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Bangor Bangor University University Students’ Students’ Union Union English English Language Language Newspaper Newspaper
Success for Bangor at WhatUni Awards
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AN AMAZING RIDE by by DAN DAN ‘HERO’ ‘HERO’ TURNER TURNER
Student Survey for student satisfaction Student Survey for student satisfaction and becoming the only University in and becoming the only University in Wales to achieve Gold standard in Wales to achieve Gold standard in the UK Government’s new Teaching the UK Government’s new Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). Excellence Framework (TEF). Professor John G Hughes, the Professor John G Hughes, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, welcomed University’s Vice-Chancellor, welcomed the news saying: “This is the fourth year the news saying: “This is the fourth year in a row that Bangor University has in a row that Bangor University has won a national WhatUni Award. I’m won a national WhatUni Award. I’m delighted that the University has won delighted that the University has won two category awards, and these awards two category awards, and these awards reflect our close working relationship reflect our close working relationship with the Students’ Union and our with the Students’ Union and our own students in order to provide an own students in order to provide an excellent education and all-round excellent education and all-round student-centred university experience. student-centred university experience. I’m grateful to our students for their I’m grateful to our students for their support, and very pleased that they support, and very pleased that they
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Bangor University has been chosen Bangor University has been chosen as the best in the UK for its Students’ as the best in the UK for its Students’ Union Clubs & Societies as well as its Union Clubs & Societies as well as its Student Accommodation in this year’s Student Accommodation in this year’s WhatUni.com Student Choice Awards. WhatUni.com Student Choice Awards. The University was also placed third The University was also placed third in the UK in the University of the Year in the UK in the University of the Year category and second in the UK for category and second in the UK for Courses and Lecturers. Courses and Lecturers. The latest accolade is a further The latest accolade is a further endorsement of the quality of the endorsement of the quality of the courses, accommodation, facilities and courses, accommodation, facilities and students support provided by Bangor students support provided by Bangor University. It follows another successful University. It follows another successful year which has also seen the University year which has also seen the University in the top 10 in the UK in the National in the top 10 in the UK in the National
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appreciate their time in Bangor. I would appreciate their time in Bangor. I would also like to thank the University and also like to thank the University and Students’ Union Sabbaticals and staff Students’ Union Sabbaticals and staff for their fantastic efforts.” for their fantastic efforts.” Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Carol Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Carol Tully said: “We’re delighted to regain the Tully said: “We’re delighted to regain the award for Best Accommodation. Our award for Best Accommodation. Our staff work tirelessly to ensure that our staff work tirelessly to ensure that our students get the most from their time in students get the most from their time in Halls. Our Campus Life Co-ordinators Halls. Our Campus Life Co-ordinators and Warden Team are committed to and Warden Team are committed to creating a close community. It’s great creating a close community. It’s great that our students have acknowledged that our students have acknowledged this once again. ” this once again. ” Mair Rowlands Bangor Students’ Mair Rowlands Bangor Students’ Union Director said: “We are absolutely Union Director said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the WhatUni delighted to have won the WhatUni 2018 award for Best Clubs and 2018 award for Best Clubs and Societies, this is yet another amazing Societies, this is yet another amazing
achievement for Undeb Bangor. achievement for Undeb Bangor. Students are at the heart of what we Students are at the heart of what we do, and we achieve these awards by do, and we achieve these awards by listening to our students, and working listening to our students, and working in partnership with them to ensure that in partnership with them to ensure that the students of Bangor have the best the students of Bangor have the best possible student opportunities.” possible student opportunities.” Simon Emmett, Hotcourses Group Simon Emmett, Hotcourses Group Chief Executive, said: “Our collection Chief Executive, said: “Our collection of almost 37,000 reviews gives voice to of almost 37,000 reviews gives voice to students’ lived experiences of university students’ lived experiences of university and while there are challenges, the and while there are challenges, the results delivered many positive results delivered many positive comments about university experience comments about university experience that will help inspire prospective that will help inspire prospective students faced with the difficult students faced with the difficult decision of where to study.” decision of where to study.” This was the third time in four years This was the third time in four years in which Bangor took gold in the Clubs in which Bangor took gold in the Clubs
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and Societies category, with the other and Societies category, with the other winning years coming in 2015 and winning years coming in 2015 and 2017. This year, the awards were based 2017. This year, the awards were based on over 36,000 reviews from all of the on over 36,000 reviews from all of the participating Universities. In the Clubs participating Universities. In the Clubs and Societies category, there were 126 and Societies category, there were 126 nominated institutions alone, of which nominated institutions alone, of which Bangor came out on top. Bangor came out on top. Bangor University was nominated Bangor University was nominated for Awards in the following categories: for Awards in the following categories: Accommodation, Clubs & Societies, Accommodation, Clubs & Societies, Courses & Lecturers, Giving Back, Courses & Lecturers, Giving Back, International, Job Prospects, Student International, Job Prospects, Student Support, Best Prospective Student Support, Best Prospective Student Engagement and Overall University of Engagement and Overall University of the Year. the Year.
K FEEDBAC
FRIDAY!
Twmpath
7pm | Braint Common Room Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
SATURDAY 15 - SUNDAY 16
TH
MEET US AT THE MARQUEE
SATURDAY 29TH
Yoga
12-4pm Ffridd Village and St Mary's
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
SATURDAY 15
TH
SUNDAY 30TH
Free Mocktails & Canapés
Wet and Wild
Meet outside Ffridd Halls Security at 9am Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
5.30 - 7.00pm | Bar Uno and Barlows
SUNDAY 16
TH
SUNDAY 30TH
Free Campus Life BBQ
Open Mic Night
4pm | Bar Uno and St Mary's Quad
8pm | Acapela Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
SUNDAY 16TH
Barlows Live Lounge
OCTOBER
8pm | Barlows, St Mary's Village
MONDAY 17TH
Meet and Mingle 5-7pm | Braint and Barlows
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TUESDAY 18TH
Special events not to be missed! WEAR YOUR WRISTBAND!
QUIZ & BINGO Love your quizzes and bingo? Then get your mind ready!
BIG SCREEN MOVIE TIME Choose your favourite from our online poll and grab your free popcorn!
TRIP Amazing off campus trips. Pre-booking essential. See Facebook page for more info. *small cost payable
TUESDAY 2ND
FRIDAY 21
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Bangor Basics
12-2pm | Braint Common Room
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7pm | Bar Uno Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
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Free Campus Life Curry and Karaoke
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Friday Film Night 8pm | Acapela
SATURDAY 22ND
Llandudno Trip!
Student Think Tank
1-2pm | Braint Common Room and Barlows
WEDNESDAY 3RD
Wednesday Walkabout - Campus Clean Up
3-4pm | Meet at Ffridd and St Mary's Halls Reception
THURSDAY 4TH
Film Night 8pm | Acapela
THURSDAY 4TH E
SPECIAL EVENT
THURSDAY 20
8pm | Acapela
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Time to test your cooking skills or learn some new ones with our Campus Crew!
9-10am | Bar Uno and Barlows
Documentary & Debate
Campus Life Karaoke 9pm | Bar Uno
FRIDAY 5TH
Eco Craft Night
10am - 5pm | Meet outside Reichel Halls Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
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LEARN TO COOK
Free Breakfast Baps
MONDAY 1ST
7.30pm | Braint Common Room and Acapela
SATURDAY 22ND
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2 hours of FREE fun in our great outdoors! Pre-booking essential.
WEDNESDAY 19
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11am-5pm | Main Arts Building
Waste Awareness Week
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WET & WILD
SERENDIPITY
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MONDAY 1ST - SATURDAY 6TH
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WEDNESDAY 19 - THURSDAY 20 TH
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7.30pm | Braint and Barlows
Enjoy a variety of fun activities around campus.
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Big Win Bingo
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ACTIVITY
Free Ice Cream Party! TH
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From dancing to singing our nights have got it covered!
FRIDAY 28TH
7pm | PJ Hall
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MUSIC
10am-12pm | Bar Uno and Barlows
FRIDAY 14TH
There’s food involved! From Sunday roasts to pizza nights.
Grab a FREE hot drink at these events.
World's Biggest Coffee Morning!
5.30-6.30pm | Barlows and Bar Uno
FOOD EVENTS HOT DRINKS
FRIDAY 28TH
Meet and Mingle
T H E
All our events are FREE! Just take a look at our helpful guide below...
FRIDAY 14TH
M E E T
CAMPUS LIFE
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR!
SEPTEMBER
SATURDAY 6TH
Stretch & Relax session
Yoga
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
10-11am | Acapela, St Mary's Village Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
SUNDAY 7TH
SUNDAY 23RD
2-4pm | Outside Peris Halls
STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE SUNDAY 23RD
Free Sunday Roast
Ultimate Frisbee SUNDAY 7TH
Free Sunday Roast
6pm | Bar Uno Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
GET CRAFTY
6pm | Bar Uno Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
MONDAY 8TH
Love glue and glitter? Come along and get crafting!
MONDAY 24TH
7.30pm | Braint Common Room
GET TOGETHER
MONDAY 24TH
Get togther and meet up with your buddies.
7.30pm | Bar Uno and Barlows
CAMPUS SPORT BEGINS
Quiz Night
Time to chat, chill and just take it easy.
TUESDAY 9TH
Learn to Cook Italian 7pm | Barlows Kitchens
TUESDAY 25
TH
CHILLED OUT EVENTS
Board Games & Biscuits
Learn to Cook Indian 7pm | Barlows Kitchens
WEDNESDAY 26TH
WEDNESDAY 10TH
Wednesday Warmer
11.30am-12.15pm | Ffridd and St Mary's Halls Office
THURSDAY 11TH
Family Fortunes Halls Style 7.30pm | Bar Uno and Barlows
Wednesday Warmer
THURSDAY 11TH
You’re chance to have your say!
THURSDAY 27TH
9pm | Bar Uno
BOOKABLE EVENT
6-7pm | Braint Common Room and Barlows
FEEDBACK FRIDAY!
Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
11.30am-12.15pm | Ffridd and St Mary's Halls Office
Campus Life Karaoke
Best of Bangor!
SATURDAY 13TH
THURSDAY 27TH
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Campus Life Karaoke 9pm | Bar Uno
Yoga
DECEMBER FREE
Bangor City FC Interview
NOVEMBER
Why you should watch your new local team 14 p36SUNDAY Bounce Below Trip!
THURSDAY 1ST
TH
12.15-5pm | Meet outside Reichel Halls Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
7pm | Barlows Kitchens
THURSDAY 1ST
Campus Life Karaoke
Improv Night
9pm | Bar Uno
8pm | Acapela Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
Y FRIDAY 2
ND
Free Chippy Tea
TUESDAY 16
TH
Table Tennis
Yoga
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Foundation CPR Training
SATURDAY 3RD
11am-12pm or 12-1pm or 2-3pm | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Hot Chocolate & Bonfire Night Walk
6pm | Meet at Ffridd and St Mary's Village Halls Office
WEDNESDAY 17TH
Wednesday Walkabout
SUNDAY 4TH
Free Sunday Roast
Check Facebook for more details
6pm | Bar Uno Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
THURSDAY 18TH
seren.bangor.ac.uk Film Night 8pm | Acapela @SerenBangor
MONDAY 5TH
Documentary & Debate
THURSDAY 18TH
reviews
SATURDAY 1ST
Wednesday Warmer
Yoga
Summer Festival Special WEDNESDAY 21
SATURDAY 3RD
#
Check out MyBangor for more info
WEDNESDAY 21ST
6pm | Bar Uno and Barlows Kitchens
7.30pm | Braint Common Room and Acapela Freshers Issue 2018 17TH Issue WEDNESDAY No. 271 British Heart
Campus Life and Warden 2018 festival Applications Open LOVEHALLS
Learn to Cook Veggie
8pm | Acapela
SUNDAY 14TH
SATURDAY 1ST
TUESDAY 20TH
Film Night
11.30am-12.15pm | Ffridd and St Mary's Halls Office
p26-27
10 -11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
ST
Knit & Natter November
SUNDAY 2ND
Book your room in halls for next year now! #LOVEHALLS
5-6pm | Braint Common Room
THURSDAY 22ND
Halls to Home Fair
SUNDAY 2ND
11am - 2.30pm | Powis Hall
Manchester Christmas Markets Trip
THURSDAY 22ND
Campus Life Karaoke 9pm | Bar Uno
10am-6pm | Meet outside Reichel Halls Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
FRIDAY 23RD
Free Pizza Party
MONDAY 3RD
SATURDAY 24TH
8pm | Acapela
Documentary and Debate
7.30pm | Bar Uno
Yoga
TUESDAY 4TH
Bangor University Students’ UnionCampus English LifeLanguage Newspaper 10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Christmas Party
New Year, New Student Politics 8pm | Acapela
TUESDAY 6TH
9pm | Bar Uno
Free Chippy Tea
Learn to Cook Soup
6pm | Bar Uno and Barlows Kitchens
7pm | Barlows Kitchens
SATURDAY 20
WEDNESDAY 7
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
11.30am-12.15pm | Ffridd and St Mary's Halls Office
SUNDAY 21ST
Knit & Natter November
FRIDAY 19TH
TH
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Wednesday Warmer
Yoga
WEDNESDAY 7TH
Ultimate Frisbee
5-6pm | Braint Common Room
2-4pm | Outside Peris Halls
THURSDAY 8TH
SUNDAY 21ST
Campus Life Karaoke
Wet and Wild
9pm | Bar Uno
Meet outside Ffridd Halls Security at 1pm Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
7.30pm | Bar Uno and Barlows
SATURDAY 10
MONDAY 22ND - SATURDAY 27TH
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Wednesday Warmer
I E
THURSDAY 25TH
TUESDAY 13TH
Table Tennis
Wednesday Walkabout
Check Facebook for more details E
Campus Life Karaoke
WEDNESDAY 14TH R
9pm | Bar Uno
SATURDAY 27TH
Knit & Natter November 5-6pm | Braint Common Room
G
T S E D
CAMPUS GREENING WEDNESDAY 14TH
7.30pm | Bar Uno and Barlows
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
THURSDAY 15TH
Film Night
7.30pm | Bar Uno and Barlows
THURSDAY 6TH
WEDNESDAY 28TH
9pm | Bar Uno
S U
SATURDAY 8TH
Check Facebook for more details
Yoga
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Knit & Natter November 5-6pm | Braint Common Room
SUNDAY 9TH
THURSDAY 29TH
Improv Night
Film Night
Campus Life Karaoke
DOWNLOAD O
UR FREE CA
MPUS LIFE APP TO KEEP U
Christmas Decoration Photo Competition
#DeckTheHalls
TUESDAY 11TH
Learn to Cook Christmas Treats 7pm | Barlows Kitchens
THURSDAY 13TH
Film Night 8pm | Acapela
P TO DATE
WITH EVERYT HING
GOING ON!
9pm | Bar Uno
FRIDAY 16TH 6pm | Acapela
Cirque de St Mary's
TH SATURDAY on social media or go onto our17 website. ideas in relation to Undeb Bangor policy If you have anyYoga views if you want to (e.g. its strategic and future direction), 10-11am | Acapela see change happen, they’re the people national and/or local campaigns or Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk you want to speak to! They are here to political activity, ideas in relation to TH 18are represent you andSUNDAY the doors always activities or student opportunities open. Free Sunday Roast that Undeb Bangor facilitate, or for 6pm | Bar Uno the development and improvement Get involved Book in Student Politics your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk of the student experience. If you want 19TH that to have a say on how Undeb Bangor is It’s important MONDAY to remember Games & Biscuits Elections happenBoard all year round at run then you should definitely consider 7.30pm | Braint Common Room Undeb Bangor. We kick off the year standing to be an Undeb Bangor with two very important elections. The Councillor. You can nominate yourself Undeb Bangor Council Elections and to be an Undeb Bangor Councillor on the Undeb Bangor Website. If you the Course Rep Elections. Undeb Bangor Council exists to debate don’t want to run for a position but
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Campus Life Karaoke
Wednesday Walkabout
Campus Life & International Karaoke
M
MONDAY 29TH
THURSDAY 15TH
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8pm | Acapela Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
P
8pm | Acapela
Open Mic Night
7pm | Braint Common Room and Acapela
Pool Tournament
9pm | Bar Uno
7.30pm | Braint Common Room and Acapela
Pool Tournament
WEDNESDAY 31ST Wednesday t’s the beginning of a Walkabout new year. We Check Facebook for more details welcome back some friendly faces ST but we WEDNESDAY welcome some31 fresh faces as well. Undeb Bangor isCarving Bangor UniverPumpkin 6.30pm Union. | Acapela and Braint Common Room sity’s Students’ Undeb Bangor ST run SportsWEDNESDAY clubs, societies, volunteer31 ing projects, UMCB course reps. Learn toand Cook This year,Pumpkin the Students’ Union is run Cake by 4 brand 8pm new | AcapelaSabbatical Officers and 1 returning officer. Ruth, Gethin, WEDNESDAY 31ST are here Mark, Louise and Muhammad Halloween Party to represent you on a whole manner of 8pm | Bar Uno things. You can find out more about the fantastic work our Sabbatical Officers (Sabbs) do by following Undeb Bangor
#DeckTheHalls
SUNDAY 11
N
E R
THURSDAY 25TH
Christmas Crafts
TUESDAY 27TH
1.15pm | Meet outside Ffridd Halls Security Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
WEDNESDAY 24TH
THURSDAY 6TH
8pm | Acapela Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
MONDAY 10TH - FRIDAY 14TH
7pm | Barlows Kitchens
7.30pm | Barlows
Open Mic Night
THURSDAY 29TH
MONDAY 12TH - SATURDAY 17TH
Board Games & Biscuits
11.30am -12.15pm | Ffridd and St Mary's Halls Office
Wednesday Warmer
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Wet & Wild
Learn to Cook Chinese
SUNDAY 28TH
SUNDAY 25TH
8pm | Acapela Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
TUESDAY 23RD
Yoga
WEDNESDAY 5TH
8pm | Acapela
TH
11.30am-12.15pm | Ffridd & St Mary's Halls Office
I
TH
Yoga
N
L A V I T S S
6pm | Bar Uno Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
DeStresstival
1pm | Meet outside Ffridd Halls Security Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
WEDNESDAY 28
Big Win Bingo
Sunday Roast
7pm | Bar Uno Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Wet & Wild
TH
FRIDAY 9TH
SUNDAY 21ST
SUNDAY 25TH
CHRISTMAS DECORATION PHOTO COMPE TITION
Campus Life Karaoke
#LOVEHALLS
think it’s important that you are fairly represented then you can vote online as well. Nominations open on the 17th of November and Close on the 28th. You can vote in the elections between the 3rd and 5th of October! Course Reps are students who are elected by their peers to represent students’ views about issues surrounding their course. They might represent students on a particular module or course, or even all of the students in their school year. They attend meetings with staff in their school and college, as well as Student
Union meetings, to make sure that students’ voices are heard. The Course Rep Elections also take place online. Nominations open on the 17th of September and close on the 28th of September while the voting take place between the 1st and the 5th of October. Don’t miss out! For any other info, here are Undeb Bangor’s contact details: Facebook: @bangorstudentsunion Twitter: @bangorstudents Snapchat: @undebbangor Instagram: @undeb_bangor www.undebbangor.com
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5
CONTENTS
News Politics Comment Union Sabb Campus Life Travel Food & Drink Lifestyle Fashion Arts & Culture Map Of Bangor Film TV Festival Special Music Books Games Creative Corner Societies Sport
6-7 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19-20 21 22-24 25 26-27 30 31 32 33 34-35 36-38
32
EDITOR editor@seren.bangor.ac.uk
27
34
TEAM
Editor - Finnian Shardlow Deputy Editor - Jack Hollinshead Politics - Kayleigh Lavornia Comment - Simran Prasad Travel - Sophie James Positions Food & Drink - Paige Brook Available Lifestyle - Courtney McHugh Fashion - Isabella Timpany Find Us At Arts & Culture - Laura Pätäri Serendipity Film - Jordan King TV - Ciaran Griffiths September Music - Vicky Wilkes 19th & 20th Books - Beth Smith Creative Corner - Alec Tudor
15
Meg Richards Rory Formstone Roberts
To all returning students: hope you’re well. I’m sure you’re looking forward to Freshers, where we can all pretend that we’ve never aged for a week. To Freshers: Welcome to Bangor! I remember being you this time 3 years ago. I was at least a stone lighter and had significantly more dignity. It’s true what they say, the next 3 years will be the best years of your life. And this next 1 is the best out of all those - so do treasure it. I did many things in First Year, many of them useless. I think pushing individual Cheerios under my flatmate’s door was a personal low. However, one of the most valuable decisions I made in First Year was joining Seren. Being completely honest with you, it’s one of the main reasons I’m staying here for my Masters, after graduating in BA Media Studies this July. Seren has been integral to my degree for the last 3 years. It has plunged me into opportunities that, in my late teens, I would daydream about - interviewing some of my favourite bands; press access to the photography pit at festivals. Seren is the tool with which you can carve out your own opportunities. Our journalists have been to Cannes Film Festival, Gamescom and various sporting events across the country. And yet, myself and many of our sub-editors claim they stumbled upon Seren by chance. The moral of the story? Go to Serendipity, see all the societies, and if you want to try it - try it. Unfortunately, the world thinks we should all have our lives wrapped up and decided by University age. This is an absurdity. You’ve got 3 years. Try everything; explore all avenues. I didn’t pick up a newspaper until I was 18 and here I am - Editor. Anyway, I’m not going to subliminally plug Seren any further. I’ll simply say: open up, have a read and enjoy. P.S. Join Seren -----
Got A Story? Submit It!
WRITERS
EDITORS
12
FINNIAN SHARDLOW
Be a regular writer for Seren or simply submit a single story. We’ll always take the latest news that matters to you. Email: editor@seren.bangor.ac.uk
The views presented hereinafter do not represent the views of Seren Bangor, Bangor Students’ Union or Bangor University. ----Seren is printed by Mortons.
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
6
NEWS
IN BRIEF
University Open Doors To Public
Bangor Rated One Of The Best In The UK For Student Satisfaction
by FINNIAN SHARDLOW
B
angor University’s collections will be open to the public as a part of the Open Doors series taking place this month. From Saturday, September 15, guests will have the opportunity to appreciate Gwynedd and Conwy’s historical buildings, gardens and special locations. The University’s Archives Department will be showcasing archaic manuscripts and hosting discussions on the variety of archival collections that are held in the building. Visitors will also be invited to the council chamber corridor to view the “Penrhyn” exhibition. The English session will be held between 10.30am11.30am and in Welsh from 12pm1pm. The event will also provide the opportunity to visit Bangor University’s Natural History Museum, Brambell Building, which is not usually accessible to the public. Guests will be able to learn more about the animals on display and ask questions to the experts available. David Roberts will lead tours of the Main Arts building, talking about its background and architecture.
Police 10 Mile Run
by FINNIAN SHARDLOW
O
nce again, Bangor University has been ranked in the top 10 of the UK’s non-specialist universities, according to the latest annual National Student Satisfaction Survey (NSS). The news follows the University’s inclusion among the top 100 European Universities in the recent Times Higher Education (THE) European Teaching Rankings. Bangor University was also awarded a Gold Standard in the first round of the UK Government’s Teaching Excellence
Framework. The National Student Survey, a poll of over 320,000 graduating students at each university in the UK, provides the most comprehensive feedback on the student experience at each institution. This year, Bangor is ranked joint 9th in the UK, with an overall satisfaction rate of 88%. Professor Oliver Turnbull, Pro ViceChancellor for Teaching & Learning at Bangor University, said: “The University prides itself on our excellent teaching and the strong support we provide for our students,
and the results reflect this. These data are one of the measures we use to ensure that we respond to our students, and to continually enhance their experience at Bangor. These data are also, of course a valuable for prospective students, who will make decisions about University places over the next few weeks.” Bangor University’s average satisfaction rate of 88% is well above the UK average of 83%, and that of Wales at 85%. Senior staff at the University put the success down to the high standard of teaching and the student experience at the University.
Prof Turnbull added: “Our commitment to our students, and to the quality of their experience at Bangor, is of course a team effort by our entire workforce. I would like to thank all our staff, and I would also like to thank our recent graduates for giving our University such positive feedback.” Four subject areas have also achieved 100% satisfaction scores. They are Celtic Studies (Welsh), French, Design Studies and Social Policy.
centre which was run by Save the Children. Sierra Leone was declared free of the Ebola virus in November 2015. Along with 19 others, Helena handed back her medal in protest against the Government’s policies and denial of health care to patients in the UK who are unable to prove their immigration status. Helena said: “I returned my medal in protest at the regulations that govern the charging of overseas visitors receiving NHS care which were brought in in October 2017. “I am particularly
appalled at the upfront charging of pregnant women for maternity care and terminations. Those who cannot pay can be pursued in court or have their details shared with the home office, which is a clear deterrent to seeking care. “I think it is hypocritical to send a battalion of medical workers overseas to fight Ebola and then deny some sections of society healthcare at home. It is also damaging to domestic public health to have a population that is invisible to the healthcare system.” In support, Arfon MP Hywel Williams said: “I have tabled a motion
in Parliament applauding my local constituent Helena Robinson for her principled decision to hand back her Ebola medal in protest at the Government’s hostile environment policies.” “We respect the integrity of these professionals who crossed borders to help patients in desperate need, and now act to stand against the Government-imposed borders between health workers and patients in the UK. “We call on the Government to put an end to their hostile environment policies and their unyielding attacks on the most vulnerable in our society.”
Bangor University Researcher Returns Ebola Medal
by FINNIAN SHARDLOW
P
olice officers from 34 different police forces competed in 2018 Police Sport UK 10 mile road race on Wednesday 5th September. The event was hosted by North Wales Police and started in Port Penrhyn, Bangor. The route used the Lon Las Ogwen track to Tregarth and a turnaround point at Bethesda before returning to Bangor. Following the race, an evening function and presentation took place at Bangor University in the Neuadd Pritchard Jones Hall. Chief Officer from North Wales Police was in attendance to present awards to runners of all different abilities. Police Sport UK has a membership of over 300,000 serving police officers, police staff, retired officers and staff, and their immediate families. They provide competition at local, regional, national and international levels.
by FINNIAN SHARDLOW
H
elena Robinson, a postdoctoral research officer at Bangor University, has handed back her Ebola medal to the Government. Robinson, 29, from Guernsey, was awarded the medal following her fiveweek deployment to Sierra Leone during the West Africa Ebola crisis in December 2014. The PhD student was placed in a diagnostics lab in Sierra Leone over Christmas 2014 set up by Public Health England. She was assigned to the Kerry Town treatment
Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
7
NEWS
Ground-breaking New Services IN BRIEF For Mental Health Children’s Birthday Party Causes Police Response
by JACK HOLLINSHEAD
A by FINNIAN SHARDLOW
A
collaboration between Bangor University’s Counselling Service and the North Wales Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programme has been shortlisted for a National Award. Bangor University’s Counselling Services cooperated with the North Wales Clinical Doctorate Programme to combat a rise in levels of stress, suicidality and self-harming amongst students across the UK. The project aims to provide treatment and practical support for students, and has now been shortlisted for a Times Higher Education Award under the category of ‘Outstanding Support for Students’. Working with experts within the University’s North Wales Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programme, Counselling Service staff and clinical psychologists in training implemented an evidence-based treatment for the reduction of risk of suicide and selfharm that is rarely available to students. Kate Tindle, Head of Bangor University’s Counselling Service
explains one of the benefits of the new provision: “As the course was delivered in a university setting, and involved university counselling service staff as well as clinical psychology staff, our initiative removed many of the barriers and stigma associated in accessing specialist help.” The ground-breaking programme was piloted for an 8 week period at Bangor University in 2016-17, and such was its success that the programme has now been extended, becoming part of the Service’s core provision, providing three courses each year. Students identified within the Counselling Service as high risk were provided with a bespoke eight week course in Emotional Regulation Skills from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy to teach a number of skills to help vulnerable students with understanding their emotions, alongside strategies to manage the emotions in difficult situations. The course was led by Dr. Michaela Swales, an international expert in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which is a NICE-recommended treatment for suicidal and self-harming
behaviours. Dr Michaela Swales explains: “By comparing measures of emotional wellbeing from the start and the end of the course, we know that the course resulted in significant reductions in risk of self-harm and suicide together with improvements in emotional regulation skills. There was an 88% clinical and reliable improvement rate, among those who completed the course, with a notable reduction in their levels of academic worries.” Kate Tindle added: “With limited mental health resources available through the NHS, students often fall between what their university provides, and what is available in their home settings. We have found a way to bring specialised support directly to those students we’ve identified as being most vulnerable. We are very pleased that this intervention has not only been able to significantly reduce risk amongst this group of students, but has helped equip them with skills that will support them beyond their life as a student.” Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Carol Tully commented: “I’m delighted
that this innovative support for some of the most challenged students is receiving national attention through this shortlisting. Bangor University has a long tradition of teaching excellence and excellent student care. This is just one of many innovations which enhance students’ experience at Bangor University.” The 14th annual THE Awards, known as the “Oscars of higher education” cover the full range of university activity in 18 categories. The winners will be revealed at a Gala event in London on 29 November. THE editor John Gill said: “Times Higher Education is extremely proud to host these awards once again. In yet another record year for entries, and with over 70 institutions represented on the shortlist, it’s a genuine privilege for the THE team and our judges to read through these many and varied tales of excellence from all corners of the UK. It’s a significant achievement to make this shortlist, and we look forward to honouring all the finalists at the Grosvenor in November.”
Bee ‘Backpacks’ Monitor Flights To Aid Decline Research by FINNIAN SHARDLOW
B Indian Supreme Court Landmark Ruling As They Decriminalise Homosexuality by JACK HOLLINSHEAD
F
or 160 years, the law in India banned homosexuality, as being deemed “against the order of nature”; whatever the order of nature is. Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code makes sex or marriage with persons of the same gender punishable by law. Well, thankfully, gratefully and most importantly, rightly, it doesn’t anymore because on September 6, 2018, the Supreme Court of India
decriminalised Section 377 making same sex relationships legal. The bench of five Supreme Court judges unanimously decided in favour of the decriminalising of gay sex, with the verdict stating many reasons, mainly pushed towards a violation of human rights and to eliminate the stigma associated with cultures and countries views towards the LGBT community. Before the decriminalisation, gay sex was punishable by up to ten years imprisonment.
angor University experts are pioneering “backpack” transmitters for bees. The technology, originally developed in 2015, is attached to bees so scientists can track their movements. The charge powers a signal, which can be followed by an overhead drone as the bees fly over a wide range. Scientists hope tracking them will provide clues as to why some pollinating insects are in decline. “Existing bee monitoring devices face limits due to their weight, range, and battery life duration and these are the problems that we’ve set out to resolve using cutting-edge micro-technology,” said Dr Cristiano Palego, from the University’s School of Electronic Engineering. “We have proven our ability to harvest the bee’s electrical energy to enable us to eliminate the need for a battery all together and our end product will weigh less than a half of bee’s body weight, or less than a raindrop.” Paul Cross, the University’s senior
lecturer in the environment, said the technology was “akin to a bee wearing a rucksack” to enable scientists to learn more about where they go. “Bee populations, our vital crop and fruit pollinators, are in serious decline. Their survival faces challenges on several fronts, insecticides and varroa mites to name a few,” he said. The project partner is the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association, with funding from the Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships Programme using European Social Funds. Some of the first flights were shown on the BBC’s Countryfile programme on Sunday. The experts revealed bees were put into cold temperatures to reduce their activity before the device was glued to their backs, prompting some concerns on social media about the technique and the size of the transmitter. The programme tweeted “no bees were harmed in the filming of this programme”. The University also tweeted to say that more work was being done to reduce the size of the device.
n eight-year old’s birthday party was responded to by police officers after someone had reported they heard machine gun fire. It turns out that there was gun fire coming from the party in Yaxham, Norfolk, but from the popular toy product of Nerf guns and the use of bangers. Thankfully, when police turned up, no harm had come to anyone, with parents and children alike still having a great time. The police officers kindly posed for photos with the kids who were unfazed by their arrival. What I like about this story, is that the police just let the children enjoy the rest of their day. When toy weapons like Nerf guns are used by kids, it does not mean they’re going to grow up into a life of violence. It is all about how they are educated in the ramifications of the real things, and I feel some of the reason for many of the tragic mass shootings we’re still experiencing around the world, especially the countless news reports from America, come from the relaxed teachings of such things.
Penrhyn Castle Film Set
by FINNIAN SHARDLOW
B
angor’s Penrhyn Castle is set to be turned into a professional film set. American Pay TV Service Home Box Office (HBO) will be filming in a variety of different rooms and areas throughout the castle and garden. HBO have given no clues as to what they’re filming. However, they have previously used the location as a setting for Game of Thrones, True Detective, The Leftovers, Westworld and Ballers. Film crews will arrive between the 10th and 14th September, with the production company onsite for the initial set-up, when the company will be ‘set dressing’ some rooms of the castle. Visitors will still be able to visit most of the usual parts of the castle and grounds with minimal disruption. From 17th September to 5th October, the castle will be closed on some weekdays while the crew are filming. During weekends, no filming will take place and the castle, gardens and railway museum will be open to visitors as normal. Once filming has finished, any rooms that have been used for filming will be reinstated. The castle and gardens fully open again from 13th October.
Mae eich
GWASTRAFF BWYD yn cael ei
ailgylchu’n YNNI sy’n pweru Prifysgol Bangor Your
FOOD
WASTE is
recycled
into
ENERGY
to power Bangor University
I ddarganfod rhagor, ewch at: / To find out more, visit: recycleforwales.org.uk/bangor
#CaruNeuaddau #LoveHalls
9
Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
POLITICS by KAYLEIGH LAVORNIA
T
Bangor University Debating Union
he Debating Union is the perfect place to learn about global controversies, participate in political conversations, and form opinions on situations everyone is talking about! From topics pertaining to a wide range of social and political issues, anything that can be covered will be covered. Our weekly circle debates take place on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 PM, with a meetup beforehand in the Main Arts foyer, and are incredibly relaxed to ensure people are able to participate as much or as little as they feel comfortable. For competitive sessions, the group meets on Sundays from 8 to 10 PM. People with a wide array of opinions are encouraged to join, and debates are always kept respectful. Additionally, the group heads to Belle Vue after every session to keep the conversation going! For more information, join the Bangor University Debating Union Facebook page, or contact president Natalia Taylor-Aurrekoetxea at psu670@bangor.ac.uk!
Sabb’s: What’s The Role?
Ruth Plant: President
Ruth is the chief officer of the Union and head of the Sabbatical Officer Team. As president, she is the chief representative of the Union to the University and the local community alongside local & national media, alongside being responsible for the coordination and drafting of the Union budget on behalf of the Board of Trustees and is the lead officer on matters relating to Union democracy and shall be responsible for upholding & interpreting the constitution. Along with all other officers, she shall coordinate, delegate the responsibility to staff and/or provide support for Union events. ruth.plant@undebbangor.com
Gethin Morgan:UMCB President
As President of the Welsh Student Union, it is Gethin’s responsibility to be responsible for its operation, ensuring that its groups have the resources and information they require to function, as well as liaising with the University on issues regarding Welsh language provision & widening participation amongst Welsh speakers, and to engage the local Welsh speaking community in the work of the Union alongside the Vice President for Societies and Volunteering on community work. Both Gethin and Ruth shall be expected to regularly provide articles for Union publications, including the website. gethin.morgan@undebbangor.com
Louise Fell: VP Sport & Healthy Living
The role of VP for Sport & Healthy Living requires Louise to be responsible for the operation and finances of the Athletics Union, ensuring that its clubs have the resources and information they require to function. Furthermore, she shall work with the University, local community and national bodies on sporting matters, whilst liaising with the Vice President for Societies and Volunteering and the UMCB President in coordinating a comprehensive training package for committee members of AU, Societies, Volunteering Groups and UMCB groups. louise.fell@undebbangor.com
Mark Barrow: VP Education & Welfare
Muhammad Firdaus: VP Societies and Community
It is Mark’s responsibility to work with the Sabbatical Officer Team to support and deliver the Union’s Welfare remit, including (and not limited to) Academic Welfare, Student Housing and Health Promotion, while being the Sabbatical liaison with Bangor University Student Services. He will also take the lead on matters relating to Equal Opportunities and be the officer responsible for the coordination of the Union’s role in the University’s course representative system, and work with the Sabbatical Officer Team to run change campaigns on matters of student welfare.
Muhammad will be the officer responsible for the Union’s societies remit, including being responsible for its operation and finances, and ensuring that its societies have the resources and information they require to function. He shall work with the Sabbatical Officer Team to support and deliver the Union’s Welfare remit, including (and not limited to) Academic Welfare, Student Housing & Health Promotion, and, along with all other Union officers, is expected to promote the values of the Union at all times and ensure that their work is properly and effectively communicated to students.
mark.barrow@undebbangor.com
muhammad.firdaus@undebbangor. com
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
10
COMMENT
5 Things I Would’ve Liked To Know When I Was A Fresher by SIMRAN PRASAD
F
resher’s Week is one of the most important events that commence your experiences at University. In a way, it represents the
1) Everyone’s trying to fit in:
It’s no surprise that everyone is as lost and confused as you! Everyone’s trying to find like-minded people and fit in and often people are apprehensive to meeting new people and forming friendships. I definitely approached new friendships with some degree of shyness but taking that step and making an effort has led to some of the closest friendships that I could have imagined!
2) Serendipity event:
Every year, Serendipity is held twice, and the event offers the chance to sign up for a variety of societies and sports clubs. The best advice I could give is to really evaluate the clubs and societies that seem in line with your interests. When I first went to Serendipity, I signed up for a variety of clubs that ranged from the nature wildlife preservation society, to jazz band, and
first impression you take away from University and usually this involves meeting new people, attending new events and involving yourself in new activities. My fresher’s week started off pretty stressful to be honest! I had
just moved from Dubai and being an International Student came with a lot of doubts. I was constantly worried about whether I would fit in and be liked by my flatmates and if I would find any activities or societies that
suited my interests. Other worries that surrounded me had to do with leaving my family and committing to this serious move, which involved a lot of distance that separated me and the people I knew back home. When
I look back at the experience, I’m reminded by a few memories that really made me feel comfortable. However, sometimes I wish I had known a couple things back when I felt so apprehensive about the experience.
unfortunately, I wanted to join more clubs than I could accommodate. I now opt for clubs and societies that I can actually balance with my academic schedule, and, in this way, I have the chance to enjoy the clubs that I am a part of with full focus and spirit!
you might end up losing interest completely, so commit to it as soon as you can!
when you feel down! Campus Life do movie nights, yoga sessions and Sunday Roasts which instantaneously make you feel at home with people you know!
24/7 Post Office Shop mid assignment completion at 2 am in the morning are all moments that remind me of the eventful first year that I had. Appreciating the little things makes university and its experiences that more special!
3) Make use of local activities that keep you on your feet!
As much as I aspire to go to the Gym and have a strict schedule, my laziness always seems to take over! I really wanted to keep active, and a great way to do that was to involve my friends. That way, we made sure to keep each other in check and maintain a constantly healthy lifestyle. We would attend Circuit Training sessions at the Gym, or even Zumba classes together! I was excited to exercise and have a group of friends that shared similar goals when it came to fitness. If you don’t start when you’re a fresher,
4) Homesickness blues never get old:
First year at university can be tough to deal with sometimes. As much as you’re excited about starting a new chapter in your life and pursuing something you love with new found friends beside you, the homesickness blues often creep in and you find yourself feeling a little less positive about the year ahead. It was definitely one of the biggest challenges of university life for me, and I often still face it. The best thing to do when you feel homesick is to interact with friends! Even if it’s a walk outside or a movie night in, spending time with someone will help you cope with the loneliness better! The university often has numerous fun events that happen on campus so take advantage of those
5) Don’t forget to make the most of every experience!
Whether it be a hike up to Roman Camp, a catch up dinner with your friends at Noodle One, or even those stressful days of completing an assignment; don’t forget to acknowledge every moment! First year passes by as quickly as it starts, and second year is no different! Getting caught up with activities and commitments often makes you lose sight of the achievements you’ve earned and the challenges you’ve overcome whilst at university, so remember to take a moment to acknowledge the memorable parts! Memorable antics with your flatmates, late night food halts at Bella Bella, or even quick trips to the
All in all, joining university can be exciting and nerve-wracking but opening yourself up to different people that come from different walks of life and different cultures helps support the ups and downs of university! Bangor has a great community of warm, friendly and approachable people who constantly extend a helping hand, so don’t be afraid to reach out! First year is an exciting time that offers the promise of much more to come in the future, so here’s hoping everyone has a memorable first year and start to university!
11
Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
H
UNION
SU Backs Landlord Rating System
ave you lived in house that had loads of problems, which students should avoid at all costs? Or have you lived in a house with a helpful and supportive landlord, who you would like to promote to other students? Either way, your Students’ Union believes that you should have more
information before signing up to a property. Undeb Bangor are collaborating with Marks Out Of Tenancy, a review platform where students can openly share their rental experiences. You are able to rate your landlord and/ or letting agent, the house you lived in, and the location of the house. Future
students can then use this information to find accommodation that is suitable for them. At Undeb Bangor, we think it is vital that students are given honest and up to date feedback before signing a contract. That is why we have joined other Students’ Unions across the UK, including Oxford, Brighton and
Newcastle, in providing you with a trustworthy reviewing platform. ‘’One of the reasons I chose to stand as a Sabbatical Officer was to try and improve the housing situation in Bangor. I have heard too many stories of students signing up for a house before finding out there are major problems. By using Marks Out Of Tenancy, we are
providing a practical way of ensuring students can access honest feedback, from other students, before signing a contract’’ – Mark Barrow, Vice President for Education. You can share your rental experience on https://www.marksoutoftenancy. com/. Together, we can make renting more honest and open across Bangor.
SEPTEMBER - SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER - OCTOBER
� �
E
ST
�
Plastic Awareness Campaign #MakeBangorGreenAgain
ach year 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced and 40% of it is single-use, meaning it is only used once before being thrown away. This means that eight million tonnes of plastic enters our oceans each year! At Undeb Bangor, we believe that we have to take practical steps to reduce our plastic waste. Our plastic awareness campaign is ongoing throughout the year, to raise awareness of ways in which all of us can reduce our plastic consumption.
We all saw the scale of the problem in David Attenborough’s TV series, ‘Blue Planet II’, and it is crucial that we respond to the plastic crisis. We are creating ‘top tip’ videos of simple but effective ways to counter this problem. If you think you have a ‘top tip’, please get in touch and we can add it to our list! We are also working closely with the University’s Catering team, to promote their reusable Americano coffee mugs. In the UK, we get through 2.5 billion
disposable coffee cups each year, but by getting one of our reusable mugs, which you can do from any of the University’s food outlets, you will be actively making a difference. It also means you get a 10p reduction on any hot drink! Each of the University’s food outlets is also a water refill point. Our focus on plastic awareness is on the back of our continued success in the Green Impact Award, a sustainability accreditation scheme run by NUS. Throughout the year, there will be many
ways in which you can get involved with our campaign, from taking part in community litter picks, to investing in a reusable American mug. We will also be operating a number of beach cleans throughout the year. The first one of these is on 29 September - we will be meeting at Ffriddoedd Village at 1pm. Please also feel free to send us a short ‘top tip’ video, to enlighten your fellow students of simple ways in which they can reduce their plastic consumption.
We will post up to date information on our website and social media channels, and you are always welcome to call into your Students’ Union to discuss this campaign! For further information, please contact your Vice President for Education, Mark Barrow, at mark. barrow@undebbangor.com, or add his Facebook page - https://www.facebook. com/undeb.ed.7.
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
12
SABB SPACE
VP EDUCATION UPDATE
Huge progress in first two months!
It is hard to believe I’ve only been your Vice President for Education for just two months – it already feels like I’ve been here for ages! It would be easy for me to say that I’ve spent these first few weeks settling in, and getting to know people. That is true, of course, but I’ve been doing a lot more things besides that, in my attempts to enhance your students experience during the next academic year.
Sexual Harassment
Back in the office, I have made progress in regards to all my priorities for the next year, in line with my manifesto. So far, I have dedicated lots of
my time to a Sexual Harassment prevention campaign, which will start on 26 November. I am pleased to say this campaign is coming together really well. The campaign will be launched through a campaign video, which I have already secured funding for. The video will consist of several students, and staff members, outlining just what Sexual Harassment is, and where victims can seek professional help, within the University. Following the release of the video, the campaign will be very visible across Bangor. I am in the process of setting up our own ‘Reclaim the Night’ event, which will reiterate that every person is safe to walk around Bangor during darkness. The campaign will see parts of
the University’s Sexual Violence policy written on our huge, movable whiteboard, which students can add their names to, thereby conveying our unity against Sexual Harassment. Keep an eye out for updates on this campaign, and for exciting ways for you to be involved.
Housing Campaigns
I have also been working on two housing campaigns, which also align with my manifesto. Firstly, I have been working in partnership with ‘Marks Out Of Tenancy’, which you can read more about on page 11. I’ve also been planning a ‘Don’t Panic’ campaign, which is going to be held between 13 and 15 November. The purpose of this campaign is to provide
students with detailed information about the accommodation in Bangor, and to reassure you that there is no need to panic into signing a contract!
Contacting me
I’m hoping to have all my campaigns planned ahead of Welcome Week. From then on I will be very busy helping and advising students, along with getting to know the different Course Reps! If you would like to contact me, please remember that I have an ‘open door’ policy, so feel free to come into the Students’ Union for a chat. Otherwise, my email address is mark. barrow@undebbangor.com. You can also add me on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/undeb.ed.7
VP SOCIETIES UPDATE
C
roeso i Fangor! Welcome to Bangor! My name is Muhammad Firdaus and I am your Vice President for Societies & Volunteering here at the Undeb Bangor Students' Union. I was elected last year to this Sabbatical Officer post by you to be responsible for student societies and volunteering projects, as well as to represent the students involved in them. It is a fulltime job I take very seriously, and I will need your help this year to do it right! Did you know that all of Undeb Bangor's student opportunities clubs, societies, volunteering projects - are free to join? Just head over to www.undebbangor.com/ and check them out! One of the greatest challenges of a Sabbatical Officer, in my opinion, is in engaging with students. I mean genuinely engaging: getting to know what students think, feel, and want on the issues that affect them. I can't represent you unless I get to know you! Before I was elected, I was a Linguistics undergraduate involved in many different societies and clubs (well, just the one club, really). It was easy to interact with a wide range of students then - you get a different sort of crowd in a student radio station (Storm FM), for example, than you get in the International Students society, or the Islamic society, or the Writer's Guild society. I'll leave you to find out
about the Jitsu club yourself. I was plugged in to the communities I was part of and knew their challenges and their strengths. I also learned that change - real, lasting change comes only from the ground up, from students who genuinely want to see it happen, and through collaboration. That's why I've teamed up with Seren, your student-led and studentrun newspaper, and asked them to give your Sabbatical Officers a page where they can directly communicate with you - and give you the chance to communicate with us! In each free monthly issue of Seren this year, I hope to be able to let you know what's happening around Undeb Bangor from my perspective, and in exchange I'd like you to let me know what you think about it! Just email me at muhammad. firdaus@undebbangor.com with your thoughts, opinions, reactions, and/or criticisms, and I promise you I will read and listen. Alternately, look for Muhammad Firdaus Undeb Bangor on Facebook and message me there. You could even drop in to the Undeb Bangor office on Pontio Level 4 and look for me there. I enjoy visitors so much, I have a chessboard and a drawer full of tea (bags, not liquid) for just such an occasion!
My Priorities for the Year
Those of you who were around for
my election campaign may remember that I ran not on policies, but on personal qualities. I did not promise anybody that I would do this or that while in office, but I did promise I would do this job with Honesty, Diplomacy, Skill and Experience. I did this because I did not want to make promises I would ultimately be unable to keep, and I also wanted to be free to focus on what actually needs improving - not what I think ought to be improved. After an entire summer working to lay the foundations of the academic year ahead, here are the areas I wish to focus on: - Promote awareness volunteering projects.
for
our
We have almost 50 volunteering projects, all of them do amazing things for the environment and the community, and I want you to know what we do there. - Reduce unnecessary bureaucracy in Undeb Bangor for student societies & volunteering projects. Health & Safety is necessary. Constitutions are necessary. But student opportunities should be kept as accessible and easy to engage in by students as possible. Encourage sustainability in student societies, financially and
organisationally. I want to encourage reliable systems of fundraising unique to each society that will make them less dependent on society grants. I also want to emphasise the importance of solid handovers from old committees to new ones. - Develop our student media societies and encourage a student journalism culture. We live in the age of social media and instant information. Our student media societies must be given the support to reflect that emphasis. A thriving student media allows student groups to broadcast their message, and a strong student journalism culture can only improve how Undeb Bangor functions. Increase representation for International and Liberation (LGBT+, BAME, Disabled, Trans, Women) students. I cannot promise a revolution, only that I want to improve representation and support for international and liberation groups within Undeb Bangor Students' Union. It will be a big task, but I will do what I can. The wonderful thing about Bangor is that anything can be achieved if you are prepared to try. If we work together to support one another, I am convinced it will be a good year for all of us.
UMCB PRESIDENT
M
y name is Gethin Morgan and I’m the President of the Welsh Students’ Union (UMCB) here at Bangor University and am a part of your Sabbatical Team. For you who don’t know me, I graduated this year from the School of Welsh, I come from an agricultural background, and am from Lampeter, South Ceredigion. The aim of the UMCB is simple – to promote the academic and social matters that arise in Bangor with regards to the Welsh Language. And throughout the year, I hope to make Undeb Bangor a beacon of bilingualism. If you are an English speaker, and would like to get more engaged with the language or culture – please call into the office at any time. I will not rant on with regards of what I hope to do throughout the year- all will be on the Undeb Website in due course. The Welsh Language is important to us here at Bangor so please take every opportunity to engage and embrace. Please get in touch if you’d like to learn more! My e-mail is Gethin. morgan@undebbangor.com
Any questions?
COME AND SEE US Undeb Bangor 4th Floor Pontio
AILGYLCHWCH RECYCLE yr holl eitemau hyn
all of these items
o’ch
YSTAFELL WELY from your
BEDROOM o’ch
CEGIN
from your
KITCHEN
o’ch
YSTAFELL YMOLCHI from your
BATHROOM I ddarganfod rhagor, ewch at: / To find out more, visit: recycleforwales.org.uk/bangor
WRAP_Rooms_A4.indd 1
#CaruNeuaddau #LoveHalls
26/08/2016 12:07
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
14
CAMPUS LIFE
W
elcome to Bangor. We’re the Campus Life Crew and we can’t wait to meet you! There are 10 of us on the team, living at both Ffridd and St Mary’s Village and we rock hi-vis orange hoodies so you cannot miss us! To kick off the first ever Campus Life page we have some top tips to help you cruise through the next few weeks:
Make sure you check out your Welcome Week Diary.
In here, you will find everything you
need to know about life at Bangor. From academic info to support services and welcome week events to maps of the area, it has it all! If you left your copy at home, don’t worry, it can be found at www.bangor.ac.uk/ welcomeweek
Bangor Basics is the mustnot-miss event of welcome week! Here you can find the
lowdown regarding getting a parttime job whilst studying, info about student finance (and top tips on how to save), meet your Residential
DOWNLOAD
OUR FREE
CAMPUS LIFE APP TO KEEP
UP TO DATE W ITH EVERYTHING
Show that neighbourly spirit! Some of your new neighbours
may be struggling with homesickness in the first few weeks. Doing something as simple as offering a panad (Welsh for a cuppa), can go a long way to help them settle in. Download the Campus Life app. It’s free in both the English and Welsh language. On here, you can meet the team, see photos from recent events, report maintenance issues in your rooms, book communal spaces as well as a whole host of other useful and
great features! It’s available on Apple and Android, just search Campus Life Bangor University / Campws Byw Prifysgol Bangor. We are a very accessible bunch! You can get in contact through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, the Campus Life app or by emailing campuslife@ bangor.ac.uk if you have any questions or concerns about life in halls. See you at an event soon!
Must not miss events this September 10am-12pm
Friday 21st Bangor Basics Braint Common Room / 122pm
Campus Life are supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Hot drinks and delicious treats are available from Bar Uno and Barlows for a small charity donation.
An exhibition style event in Braint common room for everything you need to know about life at Bangor University. Pop by anytime between 12pm and 2pm for the low down from our university experts.
Sunday 30th Open Mic Night Acapela / 8pm
Come along and showcase your talent, or just come along to support the performers! Limited FREE drinks available. Book your performance slot by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Monday 24th Quiz Night Bar Uno and Barlows / 7.30pm
Come along with your new neighbours and battle it out against each other, for your first chance of bragging rights!
Thursday 27th Best of Bangor Braint Common Room and Barlows / 6-7pm
The Campus Life Crew know the best spots around the area for photo ops, late night eateries, chill out areas and watering holes. Come along to find out all the secrets and ensure you have the best year ever!
Friday 28th World’s Biggest Coffee Morning Bar Uno and Barlows /
Y N C Y FLW Y N O P R E S E N T S
@
S T
OPEN
M A R Y ’ S
NIGHT
GOING ON!
Mentor team, find out how recycling in North Wales works and with much more! We will be in Braint Common Room on Ffridd Village from 12-2pm on Friday 21st Sept. Check out your halls Facebook page – every block has one. It is a great way to meet people and help build your halls community. Don’t forget to find Campus Life online across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We’ll keep you up to date on what’s going on across the campus villages, University and local area alongside sharing photos from our events!
MIC SUNDAY.8PM
30.09.18 28.10.18 25.11.18 Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
FILM NIGHT
V I L L A G E
IMPROV
NIGHT
SUNDAY.8PM
14.10.18 09.12.18 Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
21.09.18 01.11.18 04.10.18 15.11.18 18.10.18 23.11.18 FREE POPCORN 13.12.18
8PM
15
Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
Getting Around Bangor
TRAVEL
Train Journeys Home
T
ravelling around Bangor is super simple. You can’t really go wrong, but it might take a while to learn your way around – I know it did for me! You can get to most places in Bangor by walking – boots will be your best friend – but there are some buses you can take if you really need to get around. The main hub for all your directions will either be Main Arts or Pontio, and the two are so close together it’s hard to get lost going from one to the other! Main Arts is on College Road, which leads on to Holyhead Road to the right (which takes you to Menai Bridge) and Belle Vue on your left. Head past Belle Vue to get to Morrison’s (as well as Dimensions, the Vintage shop and Bella Bella) and then to your right is the road that leads to Ffridd. Another famous site is Glanrafon Hill, otherwise known as Bitch Hill – you’ll learn why it got this nickname quickly enough… just maybe don’t walk up it with all your shopping! Head down Bitch Hill and you’ll get to the bottom of Pontio (you can take the lift up Pontio if you don’t fancy walking back up!), where you’ll find yourself in Lower Bangor. The main road will lead you to Academi, Asda, some other University buildings on your right, and Storiel, the bus station and Aldi on your left. Keep walking past Aldi and you’ll get to Dean Street and Cube. You can get to the High Street, Ffriddoedd Road, really easily from the bottom of Pontio – just cross the road and go straight ahead, where you’ll reach The Castle on your right (a pub, not a historical building!). Head either way for shops and pubs - there’s no shortage of pubs to choose from! If you want to head to the pier, you can go left all the way down the High Street, and eventually you’ll be able to see the Menai Strait. Just go left when you get there, and the pier is just a little walk from there! You’ll learn your way around Bangor soon enough, so don’t panic – it took me a while before I knew where everything was! If you get lost though, just keep walking, and eventually you’ll find your way back as Bangor’s nice and small, so you won’t be lost for long.
by SOPHIE JAMES
M
oving away from home can be difficult, especially when you don’t know anyone in your new surroundings. That’s why within my first week of being in uni, I decided to book my first train home. I wasn’t feeling very homesick, as I thankfully felt really comfortable in my flat, and got along with my flatmates. However, I thought it’d be a good idea to have something to look forward to, and that I did! I booked the train for the second weekend of October, and then didn’t really think much more of it. When it came to it however, as excited as I was to go home, I wasn’t prepared. I mean, I’d packed my bag, I’d brought my textbooks with me to work on the train...but I hadn’t prepared myself properly for the train journey! This might sound a little odd - how much do you really need to prepare yourself before taking the train? Well for me, and probably for a lot of other people, the train was about 5 hours and had a change…so I needed to plan ahead! The second time I went home, I’d planned properly – so I thought I’d share what I did differently…
Railcard
I did remember to use this the first time, but I thought I’d mention it for the sake of it. I purchased a railcard and it’s honestly such a good deal! I hadn’t thought that I would even use it, but I made the money back within
the first two trips. I bought a 1 year one, and had discount on it thanks to my NUS card (another staple I’d recommend!) and instead of paying around £40 per ticket I’ve been paying £20-25!
Food
Normally I’m pretty good with planning snacks and meals, but I hadn’t planned my food for my first journey home...and it wasn’t until half an hour into the trip that I realised what a mistake that had been! I had sweets, but they weren’t going to fill me up! The second time I cooked two veggie burgers (by Cauldron), crisps, plenty of water, fruit AND sweets - not JUST sweets!
Change
I’m a big tea drinker, so when the trolley comes around I tend to get a cup to quench my thirst. The mistake I made on that first train was that I didn’t have any change...so I couldn’t get my much-needed cuppa. The second time, you guessed it, I made sure to have some change handy, and I happily enjoyed my peppermint tea. Also, if, like me, you’re starting to become a bit more environmentally aware, I’d recommend bringing a reusable coffee cup too, to save getting a paper one!
Water
Whilst tea is obviously a necessity, water is definitely more refreshing. I always make sure to take two full bot-
tles of water with me, just in case – especially if the journey is a long one!
Luggage
When I go home I tend to take some laundry – we’re students! We can’t not! - so when it came to taking it home I found myself lugging a big blue bag of clothes onto the train, as well as my backpack. On my return home though, I pinched the smallest suitcase from home, and chucked everything in there, so it’s a lot easier to handle!
Headphones
People are SO. ANNOYING. So when I realised that I’d left my earphones in the flat I was devastated - I don’t wanna hear people’s conversations, or the sound of chewing, and when I want to snooze music just helps! So, of course, I packed my headphones… AND my earphones, just in case!
Kindle/book
I am a big bookworm, so when it comes to occupying myself on the train I love to have something to read. However, if I’m right at the end of a book then I worry I’m going to finish it on the train – so instead I’ll bring my Kindle, where I can finish a book and then just start another one. Plus, my Kindle takes up much less room than one book, let alone two, and I can always use it to download lecture slides and copy out notes too.
Work
I remembered to take work with me on my first journey home, which was a good shout as it gave me something to do. The downside was that I was pretty tired after a while, and didn’t end up doing much. So don’t bring too much or too little – if you’re going home for a couple of days, just stick to a set of lecture notes, paper, pens and a textbook; you don’t need to bring everything!
Netflix
Whilst getting work done on the train is great, I found myself longing for something to watch when it got to 9-ish. Downloading a couple of shows or a film onto your phone is such a great aspect of the Netflix app - highly recommended!!
Bits and bobs
There are a couple of things that you might find you need on a train journey – the things you might not think of that your mum always seems to have in her bag! Don’t forget things like gum, tissues, paracetamol and hand sanitiser (for those gross toilets on the train). After making this list for myself I thankfully had a much more enjoyable second trip home – I saved myself suffering hunger pangs and boredom, and got home much happier! To be fair, I think you’d be alright with a Morrison’s meal deal and a book, but I always like to be a bit more prepared!
Places To Visit In And Around Bangor by SOPHIE JAMES
Travel-Related Welsh Words Car – Car Train – Trên Bus – Bws Bike - Beic Journey – Taith To Travel – Teithio Ticket – Ticed Beach – Traeth City - Dinas
Beaumaris Menai Bridge
Penrhyn Castle
Snowdonia
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
16
FOOD & DRINK
H
PAIGE BROOK FOOD & DRINK SUB-EDITOR food@seren.bangor.ac.uk
Top Takeaway Of The Month
ello and welcome one and all to this new semester! I’m sure you’re all ready and raring to get to lectures, make new friends, and experience the wonders of Bangor. After a glorious night out at Cube or Academi, your palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. There's vomit on your sweater already; mum's spaghetti - you’re nervous because your cupboard is already empty. Hold your horses before attempting to trek into the wilderness and/or any hills. For I shall present to you the beautiful world of ordering food
online. Bangor’s already depleting food sources, grows thinner and thinner by day, this resembles the unfortunate “error 404” on one delivery’s site. Failing for now two years to recognise my postcode in the high valleys, due to a “temporary” problem on the site leaves us only wondering why one delivery has unfortunately let not only you, but all of us down. Yet, there’s always a silver lining to every dark cloud and these indeed take the form of Deliveroo and Just-Eat. These wondrous creations offer a
never ending (13) list of restaurants ready to deliver to your door. Likewise, Dobby, only ever asking for a token of gratitude. However, I wouldn’t advise tipping in the form of a used sock. Some of the many fine cuisines include KFC, the Belle Vue, Chippy and Spice, and many more. All at your doorstep, these fine establishments offer a fantastic service for the drunk and hungover of Bangor. I can, from personal experience, highly recommend this service under any occasion.
More Than Meats The Eye
Free Food For Freshers Campus Life caters for a wide range of activities, but if your fridge is ever running low, these are a few key dates you should keep in mind. Run by the Campus Life Mentors, these events aim to make integrating into a new environment more fun and more relaxing too. Making new friends and learning new recipes could never be easier! Be sure to check them out around university and ask any questions, John loves questions. Remember to book in advance if necessary, but you can find all details and more events on a Campus Life poster or online at: bangor.ac.uk/campus-life/index.php. en
BRAINT
by PAIGE BROOK
R
by PAIGE BROOK
emember the whole palaver regarding horse meat in your spaghetti? Well time to buckle in fellas because this 2012 crime wave is still riding. It was found that more than a fifth of samples of meat products tested by the UK’s food watchdog contained the DNA of animals not mentioned on the label. Ay, caramba!
The British Food Standards Agency (FSA) found that 145 items out of 665 that it sampled in 2017 consisted partly or wholly of unspecified meat. Talk about more bang for your buck. In total, 73 of the contaminated samples came from retailers, including three supermarkets. A further 50 came from restaurants, while 22 originated from manufacturing or food processing plants. The FSA said the results, accessed under a freedom of
information request by the BBC, were consistent with “deliberate inclusion”. Responding to the news of pork being found in meat sold as lamb, kosher agency the Kashrut Division London Beth Din (KLBD) said there was “a lack of transparency” in some parts of the food industry. To which I think we all can agree, for the majority we are blindly believing the label in front of the produce.
B
ack to school and back to life, the first of this semester’s top takeaway has fallen upon the lap of KFC; available on Deliveroo and in store! Personal favourites include the Mega Bucket and the Boneless Banquet. If you’re after something with a little more pizazz, try the Wicked Zinger Tower Meal. Box meals are ideal for sitting by yourself at the weekend binging on Netflix.
BAR UNO
Mighty Bucket For One Two Mini Breast Fillets Two Hot Wings Two Original Piece Chicken Pieces Regular Fries Regular Side Regular Drink
PJ HALL
Crust Me, I’m A Doctor
All these wonderful delights for the price of £6.19.
Dipping Boneless Feast 12 Mini Breast Fillets Large Popcorn Chicken 4 Regular Fries 2 Large Sides Drink Bottle 4 Dips
BARLOWS
Friday 14th September Meet and Mingle 5.30pm Saturday 15th September Mocktails and Canapes 5.30pm Sunday 16th September Barlows Live Lounge 8.00pm Monday 17th September Big Win Bingo! 7.30pm Wednesday 19th September Free Breakfast Baps 9.00am Tuesday 25th September Learn to Cook – Indian 7.00pm Friday 14th September Meet and Mingle 5.30pm Saturday 15th September Campus Life BBQ 4.00pm Saturday 15th September Mocktails and Canapes 5.30pm Wednesday 19th September Free Breakfast Baps 9.00am Thursday 20th September Free Campus Life Curry and Karaoke 7.00pm Sunday 23rd September Sunday Roast 6.00pm (booking campuslife@ bangor.ac.uk)
EDITOR RECCOMENDS:
SHARING WITH FLATMATES:
Monday 17th September Big Win Bingo! 7.30pm Friday 28th September Ice Cream Party 7.00pm
by PAIGE BROOK
Y
our midnight hunger buster solved by a personal sized pepperoni? But maybe your eyes were bigger than your belly and now you’ve woken up spooning the box the next morning. If your pizza has been sitting out for more than two hours, it is not safe to eat. No, seriously! Don’t you do it!
But unfortunately, yes, according to the U.S Department of Agriculture, all perishable foods, including pizza, are not safe to eat after sitting at room temperature overnight. Honestly, I’m wiping away the tears from my eyes as I type this. This rule holds true whether your pizza has meat on it or not. By leaving your pizza out at room temperature, you are increasing your risk of being contaminated by foodborne illnesses. Worth the risk
though, right? They go further by saying that if your pizza has been refrigerated at a temperature lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it's safe to eat up to four days. If you want to eat a slice that's been sitting in the fridge for five days, it's generally okay too—but after four days your risk of getting a foodborne illness increases and who wants that?!
Friday 14th September 7.00pm
Twmpath
FRIDD
Saturday 15th September Meet at the Marquee 12.00pm Sunday 16th September Meet at the Marquee 12.00pm
ST MARY’S
Saturday 15th September Meet at the Marquee 12.00pm Saturday 15th September Campus Life BBQ 4.00pm Sunday 16th September Meet at the Marquee 12.00pm Sunday 16th September Barlows Live Lounge 8.00pm
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Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
LIFESTYLE
Freshers’ Survival Guide
Freshers’ Flu: A Student Epidemic by COURTNEY MCHUGH
E
very university has a Freshers’ Week and as daunting as this jam-packed week is, it is just as exciting. This week will introduce you to new places, friends and activities. It can be difficult stepping foot onto the student campuses (Ffriddoedd Village or St Mary’s Village) knowing that in a few hours you will experience a certain independence you will not be familiar with. This unfamiliarity with your surroundings and new-found independence can affect the way in which you celebrate your Freshers’ Week. Here are 5 tips to achieve a smooth-sailing Freshers’:
1) Budgeting
Most of you will already know that university can be quite costly, so it is important that you plan a budget. It
is likely that Freshers’ Week is going to burn a hole in your pocket but if you create a plan in which you allocate a specific amount of money that you can spend in a week, you should be able to live comfortably until your next student finance loan arrives.
2) Campus Life
Campus Life is a programme of free events for students who live in Bangor’s halls of residence. The Campus Life programme offers a range of different activities including film nights, quiz nights and ‘Learn to Cook’ nights. They also have a couple of events in which you can get free food such as curry and Sunday roasts. The free events that Campus Life offers creates an unforgettable Freshers’ without costing you a penny. Better yet, these events are held throughout the entire year!
3) Nightlife
As Bangor is such a small city, it is easy to navigate your way around. Everything is in walking distance – the university, the high street and the clubs. Currently, Bangor has two nightclubs: Cube and Academi. Academi is located at the bottom of Glanrafon Hill (also known as B*tch Hill – you will soon learn why!) and Cube is on the high street. Due to the location of these clubs, it is worth putting away your gorgeous heels and donning some trainers for your club visits. In trainers, walking up the hill will feel a little bit easier!
4) Socialising
A stereotype about university life is that the majority of your time is spent drinking at the local pubs or dancing at the clubs. If you want it to be that way for you, go ahead! Drinking is not
the be all and end all of socialisation at university, however. Another way to socialise is through Bangor’s awardwinning clubs and societies. With over 150 to choose from and all abilities able to join, the world is your oyster. Bangor’s Serendipity Freshers’ Fair takes place on the 19th and 20th of September 2018 where you can find out much more about all of our clubs and societies.
5) Learn to balance work and fun
It can be hard to figure out the balance between your academic studies and social opportunities. Every student is going to face the inevitable hungover 9am lecture but it is important to not let your social commitments hinder your work as well as maintaining a decent social life and an efficient workload.
by COURTNEY MCHUGH
T
he common cold branded by the British public as ‘Freshers’ Flu’ will affect the majority of first year students during Freshers’ week. Unfortunately, the notorious flu is practically unavoidable during your induction week. It is likely that the flu is caused or worsened by the lack of sleep, the poor diet (alcohol and drinks) and stress. If you want to get back to feeling like yourself in no time at all, remember to drink plenty of water and catch up on the sleep you have lost. If the stress you feel is affecting your mood, studies or behaviour, please reach out to a friend or a mental health adviser at Bangor University’s Student Services by phoning 01248 383620/ 382032.
Fuel For Freshers’
An Old View For A ‘Fresher’ Start by RORY FORMSTONE ROBERTS
by COURTNEY MCHUGH
T
akeaways often become a staple piece of a student’s diet as they are cheap and accessible. Yet, after the week of Freshers’ where you have gorged at every takeaway in the city you will have to brave going into your kitchen and making your own meal. These 3 meals are my favourites and are cheap and easy to make and *shock* they do not have to be made in the microwave:
Pasta-bake
This meal is a firm favourite of mine for many different reasons. Pasta bakes are versatile and can be accommodated to the dietary needs of others (i.e vegetarian and vegan) through a simple change of meat for vegetables (vegetarian) and changing to a vegan pasta. They are versatile as it can be cooked in bulk and transferred into tupperware boxes to eat for the
rest of the week.
Stir-fry
This nutritious meal is easily adaptable and quick to make. A variety of different meats can be used in a stir-fry along with a variety of different sauces. As stir-fry is so easy to adapt, even if you begin to eat it several times in a week, you can always change it up!
Wrap Pizzas
This one is self-explanatory – all you will need is a wrap, tomato purée (or a sauce of your choice) and the toppings of your choice. These are simple and easy to make. Firstly, you need a wrap to place the toppings on to. Cover your wrap in tomato purée on one side. On top of the sauce, add your selected toppings. Pop it into the oven for around about 10 minutes on 200 degrees and there you have it, a delicious crispy homemade pizza!
A
re you ready to leave yet? screams Mum, softly in her way, up the stairs. “Just let me grab my guitar”, followed by “I will definitely need that”. “I will leave without you in a minute!”, hollered Dad. “Where are you going to go without me?... I’m the reason we are going to Bangor!”. This is it, the big step into my University life. (don don don) Does this sound familiar, maybe like your morning of leaving for university? A lot of people anticipate the dreaded drive up, with butterflies stirring in the bottom of their stomach and working their way up the body. Some cry, some laugh, and some ponder over memories that will keep them warm at night; but the desire to progress in life is shared by all. It is hard to take that step into the unknown. I did it with not knowing anyone; coming into a new place and starting fresh. I remember entering the halls that I would call home for a year, with
a sweaty brow and fear tingling my fingertips. The corridor seemed endless to walk towards my room. Each step I took pushed me deeper into my shell until I was too flustered to talk. Words were lodged in my throat and suppressed by my heavy lips. I am a confident person who loves to chat, but this was different; I was going to be living with these strangers. I was stuck for words, but you know what they say, ‘family always has your back’. In comes Mum with “Is there any space for Rory’s things?”. Everyone froze, hoping there was. My flatmates’ first interaction was not with me but with my Mum. This remarkable woman is where I get my courage from, whereas my stamina is evident through my phenomenal Dad. Having my parents help me move in provided comfort and support. By having them there I was also able to break the awkwardness of meeting new people. Mum and Dad enabled me with the ability to just be me. My freshers’ week was fantastic. It held host to dance parties, karaoke,
beer pong and uncontrollable laughter prompted by foil mask making. I experienced joy, excitement, enthusiasm and down moments due to missing home; but over the first week the flat bonded with each other and became a team. Times change and people move onto different stages in life and become distant, but your flatmates are the ones that will always be in your corner. So take freshers’ week in your arms and run with it. Yes, the days might be long but the the nights are even longer. These are the moments in your university life that you will always remember. Make freshers’ week into something b-e-a-you-tiful and start fresh(er). Making the most out of a new week of adventures; it’s like a microcosm of real-life. A new adventure awaits around every corner; so run as fast as you can, jump as high as you can and be the person you are truly meant to be. You can do hard thing! An Old View for a ‘Fresher’ Start
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
18
FASHION
How To Look Mint When You’re Skint
by ISABELLA MARIA TIMPANY
A
chieving an updated wardrobe and staying on top of the hottest trends can be difficult when you’re on a budget. Freshers
week can cripple you, physically and financially. Don’t stress, Seren Fashion has got you. With these money saving tips you can look on-point all year round.
Create a ‘Capsule Wardrobe’
A Guide To Thrifting Like A Pro
Thrift On The Streets:
Pop-up vintage stalls and kilo sales There are many pop-up vintage stalls that travel around Universities all over the UK, selling anything from cowboy boots to vintage levis. Kilo sales are also great value for money as you pay per KG of clothes,1KG tends to be priced around £15. So keep your eyes peeled for posters and facebook events to bag yourself the WAVIEST of garms. Charity shops Bangor may not be blessed with the broadest selection of high fashion clothes shops, however it does have an extensive range of charity shops: Red Cross, Cancer Research, Wales Air Ambulance, to name a few. If you don’t mind sifting through the junk and can get past the funky smell, charity shops can be the perfect place to thrift (often much cheaper than vintage shops). Not to mention it’s always good to give to charity, shopping without the guilt - it’s a win-win. Keep your mind open to the possibilities of what you mights find and don’t be afraid to modify clothes...get creative. Keep a look out for designer brands if you like your labels.
Thrift Online:
Depop Depop is an easy to use app which allows anyone to buy and sell new or used clothes. It’s much more straightforward than ebay, there is more choice and appeals to a younger audience. Top tips: search keywords or similar words when searching for a particular item. Beware of fake designer merchandise - look for pictures of labels or proof of purchase shown in pictures. Chances are if it’s too good to be true (price wise) it probably is! Haggle! But be polite and make sensible offers. ISO ‘In Search Of’ posts are great when searching for an item you can’t find on the app, allowing sellers to contact you directly. ASOS marketplace ASOS marketplace is a section of the ASOS website which allows small businesses to sell their own label or vintage collections. It’s essentially a collection of vintage shops online and of course has a much larger variety of clothes than your local vintage shop.
Are you a surfer dude? Or an urban hipster? Try choosing a theme/colour/ style so that all your wardrobe items compliment one another. This makes
throwing on an outfit in the morning quick, stress free and ultimately successful. Pick a style, collect and develop it by shopping at similar brands.
Choose a colour that really suits you, so you are always looking your best.
A
create a new look. Men, a well fitted, good quality shirt & suit trousers is all you need.
son. Think big shoulders, corduroy trousers and boho dresses. You never know what your parents might have hung onto over the years.
Have Your Staples
key to having a capsule wardrobe is having your basics. A good pair of jeans is essential in your wardrobe and a good quality plain white t-shirt can go a long way. Well fitting clothes, good quality clothes are vital. Dress for your own body shape and work out what suits you. Get measured. A good bra or pair of jeans can last you years, meaning you don’t have to keep replacing your basics. Have staples for smart looks as well as casual. Ladies, a LBD (little black dress) can be worn over and over again with different accessories to
Good stores for basics: UNIQLO H&M Levis Zara Basic ASOS Marks & Spencers
Raid & Borrow (with permission!)
It’s time to raid your parents (and grandparents) wardrobes. 70’s and 80’s looks are ALL the range this sea-
Sample Sales
Check out the Sample Sales Calendar local to you. You can bag designer brands for a fraction of the price! You can find them on sites such as Gilt.com and Ruelala.com or in showrooms and warehouses. Often you can save another 10-20% if you wait until the final hours of the sale, so be strategic on timing!
Helpful Applications Retailmenot.com / Vouchercodes.com
This website offers you cash back, coupons, online codes etc. It also shows you all the discounts and deals in your current location, as well as online stores.
Shoptagr
This helpful little app allows you to track fashion items’ changing prices, just choose which colour and size you prefer, ‘tag’ the item and and you will receive a notification when it drops in price.
Honey
Honey is a browser extension that automatically applies discount codes meaning you don’t have to search for the coupons yourself!
UniDays
UniDays is a fantastic app for students, it gives you access to the best student discounts online and in-store.You can use it on ASOS, TOPSHOP, Urban Outfitters, Missguided and most leading brands. And even better, it’s free!
Klarna
Pay with Klarna allows you to order items and pay later. If you hate trying on clothes in changing rooms like me this app is very helpful. Order your items, send back what you don’t like and pay for what you keep!
Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
I LAURA PÄTÄRI ARTS & CULTURE SUB-EDITOR arts@seren.bangor.ac.uk
’ve lived in Bangor, Gwynedd for over two years running. From a clueless fresher to a veteran third year, Bangor has revealed itself a surprisingly cultural hub, even in its small size. With easy links to the vibrant Anglesey and areas throughout North Wales, there are countless little local corners to explore that celebrate local artistry, culture
19
ARTS & CULTURE and the Welsh heritage. Staying within the city, one has only their imagination and a few Google searches in their way to finding innovative, cozy events run by visiting and local businesses, sometimes even students.
If you’ve freshly arrived to Bangor or been enjoying your time for a few years, these pages are there to support your search for things to
do and places to see. As a curious little corner along the UK’s coastline, Bangor’s small-town vibe might be overpowering at times. However, the city and its surroundings have a lot to offer for any cultural enthusiast of any income and interest. Whether it be an evening city stroll with friends or a day trip with parents, there are many places around to explore – and for that reason, we have gathered a
few ideas for you! In these pages you will find articles and reviews on all things arts and culture, as well as information on future events in Bangor and the North Wales area.
What’s There To Do In Bangor?
Free: completely free for you to enjoy by LAURA PÄTÄRI Pontio Arts & Innovations (mixed)
For all your entertainment needs. Be it cinema, theatre, circus, comedy, dance, or just a good old coffee and cake, Pontio is your go-to arts and culture establishment in Bangor. Also full of art installations and work spaces for students, there’s always surprises to find. Check out “Y Caban” landmark on Pontio Hill for extra points. Location: Big, modern white building on Deiniol Road
Storiel Art Gallery (free)
Previously Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, Storiel hosts a variety of art galleries, museum exhibitions and community exhibition spaces to bring the historical and contemporary culture of Gwynedd area to everyone. Frequently offers talks, lectures and guided tours for the eager learner. Storiel also includes a lovely shop and café. Location: Near the Police Station, opposite Pontio Arts Centre
Oriel Art Gallery by Bangor Arts Initiative (free)
A cosy gallery full of paintings, drawings, photography and much more from artists around the Wales area. Bangor Arts Initiative promotes art in the Bangor community, and also offers a notice board with life-drawing classes, talks and future showings. Location: Within Deiniol Shopping Centre on the High Street
Mixed: free entrance, but some activities are priced Galeri45 (mixed)
An art gallery, studio and arts supply shop, this little gem currently shows owner Louise Morgan and Jocelyn Robert’s works dedicated to the beauty of North Wales. Get a dose of inspiration of the local artist’s hub, and pick up your own brushes and paints along the way! Location: 45A Bangor High Street, near Ty Willis Accommodations
Live music at Blue Sky Cafe (priced)
Blue Sky, a staple of Bangor’s cafe and lunch place culture, often becomes a venue for relaxed gigs and performances. From music to comedy, upcoming events are a few times monthly, such as VRI (28th September) and 4GoodComedians (5th October). Location: Middle of Bangor High Street
Live music at The Belle Vue (mixed)
A pub commonly known as BV, The Belle Vue is a student favourite for drinks, hangouts and events like Open Mic night (tuesday nights) and free live music (weekends). With a trendy but relaxed indoors and a flowery beer garden, not only can you hear some great local talent, but anyone is welcome to step up to play on the night (any kind of instruments, voices, even spoken word poetry encouraged!) Location: Corner of College Road and Holyhead Road
Priced: includes an entrance fee Bangor Amateur Theatre and Dance at JP Theatre (priced)
Overlooking the Menai Straits, the Neuadd John Phillips Hall functions as the building for creative and media studies, but also frequently hosts performances of the university’s dance and drama societies. Keep a lookout on Seren on upcoming shows! Location: Hidden along College Road, past the Management Centre
Penhryn Castle (priced)
A small hike away from the city centre, the 19th century Penhryn Castle and its garden grounds are a must visit for any history enthusiast. With this, the estate boasts is full to the brim with artwork, wonderfully restored rooms and a striking garden to enjoy sights. Exhibitions currently include Harrison’s Garden of clocks as well as The Effects of Time at Penhryn. Location: Outside Bangor. Take the bus (5,X5, 67, 67C, 67L) and stop at Llandegai Ffordd Fawr/ Penhryn Castle
Bangor (priced)
Victorian
Pier
Grab your coins and take a walk along Bangor’s Pier, completed in 1896 for a taste of local history. See the mountains, the sea, and discover the little local shops, cafes and mini art galleries in the kiosks. There is even a possibility for crabbing! 50p donation. Location: Follow down College road until you see the pier. Alternative: Go along the A5 following the signs to the Pier
15th September:
The Grenaways + The Rowan Tree (Live Music), Blue Sky Café
19th – 20th September:
Serendipity (Clubs and Societies fair), Bangor University Main Arts
21st September:
Banda bacana with Mouton (Cabaret), Pontio Bryn Terfel Theatre
26th September:
Iolo Williams, a career (Talk), Pontio PL5
27th September:
NT Live: King Lear (Screening), Pontio Cinema
27th September:
Clwb Comedi Club (Comedy), Pontio Studio
28th September:
Cyngerdd Dathlu / A Celebratory Concert (Live Music), Pontio Bryn Terfel
28th September:
Wales in 100 Objects (Book launch), Storiel
28th September:
VRI (Live Music), Blue Sky Café
4th October:
RSC Live: The Winter’s Tale (Screening), Pontio Cinema
5th October:
Four Good Comedians (Comedy), Blue Sky Café
6th October:
Hotrock Pilgrims (Live Music), Blue Sky Café
9th October:
This Incredible Life (Theatre), Pontio Studio
9th October:
Oscar Wilde Live: The Importance of Being Earnest (Screening), Pontio Cinema
10th October:
inTarsi (Acrobatic theatre), Pontio Bryn Terfel Theatre
11th October:
Cyngerdd Debussy Concert (music, talk), Pontio
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
20
ARTS & CULTURE
REVIEW: RSC Presents: Romeo and Juliet by LAURA PÄTÄRI
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oing into Theatr Colwyn I’m greeted with a cosy little Victorian theatre that’s brimming with small-town heritage as “the UK’s oldest working cinema and Wales’s oldest working theatre. Little would I know the auditorium frequently transforms to hold over a thousand seats, such as tonight at the screening of the RSC’s Romeo & Juliet. These audiences are of course mostly at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford. As the pre-show recording starts, the coastal corner of North Wales connects to the chit-chatting, mumbling buzz of Stratford. With only half-filled auditorium in Colwyn’s encore screening, it still feels like a full house. The chatter around me blends in with the on-screen crowd. This video medium enhances the experience of the live show in many ways. We are treated to an exclusive interview with director Erica Whyman, promising a contemporary take celebrating diversities of races and dialects. What strikes me most is her investment in the youth. The production has worked extensively with schools around the UK and includes a student chorus in many of its performances. As the lights dim and darkness falls, an intriguing setting comes alight. Opening the show, the prologue is a wonderful cacophony - multiple over-
lapping sounds of the chorus fall into satisfying chaos. In the centre, there is a large, ashy metal box as the play’s prominent set piece. The dark colour scheme and minimalistic set are a powerful first impression to the gritty new production. This set piece holds infinite transformative power and yet again, proves the power of simple solutions. We see actors inhabiting every dimension of the ashy box as they shape it from street corners to cellars to bedrooms and balconies. An especially fun detail is the embedded ladder that allows for jumps and climbing. With such a minimalistic set (designed by Tom Piper) and a complementing, dynamic lighting throughout the show (Charles Balfour), the breathable stage gives room to the emotive weight of the story. Wildly witty and madly in love, Bally Gill’s agile Romeo captivates the audience from his first moment onstage. Gill’s spectacular energy ripples through to others around him - notably the livid interactions with Benvolio (Josh Finan) or Mercutio (Charlotte Josephine) catching my eye. However, Josephine’s take on Mercutio doesn’t necessarily need any more energy the aggressiveness and over-defined expressions unfortunately border Mercutio as an almost taxing character to watch. Karen Fishwick is a fresh embodiment of a 21st century teenager, illu-
minating Juliet’s character with a flair of H&M dancewear, braided hair and pre-teen rebellion. Throughout the show, Juliet’s struggle between familial dependency and desire for independence is magnetic. Alongside Juliet is the wonderfully hilarious Nurse (Ishia Bennison), whose role blends maternal force and an over-chatty best friend to counteract with Lady Capulet (Mariam Haque) as an interestingly timid, disconnected mother figure. Watching this performance via the medium of video certainly enhances the appreciation of visuality. Scenes such as Fishwick’s spellbinding moment of drinking sleeping potion are shot symmetrically and enhance the dramatic weight of the scene, and the emotional death scene has the camera looking from above - both these views are inaccessible to most live audiences. Video screenings like this show us a potential of theatre in a new, invigorating light. Use of multimedia in today’s theatre visits allow us to not only dive into the background of a production, but hear about the wonderful community work that theatre can practice and see unnoticed expositions onstage. While live theatre remains a magic of its own, I’m happy to see digitalisation used to make great theatre accessible for everyone.
psyche in a contained set and time frame. Indeed, the original text is written as a naturalistic play – attaining to virtues of realism and everyday life, and driving characters through their immediate environments linked to study of human psychology. The past comes to haunt Julie from within her, climaxing in a chaos that spreads and transfers to others around her. The directorial work by Carrie Cracknell feels provocative and aware of all the possibilities that the play can speak about, almost to the point of overdosing the audience with thematic layers. The visual flow of the play is incredibly intricate and thought out, and the set (Designed by Tom Scutt) is, in its minimalism, perfection. The play is framed with a led light rectangle, making the stage, at any moment, seem like an image from a conceptual artist’s studio. With
this, the movements and choreography (Ann Yee) from the chorus create magical interruptions of the play’s realism, from interpretive dance on the bedroom dance floor to a strange creeping movement of unknown people passing through the kitchen. Overall, Julie is a storytelling sensation where modern stage technology and theatre-making shines in its achieved potential. To me, the difficult levels of the story are perhaps too difficult to break down on a single viewing of the show. However, the story of Julie, along with its sense of peculiarity keeps me curious. If given the choice, I would watch this play again and again until I could unlock all its mysteries.
REVIEW: NT LIVE: JULIE
by LAURA PÄTÄRI
A
sensual, staggering exploration of gender, race and class within Ikea plywood walls – the reinvented and rewritten August Strindberg classic by Polly Stenham shines in its multifoliate themes. An electric beat. The back wall of an all-white kitchen rises slowly, revealing a bedroom house party submerged in a sea of misty blue and pink light. A storytelling through choreography and chaos, as I realise the opening scene has not heard a single line of dialogue after what feels like minutes. Yet, the intimate, sensual and, at the same time, peculiarly distressing feeling has already creeped into my mind. The live screening of Julie from the National Theatre in London has lived a social media hubbub for the past
month in anticipation of the show. Unlike some other pieces of theatre with their advertising campaigns, Julie feels identical to the visual feel and mood of its promotional content. With a minimalistic, all-white set, the dynamic and live colours of blue and pink (lighting design by Guy Hoare) are used interestingly as the missing dialogue between the men and women. Washes of light tease and overtake each other while the male and female partygoers dance in an entrancing chaos. Peculiar yet magnetic. From my first impression, Julie is a stagnated adult woman who remains a teenager feeling free through substance abuse and daddy’s money. However, the dynamic of the play slowly opens Julie like a ball of yarn, until what’s hidden becomes visible. Vanessa Kirby’s portrayal of Julie is beautifully realistic,
fluid and tragic. Her monologues are bittersweet and philosophical, mixed with a wonderful dose of drunken slur. Alongside Kirby is Eric Kofi Abrefa playing Jean, a well-read chauffeur working for Julie’s father. His breath of fresh air into the stagnated, wild psyche of Julie acts like a mirror – constantly questioning Julie’s intentions from an opposite point of view on gender, class and even race. Abrefa’s portrayal of a stable psyche challenged by Julie is immensely interesting to watch. The arch of his character changes completely, however, always remaining approachable. The original play, Miss Julie by Strindberg is written in 1888 in Sweden. While watching Julie, I keep thinking about Henrik Ibsen’s Dollhouse (1879) with its similar structures – the downfall of a woman’s
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Sports and Leisure buildings University buildings Nightclub Library
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Menai Bridge Menai Bridge, Treborth Pitches Treborth Sports Site, A55, Junction 9 A55, Junction 9
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Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
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FILM
Cream Of The Streams
PREVIEW: Venom
by JORDAN KING Now TV - The Last Jedi
Possibly the most divisive film of recent memory, Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi joined Now TV’s roster this past month. It’s a subversive, challenging sequel and a course-changing outing for our heroes and the villains; a film all about letting go of the past and embracing the future... plus Porgs! If you liked it when you first saw it, you’ll love it even more when rewatching; if you hated it, there’s no better time to give it a second chance; and if you haven’t seen it before, boy you’ve got some catching up to do. Get your Freshers squad together and take a trip to a galaxy far, far away together. The Force is strong with this one.
Amazon Prime - Terminal
First-time director Vaughn Stein’s Terminal is a hyper-stylised neo-noir thriller starring Margot Robbie as one of two assassins caught up in a deadly mission, and over the course of the film several other mysteries and mysterious characters come to the fore, leading to a humdinger finale. With a supporting class including Mike Myers, Simon Pegg, and Max Irons, and enough of a visual flourish and narrative hook to get you through its messier plot threads and unusual characterizations, Terminal is worth checking out. Heh, punny.
Netflix - To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
Lana Condor takes on a first-time leading lady role in Netflix Original high school rom-com To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Following Condor’s Lara Jean, the film centres around five love letters Lara has written throughout her school days to the crushes who’ve had the biggest impact on her. When the letters are inevitably exposed, Lara undergoes an uncomfortable, comic, and transformational experience. This simple film is itself a love letter, to young love, to embracing our feelings no matter how conflicting or embarrassing we think they may be, and to the genre whose tropes it so refreshingly explores. It’s a great easygoing film, give it a go.
We will eat both your arms, and then both of your legs, and then we will eat your face right off your head. You will be this armless, legless, faceless little thing, won’t you? Rolling down the street like a turd in the wind. by JORDAN KING
W
ith the words above ringing from the trailer, the hype train for Ruben Fleischer’s upcoming Tom Hardy toting Venom well and truly got a-tootin’. Well, it at least kicked the ever hungry internet into action. Violent, comic, and distinctly NOT Disney’s Marvel, it closed off an otherwise curiosity-piquing trailer with a tantalisingly shocking glimpse at darker things a-coming this October. But what can we expect and what do we know already about the upcoming revival of Sony’s faintly still existing Spiderverse, the first solo outing for Eddie Brock and the spaceborne symbiote of comic book legend and childhood nightmares? Is it looking set to be a diamond in the rough or will it come and go without so much as causing a stink… like a turd… in the wind. Well for starters, we know that Tom Hardy will be playing Eddie Brock, a down-on-his-luck reporter looking to salvage his career by pursuing a scoop on the experimental Life Foundation. After exposure to one of the alien symbiotes they are working on however, he finds himself harbouring the parasite that manifests in the form of the brutal and badmouthed antihero Venom. In trailers we have seen Eddie war with Venom as he attempts to adjust to the power struggle within himself - director Fleischer has been quick to dispel Jekyll/Hyde compari-
sons, however, as a crucial aspect of the film is the hybridised simultaneity of Venom/Brock’s existence; they are forced to work with each other and against each other’s ‘better’ natures, ensuring a frenetic and psychologically enriched evocation of the comic icon. Elsewhere, Riz Ahmed will be portraying the visionary genius Carlton Drake, whose work on the symbiotes reflects a belief in humanity’s impermanence and a desire to look beyond and to the future. Though ostensibly speaking the villain of the piece, especially in light of the knowledge he will become the lesser-known symbiotic baddie Riot, Ahmed himself in a recent interview with Total Film was quick to defend Carlton’s character, reminding us that ‘no one thinks they’re a bad guy, and there’s a strong case for what Carlton is trying to achieve (...) he’s looking at the bigger picture.’ In light of Ahmed’s stellar work in the past few years, films such as Nightcrawler and Rogue One showing he can kick it with the big boys whilst still diving into character-studies, on the starring-role front a duo of Ahmed/ Hardy is certainly an exciting proposition. And with drama heavyweight Michelle Williams playing Eddie’s girlfriend Anne, who will have to contest with the radical transformation both physically and mentally of her boyfriend, we can actually call it a triple threat of top drawer acting talent headlining this piece.
The story itself will draw largely on the hugely popular Lethal Protector comic run, a series in which Eddie Brock returns to San Francisco following a pact with Spider-Man to leave one another alone so long as Venom doesn’t commit any crimes. This keeps our friendly neighbourhood out of the way and allows a proper lone outing for Venom, and to account for a slight rejig of continuity, it will enmesh with Planet of the Symbiotes, in which an army of alien symbiotes invade Earth, to enable a big-bad finale and create a temporal take on the Venom universe to slide in an origin story along the way. The good news here is that the choice of inspirations show that Fleischer has a great desire to stay true to the essence of the comics and carries a rich care and understanding for a lore rich in filmic potential yet virtually unplundered in cinema - Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 this most certainly ain’t. With sequels in the pipeline and a desire to open up the possibility of crossovers with other symbiotic supes and possibly even Spidey himself, there is great potential and space for the universe established here to evolve. Tonally though, where do we fall on the spectrum that goes from deepest, darkest DC, to brightest, lightest Marvel? Well the latest trailer has very much done its job in providing an answer, and whilst this is no gritty exercise in realism à la Nolan’s Batman trilogy, or a monochromatic brood fest like Dawn of Justice, it certainly
seems to be a film aiming closer to that ballpark in terms of atmosphere and plausibility, a departure from the kitschy Amazing Spiderman and a piece more maturely inclined. Whilst only a 12A, the graphic threats alluded to and Venom’s nightmarish and impressively rendered visage will ensure that - alike the Nolan films to which its tone aligns most closely that rating will be pushed to its limits and, especially in light of something like, say the Deadpool 2 Super-Duper Cut, be begging for an uncut home release which I for one would be well on board for. Thankfully though, the humour that runs deep and blackly through the comics seems not to have been lost on Fleischer and Hardy, with the struggle between Eddie and Venom already throwing up some awkwardly funny moments in trailers, most notably an encounter with the poor Mrs Chan who witnesses Venom’s unsavoury threat only to be told by Eddie ‘I’ve got a parasite. See you tomorrow Mrs Chan.’ Her confounded expression is priceless, and from what we hear about the footage aired at the recent San Diego Comic Con, the crowd went wild for the clip they saw and roarious laughter was found amongst the feverish whoops and hollers. “It was like a rock concert,” Hardy recently recalled, and with only a few short weeks to go, just maybe we are gearing up for one hell of a show.
Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
It’s Coming Home: Heathers Arrow Release (Blu-Ray)
23
FILM
Stop! Trailer Time by JORDAN KING Suspiria
Luca Guadagnino’s reimagining of Dario Argento’s horror classic Suspiria hits cinemas on November 2nd. In the latest trailer we get our first true look at the Witches coven-dance college of the deliciously chilling Madame Blanc (Tilda Swinton). With ritualistic dancing, secret rooms, talk of surrendering oneself to the dance, Thom Yorke’s satanic score, and Dakota Johnson seemingly on top form, Suspiria surely will be a highlight of the Winter’s releases.
The Favourite
I’m unsure how many of you will be familiar with the sociopathic romcom The Lobster or madcap medical drama The Killing of The Sacred Deer, but the two English language features of oddball auteur Yorgos Lanthimos have made him a critics’ darling and a film student’s dream. His latest, The Favourite, a subverted historical satire, looks set to be another batty homerun. The latest trailer shows us Olivia Colman’s Queen Anne, frail and
Poster Of The Month by Jordan King
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eptember 10th sees Michael Lehmann’s cult classic high school black comedy Heathers get an Arrow release on Blu-Ray. For those of you unacquainted with the film, or the recent musical which it inspired, Heathers is the catalyst for the wave of satiric high school comedies we’ve grown up knowing and loving, as without it there’s no Mean Girls, no 10 Things I Hate About You, and no Easy A. Lehmann’s film centres around Winona Ryder’s Veronica Sawyer, a girl who ditched her uncool virginal exbest friend for the cool girls, the titular Heathers. Upon realising that they are the closest thing to the Devil walking that a high school can provide, she - under the influence of Christian Slater’s sociopathic JD - takes drastic action to rid the school of the populars in a desperate attempt to cleanse the academic gene pool and return to her former good-girl glory. As Veronica herself notes however, what begins as an identificatory conflict that is normal for all youngsters to experience soon leads to things getting real heavy. ‘Dear Diary, my teen-angst bullshit now has a body count’ she flippantly writes. Oh yeah, did I not expand on my prefacing quote earlier - her and the high-school answer to The Joker are killing their devilish darlings and masking their heinous crimes under the veil of suicides. As the school is swept up in an unsavoury
suicidal frenzy, the ficklety of the high school hierarchical system is exposed, allowing Lehmann to cut to the heart of the issue at large; the hateful and the hated lead diametrically opposing but unified torturous lives, and are disgustingly contorted and romanticised in death, so it’s about time we learn to get real about who we are and who we are not, because running with the crowd isn’t the only option finding your own one truly is. For all of its shock, it is actually a microcosmic exploration of a seismic societal battleground - high school. But whilst the films it inspired incorporate family-friendly satire and wholesome humour to hammer home their messages about the dangers of highschool cliques and the necessity of self-reflection and change in the way our youth approach high school life, Heathers gleefully gives us the blackest of black comedies with a razor sharp screenwriting scalpel and aesthetic shot of adrenalin. This one isn’t for those of a nervous disposition, but it does promise to strike a chord with those attuned to the angst and anger of a toxic youth culture that roared into a heightened state in the 80s and has never settled for a moment since. JD’s philosophy is that ‘the extreme always seems to make an impression’, and in this case that has never been more true. Winona Ryder is iconic, Christian Slater psychotic, and the whole film neurotic. It’s as dark and as delightful as can be, and in this 1080p rendering it has literally never looked better.
by JORDAN KING
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very issue I will be selecting the pick of the month’s newly released posters for you to gawp and marvel at, and this month’s spotlight shines on this beauty for Panos Cosmatos’ Mandy starring Nicolas Cage. Neon smoke, a cosmic triangle, duelling chainsaws, a bewitching night sky, Nic Cage looking set to take names and raise hell, and the beautiful Andrea Riseborough looking possessed as heck. *Chef kiss* Magnifico!
curmudgeonly in the throes of war with the French, and the rivalry that ensues when long-standing friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) finds her position under threat with the arrival of new servant Abigail (Emma Stone). Politics, romance, and rancid baths await in the latest work of everyone’s favourite mad genius, releasing November 23rd.
Nutcracker Realms
&
The
Four
Not that many will have had this on their radar, but Disney are releasing the most high profile adaptation of The Nutcracker since Barbie had a crack at it in 2001 this November 2nd and… it looks sort of alright to be fair. Following in the same vein as their money-spinning Alice In Wonderland redux, the film’s latest trailer is an effects-filled, eye-popping visual feast, introducing us to Clara as well as Morgan Freeman’s Herr Drosselmeyer and Keira Knightley’s Sugar Plum Fairy. Trouble is afoot in the fourth realm and war is brewing and Clara is the plucky youngster whose destiny is to save the day - a fairly standard
set up. We catch glimpses of the four lavishly designed realms and wisps of dialogue from the voice of God himself, and with Tchaikovsky’s immortal score sonorously soaring into revitalised life over the course of the trailer we may yet be in for an early Christmas treat this year.
Halloween
“He is a killer. He will be killed tonight.” So utters Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode, survivor of Michael Myers’ murderous indulgences on Halloween night four decades ago. The once would-be victim has become wisened and hardened in the time that has passed, and as Michael Myers stalks slowly his prey, Strode arms up and prepares to make good on her vow. With the tone and look of Carpenter’s horror classic nailed down, and the slate cleaned as this film will serve to be the only true sequel to the original film, Halloween looks set to be a frightfully fun affair when it slashed its way into cinemas this October.
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
24
FILM
REVIEW: Searching
Hidden Gem: April And The Extraordinary World - Amazon Prime
by JORDAN KING
by JORDAN KING
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hen in 2014 the internet platform saw the found-footage genre evolve with the release of Unfriended, it was a gimmick that rolled more eyes than it did turn heads. It was an interesting idea executed lazily, with an immobility to its medium and a disconnect with reality that never really found the right lock for the key it had created. Fast forward four years and Unfriended is back with Dark Web, another interesting yet ultimately ill-fitting use of this exciting medium, and so our attention turns to Aneesh Chaganty’s mystery thriller Searching, and make no mistake about it, this one unlocks the full potential of the next frontier of cinema - the internet. The film follows father David Kim (John Cho) who, following the tragic death of his wife from cancer, finds himself and his daughter Margot (Michelle La) grown distant, their relationship stuck in a past they refuse to talk about. When every parent’s worst nightmare becomes a reality and Margot goes missing under the most abnormal of circumstances, it is down to her father and intensely driven detective Rosemary Vick (Debra Messing) to piece together the puzzle of her disappearance before it’s too late. The key to the investigation: David’s tracing of his daughter’s life and actions through her laptop, a place where as we all know the deepest of secrets dwell and the every motion and emotion of our lives is put online for the world to see. The film’s narrative entirely takes place within the frame of technol-
ogy, a tapestry that’s tactility and texture is found in the form of desktops and YouTube and Facebook and Facetime, home videos and digital photo albums and iMessage, a visual familiarity that inculcates an almost uncomfortable association between fiction and reality as every bleep and bloop, dialling tone and application tune attunes itself with our experience of daily life. Thankfully, whereas Unfriended was constricted to the staticity of a computer screen, the synaptic emotional and tangential thoughts and focuses of David’s search for his daughter is evoked through an omniscient camera that pans, zooms, and moves, giving a more truthful assimilation of how we interact with our screens, and not just what the screens do. This aids the engagement aspect of the film, and on more than one occasion I found myself having an almost existential experience, willing clicks and wishing to answer calls I of course knew I couldn’t. But that is very much the desired effect as Chaganty embraces how wired we are to technology in order to expose just how much of us can be traced through it and how addictive the control is. The film’s opening montage is stunning, easily the most affecting and well-conceived innovation of the genre staple exposition dump in recent memory. It charters Margot’s childhood all the way to her mother’s deterioration and unfortunate death from cancer through photo uploads and YouTube and calendar schedules, taking time and lilting between joy and sorrow with the kind of painterly delicacy that brings a film like Up to mind. There is an extreme accuracy
in the depiction of systemic advancement and the rich dependance upon the digital as a life log of sorts that is present and pertinent on a technical and visual level, whilst all the while it is undercut with a pulsating heart and heft that is admirable. However, it is when we move away from Margot’s parents’ use of the computer that the more probing and insidious areas of the internet in particular come to light. Once Margot has disappeared, it takes David mere minutes to access all of his daughter’s personal accounts, and as he journeys deeper into the rabbit hole of social media he is able to learn everything about who his daughter knew, who she spoke to, where she went when she wasn’t at home, and most heartbreakingly for him, just how little he knew about her at all. Within a day he is able to assemble the tabs and thumbnailed equivalent of a classic red-string investigation board, with intel on the alibis and connections with Margot of everyone from pre-school to study class to her YouCast stream followers. And during this investigative phase, within the immediate literal searching a more profound search takes place, that of a father within himself to know where he may have failed his daughter, and that of a daughter to find somebody, something, anything to connect to so that she doesn’t feel so desperately alone. This thematic focus, the bulk of the film’s economic runtime, is so engaging and affecting that, truth be told, the slight absurdity of the whodunnit resolution and gregarious employment of red herrings is rendered obsolete by the total focus on the will
to reunite David and Margot and the sense that is given of them as two sides of the same coin who have been torn apart almost necessarily in order to fix the ties that silence and time have threatened to unbind. John Cho is utterly convincing as a dad both desperate and immensely vulnerable, and his performance is made all the more compelling by the medium as it humanistically shows him at his most proactive and contrastingly helpless, gazing at times in abject despair at the bright void of the screen as leads come and fade, and the media frenzy takes hold. The supporting cast, spearheaded by a committed turn from Debra Messing as a detective whose own experiences and maternal instincts overrule her ability to lead the investigation without becoming emotionally fraught, are all on fine form, though there can be no doubt this film is at its heart about David’s very singular and personal experience, and thus the rest of the ensemble are left out of puff trying to keep the pace with Cho’s stellar performance. All in all, although the narrative may take one or two leaps too far for our suspension of disbelief, its thematic importance, cinematic innovation, and character-driven storytelling renders it one of the surprise standouts of what has been a year of standout films. Searching confronts the oft-explored horrors of a missing child with courage, but it is the horrors probed beneath that, a cautionary tale told about the dangers of the internet and repression, that elevate it from a solid film to an essential viewing experience.
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ucked away in a quirky little corner of Amazon Prime’s filmic collection is a delightful French animation by the name of Avril et le monde truqué - April and the Extraordinary World. Calling to mind the likes of Professor Layton in aesthetic and Studio Ghibli in its fantastical quirk and human core, even dabbling a tad in the kitschy zaniness of Cartoon Network classics, the film tells a story of missing scientists, sassy talking cats, and power-hungry bipedal lizardmen... oh yeah! Set in an alternate history steampunk Paris, replete with two Eiffel towers and a Napoleon VI led government, the film follows young April, daughter of two brilliant scientist parents who, after finally perfecting a top secret serum of immense power and interest to the government, become the latest in a long line of scientists to go missing. In a tale of espionage, secrecy, the surreal and the all too presciently real, April and her trusty cat Darwin go on an adventure to find their missing family and maybe, just maybe, get to the bottom of the mystery of the missing scientists. This is a uniquely animated, brilliantly voiced slice of French animation, a welcome departure from the American-dominated animations of the Western world and the ethereal and philosophically rich Ghibli productions of the East. Streaming in its original language with English subtitles and starring the French starlet Marion Cotillard in the titular role, April and the Extraordinary World is a lesser cited yet greatly worthy recommendation for any lovers of animation, alternate history, and surrealist cinema, full of twists and turns that ensure you won’t regret watching. Seek it out while you still can.
Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
25
TV
5 Shows To Binge Watch With Your New Flatmates
by CIARAN GRIFFITHS
F
reshers’ week is upon us once again. You’ve made the journey down to Bangor, you’ve unpacked your belongings, and your parents have driven off. A few awkward introductions to your flatmates, followed by the inevitable North/South dividing line debate (Manchester and above), and you’re all moved in. But now what? How do you break the tension, bond with these strange folk, become the best of friends? I have the answer; gathering in a group and intensely watching a
Band of Brothers
This gritty, true to life, occasionally heartwarming war drama follows the American Easy company as they wade into the Second World War coming across brutal skirmishes, deserted villages and horrific war crimes. Featuring some stellar performances from a relatively unknown cast at the time, many who would go on to become household names, including Damian Lewis, Ron Livingstone and Donnie Wahlberg. Plus, who doesn’t want to see Ross Geller make a fool of himself as Easy Company’s boot camp Captain Sobel. Highlight: Cameo performances from a pre-fame Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy Where: Sky Go, Amazon Prime Video
Game of Thrones
It’s almost unfair to label Game of Thrones as a TV show, this cultural phenomenon took the world by storm in 2011 and soon hit the headlines with its graphic violence, depictions of sex and severe use of dragons. Based on George R.R. Martin’s fantasy novels, the show revolves around the inhabitants of Westeros as they battle to claim the Iron Throne all while battling against the growing mystical threat from the North. If you’ve somehow missed out on this cultural phenomenon, now is the perfect time to get on board. HBO’s fantasy masterpiece is currently on hiatus as the stars gather in Ireland to film the show’s climactic final season. Highlights: Watching the characters grow into complex, weathered and driven personalities. Also, Dragons. Where: Sky Go, Amazon Prime Video
flashing screen for a few hours a day. Hear me out; most people have a TV in their living rooms. Every night you all gather round and watch whatever show you can find on Netflix (other streaming services are available), even when you’re not watching anything in particular, that black square sits showing the latest re-run of QI. But the moment you move into university halls, that familiar, comfortable ritual goes straight out the window. A good TV show can create arguments, passionate discussions and violent screaming matches over which Game of Thrones character is going to
Community
I have to admit something; Community is one of my all-time favourite shows so including it on this list is me playing favourites. But, it’s set in a community college so it’s relevant. The brainchild of Dan Harmon of Rick and Morty fame, this short lived cult hit generated plenty of controversy with its behind the scenes drama meaning the show itself was forgotten about. Yet this is a perfect show to watch as a freshly IDcarded student! Community, set in the fictional Greendale Community College, features a diverse group of misfit students navigating the pitfalls and challenges of further education. While this show is a comedy, and does feature some genuinely brilliant moments, the heart-warming, emotional tone that runs throughout its 6 seasons is the real star. Highlights: Troy and Abed in the morning, Annie’s lost pen, Ken Jong, Jeff Winger monologues. Maybe I’m too close to this one… Where: 4OD
Peaky Blinders
If you’re after something a bit darker, a bit sexier, Peaky Blinders is for you. With its stellar soundtrack, brooding visuals and a leading man with a jawline you could cut diamonds on, BBC’s dark horse has quietly become a hit. While 1920’s post-war Birmingham may not sound like the most entertaining subject, throw in a ruthless family gang led by Tommy Shelby, a Nick Cave heavy soundtrack and you’ve got a winner. The show deals with some heavy themes, ranging from the PTSD (post-traumatic
die next. Should you deny yourself these moments just because you’re at university? No, of course not! Instead, gather your new flatmates into the kitchen, bring up Netflix/Sky Go/Amazon prime and bond as you watch highly paid men and women jump around a set, reciting lines. But what do you watch now you’re all sitting in the kitchen? Streaming gives us an almost infinite choice of shows to watch, but how do you narrow down your options? Seren is here to guide you through the choices.
stress disorder) many returning First World War soldiers suffered, to the rampant use of Cocaine in the many Jazz clubs throughout the country. But never strays too far from its roots; always returning to Tommy Shelby and the city of Birmingham. Highlights: ‘We’re the Peaky f***ing Blinders’, Tom Hardy’s Cockney Jewish Baker, every song used throughout the show. Where: Netflix, BBC Iplayer, Amazon Prime Video
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Since its conception in 2005, It’s Always Sunny has been seen as the weird child at the back of the classroom, making it’s weird jokes (Rum Ham) and being offensive to just about everyone. This show was making offensive jokes since before it was cool, but if you’re a fan of Cards Against Humanity, Always Sunny is for you. Push through the first season though; the show was still finding its feet in those early days. Written, starring and directed by Rob Mclennery, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Day, featuring Matilda’s Dad himself, Danny DeVito. The show revolves around the owners of a rundown Philadelphia bar and explores just how awful a group of human beings can be to each other and everyone else who comes into contact with them. But in a funny way, honest…. Highlights: Danny Devito in any scene he’s in, The Nightman Cometh, watching Rob Mclennery increase and decrease in size like a poor man’s Christian Bale. Where: Netflix, Sky Go
TV News From Over The Summer by CIARAN GRIFFITHS
W
ith a record breaking heatwave throughout Europe, bitter losses for English football and a royal wedding, this summer has been a crazy one. But as we as a nation spent our days getting burned to a crisp, TV land kept on churning out news every hour, every day of every week. In the age of the 24-hour news cycle it’s easy to miss an important piece of information. But never fear, readers of Seren, I’m here to guide you through the murky waters of the most important summer TV news. First off, Dan Goor’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine teetered on the edge of production hell but was saved just at the last minute. Let me set the scene. There I was, in the middle of the summer, enjoying several months of pretending my dissertation was writing itself. When, all of a sudden this blissful, idyllic existence came crashing down around me. The news broke that Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the ensemble comedy set in a New York Police precinct, was a casualty of the summer cancellations. Every year, the major American TV networks have a purge of their content, dropping less successful shows to make room for their incoming sports programing or other high profile shows that will attract bigger audiences. This year, the TV gods decided Brooklyn NineNine, the Andy Samberg-led comedy would be one such casualty. The world was stunned by the news. Alright maybe not the world, but the dedicated fan base that the show had cultivated over its 5 seasons were. So dedicated were the fans that the hashtag #SaveThe99 soon took over twitter and legitimate big time celebrities even got involved in the action, with Mark Hamill, Guillermo Del Toro and Sean Astin all expressing their support for the beloved multicam comedy. While it looked like the show was well and truly dead, NBC came charging over the hill on a white horse like a knight in shining armour, picking up the show for another few seasons. See, social media can be a good thing once in a while! Now, let’s talk about one of the more bizarre pieces of casting news to come out of Netflix’s PR department. Henry Cavill, everyone’s favourite British actor to have his moustache CGI-ed out of a film, has been cast as
Geralt of Rivia. For those not familiar with Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy masterpiece, the novels follow the life of Geralt of Rivia, a man chemically and magically altered to be able to hunt monsters. While the books may not be as popular over here as they are in Poland, the widely acclaimed video games will be familiar to many. The news of Henry Cavill’s casting seems to have split fans of both the books and the video games. Many devoted fans point out that Geralt of Rivia is described as grizzled old veteran, known for his bone white hair. Whereas Cavill is a spry 35 years old. Other’s point out that Cavill definitely has the physicality to play the character; look at his most recent performance in Mission ImpossibleFallout where he played CIA assassin August Walker. He definitely has the acting skills to portray the complex personality first written by Sapkowski. If nothing else, his casting proves that Netflix is willing to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to its in house productions. But we’ll have to wait until 2020 - the purported premiere date of the Witcher - to see if the casting department has earned its wage. Sad news for fantasy fans, Game of Thrones has been delayed. Again. In news that will infuriate fantasy fans and Northern accent lovers alike, the final season of HBO’s fantasy flagship show has been pushed back to 2019. Despite the seventh season ending a year ago in August 2017, the eight season seems to be getting further and further away. The alleged release date is currently April 2019. But with several endings reportedly being filmed at once, this date is likely to be pushed back once again. Finally, the great sitcom behemoth has fallen. Yes, The Big Bang Theory is coming to an end. Actor Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon Cooper on the show announced on the 24th August that the long running CBS sitcom had been cancelled. Rumours have been circulating about the cause for this sudden cancellation, with some sources suggesting that it was Parsons himself who called it quits, wanting to move onto other projects following his 12-year stint on the show. Although his fellow cast members are surely saddened by the news, their $1 million per episode salaries will probably help ease that pain.
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FESTIVAL SPECIAL
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
REVIEW: Green Man Festival by FINNIAN SHARDLOW
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hushed incredulity sweeps onlookers of the Walled Garden stage; a communal, subconscious recognition of the uniqueness present before us. Piercing through a delicate current of strings – Susanne Sundfor’s tender, effortless and, at times, soul-wrenching vocals. She softly purrs: “I’m as lucky as the moon.” No crowd rabble. Just pure, unadulterated stillness, and a sincere reverence given to every word. To call the Green Man attendee a ‘festivalgoer’ is quite possibly discourteous. Perhaps a more applicable term would be ‘aesthete’: a person with great sensitivity to beauty. Glanusk Park provides a haven for artists which, at other festivals, would be otherwise drowned by intoxicated slurs and trivial conversation. Despite headliners – King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Fleet Foxes and The War On Drugs - lacking the grandeur of previous years, 2018 saw another sell out. A true testament to the relationship Green Man has nurtured with its 20,000 strong faithful horde of music lovers. Indisputably, stellar acts sell tickets. However, it’s the festival’s anti-corporate stance, spirited camaraderie and glorification of genuine artistry which imparts Green Man junkies – like myself – with insufferable withdrawal symptoms. Of Thursday’s opening acts, Jimothy Lacoste certainly brought the most presence. The London rappers innocuously sassy form of hip-hop caused spectators in the Far Out tent to giggle and groove simultaneously. Shortly after, Ed Dowie swelled the atmosphere with a blessed, synthseared chorale of his own making during his performance of Yungpawel – a true highlight of the festival. Singer-songwriter Eleanor Friedberger encapsulated what was a soothing, dulcet start to
Friday afternoon, before The Lemon Twigs injected some much craved vivacity into proceedings, launching a glamorous tirade of distorted baroque-pop ballads. In the Walled Garden, Snail Mail continued the onslaught of gut-busting guitars as the critically acclaimed indie-rockers showcased their rugged, homemade sound. Whilst headliners King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard staged sizzling psychedelica to the masses, the Walled Garden played host to a hidden delight in the form of ebullient electro-pop partyer Alex Cameron. Saturday afternoon saw a familiar return to sweet, melodic serenity; the seamless transition from heartfelt folk singer Courtney Marie Andrews into the colourful harmonies of Ider made the hours drift sedately. As a few enduring glimmers peek through the commanding Brecon Beacons, Phoebe Bridgers gifts the Walled Garden stage with a glossy brand of indie-pop, thick with warm, wistful hooks and emotive lyrics – the most relatable being from Funeral: “And it's 4am, again/And I'm doing nothing/ Again.” On Sunday, once again, the Walled Garden boasted an array of luring talent. Honestly, whoever is curating this stage needs their own Radio Station. I’d tune into Walled Garden FM every night. From Haley Heynderickx all the way up to Frankie Cosmos, the Walled Garden is an isolated sanctuary of sound concealed from the bustle. “It’s good to be home,” The War On Drugs frontman, Adam Granduciel, earnestly remarks as the band humbly ascend to the Mountain Stage. Perhaps a throwaway comment, but one which resonates all the same. As thousands of devoted Green Man aesthete’s absorb the screeching guitars; the syrupy wave of synth; the snapping percussion of The War On Drugs. We are accepted. We are enthused. We are home.
Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
27
FESTIVAL SPECIAL
REVIEW: Way Out West
by FINNIAN SHARDLOW
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distinguishing feature of Way Out West’s short 11-year life is the masterful craft of stellar, prestigious line-ups. Kanye West, Neil Young, Prince – just a few of the giants who’ve graced the seaport setting of Gothenburg. Hats off to the Swedes; they’ve an inherent nous for curating an aural feast of old and new. Thursday’s opening acts made sure to abandon any expectations of a leisurely slow burn, rippling into action with the saintly ascendance of Sarah Klang. In thigh-high neon orange boots, St. Vincent stamped her authority on Sweden, reeling off renowned art-rock anthems with a typically libidinous tang. It was a fervid combustion of sound, topped only by faux boyband go rap ensemble BROCKHAMPTON, whose buoyant hip-hop hits encouraged enough perspiration to fill a paddling pool (disgustingly true). Friday similarly lead with a femmefrontline – rapstress Noname, bratty Brit Lily Allen, and the striking synthscape of Fever Ray. Though, as dusk developed, so did a gripping anticipation for the impending arrival of K.Dot/Cornrow Kenny/King Kunta/ the big shot himself – Kendrick Lamar. How was he? DAMN good. No longer the young prodigy he was at Way Out West 2013, Lamar oozed regal poise in nothing short of a momentous, status-affirming performance. To quote K: “This what God feel like.” Still suspended in Kendrick Lamar hysteria, Saturday had towering standards to meet. However, even artful jazz voyager Kamasi Washington, whilst remarkable, couldn’t equal the splendour of the preceding day’s events. Lykke Li and Mura Masa parked the party bus for a little longer, before Arcade Fire do what Arcade Fire do best – prompt me to leave before they start. Stay Out West promised a 24/7 scattering of artists around venues in Gothenburg. However, don’t count on actually getting in. The inclusion of Stay Out West artists on the
official line-up seemed somewhat disingenuous. Presumably, the organisers envisioned an electrifying network of festivities spanning the city. Reality: clubs are often miles apart and, put together, can only accommodate a quarter of festivalgoers. Essentially, Way Out West expects you to pay for artists which you’ll likely never see. For a festival which positions itself as ‘conscious’, this is a rather fraudulent move. The above is a recurring motif of the festival. At first glance, Way Out West appears nobly progressive; a paragon of virtue. Frankly, it’s all superficial tosh. Look past the organic beers, garden pea ice cream, and onsite florist. How can any liberal festival justifiably be sponsored by Uber? How can any vegetarian festival reasonably sell Findus products? Was Sweden’s coverage of the horsemeat scandal not as comprehensive as ours? Don’t preach freedom, but practice restriction. With heavy-handed security and one-way systems, Way Out West’s borderline totalitarian policies predetermine your enjoyment on their terms. I mean, designated drinking areas? It’s difficult to discern whether this is a case of sincere intentions patronisingly executed, or a forthright campaign of sterile, soulsucking segregation. To exacerbate the situation, the festival’s patron beer (and only beer), Norrlands Guld, was extremely unpleasant. It resembled olive oil in appearance and crude oil on the tongue. Unfortunately, there’s an anaemic quality to Way Out West. A lurking vacantness beneath the glamorous line-up; antiseptic roots buried within the picturesque surroundings of Slottsskogen Park. In a desperate attempt to negate the prospect of a corporate and soulless image, Way Out West emerges, well... corporate and soulless – a truly delusional spectacle. It’s like Butlins masquerading as Glastonbury. Make no mistake, on music alone, this would be a perfect review. However, I’m reviewing the festival as a whole. And whilst Way Out West may be a festival by definition, it certainly isn’t by experience.
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Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
30
MUSIC
George Ezra’s Summer at Number 1 by VICKY WILKES
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he Hertfordshire singer songwriter, George Ezra, rose to prominence with his first studio album ‘Wanted on Voyage’ released in 2014. Ezra’s folk/blues aesthetic coupled with his iconic
vocal style resulted in his nomination for ‘British Breakthrough Act’ at the 2015 Brit Awards. At the same awards ceremony, the singer songwriter was also nominated for ‘Best British Album’ and ‘Best British Single’ with ‘Budapest’ which were both near misses at the event. Ezra’s second studio album ‘Staying
at Tamara’s’ released in March 2018 achieved similar if not greater success than his first album. ‘Staying at Tamara’s’ was not only successful on release as a cohesive record, but with first single, Paradise, which managed to reach second in the UK official chart. This was closely followed by ‘Shotgun’ which became Ezra’s first
Aretha Franklin: A Tribute
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retha Franklin is regarded as a global blues legend and will long be remembered as one of the best-selling music artists of all time. The ‘Queen of Soul’ died on August 16th following her fight with cancer. The ‘Queen of Soul’ championed global hits such as ‘I Say a Little Prayer’, ‘Respect’, ‘Think’ and ‘You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ which established her as an iconic figure in music. Franklin also collaborated with artists such as Annie Lennox and George Michael in the duet ‘I Knew You Were Waiting
For Me’. The soul singer also had a cameo in 1980s film ‘Blues Brothers’. During her successful career, Franklin sold over 75 million records, won 18 Grammy Awards, had 77 entries into the Billboard Hot 100 and was the first female artist to be recognised in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In a joint statement released by Barack and Michele Obama they commented that “through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience[…]” and also commented on the Civil Rights movement that Franklin was an advocate for.
Harris and Sam Smith’s new release ‘Promises’. After Ezra’s summer successes we can anticipate that the singer songwriter is in good stead to achieve ‘Best British Single’ in the upcoming 2019 after his breakthrough Brits in 2015.
REVIEW: Latest Albums
Let’s Go Sunshine The Kooks
by VICKY WILKES
chart topping song in the UK and Ireland, managing to retain the top spot for the next three weeks. ‘Shotgun’ managed to retain the number one spot for four consecutive weeks (as of August 24th) arguably making it the song of the summer. ‘Shotgun’ even managed to overtake Drake’s ‘In My Feelings’ and Calvin
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he Kooks are back with their fifth studio album which was released on August 31st. The indie rock band debuted with their album Inside In / Inside Out back in 2006 which included hits She Moves In Her Own Way and Naive. Luke Pritchard’s recognisable vocals give a sense of nostalgia to the album however there is definitely a different sound to their newest releases. Tracks All The Time, Swing Low and No Pressure have a catchy, feel good quality which is carried throughout the album.
Runaway - Passenger
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eleased on August 31st, Passenger is back with his tenth studio album Runaway. The English singer/songwriter achieved immense success with single Let Her Go released in 2012 and was subsequently nominated for a Brit Award for British Single of the Year. Passenger describes Runaway as a concept album and believes that the tracks have a strong sense of America and are best accompanied with American visuals. Songs Hell or High Water and Heart to Love are true to Passenger’s Folk/Indie style and highlight the artists soft, clean vocals. The record is both upbeat and mellow with a reflective tone making great easy listening.
Sweetener - Ariana Grande
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riana Grande’s fourth studio album released August 17th follows the success of her previous album Dangerous Woman. The album features collaborations with artists Pharrell Williams, Nicki Minaj and Missy Elliot. Grande’s lead single on the album no tears left to cry had already achieved much success by debuting at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April ahead of the record’s release. All of the tracks, including up-and-coming raindrops (an angel cried), God is a woman and better off highlight Grande’s soulful influences and clean, powerful vocals.
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Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
What Makes A Writer?
BOOKS
Happy Birthday Agatha Christie!
by BETH SMITH
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by BETH SMITH
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n the 5th of September, Aki Schilz, the wonderful director of The Literary Consultancy, welcomed a curious bunch of individuals to truly discover what does make a writer. The research itself was carried out to discover what influences a writer to write and different factors that do so, as well as the benefits of writing for an individual and the wider society. The brilliant minds behind the research are Associate Professor Alison Baverstock, Jackie Steinitz and Professor Adrian Furnham. The first question addressed; why embark on such a research project? The reason that resonated the most was due to the stereotypes of a writer, and to see if they held any validity. My own sister tried to fit me in to a writer’s stereotype when I asked her what I should wear, by her telling me to wear something out there because all writers are a bit eccentric, and I still haven’t digested that one. There is also a very prominent research gap which contrasts the research into the effects of reading itself. So, it’s quite
clear authors should have their own time to shine. What makes this research so crucially different to the research carried out beforehand is a variety of different factors. Although, the fact that it is a large and quantitative study with the opportunity to add additional comments is a very positive factor. I believe the sheer determination and desire outweighs other differences to research carried out beforehand. This was a very personalised study shown in the way the research was presented to the six partners within the study who allowed their subscribers to partake in the research. These partners are: The Society of Authors The Alliance of Independent Authors The Literary Consultancy Silverwood Books Mslexia Writers’ Forum Anna Ganley (the Head of Staff at The Society of Authors) stated the main interest for The SOA is that they were interested in learning about au-
thors and how to best support their members, who are around 10,000 strong in all types of different areas. The talk and general presentation of the research was very personalised, with it being the first time the research was being presented to anyone at all. Jackie Steinitz addressed the methodology behind the research. It was a basic online survey which received over 920 responses with 25 minutes typically spent answering the questionnaire. It featured question types such as multiple choice, numeric response, rating scale and open-ended. The research found a variety of different interesting results. However, one specific finding that was of great interest to me, was that 91% of those questioned were read often/ very frequently as a child. This was very personal to me as I was an avid bookworm as a child, and visited the library every week to get a new book with my grandad. Yet, when you’re the only person you know who does it, you tend to feel a bit out of place and lonely. This is what makes the re-
search so personal because it helps other people reiterate they aren’t alone in their habits and behaviours. Professor Adrian Furnham looked in to the psychology of writers based on the results of the research. He addressed the supposed fetishism of writing based on the time of day people write, the place, the instrument, food or drink or drugs, subjective experience (whether they see it as fun, a chore or just a job). He did discover the main ingredient of a successful author is how a writer processes rejection. How you bounce back from being ripped to shreds by the lions determines your success. All in all, the research itself is a crucial starting point with so much more potential to influence the wider society. It has lots of potential to help so many people and that was made clear throughout the entire talk. I can’t wait to see the impact of this work on the world. I’d like to give special thanks and credit to The Literary Consultancy, Kingston University and UCL for giving life to such a beautiful idea.
gatha Christie was born on September 15th, 1890, in Torquay, Devon. She was the youngest of three siblings and was educated at home by her mother, who encouraged her daughter to write. As a child, Christie enjoyed fantasy play and creating characters. When she was 16, she moved to Paris for a time to study vocals and piano. She published her first book titled ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles’ in 1920; the story focused on the murder of a rich heiress and introduced readers to one of Christie’s most famous characters, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Writing well into her later years, Christie wrote more than 70 detective novels as well as short fiction. Though she also wrote romance novels like ‘Unfinished Portrait’ (1934) and ‘A Daughter’s a Daughter’ (1952) under the name Mary Westmacott, Christie’s success as an author of sleuth stories has earned her titles like the “Queen of Crime” and the “Queen of Mystery.” Christie can also be considered a Queen of all publishing genres, as she is one of the top-selling authors in history, with her combined works selling more than 2 billion copies worldwide.
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
32
GAMES
Why You Should Play Older Games
by MEGAN RICHARDS Don’t run out and buy the new shiny games!
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veryone has a backlog of games they own, that maybe they’d played between three hours to half of a plot of a game. Sometimes there are games we bought years ago, incredibly excited to play them, then life snuck up on us, deciding that we could not play that game. These games sit there unplayed. We keep saying “Yes, I’ll play you. I want to play you! The next time I have an hour or
so”. However by the time we have that ‘hour or so’ our attention has been caught up by a new game. Then other commitments, whether it be university, family, friends or another hobby, have eaten into your gaming time, and that game also goes on the shelf. That’s why in this article, I’m going to suggest perhaps not buying the new shiny game, and focusing on the old shelf dwellers. Before someone gasps in shock at the thought of missing out on the new game, I want to clarify I am merely suggesting it; it’s your money. That said, playing older games is often a learning experience, and is interesting, because as you play you re-
member why you fell in love with that game/ series. Just because the game is old now, doesn’t mean it’s bad. There is a reason games like the original Resident Evils and Ducktales keep getting remakes, they’re good games. As well as working your way through a backlog of games, playing older games can result in you replaying a game with multiple endings, and discovering more story beats that you missed in your first time, giving you more clarity on the game. Alternatively, you can replay an old favorite of yours, but with a friend who is an unfamiliar with the series. Over the last year, my housemate and
I introduced each other to our favourite game series (Kingdom Hearts and Batman: Arkham Series, respectively). This was good because it allowed us to share enthusiasm over a game series, and look at the games with fresh eyes. However if you must play the newest game, waiting one month, with certain games, tends to lower the price to a more bearable amount than £60. (Unless it’s Christmas!) However, another option is if you have always wanted to play an older game series, you can buy the whole series for the same amount of money as one new game. A year or so ago, I did this with
Sims 2, and all of the expansion packs, which in all averaged to £200- £300 when they first came out. They are still immensely fun. This advice by no means has to be taken, and can be ignored. However, if you end up finding yourself strapped for cash, maybe revisit an old favourite, or clear out your backlog of games, or introduce a series to a friend. But if you must buy a new game, consider waiting until it’s cheaper, or see what you can buy for the same amount of money.
Seven Games for Seven Months by MEGAN RICHARDS
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ere is a look ahead at some of the biggest games that will be coming out during the next academic year, up to exam season. September: Marvel’s Spider-Man (PS4 - 16) In his latest game, the friendly neighbourhood superhero has been around for eight years. In this outing, Peter Parker has the entirety of Manhattan to explore, which opens the game up to many different activities for the players, from fighting crime to photography. The scale of the game is important as he investigates a mystery that brings up comic book characters and rogues that span the whole of the Spider-Man mythos. Additional releases: Life is Strange 2 (PS4/ PC/Xbox One), Shadow of the Tomb Raider (PS4/ PC/Xbox One)
October: Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4/ Xbox One - 18) This game is a prequel to 2010’s award-winning western, Red Dead Redemption. While the story still focuses on the Van der Linde gang (this time in their heyday), the players no longer are playing as John Marston, but as Arthur Morgan. Morgan is the first game’s antagonist, Dutch Van der Linde’s main enforcer. During the game, we see the events that lead to the situations the different gang members are in during the original game, as the players traverse the American Wild West. Additional releases: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (PS4/ PC/Xbox One), Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (PS4/ PC/ Xbox One) November: Overkill’s The Walking Dead (PC - 18: Xbox One/ PS4 to release in February) Created alongside Robert Kirkman, and set in same universe as the comic book series of the same name, Overkill’s game takes place in the post-
apocalyptic US capital: Washington D.C. The game allows you and three friends to control a team of four closeknit but different survivors, as you fight to survive the zombie apocalypse. Additional releases: Hitman 2 (PS4/ PC/Xbox One), Spyro Reignited Trilogy (PS4/ Xbox One), Fallout 76 (PS4/ PC/Xbox One) December: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch - 12) The latest game in Nintendo’s brawler series is set to come out three years after Wii U’s Super Smash Bros 4. It will have all 63 characters who were involved in the previous installments of the series, as well as four new characters who will join the roster. With the inclusion of Inkling, Ripley, Simon and King K. Rool, one could argue this is Nintendo’s “most ambitious crossover in (their) history”. Either way with new stages and a lot of characters, the game should be very fun! Additional releases: Just Cause 4 (PS4/ PC/Xbox One)
January: Kingdom Hearts III (PS4/ Xbox One - 12) The long, long, long (13 years to be exact) awaited sequel to the Kingdom Heart’s franchise finally comes out. While many confusingly named spin off titles have been released in the interim, many fans will be excited and relieved to finally play the next installment of the surprisingly dense, yet sophisticated Final Fantasy and Disney crossover franchise. Additional releases: Resident Evil 2 Remake (PS4/PC/Xbox One) February: Crackdown 3 (PC/Xbox One - Age Rating TBC) Another long awaited game (not quite as long awaited as KH3) is set in the dystopian, futuristic Pacific City. The player plays as a super-soldier type agent of The Agency, who will fight futuristic crime syndicates plaguing the city. This series is best known for allowing the player to cause complete carnage to the world’s sandbox city. Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Terry Crews is set to appear in the game as Com-
mander Jaxon. Additional releases: Days Gone (PS4), Anthem (PS4/ PC/Xbox One) March: Devil May Cry 5 (PS4/ PC/ Xbox One - Age Rating TBC) Set a couple of years after DMC 4, the protagonist of that game, Nero, has set up his own demon hunting agency out of a van adorned, with the series’ logo on it. The players shall play as Nero, who now has a metal hand, and Dante, the series primary protagonist, and a currently unnamed third character. Additional releases: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS4/ PC/Xbox One), The Division 2 (PS4/ PC/Xbox One) Evidently, not all of the contents on this list will not be for everyone, this was only a glance at a few games being released throughout the year. However, whatever games you do play this year and are excited for, enjoy!
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Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
CREATIVE CORNER
W ALEC TUDOR
CREATIVE CORNER SUB-EDITOR creative@seren.bangor.ac.uk
elcome students, ye bold travelers! Whether new or returning, scared or ready to begin, you will face many challenges and much success this year. From a fellow student, himself returning but still scared: learn as much as you can, focus on what you love, and be grateful for what you have; Bangor University is home to a caring
and nice community that is sure to embrace you. This section of Seren focuses on breaking boundaries; whether it be crazy content, or crazy formatting, or crazy layouts, or crazy designs, being creative about everything is the way to go. At the same time, this section is also meant for YOU: poetry, flash fiction, short stories, artwork,
designs, sketches, and everything in between. If you want to post something, send it to me. There are a variety of events and projects in Bangor University where you can also display your work. You will be able to find them here, along interviews of people running these events and projects. One such example is the article below.
Finally, I expect this section to grow larger over the coming months. Keep reading Seren over time, and you may find something here that will make your day better.
Blue Pencils Vol. II: “The World We Live In” by ALEC TUDOR
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ave you ever taken a break from your routine and wondered at how our world is? Naturally, it is a common but intriguing question. Have you ever wondered how others see the world? Their views might differ, but they are worth a shot. Blue Pencils is an anthology of short stories; stories written by people of all backgrounds and walks of life. This year’s theme has had very interesting approaches: fantasy, science fiction, surreal and literary fiction (and more among them). This diversity has led to a very rich anthology, one which will leave you with many perspectives and many insights. Most importantly, the anthology may also help you achieve a more balanced, more tolerant perspective of this world.
The writing project was started within Bangor University, by Charlie Wilson, currently finishing her MRes in Professional Writing, writing and publishing speculative fiction, and Leslie Sextius, currently finishing an MA in Creative Writing, focusing on colonial and literary fiction. Last year, they published Blue Pencils Vol. I in conjunction with Bangor University. The Blue Pencils, Vol. II, is having the book launch on the 20 of September in the John Phillips Hall at 3:30 PM. There will be readings by the authors, as well as a chance to learn more about the project and what will be happening next. The anthology will be available for purchase on the day on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com for US citizens.
inTarsi Theatr Bryn Terfel 10 Hydref | October 7.30pm £14/£12 gostyngiadau/ concessions
Sgwrs gyda’r awdur In conversation with author
John Boyne
Rich Hall’s Hoedown
Theatr Bryn Terfel 18 Hydref | October, 8pm £17
Theatr Bryn Terfel 13 Hydref | October, 8pm £15-£10
Gig Shwmae Su’mae
Candelas
Fleur Dy Lys, Ffracas 20 Hydref | October, 8pm
£12 tan 5 Hydref | until 5 October, £15 6 Hydref ymlaen | from 6 October
Pontio Seren 265x170mm Medi 18.indd 1
BBC NOW Xian Zhang conducts Beethoven
balletLORENT
Rumpelstiltskin Theatr Bryn Terfel
Neaudd PrichardJones, Prifysgol Bangor 23 Tachwedd, 7.30pm
Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor University 23 November, 7.30pm
£15 - £5 £20/£15 tocynnau teulu
£15 - £5, £20/£15 family tickets
16 Tachwedd , 7pm 17 Tachwedd, 3 pm 16 November, 7pm 17 November, 3pm £15.50 - £10.50 £45 tocyn teulu/family ticket
12/09/2018 10:09
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
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SOCIETIES
SERENDIPITY PREVIEW
Bangor University Concert Band
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angor University Concert Band or better known as BUCB is the only band in Bangor where wind & brass players and percussionists can get together and make some (tuneful) noise! Our society is run entirely by students and our main aim is to have fun, so there are no auditions and no minimum standards. We welcome musicians that are students of Bangor
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Rostra
elcome to Rostra! We are Bangor's oldest drama society, producing great shows all year round. Either on the stage or behind the scenes, we are friendly and open. We rehearse at
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the artist type or to cheer if you are more of a watcher. Join us for a lot of fun and if you know nothing about Korea, do not worry! There will be plenty of opportunities to learn about this amazing country and meet new friends. Come and talk to us at Serendipity and join our Facebook page for more info and updates. We are a bunch of friendly and fun people who can't wait to meet you! That's a deal then! See you soon.
Bangor Writers Guild
egardless of your course and level, Writer’s Guild is open to all! Lurking in the highest corner of our beloved Hogwarts, we’re a group of wordsmiths and bookworms with a love for the written word in all its forms with the hope of providing a relaxed environment for you to talk to fellow readers, bounce ideas off others, collaborate on writing, and get inspired to write the next Cloud Atlas or read that book you’ve been eyeing
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various times of the week, so all of our shows are flexible. Be sure to follow our Facebook page, and feel free to find us at Serendipity too to find out more!
Bangor Korean Society
angor Korean Society is a great place to make friends who are interested in Korean culture, language, food or just the Hallyu wave. We meet on Thursdays between 6-8pm in Main Arts and play games, watch videos and movies, learn new stuff, sometimes we do karaoke sessions and sometimes cooking sessions too! This year we were invited to two national competitions between UK universities so there will also be plenty of space to perform if you are
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University and also members of the local community. BUCB have a small selection of instruments available to lend to members. Our first rehearsal will take place on Sunday 23rd September at 16:30PM in Mathias Hall in the School of Music Building. Also, we hope to see you at Serendipity where you can meet our Committee and ask us any questions.
up for years. Whether you’re a writer, reader or both, then this is the place for you to discuss books, authors, writing, and the stories that made us love books. We offer a vast range of discussion groups (from music for writing to, yes, fanfiction), exciting activities and workshops to ignite your creativity. Wanting more? Join us in OSCR A 18:30-20:30 every Monday for your weekly fix of bookish, writerly talk!
LitSoc
e really are excited for what the new year brings and we have lots planned from film nights, to socials! There is also a top secret project with another society
which will be announced very soon! We would love to see you all at our taster session on September 25th, 7-9pm, meeting in Main Arts Foyer!
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Bangor University Gaming League
o you enjoy multiplayer games but never have the people to play them with? Are you one short of forming a team, or wanting to play games in a more social environment with like-minded individuals? Bangor University Gaming League (BUGL) is a society formed by gamers for fellow gamers; whether you prefer console or PC, we provide a retreat for those
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language practice with Erasmus and International students. We also put on themed socials, film nights, book clubs and cuisine nights to allow students to get a taste for languages and the cultures that come with them. As Bangor is a university with many international students, there is
always something new and exciting to discover, whether it be a language or culture, and the aim of LangSoc is to promote and explore these. If you’re interested in anything above, check our Facebook page @ LangSoc Bangor for more information, or visit us at Serendipity!
Bangor African and Carribbean Society
he Bangor African and Caribbean Society strives to celebrate and embrace our multifaceted cultures. We aim to support our ethnic minority members during their time at our university. In doing so, we hope to create a sense of belonging whilst also encouraging members to excel in every aspect of their lives. Bangor ACS want to help our members realise their potential by believing in everyone’s abilities and we would love our members to reciprocate this kind of empowerment to one another. Support dreams,
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angor University Music Society (more commonly known as MuSoc) is a student-run society which is open to musicians of all abilities and from all departments. The Society runs a choir and orchestra, and also supports several other ensembles. Both the choir and orchestra give several performances throughout the year. No audition is necessary for entry into the orchestra or choir, just an enthusiasm for making music! MuSoc’s lunchtime workshop
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Rocket League, RSS, CS:GO, Hearthstone and DOTA. Whether you play for fun or play to win, BUGL welcomes you to join in and meet your future friends and team-mates. For more information or to mingle with some of our members, come to our booth at serendipity or try our taster sessions - we look forward to meeting you!
LangSoc Bangor
angSoc Bangor is the Modern Languages society here at Bangor University. We are mainly Languages students, but of course we are open to all students at Bangor who are interested in foreign languages and cultures. We run a weekly Tandem, in which we exchange
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who share our passion for gaming and banter. If our weekly sessions on the 4th floor of the Pontio, on Wednesdays (47pm) and Sunday (2-5pm) do not tempt you, perhaps try our online sessions which take place fortnightly in our official Discord. Or if you’re more on the competitive side, sign up and try-out to play against other universities in games such as LoL, Overwatch,
f you have an interest in acting, stagecraft, scriptwriting or anything in between, BEDS is the society for you! The Bangor English Dramatics Society (that's us!) puts on three shows a semester, including a
encourage ideas, be motivated and determined within yourself, embrace your strengths - have the confidence to know that you can reach your goals and influence others to do the same. Another thing we really want to do is educate our members. Through a series of different events whether it’s our discuss nights, our trips, movie nights and documentary screenings and just general meetups. There are copious amounts of things we can learn from each other regarding our history, how our cultures differ, our lifestyles, hair routines...
anything about our uniqueness - the possibilities are endless. Finally, we hope that through participation in the society and its activities, our members can elevate to a higher self by forming friendships, engaging in thought-provoking discussions and debates, acquire a better understanding and awareness of self and of the world around us and actively seek to improve their wellbeing, whether mental, emotional or physical.
Music Society series provides an opportunity for members to perform as soloists or as ensembles to a friendly audience in an informal atmosphere. MuSoc runs an active social programme through the year, so make sure you keep your eye out for the latest goings-on! MuSoc normally rehearses on Tuesdays (orchestra) and Fridays (choir) at 7:30pm. Please feel free to join us for our taster rehearsals in Welcome Week: Our choir taster is
on Wednesday 26th (with University Chorus, and the University Chamber Choir), and our orchestra taster is on Thursday 27th (with the University Symphony Orchestra). Both of these tasters will take place at 7:30pm in PJ Hall. You will also be able to find us at Serendipity on Wednesday and Thursday. We look forward to meeting you!
BEDS performance in Pontio this year! If working with passionate, experienced people sounds right up your street, come to our taster sessions on Saturday 22nd September, 12-2 and 4-6 in the Drama Rehearsal Room -
and join our Facebook page for more info! Also, have a good freshers’; don't make too many mistakes, you've gotta live here for the next few years.
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SOCIETIES
Bangor TableTop Society
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t increases brain function and decreases stress, it even lowers blood pressure, but most of all its all-round fun! There’s nothing quite like playing a good board game, and whether you are an impassioned gamer or simply enjoy the occasional roll of the dice, the leading gaming society in Bangor wants you to come and join in the fun. We have
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of fun and laughter, come join us on Wednesday and Sunday evenings from 6PM in G1. We are committed to an all inclusive and friendly environment, inviting anyone and everyone, from those who bring their collection with them to those who bring only themselves, the Bangor University TableTop Society is for you.
Bangor University Photography Society
angor University Photographic Society is for anyone who has an interest in photography, no matter if you’re just starting out or already a semi-professional! Each week we’ll be introducing a new genre of photography and giving a hands on practical session to let
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an immense collection suited to both casual and serious gamers alike, from our classic titles like Monopoly, Cluedo, Catan, Ticket to Ride and Pandemic, to less known titles like Betrayal, Captain Sonar, Resistance, Mysterium, Eldritch Horror and many, many more, we play them all! If you see yourself as a master of strategy, or just want a chilled evening
you get to grips with it. In addition, we’ll be running landscape and portrait workshops every other week, which (weather permitting) is a great opportunity to explore Bangor and Snowdonia and make all your friends jealous of your ‘dope’ Instagram shots! If you feel that you can’t afford to get
into photography, or just want to try it out before committing to a camera, we also have a myriad of cameras, lenses, tripods and almost everything else available to borrow for free. We also have a fully functioning darkroom for all your analogue photography needs if you want to go full hipster.
UMCB Welsh Leaner’s Society
e at the UMCB Welsh Learners Society aim to promote the use of Welsh as a second language among learners by providing a community where they can practise their skills with native speakers. We organise learner-orientated social events throughout the year which include games, quizzes and
informal meet-ups to help learners get involved in student Welsh culture at the university. Our “Ffrind Cymraeg” project is an exciting opportunity for Welsh learners to meet regularly with more experienced speakers on a one-to-one basis. The informal atmosphere of our society is best to encourage people to use their welsh naturally and develop their skills in
the language. The society is open to all no matter what level of Welsh you have. Whether you’re fluent already or have an interest in learning a little whilst studying here, or are currently following Wlpan courses with the university, the UMCB Welsh learners society has something for everyone.
Bangor University Finance Society
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nterested in a career in Finance, Business or the City in general? Why not join like minded students within the largest student-run group for finance-related events, socials and guest talks? The Bangor University Finance Society, composed of a diverse membership of mixed disciplines, backgrounds and nationalities, is a welcoming, educational and career-
oriented society aimed at directing Bangor student efforts toward learning and growing in a comfortable and friendly environment. We organise student events related to financial literacy, networking, and ideas exchange, whilst also running socials encouraging a community spirit amongst our members. Further, we endeavour to invite outside
speakers, such as our previous guest and Bangor Alumni, George Buckley, Chief Economist at Nomura, to discuss graduate careers and prospects, as well as current economic issues. So, if you’re interested in finance, come speak with us at Serendipity or follow our Facebook page to find out when our next event is occurring!
Bangor University Internation Students Society
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tarting afresh, the Bangor International Students’ Society (BISS) wants to invite all new and returning students to our regular events and sessions this year. Our society is a good starting point to chat and mingle, or just as a first contact point for any questions or help you might need. Our Facebook page is always tingling with news and queries from all over Bangor, either
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ave you ever wanted to be a radio presenter? We are Storm FM, an entirely student-run radio station with our own studio in Bangor University, and we are looking for people to join us! Whether you fancy getting behind the mic and trying your hand at presenting your own show, or whether you just want to make some new friends and gain some experience in radio, Storm FM is for you! We have a wide range of marketing,
with events being advertised from the International Education Centre, other international societies, or various projects and trips that get offered around Bangor, or with questions and news from new and old members here at Bangor. If you’re interested in exploring the area and want to get connected to many international students, come and join our events. All people are invited, even if from the UK!
Come and check us out at Serendipity to meet the committee, sign up over UNDEB (free!) or get updated about our events over Facebook or email (sign up at Serendipity). We’ve already got many exciting cooking sessions, outdoor events, cultural and social events planned that you might want to come to!
Storm FM technical, and live DJ’ing positions available on the team. We are a real FM radio station, and previous members have used the experience and skills gained with us to get graduate jobs in a range of companies, including the BBC and Amazon. No matter what your passion is, Storm FM truly is an unmissable opportunity! Life is never boring at Storm FM, and we hold a number of events throughout the year such as live broadcasts from different locations.
We also provide audio solutions for other societies, helping students gain experience in sound engineering or DJ’ing. Storm FM is also known for its lively social events, which are a great opportunity to get to know the members of Storm and see what we are all about! To tune in to Storm FM or to get involved, head onto our website at www.stormfm.com
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DJ Society
e have been around since 2006 and people have always loved us. The DJ Society is here to mentor students to learn how to DJ their favourite music, so then they can showcase it in the numerous gigs and opportunities this society gets throughout the year. There is a friendly and professional outlook to everything we do, our members
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HOGSOC
OGSOC’s all about relaxing and meeting new people in our unique, peaceful garden! We’re down at the gardens almost every Sunday, leaving one off to help out STAG at Treborth! We’re a very relaxed society and won’t be strict on attendance so come and go as you feel like it! We’ll always be looking forward
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to having both new and recurring members turn up for our sessions! This year we’ve revamped the garden and got things started off, so there’s more to look forward to when we see you in September! A 5-minute walk from Belle Vue or Ffriddoedd Village – whichever comes first while you have the garden in between!
SODA
ODA is Bangor University’s Musical Theatre Society. Whether you enjoy singing, dancing and acting. Or you want to get involved with back stage or media, there is a place for everyone in our little SODA family. In the last couple of years SODA have
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develop their skills and build contacts with like-minded people. So if you’re looking forward to learn about the art of DJ-ing, event management, graphic design or music, you should join us. We have invested in our own equipment, so our new members can practice and learn without the need to invest in their own. See you soon.
performed Fame, Cinderella, High School Musical, various Showcases and performances at lots of events including: Society & Volunteering Awards, Christmas Markets, NUS Wales awards and various other events!
STAG
TAG is the student presence at Treborth Botanic Gardens. We help things grow, dig holes, and generally just have fun doing what we do! We accept people of all abilities from the keenest botanists to those who just want to dip their toes in and try something new. There are many different jobs to be done in the gardens all year round, from working
in the library to felling trees, so you can be sure that we’ll find something for you! STAG holds a big work party once a month at Treborth. We usually provide transport from Bar Unoand will let you know beforehand! For more involvement feel free to head down on a Wednesday and Friday - these sessions are more informal. Any extra time you give is highly appreciated!
Bangor University Guides and Scouts
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e are Bangor University Guides and Scouts Society. Whether you’re new to Scouting and Guiding or have been doing it for as long as you can remember - BUGS has something for you! Take part in our weekly programme of activities, volunteer with a local group or both! We partake in a wide variety of weekly activities,
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from night hikes and rock climbing, to film nights to cooking! You don’t have to be a Guide or a Scout to join BUGS, everyone is welcome! We are a participating group of SSAGO (Student Scout and Guide Association) with whom we have the opportunity to go to events and rallies alongside our own camps.
Assasins Society
ssassins Society has built a community around the concept of hunting down targets while the questioning public watches our devious plans unfurl. We’ll give you a photograph and a name, nothing more. It is your job to hunt your prey with utmost precision, hiding behind
walls and blending into the crowd in order to land the perfect hit on a fellow assassin. If you fancy yourself a master of disguise or just want to play with nerf blasters, come along to one our many socials and games to experience what it’s really like to be a student assassin.
Bangor Animation Watchers and Lovers Society
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angor Animation Watchers and Lovers Society is the premier society for all animation lovers, from anime to Disney! Join us for our weekly showings down in Academi (each centered around a specific theme), every Thursday at 7PM! Join the Facebook group and vote for
what you want to watch, and enter a friendly, welcoming community of like minded people. Aside from the weekly showings we also have quizzes, pub crawls, karaoke - a wide selection of different socials, with a lot of surprises in store! Join the Facebook group for more info.
Seren | Freshers Issue 2018
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SPORT
INTERVIEW:
Bangor University Weightlifter Called up to British Squad
Alex Boss
Bangor City FC by FINNIAN SHARDLOW
Give us a brief introduction on yourself?
My name is Alex Boss, and I am a winger at Bangor City FC. I started playing football from a young age, around 4-5. My dad always used to take me to the park for a kickabout, and I ended up joining in with a training session at a local side in Brighton. It was from then on I found a love for football. I’m an attacking winger, with a lot of pace, which helps me get past defenders. I can get past defenders by just knocking the ball past them, or using quick footwork and skill to get past them. The main aim in my style of play is receiving the ball high up the pitch, so a diagonal ball or a straight ball over the top from a midfielder or full back is the best option, so I can run onto it.
Talk us through the ups and downs that Bangor City have had over the years?
We have had a lot of ups and downs at Bangor, but we have mainly been very consistent over the years, finishing in the top four to fight for a place in Europe. Last season we finished 2nd in the Welsh Prem with a very strong team, but unfortunately due to circumstances we had to be relegated to the league below us (Huws Gray Alliance). With a whole new team, we plan to be back in the Welsh Premier League next season to compete for our place in Europe once again.
How’s life for you personally at Bangor City FC?
Life for me at Bangor city is great, I get treated very well there by all the staff, and get given top equipment to help me get better in all areas as a player. The players are all great people on and off the pitch and ensure we all have a good experience and are helped on the pitch.
Just how passionate are the following at Bangor City?
Our followers are the best! In the league we are in now or in the Welsh Premier League the fans never let us
down, and we appreciate it very much. If it were not for the fans, we would not be one of the biggest Welsh clubs in Wales! The fans are everything at our club and we wish to make them proud by going back up into the Welsh Premier League and fight for a place in Europe again.
What difference does a big crowd make to your performance?
Having a big crowd helps us a lot, especially with our fans. They cheer us on whether we are winning or losing and give us the motivation to push on through the pain and get a result. For ourselves and for them. Having a big crowd definitely makes a difference to our performance especially at home.
Would you say Bangor City FC is important to the local community - are you often stopped and appreciated by locals?
I think Bangor City is very important to the community, as it provides kids who love football to aim for something. We do a lot of coaching in the the community to give a little back to support that we get from the fans. Myself and a few other team mates do coaching sessions with local schools to give our knowledge to the next generation of footballers. It is also good for the adults or students as it gives them the opportunity to support a big local team and watch some high level football.
How important would you say it is for students to come and watch/support Bangor City FC and take an interest in a vital part of the local community?
I do think it is important for students to come and watch and support their local team so that they can get a feel for how much this club means to the locals and to the team members. Bangor City is a huge part of the area and means a lot to all the locals. The fans are very passionate about the club, and I think it is very important for students to come and watch and support and no doubt they will become just as passionate.
by FINNIAN SHARDLOW
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ritish Weightlifting have selected Bangor University’s Catrin Jones as part of their 2018 squad for the FISU World University Weightlifting Championships. The competition will take place in Biala Podlaska, Poland between 20th- 23rd September 2018. Catrin represented Wales at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year and finished 4th at the Junior World Championships which were held in Uzbekistan last month. As well as
studying for her Psychology degree, the 19-year-old athlete trains at Canolfan Brailsford to prepare for tournaments. Dave Jones, Health and Fitness Manager at Canolfan Brailsford, said: “Bangor University has now got some very talented athletes training at Canolfan Brailsford which have represented Wales and GB on the world stage. With the recent opening of our great new facility, Platfform81 - which is open to all, we hope this will help athletes with their training to achieve their future goals.”
Catrin was named Young British Weightlifter of the Year in 2017, a title that is awarded to an Olympic weightlifter for exceptional performances and achievements. Ashley Metcalfe, British Weightlifting Chief Executive, said: “Catrin has been 100% committed to the sport for many years and despite her age, she is always professional, confident and a pleasure to be around. BWL are truly proud to have Catrin represent us at national level.”
Alastair Cook Retirement: What Does This Mean For England’s Top Order?
by JACK HOLLINSHEAD
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fter playing in the final test of the 5-match series against India, in which England have already secured victory, opening batsman and former test captain Alastair Cook will retire from international test cricket. What an outstanding career this man has had, being without question one of, if not the best English batsmen in the modern era of test matches. His stats speak for themselves: most capped player with 161 test matches, a record 158 consecutive test appearances, centuries in both his first and last test match, the leading runscorer for England, the youngest player
to reach 12,000 test runs, a record 32 test centuries and is the 6th highest runs of all time behind the greats of Tendulkar, Ponting, Kallis, Dravid and Sangakkara; the only Englishman in the top 10. When you put that all into perspective, it’s pretty astonishing. To achieve all that whilst captaining the side from 2012-2017 including two Ashes victories is remarkable. However, there is one thing I do question: who replaces him in the test side? Not someone straight away to get 12,000 runs. Although that would be nice, that’s not what I’m asking. What I would like is for someone to come in a stay consistent for a strong run of test matches, averaging a good score to set England up nicely in a
test innings. I just felt that with him gone, England will lack that. Keaton Jennings has been unimpressive thus far unfortunately, leading to the middle order bailing him and other top order batsmen out in recent tests, but I’m sure he’ll find his groove. I feel it will be a process of testing combinations before a partnership is settled upon due to the serve lack of international experience from a lot of selection options. Jennings is the prime example of how hard it seems to transfer your county form over to country level, but Joe Root and the England selectors will do some thorough thinking before making a decision, while Cook enjoys his well earned retirement.
Freshers Issue 2018 | Seren
37
Women’s Football: England Sole Bidders For Euro 2021
SPORT
Kia Oval Plastic Reduction Scheme
by JACK HOLLINSHEAD
T by JACK HOLLINSHEAD
A
t the end of August, the English Football Association submitted their bid to host the Women’s European Championships in the summer of 2021. With the Lionesses reaching the semi-finals in last year’s competition and recently beating Wales in order to qualify for the 2019 World Cup, it only seems fitting that we get another chance at not only hosting a major tournament, but by getting over the line and winning in front of a hometown nation. Now that would be truly memorable and remarkable for players, staff and supporters alike. Now, what seems to be very promising for English fans, but very alarming for not only women’s but football in general, is that we were the only nation to apply for hosting. No other country
applied by the 3rd September deadline; so if the FA meets the strict guidelines that UEFA layout when they are deciding on a host, then it will be ours, as an executive committee only need to come to a decision rather than a vote. So the alarming thing is, why did other nations not bid to host such a prestigious competition? It makes no sense. Finland and Sweden have hosted recently, with the Netherlands being not only last year winners but also entertainers, so that rules those three out. The failed bidders from 2017 included Austria, France, Poland, Scotland and Switzerland. France are hosting the World Cup in 2019, so they will be focusing on ensuring that is a successful tournament, but I’ve had a look over the guidelines on UEFA’s website and I cannot see anything that suggests you cannot apply for
successive tournaments. In fairness, it makes sense for Scotland not to bid as they’ve only got a short journey down, but why didn’t they bid again? Where are Spain and Italy’s names in all this? I’ve checked the 2021 summer calendar, there are no major other sporting competitions getting in the way to stop all those countries hosting. I suggested that it was a worrying subject for the game because we want to ensure that the sport is one for all, and to have no real backing from a vast amount of countries across Europe to support women’s football, especially on an international level, is a touch troubling. But I’m sure over the next few years, we will see a lot more which can only be a positive thing, It baffles me that they haven’t, but in a sense I’m glad because it means we get to host all things well and good. It
would be great to see a host of nations play at the very top level up and down the country. Without a doubt, the profile of women’s football in the UK will become greater, which can only be a positive thing, and the nation will rally behind our Lionesses to create a vibrant, supportive and competitive atmosphere. The women’s World Cup will take place Summer 2019, with England and Scotland both competing. Then make sure you keep an eye out for the 3rd December, where England should be announced as the official hosts of the 2021 European Championships.
10th, 13th, 17th, 20th & 23rd October: Cricket - Sri Lanka v England ODIs live on Sky Sports 3rd-24th November: Cricket; ICC Women’s World Twenty20, West Indies live on Sky Sports
16th-18th November: Moto GP; Valencia Grand Prix, Spain live exclusively on BT Sport
he Kia Oval Cricket Ground in London, home to Surrey County Cricket Club, has reduced its use of plastic and prevented at least six tons of the material from entering landfills. Sky’s environmental campaign Ocean Rescue teamed up with the Oval back in 2017 to help kick start the initiative whilst England have played international matches there. This included them handing out reusable water bottles to crowd members and carrying on into Surrey’s domestic season as they aimed to cut down single-use plastic in the grounds. By switching to reusable drinking supplies and installing water fountains, they have stopped nearly 700,000 units of plastic from being used at the ground. Whilst it has taken time and effort, like most of these campaigns do, reports suggest that the Oval will be plastic free by 2020. This would be an outstanding achievement, causing only more grounds and venues to follow suit as the plastic epidemic becomes more troubling and dangerous across our vast oceans.
Upcoming Sporting Fixtures by JACK HOLLINSHEAD
W
ith all kinds of sports coming thick and fast during the Autumn and Winter months, here are a few fixtures to look out for from Freshers’ Week through to the end of November in case you want to head down to the pub or crowd around a laptop to watch and enjoy. September - December: Football;
22nd September: Boxing; WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight title fight – Anthony Joshua v Alexander Povetkin live on Sky Sports Box Office
Live Champions League and Europa League Football Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings exclusively on BT Sport (televised fixtures and times TBC), with live Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premier League Football on Sky Sports and BT Sport (televised fixtures and times TBC) alongside the UEFA Nations League live on Sky Sports (televised fixtures and times TBC)
28th-30th September: Golf; Ryder Cup live on Sky Sports
23rd-25th November: Formula 1; Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina live on Sky Sports
SPORT
Bangor University’s Students’ Union English Language Newspaper
seren.bangor.ac.uk @SerenSports
Latest AU News Updates & Results Inside
AU Exec Ready For The Year Ahead
Louise Fell, VP Sport by FINNIAN SHARDLOW What have you been doing as VP Sport to prepare for this year?
I have been working on making everything we do slightly better. The Student’s Union were lucky enough to see an increase in funding this year, and the Opportunities team worked hard to ensure that the AU, Societies, Volunteering and UMCB saw an increase in funding. As a result, I’ve been looking into providing better kit, facilities and more coaches for clubs across the board, as well as ensuring that they have what they need to run before they arrive in Bangor for Welcome Week.
Harry Mandritis – Secretary Hey there I’m Charalambos “Harry” Mandritis. I’m a second year Psychology student and I’m the AU Secretary as well as Secretary for American Football and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. My goal for the 2018/19 academic year is to help inter club communication and interaction as well as implement the team work and passion I picked up in the military. My personal goals for this upcoming year are to reach the next level with the clubs I am involved in and help coach new members of the teams I am affiliated with.
What are your main goals for this year?
As seen in manifesto, one of my biggest goals for the year is enabling financial self-sufficiency of clubs. The AU does not have an endless pot of money, and as we saw last year, big financial cuts created unforeseen barriers to some clubs. I don’t think clubs should be in this position if cuts were to happen again. This means I will be actively encouraging students groups to raise income from annual events, such as tournaments and competitions, that both the local community and other universities can get involved with. This would allow the clubs to have access to additional finances that would be separate from their block grant, giving
Jess Nixon – Healthy Living Officer Hi, my name is Jess Nixon and I am the Healthy Living Officer for 2018/19! During my role this year I plan to implement a #BangorBeatsTheBooze scheme - alcohol is an integral part of social life at university, I’m not trying to stop it, just make people more aware of the lasting effects of excessive drinking on health and sporting performance! Additionally, I’m passionate about more water being readily available throughout the university buildings so aim to get some water machines fitted; with the possibility of organising a ‘Water Challenge’ scheme to encourage students to drink more water.
them the opportunity to go the extra mile and experience things that may have been previously unreachable due to financial constraints. Something else I will be working on this year is a campaign specifically for Men’s Mental Health. As I’m sure we are all aware, suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under 35, and as that demographic directly represents some of our student population, it’s something universities need to begin safeguarding. Campaigns such as #ITSOKAYTONOTBEOKAY and Alright Mate? are taking positive strides in ensuring awareness, I aim to ensure that Bangor Student’s Union will be following suit.
What main events should
Henry Williams – Events Officer My name is Henry Williams and I am a third year student studying Business Economics. I was raised locally and went to high school in Bangor. Within the AU, I am Club Captain of Men’s Rugby Union this year following my role as Club Secretary last year. I am also delighted to be on the AU Exec as the Events Officer, and will be looking to organise some quality events, as well as working closely with Academi to improve Wednesday AU nights! #BURUFC
students be looking out for?
What's your advice to students looking to get involved in sport at Bangor Uni?
Serendipity this year will be bigger than ever, with food stalls, and inflatable sporting tasks, it should be a great event, so from Postgraduates to Freshers, make sure you get involved! Aberystwyth will be hosting Varsity this year, nonetheless we will be bringing home the win. This does however, mean that this year we do not have the pleasure of hosting a big sporting event in Bangor and as a result I hope to really take Old Stars weekend to the next level! For those who don’t know what Old Stars is, its an opportunity for Bangor alumni to return and attempt to take on the spring chickens of today, in their respective sports. So look out for big things happening next March.
We have something for everybody, if it’s just an informal kick around on a weekend to replace your Sunday League needs, or whether you want to push yourself and the university teams to higher levels by competing week in week out in our BUCS competitions, there will be a club for you. Rarely do we find that a sport is not represented here at Bangor, however if you feel as though we are missing a sport that you are passionate about then feel free to grab a group of friends and come down and visit me at my office in the Students Union, and you can start up your very own club - it really is that simple!
Jenna Bowman – Widening Access Officer
Corie Shorrock Publicity Officer
Hi there, my name's Jenna Bowman, I'm a third year student studying Criminology and Criminal Justice. I am heavily involved in the Netball Club as I acted coach last year and captained the first team. With this experience I plan on influencing more to participate in all different kinds of sports.. It's been great to see badminton, football, basketball, football and netball numbers increase every year. The campaigns that we run are fantastic, the "This Girl Can" and the "Pride In Sport" campaigns. I am going to push and maintain both to ensure it's ran to its full potential.
Hi, I’m Corie and I’m your BUCS and Publicity Officer for this year. I’m currently a Masters student in Criminology and Law, I’m part of the Rugby League and Gaelic Football team as well as being their vice captain. My main aim for this year will be to make sure every team gets enough publicity to show off their achievements to the rest of the university and show off the smaller teams who don’t get as much attention as they should.
NOVEMBER SUNDAY 14TH
THURSDAY 1ST
12.15-5pm | Meet outside Reichel Halls Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
8pm | Acapela
Bounce Below Trip!
9pm | Bar Uno
Free Chippy Tea
TUESDAY 16
6pm | Bar Uno and Barlows Kitchens
Table Tennis
British Heart Foundation CPR Training
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
SATURDAY 3RD
Hot Chocolate & Bonfire Night Walk
11am-12pm or 12-1pm or 2-3pm | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
6pm | Meet at Ffridd and St Mary's Village Halls Office
Check Facebook for more details
Free Sunday Roast
SUNDAY 4TH
6pm | Bar Uno Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
THURSDAY 18TH
MONDAY 5TH
Documentary & Debate
THURSDAY 18TH
Campus Life Karaoke
8pm | Acapela
FRIDAY 19TH
Free Chippy Tea
Learn to Cook Soup
6pm | Bar Uno and Barlows Kitchens
7pm | Barlows Kitchens
SATURDAY 20
WEDNESDAY 7
9pm | Bar Uno
TUESDAY 6
TH
Wednesday Warmer
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
11.30am-12.15pm | Ffridd and St Mary's Halls Office
SUNDAY 21ST
Knit & Natter November
WEDNESDAY 7TH
Ultimate Frisbee
5-6pm | Braint Common Room
2-4pm | Outside Peris Halls
SUNDAY 21ST
THURSDAY 8TH
Campus Life Karaoke
Wet and Wild
9pm | Bar Uno
Meet outside Ffridd Halls Security at 1pm Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
SUNDAY 21ST
Big Win Bingo
7.30pm | Bar Uno and Barlows
MONDAY 22ND - SATURDAY 27TH
DeStresstival
G
WEDNESDAY 24
TH
Wednesday Warmer
10am-6pm | Meet outside Reichel Halls Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
FRIDAY 23RD
Free Pizza Party
MONDAY 3RD
SATURDAY 24TH
8pm | Acapela
I
Pool Tournament
Yoga
E E S U
Pumpkin Carving
6.30pm | Acapela and Braint Common Room
THURSDAY 15TH THURSDAY 15TH
7pm | Bar Uno Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Wet & Wild
1pm | Meet outside Ffridd Halls Security Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
WEDNESDAY 5TH
SUNDAY 25TH
11.30am -12.15pm | Ffridd and St Mary's Halls Office
Open Mic Night
6pm | Acapela
SATURDAY 17TH
Cirque de St Mary's Yoga
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
SUNDAY 18TH
Free Sunday Roast
8pm | Acapela
MONDAY 19TH
WEDNESDAY 31ST
7.30pm | Braint Common Room
Halloween Party
THURSDAY 6TH
8pm | Acapela Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
Christmas Crafts #DeckTheHalls
TUESDAY 27
TH
7pm | Braint Common Room and Acapela
Pool Tournament 7.30pm | Bar Uno and Barlows
THURSDAY 6TH
WEDNESDAY 28TH
9pm | Bar Uno
Campus Life Karaoke
Wednesday Walkabout
SATURDAY 8TH
Check Facebook for more details
Yoga
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Knit & Natter November 5-6pm | Braint Common Room
SUNDAY 9TH
THURSDAY 29TH
Improv Night
Film Night
Campus Life Karaoke
DOWNLOAD O
UR FREE CA
MPUS LIFE APP TO KEEP U
Christmas Decoration Photo Competition
#DeckTheHalls
TUESDAY 11TH
Learn to Cook Christmas Treats 7pm | Barlows Kitchens
THURSDAY 13TH
Film Night 8pm | Acapela
P TO DATE W ITH EVERYTH ING
GOING ON!
9pm | Bar Uno
FRIDAY 16TH
WEDNESDAY 31ST
Learn to Cook Pumpkin Cake
Wednesday Warmer
Campus Life & International Karaoke
M
P
WEDNESDAY 31ST
Knit & Natter November
A
Check Facebook for more details
Wednesday Walkabout
8pm | Acapela
MONDAY 29TH
Wednesday Walkabout
Table Tennis
Film Night
8pm | Acapela Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
WEDNESDAY 31ST
TUESDAY 13TH
5-6pm | Braint Common Room
Open Mic Night
7.30pm | Barlows
CAMPUS GREENING
WEDNESDAY 14TH
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Board Games & Biscuits
MONDAY 12TH - SATURDAY 17TH
Check Facebook for more details
R
SATURDAY 27TH
Campus Life Christmas Party
9pm | Bar Uno
WEDNESDAY 14TH
G
Campus Life Karaoke
TUESDAY 4TH
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
SUNDAY 11
7.30pm | Braint Common Room and Acapela
THURSDAY 25TH
Documentary and Debate
7.30pm | Bar Uno
MONDAY 10TH - FRIDAY 14TH
C
T
9pm | Bar Uno
THURSDAY 29TH
N
E R
THURSDAY 25TH
7.30pm | Bar Uno and Barlows
S
Campus Life Karaoke
10-11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Wet & Wild
11.30am-12.15pm | Ffridd & St Mary's Halls Office
E
Manchester Christmas Markets Trip
THURSDAY 22ND
1.15pm | Meet outside Ffridd Halls Security Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
7pm | Barlows Kitchens
8pm | Bar Uno
SUNDAY 2ND
11am - 2.30pm | Powis Hall
8pm | Acapela Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
TH
Learn to Cook Chinese
SUNDAY 28TH
Halls to Home Fair
8pm | Acapela
Yoga
N
L A V I T S S
SATURDAY 10TH
Yoga
Book your room in halls for next year now! #LOVEHALLS
WEDNESDAY 28
6pm | Bar Uno Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
9pm | Bar Uno
SUNDAY 2ND
TH
FRIDAY 9TH
Sunday Roast
TUESDAY 23RD
Knit & Natter November
SUNDAY 25TH
TH
TH
Yoga
10 -11am | Acapela Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
WEDNESDAY 21ST
CHRISTMAS DECORATION PHOTO COMPE TITION
Wednesday Walkabout
8pm | Acapela
Yoga
AD
WEDNESDAY 17TH
Film Night
SATURDAY 1
Wednesday Warmer
THURSDAY 22ND
Yoga
WEDNESDAY 17
TH
#
ST
5-6pm | Braint Common Room
SATURDAY 3RD
7.30pm | Braint Common Room and Acapela
Check out MyBangor for more info
WEDNESDAY 21ST
11.30am-12.15pm | Ffridd and St Mary's Halls Office
FRIDAY 2ND
TH
Campus Life and Warden Applications Open LOVEHALLS
7pm | Barlows Kitchens
Campus Life Karaoke
8pm | Acapela Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
SATURDAY 1ST
Learn to Cook Veggie
THURSDAY 1ST
Improv Night
D
TUESDAY 20TH
Film Night
SUNDAY 14TH
DECEMBER
6pm | Bar Uno Book your place by emailing campuslife@bangor.ac.uk
Board Games & Biscuits
#LOVEHALLS CHECK OUT THE BANGOR CAMPUS LIFE WEBSITE, APP OR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR ALL OUR LATEST NEWS WWW.CAMPUSLIFEBANGOR.CO.UK CAMPUSLIFEBANGOR
Y N C Y F LW YNO P R E S E NTS
@
S T
NIGHT
OPEN
M A R Y ’ S
MIC SUNDAY.8PM
30.09.18 28.10.18 25.11.18 Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
FILM
NIGHT
V I L L A G E
IMPROV
NIGHT SUNDAY.8PM
14.10.18 09.12.18 Email campuslife@bangor.ac.uk to perform
21.09.18 01.11.18 04.10.18 15.11.18 18.10.18 23.11.18 FREE POPCORN 13.12.18
8PM