINE voted yes.

Cambridge, Camden, Edinburgh Central, Hackney, Haringey, Lambeth, Oxford and Southwark. The fact that a short list is adequate to show the successes of the Yes to AV campaign demonstrates how pointless this election was. Yet the question remains; if voting figures were higher would it have made a difference? No constituency reached over a 64% turnout, with some places dwindling into the mid twenties.

Yet despite its illegitimacy and the sheer lack of interest shown by the

British public, Britain has finally been granted a referendum on its voting system. As part of the deal with the Conservative government, the Liberals were able to succeed with one of their top priority policies.

With Ed Miliband calling for the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to stop supporting the Yes Campaign for fear of alienating supporters, itdemonstrates the death Clegg has sunk to in his political career. After riding high in the televised leadership debates in the run up to the 2010 general election, and conceding heavy disappointments in the election results, many still saw him as the golden boy of politics, ready to combat the Conservatives and give a new sense of accountability and honesty into politics. But it has led him to plummet his party down in the polls and face a severe backlash not seen since Thatcher.

Anna Hatfield

Zimbabwean Politics

Robert Mugabe is known to be the Zimbabwean tyrant responsible for turning a former colony of the British Empire into a country ravaged by hyper-inflation and lacking in basic human and civil rights. He has ruled since 1987 and despite holding elections, they have proved neither free, fair or legitimate. From the 1990s onwards, the white percentage has been less than one per cent of the population but they have retained seventy per cent of the land.

Zimbabwe is no longer seen as a trusted country with the Commonwealth expelling the nation from its alliance in 2002 due to human rights infringement. Its problems are many, yet go unresolved by its ruler. The life expectancy is 42, but to live a healthy life it is even lower whilst birth rates see eighty one in every one thousand die from infant mortality. Health affects all Zimbabweans, with 1.2 million suffering from HIV. However the most infamous problem is the extraor-

dinary levels of hyperinflation which hit an all time high of 11,200,000% in August 2008, with In January 2009, seeing the introduction of a new Z$100 trillion banknote detailing the horrendous problems of the economy and the worthlessness of the currency.

The political situation is only deteriorating. A free election was finally held in 2008, with three candidates vying for success. Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change and an independent candidate, Simba Makoni. After the election, the results were withheld for two weeks, then a recount, which was privately done, was enforced and Mugabe managed to win a majority.

Despite Tsvangiria eventually being given the role of Prime Minister, Mugabe still retains the majority of power, and with him in charge Zimbabwe cannot expect to flourish as a nation or as an economic or political authority.

Name: William Hague Age: 50 Personal Life: Married to ffion Hague (since 1997) Education: Magdalen College, Oxford University Political Life: Conservative Party Leader 1997-2001, lost election to Tony Blair He is also currently the First Secretary of State

Expenses Scandal: Nothing Extortionate Relationship to her leader: First position David Cameron made after becoming Prime Minister Other: Has written two books, one on William Pitt the younger and the other on William Wilberforce

Shadow Foreign Secretary Name: Douglas Ale xander Age: 42 Personal Life: Marri ed to Jacqueline Christian and they have two children Education: Studied Politics and Modern History at Ed inburgh University Political Life: Electe d MP in 1997 2004 Minster of Sta te for Trade 2005 Mininster of Sta te for

Europe Expenses Scanda l: After his house caught fire, Ale xander claimed expenses for items not covered by insura nce everyday utility. Th en repayed, of his own accord ne arly £2000.

Relationship to Le ader: Given post in the reshuffling of the cabinet follow ing the resignation of Alan Johnson Other: Worked on the American Democratic campaign for Michael Dukakis in 1988

Miliband Marches

T

he 26 March saw the rally which changed the face of the British public’s political participation. Crowds of approximately 250,000 joined forces in London to condemn the coalition and their decision to opt for such severe public spending cuts.

The demonstrations proved peaceful for the majority although there proved to be extensive rioting outside Oxford Street’s Topshop which saw crowds grow tense and restless. The crowds, indisputably angry over the spending cuts and the effects on their living saw Britain pull together to perform one of the most illustrious marches, with sights of the crowds making breaking news.

The legitimacy of the march was reaffirmed by the presence of Ed Miliband who bolstered the crowds by speaking to the masses, advocating a

change in the budget and the extreme budget cuts. Despite the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats appealing and urging him not to condone the marches and to not stand along them and speak, Miliband pushed forward in his quest not to miss a good opportunity. His timing was good; how often would he get to speak to 250,000 people angry at the incumbent government? However his action appears rather disdainful when it comes to light that David Cameron was, at the time, dealing with the Libyan crisis and the endless loss of lives as a result of Gaddafi’s reign.

Although domestic politics is just as important as international affairs and the people had a right to march against the damage the coalition had caused to their livelihoods, was it really right that the leader of the opposition was there

standing alongside, was it professional or justified? Yes Miliband advocates lesser budget cuts but surely he should be doing this in Prime Minister’s Questions and coming up with actual alternatives? With his two year review of all policy, he is yet to showcase his party’s manifesto, effectively having no idea of his own to dispel to the British people. It is customary for nations to rebel against their government, and 250,000 people is no mean feat, demonstrating the extent of dispute and public outrage, but how often is such a serious political figure present at them? Whether it showcased his alliance with the people or just showcases a Labour tactic remains to be seen.

Anna Hatfield

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End of Year Issue 2011

Interview

An Interview with Liam Burns Future National President of the NUS Speaks Exclusively to Seren

O

n Wednesday 13 April, despite professional predictions, Liam Burns was crowned as the next National President of the NUS, after a close battle which saw him win over 60% of the vote. Burns, a Scottish born physics graduate – who is currently the president of NUS Scotland, beat the current national NUS Vice-President, Shane Chowen, to take the crown.

Burns will now take over from Aaron Porter, who decided not to run for re-election after he suffered tough scrutiny for his handling of the government’s plans to potentially triple university tuition fees. Burns now has the tough job of being the

voice of over seven million students who will be looking for a lot of support in the year ahead.

I contacted Liam Burns for a possible interview over a week before Seren went to print. He e-mailed me his number and after many busy days and nights, Liam was ready for an interview. We had shared many texts prior to the interview and I already sensed the kind of character he was; genuine, down-to-earth, dedicated and humorous – oh, and a little clumsy. The night before our interview Liam was in Brussels.

He had lost his passport and wallet, which consequently lead to him missing his flight back to the UK. He

faced a lengthy process getting back.

As he waited at the airport, he texted me his predicament and amongst the madness, he laughed and joked about having to possibly fill in an application for asylum. When we finally spoke, amongst his strong Scottish accent, Liam’s genuine nature and determination left me feeling optimistic. I felt relieved and honoured that Liam will soon become the face and voice of students across the UK. I know it’s still early and difficult to say, and maybe in a few months’ time I will be eating my words. But until then, I’m excited and intrigued to see what the next year holds for Liam Burns.

“You should feel cheated because people are having their education stolen away from them” Firstly, congratulations on becoming elected as the new president of the NUS, how did you feel when your name was announced?

Thank you. I can’t describe it, basically over the moon and really humbled. It was a strange campaign. Unlike previous conferences it just wasn’t clear who was going to win. But it wasn’t really me who won, it was my campaign team, they were so on the ball. But in one word, I feel privileged.

You will now be the voice of over 7 million students, is that daunting?

(Laughs) That’s a rhetorical question! But yeah, it’s bloody terrifying. It’s an important job and it’s going to be an interesting year. But as long as I don’t get eggs thrown at me, it’ll be alright.

You may possibly have the toughest year ahead of you, are you ready for the fight?

Yes absolutely, and you’re right, it’s going to be tough. One of the main reasons why, is because it’s difficult to see the parliamentary mechanisms we have, to try and reverse some of the changes that have already gone through Westminster; whether it’s EMA, the tuition fee regime or the reverse of the Higher Education Funding Policy. Next year is going to be about a number of things. First of all it’s about keeping momentum and building capacity in the student movement. We can’t find

ourselves starting from scratch in the next general election. Equally it’s going to be about pointing out the flaws in this policy as they become more and more clear.

You are currently the president of NUS Scotland, how different do you think the two roles will be?

In practical terms they’re very similar. Both roles require dealing with the politics, decision making and the student activists. But in terms of political landscape, it’s like night and day now.

I’m in the land of milk and honey. But it’s important that the media gives us a glimmer of hope and remain optimistic.

What action should students be taking if they’re unhappy with the rise in tuition fees?

The perfect action is to influence the decision makers and I think that’s where the student movement has different approaches in what is the right action to take. But that’s happening in two places now. It’s happening in universities and obviously in the marches which we’ve seen across the UK. But we have got three or four years to ensure that no political party can possibly put in their manifesto the current regime and that’s what we have to focus on.

Are the government listening to the protests?

Yes I do. The white paper which was

due out earlier this year still hasn’t been released yet because the students are influencing the decisions which the politicians are making. The student movement is also winning public support. Combine that with the cuts to the NHS and forestry, the government are having to do massive U-turns. It makes them realise how publically unpopular their decisions are. But overall, the politicians are listening. Maybe not enough but they are listening.

Is there a way back on the current tuition fees regime?

Yes, there is most definitely a way back. The higher education system hasn’t worked since 2007 under the Labour government and it certainly won’t work under the Coalition. It’s a false market. But I am just so adamant that with the temptation of them [government] treating universities as the seller, and us as the buyers, we just have to reject that.

What are you hoping to do differently to the current NUS President Aaron Porter, who ultimately suffered tough scrutiny for his handling of the rise in tuition fees?

Firstly he [Aaron Porter] made a brave decision not to run. And I have no doubt that if he had of ran; he would have most definitely won. I won’t have any body say that he hasn’t tried his absolute best for students across the UK in the last year. But there are thing

Liam Burns - Future President of the NUS. which we have different positions on – firstly on consumerism. And secondly, is it right that the Union accepts that students are customers? We also had different opinions on anti-cut groups. I don’t come from a direct action background but that’s not to say that I don’t recognise why students would want to take direct action. Student activism is the bread and butter what we stand for.

But as I said, Aaron did a fantastic job and he has my respect.

Scottish students don’t pay tuition fees and Welsh students receive massive bursaries from their government. Should English students feel cheated?

Damn right English students should feel cheated, but not because other people have got it better in the rest of the UK. I think it would be dangerous for

us to try and aspire to the lowest common denominator. But you should feel cheated because people are having their education stolen away from them. The idea was to reduce the huge deficit but it had actually transpired, under this new fees regime to cost more. So I have no idea why we are going down this route.

Finally, what’s the best student newspaper in the UK? By the way we’re called Seren.

[Laughs] Well of course I have to stay impartial to these things, but seeing as they don’t distribute as far as Scotland, it’s safe to say that Seren is one of the best student newspapers in the UK. [Laughs again]

Interview by

Andy Trigg

End of Year Issue 2011

Rich reflects on Societies Success this Year

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t’s been a great year for the Societies Department, we’ve got more societies than ever before, our societies are more active and have ever growing memberships and loads of our societies have been working collaboratively to put on some fantastic events.

For me, it’s been a huge privilege to be the Societies Officer this year. I was very involved in Societies as an undergrad, but it’s not until I started as a Sabb that I realised just how much there is that takes place in the Societies Department, there are so many hobbies, interests and passions represented, there are so many opportunities to get involved, try new things and gain experiences.

Some of my own personal highlights this year include the Bangor Ffrinj festival, where all four of our wondrous drama societies got together to put on a ten day non-stop schedule of performances, that even had the Mayoress of Ban-

gor declaring herself an ImpSoc fan! Or the Club Uno events where Stage Crew, Storm and DJ Society got together to run Bar Uno how it should be. But I’ve also been hugely proud of the often unsung achievements by smaller societies, such as the Herpetological Society who hosted the British Herpetological Symposium this year, a massive national event!

It’s been an honour to work with all 74 of our Societies this year and I can’t wait to see what everyone can accomplish next year!

The BIG Give

At the end of each academic year The Big Give collects unwanted items from student halls and donates these to charity. Last year they collected a whooping 80 bags of clothes, 6 boxes full of food, numerous bits of bedding and even an Xbox! Their work helps the environment by reducing waste, as well as their recipient charities. As a Big Give volunteer, you’ll be helping us to distribute boxes, collect and sort donation s.

This year they expect to receive lots of donations, so your help is really vital!

A typical Big Give Day 11-1pm: Box collections shifts volunteers who help out in both 1-1.30pm: Lunch provided for ng 1.30pm- 3pm: Afternoon sorti

Dates and Times

Rich Gorman

Societies calendar

B.E.D.S - ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding

20th-22nd May 7.30pm- JP Hall £5/£4 NUS- Doors open at 7pm Geog Soc Roman Camp BBQ

21st May Meeting at the entrance to Main Arts at 1.45pm

Bangor Aid 21-22nd May Festival Style - Hendre

STAG Last Work Party of the Year 22nd May - pickup at 10am Memorial Arch, lunch provided.

Club Uno Silent Disco 26th May

Botanical Beats 5th June

Societies

You can contact: thebiggive@undeb .bangor

.ac.uk

Thursday 19th May Tuesday 24th May Thursday 26th May

Tuesday 31st May Wednesday 1st June Thursday 2nd June

Societies Join up for a Medieval Mashup

H

ey, you. Yes you! What are you doing after the summer ball? Because Monday the 30th May sees Bangor Students Union take over Beaumaris in a free medieval festival. Over 60 students will be heading over to show what they have been up to over the last year, each playing their part in the telling of dreadful deeds and treacherous tales. The award winning drama society, BEDS, is providing nearly 30 actors to take on a whole range of mysterious and hilarious characters, from secretive lords to a band of drunken monks. Inside the castle, the Thomas Stanley Welsh Levy, Bangor’s very own medieval re-enactment society, will be recruiting people to their cause by demonstrating fighting with a whole range of deadly weapons. Alongside this, the archery society will be showing just how powerful the longbow is in regular demonstrations.

T h e award winning

Comedy society (formerly ImpSoc) will be joining BEDS in roaming the town and playing the fool as well as doing a couple of shows in the White Lion beer garden, opposite the castle.

When they aren’t on stage, the Cadi Ha Morris Dancing society will be showing why they won the community engagement award. The circus skills society will be showing off their most impressive moves, possibly including a little bit of fire breathing… There will also be some traditional Welsh music, courtesy of UMCB, as well as various other bits and bobs… and the only way to find out what these are is to come along!

Bex Phillips, one of the directors for the project in BEDS, said “this is the first time a project such as this collaborating with so many societies has happened, it’s such an exciting event and after the success of the Victorian re-enactment BEDS did in December we are really looking f or w a rd

to it. We have a fantastic cast and the script and characters are brilliant”.

Rich Gorman, the Sabbatical officer responsible for societies, describes it as “a wonderful event, showing what can happen when students and the community work together. We’ve got some of our best societies pulling out all of the stops to conclude what has been an amazing year for them all.” The event starts at 11.30 with a parade through the town. From 12, there will be stuff happening in the castle, in White Lion square, and all around the town. The grand finale kicks off at 2.30 inside the castle, with all the societies working together to create an absolutely stunning finale.

There are regular busses, and plenty of people with cars still around. Beaumaris is always a lovely day out, and now, with exams over, and summer upon us, there has never been a better reason to visit!

Antony Butcher

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End of Year Issue 2011

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Summer Ball

Where does your money go?

Acts: £16.20/36% What would the Summer Ball be without your performers? It’s quite understandable that a large amount of your ticket price is invested into the acts that are booked to entertain you! A typical gig would cost you around £15, therefore £16.20 seems more than reasonable when considering the amount and quality of acts that are on offer this year!

£3.15/7%

First Aid equipment should any accidents occur, the tents which hold separate exciting entertainment, scaffolding , pedestrian barriers and more barriers to keep out non ticket holders!

Production:

Marketing:

£16.20/36%

£1.35/3%

Staging, lighting, screens, music, amps, the amazing free fun fair rides, wiring, technicians, putting it all up, taking it all down.

Production is a massive job and arguably the most important, which is why it takes up quite a large proportion of your ticket money.

Promotional flyers, posters and the actual design of your ticket so that you know what is happening, where it’s happening and when!

Venue: £3.15/7% Main Arts unfortunately doesn’t come free, but the £3 from your ticket price is certainly worth it when you’re standing in PJ Hall, a great venue for some great acts!

Site Equipment:

Staff: £4.95/11% The security to keep you safe, the attendants to give you somewhere to park, but more importantly the bar staff to keep the drinks of your choice flowing!

Local Heroes!

Deaf By Disco have gone from playing our local nightclubs to this years Bestival!

Two of our own! Deaf by Disco consists of two home grown Bangor DJs on a mission to entertain our ears. Jess Hughes and Nick Wakefield have been packing out Base nightclu b for a while now playing their mix of disco electronica, and their turntable talents have landed them a gig at this year’s

Bestival. The popular pair have been snapped up by Rob Da Bank to play on the Isle of Wight this summer to crowds of over 55,000, so they are definitely worth a watch at this year’s summer ball. Seren will be among the crowd cheering on the best from Bangor!

deaf by disco

End of Year Issue 2011

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Summer Ball

Meet the Acts Feeder have been around since 1991 and have had 7 top 20 albums have Okay, so if you haven’t heard of Feeder you seriously must they are because years, twenty past the for cave a in living been members BIG. First formed in Newport in 1991, Feeder’s current Hirose include Welsh wonder Grant Nicholas, Japanese bassist Taka after lead and top-notch English drummer Karl Brazil. Named place singer Grant Nicholas’ pet goldfish, Feeder have secured their their as rock royalty with an impressive seven Top 20 albums under their of you convince to enough isn’t that If belt.

feeder

was awesomeness, let me remind you of the fact that Feeder Oh, responsible for THE pop-rock anthem of 2001, Buck Rogers.

The Just and High , Moment the Feeling like tracks top few a and just er Way I’m Feeling. With that classic pop-rock sound we all rememb socks off from our grungy days, Feeder are sure to rock all our looks like at the ball. Sing along now; he’s got a brand new car, trip down a Jaguar, it’s got leather seats and a CD player! Take a memory lane at http://www.feederweb.com/.

One To Watch!

They just played Radio 1’s big weekend; these two will take off this year

As the name suggests, the Rizzle Kicks are fun, hip and fighting fit!

The cheeky chappies who created the band, Sylvester and Rizzle, are childhood friends who honed their hip-hopping skills while they were at college in Brighton. Inspired by some of the best Brit pop acts of our time (Gorillaz, Lily Allen and Arctic Monkeys to name but a few), these boys will have you bustin’ a move before you can say ‘best Bangor ball EVER’! The dynamic duo wowed the crowd at Radio 1’s Big Weekend

on Saturday with their hit tracks Down with the Trumpet s and Mama Can Hump. With over half a million views on their YouTube channel and an upcoming feature in fashion forward i-D magazine, the Rizzle Kicks are officially the ones to watch this summer. With their catchy tunes, haunting harmonies and utterly unique sound, it’s no wonder the Rizzle Kicks are set for stardom. Catch the boys’ latest single, Prophet (Better Watch It) at http://www.youtube.com/user/RizzleKicks.

rizzle kicks

Stooshe have just been signed to

Simons Cowell’s record label Syco

with Stooshe are three racy girls from South East London only amazing and outlandish fashion sense, excellent vocals and one thing on their mind. Recently signed to Syco, Simon Cowell’s T thing record label, Seren think that Stooshe are the HOTTES Me’ is to hit this year’s summer ball. Their debut single ‘F*ck The just the sort of raunchy and saucy sound us students love. a raw, girls, Courtney, 18, Alexandra, 20 and Karis, 21 have

unique rough around the edges kind of feel to them but have a . sound unrivalled by anyone else currently hogging our playlists of the Despite the shoddy and unnecessary rap in the middle r and song, sung by a man who calls himself Suave Debonai racing wears a rabbit head, ‘F*ck Me’ is bound to get your heart yet and senses tingling. We don’t know much about these girls hit! big a be to sure are but watch this space because Stooshe

stooshe Huge Radio 1 DJ comes to Bangor!

He was born in New Zealand, travelled to America and then moved to England where he is now settled down with his wife and two kids. Here he got a job at London’s XFM before having a regular and now huge evening show on Radio 1. One of the station’s most popular names, Zane Lowe is a pretty amazing DJ and his sets include a variety of different music for all tastes, so all you lovers of rock, hip hop and drum and bass will no doubt have something to look forward to! Zane isn’t just limited

Zane lowe

to the radio either, he hosts a show on MTV 2 called Gonzo and is also a member of Breaks Co-op, an electronic trio who have released two albums. It’s fair to say that all of us at Seren are really excited to see ‘Zipper’ at the ball, anyone who was around in Bangor and saw his set the night before the Big Weekend will tell you that he goes down a storm!

You’re all bound to enjoy the rave, but you should take a second to just stand and watch Zane do his stuff, it’s pretty amazing stuff!

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End of Year Issue 2011

Union

So, what has our Union done for us this year?

Got £83,000 in compensation for Bryn Eithin residents

After the University’s Estates Department left 96 Bryn Eithin residents without consistent heating, hot water, Internet and laundrette services for a total of 25 weeks, students in Bryn Eithin handed a petition to the Union, demanding the University resolve the problems. The Union tackled this head-on, pursuing action against the university on behalf of these students and secured a total of £83,000 in compensation from the university in rent refunds to all residents on the site.

Just prior to the election, the Union was asked by the University to model a £75,000 cut to clubs, societies, volunteering and all the other services they provide for you. President Jo Caulfield flatly refused to do this, and after some lobbying to the Vice Chancellor, prevented the Union from receiving any whatsoever in the next year.

Prevented a £75,000 cut

Won 3 national environmental awards

Thanks to your VP for Societies and Sustainability, Rich Gorman, the Union scooped 3 national awards for all the sustainability and environmental work we’ve been doing this year. We got a gold award as part of Greener Student Unions, which in turn led to us scooping the award for Most Improved Union. As if that wasn’t enough we then picked up another award for our environmental campaign photography. Three out of six ain’t bad!

Introduced a brand-spanking new Course Rep System

There’s been an unprecedented number of students involved this year in the SU’s Course Rep system. Your VP for Education and Welfare, Danielle Buckley, has taken the total number of course reps from 35 last year to 225 this year, all in a matter of months! The strength of your voice has been bolstered by this and course reps have driven change through the University, not just in individual schools, but across the whole institution.

Fought for our new nightclub Since the University knocked down our Students’ Union building (along with our two nightclubs) last year, the battle to get it replaced has been long and tough. After months of campaigning, petitioning and letter writing, we finally got granted planning permission, only to be hit with massive restrictions on the license, meaning the venue would’ve closed at midnight. The SU forced the University to appeal this decision and in doing so, they got improved hours of 2am on weeknights and 2.30am on weekends! The club should (finally!) be up and running by September.

Got Wednesday afternoons off for (almost!) every student next year After a phenomenal campaign to lobby the university to give students Wednesday afternoons off to pursue sports and volunteering amongst other projects (led by your Vice President of Sport and Healthy Living: Danielle Giles), we got a staggering 2000 signatures. This is something the Union has been trying to do for a number years, but has been unsuccessful every time. This year, our sabb team’s campaign paid off and the University have committed to freeing up Wednesday afternoons for students in almost all schools. Unfortunately, because the larger schools (e.g. Psychology) have to have lectures in PJ Hall and timetabling in that space is so tight, they won’t be able to guarantee Wednesday afternoons off for them next year. However, the University has given the Union assurances that they will be pursuing as many options as possible to get this sorted for all students in the next few years.

Took 250 students to the National Demo in November

The Union organised transport for over 250 students to get to London for the National Demonstration against increases in fees and savage cuts to higher education. The day may have received negative coverage because of a violent minority, but Bangor students were part of the peaceful 50,000 strong protest. Bangor’s students did us proud!

Started a national free Chlamydia testing campaign

The SU led the way in a campaign for free Chlamydia testing for people under 25 across Wales. This was proposed by our VP Ed and Welfare Danielle Buckley and adopted as NUS Wales policy.

...and of course, got us a killer Summer Ball line up (see pg 10 & 11)

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Comment

Rowena T

he Ugandan parliament has recently received huge international attention regarding their decision to discuss an “Anti-Homosexuality” Bill. While homosexuality is currently illegal within the country, if the bill is passed it would mean wider ability to punish those guilty, and impose harsher consequences for this “crime”. Within the conservative Ugandan society, 84% of the population are Evangelical Christians, therefore homosexuality is widely viewed as UnAfrican and Un-Christian. These illinformed attitudes present within the parliament has led to the official opinion that “Same-Sex attraction is not an innate and immutable characteristic”, a view that with such heavy scientific research against it, seems disturbing to have made it so far within their system.

Originally proposed to the parliament in 2009 by MP David Bahati, an outspoken anti-homosexual activist, the bill (if passed) can imprison anyone with who has had a homosexual encounter for life, and can allow the executing of people they believe guilty of “aggravated homosexuality” and extradite any Ugandan nationals they believe guilty of this crime.

Uganda has a longstanding history

Anti-Homosexuality Bill of LGBT related human rights abuse, with LGBT citizens within the country facing discrimination and harassment daily at the hands of the media, police & teachers. The most recent of which was in 2010 when a leading tabloid “Rolling Stone” published the addresses, names and photographs of 100 alleged homosexuals accompanied by a call for their execution. This resulted in the murder of activist David Kato who was bludgeoned to death in the street.

The bill’s initial proposal led to widespread condemnation by a range of foreign bodies accompanied the threat of AID withdrawal and economic incentives for its removal by other countries, facing enormous pressure against it. Within their system, the Ugandan Prime-Minister has the ultimate control of the country’s legislation, and by saying the bill has become a “foreign policy issue”, he can effectively veto or stall the bill’s progress throughout the democratic system. As such, the current draft of the bill is hopefully unlikely to pass into lawful practice. However the distressing attitudes that have promoted it are still a worrying issue.

Homophobic attitudes and homophobic discrimination are being used as a distraction from the direct and

significant problems facing Uganda and its people. Civil unrest, increasing economic hardship and common illiteracy have all been swept behind the paramount concerns of “preserving the heterosexual family”.

Within such a predominately Evangelical Christian society, it is hard to imagine a more effective and popular policy for a politician to raise their profile with. MP Bahati is a man with increasing sway over Ugandan Policy, and rising potential within his movement.

International outcry and condemnation from the majority of the world in response to this bill has shown an encouraging attitude, and as such, I’m confident that the bill in its current format or anything like it, is unlikely to be passed, and if it were passed, would make an effective stage to set the bill’s repeal in motion from international pressure. Human Rights abuse at this scale is distressing to find, displayed within a world where we can sometimes forget how fortunate we are not to have our basic human rights stripped from us.

Andrew Gadie

S

talks Summer

o it’s coming to the end of another year at Bangor, and I hope for you all its been a good one!

Now some of you will be graduating, so congratulations! Remember to throw that hat as high as you can and celebrate hard afterwards. It may have been a long 3 years of work, but it’s all worth it in the end! Others of you may have just finished your freshers year, which I’m sure was filled with flat parties and a lot of drunken nights out, and you would have had the time of your life.

But now that’s all over, summer’s here!

Yesss! It is the time to relax, chill out with BBQ’s, and a few more nights out; hang on doesn’t that sound familiar? But either way summer is finally here!

Now like most of you I shall be working hard over the summer to earn some pennies, however I will also be partying hard! I am off to my first ever festival this year (I know shameful), and I am so excited about it! Even though I will have to wait until august I am already planning what to take and more importantly what to wear.

With festival season comes a new sense of fashion, you are no one if you do not have your wellies with long socks, or the trilby with some sexy sunnies. Either way the list is pretty long. Now if, like me, you like your shower, having to go without one for 3-4 days is going to be a challenge in it self. I will also have to invest in a LOT of baby wipes. But no matter what you are up to this summer, have a fantastic one and I may see you next year, ready to greet the new fresher’s in the only way Bangor can!

Your big night out without vodka, beer, cider or shots? Could you do it?

Ben gives Seren a rare insight into the abstaining world of the Teetotal Student

A

ndrew WK, that great luminary of our times once wrote a song dedicated to something that is law amongst students, partying.

I can't remember the exact wording as his lyrics often probe ideas far above my menial station but it went something along the lines of "when it's time to party, we will party hard". The rap group, The Beastie Boys, also cottoned on to the idea that partying was paramount to personal freedom and wrote "you've got to fight, for your right, to party".

Now everyone obviously loves a good ol' knees up by the piano but what if I were to challenge you to not drink next time you engaged in it?

Are you filled with fear? Or worse, if I were to say you don't actually need to drink to engage in 'partying' would you believe me? This is the viewpoint we shall uncover today dear disciples of the nightclub, you beerpong kings and shape-throwing queens.

There is the mindset and a heavy one at that, that alcohol = fun and the more drunk we get the more fun shall be procured, but we have to look at what we accomplish when drinking that makes it so fun in order to discover why we do it. For one, the wonder-

ful loss of inhibition that comes with drink a lot, but the exuberance, fun ver that you can achieve by saying drunkeness masks the ability that none and more importantly lack of hango- "you know what, I don't care" and then of us can actually busting out the dance (come on The exuberance, fun that you can achieve by saying "you know worst bodypop admit it, if the what, I don't care" and then busting out the worst bodypop alive alive for 3 conmusic was turned is more exhilarating than any night I have had on the tipple. tinuous hours off we'd all look is more exhilalike we were berating than any ing attacked by bees) night I have had on the tipple. and the joyous feeling of Now it does take a while to being utterly comfortaget into the habit, the leap over ble with your surroundyour conscience that is ings only heightens required is a mighty the excitement. one but worthwhile.

But it is posYou could argue it sible to dance is the purest form like no-onesof partying, as there watching-evenis nothing aside though-ever yfrom yourself that one-is without is willing you on. the 10 vodkas, The flashing lights, you just have the atmoshphere to remove that & the toonz are all part of yourself still there but they that cares that are reflected back people might at you in the most judge. I live in a organic light, you household with just have to let two people that yourself accept don't drink that people are ofresolutely and ten far too caught I myself don't in their own night

and dad-imitation dancing to be looking at you. No, wait-that's not what I meant...of course they're looking at yo-no...no, you are beautiful.....no of course you'll find someone one day.

But anyway, back to the point. Free yourself from the leviathan that is alcohol, go out and try it; I dare you. Feel the atmosphere, wherever you are, take over you and reap the gold that lies in un-inebriated fun, the kind of we fun we're supposed to have.

So I say to you, allies of the ale, advocates of the advokat, try a night without it but push yourself past the point of no-return and truly, we shall reign amongst the ranks of Andrew WK and those Black Eyed fellas who had a good feeling about something.

Party legend awaits.

Your personal party supervisior

Ben Evans

For a greater insight and more from Ben visit: themurdokdiaries.blogspot.com

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Self Perpetuating News

D

id you know that Bin Laden is dead?

Maybe it had slipped your mind that the Royal Wedding happened and was watched by umpteen gazillion people around the globe? Of course you know because it has been pushed down your throats by the 24 hour mass media frenzy; and it’s testing my patience.

Ever since the emergence of 24 hour news channels, we have been inundated with the same information regurgitated in a cycle until some disaster occurs and the media swarms in like zombies over an unarmed civilian. Over and over and over again; a chaotic, hellish vision of the future repeated ad nauseam.

Let’s take the recent news stories as examples. The Royal Wedding appeared on the news channels and in the papers across the world for months leading up to the actual event. Every minute detail was covered and re-covered from the hair styles to the guest list, outfits and what they would be serving at the bar at the reception. Is it just me who thinks that all of that was about as closely related to news as I am to Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Yet the news channels continued to yak on about it and then the wedding actually happened...and they did not stop. For days after the news consisted of how the wedding had gone, what the people had worn etc etc. This need that the media seems to have to cling on to a few stories and reiterate them again and again every day is not journalism, it’s just lazy.

How about something that is even more recent? The death of Osama Bin Laden two weeks ago was the lead story on every news channel until a few days ago. They mined every resource they had in order to bring us expert testimonies concerning how he would have been taken out, how he would have been living, the ramifications of the death and so on. If journalism was a science then they would have covered every single variable twice over.

This leads me on to another point that just scratches away at my soul every time I see it. The scrolling bar at the bottom of the screen which is supposed to come up with ‘Breaking News’ does no such thing; ever. Far from it, once a piece of news flashes up it tends to scroll away for hours.

If someone was just tuning into a channel they would not be wrong in

Comment

15

thinking that the news was actually brand new when, in fact, it was hours old.

I am begging the news channels to stop this, to stop turning news into a media event akin to an entertainment programme. By pandering to the lowest common denominator by covering all the explosions of war or the ever-repeated celebrity drama again and again, televisual journalism in this country is dying. In its place there is a 24 hour rolling news cycle which only serves to turn people off the news instead of making them interested.

Luke Dobson

A Fan or a Stan, are you over obsessed with your celeb?

F

alling in love with an actor, a singer, dress of a certain celebrity Twitter user to They feel the need to put other people in a band, even an author is natural. stake out their hotel, you’re a Stan. the same field down, in order to elevate Becoming their fan and supportIt’s actually remarkably simply to point their own idol. The result online is usuing them is a great thing to do, and so out a Stan due to their two distinct styles ally ‘flame wars’ or ‘Stan wars’ (terms to many artists have found fame due to their of ‘Stanning’: the first type of Stanning is Google), much to the chagrin of simple fans at the beginning fans. Stans tend to give of their careers introfans a bad name. People ducing their friends to all of Gaga’s “little Simply put, if you’re considering tracing the IP address think their work. We all do monsters” are all obsesit – whether it’s falling of a certain celebrity Twitter user to stake out their hotel, sive and hating, whereas in love with a singer, they’re not – they just asyou’re a Stan. a sportsman or even a sume the Stans represent scientist (it happens!). the rest of her supporters.

But how much loving Stanning is taking of someone famous is too much? There’s simply an uber-psychotic constant decla- something which should be fun that step a very thin line between fan and Stan, and ration of love for a certain celeb. In real too far. You can be someone’s fan withI’m here to help you recognise it. life, it’s having wall-to-wall posters, talk- out them being your world. Worried?

The term “Stan” comes from the Em- ing about them daily. A Belieber went as Ask yourself the following questions: is inem song of same name, which tells the far as to cut I LOVE J.B. into their arm your idol infallible? Would your life go on story of a fan (Stan) so obsessed with Em- and post it on the internet. Online, it in- without this person? Would you rather inem that he kills his pregnant girlfriend volves constant commenting and praise of avoid jail than get a picture with them? If to get his attention and even threatens the star in question, as well as having eve- you answered yes, don’t worry, you’re not suicide unless the rapper writes him. rything about their online persona – from Stan-worthy. If you know someone who Very Bunny Boiler, no? The usage of the their icon to their username – related to would’ve answered no, you need to make name Stan became common in the past the celeb. Type two is the hater, the per- them check themselves before they wreck two years as internet slang to describe, as son who feels the need to hate on every themselves, and by that, I mean end up Urban Dictionary puts it, “an overzealous other person in the field besides the one on YouTube making Leave Britney Alone maniacal fan for any celebrity or athlete.” they love. Ke$ha Stans bash on Britney, Part II. Some also propose it’s a combination of Katy and Rihanna; Ronaldo Stans bash the words “stalker” and “fan”. Simply put, Rooney, Ferdinand and Giggs; Spielberg if you’re considering tracing the IP ad- Stans bash Cameron, Coppola and Lucas.

James Berry

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I

t’s reaching that time of year again guys. Exams are almost over, essays are handed in and the Summer Ball is fast approaching. As a result of all this excitement many of you will be heading off to the many pubs and bars around Bangor for a celebratory drink (or two, or three). Most of you may end up having a bit too much and feeling worse-forwear the next day, spending it groaning on the sofa. A lucky few will manage to keep their celebration drinking limited to a level where they don’t spend the next day acquainting themselves with the toilet or their living room sofa. Go you guys!

This issue of Seren is all about alcohol, as you’ve probably guessed already and I got to wondering, why do we feel so great when we’re drinking yet feel like we’re dying the next day? Why do we do some many stupid things when drinking?

Why do some people get angry, some sad and some just super happy? These were just some of my questions. So this month’s feature is all about the effect that alcohol has upon your body and how exactly hangovers happen. After all, if we know we may be able to make it hurt less the morning after.

The Brain

I

The Liver

Alcohol also gives you memory loss and exaggerated emotions. That’s what creates those huge gaps in your memory of the night before and leaves you wondering why you thought it would be a good idea to walk down College Road bare-foot. The reason you see girls sitting crying one minute and dancing around smiling the next? It’s the exaggerated emotions.

Ever wonder why so many people get together on drunk nights out? Yep, you guessed it. Alcohol. As well as being unihibiting it ramps up your sex drive increasing arousal and desire. Unfortunately, it has the opposite effect on perormance.

Alcohol affects the parts of the brain that control automatic body functions; breathing, heart rate, temperature, that sort of thing.

When alcohol gets to that part of the brain you start to feel sleepy. As more and more alcohol gets there you can end up unconscious. I’m very serious when I say that this effect can be fatal if it gets into excess.

le n only hand The liver ca , hol an rs co al pe oo of tr it e ur liver ar about a un ly will a after ng too quick especially hour, drinki king or t. w gh lls ni ce d er ba ad to your liv to particularly le pt s m te se at es in an er that proc t over time It’s the liv e liver can’ Th hol and l. co al al it in s proces the toxins however so es the l do ho w co al Ho e t. ou store th to the filters them cohol is sent off fected by al any excess liver get af . . ns ok lo ga a or have e rest of your though? Let’s the work that th eaks down All this hard ost m The liver br e to th in it hy w is is sent to liver puts in problem alcohol that s and health ; water, ga mon m co h three things uc inkers and dr o m e to ng bi hy w among liver fat (that’s weight nds to be n lead to alcoholics te e -related drinking ca th er liv es r rc he fo l ot Alcoho in disease or problems). body, e liver The ate, BUT th problems. rush e so body to urin th b t jo en its ev to do e trying to pr needs water ater , will wag to divert w acetaldehyde r of he ot g to it is forced in g as f, rele here, leadin war on itsel from elsew ght these rts of fi pa r to he ot ls in chemica dehydration It’s e the brain. to toxins. er the body, lik ov ng boils down ha e uses th What it all f does el this that ca its l ho co al of is that the headaches. alcohol e amounts t cause larg processing e no th is In It tle . lit er the liv produces a l damage to the liver hich alcoho dehyde w al et ac by d s lle proces substance ca at causes n into th w d do ise en ol ok br is metab rmful that is later the e as ha ls outside of the damag ed. xic other chemica as to le a re s e ha ar er it substances liver. Howev fore the liver be effect upon s. this happen

O

The K idney s

T

he kid neys that are t co he or of ur ntrol the gans ine. introd When production uced to the alcoh the p ol is roduc brain tio ADH, it inh ibits which n of the reabs contro horm or o stops btion of w ls the kid ne ater. n th Inhibit eys as mu e kidneys ing it fro c a resu h water as m reabsor bing lt the t urine. kidne hey should ys pro , as duce to go This is w more hy p t eo drinkin o the toile t so o ple have g. ften w hen

System e iv t s e ig D e h T

In low to king it down. food by brea stimulates ol oh alc s nt ere the moderate amou amounts system is wh but in higher he digestive its production o your body, n. This int tio ed uc rb od so pr ab its alcohol gets ohol inhibits up through alc ed n can ak tio so uc ts od ge pr acid not digested. It r part of inhibition of ing long term mach and uppe rry sto wo e er th th of ra . ter ing the lin s up wa have some ption e a sponge soak alcohol consum the the intestine, lik effects. Chronic to kill bacteria tion of alcohol y tra ilit en ab nc ’s co dy e bo th The higher can lessen the tract through rbed. the digestive quicker it’s abso that gets into ect of making n lead to the eff ca us is vio Th ob s. e uid Apart from th mit if you your food or liq vo all intestine y all sm r ion pe ss ca up d oc the es some lonisation of you feel ill an do co o lly harmful. als tia it ten ol, po are alcoh m. organisms that drink too much ste by ing of your sy e lin tiv e th es e your dig also can inflam stric ga ol oh other things to of Alc on cti e secre ch.

It affects th throat and stoma digest your uid that helps acid, that liq

T

Features

How does alcohol affect your body?

Nicole Nally

t’s the brain that is affected while you are drinking and there’s lots of things alcohol does to it.

After a couple of drinks it messes with the receptors in your brain, making you feel happy and mellow, full of a sense of well-being. It also uninhibits people (that’s why you end up agreeing to all sorts of crazy things when you’re a little drunk), affecting the thought processes leading to poor judgement, (those “Oh my God!” moments the next day spring to mind) great for funny stories...not so great for safety.

After a bit more the balance and speech centres of the brain are affected. People begin to slur and stumble around and it becomes easier for them to fall over. That’s why so many people end up with bruises they don’t remember getting the next morning. It also blunts all your senses, increasing the pain threshold; you could easily twist your ankle and keep on walking on it; you also become uncoordinated.

End of Year Issue 2011

End of Year Issue 2011

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Person no. 1 20 pints of beer = 27 6 shots of Sambuca = 6.3 Bottle of Vodka = 36 10.8 Bottle of wine (shared) = 80.1 Average units per week =

?

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So, How Much do Students Really Drink?

A

Person no. 2 a = 7.2 8 shots of vodk 3.3 = K 3 bottles of V = 0.6 z ur So of s 2 shot

r week = 11.1 Average units pe

Person no. 3 15 pints

5 of beer = 24.7

s Average unit

Features

.75 per week = 24

s students have a big reputation for being even bigger drinkers it seemed appropriate to take time out this issue to have a look at exactly how much alcohol and what kinds we are pumping into our bodies.

The Government recommend an average of 21 Units of alcohol per week for men and 14 units per week for us ladies. With a huge student community in Bangor, however, this figure did not seem representative of reality so Seren have been out and about conducting research into how

?

4 Person no.

eer = 24.75 6 pints of b dka = 1.8 vo f 2 shots o k = 26.55 its per wee Average un

?

much the average student drinks - with some surprising results. Our five candidates below show results ranging from the lower figure of 9.9 units of alcohol per week to a whopping 80.1 units per week. Take a look at our participant results and compare it to your weekly drinking amount.

NB: These estimates do not reflect their drinking every week, of course, so please don’t think we’re all a bunch of boozers.

5 Person no.

6 pints of b

A

alcohol “The recommended maximum s, no unit 21 is units per week for men day a 4 than e mor hol units a For women recommended alco 3 a day” than e mor week is 14 units, no

Nicole Nally

Sourz shot 0.3 units

s per week

it Average un

Units: What’s it worth?

lcohol is measured in a thing called units.

Scientists have devised how many units the genders can safely drink each day. For men they shouldn’t regularly drink more that 3-4 alcohol units a day (roughly a pint and a half of 4% beer) and women shouldn’t regularly exceed 2-3 units a day (approximately a 175ml glass of 13% wine) But what is a unit? Here in the UK a unit is measured as 10ml...but that’s still not very clear. I managed to find out more however while wandering through the realms of the internet. There’s an actual formula for calculating the number of units in a drink, so if you like a bit of maths with your pint you can do it yourself.

You multiply the volume of the drink in millilitres by its percentage of alcohol by volume (that’s where we get the little % sign from on the bottles), then you divide by 1000.

On a quick note alcohol by volume (ABV) is determined by the percentage of the liquid that is alcohol. This is a system used world wide so you can figure out your units anywhere.

Thankfully, in the UK, we don’t need to really worry about figuring how many units are in that bottle of Cherry VK or that pint of Grolsch. Our alcoholic drinks all have the units and ABV printed on the label or embossed on the bottle or can. Easy peasy.

I decided however that I would look into how many units were in the drinks I often see being drank around Bangor and share with you my findings in a nifty little table below.

eer = 9.9 = 9.9

?

Carlsbergts 1.45 uni Passoa double 1 unit Glass of wine 1.8 units

VK 1.1 units

Kopparburg -500ml 2 units

Vodka shot 0.9 units

There’s a formula for calculating the number of units in a drink, so if you like a bit of maths with your pint you can do it yourself.

You multiply the volume of the drink in millilitres by its percentage of alcohol by volume then you divide by 1000.

Alcohol advice where to go!

After an email following last month’s issue I was made aware of the dangers of our Drugs article in which you can find descriptions of various drugs that are common around Bangor and the student scene. SEREN does not advocate the use of drugs and the article was in no way intended to encourage the use of drugs. SEREN encourages its readers to drink carefully and not in excess and to stay away from all drugs. That being said I wish to let the readers know that the article was intended to inform only in case individuals were ever offered a drug that was not recognised.

Once more SEREN and the team do not

advocate the use of drugs or heavy drinking and encourages its readers to stay clean, healthy and safe when enjoying their social lives.

Nightline offers confidential support for all kinds of problems. If you are worried about yourself or a friend you can call

01248 36 21 21 and talk to someone about your problems.

Alcoholics Anonymous can also be contacted for problems with alcohol at

0845 769 7555

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End of Year Issue 2011

Would you like to organise this page next year? The position for sub-editor of the creative corner has not yet been filled!

You can run for this, or any of the other available positions in Seren next year, by coming along to the first meeting after welcome week or meeting us at Serendipity.

Circuitry Tired, I know when the rd “earphones” turns to “elephants That the elements of emwo ” oti Are fading with the embers.onal imperialism Tired, the image of audio-sensory pachyderms Twists and squirms in the ent-governed chaos of my 3 AM Mind. A divided house on reg Or something like that. sand.

Understand?

Where’s the order in this free-vers Disorder being the cost of one unse? It’s a cursed lost mansion killed in scansion And the more I think abo ut how this The more I notice that the world is art is supposed to be a piece of dropped circuitry.

Hardwired, I look at the world as fold ers and right-clicks With each of us ending up a processor of pessimism And fading with the black-out s Hardwired, every poe is a fray ed USB cable Between me and you-mpla yed and portrayed as an unstable download Buffering with indem From your demands nity Understand? ctronic wasteland? I refuse Where’s the love in this ele tion blowing the fuse ed to be Every piece of rubber-insula world is suppos how ut And the more I think abo art is athis piece of dropped circuitry.

The more I notice that my e with fire from love Inspired, I melt the coiled wir otional Confucianism em a; With redemption from dat Is wading in Decembers. of blood in my veins again Inspired, the svelte feeling ry card holdout Briskly burns any memory of a memo Blistering with tenacity From your soft hands Understand? nce strike against apathy lonely There is peace in this resista rld that you like makes me wo rd though this circuit boa ut how this life is supposed to beuitry.

And the more I think abo heart is a piece of dropped circ my t The more I notice tha

b G,. D. Khan Snail @ Snowdonia: Naya Photography:

Rebecca Carey

Poetry: James McGough about giving you The Creative Corner is all ence to get your the opportunity and confid prints six issues creative work in print. Seren e to see your work per year so if you would lik to email it to us: in one of them don’t hesitate creative@seren.bangor.ac.uk

Featured Photograph

End of Year Issue 2011

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Quick Break

Horoscopes Disclaimer: featured horoscopes are in fact created by a member of the Seren team who is not psychic and has no experience with psychic abilities.

Aries:

21 March19 April

The summer months can be stressful but don’t panic too much; you have friends and family to help you through it all!

Taurus:

You need a treat this month, so go out and spend time with your friends, it may lead to something more...

20 April20 May

Gemini: You know how to party so lets celebrate and show them how it’s done! You won’t regret it!

Cancer: 21 June - 22 July Leo: 23 July - 22 August Virgo:

Don’t be shy, go and embrace this new feeling, you will feel more free than you have in months.

Libra:

23 September 22 October

Go on get together with your mates and go away somewhere fabulous. You know you want to!

Capricorn: 22 December - 19 January Remember to always look where you’re going not where you have been. It could cause you some trouble.

You may be a wise Leo but don’t be too cocky, it can make enemies of friends.

Scorpio:

23 October 21 November

Think positively and don’t stop, go with that crazy idea. It will be the best decision you have ever made!

Aquarius:

20 January - 18 February Lighten up, don’t take things too seriously, it’s not worth the arguments later.

21 May20 June

23 August 22 September

Don’t be disheartened if things go the wrong way, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Sudoku 9 2 3

3

Sagittarius: 22 November - 21 December

Love is in the air, but don’t get swept away too quickly. Make sure you know who you’re dealing with.

Pisces: 19 February - 20 March You are feeling mischievous at the moment, but don’t trick the wrong person!

4 2 7 1 5 3 3

Crossword Down

1 8

3 1 6 7 8 8 6 2

1. Approached (6) 4. Fill with horror (5) 8. Sealed Document (4) 9. Million watts (8) 10. Wigtownshire Village (7) 12. Femoral region (5) 13. Irish County(4) 14. Middland County (Abv.) (5) 17. Slight of hand (5) 20. Roman god of war (4) 22, About (5) 23. You (archaic) (2) 24. Small island (4) 25. At the present time (3) 26. Monks collectively (8) 27. Water (4) 29. Flower parts (6)

3 6 5 3 9 1

Across

1. Reporter (7) 2. Move by degrees (7) 3. Soft-nosed bullets (3-3) 5. Spectre (7) 6. Astonishing (7) 7. Irritate (4) 11. Join in wedlock (5) 15. Capital of Ontario (7) 16. Drunk (7) 18. Crosswise (7) 19. Instrument of direction (7)

21. Parody (4,2)

22. Used to untangle hair (4)

Across: 1. Neared 4. Appal 8. Writ 9. Megawatt 10. Mochrum 12. Thigh 13. Mayo 14. Notts 17. Magic 20. Mars 22. Circa 23. Ye 24. Holm 25. Now 26. Monkhood 27. Aqua 28. Words 29. Petals Down: 1. Newsman 2. Ratchet 3. Dumdum 5. Phantom 6. Amazing 7. Itch 11.

Marry 15. Toronto 16. Smashed 18. Athwart 19. Compass 21. Send up 22. Comb

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Centerfold

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End of Year Issue 2011

WIN A SUMMER BALL TICKET! Every year Seren gives away a Summer Ball ticket to one lucky reader, this year is no different. To be in with a chance of being that lucky winner, simply answer this question:

Who is headlining Bangor’s 2011 Summer Ball? a) Feedhim b) Feeder c) Feedit If you think you know the answer to this ridiculously hard question, send it to editor@seren.bangor.ac.uk along with your name and contact details. Good luck!

wi

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Centerfold

d e pP Sna n e r e ith S Have you got what it takes?

Seren needs you! We have positions available for next year just waiting for the right people to fill them. Can you handle these roles?

Creative Corner What’s On? What’s Up? Travel If you would like to get involved with these positions or with Seren in any other way, then we would be more than happy to have you.

Email editor@seren.bangor.ac.uk or secretary@seren.bangor.ac.uk for more details!

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Food and Drink

Oodly Good Noodles I

have a confession to make; I don’t like anime.

It irritates me. So if a restaurant has a big screen showing anime all the time, I’d usually be inclined to steer well clear. However, in the case of Noodle One, I am well prepared to make an exception.

The restaurant in Lower Bangor is not the most sizeable place; however, it does a great job using this space economically while maintaining authenticity (just as the anime does). The seating takes the form of three large benches, which can seat several people. Perhaps Noodle One isn’t a go-to location for an intimate dinner - but in a group, it works perfectly. There’s no need to push tables together here. Couple that with the provision of chopsticks and the inevitable hilariousness that follows (every group always has ONE person who can’t use them, right? And no, it’s not me), and Noodle One becomes one of Bangor’s prime locations for a social gathering.

There is a fairly decent selection on offer; there’s a good variety of sides (including some delectable Chicken Satay Skewers) and rice dishes, as well as the

inevitable plethora of noodle dishes.

Noodle One offers noodles both wokfried, or in Noodle One’s own homemade soup base which uses chicken and pork stock. For both wok-fried and soup dishes, you are required to choose what kind of noodles you would like first, then the meat you would like with it.

If I had one criticism of these otherwise superb main dishes, it would be the amount of meat you are provided in the soups. You are served colossal bowls, with all kinds of strong, aromatic flavours whirling around inside it; layered on top is the meat.

The colour of the food makes for superb presentation and the Shichimi Duck I had was tender and exploded with flavour in my mouth, but there just wasn’t enough of it for my liking; maybe, though, it is a sign of its great taste that I was left wanting more.

Importantly, though, you never leave Noodle One hungry. The value for money is very impressive, with the main noodle dishes (soup and wok-

fried) ranging from £7.25 to £8.75; but what you get for your money is not only of the highest quality, there is plenty of it. There’s no shame in leaving some of your food in Noodle One, and even with my slight gripe about the small amount of meat, the noodles and various added ingredients are all excellent.

The desserts are not only delicious, they are thoughtfully placed as well.

One of them is a wonderfully light Jasmine and Green Tea Panna Cotta which serves to take the edge off a spicy meal; and with the servings being so filling, this dessert is something you can have even when you are full, since the flavours are so light.

The other options include dishes like a chocolate brownie and an unusual but quite impressive Ginger Ice Cream. Make no mistake, then: you will not be let down by the finale of your meal.

Noodle One is a place to relax and a place to enjoy some very good food.

For those of you who read the last issue of Seren, you will know that I wrote a letter to Krispy Kreme explaining how the people of Bangor and Wales in general would love

Krispy Kreme doughnuts to be sold here in Wales. Since then I have had a reply from Krispy Kreme which reads:

Hi Steven,

rds Krispy Kreme.

Thanks for your email and interest towa news and we currently do not Unfortunately I am the bearer of bad ll a Tesco cabinet within Baninsta or store a open have any plans to this may change in the future, so hard gor. Although we are working ite and Facebook page for further so please do keep an eye on our webs information.

Kind Regards Kirsty Moore Krispy Kreme UK Ltd

So there we have it, unfortunately my attempts to haul this market leader to Bangor have not been successful as of yet. But I am sure with the rate that Krispy Kreme are ex-

panding in the UK, it will only be a matter of time before they decide to bring Krispy Kreme to Wales.

A

s this is my last issue as food and drink editor for Seren, I thought I would write a little something to say thanks for reading my section. Since food and drink was created in the Christmas issue after Seren was able to print a massive 40 pages, I have enjoyed reporting to all you fellow students about the top places to wine and dine, and the not so top places and I hope you have found my reviews enjoyable and useful.

It has also been a challenge for me to provide you with some tasty cuisine cutout recipes, and I hope that you thoroughly enjoy this bumper cuisine cutout , as I went a bit mad and decided to dedicate a whole page to this issue’s cuisine cutout.

As I’m going to be news editor next year, it will be Joe Russell, experienced chef and Masterchef contestant who will providing you with a fresh food and drink section next year so be sure to watch this space.

“Modern, modest, far east dining.”

Matt Cox

T

up w o l l Fo Ar ticle

Steven Freeman

Fit For A King

he Royal Tandoori on Bangor high street provides food and service fit for a king. Upon first entering the restaurant you will be warmly welcomed as the staff greet you and offer to take your coats, something I must say I have never experienced anywhere else in Bangor as of yet. Once seated, it was clear that the owners of this restaurant wanted the feel to be personal, as the traditional warm decor echoed this, along with the plates which had the restaurant’s name and emblem emblazed on them.

Once my friends and I had ordered drinks, which were reasonably priced, the waiter brought out poppadoms and dips, all of which were fresh and homemade. However, the one downfall with the poppadoms was that there was only mint yoghurt dip, mango chutney dip, and a pot of finally chopped salad, and personally I also like a chilli dip, but nevertheless, it was still very appetising.

Whilst waiting for our meals, which did not take too long, but long enough to know that our food was being made fresh, I was browsing the menu and concluded that this restarant on the whole was probably slightly cheaper

all, but this most definitely amazed me that someone had managed to get rice so tasty and perfect.

My friends between them had the classic chicken tikka, which was a bit too sweet for my liking, the chicken bir-

“Probably the best Indian restaurant in Bangor.” than Spicy Vujon, its competitor and also offered 10% student discount.

When the meals arrived, once again the waiter delivered excellent service and kindly offered to put the rice on our plates for us. I had opted for the korma, as I was in the mood for a creamy flavoured dish and I can honestly say it was one of the nicest curries I have ever eaten. The rice too was so perfectly cooked and presented as it had rainbow rice granules sprinkled in. Now, normally rice really does not excite me, at

yani, which looked and tasted mouth watering, and a lamb bhuna which had flavour and spice to a perfect degree.

Once finishing the main, we opted to go for desserts, of which the Royal Tandoori had an extensive dessert menu.

Myself and another friend opted for a chocolate ice cream based dessert covering in a chocolate coating and with a soft chocolate centre, which was nice, but not necessarily gastronomically brilliant, but saying that it was quite obvious it was a mass produced des-

sert, as opposed to the coconut ice cream my friends opted for. This was obviously home made as you could see where they had scooped the ice cream into the coconut shells, which were presented with a cocktail umbrella, which looked quite showy.

Overall, the Royal Tandoori provided a relaxed, comfortable environment for me and my friends to dine in and they also provided sumptuous food and top quality service. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to all you lovers of Indian cuisine and I promise you will not be disappointed.

Steven Freeman

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Food and Drink Pull

Bumper Cuisine Cutout

T

his month’s cuisine cutout is inspired by two things, summer and home-made takes on famous dishes, and as this is our last issue of this academic year, it is designed to be a compilation of all things good. It would seem that one thing that student’s love, whether it’s on the grass on Fridd Site or on the grassy hills of Roman Camp, is to have a good BBQ. After all, let’s face it, we do have ample amounts of beautiful locations here in Bangor to enjoy a nice picturesque BBQ whilst chilling out with you mates. So these first two recipes are designed specifically for that purpose. The following two recipes are designed to be light and summery, as the last thing you want on a hot summers days is a bloaty meal to make you feel uncomfortable. On that note, I’ll let the recipes do the talking. Enjoy!

Nando’s Chicken

goodtely LOVE Nando’s piri piri ow, if like me you absolu m to see I ich wh of one , for you ness, then this is a recipe be living off lately.

N

t Ingredients & Equipmen Serves 2

g bargain hunters they 1 BBQ, (for all you buddin • ’s in Poundland). usually sell disposable BBQ feeling adventurous, oth ’re you if sh 1 pastry bru • do. l erwise a plastic spoon wil d plain chicken por4 decent sized, pre-cooke • chicken wings/legs. in pla d oke tions or 8 – 12 pre-co (they now sell quite de 1 bottle of Nando’s marina • Tesco). and ons rris Mo in a variety of this

Method

wait for the flames to so tasty and mouth 1. Light the BBQ and And that’s it, so simple, but h. oug thr e com t like Nando’s to t g, and for all of you tha die down and the hea BBQ, open the waterin that by rethe lise for rea l wil ting wai you t, ilst visi 2. Wh that you and regularly so e e, you plat hom stic at pla gic a ma on chicken and lay producing the Nando’s ily. . eas ket at me poc the the in ess bit acc a can e quite rinade equally over sav 3. Simply pour the ma sh bru try pas a h wit in it y days, this recipe the chicken and rub ernatively, for those rain in to all the nooks Alt get to n on a baking tray e ove sur ng the in bei on, ked or a spo can also be coo you will not quite r, eve and crannies. or in a griddle pan, how en ready and cook wh BBQ (Unless of a as BBQ ect the eff d on ille Pop rgr 4. probably get the cha ng, liki r you chicken). to the ked off coo eye r until they are course you take you ally enough, and then about 5 - 6 minutes is usu illed effect. you start to get the chargr

Wagamama inspired er Salad Ginger Beef and Coriand

Frankie and Benny’s in spired Philly Steak Wraps

T

he next recipe is another personal favourite of min e, and is the infamous Phi taurateur giant, Frankie and lly Steak Wrap, from Am Benny’s. Now for this rec erican resipe, there are various way ing the dish, depending on s in which you can go abo bud get and per son al ut maktaste, so it’s a good one if tasty food, and also good you are on a low budget and if you haven’t already blo wn your last instalment of want some out a bit more on ingred your student loan so you ients. Another thing to loo can afford to dish k out for in this recipe is to prep at home, as oppose that some of the ingredien d to going to Morrisons ts may be easier on the way to your BBQ , so you may want to pla Ingredients & Equipmen n ahead slightly. t Serves 2 • 1 BBQ. • Between 200 – 300 g of stre ak strips.

• 1 Large Onion or 1 bag of ready chopped/diced onions.

• 1 – 2 peppers of your des ired colour or a bag of frozen/chilled chopped pep pers.

• Either, a bag of your des ired grated cheese, a pac k of cheese slices, or a bot tle of squeezy cheese (if anyone actually likes this stuff ).

• A pack of 8 tortilla wraps.

• Optional, dried mixed her bs or black pepper.

Method

1. Light the BBQ and wait for the flames to die down and the heat to come thr 6. Next, the task of fold ough. ing your wrap so that you 2. Once ready, place don’t end up with the fi the steak strips onto the lling in your lap, and I fi BBQ nd the , until cooked to your liki bes t way to fold it is to double the wrap over ng. itself, and 3. Whilst waiting for fold the two edges to the the steak to cook, lay out centre. some 7. Finally, enj tortilla wraps onto paper oy, and you plates ready so that you may want to add some ext are flavour having a side ra ready to serve once the stea of coleslaw or potato sala k is cooked. d.

4. When the steak is cooked, equally distribu te the steak between your wraps.

So there you have it, you r very own Frankie and Ben ny’s 5. Promptly place the inspired Philly Steak Wr cheese on the steak so ap, something that ma that it great alternative kes a melts, and add onions, pep to you r hot pers, and if you like a spr dogs and burgers that see in- to be the staple BBQ m kling of mixed herbs or bla food. ck pepper.

Chiquito inspired Sorbet Margarita

Wagamama. It delivers a positive eating restaurant from s che lun t ligh e hot and sweaty, my favourit e it doesn’t make you all his next number is one of salad, but at the same tim ay ryd eve r you to ed bit of oomph compar day. ’t want on a hot summers something you really don

T

Ingredients Serves 2

Ingredients

• 150g of steak strips • 1 medium red onion • 1 red pepper • 1 carrot • ½ of a cucumber ts • A handful of beansprou • A handful of coriander of mixed salad leaves • 1 lettuce or better a bag ds see me • A few sesa • A sprinkling of ginger • A sprinkling of olive oil • A sprinkling of sugar • A knob of butter

Method

t rings, or lengths of at leas 1. Chop the onion into ect. eff e sam the e hav not l wil an inch, as diced onions frying pan and add the on2. Melt the butter in a sugar over the onions and ions. Then sprinkle the und 20- 30 minutes, stir cook on a low heat for aro elised. am car ear app y the il unt ring occasionally, per, the onion, chop the pep 3. Whilst waiting for p cho y nel fi and cucumber grate the carrot, dice the the coriander. are utes before the onions 4. Next, about 10 min evenly sprinand ng, liki r you to k cooked, fry the stea k strips. kle the ginger on the stea lay king is nearing an end, coo the of all 5. When es. leav d sala of your plates with a bed

N

nature.

ow this next dish is ironic, as perso nally I don’t like liqueurs or spirits in food, but this cheeky tequila and lime sorbet definitely gets my taste buds excited as the alcohol is not too overp owering because of the limes zesty

Serves 3 – 4.

• 2 cups of water • 2 cups of sugar • 12 – 15 real limes • 1 tbsp of finely grated lemon zest • A 25 ml shot of tequila, or 50 ml shot depending on preference (although 50ml may taste very strong).

Method tip the onions are cooked, 6. Once the steak and s, carrot, cuper pep the add and , them into one pan and mix well. cumber and beansprouts of salad. bed the on 7. Serve up inyou are the ready to spr 8. Once this is done, and oil, e oliv and coriander kle on the sesame seeds, then enjoy this light lunch.

n s slightly more effort tha Although this dish require it beth wor n tha re mo is it the others on this page, will realise that this is no cause once you taste it, you regular salad.

1. Mix the water and sugar into a large saucepan and bring to the boil.

2. Once boiled, lower the heat, and simmer for around 5 minutes until the sugar is dissolved and then take off the heat and allow to cool completely.

To speed this process, you may want to put the syrup in the fridge.

3. While waiting for the syrup to cool, juice the limes and add the zest and tequila to the juice.

4. Once this is done, and the suga r water mixture is cooled, mix together in some sort of wide container, and create a thin layer of the mixture and freeze.

5. Keep an eye on the mixture, once it is nearing frozen, mix it all up again, and repea t this process 2 – 3 times.

6. This helps the sorbet feel light and aerated and in turn provides for a better resul t.

7. Finally, after this process has been carried out a few times, the sorbet will be ready to eat.

This devilish dessert most definitely will excite your taste buds and is cooling, yet warm ing which provides a perfect dessert for the summ er months ahead.

Steven Freeman

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End of Year Issue 2011

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

T BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT

The Saturday night show is back, filling our T.V or laptop screens with more weird and wonderful people all believing they can make it to the Royal Variety Performance. The series is slightly different this year with David Hasselhoff replacing Piers Morgan and Michael McIntyre replacing Simon Cowell on the judging panel. Critics have commented this new line up has improved the show; it’s certainly a nice change to have a bit of comedy from McIntyre instead of Cowell’s constant misery.

This kinder panel does seem to be putting more acts through than usual, but we would rather see happy faces than sad ones wouldn’t we? However for Cowell fans don’t fear. Previews of forthcoming weeks show the overlord to make a return to the show to “restore order.”

This year has brought the usual dogs, singers and dancers. This week Jai McDowall, a singer from Scotland wowed the audience. The Circus of Horrors acts included swallowing a sword, someone dangling in mid hair by their hair, and limbo-ing under a low flaming rod. There was also Two and Half men, an animated dance trio with a few added laughs in their routine. The Highway men consisted of drummers from the Royal Marines, who to begin with, controversially didn’t go through.

After

chants of encouragement from the audience with a the help of Ant and Dec telling the judges they’d made a mistake, The Highwaymen were brought back on to, of course, he put back through. If one were to be cynical you almost wonder whether the judges, really knew they were good and just said no to create drama. Although the judges did have a point. It was no denying they were talented drummers, and to begin they stood there drumming but keeping still, after a good few seconds you can see why they complained of getting a bit bored sometimes during the act. However it is a talent show, and they were talented, they just weren’t quite entertaining enough. There were moments that did liven the performance, like when they started dancing while drumming and drumming each other’s drums with light up sticks. They have the talent they just need to present it in a more exciting way, if they find an entertaining way of doing so they could do well. If you can look past the usual Saturday night clichés, it’s still a good non demanding way of spending a night in or recovering from a hangover on Sunday morning.

Heather Boyles

THE APPRENTICE

he Apprentice is back which means its time for us to meet more of the nation’s bigheaded businessmen and women all convinced they’ve got what it takes to work for Sir Alan Sugar. Except that’s not how it works this time round.

With previous series’ Sir Alan has chosen one of the hopefuls to be his apprentice, hence the show’s title, and go straight into a £100 000 job at one of his companies. This year however, the winner will receive at £250 000 investment into a business of their own choosing with Sugar as 50% owner.

“In the past years I was searching for a candidate to employ, now I am looking for a business partner.” Said Sugar on the change of prize. Though you have to wonder whether this really is a better prize or not. Sure, Sugar will be putting in a quarter of a million of his own money into the business but he will be joint owner.

Past winners have gone into a comfortable £100 000 a year job whereas this year’s winner will have to do a lot more work to maintain the success of their chosen business.

It seems this year Sir Alan is taking no prisoners. The first episode of the series saw the contestants teaming up in the typical Boys vs Girls structure. With £250 each the teams were challenged with investing in fruit and vegetables to create healthy meals tht they could sell on the streets of Liverpool. With the girls as the surprise winners one of the boys had to go.

Much like last series’ opener it was the boys team leader that left, 25 year old accountant Edward.

In the second episode Sir Alan tasked the teams with designing, launching and promoting a mobile phone application.

The boys took on this task as though it was a bit of fun and spent too much time both fooling around and arguing with each other leading, once again to their downfall.

This time 28 year old Estate Agent Alex ended up taking the fall.

With two of the men already gone who from the girls team will have to join them this week? And will it lead to their downfall? Or will Sir Alan make a point of shaking the teams up?

Either way this next task is going to be a tough one with the hopefuls tasked with sourcing ten items for The Savloy hotel.

This type of challenge always relies on not only good time management but people willing to take a risk and haggle to get the right price.

Make sure you don’t miss this series, its likely going to be the most competitive yet!

Scott Burrows

The Doctor At 908 years old the Doctor has seen a lot of what both space and time have to offer. He is the Last of the Time Lords a wise race from Gallifrey, a planet that he destroyed during the time war killing both his people and their enemies the Daleks.

Throughout the years the Doctor and his TARDIS have explored space and time, recruiting companions to accompany him on his adventures.

In his eleventh incarnation, at the age of 1103, the Doctor is shot dead by a mysterious astronaut before he had chance to regenerate.

Amy Pond When Amelia Pond was seven she had an imaginary friend, the ‘Raggedy’ Doctor. He sealed the scary crack in her bedroom wall but then he disappeared.

Twelve years later the Doctor returned to find a fully grown Amy who after helping him defeat Prisoner Zero began to travel with him in the TARDIS. The Doctor and Amy developed a strong friendship and it was her remembrance of him that was able to bring him back after he flew the Pandorica into the heart of the exploding TARDIS at the end of Series 5.

Since then Amy has been living in Leadworth with her now husband Rory and hasn’t heard from the Doctor until he requests her and Rory’s company in Utah.

Rory Williams Rory is Amy’s fiancé at the beginning of Series five. He eventually begins to travel with Amy and the Doctor in the TARDIS but is shot and absorbed by a crack in space and time mid series.

The cracks erase things completely from the Universe and so Amy forgets that he ever existed.

A plastic duplicate with Rory’s memories turns up in the series finales as a Roman Soldier. When the Doctor puts Amy in the Pandorica to save her Rory vows to protect her. He waits 2000 years to see her again and when time is reversed Amy’s memories of him bring him back as a real person.

river SOng River Song is a complete mystery. We first met her in Series 4 with the tenth Doctor.River and the Doctor’s timelines are complete opposites; everytime we see her she is younger, the Doctor is older. Her first appearance is the last time she sees the Doctor and her death. By whispering the Doctor’s real name to him she gains his trust even though he doesn’t yet really know who she is.

We still know little about her other than she was imprisoned in the 51st century for ‘killing the best man she had ever known’.

She too received a message to meet the Doctor in Utah and saw him shot by the Astronaut.

No doubt she will return later in the series to help Amy and Rory prevent their friends’ death.

I

t seems like hardly any time has passed since Matt Smith’s eleventh Doctor first crashed onto our screens a year ago and now he’s back for another series full of adventure, danger and even death. This year the Doctor will have to rely on his friends much more than ever before.

Steven Moffat, who is known for penning some of the Doctor’s most thrilling adventures and creating, fan voted, scariest monsters the Weeping Angels took over from Russell T Davies at the start of last series. In true Moffat style he starts the series of with a, quite literal, bang as the Doctor is shot dead in front of Amy, Rory and River by a mysterious astronaut.

“You won’t know for quite a long while who’s in the suit.” Said Moffat when questioned on when we’d learn the astronaut’s identity. “You will know it’s someone the Doctor knows. He knows who’s in there. But there are many twists and turns in this, so you can’t trust anything you might have worked out for yourself.”

The two part series opener, filmed in America to try and boost popularity in the States, told us very little but certainly set up for what could be an even more impressive series than last year’s. Not being able to rely on the Doctor for help can his companions work out and prevent his death two hundred years in his future? And will we finally find out who River Song really is?

Either way this year’s series is not one to be missed, promising many twists and turns, more danger and even an episode by writing legend Neil Gaiman (which, if you haven’t already, you should definitely see!).

Matt Smith has certainly flourished in his role as the Doctor, despite concerns when he was first cast and Karen Gillan

as Amy Pond has become one of the Doctor’s most popular companions to date. This week’s episode sees the beginning of another two parter featuring Raquel Cassidy and Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes’ Marshall Lancaster as acid miners.

The episodes have an Avatar-esque feel to them with the workers creating clones of themselves, the Gangers, which they then control to do the work and if anything happens to them they simply make a new one. “The story is about identity, and trust, and there are lots of sporadic discussions about the nature of trust” says writer, Matthew Graham, who last wrote for Who in 2006.

The Rebel Flesh and The Almost People have promised to lead up to a stunning mid series cliffhanger with some whispered words in the second part that will be a huge importance later in the series as well as a few familiar voices to long term fans.

LJ Taylor

End of Year Issue 2011

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Summer Blockbusters R

F

or those who aren’t familiar with the comic books, Thor is the story of a Norse God who gets banished from his homeland of Asgard. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) lands on Earth where he has to live amongst humans. Ultimately falling in love with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), a scientist who finds him, Thor learns life lessons and his new found strength helps him overcome a villain sent to kill him from his homeland.

At nearly two hours long, Thor is definitely a summer blockbuster worth watching. The special effects that show the differences between Asgard and Earth are great to see and the action sequences are somewhat short but good.

Chris Hemsworth puts in a great performance as Thor and a well-rounded cast of Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Kat Dennings (very underappreciated in this film) and a brief appearance from Jeremy Renner giving the audience characters that they will enjoy and want to see more of.

One downside of Thor is that the audience isn’t made aware of who the antagonist is until at least 30 minutes before the end of the film.

This role could have been utilised a bit more and would have given the character a bit more scope. Is it the best superhero movie? Probably not, but it does live up to its name as a superhero blockbuster. Thor is definitely a good opener for the 2011 summer

P

yan Reynolds has established himself as Hollywood’s go to guy for action and superhero roles and returns this Summer in the Green Lantern (out June 17) as Hal Jordan a pilot who is bestowed the honour of becoming one of the Green Lanterns. superhero Its all about Superhero season. movies these days and Thor’s This isn’t the last we will fellow Avenger Captain see of Thor. As we are told at America comes to our the end of the film, ‘Thor will screens on July 29th starring return in The Avengers’. The Chris Evans. The two will Avengers movie is set for release meet onscreen next year in 2012 and sees Thor, Iron Man, along with Captain America, Hulk and Black Iron Man Widow come together along with and the Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson reprising their previous small roles also.

If you like superhero films then you should watch Thor. If you’re not a big fan then it is still a great film to watch. If you have never sat down and watched a superhero film before then Thor is a decent one for testing the waters, though something like Iron Man would possibly be better.

If you are still yet to watch Thor then don’t forget to stay after the credits for the extra clip that will provide a link to the upcoming Avengers film!

Hulk in The Avengers.

He no longer has Megan Fox to pull in the crowds but Michael Bay obviously still thinks there’s more stories to be told about the cars that turn into robots in Transformers 3 out July 1st.

The feature film series of a generation finally comes to a climax in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on July 15th.

Will Harry and his friends find and destroy the last of the horcruxes or will Voldemort find the elder wand and finally take over the wizarding world?

Amy Westlake

irates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides sees the return of everyone’s favourite swashbuckler Captain Jack Sparrow. Fresh from the heart of a maelstrom that was the writing disaster of 2007’s At World’s End, Jack is back and ready for another adventure.

This time Rob Marshall directs the lovable rogues adventures with the original trilogy director, Gore Verbinski, stepping down.

He’s not the only regular this new chapter is without though; Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley have also moved on to do other things. When such a successful franchise loses two of its big names there’s usually not much chance of the one remaining star keeping the ship afloat, no pun intended.

With Johnny Depp left to pick up the slack though you have to wonder whether he just might manage it. After all Depp’s performance as Captain Jack stole the spotlight from Bloom’s Will Turner, who the films were originally meant to be about, back in 2003 and

has won the hearts of fans worldwide.

In the fourth Pirate’s, Jack is in search of the Fountain of Youth, the map for which he steals at the end of At World’s End. Jack isn’t the only one in search of the Fountain though; his old nemesis Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) has been recruited by the British to seek it out too. And on top of that Jack hears there’s a pirate pretending to be him to recruit a crew; it turns out to be none other than Penelope Cruz’s Angelica along with Blackbeard (Ian McShane) who, shockingly, are also after the Fountain.

Unfortunately, in On Stranger Tides Depp’s performance as Sparrow seems a little tired; perhaps it has something to do with him taking on the project before even reading the script. Whatever the reason is he’s not the same Jack we all know and love from the original Pirates trilogy. In fact the whole film is completely different from the others, making it more like a new franchise with some familiar faces. Barbossa is no longer the villain we know from Curse of the Black Pearl and the emphasis in his and Jack’s relationship is now focused solely on the comedy factor, which ruins what was such a brilliant character.

The film also boasts a subplot that involves a Christian missionary’s romance with a mermaid; the best part about this is that it’s a subplot as the actors bring to it no chemistry and it leaves you wondering what the real point of it is. In fact the only reason it could have been put in could have been to fill the gap that Bloom and Knightley’s exit left the franchise with.

When the idea of Pirates of the Caribbean first came about it was laughed at, it was a movie based on a Disneyworld ride and the pirate genre had created nothing but flops in years. Three movies later it was one of the highest grossing franchises of all time,

and At World’s End, which most fans hated due to it having too many storylines to tie up, had the tenth most successful opening weekend of all time. It’s no surprise then that producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney decided not only to make a fourth just four years after the last and to announce a fifth and sixth in the works.

Pirates 4 is a fun adventure, enjoyable at parts and with some pretty decent action scenes but you can’t help but feel cheated.

At just over two hours long there’s a lot that could have been done with the film. With the fifth and sixth already announced lets hope the writers will finally get the right balance between too many storylines in At World’s End and a weak main plot, supported by an even weaker subplot in On Stranger Tides.

Die-hard fans will struggle to see it as the same franchise but it’s not a bad film. If it had been released before any of the others then the franchise probably wouldn’t have become as popular as it has. The absence of Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Swann is easily noticeable, especially after her character was so well developed throughout the original trilogy and had good chemistry with Depp’s Sparrow, something Cruz’s Angelica lacks. It is nice to finally see a film in which Jack steals the spotlight where he is meant to do so though. If you enjoyed the previous films you should definitely give this one a chance and if you weren’t a fan of the originals then maybe this will be a breath of fresh air for you. It’s definitely one of many blockbuster’s to catch this summer.

LJ Taylor

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savage beauty T

here are people who are undeservingly called “genius” and “true artist” once they’ve died, but Alexander McQueen is not one of them. From day one, McQueen was a breath of fresh air in the fashion industry. Since his death in 2010, he’s become a tragic, iconic figure of fashion whose mark on the world is obviously still felt. From the armadillo shoes in Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance video to his final creation Plato’s Atlantis.

“There is no way back for me now. I am going to take you on journeys you’ve never dreamed were possible,” Words from the amazing late Alexander McQueen, of his piece de resistance, Spring 2010′s Plato’s Atlantis. The designer is being honoured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a retrospective exhibit Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty.

The exhibit marks how much of a designing god McQueen actually was, he gave us the most romantic, jarring, sexy, daring, jaw dropping, alluring, sensual, emotional, dramatic and artistic collections ever to grace the runways of Paris. McQueen was a true genius, often breaking stereotypes and boundaries. He saw the beauty in the ugly and made it acceptable and pleasing to the mind’s eye. You could even say that he provided the wardrobe for one of the most iconic ladies of our day and help create who she is now – Lady Gaga.

The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art showcased McQueen at its annual gala this month and what a sight it was to behold. Fashion giants, celebrities galore, models who donned McQueen’s art work (his clothing, shoes, jewellery and accessories), his muses and his successor, Sarah Burton (who featured in an earlier Seren issue), paid homage to the visionary McQueen,

Rw11

by stepping onto the red carpet in style to preview the brilliant exhibit held by Costume Institute curator Anthony Boltan.

Situated on the second-floor “Cantor Galleries” of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and sourced

“There is no way back for me now. I am going to take you on journey’s you’ve never dreamed were possible...” from the Alexander McQueen Archive in London, the Givenchy Archive in Paris as well as private collections, the McQueen exhibition graced guests with approximately 100 ensembles and 70 accessories from Mr. McQueen’s 19year career. It has all been separated into six galleries: “The Romantic Mind,” “Romantic Gothic,” Romantic Nationalism,” “Romantic Exoticism,” “Romantic Primitivism,” and “Romantic

Naturalism.”

Seren’s favourite collections are the eye seducing “Romantic Naturalism” with its butterfly prints, finely structured dresses, abundances of floral looking mounds and Gaga-like creations and the “Romantic Primitivism” collection reminiscent of ancient African tribes and the way they dress. This collection has a strong sense of tribalism and nature in that it contains lots of animal skins and bone.

Kaden Wild

Kate`s Dress Fine

When Catherine Middleton stepped out of the vintage Rolls Royce Phantom, she stepped straight into the pages of fashion history, finally revealing her wedding dress to a waiting world audience, estimated at around two billion people. She carried a small bouquet of flowers which bore a secret love message to her future husband.

The design was fabulous, fashionable and fairytale, perfectly in tune with Ms Middleton’s desire that it should combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Britain’s most famous fashion label, established by the late Lee Alexander McQueen, in 1994.

It featured a strapless, Victorian-style corset, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, a high-necked, long-sleeved, sculpted bodice in intricate lacework. Seren thinks that this dress was perfect thanks to Sarah Burton - McQueens successor, and she looked beautiful.

Congrats!

Fresh Fierce.

Models, editors, and members of the entertainment industry gathered for one of the premiere fashion events of the year: the Costume Institute Gala At The Metropolitan Museum Of Art. As you know this year’s festivities paid tribute to Alexander McQueen, Guests showed up determined to stun –and while most did, some disappointed.

Rihanna represented in a one shoulder lace gown by Stella McCartney, accented by strappy sandals. She looks saucy and sophisticated. You never fail Rihanna

Ciara looks smoldering in a fairytale gown by Prabal Gurung. Teamed with her Lorraine Schwartz heavy black diamond and sapphire mesh bracelets she gives the added edge to the dress.

Zoe Saldana looks great in this pale yellow Calvin Klein dress. The colour pops, the dress fits, the makeup is simple, and the hair is loose and wavy. Hot!

End of Year Issue 2011

www.seren.bangor.ac.uk

What’s in?

27

Guys Get The Look Head into summer in resort-ready neons and pop colours.

Mix with daytime staples - print jersey tees, chino shorts, striped vests and a splash of nautical to balance out the brights!

ine...

nsh me su Bring River Island Palazzo Trousers £24.99 Maxi £44.99 Sunglasses £12.99 Sandal £34.99 Hat £14.99

River Island Vest £12.99 Chino Short £36.99 Shopper £26.99

Swim Shorts £19.99 Sunglasses £12.99 Espadrilles £9.99

Topman Tee £26 Swim Shorts £26 Anchor Chino £32

ts� �Seren Wan

Topshop Maxi £30 Head Scarf £7 Bag £28 Sunglasses £25

Summer ‘1 1

Vibrant prints and lively accessories are a must this summer! Day to night chic is made simple by owning sheer palazzo trousers, billowing maxis and colourful kaftans!

Check out Rochelle Wiseman from The Saturdays working this latest trend with a simple white loose fit vest.

What Were They Thinking?

So we have hailed some of the outfits from the Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum Of Art in celebration of Alexander McQueen. Now it’s time to get nasty and point out some of the shocker frocks from the evening!

Beyonce turned up in a Emilio Pucci dress. There is so much going on with it; brocade details, dramatic high neckline, mermaid hem, and a bust revealing cut out!

Tone it down Beyo!

Alicia Keys’ belted chocolate Givenchy gown, paired with a crocodile jacket looked suited for a less glitzy red carpet. I would’ve liked to have seen a vibrant color or a shiny metallic.

Naomi Campbell paid homage to Alexander McQueen in a dress designed by the house.

However loo roll springs into mind here. Seren ain’t too keen on this look!

The newest Asian Issue of V Magazine features Lady Gaga on its cover. She actually designed the bracelets she’s wearing in the pictures to help fund relief efforts for the Japanese Tsunami. You can get yours from her online store and help support Japan. She was also an editorialist for this issue and was interviewed

by Elton John! Plus let’s not forget her album “Born This Way” is due out on the 23rd of May!

�Seren Wan ts�

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Summer skin saviours Basking in the sun for hours on end may seem like the perfect way to procrastinate, but it’s a potentially dangerous past-time that doesn’t come risk-free. We all know a bit about sunscreen and why we need it, but very few of us fully appreciate how important it is to stay protected in the sun. Research from the sensitive skin specialists at La Roche-Posay has revealed that a whopping 75% of us have no idea how the sun’s UVB rays affect our skin. May is Melanoma Awareness month, so now is the perfect time to get clued up about summer skincare! Banish burns and get SPF savvy with Seren’s pick of the best sunscreens and moisturisers.

For fair or sensitive skin: It’s an unfortunate fact that pale skinned people who burn easily are most at risk of developing skin cancer. Certain antibiotics and antidepressants may also make you more sensitive to the sun than usual, so stick to sunscreen with a high SPF of 20 to 50. Skincare specialists Clinique have a fantastic range of SolarSmart face creams ranging from SPF 15 to 40, £15.50

For olive skin: You may bronze beautifully, but that doesn’t mean you’re invincible to the ageing effects of the sun! Choose a mid SPF of 15 to 20 to ward off those pesky UVA rays. Keep cool with Clarins’ Sun Wrinkle Control Cream UVB 15, £17.00

For dark skin: Dark skin contains lots of the UV-absorbing pigment melanin, so it’s naturally more resistant to the harmful effects of the sun. You may be less likely to develop skin cancer than your fair skinned friends, but it’s still worth wearing an SPF of at least 10 to 15 to prevent ageing and skin damage. Hawaiian Tropic has a fantastic range of divine smelling products such as this Protective Dry Oil Spray SPF 15, £9.99

Bizarre Beauty Alert!

Violent Lips have blend ed fashion with fantasy for their new range of temporary tattoos. Pout like a pro with wild anim al prints, funky rainbow colours and pretty polka dots! Finding a fierce festival look has never be en simpler. Check out the fu ll range on violentlips.com

Spend! Spend! Spend!

Student finance may not be top of our Christmas card list, but this strangely timed loan installment has meant we’ve been able to spoil ourselves a bit. So if you can bear to part with your beer money boys, why not treat yourselves to some post-exam pampering?

Let’s face it lads, feet maintenance probably isn’t up there on your list of priorities. Luckily for you, our fishy friends are here to help. TH1 Hairdressers are now offering the latest foot care trend, Dr Fish foot spas! The doctors in question are actually Garra Rufa fish and they nibble away at your feet, removing dead skin cells.

£6.94

h Veet hig cial a F n Precisio x Wa

£10 for 15 mins

Be warned what we’re about to suggest might leave you in a cold sweat just thinking about it. Waxing. Yep that’s right. Your eyebrows. We hate them. I mean really hate them. Banish those monobrows with a home waxing trip or splash out on a trip to the salon.

Fancy feeling like a proper gent? Next time you go and get your mop chopped, why not ask for a shave as well? No fancy salons required and as long as your barber doesn’t bear any resemblance to Sweeney Todd you’ll be fine.

Ask you barber f r more det or ails

Summer Survival Kit

Whether you’re hitting the beach or heading to a festival this summer, keep your cool with our beauty essentials.

Suggests...

Protect your hair and scalp from harmful UV rays by covering it with a hat or scarf, also try

Mark Hill Holiday Hair Sun Protect Spray £6.12 that contains SPF6 before going out in the sun.

Disguise greasy roots with this summer essential, great for festivals and the beach, Batiste Tropical

Dry Shampoo £2.35.

Get your toes flip flop ready with Barry

M Instant Nail Effects Nail Paint, £3.99, use over your favourite nail varnish to create a cracked effect on top.

Want silky smooth legs that last all week? Try Veet Ready To

Use Sensitive Wax Strips, £6.42.

Make sure your mascara is pool proof with Models

Own Ultra Waterproof Mascara. £6.00.

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Y SO SRS... about alcohol?

What’s Up? x x x

y n en

J

Why drubk dialing is Drinking Culture: a Global always a bad idea...

D

runk mobile phone use - most of us have done it. Tweeting, texting, dialling and Facebook messaging all become a fun little game of phone roulette when the clock strikes 0300 and we’ve had about fifteen units too many. The results are frequently hilarious and provide fodder for many an injoke among friends. Reading my friends’ drunk tweets has given me many an excuse to procrastinate on my next chapter or article. However, there is a time and place to sail these uncharted waters of phone etiquette.

All too often silly arguments, moods which descend out

of the blue and the overall drama of student life in halls or houses get blown vastly out of proportion and become the focus of nasty and poorly spelt messages to former friends and exes. Sometimes they’re funny - much like Damn You Autocorrect - because of the obtuseness of the contents, but other times a steady stream of incoming messages, BBMs, What’s App notifications, and Tweets can start to feel like harassment. Here are some tips to avoid embarrassing and counterproductive drunken encounters via phone. If you’re seeking to recover from drunk text addiction, here are some tips:

1. Don’t take your phone out with you.

2. Give your phone to a housemate and make them promise not to give you the phone.

Ibk miss your.we wen go Sorry I’m drubk. Why arnet we frienvs anyone?

WHY DOT YOU LOVE ME!!

Trombone so cruel t

3. Don’t drink so much that you lose all perspective on personal drama and heartache. Steady on chaps.

4. Set a new password on your phone every time you go out if you find yourself regularly disturbing other people’s sleep or fun with your amusingly ungrammatical and content-devoid messages.

Perspective

Students in the UK are fortunate that they can drink freely pretty much from the time they start university.

Not everyone is so “fortunate”- plenty of places disallow alcohol entirely- and some schools and universities even ban alcohol from their campuses and dorms. Here are two examples of countries that behave quite similarly to the UK in terms of their cultural approach to alcohol, but have very different laws and regulations around who can drink and when.

USA: If you get caught drinking underage it can result in anything from a warning to a Minor in Possession, which is a misdemeanor offence. Many a cheerleader and football player have fallen prey to this unfortunate possibility at high school house parties, resulting in being kicked off the team and in some cases suspended from school or expelled under “Zero Tolerance to Drug and Alcohol” policies. Even though you can enrol in the armed forces at 18

(technically earlier in some cases), you still can’t raise your glass till you’re 21. Binge drinking is recognised as a serious problem on some US campuses, having caused a number of deaths or serious accidents in the last decade. The laws go state by state but due to the federal government holding important infrastructure money hostage, it is unlikely that any state will lower the age anytime soon.

Canada: O Canada, our favourite place for college keggers. Drinking laws vary in America’s Hat by province, but most provinces set the age at 19, whereas Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec set the age at 18. There are some special rules around underage drinking in some provinces, allowing parents to supervise their children who are having a glass of wine or a beer with dinner, but not any underage guests.

Generally speaking the attitude to drinking is quite lax and, like in the US and UK, most people have their first drink before the legal age.

5. Download one of many apps to prevent this electronically-delivered substance abuse from happening; one that’s been recommended is Don’t Dial! which can be gotten from the App Store for iPhone for 99p. Well worth the investment if you’re really seeking to preserve a friendship on the rocks!

Post exam party perils: poisoning!

S

peaking of drinking culture, it’s the exam period right now, and certainly the wave of relief and the need to let off steam after exams is immense. Many people choose a night out in their local as their outlet for stress relief and celebration- and there is nothing wrong with that. But the risk of a heavy night out isn’t just a hangover the next day and running up a big tab at Mike’s trying to cure it with a metric ton of grease and bacon.

Here are a few things to watch out for as the night wears on, keeping in mind the effects of alcohol poisoning can appear subtly and without much warning put your and your friends’ lives at risk.

There is no one level at which a person’s body succumbs to alcohol poisoning- everyone is different.

There is no point trying to calculate

the amount of drink someone has had.

A breath test will confirm their blood alcohol level. Treatment for alcohol overconsumption usually means a short hospital stay and sometimes having your stomach pumped, often using charcoal. It’s an unpleasant experience to say the least and it usually involves being sick quite a lot.

Dehydration and low blood sugar are major risks with alcohol overconsumption. The best way to combat this is either not to drink as much, or to ensure you consume a pint of water and a snack between drinks. Hydration and maintaining your blood sugar are two of the easiest and most important ways of preventing the onset of sickness and hangovers- next to drinking less, of course. They’re also key to preventing alcohol poisoning. If you or

a friend is experiencing the symptoms of poisoning, it’s too late. Call for medical assistance immediately and ensure that you monitor breathing and regulate body temperature.

People often fall over when they are drunk. Hitting your head when you’re sober can be bad enough; when you’re drunk it can be extra-dangerous.

Drunkenness slows your body’s reaction time to outside stimuli, which everyone knows- but it also slows your body’s reaction to pain, swelling, and injury. With head injuries this is especially critical and drunkenness can get in the way of a fast and effective diagnosis and application of medical treatment. Don’t go climbing, running, and jumping about when you’ve had a lot to drink. And don’t wait to seek help if you or a friend has hit their head.

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning: - Mental confusion, stupor, coma, or person cannot be roused - Vomiting - Seizures - Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute) - Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths) - Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, palenes

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unk & Poetry is one of the most exciting albums I’ve ever heard. There, that’s the hyperbole over with. This album crackles with aggression and fury, but also manages to retain the wit and charm of previous King Blues efforts. Never short to condemn a politician or two, ‘We Are Fucking Angry’ declares “cut the bankers, cut the MP’s, cut the rich and the riot police”. In fact, the King Blues’ anarchist beliefs show through on a regular basis on this album. ‘Shooting Fascists’ reminds us that “your Grandad didn’t vote for fascists, he shot them”. Considering how much I’d heard of this album prior to its release, I was shocked by how fresh and new it sounded. Make no mistake, this is a piece of music, not individual slabs. Every track segues effortlessly into the next, and to be honest, the impression you get is of sitting in a pub, listening to different people’s conversations.

Paradoxically, the album both draws you in and pushes you away. The music is inclusive, anthemic and melodic, but you can’t help feeling that it’s speaking directly to you, imploring you to get out there and actually change things. The peak of the album is perhaps reached with ‘The Future’s Not What It Used To Be’.

The song uses mariachi-type horns to create a dark, urban vibe to the song, as Itch understatedly tells us that “the schoolgirls dress like hookers, the hookers dress like schoolgirls”. However the song breaks out into an absolutely MENTAL drum and bass section, which lasts a glorious 40 seconds before slipping back into

Music

the mid-paced song. I can guarantee you your reaction will be “Did that really just happen?!”. It’s yet another example of The King Blues’ commitment to reaching out to challenge the listener and make them think (although one suspects that they fancied playing with a drum machine a little bit too).

To be entirely honest, I’ve struggled a lot in reviewing this album. With a lot of albums, you’re able to clearly define them. But with this one, it’s impossible. Every time you listen to the songs you pull a different meaning out of them, and you’ll have a new favourite track every time you listen all the way through. This is an album for the tuition fee protest generation. A snarling, politically charged beast of an album, but with a genuinely good nature. I’d imagine the political content of the lyrics will alienate some people (Tories, I call them), but really, with all due respect, the album wasn’t made for you if you don’t like what’s being said. There is a few sticking points about the album though, because as we all know nothing is perfect. Firstly, it’s quite short. 12 tracks seems like a lot, but 3 of the songs are in and around a minute long, and one song (‘Five Bottles of Shampoo’) is an admittedly brilliant pro-feminist poem set to music. To new fans of The King Blues, it will doubtless be enjoyable, but to old fans, it’ll be something that you’ve heard before. So in effect, there are 8 actual songs on the album. The other negative aspect was the omission of the single ‘Holiday’, which is one of their best songs.

However, as an album, this is simply fantastic. It’s a shame other bands don’t put the same amount of thought and care into their music as The King Blues do. However, they do, and this album will hopefully propel them into the big time.

Joey McNally

Best tracks:

‘Set The World On Fire’, ‘The Future’s Not What It Used To Be’, ‘Headbutt’, ‘Does Anybody Care About Us?’

For Fans of:

Jamie T, Kid British

Glasvegas A

band that I hadn’t even heard of prior to seeing them supporting The Vaccines in Birmingham, Smith Westerns have burst into my musical consciousness with a bang, and a welcome one at that. Five minutes prior to writing this review I was certain that Dye It Blonde was the debut album from this Chicago born band, although upon scratching the surface I was found to be wrong.

Much criticism has been leveled at this band from certain music media establishments; mainly that they take their influences and really do their best to recreate and not create. This is most definitely unfair of Dye It Blonde however. Yes, their first album sounded an awful lot like Bowie and Bolan in places, but it had oodles of charm.

The second album is a far more individual affair though, and this can be directly linked to the attention they’re getting.

As far as young bands go, they’ve got it all.

Classic electric riffs, synths, and some wonderfully progressive tracks that are as unique and contemporary as they are retro. Opening with ‘Weekend’, a summery indie-pop-rock song that could and should be a huge hit this summer, the foundations are laid for a great album. A lot of the songs on this album are about love, this isn’t

a criticism however. ‘Still New’ is easy listening fare, yet ‘Imagine Pt.3’ is absolutely magnificent, driven by an uplifting beat and superb guitar riffs and certainly a highlight of the album. My personal favourite from the album, ‘All Die Young’ follows this, and heads into prog-rock territory; not something you’d expect after hearing the first three tracks. It tackles a theme more mature than maybe you’d expect at first listen with the refrain of ‘It takes all my time, to be in love with you’ the highlight in this track.

‘End of the Night’ is reminiscent of early 90s Brit-pop, particularly The Charlatans, and once again the guitar work here is superb. Each song on this album features at least three main parts of solo lead guitar work, and the result is refreshing. A few of the songs certainly swoon (see ‘Only One’, ‘Smile’) but it is pulled off effortlessly.

Dye It Blonde feels like the first album I’ve listened to in a very long time that can be listened to from start to finish without actually disliking a track, which is no mean feat. Big things are coming from these, make sure to check this album out along the way.

Tomos Davies

F

ollowing up the self titled debut album Glasvegas was never going to be an easy task for James Allan and co. given the massive success and critical acclaim it received upon release, but with Euphoric /// Heartbreak \\\ it appears they have done it.

‘Pain, Pain, Never Again’ couldn’t be further from the sweeping the drums and effect-layered chords of the previous album’s opener ‘Flowers and Football Tops’, but induces the listener into an almost trance like state before the massive ‘The World Is Yours’. It instills a real sense of urgency that helps to justify the hypnotic first track and kicks the album into gear spectacularly.

This track is closer to what we expect from the Glaswegian band, and it’s worth noting that the addition of a proper drummer in Jonna Löfgren improves the sound somewhat.

To follow this up with ‘You’, which is ultimately the worst track on the album, is a strange move. It’s dreary, drags, and at best is slightly incoherent, but it doesn’t detract from the excellence of the album as a whole. If you’re going to whack some filler in, you’ve got to do it at some point. Thankfully the tracks after this are absolute crackers.

‘Shine Like Stars’ is an absolute festival tune and ‘Whatever Hurts You Through The Night’ is a reminder that Glasvegas aren’t all about crashing beats and football-terrace choruses; it offers us more of what was hinted at in the wonderfully cultured final track of the debut album ‘Ice Cream Van’ and the heartbreaking Christmas themed title-track of the 2008 EP ‘A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss).

The heart of Euphoric /// Heartbreak \\\ revolves around the track ‘Dream Dream Dreaming’ which is sand-

wiched between the bold ‘Homosexuality Part 1’ and ‘...Part 2’. These tracks, particularly ‘Dream...’ suggest that this album, conceptually at least, has been on a different plain completely up until this point. These brilliant tracks set the stage wonderfully for the crescendo of album, ‘Euphoria, Take My Hand’. Tackling the term ‘Euphoria’ would be hard for most bands, but here Glasvegas really out-do themselves and deliver what is possibly the finest track they have written. For a band so used to delivering tracks about daddy issues, social workers, and infidelity, this just raises the bar. The lead guitar riff soars above anything else on the album, driving the emotion in the track.

Epic. The album is closed with the reflective yet uplifting ‘Lots Sometimes’, an ode to lost love, and the incredibly touching ‘Change’, which features a duet between singer Allan and his mother, with spoken word over piano.

Perfect 10.

“Glasvegas aren’t all about crashing beats and football-terrace choruses”

Tomos Davies

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Music

Featured Artist N o, we at Seren haven’t gone mad. Underneath the sneers, hairspray and attitude, there are some cracking tunes to be found. Admittedly, the band don’t shower themselves in glory with their actions, but as a snotty, swaggering bunch of Sex Pistols-aping songs, the material here is actually extremely good.

Eric Saade- Popular

Blue- I Can

Sweden’s Eurovision entry, and the song that should have won. A slice of cheesy Europop brilliance.

Well lads, it’s quite clear that you can’t.

Beyonce- Run The World (Girls)

Arctic Monkeys- Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair

Everything about this song irritates me.

Mind you, everything about Beyonce irritates me lately.

Storming return, and if the rest of the album is this good, I’ll be willing to forget ‘Humbug’ ever happened.

Best tracks: On A Noose Air Guitar King

For fans off: The Sex Pistols Oasis

Dev- Bass Down Low

Imagine the most annoying thing you’ve ever heard, times it by ten and make it into a song. Hey presto, you have ‘Bass Down Low’. Excruciating.

Noah and the Whale- Tonight’s The Kind Of Night Great song from a band I’ve never been overly keen on. On this type of form, they could win me over.

Classic Album P

will be the erhaps ‘Chelsea Dagger’ there’s much Fratellis’ enduring legacy, but Whether it’s better songs on this album. ’, or the head ‘Flat of ance brilli le the ramshack stairs’, Back The Up ’ epin ‘Cre y delightfully quirk album for a band this is the worst kind of first be topped. Simply to make: the one that can’t ts (‘Doginabag’) brilliant, and even the low poin like apes playing look s band r othe e mak instruments.

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ndie inspired rockers The Vaccines have released their long awaited debut album entitled ‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?’ The album which was available from March 14th, includes singles ‘Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)’ and of course arguably the bands most famous song ‘Post Break-Up Sex’. The album is laced heavily with the bands obvious Ramones inspiration, as there is a typical gritty feel that is often associated with punk albums. This is clear on the very short ‘Wreckin’ Bar’, which clocks in at a mere 1.22.

However it does not suffer for this, being a frantic dash through a great surf-punk song. They however do add a typical British element with the bleak narrative in their lyrics that that sets the tone for the entire album.

Personally I find the album too mediocre, 2011 is a big year for music, and no band more so than the Vaccines, who were hyped beyond belief by magazines

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including NME. Yet I find myself thinking of this long awaited debut from The Vaccines: ‘Is that it?’. Don’t get me wrong, the album is worth a listen, but it’s not an album that is anything to shout about. It’s very easy for bands to knock together a few decent songs and use the rest of the album as filler, and unfortunately it seems that this is what the Vaccines have done. Saying all of this though, my personal favorite off the album is ‘Wolf Pack’, as this summer anthem boasts a catchy beat and great riffs.

For a band that only started last year they have done well to have their debut album reach number 4 in the charts. But perhaps the lack of time they’ve had to develop has led them to hurriedly create a lackluster album that will have a struggle to be included on the list of 2011’s best albums.

Dave Hudson

Editor’s Rating: 10/10!

elcome to the final ever ‘Spotify Playlist of the Month’! That’s right, due to Spotify doing a u-turn that would make Nick Clegg proud, and deciding to start charging users, this music editor refuses to advertise their once great service in these pages! This feature was initially designed to offer readers of Seren a source of music that they didn’t have to mess about to access, to make these pages a bit more interactive, and most of all, in a medium you could access for free. However, we’ve still got a nice treat for you, if you’re lucky

Playlist of The Month

enough to have Spotify Premium, you can enjoy my ‘Ultimate’ playlist, of over 1000 songs, and still being added to day by day!

There’s no picking a best track from this playlist, as every track is a gem! Enjoy, and I’ll see you next year with a lovely spangly new feature for you lot to sink your teeth into.

Joe McNallyMusic Editor

e!

Scan M

Link: http://tiny.cc/2ii40

Best tracks: Creepin’ Up The Backstairs Got Ma Nuts From A Hippy Henrietta

Bangor Aid

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ll of you will have seen on your walks around the city people begging on the side of the road, outside Morrison’s, Tesco, near the Clock as well as by shop windows around the city. Most of you will not give homeless people any money, not because you don’t want to help them but perhaps you feel they’re either beyond help or that the money may be spent on not so helpful things. No matter what your opinion on homeless people, you may feel that if they want to help themselves and get back on the road to a better life they should be given that chance.

Nobody after all wants to see the tragic events of this winter repeated, when plummeting temperatures and the coldest December for a hundred years, led to two members of Bangor’s homeless community losing their lives. This is supposed to be a developed country and despite what many people may feel towards the homeless, things like this should not be happening.

This is why Lhotse Whittle and Owain Dalton decided to set up Bangor Aid, a non-profit organization, dedicated to raising money for front line local homeless charities. The purpose of Bangor Aid is to

organize a series of music and art events, culminating in a live music festival which will take place at Hendre Hall over the weekend of May 20th -21st. The main festival will feature the very best of local and student bands that Bangor and North Wales have to offer.

These will include the likes of Tapas Tuesday - the Winner of Bar Uno’s Battle of the Bands - and the very best DJ in the area.

Held on the same weekend that Radio 1 hosted the Big Weekend last year, this is surely a great way to celebrate the end of exams and the start of the summer.

Bangor Aid Music Festival will be a key part of Bangor’s live music scene this year and the events leading up to the main festival will surely entice and interest many people. Bangor Aid also expects to have some high profile guest and bands that will be performing for the cause.

If you are interested in attending Bangor Aid Music Festival or any of the pre-events or would like to volunteer your musical or artistic talents, see our Facebook site for further details. Lhotse said “we are still looking for some funding and sponsorship for Bangor Aid, so if you can help please do get in touch.”

Co-Directors Lhotse Whittle/Owain Dalton: bangor_aid@live.co.uk

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Playstation Special

PS3: The Top 5

1.

Some of the previous games definitely belong up there in the upper echelons of video gaming. A story that has spanned 20 years in total comes to an end here, and there’s a true sense of finality to it all. Yes, there’s a lot of cutscenes, but this game has one hell of a story to tell. Maybe you

need to have loved the other MGS games to love MGS4 like I do, maybe not, but this game simply delivers on every level. It’s a game that sells PS3s and rightly so.

For me, Assassin’s Creed 2 and Uncharted 2 are virtually tied; but its the sheer improvement from the original that makes AC2 a joy to play. Ubisoft did everything right here; they took a great concept in the original, and stripped away all the repetitiveness, spiced up

the combat, and made the protagonist, Ezio Auditore, far more likeable than Altair of the previous game. Throw in the setting - rennaissance Italy, with Venice in particular looking gorgeous - and a ton of side missions, and you have one of the best games ever made.

2.

3.

Brilliant game. It is indicative of the quality of this list that this is only #3; it was a very close call indeed. Uncharted 2 is superb. So many games have tried and failed to recreate an action movie, but Uncharted 2 gets it spot on. Nolan North, probably the premier voice actor in the industry, gives an outstanding

performance as Nathan Drake, the game’s protagonist, and he is backed up by a very good support cast. The best part is that the game maintains a very high standard of gameplay, delivering wonderfully immersive gunfights and platforming.

It really is the complete package as a modern game.

No game has such a phenomenal sense of scale as God of War 3. The first in the series to utilize the PS3’s power, God of War 3 immediately sets its stall out to stun you over and over again. If you want an example of the scale of this game, take a look at the first boss. You take on Poseidon, God of the sea, and the battle itself has

the look and feel of a final boss fight - and it only gets more epic from there. Every other game is the joke, God of War 3 is the punchline. Once again, though, it’s just a little bit too short. You can finish it in 8 hours, while God of War 2 was a 12-hour game minimum.

This selection might surprise some, but Mirror’s Edge is a fantastically innovative game. The concept of first-person freerunning is an interesting one, but the development team at Dice pulled it off with panache. Everything about the game is refreshing; even the graphics set it apart from the competition. It’s an

extremely colourful game, setting it apart from the “realistic” greys and browns that punctuate modern gaming. Mirror’s Edge is just too short to be one of the very best (though there are time trials and various challenges to extend playtime a little), but what there is of it plays out at an amazing, breathtaking pace. Play this now.

4.

5.

According to Matt Cox

Playstation Network Hacked

On 20th April the Playstation Network shut down worldwide with little explanation other than the error message when users tried to log on claiming the network was currently down for maintenance and that you should ‘try again later’. It took a while for Sony to confirm the rumours that the network had been hacked.

The Playstation network currently has over 77 million registered accounts across the world and in the competitive industry cannot afford to be shut down for such a period of time. Playstation’s main competitior X Box is currently the only online game service that charges its users. This is one of the reasons that the many Playstation users chose the expensive console over its rival.

After almost a month without any access whatsoever Sony finally started bringing back the Network on 15th and 16th May. Emails were sent out to UK users explaining how all users will be required to change their PSN password either through a PS3 update or online on their website.

The email also informs users of the compensation they will receive from the inconvenience. “To thank you for your patience…we’ll be rolling out a Welcome Back programme…” this will

mean that users will get some free game downloads and a free month’s subscription to Playstion Plus [existing members will simply get a month’s free usage]. Whether their customers are happy with this or not its sure to cost Sony a substantial amount.

As we go to print its still unclear as to who hacked the service and why.

About a week after the network went down Sony issued an email warning users of the possibility of their credit card details being taken from the network. The email warned users not to panic, as it wasn’t definite, but to keep an eye on their bank accounts.

Some reports of bank accounts being hacked have surfaced but none confirmed.

Sony’s communication with users hasn’t been the best that it can be but recent polls have shown that even though the Network has been down for a month the majority of users wouldn’t consider leaving Sony and Playstation because of it. For more information see eu.playstation.com/ psnlatest and if you had your details on the network then it would be a good idea to just double check your bank account is fine.

LJ Taylor

End of Year Issue 2011

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t was rumoured a while ago that it would be Google and Facebook who would become the new owners of Skype, but in a quite surprising and unexpected move, it’s Microsoft that have invested the cash, $8.5 billion of it to exact.

But is Skype actually worth the selling price? And what exactly do Microsoft benefit from the acquisition?

Skype isn’t exactly rolling in money; in fact it’s never made any. In 2010 the company made a net loss of $69 million due to interest charges on the $686 million they owe in longterm debts. However, Microsoft’s quite stuffed back pockets will easily wipe this debt, and with an ever-increasing amount of users (currently 170 million people are connected) a profit

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equels have dominated the gaming industry for the last several years; some are unnecessary, some desecrate memories of the original.

Others, like Portal 2, represent a great leap sforward. The original Portal was a fun little experiment by Valve; it fully showed off their magnificent Source physics engine, and at only a couple of hours long it was never intended to be a full game. It was a great success. It became the definition of cult classic, spawned countless internet memes and both the revolutionary gameplay and the writing drew critical acclaim.

Valve’s decision to make a full-length sequel, then, came as no surprise.

For those unaware, Portal was a first-person game where you were given just one “weapon”: a Portal gun, which allowed you to shoot certain walls to create portals. You then use this to solve puzzles.

For instance, a would-be “uncrossable” chasm is no

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hen the world wide web was young, we had the first “browser war”, with Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera and Firefox all competing for market supremacy. Opera and Netscape fought bravely, but were left behind Firefox and IE. Since 2005, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox have had almost complete control of the Internet browser network, with only a couple of small competitors.

Now, thanks to Google, there’s a new player in the game.

Google Chrome has leapt to being third in the market in just 2 years and is now a major competitor. It is pushing other companies to innovate and improve like they haven’t had to in years, starting the second browser war.

With Google’s knowledge of the web, they aimed to develop the simplest and fastest browser on the market; stripping back the user interface and streamlining the processing behind the scenes.

When it first hit the market, it was immediately a hit with reviewers, ripping apart previous speed records, giving a

should be a walk in the park for the computer giants.

Now, Microsoft won’t just be purchasing a company so that it can wipe its debts, they’re going to be expecting benefits themselves. So what are said benefits? Skype has been hugely successful and still continues to grow, Microsoft has stated that Skype will be able to support Microsoft devices such as the Xbox and Kinect; it will work with Windows Phone and will be able to connect with other Microsoft software such as Outlook. Non-Windows users need not worry either; they will still continue to invest in non-Microsoft platforms.

The purchase of Skype should increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications. Information on whether Skype will be installed on Windows operating systems hasn’t surfaced, but it would be a very simple way of getting Skype out there automatically to it’s users. Either way, benefits to both consumers and enterprise users will be in the form of new business and revenue opportunities, and Microsoft’s portfolio of real-time communications is extended by a well-known and popular business.

problem if you put a Portal on the opposite wall. It was one of gaming’s most innovative video, and then Valve topped Portal up with some delightfully black humour.

The studio that gave us the excellent Half-Life 2 are on great form once again here. In Portal 2 they have taken everything that was great about its predecessor and added more depth in every area. The addition of “gels” creates infinite possibilities; the blue “repulsion gel” for example causes you to bounce high into the air, like a trampoline.

By using the trademark portal gun, you can cause these gels to go where you want them in order to solve the problems. In the later levels, Valve seamlessly combines all the elements they have introduced into complex but superb puzzles that are neither too easy nor too hard.

They do some great things with the setting, too. The cold, mechanical atmosphere of Aperture Science has been left alone for several years. In the early levels, you revisit some areas from the first game, only to find them changed in some way by the undergrowth that has sprouted up.

refreshed interface and worrying it’s competitors.

Now, two years on, features that were previously seen as innovative are now standard; tabbed browsing, anonymous browsing and integrated search bars. Now it takes every possible advantage to make a difference.

chrome wars!

Speed: When it comes down to plain speed, there’s very little difference between them, with just seconds difference in load times. On load times, Chrome and Firefox are neck and neck, with IE just a second behind, but when loading video, Chrome and IE are ahead with Firefox falling behind.

Stability: Both IE and Chrome treat each tab separately, so if one crashes, only that tab needs to be closed. This means you don’t lose what you’re doing on other tabs.

On the other hand, if one part of Chrome crashes, the whole browser needs to be closed down.

Features: Both Firefox and Chrome have data synchronising between devices, so any bookmarks, passwords and so on that you enter on one computer can be synced to any other computer you use through a simple web login.

Chrome also support in browser apps, so you can have apps like tweetdeck

The acquistion should be finalised very soon, only approvals and customary closing conditions need to be sorted. Then we’ll all be able to see what exactly Microsoft plans to do with Skype, and whether it’ll be a success or not.

Aaron Wiles

One can’t discuss Portal without discussing the script, however; it’s one of the best you’ll find in a videogame. GlaDOS was the breakout character from the last game, with some of her lines being hilarious. In this game, she’s just as good, if not better.

Then there’s Stephen Merchant as Wheatley. Anyone who knows Merchant’s previous work will recognise his distinctive voice, and the mannerisms and character of Wheatley are exactly what you would expect from him.

The game does slow down occasionally. There is a struggle, on occasion, to find surfaces that you can put a Portal on to. You will sometimes be required to squint to find the right place in order to move on. But when you get into the actual puzzles, it is an absolute joy to play.

Portal 2 is an outstanding game that delivers on every level. It may be difficult to tie down a game of the year with Uncharted 3 among others due out later on, but this is a real contender.

Matt Cox

within your browser, which sync to all the other computers you use, saving you having to install it repeatedly.

Extensions: All three support the use of extensions, but Firefox has by far the most tools, allowing you to tailor your browser to best suit you, followed by IE, with Chrome having the fewest number of extensions to date.

Verdict: Although IE has improved hugely from it’s past by tightening security, speeding up and becoming simpler to use, it just doesn’t keep up on speed and features. If you don’t mind about extra features, then IE should cover your needs.

For anyone who uses the Internet for more than casual browsing, or uses multiple computers, Firefox and Chrome are a much better option as they provide you with much greater flexibility, with Chrome pulling slightly ahead with it’s synchronising apps and better stability.

Will Osborn

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SUMMER

Work - Volunteer - Travel

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an’t decide on what you want to do this summer?

As a student earning money is probably the safest choice, but what if you have the travelling bug and can’t stop dreaming of that next country you are dying to explore. Well we have the answer: why not work abroad?

That way you get to see the world and earn some money.

But if working abroad not your thing, why not get a temp job in the UK and then head on out to the world with a volunteer programme/organisation. This can be a very rewarding way of seeing the world.

Have we tempted you? Is your travelling bug coming to life with this opportunity? If the answer is yes then below could be your ticket to the best way of earning money.

There are many destinations you can choose from for your summer adventure. So why not check out somewhere that you have always wanted to go to? Or why not try somewhere where you think this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Some of the more popular choices are: Australia, Africa, South America and China. Now all of these countries do have the appeal that you will want and all are featured heavily on travelling websites. A great website to start your search on is www.realgap.com. Now Real Gap is a respected website and can be one for you to trust. They offer many different packages for you to choose from and range from 2 weeks to 12 months. This gives you great diversity to how long you spend in one country, because if you are feeling really adventurous why not try more than one country in your summer?

Real Gap gives you the opportunity to be diverse and choose something that is really right for you.

They offer both volunteering and work abroad so no matter what you’re looking for there will definitely be something to take your fancy. Whether it is working in Thailand with children or in the African bush helping preserve some of the worlds most endangered species Real Gap is a good place to get some amazing ideas.

Another website you might want to try is www.seasonworkers.com. Season workers are perfect for people like you looking for summer work. There are many different jobs online for you to apply for. It is a very simple application form and you can apply to as many jobs as you want. The vast majority of jobs include summer camps, TEFL jobs, Childcare and much more. You are spoilt for choice on this website and the more skills you have the easier it will be to gain your perfect summer job. There are two main qualifications that will really help you when applying and they are First Aid and Lifeguard. Now both of these will not be your full job, but will normally mean more money per hour for simply just holding these qualifications. So if you can try and get one of these on your CV and it will make your job a lot easier. Now if none of these are tempting you and you really feel that volunteering is for you try

www.gvi.co.uk. They specialise in programmes purely for volunteering, and go to almost every country that you could think of. Their programmes normally last from 1 week to a couple of months. Now doing it this way can be a bit pricey however it is very much worth it. These programmes are individual and unique to GVI and no other organisation will look after you better than GVI. They are constantly looking for volunteers and you can leave within 2 weeks of booking your programme. So if you’re looking for something last minute GVI could be perfect for you.

Now you have decided where to go, who you’re going with, only one more thing to do, how to get there? Some organisations will organise your airfare for you and simply tell you all the details you need. However other organisations will say they need you out there for a certain day and you have to organise it yourself. That’s when you start to research airfares. Now www.sattravel.co.uk is perfect for students it offers great deals on airfare and also hotels. So if you fancy flying out a few days earlier then you could take advantage of their package deals they offer. So as long as you are a student under 26 then you can take advantage of these deals. They are such good deals and the staff are always very willing to find you the best deal. If you want you can also phone then up and book it over the phone or pop into one of their many branches across the country.

So you’re all set and ready to get your summer experience on the way, but there may be one more thing you want to do before setting off, and that is to purchase an ISIC card. This is the International Student Identity Card. This card is definitely worth the purchase. It is the most recognisable global student identity card in over 120 countries, with 4.5 million card holders, and 40,000 discounts to be gained it is definitely worth the purchase. You can buy these at your local post office or at an STA shop. It can also be used as another form of ID on your travels, so if something happens such as you lose your passport this can be used to prove you’re you. To find out more about this card then go onto: www. isic.org.

So whatever your plans are this summer I hope you enjoy them and make the most of any destination that you are working or volunteering at. There are so many places to explore so make the most of the opportunity given to you and have an amazing time!

Rowena Nathan

Travel

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Travel

For the last ever issue of Dart Destination we are taking you to the city that never sleeps, the Big Apple, yes it’s...

New York City

It’s time for this issue’s...

Dart Destination Top 5 things to see in NYC

1. NYC Skyline

New York City’s skyline is truly awe-inspiring. The iconic skyscrapers, bridges, waterways, islands and monuments create a breathtaking panorama that is instantly recognisable worldwide.

2. Times Square

Not sure where to look while walking through world-famous Times Square?

Don’t worry—you’re not alone. With massive digital billboards whose bright lights make midnight look like mid-afternoon; star-studded Broadway shows; people peddling art and jewellery on the street; and, of course, the Naked Cowboy—who plays guitar in his tighty-whities—the expansive stretch of Midtown is a feast for all five senses.

3. Central Park

Spanning 843 acres in the heart of Manhattan, Central Park is one of the world’s greatest urban oases, encompassing a diverse landscape of rolling fields, walking trails and tranquil bodies of water—all sculpted by human hands

4. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

The Statue of Liberty, a gleaming beacon for generations of immigrants seeking a better life in America, is perhaps New York City’s most recognizable historic landmark.

5. Yankee Stadium

The original Yankee Stadium, known as “The House That Ruth Built,” opened in 1923 and served as the Yankees’ home until 2008. The new Yankee Stadium opened in 2009, and the team capped the venue’s inaugural season with their 27th World Series title. This celebrated icon of America’s favourite pastime is a must-see for any baseball fan.

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ew York, the city that draws in millions of visitors every year, and it’s easy to see why.

The appeal of New York is huge to the world, with so many things to see and do. You will never be bored in NYC, with something happening on every street corner and so many new things to try out, don’t hesitate!

Now once you step off your plane don’t stop just get going, start off by just walking through all of the things that you want to see. On your first day it is highly recommendable to book a Broadway show for later on in your visit. Broadway is an experience not to miss out on; with so many different shows on, there will be at least one to tempt you. It may be even advisable to check out the range of shows on offer before setting out, that way you will get a taste of what you want to see. With so many deals on around the city you will be pleasantly surprised with the price of some of the shows. Of course matinees are cheaper than an evening show and if you go mid-week there are often a lot of deals to tempt even the tightest pocket of person.

Now of course when you are in the Big Apple, you cannot not see the ‘BIG’ sites that the city has to offer. The Statue of Liberty is always a popular place to start, but remember it will be a popular tourist attraction no matter what time of year you go. When you’re there don’t

forget to go over to Ellis Island and experience some of the history that is there on the convicts that came to the city with big ambitions.

Now if you enjoy being in the middle of the action why not go and see a basketball or baseball game? In America they are big on both sports and critics have said “you will never experience the same feeling that you get at a basketball or baseball game”. Now if you’re like me and a bit of a novice when it comes to ether of these sports do a little research before you go, or ask someone to explain the rules; everyone seems to be so friendly at both games!

However if you want to experience something a little different why not take a stroll through Central Park, where there will be more sites than you were expecting. One of the most famous outdoor spaces in the world, Central Park gives you the opportunity to sit back and relax and just watch the world go by, and if you have just come from a game then this could be an excellent opportunity to relax. Or if you want to experience the lights of NYC then head to Times Square, you can still wander round at your own free will and watch the world go by but in a totally different way. Either way both of these are fantastic opportunities to see what the day-to-day ‘New Yorker’ gets up to.

Getting to and from these places can

be tricky so why not try the ‘subway’.

No not a sandwich, it is the New York version of the London Underground.

It’s pretty simple to use and will get you to pretty much anywhere you need to go. Maps and attendants are on hand just in case! However if you prefer to travel above ground then the infamous yellow cab will be around. Hailing a cab for anyone is an experience, but doing it in NYC is a totally new experience; just yell and one will come driving up.

All of this gallivanting around the city can get trying and will work up an appetite. NYC is not short on places to eat; from your local takeaway to the 5* restaurant down the road, the city is you oyster (literally if you fancy it). A NYC steak house is a must for you meat eaters, critics have a called a NYC steak “the only steak you will ever want”.

However if you prefer something a little lighter there are plenty of sushi bars around. However if you want to be totally rational go for a NYC bagel. You can find them being sold for as little as $1. With as many fillings as anyone could choose from you will have to try this NYC delicacy before you leave.

So go on be adventurous. Just remember New York has it all, so try it ALL!

Rowena Nathan

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Fitness

Fun Routes to Summer Fitness Five-a-Side Football

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esearch has shown that over the course of 12 weeks playing five-a-side football can reap the same benefits as a running based training program.

Five-a-side is especially good if you’re forever putting off exercise bethan cause you get bored of doing it alone and it’s also considerably cheaper is tion competi friendly Plus tight. money’s when gym the paying out to join

Cycling

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ycling is the UK’s third most popular recreational activity.

Not only does cycling reduce your chance of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke, it also keeps your weight down and more importantly gets you places faster. If you don’t own a bike already they’re fairly easy to come across cheaply— keep your eye on the Morrisons notice board, or alternatively you can get a new bike fairly cheaply from all the obvious places. In a

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places always a good motivator to work that little bit harder. There are plenty of for in Bangor you can have a game for free if you’ve got four jumpers available moving ‘keeper teams other the avoid to goalposts but if you’d rather fixed metal (and his woolen right post in every time you’re looking the other way Maes Glas prices. most likely somewhere close to home) rent out pitches at very reasonable

Swimming

n the (albeit rare) warmth of the British summer swimming can be both a refreshing and relaxing way of keeping fit. A halfhour slow crawl will burn approximately 240 calories— this is the equivalent of playing a game of singles tennis for the same time, but without getting all sweaty, although obviously you will be considerably damper getting out of the pool. Anyone uncomfortable or even just a little out of practice with their swimming will find that their local pool most likely offers adult swimming lessons (in

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city as small as Bangor a bike can be extra useful for getting you to those few places that are slightly too far away to walk to and also make up for the mornings when you over estimate your ability to get to your classes within two minutes of waking up. Over the summer, cycling is an excellent way to get out of the house to do some exercise for a few hours and chances are there’s somewhere nice to ride within a ten minute ride of your house.

some cases you’ll get the first few free) to help you gain confidence.

Like the 5-a-side, or any of the options in this list really, taking a friend can help increase the enjoyment and with it the effectiveness of swimming. If you’re feeling more adventurous and there’s a good body of water nearby you could always try outdoor swimming if the weather’s up to it— if you are planning on doing this though, make sure you read up on it first as safety can be considerably trickier in the outdoors.

Mountain Walking

f you’re staying in Bangor over the summer or you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with mountains of its own then mountain walking is a particularly interesting way of keeping fit. It’s just like any other walking except more tiring and the view from the Snowdon summit is considerably more attractive than what you’ll see if you walk from Ffridd to Tesco. The University’s own Mountain Walking Club recommends you take the following if you’re heading out for a walk: Walking boots; socks; light, quick drying trousers (no denim); a warm top; waterproofs; a small personal first aid kit; food and water (around a litre of the latter); a rucksack to carry it all in; and for the summer you

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t’s the summer and you may want to go all out in terms of having an awesome time, keeping fit, and looking cool— if this is your idea of exercise then maybe you could try wakeboarding.

Wakeboarding boosts your health and fitness in a great number of different ways: it strengthens your arm and leg muscles as this is where most of the physical demand is placed; it improves your flexibility; it improves your reaction times because of the sudden

Wakeboarding

changes of direction and position required; it helps your hand eye coordination; provides a healthy distraction from daily irritations whilst increasing your concentration; and just in case you don’t really believe it’s that good for your health— think of all the swimming you’ll have to do every time you fall in, really, it’s two sports in one.

Hero Pose / Virasana Benefits: Stretches ankles, knees, and legs; Stimulates digestion; engergizes tired legs. It’s also calming - particularly useful for exam time.

How to: - Sit back on your heels.

- If you have stiff ankles place padding (a pillow will do) under them. If your knees are stiff place padding between the knees.

-Alternatively keep your knees together but bring the feet a little to the sides and sit between them. Perhaps place a pillow or folded blanket to sit on in order to raise the hips a little.

-Sit back an breathe.

- In the pose you’ll want to keep your sides straight, your shoulderblades firmed into your back, and your neck long.

Then just work on building the duration each time you do this pose.

may well want a sun hat, some sun glasses, and some sun cream. You’ll also want a map and a friend - if you’re not taking the friend make sure someone knows where you’re going. Mountain Walking might seem like the more expensive of the options to get going on but living in Bangor it’s probably one of the better investments a person can make in terms of both fitness and your university experience. You can also take a camera and get some amazing photos of the beautiful British landscape if you want a reminder of one of the reasons you should go again after the first time.

A Beer a Day...

A

joint research project by the University of Barcelona, the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and the Carlos III Institute of Health in Madrid has concluded that moderate drinking of ale and lager can help cut your chance of diabetes, high blood pressure and even aids weight loss.

Health benefits have long been associated with a glass of red wine and beer has many of these same advantages.

Beer contains vitamins, iron, calcium, and folic acid; all of which are essential to health.

The researchers concluded that beer provides the cardiovascular system with a protective effect, but also has the added benefit of lower alcohol content than most other drinks.

They were keen to point out however, that the research conducted involved primarily Spanish participants, stating that Spanish culture was one of drinking a small glass of beer with tapas as opposed to stereotypical British binge drinking in conjunction with fatty food which sadly means that just because you’ve drank 8 pints before getting to the take-away, your kebab is still just as unhealthy as it always was.

In order to reap the benefits of beer the researchers suggest combining it with exercise and a healthy Mediterranean diet high in fruits, vegetables, fish, and olive oil.

End of Year Issue 2011

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Sport

VARSITY 2011

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his year’s Varsity marked the 4th year Bangor and Aberystwyth have played each other in a one day competitive competition over multiple sports. After this years win for Aber the score stands at 2-2, next year when they come to us we’ll bring back the trophy!

This year’s Varsity saw 15 more sports join the battle of the two great universities.

One of the most heartbreaking stories of the day was that of the Bangor Muddogs. One of the university’s most improved teams this year, they lost to their Aberystwyth counterparts in the final minutes of the game. Drew Turner,

a Muddogs player, said that at one point “overtime looked likely,” before Aberystwyth got the final points necessary to put them over the top.

A similarly close margin could be found on the football pitch, where the team lost on penalties. It is on such fine margins that varsity is won and lost. Robert Gibbons, the football captain, said that “a few injuries...definitely affected the final result.”

Badminton’s story was less gloomy, though. They capped a highly successful year with a thumping 7-1 victory.

Despite the loss, Bangor as a Uni can

hold its head up high. One must not forget that neither Aberystwyth or Bangor have won. away yet, so a loss here is no shame.

Bangor will be looking to perpetuate that statistic when we once again welcome Aberystwyth for the 2012 iteration of the event.

All in all, took 500 people down to Aberystwyth this year; more than previous years by a substantial amount. We also had more members actually participating and supporting in Aber than Aber did; Bangor’s support never wavers, and it is clear that Bangor’s AU is totally united.

Matt Cox and Vicki Harman

BANGOR’S BEST CELEBRATED AT AU AWARDS DINNER

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his year’s AU Dinner celebrated a fantastic year for the Athletics Union. From both a team and an individual perspective, the AU has really shown a great improvement and there is real promise that it will continue to improve in the future.

This is visible when one looks at the fact that this year, more people have been nominated for Half Colours, Full Colours and Blues than before.

Additionally, this year saw the addition of Affiliate Colours to our Union; awarded to those who are not students at the university, but however deserve recognition for contributing to their club, above what is required of them.

That’s not all the AU has done, either. With the combined efforts of the

various clubs, together this year the AU raised over £7,000 for 6 charities. This impressive haul shows what a vitally important role the AU can play; congratulations to everybody who helped raise money.

Congratulations are also in order for the 13 “Blues” winners, awarded at the AU dinner. John Ker, Sam Murphy, Nicholas Spencer, Sean Baxter, Chris Davis, Aaron Toner, Nicol Halliwell, James Firman, Steve Barnard, Jamie Ramday, and Aoife Linane. Steve Barnard took two awards for his contributions to both diving and rugby.

Additionally, the AU dinner highlighted the two inter-mural events that took place this year: SuperStars and SuperTeams. The SuperTeams event, de-

signed to determine the most athletic team of the year, was eventually won by the Squash team.

SuperStars, meanwhile, was a competition testing the core elements of each athlete. They were put through 4 rounds of stamina, muscular endurance, and strength and skill tests. Tom Busbridge and Jessica Daniels were the winners of this event.

Overall the evening as a whole was spectacular; Danielle, with the help of Ed, Glyn and the catering staff put on a fantastic evening. Danielle said that next year’s AU Dinner is going to be bigger and better and with what she has accomplished this year I believe it will. Look below for the rest of your award winners!

HERE ARE YOUR WINNERS...

Best Dressed:

Men’s Gaelic Football Women’s Fresher of the Year:

Varsity Team of the Year:

American Football Team

Gabriella Rossetti

the AU ready to leave, From Top: Bangor’s LaCrosse Team, Hockey Players The Octopush Club, and some Men’s

Sportswoman of the Year:

Sportsman of the Year:

Ben Pritchard

Women’s Basketball Team

Sub Aqua

Vicky Gottwald

Men’s Fresher of the Year: Spirit of the AU award:

Club of the Year:

Steve Barnard

Team of the Year:

Men’s Canoe Polo

AU President’s Award:

John Ker

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End of Year Issue 2011

Sport

Champagne SuperNovak R

afael Nadal’s dominance of the in the fact that Djokovic now has a 2)). clay court has come into ques- far stronger, more consistent serve Murray expressed his disappointtion this year with the resur- and it is plain to see how Djokovic ment after the match, saying “Obgence of Novak Djokovic, who has yet has become such a dominant force. viously it’s a great run [Djokovic is to lose a match in 2011.

The French Open will have begun by on]. I’m just disappointed with myDjokovic has hit a winning streak the time this article goes to print; how- self - I should have ended it tonight”.

(39 matches at the time of writing) ever, with Djokovic’s momentum, he is A concern for Djokovic will be the the likes of which is rarely physical toll this run is havseen on the ATP tour, and Given his recent form, it might not be long ing on him. Immediately afhis run saw him dispatch ter beating Murray, he said, both Rafael Nadal and before we see someone other than Federer or “There’s no secret that physNadal at #1 for the first time in seven years. ically it’s catching up with Andy Murray at the recent tournament in Rome. me definitely. I’ve been Nadal, previously almost invincible on looking increasingly likely to become playing the most matches of any playclay, had no answer to the Serbian and only the second man to best Nadal at ers this year...playing at a high intenwas put away in straight sets 6-4 6-4.

Roland Garros. sity and wanting to win every match.”

This recent resurgence from DjokThe incredible 39-match winning However, the great incentive for ovic has been quite surprising; until streak is just 7 short of Guillermo Vil- Djokovic to continue is plain for all to now, he has been regarded as slightly las’s record, which was set in 1977, see; he is getting closer and closer to inferior to Federer and Nadal, a kind and it would take a brave man to bet Nadal in the world rankings. of third wheel in their rivalry. He was against Djokovic matching that record Incredibly, Djokovic has already almost a comedy sideshow with his now, such is his dominance and mo- accumulated enough ranking points on-court impersonations of his ri- mentum. Wimbledon, too, is only a to qualify for the season-ending vals, which earned him the “Djoker” couple of months away and Djoko- World Tour Finals in London. He bemoniker - but now he is all business vic will look ahead to that as another comes the only man, apart from Nadand it has brought him great success, possible Grand Slam win; thus far, he al in 2009, to do so before the French especially this year - he secured his does not have any outside of Australia. Open. Coincidentally, the last match second Australian Open in January.

He required great mental strength Djokovic lost was at that tournament’s The greater maturity has been to beat Murray in the semi-finals of the 2010 iteration, where he was defeated key to his development. Consider the Rome tournament; Murray served for in the semi-finals by Roger Federer. fact that he is just a week younger the match at one point and was just two There can be no doubt that this is than Andy Murray. Murray is matur- points away from ending the streak, a new and improved Novak Djokovic. ing all the time, true, but Djokovic only for Djokovic to rally and secure Djokovic puts his excellent performis well ahead in that respect. Throw victory on a tiebreak (6-1 3-6 7-6 (7- ances and new, winning mental-

ity down to Serbia’s recent Davis Cup victory, in which he played a key role.

“The Davis Cup gave me incredible energy,” he said. “I’m definitely not thinking about losing matches, I’m thinking about winning.”

The improvement in his game is plain to see; he is not just a quality performer but he has now added the ability to consistently win titles at this level and it is because of this that Djokovic is turning heads at an alarming rate.

Given his recent form, it might not be long before we see someone other than Federer or Nadal at #1 for the first time in seven years.

Watch this space; it could easily be that by the time you pick up next year’s first Seren, Djokovic will be holding three Grand Slam titles. Ridiculous?

Out of the question? Perhaps. But it’s getting harder and harder to bet against him in this form.

Michael Ironside

Novak Djokovic’s winning streak is among the longest in ATP history

Children of the Nevillution Bangor FC Secure League Title but Lose Out on Welsh Cup T

his season Bangor City have set new records in their own history as well as new records for British football, won the Welsh Premier League on the last day of the season (and with it gained an ever coveted Champions League place), and lost in the Welsh Cup final for the first time in

four years to a worthy Llanelli side— ending their 22 game stranglehold on the competition but still not dampening an incredible season.

It’s difficult to know where to start talking about Bangor’s season, so I may as well start in 2007 and work from there. At the start of the 2007 season

former player Neville Powell returned to Bangor, this time as manager, after 14 years away. What followed was an almost unstoppable rise to the top of Welsh Football— dubbed The Nevillution.

In Powell’s first three seasons Ban-

Bangor City FC players celebrate after winning the Welsh Premier League title

gor managed three consecutive Welsh Cup wins and although that run finally ended on May 8th with a 4-1 defeat to Llanelli at Parc Y Scarlets, it’s difficult for a Bangor City fan to feel too disappointed— almost exactly a week before Bangor had finally won a well deserved league title, topping off an incredible title fight that seemed all but lost only two weeks before.

Bangor’s 2010/11 campaign started in dreamland; they won fifteen matches in a row and broke the modern British record for a winning streak at the beginning of a season along the way. By Christmas you’d have been forgiven for thinking that Bangor may as well have been handed the trophy there and then; TNS, however, had other ideas. After finally dropping points at Airbus UK Bangor were hit by a lull in form and it looked as if TNS’s experience as a professional side would see them through to a sixth league title— especially as Bangor slumped to a 5-2 home defeat at the hands of the season’s bogey team, Llanelli.

Never a team for giving up, and backed as by the ever incredible Farrar Road faithful, Bangor took six points away from home at the expense of Port Talbot and Neath. With TNS falling to a rare home defeat the

league was anyone’s for the taking, with just one point separating the two teams when they met at Farrar Road on April 30th for the final day of the season. Cue the turnout of the season and a performance to silence all the doubters, with Bangor’s Craig Garside slotting home in the 66th minute to seal a long awaited and much deserved title for the home side.

A week later Bangor travelled south as League Champions and long time holders for the Welsh Cup Final, but dreams of a rare Welsh double were shattered by a second defeat to Llanelli in the space of a month. Whilst it’s difficult for such an incredible season to end in cup final heartbreak, it’s hard to imagine how anyone could forget that Bangor City F.C. still deserve nothing but the utmost respect for what they’ve brought to the fans and the city this year.

The Champions League draw for next season will take place on June 20th and Bangor will be waiting with baited breath to see who poses their first obstacle of the campaign. If the competition was decided on spirit alone, it’d be safe to book your flights to Munich for the final next May.

Thomas Knott

End of Year Issue 2011

High on Entertainment but Low on Quality: Premiership Season Review

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hen the Player’s Player of the Year is injured for weeks on end, and the Football Writer’s Player of the Year plays for the team thatwas the first to be mathematically relegated, you have to wonder what sort of season it’s been.

The mercurial talents that are supposed to get people off their seat have had relatively quiet seasons.

Rooney didn’t start firing until the New Year, Balotelli criticised his own season (in language too strong for these pages), and Fabregas seemed to have one head in the Nou Camp (or even possibly Eastlands’) dressing room already.

Te ve z managed to spark some life into an uninspiring Manchester City team, and the Bulgarian maestro Berbatov managed to keep Manchester United firing long enough for them to clinch the title, despite being regularly dropped for the big matches.

I’ve never been Ferguson’s biggest fan, but it’s arguable that he would have won the title with any of the top 6 teams this season The one positive that football as a game can draw from this season is the evergreen performance of Sir Alex Ferguson (sorry Kopites!). As an Everton fan, I’ve never been Ferguson’s biggest fan, but it’s arguable - and it has been argued by many - that he would have won the title with any of the top 6 teams this season.

When Chelsea throw away a 15 point lead and allow the weakest United side for years to capitalise, then you know the season’s been a bit poor in terms of quality.

Marseille manager Didier Deschamps’ assertion that this Man Utd team were lacking in the “fantasy” el-

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ement of previous teams (the class of 06/07 that beat Roma 7-1, for example) was probably true, but Ferguson has instead turned Man Utd into a welloiled machine that can ruthlessly win mathes - particularly at home where they have a formidable record.

Ferguson’s undeniable love for the game, passion and drive have shone through like a beacon this season, especially when compared to the withdrawn Ancelotti and the increasingly manic figure of Arsene Wenger.

However, that’s not to say it’s been boring. Some of the games have been unbelievable, and perhaps the highlight was the Newcast le-Ars enal game, where the Toon Army came back to grab a draw from 4-0 down.

There’s a lot of discussion to be had from this season as well, whether it’s the fairytale performance of Blackpool, who can take heart from their gutsy and sometimes excellent performances, or even the renaissance of Liverpool under ‘King’ Kenny Dalglish (and you have no idea how hard it is for me to type that).

Perhaps the highlight was the Newcastle-Arsenal game, where the Toon Army came back to grab a draw from 4-0 down.

Not to forget Spurs’ heart-stopping Champions League ties, the increasingly poor performances of an otherwise talented West Ham team, or even the rollercoaster ride that’s been Aston Villa’s season. This season might not have had quality in abundance, but you can’t say it hasn’t been entertaining - and isn’t that all that matters?

Joe McNally

Sport

BLOWING THEIR OWN WHISTLES:

C

Footy Refs Try to Trade Red Card for Red Carpet

elebrity culture ticks me off. I don’t like the multitude of celebrities that swarm the media, especially when some of them don’t even have the talent to justify their fame.

So when I watched the return of the BBC show “Superstars” back in 2003, I was, again, rather ticked off to find that a certain Mr. Jeff Winter would be officiating it. Jeff Winter, arguably the embodiment of everything wrong with the modern referee. He became, or strived to become, a celebrity in his own right. He write an autobiography, for crying out loud, and somebody actually published the thing - naking him the first ref to book himself, but that’s beside the point.

Keeping their egos in check would be the first solution It is people like Jeff Winter that make campaigns for “respect” fall a little flat.

It’s not just Jeff Winter, either (though he’s probably the worst). Graham Poll, famous for the “three cards” fiasco in the 2006 World Cup, is another.

The way Poll dealt with with José Mourinho on the touchline during a Man Utd/Chelsea league match at the end of the 06/07 season was a horrifying subversion of everything a referee should stand for - that being stoic objectivity, not palling around with football’s most charismatic figures.

running amok. Nor does it excuse incompetence.

Respect for referees is something a lot of sports do very well; rugby and basketball, among others, police it with the utmost strictness. And it’s some-

thing fans of those sports are quick to remind football fans about, too, giving them some kind of moral superiority.

I’ll take it on the chin; my congratulations go to those sports for handling it so well. How do we deal with this problem? Well, keeping their egos in check would be the first solution.

The way Poll dealt with José Mourinho on the touchline was a horrifying subversion of everything a referee should stand for Don’t get me wrong; I have a lot of respect for any official that voluntarily puts themselves in the firing line, devoting a lot of their time to the training and examination necessary to become a top referee. But this does not mean they should be free of criticism, especially with referees like Winter and Poll

In all fairness, though, they don’t have to deal with pseudo-celebrities like Winter and Poll. No rugby referee has such an exaggerated sense of selfimportance.

How do we deal with this prob-

lem? Well, keeping their egos in check would be the first solution. The most extreme solution would be to keep them all anonymous. Have them wear masks to conceal their identities.

It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? It is.

But then, it’s a ridiculous problem, so why not give it a ridiculous solution?

The calls for players and managers to respect referees is well-timed and noble; they don’t all deserve the flak they get. Take Howard Webb, for instance; in my view, Webb is a slightly overrated referee (and he certainly shouldn’t have been given an MBE, unless that stands for Much Better Eyesight), but at the same time he is still a very able official.

Importantly, he keeps himself to himself for the most part and could have done a lot more with his position than he has done.

There are others in the current crop of referees that I would say are the same; perfectly competent, quiet, noncelebrity. But, like with so many things, there’s a minority and it is undermining the entire profession.

In my view, Webb is a slightly overrated referee (and he certainly shouldn’t have been given an MBE, unless that stands for Much Better Eyesight), but at the same time he is a very able official I suppose what I’m saying here is that while the “respect the refs” idea is noble, it is also overly idealistic. It is getting harder and harder to respect referees when they are constantly undermined by both instant television replays and post-match reviews by the FA (rescinding red cards, for example), let alone the actions of people like Jeff Winter.

At the end of the day, authority figures in sport should be respected - so why do they have to make it so damn difficult?

Peter Weale

AU NEWS IN BRIEF

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successful year for the AU was underlined with an increase in Bangor’s BUCS (British University and College Sport) ranking. Over the course of the last year the uni has gone from sitting in 70th place and his risen to join 63rd with LSE Uni in London.

This may seem quite low, but there are 146 competitors in BUCS competition and to rise as Bangor have done is indicative of the good year they have had.

Elsewhere on the list, Loughbor-

ough University continue to dominate.

They have accumulated almost 1800 more knockout points and 200 more league points than their closest rivals, Birmingham, giving them a commanding lead.

Rivals Aberystwyth maintain a slight lead over us, placing in 57th with only 70 more total points.

Thanks to everyone who has helped to co-ordinate BUCS on a weekly basis this year. The fruits of your labour are plain to see and the uni looks forward to yet more progression up the list next year!

Bangor’s Men’s Canoe Polo 1st Team were this year’s Team of the Year at the AU dinner and it is plain to see why.

Sensationally, the team went undefeated all season. Though they had previously come close to victory - for the past 2 years they had come 3rd at BUCS - finally this year they won the gold.

Nottingham Trent and Nottingham were the team’s closest competitors, but Bangor pulled through and secured a very impressive win in the end to cap off a quite fantastic season.

The AU Annual General Meeting is set to take place on Monday 23rd of May from 6pm at Lecture Room 1 of the Wheldon Building.

This is where some changes to the AU constitution will need to be made, and these need to be discussed

by AU members.

Old and new committee members at AU clubs need to attend this, though anyone else is welcome to come and air their views. Discussions about future AU Nights and next year’s Varsity will also take place. In addition, AU Committee positions will be decided.

If you’re looking to join a new AU club next year, check out Serendipity when Uni starts up again in September. The AU clubs will be out in full force to show you why exactly you should join their club.

Keep an open mind and see what sports interest you the most; you might end up joining our phenomenal Canoe Polo team, or our Lacrosse Team.

Serendipity will once again be held during the Wednesday and Thursday of Freshers week at Maes Glas, 11am - 3pm. Don’t miss out on this chance to try something new!