thewaterfront
Free Issue 211 February 13, 2012 waterfrontonline.co.uk
INSIDE
the official student newspaper of swansea university NEWS
MP David Miliband joins pay push
FEATURES
Fun Week replaces Beer Race
page 2
page 26
SPORT
Spours crowned boxing champ
page 29
STUDENTS WARNED NOT TO USE WRITING SERVICE Firm approaching students offering to write their essays and dissertations by Gemma Parry
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk SWANSEA University has warned students they risk being kicked out if they use a service that is offering to write their essays and dissertations. An unnamed firm has been advertising in the local area and students have also been approached on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. While the service is not illegal, the university regards it as a form of cheating. Some students have already reported approaches to officials on campus. But despite the various means of detecting plagiarism, there are still some students who are tempted to pay for their work to be done for them, the Waterfront understands. Jane Normand-Lewis, assistant registrar for postgraduate taught awards said: “Students found to be using essay writing services should expect to be withdrawn from the university. “The university offers a variety of services that can support students and any overseas student experiencing difficulty with English language skills can access free help and support from the university’s English language training services by e-mailing: s.george@swansea.ac.uk.” The other risk of using such services is there is no guarantee the work provided plagiarism-free or of an appropriate standard.
Jonny Redgers, a first year physics student, is against using such services.. He said: “Without being at lectures ourselves it would be difficult to buy work that is in the right context. “On an ethical level, those who don’t cheat could be at a disadvantage to those who do by using this service.” Students are advised to speak to their personal tutors if they are experiencing any personal difficulties. They are also encouraged to contact Swansea University authorities if they are approached by a company advertising this type of service. Luke James, students’ union president said: “If you are having trouble with any aspect of your course you can get as much support as you need from your department. “If you’re not getting that support from your tutors then contact myself or the education officer Rhiannon Hedge.” Miss Hedge added: “Our advice to students on these businesses is simply not to touch them with a barge pole. “It’s making money out of desperate students, but it’s something that could see lose you your place at university entirely. “If you’re struggling with your studies, contact your department, support services or the SU advice centre.” Have you been approached? E-mail: editor@swansea-union.co.uk
University defends guidance posters in campus toilets page 2
thewaterfront Third floor, Students’ Union Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP (01792) 295 988 editor@swansea-union.co.uk web: waterfrontonline.co.uk twitter: thewaterfrontSU facebook: the waterfront swansea SECTION EDITORS News Becca Taylor, Gemma Parry waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk
Features Samantha Booth sammeeb@hotmail.co.uk
Sport Craig Hadley, David Hendy waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
Front Jon May front@swansea-union.co.uk Music Alex Gibbs waterfrontmusic@swansea-union.co.uk
Film Michael Samuel waterfrontfilm@swansea-union.co.uk
Culture TBC waterfrontculture@swansea-union.co.uk
Listings Russell Wade waterfrontlistings@swansea-union.co.uk
Societies James Langridge waterfrontsocieties@swansea-union.co.uk
Travel Zoe Gullett waterfronttravel@swansea-union.co.uk
Fashion Lucinda Reid waterfrontfashion@swansea-union.co.uk
Games Matt Edwards waterfrontgames@swansea-union.co.uk
Gadgets Richard Cowie waterfrontgadgets@swansea-union.co.uk
Proofreaders Grainne Corish Photographers photographysu@gmail.com Website waterfrontweb@swansea-union.co.uk
Advertising Annie Cottam (01792) 602496 Distribution Russell Wade (01792) 606715
thewaterfront 211 13.02.12
Toilet posters are down to ‘cultural differences’ by Chris Flynn
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk SWANSEA University said posters placed in toilets around campus telling people how to use the loo are aimed at addressing cultural differences. The posters include images of what to do if you need more than just a wee, and also has a list of instructions. They have drawn a mixed reaction but students’ union international officer Mahaboob Basha is furious. “We appreciate the message it intends to give, but we feel it comes across as rude and patronising,” he said. “If this is perceived to be a genuine problem then surely it could be included in all arrival packs when arriving at university. “Unfortunately this now looks like
a very childish solution to a problem which should never have existed. “I hope the university reviews the use of this signage and in future consults with me before producing something which can easily cause a lot of offence.” But a university spokesperson said the signs had already made a difference. “Swansea University is a multi-cultural campus community and the informational posters were produced, for use in both male and female facilities, to help address cultural differences that were unfortunately causing damage and hygiene issues,” she said. “The information was produced in conjunction with the International College Wales Swansea (ICWS) and displayed in key areas around the campus. “Since the inception of these posters, the situation has greatly improved in the INSTRUCTIONS: One of the posters displayed in toilets around campus affected areas.”
Miliband helps Labour students’ pay fight by Becca Taylor
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk MP David Miliband visited Swansea last week as part of a wider campaign to urge universities to pay all staff the living wage. The event “David Miliband in Conversation” was organised by Labour students to launch their living wage campaign, and hosted by Professor Jonathan Bradbury of the politics department.
OFFICERS’ CORNER
02 I NEWS
Before the sit-down, Prof Bradbury and Mr Miliband spent time with Swansea Labour students helping collect signatures for the living wage campaign petition. He also spoke with members of staff currently paid under the living wage and serving tea and coffee to passersby. During his talk, Mr Miliband spoke on a range of issues, including the recent veto on the European Union treaty, the
health reforms and devolution before taking questions from a large audience. Mr Miliband also expressed his interest in taking politics “past the sound bite” and spoke of his work with Movement for Change as a key element of this. Pearleen Sangha, chair of Welsh Labour students, said they were pleased to be able to host the former Foreign Secretary. She said: “He’s really sparked excitement through campus for the living
wage campaign, and helped us make over 100 signatures to take to the University.” Swansea was the 13th university to host Mr Miliband in his tour across British universities. He is launching the national Labour students campaign to push universities to pay all staff members the living wage of at least £7.20 an hour. It’s the official policy SU to lobby the uni to pay the living wage
mahaboob basha, international officer
DURING my time at Swansea, I have experienced just how diverse student life can be. Through this, I have gained experience in a variety of different roles, such as mature students’ officer, race relations officer, and as a welfare warden – which I continue to do today.
Meeting Times (Meetings are in the Waterfront office) Features Front Section editors News & Sport De-brief & Ideas
Monday, February 13 Monday, February 13 Monday, February 20 Monday, February 20 Friday, Februrary 24
12pm 12pm 11am 1pm 1pm
As international officer, my main role is to look after the welfare of the international students at the university. I consider my role to run from the moment that an international student arrives at the university, to when they graduate. My responsibility is to be the international students’ voice within the university and the local community. Over the past year, I have already delivered on several of my election pledges. The refectory has become a non-alcoholic zone, and for the first time ever, there will be a non-alcoholic section at this year’s Varsity rugby match. Free Arabic, Chinese and Greek lessons are now also available, while transport from the student village outside of term time is now much improved. Skype facilities within the students’ union will also be accessible from the beginning of March.
Free fire awareness training, first aid and a forum for Arabic and Chinese speaking students have also been introduced. I have also ensured that International College for Wales (ICWS) students now have improved access to university and union facilities. My room has always been open, from before the university opens in the morning to after it closes in the evening. I hope that people find me to be approachable, welcoming and supportive. In my position I have continually strived to go the extra mile for students. I look forward to running for a second term as international officer. If elected, I hope to build on the work that I have already done. One of these things is to extend the forum to all international students.
Final deadlines for next issue Earlier copy and picture deadlines will apply Features Front News Sport
Friday, February 17 Friday, February 17 Wednesday, February 22 Thursday, February 23
6pm 6pm 5pm 5pm
Disclaimer The Waterfront thanks everyone who contributed to this issue. Content does not necessarily reflect the views of the students’ union, when an opinion is expressed it is the view of the journalist that is represented unless otherwise stated.
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NEWS I 03
Students join protest at ‘Cwtch’ community centre in city hotel
Discovery shortlisted for award
by Alice Eaton
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk THREE Swansea University students have joined a group who are occupying a disused in a city centre hotel. The ‘Cwtch Community Group’ gained access to the 66-bed Dolphin Hotel at the end of last month, claiming squatters’ rights. The hotel had been empty for about two years and the group insist they gained access legally via an unlocked window. They are calling the hotel the Cwtch Community Centre and want to turn it in a community centre. A free cafe has been opened in the main lobby. The three students had different motivations for joining the same cause. Christine Stock, a PhD student at the school of health and human sciences said she joined the group because of the amount of unoccupied space in the city centre and lack of provisions for homeless people and asylum seekers - a cause the group campaigns for. She believes the city needs to provide more spaces for those on low incomes or without incomes. First year history and politics student Richard Dean is another of those involved with the group. He said: “I wanted to get involved with providing community meals for everyone who’s hungry.” And Angus Symonds, an international relations student, felt this was good for the unemployed youth as their numbers increase in the UK. Mr Symonds also felt that if it does not hurt anyone then it’s a good thing.
NEW LIFE: The abandoned hotel has had a new lease of life with the community centre’s arrival. The campaigners have been served with an eviction notice, but say they hoped to reach an agreement with the new landlord before Tuesday’s crown court hearing. The tenancy of the building was
taken over on December 31 last year and the landlord had been showing people around the premises with a view to subletting the vacant building. The group say want to stay until the
hotel is redeveloped, which it had been earmarked for. South Wales Police and Swansea council have both said they are monitoring the situation.
by Jazz Dicker
SWANSEA University’s Discovery project has been shortlisted for the Youth Work Wales Excellence award for its outstanding contribution to global citizenship. The initiative involved 11 Swansea University students visiting Siavonga, Zambia in July last year to work alongside a team of volunteers from the Siavonga nutrition group. The aim of the project was for both groups of volunteers to experience different cultures and educate each other in their traditional approaches towards family life, health and the environment. While in Zambia, students took part in several activities including delivering workshops on health and agriculture for women in the village along with workshops and discussion groups based on the villagers’ requests. The students also built a playground for the children in the village as well as engaging with the children in the orphanage by providing educational games. The students worked equally hard preparing for their trip by putting in intense hours of fundraising, developing presentations and undertaking suitable training to provide the best and most informative material for their hosts. Discovery volunteer Tom Lloyd said: “The visit will stay with me forever. “The laughs, excitement, hard work and enthusiasm of both the Swansea and Siavonga people was amazing. The winners will be announced on February, 23 at Cardiff’s SWALEC Stadium.
Students’ union adds Rowers raise £3,000 with all night event two part-time officers by Becca Taylor
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk
by Becca Taylor
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk THE students’ union has decided to co-opt two new officers to its parttime executive group following the recent resignations from important roles. Stephen Marshall will join as the new post graduate officer, and Izzy Granville will take over the role of students with disabilities officer. The two new officers ran in the elections last year and both finished second. In line with best practice, they will be given the opportunity to represent those students with a mandate to do so. Luke James, SU president said: “It’s important that all sections of the student community are represented and having a student officer working hard for them.
“That’s why I’ve moved to co-opt new part-time officers in the positions that are now vacant.” He also explained that with the fulltime officer elections coming up, a set of by-elections would not be practical. “There isn’t enough time for new elections for these two positions,” he added. “The process of electing new fulltime officers is already underway and just two working days after we announce the new full-time officers, the process of electing the majority of our part-time officers starts again.” Stephen Marshall said: “I’m thrilled to be able to serve as a part-time officer for the rest of the year. “I look forward to continuing to represent fellow students as I have done all through my time here at Swansea.” For the time being, the co-option allows currently underrepresented students to have a voice within the students’ union.
SWANSEA University’s rowing club (SURC) took to their rowing machines for a 24 hour rowing venture which raised nearly £3000 for their club and charity.
The team of 40 students took it in turn to row with 12 students alternating on a sprint machine for a minute at a time each and the rest rowing at a slower pace. The event, which took place at Tesco Extra in Fforestfach, saw the team row more than one million metres in total.
TEAM EFFORT: Swansea rowers broke club records in their 24 hour venture
The rowers also unofficially beat their previous men’s club record for distance rowed in 24 hours, though the team was bigger than the record team. Club members Ed Hares and Jon Eardley were key organisers. Mr Hares said: “We tried to put a 24 hour row together last year but it fell through because of lack of willing volunteers. “But this year there were 30 of us who stayed for the entire 24 hours, as well as another ten who supported us through the day and night. “The club captain Ania gave us a lot of help as well as novice men’s captain, Callum.” The team chose to donate half the money raised to the Alzheimer’s Society as part of the wider Tesco charity scheme. The rest of the money goes towards the team fund to buy and repair their boats so that the indoor rowing talent of SURC can be transferred to the water.
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NEWS I 05
halls Evening lectures fear over planned Welsh motion rocks university admissions increase forum boat by Jon May
by Chris Flynn
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk TALKS are under way to increase the number of students at Swansea University despite fears that it will cause mass over subscription. The latest move could see up to 500 students on some courses but the biggest lecture hall only holds 300. Students’ union education officer Rhiannon Hedge was at the timetabling and space review meeting where it was discussed. “While the union welcome discussion on how to improve the availability of teaching spaces, this suggestion is a strong cause for concern, which I have expressed and will continue to express to the university,” she said. “In the interests of keeping higher education accessible, suddenly rewriting the timetable in this way to solve an issue of space would be a step backwards for students.” Such a move could may lead to Saturday morning lectures and evening lectures, which were trialled on some student courses last year. The warnings also look at the potential impact on students with children, Students’ union welfare officer Charlotte Britton said: “Extra lectures in the evenings could seriously impact student parents. “Paying for extra hours for the services of crèches or nurseries can put a huge dent in your pocket, and that’s even if your nursery stays open later than the average 6pm closing time. “This is not to mention that students with extra responsibilities, whether this be kids, caring for a relative, a part time job or otherwise need time to relax, and if lectures go on into the night that is not going to be easy.”
OVERCROWDING: More students than seats could see doubling up of lectures during evenings and Wednesdays. Students who play sports could also be affected with a possible return of Wednesday afternoon lectures. Tom Upton, the students’ union’s societies and services officer, said a change to the way the university structures its timetables could have a “catastrophic” effect on students’
lifestyles. Professor Alan Speight, Pro Vice Chancellor for student experience said: “We are not intending to increase undergraduate student numbers above current levels, indeed we are subject to a student number cap from the funding council which is likely
Swansea nurse is named Welsh student of the year by Gemma Parry
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk SWANSEA University student Sara Davies has been named Swansea University’s Welsh student of the year. Sara, 21, graduated from the college of human health and health sciences last month with first-class honours. The award, presented annually to the student who has shown the highest standard in their Welsh medium work throughout the course of their degree, is worth £200. Miss Davies said: “Being awarded Welsh student of the year was beyond my expectations. “First class degree gave me a positive incentive but this award has further enhanced my determination to succeed in my chosen profession.” Miss Davies is now working on the general intensive care unit at Swansea’s Morriston Hospital.
SUCCESS: Sara Davies, Welsh student. “Throughout the three years, I gave
my best within all aspects of the course,” she added. “My efforts were rewarded by a firstclass honours degree and my hopes realised.” Miss Davies, originally from Porthyrhyd in Carmarthenshire, said her decision to study at Swansea University was not a difficult one. “The quality of the nursing degree on offer at Swansea, coupled with the excellent teaching staff and facilities, meant that I was provided with the best possible opportunity to learn and develop as a nurse,” she said. “The module also enabled me to learn and use Welsh vocabulary that was relevant to my clinical placements. “It surprised me how many patients, of every age, would rather communicate through the medium of Welsh. “My success was overwhelming and has encouraged my ambition to achieve the best standard of performance throughout my nursing career.”
to lead to a reduction in enrolled numbers over coming years. “We are reviewing the postgraduate taught portfolio with a view to increasing numbers however the much smaller student numbers at this level will not create pressure on teaching spaces.”
A SEEMINGLY straightforward motion about Welsh-speaking halls turned into a debate on segregation at this month’s student forum. The motion was brought by students’ union president Luke James and Welsh affairs officer Owain Harries calling for residential services to advertise the Welsh-speaking flats to promote the language and protect native speakers. This drew fire from athletics union president Dan Ryan-Lowes who called it “a move for segregating and against integration”. But in the points of clarification round, it was highlighted there would not be a new building especially for Welsh students and Mr James suggested the number would “probably only be about 100 or so.” Mr Harries said: “A lot of Welsh students I have spoken to feel that they do not use Welsh in university as much as they do at home and because of this, they think that their standard of Welsh has fallen drastically. “By improving the availability of Welsh services across the university, we will hopefully eradicate this drastic issue” The motion passed with 59% voting for the Welsh speaking , 25% against and 17% abstaining (percentages are rounded up by the secret voting system) Other hotly contested motions included the Question Time motion which proposed the students’ union ran a debate on controversial and topical issues.
Neurology professor to chair new research into epilepsy by Jon Griffiths
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk PROFESSOR Mark Rees who is chairman of Neurology research has secured a £7m funding towards Epilepsy Research UK (ERUK). Prof Rees who is based at the Institute of Life Science (ILS) has been selected to chair the Scientific Advisory Committee at ERUK where he will offer his expertise on investigating epilepsy, most common in children and young adults. Epilepsy Research is the only national charity which funds independent research into the causes, treatment and prevention of epilepsy. “I’m delighted to have been appointed as chair of ERUK’s Scientific Advisory Committee and hope that my increased involvement with the charity will see the continuation of worthwhile projects,” he said. “Over the past few years we have built up a strong knowledge and
presence in this field, which is gaining recognition and quietly influencing national decisions and policies.” Epilepsy affects 1% of the population at any one time, or 3% in a lifetime, with 30% of cases remaining drug resistant, leading to uncontrolled seizures. Other research developments being carried out include childhood absence seizures and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, which are two other forms of epilepsy. Experts Dr Seo Kyung, recipient of a prestigious Epilepsy Research fellowship and Dr Rhys Thomas are behind the research. “The research conducted here at the ILS in Swansea-together with the impact of networks such as the Wales Epilepsy Research Network - really is putting Swansea and Wales on the map for forging new discoveries into epilepsy,” Prof Rees added.
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NEWS I 07
Dangerous bus game causes concern amongst drivers NSS Survey Launched by Becca Taylor by Rahul Vashisht and Jon Griffiths waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk
A NUMBER of complaints by bus drivers have been made regarding students misbehaviour when getting on their buses on nights out. This takes the form of a popular game, acted out by some students, which involves trying to see how many people can fit onto the back seats of the bus. The bus drivers have complained about a lack of regard for health and safety. Rob Frost, a first year law student, called the game “just a bit of fun, it does no harm”. Besides people are allowed to stand up on buses, I’m sure that’s more dangerous that twenty people being on the back seat”. If the drivers tried to enforce rules, he said he would “happily comply, however, up to now, no bus driver has ever tried to enforce rules, or even seemed angry with the game”. The game frequently occurs on nights out, mainly on the 82A bus between the student village and the university, when many students board this bus into town. Amitoj Wasu, a first year economics student, said “It’s pretty irresponsible of the people who play the game; there are obvious safety risks involved”. However he went on to say “But considering how drunk everyone is at the time, it would be hard to enforce
by Becca Taylor
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk
FUN OR FOLLY: Late night bus game has caused health and safety worries for drivers and passengers. any kinds of rules”. A second year student who has seen this happen on the buses several times has said “It was a bit of fun. Everyone does it but it can get a little out of hand at times”. A representative of the travel shop in Fulton House, when asked, was unaware of any such complaints, though she said the bus companies
continually strive to improve the services they provide for students. Luke James, president of the SU, said students “just need to have a think about other students who don’t want to participate”, and show consideration towards the drivers “who are trying to do their job without fearing that someone is going to get seriously hurt”.
He reinforced the importance of the night bus service, making it clear that it is the actions of a “relatively small group of students, and saying “it’s not going to be very funny if the bus service is cancelled”. Bus operator First said it was unaware of any complaints made but added that complaints about students go to the students’ union.
THE National Student Survey (NSS) has been launched last week alongside a new ‘Have Your Say’ scheme for all year groups. The annual online survey runs across Universities and helps students give feedback on their course, experiences and their students’ union. Coupled with the Have Your Say survey for all non-final year undergraduate students and all taught post-graduate students, it will provide a comprehensive overview for the university and the students’ union. The NSS will measure a variety of aspects of the course, from teaching and resources to timetabling and communication. The results go towards helping prospective students make decisions on where to study; as well as giving current students a chance to provide feedback on their courses and the SU; so that better planning and support can be put in place. Matt Hurst, student representation and campaigns co-ordinator, said:“We’ll also be launching a survey in April for all students (bar final years) called the State of Your Union survey, which will really help us know where we’re doing well and what we need to improve in.” Both surveys are available online through the students’ union website.
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CYMRAEG I 09
Y GORNEL GYMRAEG
Canu’r dydd a chanu trwy’r nôs yn gwlad y Guinness! gan Glesni Morgan
gan Glesni Morgan
welshaffairs@swansea-union.co.uk
Calon Lan, Sosban Fach a Hen Wlad fy Nhadau a nifer o ganeuon Cymraeg eraill a chaiff ei glywed dros Ddulyn yn ystod y penwythnos diwethaf, wrth i, beth edrychai, fel hanner pobl Cymru yn glanio ar diroedd Iwerddon i gefnogi ei dim cenedlaethol rygbi, yn ei gem gyntaf yn dwrnamaint y Chwe Gwlad, yn erbyn Iwerddon. Ac yn ei chanol hi gyd roedd aelodau’r Gymdeithas Gymraeg yn ei goch i weld ar strydoedd a thafarnau Dulyn. Ar ôl misoedd o drefni gan Elin Hughes a Keeva McCreadie, Llywyddion y Gymdeithas Gymraeg, roedd y bws yn llawn a barod i fynd ar ei daith ar benwythnos mwyaf yn flwyddyn y gymdeithas. Wedi teithio ar y bws i dociau Port, cyn dal fferi draw i Iwerddon a’r daith i fynnu i Ddulyn, roedd y gymdeithas yn awyddus i weld beth oedd gan Ddulyn i’w cynnig, ac wedi gweld y siapiau, golygfeydd, tafarnau a chael blas ar glwbiau nos y ddinas ac wrth gwrs yfed llwyth o Guinness, mae’n sicr i ddweud, fase pawb yn ail-weld Dulyn mewn fflach. Roedd y dydd Sul yn gyffrous wrth i gefnogwyr Cymru o fob siâp cerdded o gwmpas yn ddinas yn ei chyrsiau rygbi, ei faneri o’r ddraig goch ac yn llawn bwrlwm wrth ganu caneuon mwyaf adnabyddadwy’r Gymraeg, tra i rai cerdded i dafarnau i wilio’r gem dra i eraill cerdded i stadiwm yr Aviva. Roedd Gwenallt Jones ai ffrindiau yn un o’r rai lwcus i gal tocyn i’r gem,
Fforwm myfyrwyr yncefnogi llety Cymraeg parhaol welshaffairs@swansea-union.co.uk
mi wedodd “roedd yr awyrgylch yn yr Aviva yn wych, a fob unigolyn yn canu fel oeddant yn rhan o gôr Cymru a ddim i anghofio o ni’n yfed fel oedd dim yfory!” I weddill o’r gymdeithas, cymeron drosodd tafarn Carr & O’Connell, yng nghanol y ddinas, le chawsom groeso cynnes gan y Gwyddelig oedd yno. Roedd yr awyrgylch yn y tafarn yn anhygoel, unwaith eto yn llawn gyffrous a chanu. Cawsai barch i’r ddau dîm ei ddangos yn ystod y gem wrth i bawb canu anthem genedlaethol Cymru yn llawn parch, a phawb yn canu anthem Iwerddon i ddangos parch tuag atom nhw. Heb sôn am y sgrech a’r godi gallon chawsai bawb wrth i’r chwiban
olaf canu, gan i Gymru curo yn erbyn Iwerddon. Roedd dathlu mawr i ddigwydd y noson yna, gwisgodd pawb ei chyrsiau coch trwy’r nos, wrth gael y profiad o noson allan ar y stryd enwog Temple Bar. Wedi bod yn yfed yn nifer o’r tafarnau a mwynhau bandiau Gwyddelig yn ware’n fyw wrth i’w gynulleidfa dawnsio i bob math i ganeuon, mi oedd yn wir y ceirios ar ben y gacen. Diwrnod bach mwy tawel a chawsom ar y dydd Llun. Aeth nifer o gwmpas y ddinas i wario ei phres ar ddillad, aeth eraill i’r niferion o amgueddfeuth oedd gan Ddulyn, ond i’r Ffactori Guinness aeth y nifer. Wedi cerdded ar hyd yr afon Liffey ac
o gwmpas walydd mawr y ffactori, roedd pawb yn barod i weld y daith o greu Guinness. Wrth fod ynddo adeilad mwyaf mewn siâp gwydr peint, gweld hysbysebion mwyaf enwog y cwmni, ac i ambell o’r bechgyn gael tystysgrif am dynnu’r peint perffaith, roedd yn braf gael eistedd ar lefel top y ffactori wrth edrych allan ar Ddulyn, wrth yfed peint ddim o Guinness. I orffen bant y penwythnos cawsom daith o gwmpas Dulyn ar geffyl a chart cyn mynd i ddal y bws yn ôl i Gymru. Hoffai holl aelodau rhoi diolch enfawr i Elin a Keeva am drefni’r trip i Iwerddon eleni. Trip gwych, cwmni gwych, cwrw gwych!
Fe pasiwyd cynnig yn y fforwm myfyrwyr diwethaf (9/2/12) a oedd yn annog yr Undeb Myfyrwyr i gefnogi lleoliad parhaol ar gyfer siaradwyr Cymraeg. Cynigwyd y cefnogaeth gan Owain Harries, swyddog materion Cymraeg yr Undeb Myfyrywyr ac eiliwyd gan y Llywydd Luke James wrth i’r dadl cymryd o leiaf pymtheg munud cyn i’r mwyafrif penderfynu cefnogi’r cynnigiaid. Wrth pasio’r cynnigiad, mae hyn yn golygu fod rhaid i’r Undeb Myfyrywr hybu’r Brifysgol i gadw lleoliad parhaol ar gyfer llety siaradwyr Cymraeg ar campws ac yn y pentref, oherwydd dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, mae siaradwyr Cymraeg a oedd eisiau aros efo’i gilydd wedi cael ei lleoli yn le bynnag a oedd yn rhydd. Mae’r cynnig hefyd yn cefnogi well hyrwyddo o’r argaeledd o llety ar gyfer siaradwyr Cymraeg yn prospectws y Brifysgol, sydd ar y funud yn wan iawn wrth gymharu efo prifysgolion Cymraeg eraill fel Aberystwyth a Bangor, sydd yn hyrwyddo lleoliadau fel Pantycelyn a JMJ. Mae Luke James yn croesawi’r llwyddiant, ac yn credu dylai myfyrwyrCymraeg ymladd dros ei hawliau “Dylai myfyrwyr cael yr hawl i byw yn amgylchedd efo siaradwyr Cymraeg eraill ac os nad yw hyn yn digwydd fe fydd y iaith yn troi mewn i rhywbeth mwy seremonïol fel Lladin”.
Cymeradwyaeth o Gynllun Iaith Gymraeg Prifysgol Abertawe gan Owain Harries
welshaffairs@swansea-union.co.uk
O dan Deddf yr iaith Gymraeg 1993, mae rhaid i’r Brifysgol lunio cynllun iaith sydd yn sicrhau triniaeth gyfartal i’r Gymraeg a’r Saesneg ac hefyd i annog myfyrwyr a staff i defnyddio’r iaith Gymraeg ar draws campws. Rhan gryf o’r cynllun yw i geisio cael y nifer fwyaf o gyrsiau yng Nghymraeg ac wrth siarad am y cynllun, dywedodd yr is-ganghellor athro Richard B. Davies “Mae gan Brifysgol Abertawe orwelion sy’n rhyngwladol ond mae ei threftadaeth Gymreig
hefyd yn rhan bwysig o’i hunaniaeth. Mae’r Cynllun Iaith hwn yn adlewyrchu’r ffaith fod y Brifysgol yn sefydliad dwyieithog yng Nghymru. Yn ddiweddar rydym wedi sefydlu Academi Hywel Teifi er mwyn datblygu a hybu astudio ac ysgolheictod drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg ac mae hyn yn dangos ymrwymiad Prifysgol Abertawe i ddatblygu a hyrwyddo’r iaith. Mae’r Cynllun yn ategu at y neges hon ac yn egluro i staff, myfyrwyr a’r cyhoedd sut y defnyddir y Gymraeg o fewn y Brifysgol.” Llynedd roedd y Brifysgol wedi sefydlu Academi Hywel Teifi er mwyn datblygu a hybu astudio a cymde-
ithasu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg ac mae’r Academi wedi dechrau creu cysylltiadau efo’r Gym Gym er mwyn cryfhau y gymdeithas gryf ac eang o siaradwyr Cymraeg ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe. Edrychwch allan dros y misoedd nesaf ar gyfer gweithgareddau trwy gyfrwng a Gymraeg ar gyfer siaradwyr iaith gyntaf ac ail-iaith! Mae’r cynllun iaith wedi ei gyhoeddi ar wefan y Brifysgol ac allwch chi ei ddarllen ar http://bit.ly/y4yOkf. Os rydych chi am cymryd rhan yn unrhyw weithgareddau neu digwyddiadau Cymraeg, cysylltwch efo’r Academi!
Fe sefydlwyd Academi Hywel Teifi llyneedd er cof am y darlithydd ei hun, ac mae’r Academi efo cysylltiad agos efo myfyrwyr Cymraeg Abertawe
front! Why I hate Valentine’s Day >> 13
Get your career off the ground >> 14
Funky fashion with a conscience >> 16
MP is backing student campaign >> 19
Top tips for buying a new laptop >> 19 SMILE: David Miliband backs student campaign.
societies 26
tv & culture 25
games 23
film 21
music 20
gadgets 19
front row 18
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fashion 16 - 17
February 13, 2012 waterfrontonline.co.uk
features 14 - 15
L i f e s t y l e f o r S wa n s e a s t u d e n t s
Why I Hate Valentine’s Day I
’VE been fortunate enough in recent years to date girls who didn’t really care about this day of commercialising love, writes Jon May. But now I’m a single man, my resentment for watching other people be happy on the “love holiday” has only grown. Why would anyone in their right mind go to a restaurant and pay twice what they normally would, simply because some guy popped his clogs a millenium ago in the middle of February? The singledom is compounded by many of my friends recently getting into relationships (including an office romance in the Waterfront!) and I’m quickly becoming a third wheel in so many cliques. Another problem I have is why are you only celebrating love for each other one day a year? Surely a couple love each every day of the year? Perhaps the guilt for not being there for each other combined with a sense of impending doom if the 14th is ignored, chivvies couples into spending more money than they can afford on presents they don’t need to give. So there you have it. I hate Valentine’s Day. I used to hate it when I was in a relationship and I hate it even more now I’m single. I think that Tuesday will be mostly sat in JCs, drinking away our single people sorrows!
I
DO not hate Valentine’s Day. I just think it is unnecessary. And yes – I have done all of it, the romantic meals, the “I love you” teddy bear as well as the card from the secret admirer, writes Linda Menzel. Valentine’s Day originates from a Christian holiday for the martyrs Saint Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni. By the time the first romantic associations were made with Valentine’s Day sometime in the 14th century, any link to either saint was completely lost. Later Pope Paul VI banished the day as a Christian holiday. This means for us romantics that there is actually no real story, myth or legend behind this day. So why do we go through all the hassle of dates, gifts and cards? Because we get told to do so by card shops that are unbearable to walk into because one gets battered to death with hearts and bears. Also magazines write about this one special day for weeks. Expectations get raised to a level no man can actually achieve. Restaurants are completely booked out and are still expected to create an intimate, romantic, quiet atmosphere. Believe me lads: if you would bother a bit more throughout the year no one would expect you do go big on one random day in February. This year I will spend Valentine’s Day with friends, without the pressure of being the perfect, grateful girlfriend. It is going to be the best14th February in a while, and I cannot wait!
To All Girls Who are Single on Valentine’s Day By Amanpreet Singh Gosal
But you all have to try to be brave
You may have found love in past But they may have just driven past They may not have cared for you This means they barely knew you
Some try to live alone and be bold But they are the ones left in the cold Look for love around you He may just surround you
People may be single or committed But all they want is to be knitted Humans are born in halves at birth Born to find the other half and know its worth
Don’t spend the Valentine day single If you can’t find anyone, give me a call I may not be prince charming, I am daring but still caring I live my life without a care Because I live life without any scare
Some people find love when young Some find love when they are old Some don’t try at all, being naive
Let’s just grace this beautiful occasion And find a Valentine of the same persuasion.
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tv & culture 25
games 23
film 21
music 20
gadgets 19
front row 18
fashion 16 - 17
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features 14 - 15
front
February 13 2012 waterfrontonline.co.uk
contents features 14 >> It’s never too soon to get your career off the ground
fashion 16 >> Go Green Week inspires our ethical fashion report
front row 18 >> Everything you need to know about what’s on where in the next fortnight
features 19 >> We interview Labour MP David Miliband
gadgets 19 >> Advice on buying a new laptop
music 20 >> Swansea band get a new name and a bright future
film 21 >> Valentine films and Woody Allen retrospective
games 23 >> We review Final Fantasy XIII- 2
tv & culture 25 >> Game of Thrones second series previewed
societies 26 >>
Swanopoly launches a whole week of fun events
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G E t YO U R C A R E E R O N T R AC K
features Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott, Pro Vice Chancellor of Strategic Development and Change Management, and student Christopher Wilding at interviews during Employability Week.
It’s Never Too Early To Get Your Career Off The Ground After a successful series of workshops and activities during Employability Week, careers adviser Jo Davies gives her top advice on how to kickstart your career.
W
ONDERING how to make yourself more employable? Well, here’s a Top 10 list of skills and attributes that graduate employers say they want from students:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
communication/negotiating skills teamwork leadership organisation a positive outlook and perseverance confidence/self-reliance problem solving ability to work under pressure commercial awareness entrepreneurial flair
Employers are just as interested in these kinds of transferable skills and the insights you have into their industry as they are in the knowledge and skills you have gained from your degree studies. It’s never too early to start getting experience and build up your CV to avoid disappointment after you graduate because other people have lots more experience than you. Some areas where it’s important to try and get career-specific experience include banking, accountancy, management consultancy, journalism, marketing, teaching, academic research, social work, and law – but this is not an exhaustive list.
Career specific work experience can be hard to find, but casual part-time jobs really help to boost your skills too. Getting experience and trying out different things will help you find out what you definitely don’t want to do as well as what really does interest you. It will give you a feel for what different jobs involve on a day to day basis, how organisations work, the kind of workplace environment/culture that appeals to you, what you want out of a job and what motivates you. The Swansea Employability Award (SEA) offers a practical way to develop your employability and gain recognition for your work experience and you can read more about it on page 15. The Personal Development Planning (PDP) is something else you should get started with in your first year, it’s important for the SEA, and is available to students within the curriculum. Basically it means thinking about how you’re getting on, identifying and developing the skills you’re building up through your degree studies and other activities. Even if you are not sure of your career path at this stage, you can explore possibilties on the Prospects Planner job tool that will help match your interests, skills and qualifications with possible career options to investigate further. •At www.prospects.ac.uk click on ‘What job would suit me?’ under the ‘Jobs and work experience’ menu. •For all information or to book an appointment with the careers team, visit www.swansea.ac.uk/careers/
Libby Anderson IN her third year of BSc Business Management, 20-year-old Libby completed the Student Employability Award after seeing a presentation about the course: “The SEA also requires you to complete a profile on the GradIntel website, which took longer to do than I was expecting, but which I think will be really useful. “My profile is now visible to potential employers across the UK, which is obviously going to help my job search. “The hardest part for me was the mock job interview, but it actually turned out to be really rewarding. The interviewer gave me some valuable feedback about how I conducted the interview, as well as some hints and tips for improving my answers to interview questions. “I’ve a much better idea of how to give interviewers more information, and how to maximise every interview opportunity. I have a number of job interviews (including telephone interviews) coming up, so this was a very useful experience. “I found the whole process interesting, and it has certainly helped to improve my employability - particularly because the SEA will be part of my academic transcript when I graduate, so I can show potential employers that I’ve gained additional skills that will be of real use to them!”
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tv & culture 25
games 23
film 21
music 20
gadgets 19
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February 13 2012 waterfrontonline.co.uk
Go Green Week Cleans Up!
Students Who Are One Step Ahead... The Swansea Employability Award helps students to gain experience and develop skills and offers valuable experience that is recorded within their degree. Two students share their experience of completing the course with Samantha Booth.
Steven Begbie LIKE Libby, 20-year-old Steven is also in his third year of BSc Business Management. After completing a Summer camp in America, Steven developed skills that would advance his career prospects through the SEA. “I was looking for a way of gaining a competitive edge in my job applications when a friend mentioned the SEA. I had a look online and decided that, as it didn’t look too demanding, it would worthwhile investing the time to do it. “I also wrote about being a course representative, which entails liaising with staff and students to discuss issues relating to my course. This has given me good debating and negotiating skills, and boosted my confidence. “I found the psychometric testing part of the SEA really useful. I had an idea of what I was like as a person and the sort of jobs I would be suited for, but it was good to have this confirmed by the tests. “They told me I was suited for banking and finance - which I want to pursue - but they also suggested I consider teaching, which could be an option. “I’m glad the SEA is available to all students, in all years, because I wish it had been available to me in my first year. I’m sure it would have been a great help in helping to plan my career at an earlier stage.” For more information or to apply for the SEA visit www.swan.ac.uk/employability-awards/.
SU President Luke James helps out in the street clean-up.
SWANSEA University’s Go Green Week was a great success. Organised by the People and Planet Society in conjunction with Rob Abrams, the Student Union’s part-time Environment and Ethics officer, The week started off with a student clean up of Bryn Road and King Edwards Road. In just a few hours, the volunteers filled a dozen bags of trash, including plastic bottles, wrappers, coffee cups, takeaway cartons etc. that had all become lodged in bushes and long grass. Volunteers also went down to Swansea Bay for a joint beach clean with the Discovery volunteer group. A stall in JCs involved more students in Go Green Week by asking them to write down their ‘Green Pledges’. The stall also collected for Better World Books; a charity that collects donated books and passes them onto international education projects, or sells them to raise funds for libraries and schools.
Beach clean: Success!
fashion
c h o o s e e t h i c a l fa s h i o n & b e a u t y W i t h LUCIN D A R EI D
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the time to pledge
I
N honour of Go Green Week which spanned all of last week, this week’s fashion pages are dedicated to ethical fashion and the ways in which students can embrace this trend whilst saving some money. Lucinda Reid caught up with blogger Elena Cresci who is currently pledging to not buy any new clothes for a year, opting instead to make her own or refashion second hand clothes from charity shops. Sound too much like hard work? Well, get ready to be inspired...
Seamlessblog.wordpress.com was created because of Elena’s “unease about how clothes are made these days...y’know it just got to the point where I wanted to do something about it”. She is the first one to admit that, like many of us, it is all ‘too easy to run to Primark when we need some fancy dress’. But she is a clear lover of fashion. Indeed, she used to write for The Waterfront’s fashion section when she was still at Swansea University and her articles always highlighted her passion. However, as she explains, there was always something she could never relate to: “I swear everything is gearing us up to consuming more, in terms of the environment it isn’t great. I can count probably on one hand what garments I actually need in my wardrobe.” So, her solution was something that she confesses is proving a lot more popular than she expected. As she had already written a blog that documented her sewing before, Elena decided that she wanted to take the next step. “The way I did it is sort of standard with sewing blogs; they do sew a-longs and challenges, which all form a collaborative effort.” So Elena added a button on her blog which when people sign up to the pledge they also add to their pages. Thus, her blog gets more attention. Currently, she is involved in a sew along with rhinestonesandtelephones.blogspot.com where everyone makes a skirt. Looking at Elena’s blog her skirt has an unbelievable likeness to the ones that are currently in Topshop. This must tempt even the most diehard high street lover to reach for their sewing machine. But of course, sewing isn’t as easy as sitting at sewing machine and suddenly being able to produce items that could pass as high street. Elena reminisces that her first ever handmade garment was “a tulip pencil skirt, which was made from a free pattern that I found online. I made it out of quilting cotton and I was really proud of myself. Yes, the waistband was slightly dodgy and I always had to wear a belt but there was a real sense of accomplishment.” This is something which students must consider, the pride of wearing your own design, coupled with the fact it eliminates the chance of someone wearing the same outfit down Wind Street.
EXCLUSIVE
D % 0 3 STU
But does Elena ever get tempted to revisit her old ways? “I went to Topshop for the first time in a few months and I had my blinkers on, there were so many pretty clothes! “ There was a hint of hesitation before adding, “But I would never go back on my pledge, I would feel too guilty.” Elena also recommends visiting the many charity shops in Swansea to buy second hand clothes and refashion them. Elena recommends that by adjusting hemlines and having a tight budget: “I never spend more than ten pounds.” See how some of our fashion writers coped when they were set their own charity challenge below. For now, Elena continues her pledge - and more and more people are joining and celebrating the beautiful clothes they design and make.
a charitable challenge
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Catrin Morgan explains her charity shop success (above): Combining this spring’s trends of print and pastel shades, this top was too good a bargain at only £5 from The Red Cross shop in town. Although initially it was far too long and baggy a quick chop altered the top into a flowing crop, a style that can be seen splattered all over the high street for S/S 12. These denim hot pants were an absolute steal from Urban Outfitters as they are a key staple for the re-emerging 90’s grunge trend. Urban Outfitters runs a reclaim scheme, in which it sells vintage items that are still considered to be fashionable now. You can often find really good brands for quarter of the price! For £22, these shorts were too much of a bargain to leave behind and didn’t even need any altering!!
3 2 Fran Lloyd found this great t-shirt for £3.50 at Cancer Research. She cut it to resemble one she had seen in Topshop and added glitter paint for £1.99 from the Works
Cat Harris discovered this Marks and Spencer jumper for £3.99 in Oxfam. She added sequins £2, from the market, and rolled up the sleeves for relaxed cool.
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games 23
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THERE is more to ethical fashion than just clothes, as Hannah Botting found out when she discovered ‘Made’, an eco jewellery brand. The founders Cristina Cisilino and Gerson Barnett created the company firstly as a fashion brand, designing jewellery that every woman would want to wear. In the meantime they are committed to help support and sustain fair trade in Kenya, beginning from Made’s workshop in Nairobi. The pieces range from recycled brass cuffs for £22, pretty heart-shaped traditional shepherds hook wire earrings for £10 to luxury sustainably sourced leather goods. Each item comes in a brilliantly colourful recycled pouches made by the SOKO-Kenya, a fair-trade company involved with Made.
t n u o c s i FOR SWANSEA DUDENTS
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November 28, 2011 waterfrontonline.co.uk
When usually purchasing fairtrade items it’s usually done due to the guilty feeling and normally tossed to the bottom of your jewellery drawer, never to be seen again. Made jewellery is different, it is genuinely a fair contender to compete with the high street due to its very wearable designs. The fact that it’s supporting Kenyan families is simply an added bonus. Why buy fake ethnic looking costume jewellery from the high street, when you can actually get the genuine thing, for the same price from Made? The collection includes many classics such as the recycled brass bangle and the classic twisted brass hoop necklace that will smarten up any long knitted jumper and leggings. Made’s beautiful recycled brass and horn collars in brass, beige and black shades also prove extremely diverse for your wardrobes needs, smartening your blazer to a real interview outfit possibility. The range has been featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Grazia and many more magazines since its creation in 2005. It is now available to buy from Topshop, Jigsaw, Oxfam, ASOS.com, John Lewis and many more. Explore and purchase Made products from www.made.uk.com and find out more about the Made Africa charity at www.madeafrica.org.
natural beauty “BEING eco-friendly is not only fashionable at the moment, but can actually help save planet earth”, says Jessica O’Donnell. Here are some fantastic mother earth approved beauty products that are great for your skin. Lush’s blueberry facemask “Cosmetic Catastrophe” is a fantastic natural product worth investing in. Lush products are completely organic, suitable for vegans and 100% of their packaging is recyclable. The face mask regenerates and revitalises skin, this is especially good if you suffer from regular breakouts. It’s stored in the fridge so cools and calms inflamed skin. Made with real blueberries that are visible in the product, this rescue remedy is almost good enough to eat. Any of the Seaweed range of skincare products from the Bodyshop will do your skin wonders. It’s designed to rebalance combination skin, it soaks up excess oil, hydrates dryness on your face and refines pores. Seaweed products have been around for centuries as an old remedy used by Japanese women to promote skin elasticity. The Bodyshop promotes a strict ‘no animal testing’ policy, and create organic products using all natural extracts. They are kind to planet earth and leave our skin fresh as a daisy. For eco-friendly hair care, Moroccan Oil restores dry and damaged hair and makes it sleek and glossy. It can be used as a conditioner, heat protector or to finish styled hair. Moroccan oil is a miracle product, however only a very small amount of it is necessary or it makes hair appear greasy. Made from pure, organic argan oil, it’s especially useful on bleached hair that has become brittle, damaged and prone to breakages. Elemis fresh skin night-time moisturiser is designed for in-between age groups from teens to mid twenties. It hydrates skin, prevents early signs of aging and improves skin’s elasticity. Featuring a combination of vitamin A, C and E which provides essential minerals to the skin, including raw ingredients such as elderflower, rosehip seed oil and blackcurrant makes a truly naturally enhanced product.
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ITH a fantastic promotion exclusive to Swansea students, Jess Caruana tells us why we should take advantage of this great deal! Launched in 2009, Annie Greenabelle is an ethical clothing site for the style conscious. The majority of the clothing is made from organic and Fair Trade cotton and is produced in one city, meaning that you can enjoy your clothes without the worry of how they have been made and the carbon footprint they have left. The website, www.anniegreenabelle.com stocks an abundance of cute and quirky clothing with a vintage edge. They have been a concession for Topshop for four years and supply lines of clothing to them on a regular basis. The collection is definitely designed to be worn in the summer with dresses dominating the website; these are all very simple and are perfect for a daytime look with ballet pumps or sandals. I did notice several body con dresses for the night but, there was nothing that I couldn’t live without. However, there was a profusion of ditzy floral printed and Peter Pan collared dresses which caught my attention and would look amazing with some red lipstick for a classic 50’s style look. In the website’s bag section they are currently selling cotton
shoppers which are made from printed reclaimed fabric. These bags reminded me of the currently-in-style Cath Kidston bags which have become popular on campus. These bags are practical and ideal for carrying books, gym clothes or the accumulated rubbish that women tend to keep in the bottom of their bags. These are possibly the most inexpensive items on the site, and are a cheaper alternative to Cath Kidston as they are retailing at £9. The label definitely exceeded my expectations as generally organic clothing is quite plain but the clothes on the site are far from it. However, owing to their ethical label, their prices are considerably higher than those of New Look or H&M. The clothing tends to range from £30-£65, which won’t break the bank, but on a student budget it could leave you sacrificing a crucial night out. The company has therefore teamed up with the university to offer readers 30% off for a limited period when they use the special code: Swansea30%. They are also giving readers the chance to win £25 worth of vouchers by signing up to receive the newsletter, and then typing Swansea on your email and sending it to: maisie@anniegreenabelle.com.
This month ASOS has launched a category dedicated to eco-friendly products in association with ASOS Africa, called the ‘Green Room’. It hosts environmentally friendly beauty and hair products. It features cosmetics from a range of well known brands like L’Oreal, L’Occitane and many more. w MAC has created this new exchange system with its lipstick products, whereby if you collect and keep six empty lipstick tubes, and bring them into the store, they will give you one for free. They dispose of the tubes in the most environmentally friendly way possible, and getting a free lipstick is definitely a form of recycling to invest in.
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things worth going out for
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JCs Cocktail Night Launch JCs Bar, Fulton House Tuesday 21 February - 7pm
JCs bar will soon be serving cocktails and are having a Sex And The City style party to celebrate the launch The new range will contain the classics: Mojito and Tequila Sunrise A few more exotic cocktails include: Woo Woo (Vodka, Archers & Cranberry Juice) and Root 66 (JD, Amaretto & Coke) Mocktails are available for those who don’t drink and are reasonably priced at £1.50 each. A Sunsplash (Pinapple & Grapefruit Juice and Grenadine) might be on the cards to clear away the grey skies of Swansea!
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Six Nations Rugby: Shown in JCs England Vs Wales - Sat 25 Feb - 2.30pm Ireland Vs Scotland - Sat 25 Feb - 5pm
The Six Nations rugby tournament continues with a weekend of the England Vs Wales match, always a great match, followed by another match set to cause tensions between housemates as Ireland and Scotland clash. After Ireland’s narrow lose against Wales, they’ve got soemthing to prove.
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UNICEF Speed Dating
UNICEF present an evening of speed
dating. Try your luck with several dates all in one night! If you don’t find love, there’s always the ilovebeingsingle night at Oceana! Entry is £2 and all profits go the charity UNICEF, which is a leading global children’s charity.
It all gets underway in JCs where the games will be shown on the big screen, with the special offer of a pint of Brains beer for £1.50/pint.
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ilovebeingsingle Valentines Oceana Mon 13 Feb @ 10pm at Oceana - £5 entry
The normal ilovemondays takes on a romantic theme this week especially for Valentines. Drinks are spirit & mixer for £1.80, double vodka & redbull for £3 and two for one on cocktails! You can also tweet to the big screen by using the hashtag #studentswansea.
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Mon 13 Feb @ 7pm - Coffee Side JCs - £2
The Burlesque Show
Tues 14 Feb @ 8pm - Grand Theatre, Swansea - £19, £17.50
Featuring the UK’s finest artistes of the genre. Beautiful choreography, hilarious routines, classic comedy and daring magic combine to deliver the most highly regarded production of its kind in the UK. The award winning performances will delight and excite and guarantee to refresh parts you never knew you had! For a truly delicious night of tassels, tease and titillating laughter, join us for our fun-filled evening of Burlesque.
Welsh Blood Service
Fri 24 Feb @ Dining Room A
If you ever need surgery you might need a transfusion. Without donations from blood donors, thousands of people a year would die from loss of blood. You can donate blood every four months and you can earn rewards for donating regularly.
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Frank Morton Sports Day
Tuesday 21 - Afternoon @ Sketty Lane
The Chemical Engineering Society is hosting the Frank Morton Sports Day, an event which encompasses 2,000 other chemical engineering students from over 20 universities from across the country.
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National Dance Wales
Thurs 23 & Fri 24 Feb @ 7.30pm, Taliesin £3 & £5
The best of contemporary dance from 12 hand picked dancers from across the world. For more information, see our report on page 25.
Labour MP Backs Student Campaign For Living Wage D
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tv & culture 25
games 23
film 21
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David Miliband MP (back centre) with students campaigning for a living wage for university staff
Michael Kavanagh asks DAVID MILIBAND for his views on poverty, the living wage... and Welsh rugby AVID Miliband MP came to campus to help launch the Swansea University ‘Living Wage Campaign’, which is being led by Swansea Labour students. The campaign is dedicated to raising the minimum wage of university staff to £7.20 an hour. The idea behind the campaign is to give a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work; so that people can afford to provide themselves and their families with the basic necessities of living. The MP and former Foreign Secretary helped out at the first campaign event; a free tea and coffee stall; which collected more than 300 signatures for the living wage petition within the space of two hours. A ‘Q&A’ session was hosted at the Taliesin, where Mr Miliband faced questions ranging from
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his opinion on European fiscal policy to his involvement in the Iraq war. MK: Would you say it is important for British society as a whole that we implement the living wage? DM: Yes, it is an important step towards making Britain a fairer society. MK: Why is it that in the 21st century working families are slipping below the breadline and are spiralling into poverty; is there a danger that Britain will end up like a Dickensian dystopia? DM: I think ‘Dickensian’ is something of an exaggeration; there are far fewer families living below the breadline than there were for example, in the 1980s. Having said that, any number of people living in these circumstances
is unacceptable; and that is why the living wage campaign is so important. I don’t believe that Britain is inherently a callous society, yet there are lapses into callousness, leading to some families falling into relative poverty. It is imperative that the poorest don’t get left behind. MK: Why do you think a wage increase rather than a tax cut is the way forward for helping the poorest in our country? DM: Both would have a similar effect on the financial situation of the people who would benefit, but I believe that a wage boost would give these people the dignity of earning more. MK: How can we help expand the ‘Living Wage’ project outside of campus and into the mainstream?
DM: Placing emphasis on the fact that the living wage is actually beneficial to businesses and worker morale in the long term should go a long way to making the living wage campaign more successful in the mainstream. MK: Finally David, I don’t know if you’re a rugby fan, but who would you prefer to see at fly-half for Wales, Rhys Priestland or James Hook? DM: I’m more of a football fan myself! Though I do occasionally watch some of the larger rugby games. I saw the Ireland vs Wales highlights, I think perhaps that Priestland missed a few too many kicks, James Hook is apparently a better goal-kicker; having said that, Halfpenny performed excellently in Dublin!
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gadgets
Top Five Tips For Buying A Laptop T
HERE are literally hundreds of laptops to choose from, so finding the right one for you can be extremely difficult, and it’s not made any easier by the amount of jargon that comes along with computers. These are top five tips to help you buy the best laptop for you. • Size Matters The size of a laptop is one of the most important factors, as a rule of thumb the bigger the laptop the less portable and more expensive it is. So if you’re on a budget try not to look for screen any bigger than 15 inches. • Choosing the right processor
When people talk about computers they often talk about the processor, but what actually is it? The processor is the centre of the computer and does of all of the calculations to run software, much like a brain. When buying a laptop it is best to look for an i3, i5 or i7 processor. All of these are Dual or Quad-core processor, which means there 2 or 4 separate parts in the processor which can carry out calculations. All of these ‘i’ processors are also newly released for a small increase in price. So it will mean your new laptop should be future proof for a few years.
• Video Cards For the majority of users, the video card is not something to be particularly worried about, all modern laptops are able to play DVDs and watch video in crystal clear quality. However if you are planning on gaming or doing some photo editing, look for a laptop with a dedicated video card. • Memory There are two types of ‘memory’ that often get confused. The first is RAM, this acts like the computer’s short term memory and the more RAM a computer has the more programs it can run at once. The other type is a hard drive, this is where all your music, video and pictures are stored. A good sized hard drive is around 500GB. • Brands Another consideration to make is the brand of your future laptop, the biggest to go for is Apple, however the cost of a Macbook can often be out of a student’s reach. So other good brands of laptop include: Lenovo, HP, Samsung, Dell. Richard Cowie
internet Doubling Virgin Speed Virgin Media has announced that it is doubling the speed of its network for all customers, for no extra cost. The upgrade means that all customers on 10Mbps will have their connection increased to 20Mbps. Customers on both 20Mbps and 30Mbps will have their connection upped to 60Mbps. The upgrade should be complete by mid 2013.
apple New e-Textbooks Launched Apple has launched a new way to buy and view your new textbooks. Using a new version of its iBooks app, it will be possible for publishers and authors to create e-textbooks with links to internet resources and embedded media such as music or videos. The first textbooks are expected to be available in the next few months with more and more being added to the iBooks store over time.
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Going for the record - with Alex Gibbs
Future’s Looking Bright For Polaris A
CHANGE of name has signalled a change of direction for local band Polaris. With a recently released EP, the five lads - formerly known as Painting Bus Stops - are producing a better sound than ever. When teamed with jaw-dropping performances and general tomfoolery, it suggests promise of an even brighter future for the already popular band. The four tracks which make up their debut EP, Pub.Club.Home Alone echo their influences of YouMeAtSix and Deaf Havana, whilst teamed with local bands like Straight Lines and Dopamine, to create Polaris’s own unique alternative-rock sound. What makes Polaris’s debut release even more remarkable is that the artwork will be produced by the illustrator who designed Funeral For A Friend’s latest album Welcome Home Armageddon, clearly hinting that this Swansea-based band are destined for extraordinary things. You can check out the whole EP on their Facebook page, including a video of their catchy signature track Alone In The Crowd.
It features the band blasting out their rhythmic guitar work supplemented with powerful lyrical melodies. It was all filmed on the freezing cold beach under the Severn Bridge, overlooking the Welsh border. Then again, if you want to appreciate Polaris’s music at its best, they have an upcoming gig in Swansea’s new alternative venue Koopas which has its grand opening on February 25. Their gig will take place on February 28. They will be supporting two great bands Kids Can’t Fly and The First. According to Polaris themselves, they have a new name and new tunes, but are still the “same old drunk, sexually attractive and boisterous lads” that they’ve always been. So, if you’re interested in the band’s impressive musical stylings, check the band out at Koopas on February 28. Check out their Facebook page at www. facebook.com/PolarisBandUk
By Fran Lloyd
Polaris are at Koopas on February 28. Tickets are £5 in advance on http://koopas.fatsoma.com
Manic Street Preachers: Ultimate Welsh Rock Band Releases Greatest Hits Album THE Welsh rockers celebrate 26 years of music with an impressive 38 singles collection release National Treasures. If there’s one Welsh band that deserves to be called a national treasure, it’s The Manic Street Preachers. In 1992, their first single Motown Junk was released and since then they have been subject to magnificent musical highs and personal lows with the 1995 disappearance of bassist Richey Edwards. Edwards has since become a cult figure and a paradox to the musical world. He was a brilliantly intelligent, talented musician who graduated with a 2:1 in Political History from our own Swansea University.
National Treasures provides a musical history of the Manics through energetic rock songs like You Love Us from debut album Generation Terrorists to the darker, more haunting sounds of She is Suffering found in the acclaimed Holy Bible album. The magnificent Design For Life, a song that Nicky Wire described as “a love letter to the working classes” was a turning point for the band, with an opportunity to reinvent after Edwards’s vanishing act, paving the way for songs like Autumn Song which featured on the album. National Treasures is a must have for any Manics fan and a fitting tribute to Wales’s original flagship rock band.
By Daniel Clifford
Do you think a band or genre should be featured? E-mail us at waterfrontmusic@swansea-union.co.uk
albums
singles
Lana Del Ray
Kaiser Chiefs
Lady Gaga
Michael Kiwanuka
When the brilliant self-made video Video Games surfaced last summer, the name Lana Del Rey was unknown, writes Rich Willetts. Now with over 24 million views and the release of her impressive single Born to Die, it’s clear that Lana is one to watch in 2012. Her album is a whimsically epic display of her beautiful vocals with an artistic agenda of romance shared between doomed lovers and symbolical Americanism. Yet, you cannot help but feel exhausted when undergoing a 12 track recording of musical and lyrical melodrama. Yet, with an intriguing personality and vocals; Lana’s status as Indie-pop’s newest queen seems intact.
The Future is Medieval is the fourth offering from Leeds quintet Kaiser Chiefs, writes Callum Walters. It is a revolutionary album, as its digital release allows fans to select 10 songs out of 20 to accompany the singles; creating your own personal playlist. When dealing solely with the physical release’s tracks, there doesn’t appear to be an epic best-seller here. Little Shocks provides the unique Kaiser Chiefs tone whilst maintaining catchiness, whereas tracks like Man on Mars give an immense electro/guitar beat to keep fans pleased. Whilst the digital distribution is revolutionary, the music itself is not as groundbreaking.
The vivacious goddess of eccentricity has done it again! writes Alex Gibbs. From her third album Born This Way; Marry the Night is bound to set off fireworks. With musical fluctuation from a slow-paced, sinister church bell-ringing to the pulsating beats of synth-pop and electronica, you can tell Gaga’s effervescent flair isn’t going anywhere. Gaga’s extraordinary vocals mesh perfectly with this anthem’s striking backingtrack – one to make you dance like a lunatic. Whilst Marry the Night does have touches of the generic dance tunes, Gaga adds her own personal darker twist, as the erratic musical tempo defines her style effortlessly.
For those who anticipate an end to the harsh Welsh weather and hope for a promising summer attached to an exceptional playlist, then read on and add the name and music of Michael Kiwanuka to it, writes Beth John. Resembling an Africaninspired Jack Johnson, Home Again is a bluesy, acoustic-based, tranquil single from Kiwanuka’s impending debut album Home Again. With its well-structured layering, deep soulful vocals and simple yet effective lyrics, Ugandan-inspired song Home Again is an uplifting, easy-listening record for both the bitterly cold Swansea days and for the hopefully sunny spells spent on the beach.
Born To Die
The Future is Medieval
Marry The Night
Home Again
Valentine Films As if you didn’t already know, Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. Saul Masters takes a look at romantic films
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Wales One World Film Festival WITH screenings at venues from Swansea Taliesin to Aberystwyth the ‘Wales One World Film Festival’ – WOW – is an essential date in every cinephile’s diary, writes Paul Seacombe. Last year’s WOW hosted the exclusive world premier at Cardiff Chapter Arts of Marc Evans Patagonia (2010), now the official UK entry in the ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ category at the 2012 Oscars. Screened at Taliesin in April 2011, Patagonia is a romantic comedy, shot on location in Argentina with dialogue in Spanish and Welsh. Speaking at the premier of Patagonia, Evans commented that “WOW puts films like Patagonia in a wider context and helps us make interesting global connections outside the Anglo-American system”. This year’s festival will premier French director Coline Serreau’s Think Global Act Rural (2011), addressing the issue of global food shortages, and how organic smallholders’ cooperatives are increasing their crop yields, whilst globalised agricorporations are struggling to meet the demands of their shareholders for greater profit margins. Eclectic and in tune with contemporary themes of identity and politics, WOW also celebrates the world’s greatest moviemakers. Previous festivals screened newly restored classics like Ozu’s masterful portrayal of post-Hiroshima Japan Tokyo Story (1953), and Memories of Underdevelopment (1968) directed by Tomas Gutierrez in Castro’s Cuba. With the full line up of films yet to be announced for WOW 2012 we can be sure that some will inspire laughter and some tears, but all will celebrate humanity.
V
ALENTINE’S Day is fast approaching, and romantic comedy seems to be the best choice for a trip to the cinema or a night in. Romantic films occupy a definitive place in the heart of cinemagoers. Shy, unconfident men always get their dream girl and couples divided by tragedy are reunited through miraculous coincidence. And it is these elements that attract us again and again. So what films are best for this romantic season? Classics such as 1942’s ‘Casablanca’ or 1939’s ‘Gone with the Wind’ maybe the choice for the more nostalgic, yet the love shared between the likes of Bogart and Bergman or Viven Leigh and
Woody Allen, Cynically Yours WITH over 40 years involvement in the film industry, Woody Allen has written, starred in, directed and produced some of the all-time greatest, as well as ironic, romantic comedies. Largely he casts himself as the cynical, neurotic romantic that is constantly tested in the world of hopeless and hapless romance. From Hannah and her Sisters (1986), which interconnects the stories and relationships of three sisters living in Manhattan, to the Fellini inspired Alice (1990) and Stardust Memories (1980); Allen’s lament to the music industry
Clark Gable is timeless. You cannot go wrong with a Richard Curtis film and what better choice than ‘Notting Hill’, the story of hopeless bookshop owner William Thacker (Hugh Grant) who falls for movie star Anna Scott (Julia Roberts). Curtis’s script blends romance with side-splitting humour effortlessly. For a more modern take, the 2009 multi-storied rom-com ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’, is a great watch as it illustrates every strand of romance, from the successful to the unlucky in love. Yet with a cast that can boast such names as Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck and Drew Barrymore, it is a definite winner for the girlfriend.
in Radio Days (1987), to the complicated affair that is Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008). It is in Allen’s latest film Midnight in Paris (2011) however that we see the roots of what defines our fascination cinematically, of the world of Woody Allen. Annie Hall (1977) and Manhattan (1979) illustrate the predictability of any list associated with Allen, however, there is no denying the impact of these films. Both are intimate, romantic, sad, funny and nostalgic journeys through the routine of falling in [and out of ] love. By Michael Samuel
reviews Midnight In Paris
By Esther Wright
Owen Wilson stars as Gil Pender, a successful screen writer who longs to be a novelist, in Woody Allen’s most recent offering. Gil is caught up in the magic of Paris at midnight, and takes nightly trips back to the 1920s to make the acquaintance of some of the greats; from writers like Hemingway and the Fitzgeralds, to artists Picasso and Dalí. But his romantic nostalgia collides with the present day in the shape of his less-than-romantic fiancée (Rachel McAdams), and other very recognisable symbols of the modern art world played by famous faces like Michael Sheen. Allen has written another romantic and enchanting classic, casting Owen Wilson as himself. He is as charming in this movie as he is funny; naïve and vulnerable, but totally relatable to all those who, like Gil, believe there’s no time like the past.
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games
REVIEW - Final Fantasy XIII-2 F
INAL Fantasy XIII-2 - the sequel to Square Enix’s first next gen Final Fantasy installment – is here. Final Fantasy XIII divided the old hardcore fans and the new fans (me being one of the latter). It was the first FF I had played all the way through and I enjoyed it a lot. The linearity that apparently plagued XIII didn’t bother me in the slightest and I felt it really helped drive the story along. Final Fantasy XIII-2 has wisely listened to the complaints about its predecessor and allowed players to open the experience in a branching tree of time-jumping. The story picks up with damsel in distress Serah, Lightning’s younger sister, 3 years after the events of Final Fantasy XIII. Her sister’s existence has been unknowingly wiped from everyone else’s memory and they believe Lightning sacrificed herself in the penultimate battle, though Serah remembers her sister surviving the whole thing. Serah is lonely and confused without her sister and fiance Snow, but one day in her quiet village a stranger appears. Noel Kriess (basically Square Enix’s version of Doctor Who with a killer fringe) rides down to earth on the back of a whopping great meteorite like the
madman he is. Noel tells Serah he has been sent by Lightning to find Serah. So begins the journey to find out just what has become of Lightning. The game’s very structured attempt to pull off non-linearity is great and you are always opening new gates and finding new missions and enemies to fight. The non-linear pathway is peppered with lots to do. These can include having a joking contest with a scientist, hunting down dangerous creatures, fetching items for clumsy folk, and playing in casinos. One thing FFXIII-2 does not lack is variety.
There is a plus to playing the tougher enemies first, as the battle system which was in Final Fantasy XIII is back and better than ever. Significant changes have been made to some of the role’s passive abilities. The amount of abilities across all roles has been reduced so now players can stray away from autobattle and input attacks manually without having to scroll frantically through the neverending categories of moves. Against tougher enemies the battle system puts you on the edge of your seat. Final Fantasy XIII is
a very gorgeous game with the prerendered cutscenes and the brilliant in-game environments and effects. It’s hard to believe that they could push it further, but they certainly did in Final Fantasy XIII-2. The pre-rendered cutscenes still look mind-bogglingly fantastic. Final Fantasy XIII-2’s opening finds Lightning and the malevolent Caius do epic battle over the towering structures of Valhalla. It is sweetened by not only a great magic-off between a transformed Caius and Lightning atop of Odin but also by the inclusion of live-trigger events, which act as quick-time events. However, rather than giving you only one option in which to respond in these Live Triggers, you can choose whether Lightning will use her gunsword or her magic, or pick between using a Gravity or a Ruinga attack. This is a great reason to go back and play the game again. The live-trigger events lose the same variation and punch as the game progresses, though. Whether you loved or hated FFXIII, this is definitely a sequel worth playing. It is lovingly crafted and deep enough to get some serious hours in and not even scratch the surface. Ben Rogers
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SPOTLIGHT Asura’s Wrath Asian mythology meets anime meets crazy science fiction in this action game released by Capcom and CyberConnect2. This is like Bayonetta, but instead of naked British girls with killer hair, you play as a pissed off demigod with six arms. The scale of the fights aims to surpass that of its more elegant cousin with various different styles of gameplay depending on the scenario. Demos are currently available on Xbox Live and PSN.
Mass Effect 3 The final episode of the sciencefiction epic by BioWare aims to bring the battle against the Reapers to home turf. Mass Effect 3 also introduces 4 player co-op that can affect the outcome of the single-player campaign, though die-hard soloists will be pleased to hear that it is by no means compulsory to achieve a ‘perfect’ ending.
The Ruination of Gaming Downloadable content has become more of a marketing tool than a little extra addition. Matthew Edwards reports. AT first, DLC was relatively harmless. Please stand up, The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. Here was a game that, for 200 Microsoft points, allowed you some armour for your horse. "Protect your horse from danger with this beautiful handcrafted armor,” reads the description. Protect your horse? I don’t think so. It’s as useful as going to Wind Street in high heels. With no legs. It serves no function whatsoever apart from looking pretty. Pretty bloody useless. Fair play, it’s bonus content. If people want a pretty horse, go for it. It’s a useless purchase, but go for it. Fast forward a few years, and things
have gotten a little more stupid: Street Fighter costume packs. Gears of War 3 weapon skins. They’re on the disc. They don’t even need to be downloaded. You still have to pay for them, though. On what planet does that make sense? I can see the point of DLC as a concept. It can avoid the release of needlessly releasing sequels and new titles that are ULTIMATE EXTRA SPECIAL MEGA editions of the originals. Which is good. This is sensible. What is not sensible is when a game would restrict part of its content – even part of a story – for the sake of marketing. Let’s apply this to another form of media. Darth Vader: Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father. Luke Skywalker: He told me enough! He told me you killed him! Darth Vader: No. <BUY THIS LINE FOR JUST £1.99!> Luke Skywalker: <BUY THIS LINE TOO FOR £1 EXTRA!> DLC should be the seasoning of a game, at best. Especially when the content is already on the disk I paid for in the first place.
NEWSBITES Gamer at Internet Cafe Dies, No-one Notices A Taiwanese gamer checked into an internet cafe in New Taipei. After a while, a concerned waitress checked up on him and found the man had died. He had been dead for up to nine hours, but nobody had noticed. He was found with his hands outstretched toward the computer, sitting stiffly. The man, Chen Rong-yu, had suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of blood clotting.
They Call Him Dovahcore Available on Steam: To celebrate the opening of the Steam Workshop for Skyrim, Valve and Bethesda have teamed up to bring you the Portal 2 Space Core mod, which will let the aggressively space-centric little robot tag along on your adventures in Tamriel.
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Game of Thrones: A Small Screen Triumph I
F you missed the airing of Game of Thrones the first time around: Watch it. Right now. After the first episode aired in April of last year, HBO immediately renewed the show for a second season, which should tell you something about its reception, says Esther Wright. The casting of the series has been a magnificent achievement. Sean Bean, right, takes one of the key roles as Lord Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark, taking on all his fantasy experience from the Lord of the Rings trilogy to create a much beloved character. Another success was the casting of Peter Dinklage as Tyrion ‘The Imp’ Lannister. He won an Emmy last year for his portrayal of the infamous dwarf who conforms to people’s perceptions of him about as little as he’s loved by his own family. There are too many other loveable and venomous characters to even begin to mention. Suffice to say, each viewer will have their own strong opinions. After the first season finished, I really couldn’t wait for the second. So naturally, I went out and bought every book that’s been released so far. The Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin, upon which the series is based, has sold more than 15 million copies world-wide. After a few months of dedicated reading I can say that readers won’t be disappointed. The similarities between the books and the TV adaptation are quite startling, and it’s refreshing to see that some of the most memorable quotes have been taken directly from the page to the small screen. A true achievement for the creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss is the fact that they have held so true to the original text. Each book spans at least 700 pages, and they are ‘insomnia-inflicting’, as Time Magazine aptly described. Martin’s achievement in these books is phenomenal. He manages to tell not one story, but
multiple point-of-view storylines of many different characters, in all the different places in his world. He also manages to explain (in almost every paragraph) the intricate histories and legends of Westeros itself. The first episode, ominously titled ‘Winter is Coming’, sets the scene for the series, and introduces us to the main players. We meet some of the major houses of the fictional world of Westerosthe honourable Starks of Winterfell, King Robert
Baratheon, as well as the Lannisters, the ultimate bad-guys. We meet the last Targaryens, brother and sister Viserys and Daenerys, exiled and orphaned across the Narrow Sea. As the pair attempt to bargain their way back home to Westeros, as Viserys tries to sell his sister to the Dothraki horse lord Khal Drogo in exchange for an army to win back his claim to the Iron Throne. For the majority of characters however, things don’t exactly go to plan. Each of the intricate characters, young and old, is fighting their own battles, based on love, loyalty, greed or revenge. Each has their own motives and desires, and will stop at nothing to achieve them. Martin hasn’t created a franchise, but-in a very Tolkien-esque manner- he’s created entire civilisations and worlds. If, like me, you’re eagerly anticipating the second season, then get ready for battle. Five kings (and a queen) are fighting to the death for control of the Iron Throne. The second season, which premieres on HBO in America on April 1, will introduce many new characters and far off places, as well as continuing the stories of those we have come to know and love. The universe is expanding, the rules of the game are changing, and so are the players. But most of all, a Targaryen storm is brewing in the east. And if after watching season one, you don’t think you’ll be able to wait for the next season, the books are definitely the place to turn. One thing I will advise; don’t get comfortable, don’t set your opinions in stone, and don’t truly hate anyone (except the Lannisters, of course). Enemies will become heroes, the weak will find their strength, and those you love will more than likely suffer. Remember: Winter is coming...this April.
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It’s A Full-On Dance Experience NATIONAL Dance Company Wales presents an exhilarating programme of dance that will enrapture, enchant and inspire audiences at Taliesin Arts Centre. Twelve dancers, handpicked from around the world, perform three compelling and exciting works, showcasing the best in international contemporary dance. A production by world-famous choreographer Ohad Naharin contrasts a hypnotic female duet set to Ravel’s famous music in Bolero with the physically dramatic tribal dance of Black Milk, performed by the company’s male dancers. Internationally renowned choreographer Itzik Galili, who delighted audiences with Romance Inverse in 2011, presents a highlight of NDC Wales’ 2012 repertory with his third new production for the company. In Phantoms Of Us, choreographer Eleesha Drennan and collaborating artist Sue Williams use rich movement and visual language in this poetic work of dramatic intensity and physical demand. National Dance Company Wales will be performing at Taliesin Arts Centre on Thursday 23 & Friday 24 February at 7.30pm. Details are available on ndcwales.co.uk and taliesinartscentre.co.uk For tickets, contact the Box Office on 01792 60 20 60.
National Dance Company Wales ‘Pure contemporary genius’ The Guardian £3 tickets (limited availability for Swansea University full time students - book at Taliesin box office with ID. £5 standby tickets will be released on the day of the show.
Noah’s Yard: Not The Tav! SITUATED in the Uplands area of Swansea, Noah’s Yard is proving very much as the place to be most weeknights and weekends. Hosting a weekly jazz night, as well as a ‘free drink if your name is’ offer, the name of which is usually chalked on the board outside, there is much appeal. For a great alternative to the popular Tavern, Noah’s Yard, is a great place with a lively atmosphere for groups, large and small. A quirk of Noah’s Yard is that its sign is made up of magnetic letters which they rearrange to spell out something different daily. Michael Samuel
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societies
Give It A Go: Students try out Martial Arts (above) and Irish Dancing (below)
Let’s Give It Another Go! T
OM Upton, Societies and Services Officer, and Dan Ryan Patrick Lowes, AU President, reflect on the success of Give It A Go Week, in an interview with Societies Editor James Langridge. How do you think this week has gone? Tom: Amazingly. The enthusiasm and reception show just how well the week went. Dan: Both sports clubs and societies learned different things about the relationships between the committees and their members. Both clubs and societies are singing from the same hymn sheet now, which is important due to the merger between the Athletic Union and Students’ Union. What has the reaction from the student population been like? Tom: There is a lot of traffic towards the office as people still want to know how to get involved in the various activities that were showcased during the week. Someone suggested a fair at the end of the week to consolidate and secure memberships. Dan: Great. In particular, international students that came to Swansea in January for the semester have the chance to embrace the
What do you think has been the most interesting event and why? Tom: From my point of view, Engineering had an amazing event of making a tower out of straws. It’s completely original. It’s hard to pick just one, they’re all amazing. I’m going to look back; the reaction from Jiu Jitsu was amazing. Dan: It was amazing because it wasn’t a last minute thrown together event but was planned well before Christmas. Tom: The clubs and societies have done all of this off our own backs. It’s done by passionate students that do not get paid for it, but do it because they love it. Will Give it a Go will be held in future years? Tom: I would like to think so. We could potentially adopt the idea during Freshers’ Week as it could showcase the societies and clubs. We’ve forged a partnership and now need to build upon it, ensuring that we improve. Dan: To possibly host it during Freshers’ would be great. If you could do the week any differently, what would you change? Dan: Plan earlier. A lot of this is campus based, I would just like to make Ty Beck and the Student Village more involved and ensure that they feel part of the student body. Tom: I would definitely improve publicity. The Waterfront was vital; people pick it up and read it. Also, support from the University, such as use of emails and screens to advertise would be fantastic.
various clubs and societies. Freshers’ Fayre has a small audience, but this week has made it easy for anyone to break into Swansea life. Tom: Erasmus students, particularly American students, have been amazing. They were the first ones there on Monday. They have a very handson attitude and believe that enjoying their experience is very important. What hiccups have there been along the way? Tom: There was a problem with events that needed to change rooms or times as it has been hard to communicate the changes to everyone since most people’s point of reference is the timetable. The people on the front desk of Fulton House proved to be a vital source of information. Dan: It’s not really a hiccup but I wish there was increased support from the University. Students are paying vast sums for tuition fees, sometimes up to £9000, and what do extras do they get? Tom: Due to an increased number of students and need to accommodate them, more and more students are reporting on lectures on a Wednesday afternoon. This just isn’t right, people need the opportunity to have free time to take part in activities.
Beer Race Gives Way To A Whole Week Of Fun FOR many second and third years, there was a bit of shock this year when it was announced there was no Beer Race. But never fear, the week of Swanopoly is here! The Beer Race, which raised over £6,000 for charity through Raise and Give (RAG) last year is being improved this year into a week of activities and chances to win prizes. The idea is quite simple. At the beginning of March, the Box Office will be selling Monopoly-style boards for £5 and the challenge is to complete as many of the tasks as possible. The top prize is a holiday for four to a sunny destination! Other prizes include VIP tickets to the Easter Ball and Summer Ball. All the money raised will go the Raise and Give Society, which raises money for 12 local and national charities. Past events included the Grow a Grav Movember, The Charity Shield between the Cup and League
winners of the Intermural football and most recently the Date Auction, in which twelve highly attractive individuals were auctioned off for a date sponsored by local restaurants. Challenges include going to the nights out, buying deals from JCs, Spar and the Wonky Sheep, plus participating in voluntary work and the RAG Raid. The four main nights of the Swanopoly week start on Saturday, March 10 with a 1K night-time run on
campus, which will be more of an obstacle assault course just to liven things up! On Monday March 12, Oceana is taken over by “iloveswanopoly” with Chance cards available, with even more prizes available. Wednesday March 14 sees Odyssey and the normal AU night becomes overrun with Cops & Robbers and the Saturday March 17 sees Leprechauning make a comeback. This is where you pay a leprechaun anything from a quid to a tenner and they annoy a friend until they match the donation. The big finale is Monday March 19 for the team fancy dress. Last year (at the Beer Race) the winning costume was pulled off by the Virgin Atlantic crew, who were encased in several boxes tied to each other to make an aircraft! Follow Swanopoly on Facebook and Twitter for the chance to win more prizes.
www.waterfrontonline.co.uk
SPORT I 27
INTRAMURAL FOOTBALL
INTRAMURAL is the competitive 11-a-side football competition, that plays every week, weather permitting, at Ashleigh Road.
THE TEAMS INVOLVED: Ajax Treesdown, Blazin Bonville Bulldogs, Cefn Eleven, Crayola FC, Clinical Finishers, Hardly Athletic, History FC, K.A.Y FC, Uni 6ths, PhotoSinthesis Grasshoppers, Signature, Sketty Bolognese, Singleton Park Rangers, Sub-Standard Liege, Team Armadillo, The Firsts, Team Sloth, Uni 7ths.
Players of the Intramural League pays tribute to former Hardly Athletic player Jack Wilcox by Alex Roberts waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
SWANSEA University Intramural Football League paid tribute to former Hardly Athletic player Jack Wilcox with a minute’s silence before Sunday’s fixtures. Wilcox, who graduated from Swansea University last year, tragically passed away on the fifth of February after a motorcycle accident. He was a regular fixture in the Hardly Athletic line-up between 2009 and 2011, and a familiar face in the Intramural Football League. Laurence Hodgkins, Head of Intramural, said: “It [Jack’s death] was a sad day for Intramural and our condolences go out to the friends and family of Jack. “We held a personal tribute in the form of a minute’s silence before Sunday’s games to show our respects.” Current Hardly Athletic captain Alex Doney remembered Wilcox fondly: “Jack was one of the nicest
and genuine guys anyone will meet, and would help anyone out if he could. “Down to earth, driven, the ladies loved him but he couldn’t dance! This sums him up quite well; he will be missed by all his friends and family.” And former captain Arwel Davies expressed similar thoughts: “I’m honoured to have led such a guy who certainly wasn’t afraid to voice an opinion. I wish he played more games really. “I remember one Wednesday I asked ‘where’s Jack boys?’ as he hadn’t turned up. It turned out he got a flight to Austria the night before for a random two-week holiday. Gutted I didn’t get to know him on a more personal level.” Friends and fellow footballers took to the Intramural Facebook page to offer their condolences. Richard Fouracre stated: “Terrible news, a top bloke. Condolences to all friends and family. R.I.P” Sion Rhys Davies added: “Solid player both in the Intramural League
by Alex Roberts THE Waterfront caught up with Amir Akhtar, a referee in the Intramural Football League. It is the History and Economics student’s first season involved in intramural, and his first experience of refereeing. When asked what made him want to take up refereeing in the intramural league, Akhtar replied: “I wanted to do some sport at Uni and my favourite sport was football. “I tried out for 2 teams and didn’t make it but luckily I heard they needed referees this season and jumped on it straight away. I just wanted to do anything with football, and also the pay is definitely a big bonus.” Akhtar made it clear he was not thrown straight into the proverbial deep-end without training, however. He said: “We had a local Welsh FA registered referee, who had over 25 years experience, come in and teach the course. “He taught us everything to do with refereeing, but nothing
practical. After that we had to sit an exam to qualify to be level 8 Welsh FA referees.” Refereeing has not come without its difficulties though, Akhtar says: “I suppose I’ve realised how easy it is to miss something, for instance, with corners in a crowded box, on TV you can see it all but as a referee it’s much more difficult to spot fouls and the like.” Akhtar added: “The biggest mistake I made was when one team scored, but I gave a goal-kick thinking it went out. “There was a hole in the net right by the post which the striker’s shot went through! They were livid but I stuck to my decision. “You will always get at least one tough offside call each game because we don’t have proper linesmen. The linesmen we have are substitute players, but they are only allowed to dictate throw-ins, it’s the ref’s decision to call offside.” There have been many positive experiences in refereeing, Akhtar maintains, saying: “On the second week of matches, I was asked to referee a big game as the initial ref couldn’t make it.
Swansea Intramural League Table Teams
P
F
A
Pts
Ajax
8
31
11 21
6ths
7
35
9
7ths
7
34
14 18
Sketty
8
27
15 17
18
Clinical Fin
7
24
11 16
Team Sloth
7
32
16 14
B.B.B
8
24
16 13
Kay FC
7
21
12 12
The Firsts
7
26
23 12
S.P.R
8
10
14 11
PhotoSIN
8
15
22 8
History FC
7
11
17 7
Crayola
8
16
31 5
Hardly Athletic
7
15
30 5
Sub-Standard
8
14
33 5
Cefn 11
8
18
30 4
Armadillo
7
11
23 3
Signature
7
11
48 3
Other results (7th Dec) and in UK Beach Sports, and just a top bloke. Huge loss.” Many showed their appreciation for how Jack’s on-field positivity was mirrored in everyday life. Paul Banfield said: “RIP Jack-trick Swayze! A top bloke, always with a positive attitude in life, you will be missed.”
Amy Dibble added: “Always one with the jokes and made us laugh, we will all miss you and your smile and charm. “Love you Jack, will definitely have a few for you tonight.” A minute silence will be performed before the next round of matches in memory of Jack Wilcox.
Waterfront Sport meets with referee Amir Akhtar waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
FOLLOWING a strong start to the season, Joe White of ‘the Firsts’ remains leading goalscorer, along with Tom Kavanagh of ‘Clinical Finishers, with nine goals. Will anyone catch them?
“The game was between last season’s cup finalists who have a big rivalry. It ended 4-3 but I was told after the game I handled it well. “Getting praise from the losing side after a game is definitely a great feeling.” And Akhtar insists he plans on
sticking with refereeing beyond this year. He said: “I’m planning on doing it until I leave Swansea. I will also start refereeing locally as I’m now qualified to do so, but I want a bit more experience first.”
B.B.B 4-0 Crayola FC Clinical Fin P-P Team Sloth History FC P-P 6ths Kay FC P-P Hardly Athletic PhotoSIN 2-9 Ajax S.P.R 3-1 Cefn 11 Sketty Bol 3-1 Sub-Standard Armadillo P-P 7ths The Firsts P-P Signature
Fixtures (15th February) Ajax Treesdown v Hardly Athletic Cefn Eleven v Clinical Finishers Crayola FC v PhotoSIN S.P.R v Armadillo Sketty v B.B.B Sub-Standard v Signature Team Sloth v The Firsts 6ths v Kay FC 7ths v History FC
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SPORT I 29
Swansea whitewash Cardiff in Bucs cup match
Photo by: Callum Burns
MEN’S TENNIS
CARDIFF 2nd 0 SWANSEA 1st 12 by Tom Nightingale
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
Spour of the moment WELSH CHAMPION: Calum Spours’ success brings further determination in training.
by Craig Hadley
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk CALUM Spours was crowned the Welsh champion at the 67kg weight class after his opponent was forced to retire at the end of the second round with a hand injury. Adam Davies was already suffering from a series of heavy blows in the
Recruitment leads to success by Amy Drawbridge
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk A RECRUITMENT drive at this year’s freshers’ fayre has paid off for Swansea University’s rowing club who have won a host of medals at the two competitions that they have entered. In November, Swansea travelled to Bristol to take part in the Bristol Head Race. The men’s team claimed the first podium of the season winning a bronze medal, but the women’s side could not match that, finishing fourth. Then in December, Swansea collected three more medals at the Welsh Indoor Championships. The women’s team won gold and the men’s picked up a bronze, while Dani Martin-Taylor was Swansea’s best solo performer with a silver in the women’s 500m sprint competition. Swansea are now preparing hard for the upcoming Bucs fours and eights Head contest, as well as the much anticipated Welsh Varsity Boat Race at the end of the academic year.
opening exchanges before suffering the injury. “I’m not too disappointed it didn’t go the distance, I believe I’d already won the first two rounds convincingly,” said Spours. “Overall I’m happy, I trained hard and it paid off.” And coach Avoen Perryman was delighted by Spours’ performance before the fight was stopped.
“Calum was literally the best I’ve ever seen him,” he said. “He dominated his opponent all the way through the fight and the additional training he has been doing lately really paid off.” Perryman was adamant that it was back to business now for Spours, with the Bucs boxing championships in Sheffield later this month. “I’m very proud of him, but
celebrations will be short-lived as we both have our eyes on the gold medal at Bucs,” he added. “I will be taking a team of three boxers to the championships this year - Calum Spours, Dominic Carrol and Craig Jarvis. “I have high hopes that we will be bringing medals back to Swansea for the third year in a row.”
Swansea sliver into semi-finals
SWANSEA men’s first team recorded an impressive whitewash of Cardiff’s second string in the Bucs Western Conference Cup, with victories coming in all four singles and both doubles matches. Swansea’s team was made up of third-year captain Richie Fowler and fresher representatives Ollie Jackson, Julian Page and Matt Boucher, while Cardiff gave competitive debuts to two talented players. The doubles matches were very tight affairs, with both going to the decisive third-set tiebreak after a set for each side. Fowler and Page, the latter ranked sixth in the UK under-18s, beat Cardiff captain Jon Price and his partner Jamie McKinnon 7-5, 4-6, 12-10. Boucher and Jackson saw off Gary Hawke and Tom Wilkinson 3-6, 6-2, 10-4 to give Swansea the maximum four points. It was in the singles matches however that Swansea’s players really began to show their superiority. Page set the tone with a 6-0, 6-0 double bagel of Cardiff’s Price before Jackson outclassed Hawke 6-0, 6-2 and captain Fowler recorded a 6-2 6-1 win over Wilkinson. Boucher wrapped up the 12-0 whitewash for Swansea beating McKinnon 6-3 6-0. “As both a society and a competitive sport, tennis has improved a lot over the last three years,” said Fowler. “The organisation has greatly improved in the time that I’ve been here, and we’ve now got a really committed team with good numbers, around 20 or 25 competitive players, which has been partially caused by the increase in the social side of the club.” Fowler insisted Swansea remain focused on the league where they are rivalling frontrunners Cardiff firsts for the title, and their form will help keep hold of players. He added: “We know that we need to keep our players motivated and enthusiastic all-year round, which sometimes proves difficult. “Particularly with tennis’ traditionally relatively low profile when compared with other, perhaps better-funded, Swansea University sports.”
CHALLENGED: Swansea were pushed to the limits in this tightly contested cup match
MEN’S FENCING by Chris Flynn
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk SWANSEA staged a late fight back to see off Aberystwyth by five points and take their place in the Bucs Western 1A Trophy semi-final. Both teams fought hard with Swansea taking an early lead, which was soon quashed by Aberystwyth.
SWANSEA ABERYSTWYTH Competing in all three categories; foil, epée and sabre, it looked more and more as if Aberystwyth would seize the day. It was not until the final few matches that Swansea came strong, and pipped the visitors to the win. Will Cummings, Swansea’s fencing team captain, said: “It was a very good match and very close to call.
1st 1st
120 115
“I’d say the team did us proud and it was a really good result.” Fencer Richard Rapier added: “We picked it up in Sabre, it is out strongest weapon and we dominated in it.” Swansea will now face University of West of England away in the semifinals on February 22. “It will be a hard fight, but I think we can do it,” Rapier added.
For all the latest Swansea University Bucs cup and league match results visit: http://www.bucs.org.uk/
30 I SPORT
Griffiths just misses out on medal at Bucs
thewaterfront 211 13.02.12
Swansea University dumped out of the Bucs trophy at the hands of Bath
by Craig Hadley
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk SWANSEA’S in-form runner Dewi Griffiths just missed out on a medal in the Bucs cross country championships in Cardiff. Griffiths finished sixth out of 318, and was 51 seconds off the pace of Birmingham University’s Jonny Hay who won the race. “I can’t really complain,” he said. “It was a much stronger field that it was a year ago.” “Hopefully next year I can go even better, and get into the medals.” Griffiths still finished higher than last year’s competition in Birmingham where he came seventh. Swansea’s women failed to make the top 100 but Meg Brickell was the shining light for the team. In Brickell’s first Bucs cross country championship, she achieved the quickest time for Swansea University. Brickell said: “I’m pretty surprised to be honest that I achieved the best finish. “We have some really committed female athletes on the team and I hope we can achieve even better results [later this year].” She was 4m 51sec off the pace of Birmingham’s Hannah Walker, but finished 45 places better than anyone last year. The final race of the day was the Bucs men’s B race, and Swansea saw two of their running team make the top 100, with Jimmy Wilson and Daniel Bodman finishing 70th and 86th respectively.
MEN’S RUGBY
SWANSEA BATH
by David Hendy
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk SWANSEA University captain Richard Smart blamed mistakes for missing out on a quarter-final place to Bath University in the Bucs Cup. Smart said lack of discipline, needless penalties, errors and failed new lineout calls ultimately cost his side.
1st 1st
13 19
“I’m a bit gutted really,” he said. “We would have liked a nice cup run really.” Swansea were drawing 13-13 with 10 minutes to go before Bath took advantage of Swansea’s inexperience. “I genuinely though we were going to win until we gave away some stupid penalties, a couple of stupid errors on their [try] line,” added Smart. “I do not think we executed the upand-under as well as we could.”
Bath started the game brightly, capitalising on Swansea’s lack of discipline and fly-half Vinne Comve scored an early penalty from inside Swansea’s 22. This was shortly followed by a try for Bath from Hugo Gavett but the conversion was missed by Comve from the left-hand side of the posts, leaving it 8-0 to Bath. Five minutes before of half-time, Swansea scored their only try of the game when Smart bundled himself and the ball over the line on the left wing. The try was expertly converted by
fly-half Aled Lewis leaving Swansea trailing by one point. Two minutes after half-time though, Bath regained full control of the match with another try from Tom Ellies. Yet again, Comve failed to succeed in the conversion attempt, but they led 13-7. Swansea’s Lewis scored two penalties in quick succession to bring the score 13-13 with 10 minutes left. But the closing stages were errorridden by the home side allowing, with Comve capitalising and scoring a further six points, both from penalties, ensuring Swansea’s cup run was over.
www.waterfrontonline.co.uk
SPORT I 31
WRU agrees deal to ensure Varsity’s future at the Millennium Stadium
Naivety costs basketball side in cup clash MEN’S BASKETBALL
SWANSEA 2nd 60 GLAM 1st 73 by David Hendy
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
WALES’ GREATEST STAGE OF THEM ALL: Swansea (shown above) will continue to face off against Cardiff University at the Millennium Stadium rugby,” he added. “It was a great evening’s feast of rugby. “This Welsh Varsity fixture undoubtedly will feature some of our future club players, coaches and match officials and it is fitting that the match will be played at the home of Welsh sport for the foreseeable future.” The event continues to grow with Welsh TV channel S4C continuing to provide coverage of the match. Speaking to welshvarsity.com, S4C’s director of commissioning Geraint Rowlands said: “We are delighted to be broadcasting the Welsh Varsity match live this year for the second time. “The fixture has certainly captured
the imagination of or viewers and reflects our commitment to broadcasting rugby.” The Welsh Varsity has grown from its humble beginnings in 1997 with the first rugby match between the sides. It has expanded into an annual event which will be hosted for the second time at the Millennium Stadium this year. Tickets for the Varsity rugby match are £10. Other events during the day are free. Ryan-Lowes added: “I don’t feel it is too much to pay. £10 to watch a top quality game of rugby in one of the world’s leading stadiums.”
THE Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has agreed to extend the agreement to host the Welsh Varsity rugby showpiece fixture at the Millennium Stadium until 2014. The two-year extension will ensure that Wales’ finest student rugby talent continues to have the opportunity to represent Swansea and Cardiff universities at the national stadium. Students that have played in this prestigious event in the past include Welsh internationals Alun Wyn Jones and Jamie Roberts.
The next Welsh Varsity match will take place in Cardiff on May 2, where it is hoped last year’s record 14,000 crowd will be broken. Swansea AU president, Dan RyanLowes said: “It’s great to have the Welsh Varsity associated with probably the most prominent and successful national governing body in Wales, the WRU, as it gives Varsity even more credibility. “I hope it will be a long standing and successful relationship.” WRU chief executive Roger Lewis also shared Ryan-Lowes’ sentiments. “Last year’s game was a delight to behold, fast flowing entertaining
Tae Kwon Do prepare for major at Leeds
Tucker delighted by his call up to the Wales under 20 squad
by Craig Hadley
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
by Craig Hadley
by David Hendy
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
AFTER a successful “Give It A Go” event, Swansea University’s tae kwon do team are all set for the upcoming UK ITF University Open which is set to take place in Leeds. Emily Batson, tae kwon do captain, is thinking positive about the event on February 26. “We hope to take around 13 [competitors] and hopefully bring back some gold,” she said. “We’ve got a good few black belts on our team and some of the younger grades are showing some real potential in sparring, so I’m quite confident.” Batson will be leading from the front taking part in several key disciplines in Leeds including patterns, sparring and destruction. “I’m hopeful that we’ll win in most categories to be honest,” added second degree black belt Batson, who has more than eight years’ experience in tae kwon do. Following the competition, the tae kwon do team will have their next grading event at the university to test the ability of their members. Batson is yet to know for certain how many will be grading but she is aiming for the number to be in double figures. This will take place on March 1.
FIRST year student Reuben Tucker’s rugby career took a huge step forward after winning his first Wales under-20s cap in this year’s Six Nations. The Mechanical Engineering student featured in the opening 11-6 loss against Ireland in Dubarry Park, Athlone “It was a goal of mine to make the squad and I was delighted when I got the call,” said number eight Tucker. “I was slightly disappointed in my performance against the Irish but hopefully I can pick it back up next time, if I get a chance.” Tucker believes however, after an initial defeat in the campaign, Wales can return to winning ways very quickly. “It was always hard playing away from home with a new squad. “We have a good chance now in the next few games to build on what we have already done. “I think it can be a realistic goal to win the rest of our games. Tucker believes his season has been a mixed one, but his performances in January justify him being called up into the squad. “I have had a bit of an up and down season,” he added.
FLYING HIGH: Tucker reaches great heights in early rugby career “I have found it really hard to find my form, but I feel it’s picked up recently with some good club performances in January.” Despite this recent success, Tucker is still realistic on his ambitions with region and country. “The [Cardiff ] Blues have a really good side and a lot of boys in the squad,” he said.
“I think I need a few more years to make a breakthrough. “Hopefully if I perform well enough in the Six Nations I can make the squad for the junior world cup this summer.” At time of print, Tucker is training with the Welsh squad ahead of the home clash against Scotland at Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay.
CAPTAIN Tom Evans blamed a lack of experience as Swansea’s basketball side were dumped out of the Bucs Western Cup in the closing stages. Swansea’s determination witnessed them lead 60-59 with four minutes to go; however Swansea’s inexperience in defending a winning position led to Glamorgan scoring a staggering 14 points to secure victory. “Mostly inexperience has cost us the game along with not knowing when to shoot or forcing shots,” said Evans. “The defence played well, we held them to 70 points against a team a lot bigger and a lot more athletic than us is a decent achievement.” The first quarter had seen Swansea lead 16-15 with Gu Zhoo impressing. His lightening pace and attackingprowess were capped off by scoring two points. Despite trailing by one point, Glamorgan’s aggressive nature and athleticism was displayed by both Oman Ojoubu and Mohammed Jamma. Glamorgan increased the intensity of their play and took control in the second quarter, outscoring the home side by eight points to lead 29-36 at half-time. The departure of Zhoo after the first quarter had negatively affected the tactics of Swansea, whose style of play was lacking the sharpness and counter-attacking ability that Zhoo had displayed. Glamorgan’s Jamma top-scored with six points, his team-mate Ojoubu scored five points helping to thrust the visitors into a seven point lead, yet Jay Jones also scored five points for the home side. Glamorgan finished the second quarter by scoring 10 unanswered points, with both Paul Killkelly and Ojoubu scoring one free throw each and the remainder came through the help of Swansea’s slack defending. The third quarter was a tighter affair as Swansea outscored Glamorgan by five points, reducing the deficit to two points, trailing 48-50. Leo Gould’s impressive 11 point tally in that third quarter and Toby Burgess’ persistence to score a threepointer gave Swansea hope going in to the final quarter. They immediately levelled the scoring to 50-50 with a two-pointer from Jay Jones. With both teams trading points, Swansea led 60-59 with four minutes remaining following Burgess’ threepointer. In the final four minutes, Glamorgan sealed 14 points to clinch victory. Both Jamma and Jimmy Akl scored four points each and Yannick Charles, Killkelly and Ojoubu all scored two points apiece to seal the fate for Swansea and ensure Glamorgan go through to the quarter finals. Swansea will be looking to set the record straight when they face Glamorgan again, this time in the league, on the 15th February.
February 13, 2012 waterfrontonline.co.uk
Fencing team into the semi-finals page 29
INSIDE
sport thewaterfront
FITZPATRICK FIRES SWANSEA INTO QUARTERS WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
SWANSEA 2nd SWANSEA MET 1st
11 0
SUPER STRIKERS: Top scorer Sue Fitzpatrick (far-left) and Reagan Healy (right) going for goal by Craig Hadley waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
SUE Fitzpatrick was the star of the show as Swansea tore their city rivals apart in the Bucs cup, to set up a tie against Cardiff in the quarter finals. Fitzpatrick claimed four of the goals, but the match could have ended on a sour note when goalkeeper Tasha Wilcox was thought to have suffered a serious knee ligament injury. The game was delayed for 30 minutes while Wilcox was treated
and taken to hospital for checks, but she was later given the all-clear. Captain Bethan Rudge was pleased with her team’s spirit in the win but is cautious about the next round. “Definitely pleased, especially in the circumstances,” she said. “We know it will be a difficult game against Cardiff, but we shall prepare and go into the game with confidence.” Swansea took the lead early on, with Fitzpatrick firing past Met’s Steph Hill from distance. Hill was at fault for the second when she fumbled a free kick into the path of Rudge who finished from
close range. Louisa Murphy made it 3-0 soon after with Swansea Met’s defence out of position before a nicely worked ball over to Healy was finished by Rudge on the rebound for the fourth. Swansea Met’s Natalie Terry showed good control throughout but lacked the final ball as the hosts tried to find a way back. And they were denied their best chance of the game when Leah Nicholas cleared off the line with Wilcox beaten. Healy then made it 5-0 before the break to add to the Met’s woes.
The second half began as the first ended with Swansea Met on the back foot. A corner from the right was turned in by Murphy, and was quickly followed by a well composed finish from Fitzpatrick who went on to complete her hat-trick with a driven shot from the right that nestled into the bottom corner. Natasha Mitchell made it 9-0 with a looping effort from the left which floated under the bar much to Hill’s dismay. Healy then grabbed her second of the game, beating the offside trap to
finish from distance to take the score into double-figures. Fitzpatrick rounded off the scoring with a cool finish past Hill. Rudge revealed she utilised the first team’s high-line tactic to see off Swansea Met. “We play a similarly high line especially because the Met don’t seem to have very quick strikers,” she said. “We’ve got Alex [Lusty] who does sprinting and athletics, so if we have the high line, even if they get through, I trust Alex enough to get back.”
Sports news in brief from Swansea University (January 31 - February 9) CROSS COUNTRY
TENNIS
BASKETBALL
HOCKEY
BASKETBALL
Dewi Griffiths and the cross country team competed at the annual Bucs Cross Country Championships and produced their best year yet. p30
Richie Fowler’s side travelled to Cardiff and returned home with a major scalp as Swansea blow away the competition. p29
A gutsy performance by Swansea University to get back into the game is not enough as Glamorgan go on to win the match. p31
With the score at 1-1 at the end of normal time, Swansea came out strong in extra time and scored the golden goal against Bath to advance.
Southampton Solent University advanced to the semi finals of the Bucs trophy after Swansea were unable to field a team for the match.
RUGBY UNION
BOXING
VARSITY RUGBY UNION
WRU extends Welsh Varsity Swansea women go joint-top of contract till 2014 the league following home win
LACROSSE
Swansea through to face Sheffield Hallam following walkover
Swansea’s new tactics did not pay dividends as they faltered in a 19-13 defeat at Sketty. p30
After a terrific display in the ring, Calum Spours was crowned Welsh champion in his latest bout. p29
The Welsh Rugby Union has agreed that Swansea and Cardiff Universities can use the Millennium till 2014. p31
Swansea go joint-top of the league following a terrific win at home to Plymouth Marjons 12-5.
Swansea women’s rugby are into the quarter finals after Nottingham Trent failed to provide a side for the match.
Dewi Griffiths was in action for Cardiff are found wanting as Inexperience costs Swansea as Swansea’s cross country team Swansea win in whitewash Glamorgan hold on to win
Swansea eliminated in the cup Swansea’s Calum Spours becomes following defeat at home to Bath Welsh boxing champion
Golden goal sends Swansea into the next round
Swansea women unable to field team for quarter final match
RUGBY UNION