thewaterfront the official student newspaper of swansea university
Exposed! The older men preying on female students STUDENTS are being warned to beware internet hook up sites after a Waterfront investigation found that a website intended for students was being targeted by older men. A Waterfront investigator who signed up to the site shagatuni. com was bombarded by frightening messages from older men. One invited her to attend a gangbang, with transport and accommodation provided and a £500 wage at the end “for the party girl”. Becky Grimes, welfare officer,
said: “Websites promoting casual sex can be dangerous, and can put both men and women in vulnerable positions. The most important question is whether or not you really know who you are talking to on the internet,and whether it’s worth putting yourself at risk of serious danger. “As well as this, if you are going to use these websites, practising safe sex is vital due to not knowing anything about your potential new sexual partner’s sexual history.” •See our full report on page 17
DEAN WON’T LET STAFF ‘TANTRUMS’ STOP HIM by Chris Flynn & Josh Lovell
waterfrontci@swansea-union.co.uk THE dean of the new School of Management is unrepentant over controversial changes that have angered both staff and students. Prof Nigel Piercy (pictured) says the reforms brought in by himself and his deputy (and son), Prof Niall Piercy, will improve results and help grow the reputation of the school. But teaching staff say the changes have been made without any consultation and that the atmosphere in the school is now “toxic”. Seven staff have handed in their notice since the changes were introduced. In an interview with The Waterfront, Prof Nigel Piercy said there had been “a few tantrums along the way” but that the reforms were necessary because the school had “a lot of catching up to do”.
“We are not doing what we should do to be part of the global scholarly community, either in terms of teaching and global research,” he said. “We need a situation where a graduate sits in front of a potential employer and the employer has heard of the school and knows what it stands for. We want our graduates to stand out from the crowd. “So what we’ve done is we’ve put in seminars and tutorials on all programmes without option, as they have largely disappeared. There is a much bigger emphasis this year on small group teaching and more contact hours. “There is a guarantee that these seminars will be taught by Swansea staff, not by PHD students, that’s a promise to the students.” But some students are unhappy, complaining that they weren’t consulted on the changes made over the summer.
Economics students claim that the changes have devalued their degree with the shortening of the dissertation to a few thousand word essay. One economics student, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “On this dissertation module, they’ve kind of told us funding had been cut for it, so we don’t have a dissertation tutor anymore. There’s just someone
who we see as a group of 20 every five weeks at most? Doesn’t really give us much of a chance to get anything from it. “Also, I went to the open day economics talk with my cousin, and they’ve cut down the economics courses offered. There used to be financial economics, economics BSc, economics BA etc and now they’ve just got economics BSc and PPE. “People are quite concerned whether they are trying to push economics out of the department; which would be odd considering economics is one of the things the university isn’t actually too bad at.” Mr Piercy said: “There was a fair amount of discussion mainly at an informal level with student groups. When you read the things people have said, it is chilling. And many of the things we have done hone in very specifically on those comments. “ Turn to page 2
Free Issue 234 2 December 2013 waterfrontonline.co.uk
INSIDE
We meet Gary Numan page 23
Fairy tale desserts
page 26
Photo hunting in London
page 32
page 29
02 I NEWS
thewaterfront 02. 12. 13
thewaterfront Third floor, Students’Union Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP (01792) 295 988 web: waterfrontonline.co.uk twitter: @waterfront facebook: The Waterfront Swansea
77% of Swansea students get graduate-level jobs by Gemma Parry
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk
Editor Kay Byrne editor@swansea-union.co.uk News
Gemma Parry waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk Crime & Investigations
Chris Flynn waterfrontci@swansea-union.co.uk Deputy Editor & Website
Jon May front@swansea-union.co.uk Features
Samantha Booth waterfrontfeatures@swansea-union.co.uk Sport
Tom Nightingale waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk Music
Olivis Rosenthall waterfrontmusic@swansea-union.co.uk Film
Saul Masters waterfrontfilm@swansea-union.co.uk Culture
Lauren Phillips waterfrontculture@swansea-union.co.uk Listings
Jennah Elizabeth waterfrontfrontrow@swansea-union.co.uk Societies
Jazmin Kopotsha waterfrontsocieties@swansea-union.co.uk Fashion
Nanette Turkson, Siobhan Wright waterfrontfashion@swansea-union.co.uk Games
Gavin Davies
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Verity Ockenden waterfronttravel@swansea-union.co.uk Relationships
Holly Miller waterfrontrelationships@swansea-union. co.uk International
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Annie Cottam
ALMOST half of recent graduates are in jobs that do not require a higher education background or a degree, according to the Office for National Statistics. The percentage of recent graduates working in jobs which do not require a degree is up to 47% from 39% before the financial crisis struck in 2008. Swansea University graduates seem to be bucking the trend though with a 77.5% success rate in gaining graduate level jobs, as reported by the university. The figure puts Swansea University at a very creditable 17th in UK, according to the Good University Guide 2014. The national figures revealed that nine out of ten graduates are in work, in comparison to an employment rate of 83% for those educated up to A-level, 76% for GCSE level and 70% for alternative qualifications. Swansea University says its percentage of university leavers finding work or further study six months after graduating was 93% in 2011-2012. Swansea University coollects this information by contacting students six months after they have left to ask them if and where they are working. The ONS study ound that annual
earnings for graduates increase at a faster pace as they become older, before reaching its peak in their late 30s at around £35,000 a year, well above those without a degree. It also found that those with a degree in medicine or dentistry have the highest employment rate of all graduates at 95%, followed by those with media and information studies degrees at 93%. However, medical graduates earn the highest median pay at £45,600, while media and information studies graduates earn the lowest at £21,000. Leah Beynon, a University of South Wales Criminology and Criminal Justice Graduate said: “When I applied for my degree three years ago, it was in understanding that the employment market was based on qualification criteria but now, it is based on experience.” “I am a career motivated person back where I was when I first started working, regardless of hundreds of job applications and five years of further academic study.” Bethany Oyston, a Swansea University Business Management graduate said: “It can be frustrating at times, especially when I am still trying to clear my overdraft off, and wonder why I got myself into that position when I could have done my current job without my degree.”
However, not all graduate students agree with this point of view. Catrin Lewis, a Swansea University Social Policy graduate said: “It’s frustrating, but there’s no way I wouldn’t have gone to university. The experience, the links I made and the skills I learned have been worth more than my minimum wage job.” Craig Hadley, a Swansea University English Literature graduate said: “University gave me a platform to grow as a person and to become more independent.” “While I may be in a job that does not require my degree, I feel the time spent at university was more than worth it.” Matthew Edwards, a Swansea University English Literature graduate said: “It’s three years of my youth doing something I like, as opposed to jumping straight into work. I wasn’t that excited to begin employment.” TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “While university leavers are still better paid and more likely to have a job than non-graduates of the same age, their prospects are worsening, just as their debts are soaring. Having got themselves tens of thousands of pounds worth of debt, nearly half of all recent graduates are doing lower skilled jobs. This is pushing young people who don’t have a degree out of work altogether.”
Text books sell-off raises £400 by Sam Booth
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk AN academic society raised over £400 in textbook sales to undergraduates in a one-off event. Hosted in Divas, the Psychology Society offered students the chance to sell their unwanted textbooks. Joshua Hale, vice-president of the society, said: “One student bought the recommended book bundle for £70 under retail price and another student bought three books for the price of one text book. “We raised £426.50 on behalf of students. £150 for Discovery and about £50 for the society. We had a very generous donation of 17 brand new textbooks from Rodger Wood and the psychology department was very supportive of the whole event. “We hope to hold another one in the New Year due to the success of this one.”
BOOK SALE: From left, Jody McCauley, Psychology Society treasurer, Chloe Winstone, secretary, Joshua Hale, vice president.
Man charged with rape in car park by Sam Booth
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk A MAN has appeared in court facing charges relating to the alleged rape of a woman in a car park near Swansea City Council offices. Police said a woman in her 50s was attacked whilst walking to her car after
work at 17:40 on Wednesday 20th November. A man was been arrested by the police and questioned at Swansea Central police station. Daniel Keith James, 21, was charged with rape, robbery, sexual assault and threatening a person with a weapon. He appeared in Swansea Magistrate’s Court last week and entered no plea to
the four charges against him. James’ family watched the proceedings from the public gallery in the short hearing where James only spoke to confirm his date of birth. No application for bail was made and he was remanded in custody until his trial at Swansea Crown Court on December 3.
Dean won’t let staff tantrums stop him From page 1 “About waiting three months for the return of a piece of coursework. The guarantee now is the maximum of three weeks,” said Prof Piercy. Staff have also been up in arms, especially over the dean’s proposals to move some staff to teaching-only roles. A University and Colleges Union spokesman said: “At UCU meetings, staff described management style as ‘autocratic’. Many colleagues were visibly distressed and upset during these meetings. Among the many adjectives used to describe the atmosphere in the school was ‘toxic’. “Members have complained of having to teach modules beyond their area of expertise and significantly increased teaching for some staff. “UCU has expressed its concern to university management about the lack of consultation, about quality assurance with respect to programme changes, and about the system being used to determine staff workloads. “UCU intervention has resulted in the removal of an explicit workload policy which favoured REF-submitted staff. “We are disturbed to have learned that, over the last month, seven members of staff from the School of Management have handed in their resignations. “We also understand that a number of other staff are considering leaving. Whilst anyone’s reason for leaving employment is confidential, we believe that it is no coincidence that these resignations come at this time.” In fact the department is currently recruiting for almost a dozen senior lecturing positions. When asked about staff who were disgruntled about the changes, Prof Piercy said: “If you see you don’t like what’s happening the honest thing to do is to say move on. No problem whatever with that. “At a human level I’m very sympathetic... you get organisations where people get settled in their ways, then someone comes along and changes the rules. “I know exactly what it feels like, but when we start to achieve the things we want, the improved status, better reputation. The experience is things settle down, especially when people start seeing the benefits.” A Swansea University spokesman said: “The new dean, Professor Nigel Piercy, is implementing a programme of change at Swansea University School of Management, as part of the university’s strategic aim to be a top 30 UK university by 2017. “We are also determined to drive forward our ambition to grow the School of Management, ready for its move to the new Bay Campus.” Meanwhile, UCU is continuing to discuss the situation with university management. “We have received assurances that in the future there will be consultation with both staff and UCU on changes affecting teaching, and on other significant changes having an impact on members in the school.”
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Poor turn out feared for student forum on night of yule ball by Jon May
front@swansea-union.co.uk STUDENTS may miss out on their chance to have a say on next year’s full-time officer roles as the election process may start before it is able to be discussed. Students have already voted to reduce the number of full-time officers’ roles from seven to five. The new officer roles will be decided through an independent report from the NUS. A survey by NUS gathered responses from Swansea University students in a short online poll and the results and recommendations were to be brought to the forum for the student vote. A preliminary report from NUS was due to be discussed at the student forum on Friday 6th December, but the debate has been postponed until the January student forum. The notice of polls, which is a requirement and the first step in the students’ union election process could be posted before the first student forum of 2014, to be held on Thursday 30th January.
This means that students may not have a chance to debate or vote on the five officer roles before they have been decided. This week’s student forum will now discuss the QAA review, which is described as the “Ofsted for Universities” by students’ union president Zahid Raja. There are fears that forum will be poorly attended, however, because of the time and place. The venue has been changed and the meeting will now take place in the council chambers at the abbey. The day is also different, from the regular Tuesday or Thursday slot to a Friday evening. The monthly student forums have been held in the refectory this year and mid-week to promote student engagement. In addition, the promotion of the event has been criticised by students. Josh Hale, MSc Psychological Research Methods student, said: “Although they’ve put a list of dates up for the year, I’ve seen no other advertising. I didn’t even know they moved it and as an active committee member of three societies I’d have
UNION PRESIDENT: Zahid Raja. expected to have found out or heard about it. It’s a nice venue and professional but can be intimidating to students who haven’t been there before.” Some students have confirmed they won’t be attending the forum because Friday nights have work or social commitments. The forum, which starts at 6pm, is on the same night as the most popular students’ union society event, the Hogwarts Yule Ball. “I will be getting ready for the Yule Ball in the refectory that evening!” said Leigh Moss, president of the Hogwarts Society. Suggestions for moving the
Your number’s up, Paul!
YOUR NUMBER’S UP, PAUL: Wife announces divorce in a very public way. by Chris Flynn waterfrontci@swansea-union.co.uk A POPULAR Uplands bar has helped an angry wife to split from her husband. Noah’s Yard, a well-known live music venue and bar, used its ever-changing sign to aid a mystery Swansea woman to tell her husband she was divorcing him. The woman convinced owners of Noah’s Yard to change the sign after she found out her husband had been having an affair. The sign read ‘Paul… I’m divorcing you’ and then later in the week, ‘Btw, I’m keeping the dog’. Speaking to The Evening Post, the woman who wished to remain anonymous - said: “I was angry and upset so wanted a sign to go up for everyone to see. “When I found out I went through a mixture
of emotions but felt angry and wanted him to pay. “I had a drink in the bar on Tuesday and decided to get my own back. “I did feel a bit better once the sign went up. I wanted to name and shame him.”
DOUBLE-WHAMMY FOR PAUL: Wife announces she’s keeping the dog in the divorce.
forum to the Hive, the students’ union space for meetings and talks, were dismissed by students’ union president Zahid Raja. Raja said: “The dates for student forums are set in the diary at the start of the year - this year, in the spirit of openness and transparency, I made a decision to publish these on the website at the start of the year. We haven’t changed the date or time for any of these meetings since their publication. The Hogwarts society required the Refectory and Cafe West for their Yule Ball. I saw fit to move the forum to another flat-floored space in the university. “Currently, the only time students visit the abbey building is if they are facing an appeal / disciplinary / if they are attending a senior university meeting. Exposing this part of the university to students as somewhere where we can hold open public meetings and events will reduce the overwhelming feeling that student attending appeals / senior meetings / disciplinary often feel. I won’t make an apology for trying to open up more areas of the university to students.”
New staff strike by Chris Flynn waterfrontci@swansea-union.co.uk UNIVERSITY staff will strike again on December 3 in protest against employers’ failure to meet union’s pay demands. A one-day strike took place at the end of October this year when UCU, Unison and Unite trade unions manned picket lines. Unions say that the universities must increase their offer of a one per cent pay rise. Students will again see disruption to lectures as teaching staff strike about their pay situation. UCU head of bargaining, Michael MacNeil, said: “UCU members took strike action last month because they refused to accept the employers’ pay offer and yet another real-terms pay cut. “If we are to stand any chance of resolving this dispute the employers need to improve the offer that started the row in the first place. “We are naturally disappointed that the employers chose not to improve the offer, but we remain hopeful there can be talks before the strike on Tuesday, 3 December. “However, if the employers turn up empty-handed again then disruption in our universities looks inevitable.” A Swansea University spokesperson said: “The one-day strike planned for December 3 is part of a national pay dispute and locally, the university has good relations with its recognised trade unions. The university hopes that members of staff will ensure disruption to students is kept to a minimum.”
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NEWS I 05
Cardiff Uni football team banned after inappropriate presentation by Ned Bristow
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk CARDIFF University men’s football club have been banned from competing against Swansea in the 2014 Welsh Varsity event, as well as being banned from all sporting events and activity for two weeks. The punishment comes after reports of club members holding a presentation that made light of issues such as spiking drinks, domestic abuse, and even rape. Witnesses attested to a crude, selfdeprecating presentation made by a senior member of the team during a club social, in which he mocked his own lack of success with women before suggesting that girls with low self-esteem are easier to target and have sex with. Female members of the Funky Arse Dancing society – who also attended the social on November 6th – were forced to watch the presentation, which was deemed “totally unacceptable” and “a gross breach of the university’s student code”, as well as the Athletic Union’s Behavioural
FOOTBALL: Cardiff in action against Swansea at last year’s Varsity. code. The presentation drew an official complaint, and forced the Cardiff University Students’ Union to take severe action. In a letter from the students’ union to the club, it was accepted that there was no malicious intent behind the presentation and that the incident would be treated as a grave error of judgement. The club has since apologised.
Despite the apologies, the students’ union has decided that the presentation “fell short of basic respect and decency”, and has taken action to ban the club from all activity for two weeks, as well as barring them from next spring’s Varsity event. The Students’ Union, Athletic Union and University Sport said in a joint letter to the football committee there were no mitigating circumstances
Typhoon appeal raises £500
The students’ union organised a charity collection for the Philippines typhoon which raised £500 for Unicef, the Red Cross and Oxfam.
Eating disorder group is set up by Holly Miller
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk STUDENTS with eating disorders and other issues are being invited to take part in a support group run by the students’ union. The group acts as a platform which enables
students to confidentially discuss their experiences. Two fully trained facilitators will run the sessions, where certain topics are chosen for discussion each week. The group takes place every Monday evening from 6-7pm at the Students’ Union Advice Centre on the ground floor of Fulton House.
and no justification for the members’ actions. “We have heard no suggestion that any individual or committee member present made any effort to intervene, nor was any retrospective action taken until the matter was brought to our attention,” they said. Charlotte Peters, the Swansea University sports officer, has confirmed that the Cardiff ban will not postpone the event. “The punishment is applicable to Cardiff, and our team will not be penalised”, Peters stated. “The Varsity match will go ahead, even if this requires Cardiff fielding an alternative team.” On top of the bans, the club has been ordered to participate in equality and diversity training alongside the Cardiff University Students’ Union and the Women’s Association. Peters stressed that Swansea University has a zero-tolerance policy towards incidents of this manner, which all clubs agree to comply with prior to the start of each academic year.
Lecture notes to go online by William Brealey
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk THE Learning and Teaching committee has decided that lecture materials should be posted on Blackboard at least 24 hours before lectures. The policy, proposed by Michelle Lee of the Learning and Teaching Chair of the College of Human Health Science, aims to benefit all students, in particular those with access impairment. The Students’ Union pushed for the policy to be implemented this year, but it will serve as a recommendation until 2014-15 to allow some lead in time. Consultation and support will be carried out with students and staff during this period to ensure its success, with Subject Reps being critical in the process. Zahid Raja, Swansea Students’ Union President said: “I am incredibly excited about this policy. Some lecturers do this already, so it will be exciting to see students across the university receive the same convenience.” Final year English Literature student Rahul Vashisht said: “It means those who are committed can prepare for lectures. “Inevitably there are some who will just use it as an excuse to stay in bed, as they’ll just say they’ll catch up in their own time.”
02 I NEWS
2.12.
thewaterfront
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The Welsh Officer Training Corps wants YOU! Fizz Napper, 21, pictured, is a 3rd year History and Politics Student and is also in her 3rd year in Wales Universities’ Officer Training Corps, which has around 50 members from Swansea University.
OVER the summer, members from Swansea Company of the Wales Universities’ Officer Training Corps went on a two-week combat engineering training exercise in Jersey in the Channel Islands. The WUOTC is a branch of the Army Reserve, which recruits its members from universities in Wales
and provides leadership training and development opportunities based on a military syllabus for potential Army officers, while they study at university. Although many people then do choose the Army as a career, there is no obligation to join the Armed Forces when you leave university. While in Jersey, we spent two days working on ranges learning how to perform the sort of tasks that the Royal Engineers carry out in training and in operational warzones. We also spent three days navigating the circumference of the island, and spending a lot of time chilling on the beaches! To add a historical element to our visit, we also went on a tour of the World War Two island defences, and we explored the war tunnels built by the occupying German Army. Possibly my favourite element to officer training, is when we have the opportunity to do live firing. So, it was fantastic when we found out that we would spend a day on the firing ranges trying out our marksmanship skills with some foreign weapons, such as different variants of the American M16 and the Russian AK47. We also got to try out the new Army pistol, the Glock 17 Gen 4. The other main part of our time in Jersey was spent on adventurous
training. On this occasion, that included kayaking, surfing, rock climbing and, possibly one of the best things I have ever done, coasteering. This involves climbing up onto rocks and jumping into the sea. The highest jump we did, ‘insanity’, was sixty feet high. You are not truly an Officer Cadet until you have hurled yourself off something high! Adventurous training is common in
the WUOTC, as it is designed to put people out of their comfort zones and help them to be more courageous, which is does, and it’s also incredibly fun. Every year we have several trips that are exclusively for adventurous training, such as skiing in the Alps, sailing in the Caribbean, parachuting, paragliding, mountaineering, and many more.
There is also the opportunity to complete military training with various parts of the army, such as driving tanks with the Royal Armoured Corps and flying helicopters with the Army Air Corps. As if all of this was not enough, you are also paid handsomely for taking these opportunities. Without a doubt, joining the WUOTC was the best decision I have ever made.
OUTDOOR FUN: Members of Swansea University OTC on their trip to Swansea.
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NEWS I 07
The only way is SUSU as footballers hit youtube TV and shaking our fists. And it was in that moment that we all turned and looked at each other and thought, “Why not recreate THE men’s football team are on a rise to it?” stardom after their recent recreation of ALEX: It was John’s idea. He came up with popular reality series, Made in Chelsea. is and he created it and we’ve never looked The parody videos, uploaded onto back. He’s not just a pretty face. YouTube, have received thousands of views and have even been praised by the show’s GEMMA: Who is your favourite character in the show? own, Binky Felstead. Using the hashtag #MIScene, the lads ALEX: I think the character we can get the plan to make the series go viral. Gemma most material from is Spencer. Parry spoke to Tom Cullimore, Alex Lee, TOM: He’s just always causing havoc - he’s Josh Allard and John Roberts (pictured the wrecking ball of Chelsea. We get a lot below) about their inspiration behind the of our material from Spence just being an series, their favourite character roles and idiot really. His lack of human empathy is on-set chemistry. something we can really draw on. So far four videos have featured on ALEX: The most controversial character YouTube and have had around 2,000 views is definitely Spencer but my favourite overall. character has to be Jamie. GEMMA: Why did you decide to do it? JOSH: To be honest, I’ve ever performed as TOM: We love the show. We all watch it Andy, but my favourite character has to be together every week. It was just a bit of an Proudlock. He’s just too cool. impulse thing. JOHN: For me, it’s got to be Mark Francis. ALEX: There was an episode with a big He’s incredibly entertaining. scene at the end which we all reacted TOM: Francis Boulle. He’s just something to in fits. We couldn’t believe what had else in the whole series. He doesn’t take it all happened. too seriously - it just goes over his head and TOM: Yeah, we were all screaming at the he takes it all in his stride.
by Gemma Parry
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk
GEMMA: How is seeking international fame going? TOM: We’ve had a tweet from Alexandra Felstead who plays Binky in Made in Chelsea and she said that she loves our parody. So it’s going pretty well. JOHN: When we first started posting the videos on Facebook, the reaction was great. The feedback we get every week while the show is going on is fantastic. We get tweets saying: “We can’t really watch the show without thinking about what scene you’re going to be performing.” So, we’ve decided to make the transition to YouTube, using Facebook and Twitter to promote them, and it’s gone brilliantly. We’ve got over one thousand views for our series so far. JOSH: In terms of filming, we have our own cameraman, Akash Chibber. It’s really the team behind us and the chemistry we share that makes it work so well. I don’t think that we realised what it would become when we started. But I’ve always said, a good idea is a good idea forever. •To watch Swansea Men’s Football Club’s videos, visit their YouTube page through this link: http://www.youtube. com/user/sumfcTV/.
MADE IN CHELSEA: From left, Josh Allard, John Roberts, Alex Lee and Tom Cullimore.
Caught short in public? It will cost you £75 under new plans by Chris Flynn
waterfrontci@swansea-union.co.uk STUDENTS could be hit with £75 fines if they urinate in public in the city centre. The scheme is being piloted across the city to try and send a message that public urination is not acceptable in Swansea. This could seriously affect students on nights out, who may find it difficult to find a place to relieve themselves after a night of heavy drinking. The council does deploy temporary urinals around the Wind Street area on busy nights out. The news comes close to the story of a Swansea resident urinating in the street in a story that went viral earlier this month. June Burtonshaw, Swansea City Council cabinet member, said: “Public urination is a contentious issue
that has been troubling authorities, organisations and businesses working together to create a cleaner, healthier and safer city centre. “We’ve tried the soft approach, which has had some effect, but now it is time to get tough. Urinating in shop doorways, alleys, lanes or bushes is not acceptable. “There are toilets provided in every night-time venue, as well as the additional portable urinals on the streets. If people still can’t control their bladders, they could find themselves with a hefty fine.” City inspector Dean Thomas said:“Urinating in public is a major irritation to authorities and businesses who are left to clean up their own doorways and streets after people under the influence of alcohol feel it is acceptable to treat the city centre like a toilet. “It is certainly not acceptable and I am pleased the police are able to work with the council in enforcing fixed penalty notices against those caught in the act.”
Mixed student feelings over council’s new bin bag limit by Jon May
front@swansea-union.co.uk SWANSEA City Council is planning to limit the number of black refuse bags people can put out to three bags per fortnight. If the plans are approved, the restrictions will come into force next April. There has been a mixed reaction from students. Early Childhood Studies student Louise Perry, said:“Maybe three [black bags] per person would be more appropriate for student areas.” But history student Rhiannon Sandy said: “We put out one black bag a fortnight (between two of us) and it’s never more than two thirds full. We recycle as much as possible and use the food waste bin for everything else.” Ben Jewell, a Swansea resident, commented on twitter: “People will start fly tipping if this gets approved.” The council currently recycles 52% of the
115,000 annual tonnes of waste, in line with statutory requirements, which will rise to 58% for 2015/16. Each tonne of waste sent to landfill is subject to £72 of tax, which is set to rise next year to £80. Swansea City Council cabinet report stated: “If this is not achieved then fines of £200 for every tonne of material outside the target could be imposed on the authority, and the Welsh Government could seek claw back of the Sustainable Waste Management Grant which is currently £4.87million.” The report goes on to say that households that recycle properly “would typically require no more than 1 to 2 bags of residual black bag waste to be collected every fortnight”and suggests that“a limit of three bags every fortnight would encourage more kerbside recycling.” Exceptions will be made for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) on a “case-bycase basis”, suggests Mr Howell, head of waste at the council.
08 I NEWS
thewaterfront 2.12.13
WELSH Mis Tashwedd - Mae bois yn gwisgo eu mwstashis gyda by Laura Fiteni
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk MAE’N fis hwnnw unwaith eto pan fod carped o fwstashis yn cwmpasu’r campws. Mae mwstashis wedi bod yn ymddangos ar draws y brifysgol wrth i’r cryts ddangos eu cefnogaeth i achos da gan addurno eu gwefus uchaf. Roedd galw mawr ychydig o flynyddoedd yn ôl i godi ymwybodaeth o iechyd dynion megis canser y ceilliau a chanser y prostad er mwyn cadw i fyny gyda’r gwaith ardderchog a wnaethpwyd gan elusennau benywaidd i addysgu’r cyhoedd am heintiau benywaidd. Yn swyddfa Waterfront, dydyn ni ddim wedi dianc rhag y mwstasmania chwaith. Mae ein bachgen o’r adran troseddau ac ymchwilio wedi tyfu eu ‘tashe hefyd. Dywedodd y golygydd, Chris Flynn: “Dwi wedi gwneud Tashwedd am flynyddoedd erbyn hyn ac rydw i’n caru cael cyfle i godi ymwybyddiaeth o iechyd dynion. Mae’r elusennau y mae Tashwedd yn eu cefnogi yn agos at fy nghalon.” Cafodd Tashwedd (Movember) ei eni pan oedd ddau dyn yn cael peint o gwrw yn eu tafarn leol ac oedden nhw’n trafod hen dueddiadau ffasiwn. Soniwyd am y mwstas nerthol.
Penderfynon nhw i arwain adfywiad y mwstas er budd materion iechyd dynion ar ôl iddynt gael eu hysbrydoli gan fam eu ffrind a oedd yn codi arian am canser y fron ar y pryd. Ers hynny, mae’r ymgyrch wedi tyfu’n anghygoel! Dechreuodd â deg ar hugain o ‘Mobros’ (enw cyfranogwyr o Dashwedd) ym Melbourne, Awstralia yn 2003 ond nawr mae’r nifer wedi cynyddu i 1.1 miliwn ar draws y byd. Achosodd y syniad ystorm yn y cyfryngau! Mae llawer o sêr, personoliaethau chwaraeon ac athletwyr wedi ychwanegu eu llais a’u mwstashis i’r ymdrech. Mae’n cynnwys chwedl y Llewod Sam Warburton a cyn-chwaraewr rhyngwladol
Dyfarnwr gyda’i fwstas.
Cymraeg Shane Williams. Cyfaddefodd Shane ‘ Rydw i wedi dod yn eithaf hoff o fy mwstas’! Hefyd bydd dyfarnwyr o Ddieiflaid Caerdydd yn gwisgo crysiau gyda llun o fwstas mawreddog arnynt wrth iddynt weithredu fel ‘Mofficials’ yn ystod y gêm. Bydd dyfarnwyr a’r chwaraewyr i gyd yn arddangos amrywiaeth o fwstashis – mwstashis gwyllt, mwstachis taclus, mwstashis dramatig a mwstashis mawr a bach. Mae’r Mecsico, y gyrrwr lori, y seren roc, y llywydd, y cowboi a’r dihiryn. Yn ffodus, wnaeth y merched ddim gadael i’r bois gael pob hwyl. Yr wythnos diwethaf ar 27ain o Dashwedd, cynhaliwyd parti mawr yng nghlwb Walkabout ar Stryd Wind dan y teitl ‘Mexican Fiesta Party’ a gwelodd llawer o fyfyrwyr yn cyrraedd gyda mwstas du, trwchus er mwyn cystadlu am deitl y mwstas gorau. Cafodd y cyfranogwyr amser gwych ac yn bwysicaf, roedd parti yn cefnogi achos ardderchog iawn. Os oes diddordeb gennych ar gyfer y dyfodol, ewch i’r wefan i gael cyngor ar bopeth o ba fwyd i’w osgoi wrth wisgo eich mwstas i neuadd o enwogrwydd Mo’bros. Mae adran arbennig sy’n cael ei anelu’n benodol at fyfyrwyr a thimau chwaraeon y brifysgol. Mae’n rhoi gwybodaeth am sut i gymryd rhan a ‘r gwobrau sydd ar gael i’r enillwyr.
ENGLISH Movember – The boys wear their moustaches with pride
Noson o hwyl a sbri gyda’r GymGym by Laura Fiteni
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk CYMDEITHAS Gymraeg y Brifysgol ydy GymGym. Mae’n rhoi cyfle i siaradwyr Cymraeg y brifysgol cwrdd gyda’i gilydd ac i siarad Cymraeg, sef mamiaith llawer o aelodau’r gymdeithas. Dwy wythnos yn ôl, cefais gyfle i dreulio noson allan gydag aelodau’r gymdeithas pan aethon i fod yn rhan o’r gynulleidfa ‘Sioe Jonathon’ ar S4C. Roedd yn noson wych! Mor galonogol yr oedd clywed y Gymraeg yn cael i siarad fel iaith naturiol gan bawb o fy amgylch. Er cefais sioc mawr bryd arweiniodd gyfarwyddwr y sioe holl aelodau’r gymdeithas i gefndir y set i eistedd trwy gydol y ffilmio. Mae’n amser cyffrous i Gymgym ar hyn o bryd gan fod y gymdeithas eisoes wedi trefnu taith i Ddulyn yn ystod Pencampwriaeth Y Chwe Gwlad a chinio Nadolig ar y 5ed o Dachwedd. Hefyd, Mae GymGym yn cynnal cwis tafarn yn JC’s yn aml i gynnig cyfle i ddysgwyr ymarfer eu Cymraeg yng nghwmni siaradwyr iaith gyntaf. Fel siaradwr ail-iaith, dwi’n ymwybodol o’r ffaith y bod yn anodd ac yn llethol iawn i daflu eich hun at sefyllfa o’r fath yn gyfan gwbl. Ond mae’r Gymgym yn barod i groesawu unrhyw un sy’n barod i roi cynnig arni. Pe bai unrhyw un yn amau’r hwyl y gallech ei brofi fel rhan o Gymgym, ewch i’w tudalen Facebook i weld y dystiolaeth!
Get to know Gym Gym by Laura Fiteni
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk
by Laura Fiteni
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk IT’S that month again when a carpet of moustaches covers the campus. Moustaches have been appearing across the university as our uni lads show their support for a good cause by decorating their upper lip. The moustaches which have been creeping across campus since November represent all the men who are currently fighting malerelated illnessess and those who have fought in the past. Here, in the Waterfront offices, we haven’t escaped moustachmania either. The Crime and Investigation boys (pictured right) have been loudly and proudly comparing ‘taches too! Editor Chris Flynn said: “I’ve done Movember for years now and I love having the opportunity to raise awareness for men’s health. The charities Movember supports are close to my heart.” Movember was born when two men having a pint in their local pub were discussing outdated fashions and up cropped the moustache. They decided to lead a moustache uprising - to bring back the ‘tache on behalf of men’s health issues – after being inspired by a friend’s mum who was raising money for breast cancer at the time. Since then, the campaign has grown at an incredible pace. It began with 30 original ‘Mobros’ (the name given to participants of Movember) in Australia in 2003 and today that
number has increased to 1.1 million worldwide. The idea caused a media hailstorm with many celebrities, sports personalities and athletes having added their voice and their moustaches to the Mobro effort. Lion’s legend, Sam Warburton and exinternational, Shane Willians included. Shane admitted “I’ve become quite fond of my moustache to be honest.” Some might say he’s become rather ‘attashed’! Furthermore, referees of the Cardiff Devils have been wearing shirts emblazoned with enormous moustaches whilst acting as ‘Mofficials’ throughout the game. All the players and match officials will be displaying a full range of moustaches – from wild moustaches to tidy moustaches, dramatic moustaches to moustaches big and small! Expect the Mexican, the Lorry driver, the Rock
star, the President, the Cowboy and the Villain. Luckily, the girls didn’t let the boys have all the fun. Last week on the 27th of Movember, Walkabout on Wind Street held a big party with the title ‘Mexican Fiesta Party’ which saw lots of students arriving with thick, black moustaches draped under their noses in order to compete for the title of best moustache. Party-goers had a great time and better still, the event raised funds and awareness for an excellent cause. If anyone is interested for the future, go to the Movember website for advice on everything from which foods to avoid whilst flashing the ‘tash to the Mo’Bro hall of fame. There’s a special section aimed at students and university sport teams. To donate, go to http://uk.movember.com/ team/1370081
WELSH society ‘GymGym’ provides the opportunity for Welsh speakers within the university the opportunity to get together and speak Welsh - the first language of many of the society members. Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to tagalong on a society night to the TV set of ‘The Johnathon Show’ to be part of the live audience and enjoy a couple of free beers. It was an awesome night and even better to hear Welsh being spoken by everyone around. Even if I had a rather big shock when the director led members of the society onto the set and positioned us in the background of the frame throughout filming. It’s a busy but exciting time for GymGym at the moment – having organized their Christmas meal for the 5th of December and already arranged a trip to Dublin during next year’s Six Nations, committee members are being kept on their toes by GymGym’s busy social calendar. Furthermore, GymGym regularly hold a pub quiz in JC’s inviting learners to practice their Welsh in the company of first language speakers for anyone who fancies a challenge. As a second-language speaker myself, I know that it can be very daunting to throw yourself in headfirst but GymGym are ready to welcome anyone whose ready to give it a go. If anyone doubts the fun that can be had as part of the society, I suggest clicking on the Facebook page to scroll through the evidence yourself!
www.waterfrontonline.co.uk
NEWS I 09
SAS Lettings offer cooling off period on Dec contracts “This cooling off period is something that no other letting agency or private landlord offers in Swansea, and makes sure that there are still options available for students who wish to sign earlier than January,” says Becky. “There are plenty of houses in Swansea though, so there is no rush to sign! “Make sure you get your contract checked over by the Advice Centre if you do go private, and if you’re being rushed into signing for somewhere, there’s usually a reason why!”
by Samantha Booth
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk STUDENT Accommodation Services are again allowing students to view houses from December onwards, offering a cooling period until January. Previous welfare policies stated that students could start looking and signing contracts for private housing with SAS after 1 January. Charlotte Britton, former welfare officer of the students’ union enforced this policy to stop students from rushing in to settling on a house early in the year. Becky Grimes, current students’ union welfare officer explains the change: “Historically we have run campaigns encouraging students not to sign until after Christmas, and we do still stand by this. “However, there are groups of students who want to sign before Christmas, and will go to other agencies if they can’t go with SAS. “Bringing forward the dates is simply giving students the option to
Unicef Society members try living below poverty line by Gemma Parry waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk SWANSEA University Students’ Union society, UNICEF, took part in a Live Below the Line event along with the team of full time officers. Live Below the Line is an event in which the participants live off a pound a day for seven days, equating to living off £7 for the week. The event, held from the 4th of
November to the 10th, aimed to raise student awareness of those who live below the line on a global scale. President of UNICEF on Campus Swansea and South West Wales Coordinator Glyn Williams said: “Live Below the Line is a way for people to experience what it is like to live in absolute poverty. “You learn to appreciate what you have and [develop a] want to help people around the world who are in this situation all the time.”
WELFARE: Union officer Becky Grimes view and sign for houses if they really wish to and we now offer a cooling off period up until the 31st January.” Introduced this year, the cooling period allows groups that have major disputes, meeting certain criteria, to cancel the contract up until 31 January 2014 with no expenses made to the students. This policy will be beneficial to students who find themselves in unfortunate situations with future housemates after signing the agreement.
SAS, located on the lower floor, Fulton House offers student housing from one to eight bed housing for Swansea University students.
Invisible illness week proves to be a very visible success for union
WHO DO YOU TALK TO WHEN YOU’RE LOW?: Students were asked questions every day on a big whiteboard. by Gemma Parry
waterfrontnews@swansea-union.co.uk SWANSEA University Students’ Union has been raising awareness of mental health issues through a week long campaign, Invisible Illness Week. The event, which took place from November 25th to November 29th, was organised by parttime disability officer, Tori Evans. She said: “Invisible illness Week is important to me because so many people suffer in silence. A
lot of people don’t look for help because they are embarrassed or don’t think they deserve it. “The whole point of the week is to get people talking about invisible illnesses and to remember and acknowledge what we so often ignore. “Not only will it help people share their stories and end stigma but will also encourage those who need to look for help and to know that they deserve it just as much as anyone else does. “I’ve already had an overwhelming response from students and feel like the week has achieved loads of things that I wanted to, which is amazing.”
LIVING BELOW THE LINE: Unicef Society members tried living on one pound per day.
2 December 2013 waterfrontonline.co.uk
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It’s not every day you get to meet Gary Numan
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p23
careers 35
fInternational 35
books 33
societies 32-33
front row 31
travel 29
culture 27
food 26
film 25
music 23
Relationships 17
fashion 14-15
features 12-13
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
2 December 2013 waterfrontonline.co.uk
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WIT H SA M ANT H A B OOT H
confusing one. The National Union of Students is more often known mainly for the NUS discount card, which gives students a reduced price at hundreds of retailers over the country. They represent students on a national level. Every year, students are asked to vote in the SU Elections whether the union will be affiliated to the NUS. The NUS actively campaigns inline with current student issues, such as opposing changes to A-Levels, advertisement of payday lenders and international student immigration. Any student of any degree type or course can get involved with the students’ union. Held once a month, the student forum allows any student to raise ‘ideas’ to change the way the students’ union is run. In addition, it offers the chance for students to ask the officers, full time and part time, anonymous questions. To submit an idea or question, visit www.swansea-union.co.uk/ union/forums. Societies and sports forums are also held by the respective officers to discuss issues clubs and teams are facing as well as workshops including how to work better as a team and how to deal with conflict.
Students can join as many societies as they like. Each society has their own membership fee which can be paid for at www.swansea-union.co.uk/societies. Any student can form a new society if there isn’t one existing. Email the societies and services officer, Ceinwen Cloney, at societiesandservices@swanseaunion.co.uk Sport Swansea works closely with the students’ union and is the professional sporting brand for Swansea University. To become a member of any sports club, you must first become a member of Sport Swansea. There are many benefits including a discounted Varsity ticket. Visit www.swansea-union. co.uk/sports for more information.
•Have you found it difficult to become involved with the students’ union or on the website? Email waterfrontfeatures@swansea-union. co.uk.
MAP 4
Swansea University Campus
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“Is it near Fulton House somewhere?” Buildings
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Finance Building Singleton Abbey Singleton Abbey, Stable Block Keir Hardie Building James Callaghan Building Law Library Mosque Library and Information Centre Faraday Building Faraday Tower Talbot Building Wallace Building Margam Building Glyndw ˆ r Building Vivian Tower Sports Science Motion Laboratory Grove Building Grove Building Extension Richard Price Building Amy Dillwyn Building Haldane Building Fulton House Union House Energy Centre Digital Technium Taliesin Annexe Taliesin Arts Centre Egypt Centre Institute of Life Science 1 Llyˆr Building Institute of Life Science 2 / Centre for NanoHealth Porters’ Traffic Control Lodge
3 4 3 14 8.3 3 12, 33 11.2 4 11.2 11.2 11.2, 11.3 4
Hispanic Studies History Italian Law Mathematics Media and Communication Studies Medicine Physics Politics and International Relations Psychology Social Policy / Work Sports Science War and Society
We asked 60 students ‘where is the students’ union?’; only 30% knew where it was exactly located on a campus map and the Services / Facilities remaining 70% were unsure with oneAcademic student 2.1 Registry Admissions Office commenting “not enough stuff22happens there Alumni Office 32 Art Gallery to know where it is”. 32 Bank 17, 18, 32 Bars Some students, mainly first years have 32 Bookshop never heard of the students’ union building. 17, 18, 32 Cash Points 17 Catering Office However, third year students and those 7 Careers and Employability 2 Central Administration involved in societies or sports were aware 17 Chaplaincyof Centre 17 Conference Office how to find Union House, number 18 on/ Nursery the 30 Crèche 23 Dental Surgery map (left). 3.1 Disability/Special Requirements Office Fulton Outfitters, the Langland13Terrace and Disability Office - Assessment and Training Centre student village Spar and the Travel Shop in 40 17 Discovery - Student Volunteering 32.1 Egypt Centre Fulton House all come under the students’ Student Residences 18 Estates Department 19.1 Kilvey Finance Department union’s ownership. Costcutter is12 half owned by 20 Preseli Human Resources 21 Cefn Bryn 2.1 International Development Office the 21.2, SU 21.3 andRhossili the university and is3.1operated by International Student Advisory Service the 22 union.Penmaen 23 Horton 5 Law Library 25 to Tuesday Oxwich 7 Tooters, Library and Information Centre Home I’m in Flux and Divas 26 Langland 2 Marketing 27 on-campus Caswell 3 Resources is the nightclub located inMedia Union 17 Health Centre Academic 3.1 for Money Advice & Support Office House, whichAreas can also be booked society 6 Mosque 11.1 Adult Continuing Education events. JC’sAmerican is located in Fulton22HouseOccupational serving Health & 4 Studies Emergency Centre 34 AquaCulture reduced drinks prices and food.17Sin City is Post Office 9, 9.4, 11.2 Biological Sciences 2.1 Postgraduate Office 16 Business owned operated by the students’ union, 17 Refectory 11.2 and Childhood Studies 8.2 Department of Research and Innovation 3 Classics, Ancient History & Egyptology which many students are unaware of,ResidentialServices and 22 8.1, 8.2 Computer Science Shops 17, 18 11.2 Criminology likewise for the Wonky Sheep on 13 the student Staff Development Unit 3 Cymraeg/Welsh 23 Student Counselling Service 14 Economics village. 3.1 Student Support Services 8.1, 8.2 Engineering 18 Students’ Union 3 English For support services, the SU offers the advice 32 Theatre (Taliesin) 3 French 15 Transcription 9 Geography centre and the nursery, which are located inCentre 17 Travel Shop 3 German Wellbeing Services 11.1 House Health Science Fulton and next to Grove23 respectively.
•TheSwansea next student forum atSwansea, 6pm SA2 8PP University Singletonis Park, +44 (0)1792 205678 info@swansea.ac.uk www.swansea.ac.uk on Friday, December 6 in the council chamber at Singleton Abbey (no 2 on the map).
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any matter in any way connected with, or arising out of the publication of this information. Published by the Marketing Department, Swansea University. Copyright February 2012.
Designed by The Info Group
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HE students’ union. What is it? Alarmingly, few students can answer the question in a way that covers all of the services and operations the union undertakes, writes Samantha Booth. A students’ union caters for all of the needs that are outside of your degree such as nightlife, housing, travel and support. Without it your student life would be a very different one. We took to campus to ask students about the SU to find out how much they knew. Katie Williamson, a third year Zoology student and active society member, is aware of the operations of the SU but thinks she is one of few: “They run all the services and societies that are designed to help students. They could have a better outreach by letting more students know who they are and make them see why it’s important.” Sophie Wiggins, a second year English and Media student says that being involved with the student media has enabled her to begin to understand the dynamics of the SU: “I don’t feel I would have any idea about the students’ union and the elections if it wasn’t for being an active member in the media. Once you are involved, it’s great fun and I enjoy learning about how the union can help me.” Often students find the line between Swansea University Students’ Union and the NUS a
M En ain tr an ce
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Your students’ union explained
careers 35
fInternational 35
books 33
societies 32-33
front row 31
travel 29
culture 27
food 26
film 25
music 23
Relationships 17
fashion 14-15
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features 12-13
2 December 2013 waterfrontonline.co.uk
How you can get involved in your students’ union FIRST things first, when you enrol as a student, you automatically become a member of the students’ union, says President, Zahid Raja. We’re here to help you to have the best time of your life whilst also managing to leave university with an experience that lands you safely into a career! There are a ton of ways people can get involved. Think about what you want to do, and what you want to get out of university. Here are my top 5 tips to get started: 1) SPORTS AND SOCIETIES: You will never have access to as many opportunities as you have now. Get on the website – if it’s being crap, then email: sportsofficer@swansea-union.co.uk and societiesandservices@swansea-union.co.uk to get a complete guide of what you can achieve. 2) YOUR COURSE: Some of you are at university because you’re incredibly passionate about your course. You’re lucky in that this university considers students to be partners in their education. So speak to your programme director and talk about how you can have a greater say in the development and delivery of your course. Email me if you need help: president@swansea-union.co.uk 3) VOLUNTEER: Every now and again the students’ union will ask for volunteers for projects and campaigns. They might sound boring and completely pointless but they’re actually a laugh and give you great experience and knowledge about how the students’ union and the university works operationally. Make sure you’ve liked the facebook page to keep in the loop: www.facebook.com/ swanseauniversitystudentsunion 4) PART TIME JOBS: The students’ union is a £6m business. We run everything from Costcutter through to the bars, clubs and ents to the nursery. There are some fantastic opportunities to get your teeth stuck into paid opportunities: http://www.swansea-union.co.uk/jobs/ 5) MAKE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITY: To be honest, I wasn’t really satisfied with what the students’ union had to offer. It’s actually why I ran to be president. Like mine, the students’ union has a number of opportunities that are democratically elected which lead and shape what the organisation does. You can find these on the website – if you’ve got a bright idea, then this is for you: http://www.swansea-union.co.uk This is a year of massive change and it came from one of the Ideas that I put forward when I ran for election – to completely change how the students’ union listens to, and interacts with students. The goal is to change the culture on campus from one of the perception of the students’ union changing things for students, to one where the students’ union empowers students to take the lead over their own issues. We have c. 15,000 students on campus – being a member of the students’ union is a right, but it also comes with civic responsibilities.
Left to Right: Welfare officer Rebecca Grimes, Societies and Services officer, Ceinwen Cloney, International officer, Eva Donoghue, Sports officer, Charlotte Peters, Women’s officer, Rosie Inman and President, Zahid Raja.
Manifesto promises THE students’ union has six elected full-time officers who support and represent students at Swansea University. The roles are, President, Women’s, International, Societies and Services, Welfare and Sports. Each FTO is a member of the Trustees of the Union and the President is the Chair of the board. With a year in office, they have manifesto points to complete over the term. Zahid Raja, President@swansea-union.co.uk • Free broadband for every student • Freezing drinks prices in JC’s • Recognise sports, societies and volunteering on transcripts • Conduct a full governance review of the Students’ Union • Overhauling students’ union democracy Becky Grimes, Welfare@swansea-union.co.uk • Online Advice Service • Increase staff in students services • Healthier, more affordable food on campus • Free letting contract checking service Charlotte Peters, Sports@swansea-union.co.uk • Maintain equal levels of help and support of all clubs • Introduce college intramural leagues • Keep Wednesdays free • Improve links with local schools • Lobby for greater subsidisation of facility fees • Improve match facilities • Promote officials courses to reduce reliance on ext officials
Merry Christmas from your students’ union!
Ceinwen Cloney, Societiesandservices@swansea-union. co.uk • Run a second job fayre in line with employability week • Introduce a shuttle bus service to and from the bus and train stations at the beginning and end of each term • Improve student awareness of the SU services and societies • Prioritising sourcing and renovation of more societies specific areas for activies and storage Eva Donoghue, International@swansea-union.co.uk • Orientation events during first term • Monthly drop in session Ty Beck • Lobby the university for an international careers advisor • Create an Erasmus support group • Support cultural societies • Set up an international student satisfaction survey Rosie Inman, Womens@swansea-union.co.uk • Referendum on Equalities Officer • Make condoms and women’s items more available • Create equality forums • Extend zero tolerance further
The part-time officers Disability - Tori-Ilana Evans Welsh Affairs - Lewys Aron Freshers Rep - OPEN Postgraduate - Ilaha Cohen Mature - Matthew Johnson Caring Responsibilities - Simon Crabtree Black - Nhamburo Ziyenge LGBT Women’s - Rachel Hodgson LGBT Open - Joel Gascoyne Ethics - Chris Whitty Enviroment - Simon Wilde Community and Housing - Meg Ball General Secretary - Alex McKenzie Part Time Students - Nish Patel
2 December 2013 waterfrontonline.co.uk
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with nanette turkson & S iobhan wright
fashion
A-List Style On A Student Budget You may not have the funds in your bank account to match that of celebrities, but you can
certainly emulate their stylish outfit choices on a student budget, says Nanette Turkson. It’s a mens special this week, with Waterfront fashion favourite, quirky Chelsea boy, Oliver Proudlock. Check out how you can recreate his look without leaving too much of a dent in your pockets!
Oliver Proudlock
Topman Blue Gold Baroque Print Short Sleeve Shirt - £28
Topman White Rib Vest - £7
Topman Dog Tag £8
Zara Faded Jeans - £29.99
Zara Leather Sneaker - £39.99
Zara Animal Print Sunglasses £19.99
Rayan’s making a Statement Go Ethically BOLD for Christmas
Ethical fashion has long been climbing the ranks of chic with many luxury designers seeking to adopt more sustainable methods of production, says Siobhan Wright. Rayan Khalid, full-time Osteopathic Medicine student and part-time accessories designer, has embarked on her own ethical fashion adventure creating hand-made statement jewellery from unwanted materials. I interviewed Rayan to find out more. What inspired you to start making your own jewellery? I love accessories, I love making what I’d like to see people wear. My infatuation with accessory-making started about two years ago in 2011 when I decided to get creative with unwanted materials like plastics, beads, vinyls, fabric and leather and from then onwards I’ve started making statement art pieces out of them. They are such intricate designs… How and where do you make them? All the items are completely hand-made. I carry out most of my work in a small workshop I’ve set up at home. I’m a perfectionist, I spend a lot of time in my workshop producing only the best forms of my creations. I do that because I believe in making something of quality, because what I make speaks for me and who I am. The art and craft of the work is what people will remember. It just feels good to make something perfectly and with diligence, needless to say, everything is designed, few things are designed well. My family and I all work together and contribute to
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the making from providing the materials and giving comments and suggestions. Did you undertake any training that helped you in the production process? I’ve actually had no professional training in jewellery-making! The pieces are bold and beautiful. Is this a reflection of your own style? I make what I envision; my personal style is all about big bold statements, something that when worn breaks the ice in a crowd, a show stopper, something that’ll make you feel good about yourself just wearing them. This is what my collection is all about. I aim to make accessories that are one of a kind unique pieces, of quality made with love, light weight and comfortable, but at the same time strong and hardwearing so they last for as long as possible. Many of the pieces, arguably, go beyond just statement jewellery but could be considered works of art. Would you call it art?
I caught up with Rayan (pictured left) as she was exhibiting her collection of ethical handmade jewellery at the Konetics Start-up Market.
I love art and greatly appreciate all forms of art. This, being one of them, has captured my heart. It’s one of my best forms of self expression. Accessory designing and making brings me a great sense of elation, it’s my calling. To imagine and create a 3D piece out of something regarded as unwanted and useless is amusing for me to be doing. How are you finding getting your designs noticed? It’s going okay. I’ve recently showed my jewelllery at the Start-up market under the brand name “STATEMENT” as part of a business challenge organised by the university. I also wear my creations when I’m out and about. I mean, what better way to let people know of your creations than to wear them in public?! What are your hopes for the future? From such a humble beginning, maybe one day I’ll be as established as the names of Chanel and Versace and become a bespoke name myself. That would truly be a dream come true!
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2 December 2013 waterfrontonline.co.uk
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2 December 2013 waterfrontonline.co.uk
relationships
Exposed! The older men preying on students Looking for a cheeky hook-up? Relationships editor and dedicated researcher Holly Miller relived the single life on Shagatuni.com to see why the sex scouting website is popular and whether students are actually using these services.
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HAGATUNI.COM is “the UK’s naughtiest student hook up site”, but after a dabble in the online single world, I discovered that the site is not exclusively for fun-loving students, writes Holly Miller. While the homepage of the website presents you with the profiles of young, attractive students, after signing up under a false name, using a very old photo of myself, I quickly saw that most of the men on the website were older. They would rarely say hello before saying exactly what they wanted to shove in startling places. Two hours into my research, and I’d received 42 messages. Admittedly, everyone likes a little ego boost and I felt quite chuffed. But I was surprised to see that of the 13 people who had ‘favourited’ my profile, only one was in his 20s. It is easy to see how the website would appeal to busy students – studying hard and partying doesn’t leave much time for a serious relationship, and it’s understandable that a lot of people would fancy some casual fun. As long as it is safe and everyone agrees on the rules, what’s the harm? For people who know exactly what they are getting into on a website like this, I say go for it. But I quickly discovered that it is not just harmless fun. In the interest of fairness, I asked a male friend to sign up at the same time as me to see if women were
“I can also now say I’ve been invited to a ‘gangbang party’” The following quotes are some of the cleaner messages received on Shagatuni.com so potential users can see what they’re letting themselves in for! Don’t read these if you are easily offended. (Names have been changed) Fred, 19:“Well well well girl I love [a different word for cat] nowt more to say… I’m up for a bit of fun, nowt more to say.” Jim, 50: “Does enjoying life extend to chatting with older married guys? If so maybe drop a quick hello and maybe we can chat and have a laugh?” Ted, 47: “Horny - After a bit of sexy chat this afternoon as I am all alone in my office and feeling a bit naughty xxx” Brian, 36: “I wondered if you love gangbang
quite as forward with their messages. That’s when we discovered that men have to pay to use the website. While I could message people to my heart’s content, asking for pictures of them and if they were interested in “NSA fun” (no strings attached), men had to pay to do this?! This left me wondering why. Surely most students are able to go out and meet people at clubs or university? Why do we need to waste our hardearned loans on ‘hook up sites’? I found that lots of the men felt the same way, as I had a few guys ask me why I was on the website, not out picking up guys on the streets of Swansea.
So who is actually on this site?
Of all the messages I received, for the most part the frankly frightening ones were from older men,
labelling themselves ‘unhappily married’. These were the only men I chose to respond to simply by saying “I don’t talk to married men”. Knowing their wives were probably only a room away from them while they trawled the internet for young and potentially vulnerable students infuriated me. Most of the students who messaged me were very polite and articulate, and led me to believe that we are not just a generation of Jeremy Kyle layabouts. I can also now say I’ve been invited to a “gangbang party”, with travel and accommodation paid for and
“£500 at the end of the party for the party girl”. I think they thought I was a prostitute. Oh dear. It can be argued that anyone who signs up for this knows what they’re getting, and to an extent I agree. But after one hopeless romantic had continuously messaged me, even giving out his address and phone number, my lack of response inspired him to ask, “why u being a bitch”. I was absolutely fuming. What right do blokes on the internet have to abuse someone just because they don’t reply to a creepy message?! What surprised me the most (other than the gangbang party and men older and balder than my granddad trying it on) was how willingly these guys would give out photos, and would ask to Skype. It’s almost like they have not spent their days watching This Morning, learning about the dangers of cybersex from Holly and Phil! You can filter messages to within a certain age range so you don’t find out what 64 year olds would like to do to you. But as this was in the name of journalism, I allowed all messages. Despite “an auto ‘Not interested’ response sent on your behalf to ---because their message was outside your inbox filters”, lots of the same guys would continue to send filthy messages. Now that my research is finished, I can’t wait to delete the profile and forget some of the things that had been said. Ultimately, it’s all about personal choice. If you sign up to one of these websites, you just have to know exactly what you’re going to get. A lot of creepy old men, a few rude people, and you will see more penises than you ever, ever needed to see. So to anyone who is going to sign up, have lots of fun – but be safe. Be cautious and upmost, be prepared.
“That’s when we discovered that men have to pay to use Shagatuni.com”
parties too or would like to try one perhaps? I run ‘The UK Gangbang Club’ if you wanted to come along one weekend for a party? It’s a Gentlemen’s Club and the guys that attend are nice, clean and friendly and it’s safe. Your travel costs are paid for, accommodation is provided and I’ve a website too if you’d like to see?” Neil, 39: “You’re hot, I am 6 foot tall, right now I have **** thinking about you, want to see send email address, I would eat ***** until you are screaming for me… then I would ***** you until you ****. The reason I have no face pic is because of work, apparently I am cute.” Carl, 23: “Just got into bed… Completely naked and starting to touch myself! Don’t suppose you fancy a sexy chat?? Promise you I will work hard to turn you on... Give me a shot!” Photo by kenasen1
Catherine Street
Fleet Street
Hazel Road
Rooms: 4 | Band: A* | Rent: £73-78
Rooms: 4 | Band: A | Rent: £68-70
Rooms: 4 | Band: A | Rent: £68-69
4 bedroom house in good location close to local shops and amenities. property comprises 4 double bedrooms (1 ensuite), good size kitchen, living room with plasma TV, bathroom and enclosed back garden.
A four bedroom student house close to Swansea city centre, comprising 4 double bedrooms, large living room, large kitchen with dining table and chairs, bathroom with shower over, rear garden - kitchen will have new tiled floor put down in the summer and new sofas in the living room.
4 bedroom house in Uplands - property comprises 4 double bedrooms, good size living room, large open planned kitchen & dining room. New shower room finished to high standard.
Studentpad Ref: SWP29577
Studentpad Ref: SWP3993
Kemble Street
Llewellyn Street
Pinewood Road
Rooms: 4 | Band: A* | Rent: £72-74
Rooms: 4 | Band: A | Rent: £68-69
Rooms: 4 | Band: A | Rent: £60-70
4 bedroom recently renovated property - comprising 4 good sized double bedrooms, kitchen, shower room with WC, separate WC room, sitting room, enclosed back yard. Property decorated to high standard.
Studentpad Ref: SWP11147
4 bedroom house in Sketty, close to Singleton Park. Property comprises 4 double bedrooms, good size kitchen, living room, new shower room finished to high standard, enclosed rear garden.
4 bedroom house in the Uplands - property comprises 3 double bedrooms, 1 single, good size living room with dining table and chairs also, new kitchen, property will have brand new shower room in the summer.
Studentpad Ref: SWP3980
Studentpad Ref: SWP4029
Studentpad Ref: SWP29581
Phillips Parade
St Helens Avenue
St Helens Road
Rooms: 4 | Band: A | Rent: £73-74
Rooms: 4 | Band: A | Rent: £72-74
Rooms: 4 | Band: A | Rent: £66-70
Studentpad Reference: SWP4013 4 bedroom, 2 storey property comprises 4 good sized double bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom with shower over bath, living room, rear enclosed garden.
4 bedroom house in heart of Brynmill. Property comprises 4 double bedrooms, 2 shower rooms with WCs, kitchen and living room, rear enclosed garden. Living room carpet to be replaced with laminate floor in summer and washer-dryer to be put in kitchen.
Maisonette flat comprising of 4 bedrooms (2 double), new kitchen, new shower room, large living room with dining room table and chairs.
Studentpad Ref: SWP4013
Studentpad Ref: SWP11159
Alexandra Terrace
Aylesbury Road
Brunswick Street
Rooms: 5 | Band: A | Rent: £68-69
Rooms: 5 | Band: A | Rent: £67-69
Rooms: 5 | Band: A | Rent: £68-69
5 bedroom property very close to the University - comprises 5 double bedrooms, large kitchen/living room, shower room and separate WC room. Back garden to have patio laid in the summer.
Studentpad Ref: SWP3953
5 bedroom house in heart of Brynmill - comprising all double beds, open planned kitchen/ living room, shower room, separate WC room, patio in back garden.
2 storey, 5 bedroom property comprising 5 double bedrooms , kitchen/diner with leather sofa, bathroom with shower over bath, separate WC, recently painted throughout.
Studentpad Ref: SWP3991
Studentpad Ref: SWP4021
Studentpad Ref: SWP3987
Brunswick Street
Gower Road
Henrietta Street
Rooms: 5 | Band: A* | Rent: £71-74
Rooms: 5 | Band: A | Rent: £66-70
Rooms: 5 | Band: A* | Rent: £73-74
2 storey, 5 bedroom property comprising good size kitchen, living room with dining table and chairs, 1 shower room & 1 bathroom. All bedrooms comprise double beds and brand new furniture put in last summer. Studentpad Ref: SWP3988
Featured Property
Studentpad Ref: SWP3995
A five bedroom 1st and 2nd floor flat close to the University and Sketty centre. Comprises good sized double bedrooms, kitchen, living room, dining room, 1 bathroom with bath, shower over, WC and sink, 1 shower room - shower, WC and sink and separate WC room.
Recently refurbished and redecorated 5 bedroom terrace house. comprises good size kitchen with breakfast bar and stools, 2 shower rooms, separate WC, living room, all double bedrooms. Studentpad Ref: SWP4007
King Edward Road
Hafan Plentyn
Rooms: 5 | Band: A* | Rent: £73-74
Rooms: 4 Band: A* | Rent: £73 4 bedroom flat in complex of flats renovated to very high standard. Flat comprises 4 double bedrooms, large open planned kitchen & living room, bathroom with bath & separate shower, separate WC room, off road parking. Complex also includes a communal room with pool table and plasma TV and bike storage room.
Studentpad Reference: SWP4051
Studentpad Ref: SWP4010
5 bedroom property recently renovated and redecorated throughout - property includes double beds in the bedrooms, large kitchen with table and chairs, living room, bathroom, rear off road parking - property finished to a very high standard.
Malvern Terrace Rooms: 5 | Band: A | Rent: £68-69 Mid Terraced Property Comprising of 5 double bedrooms, kitchen, shower room with WC and sep.w.c. room, lounge, off road parking.
Studentpad Ref: SWP3957
Allswanseastudentpad.co.uk properties are available to view -on Studentpad www.swanseastudentpad.co.uk. password for –Swansea students: housing2012
Any queries please email us on sas@swansea.ac.uk or phone us on 01792 295 328. Alternatively pop into our office situated on the ground floor of Fulton House.
27/11/2013 08:4
Featured Property
Rhyddings Park Rd Rooms: 5 Band: A* | Rent: £73-74
A AS GW
5 Bedroom House in the heart of Brynmill. Comprising of 5 double bedrooms, living room, Kitchen and 2 Shower rooms. Property recently renovated and redecorated throughout to very high standard - property had all new furniture, carpets and appliances.
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Student Accommodation Services (SAS) is a joint venture between Residential Services and the Students' Union aimed at assisting students looking for accommodation in the private sector. We can help you find the right accommodation through a service you can trust.
Studentpad Reference: SWP15923 Malvern Terrace
Marlborough Road
Rooms: 5 | Band: A* | Rent: £71-75
Rooms: 5 | Band: A | Rent: £68-69
2 storey terraced property located near the University property comprises 5 good sized bedrooms (3 doubles, 2 singles), large kitchen, bathroom, living room with sea view. Studentpad Ref: SWP4011
Studentpad Ref: SWP4019
Phillips Parade
Rhyddings Park Road
Rooms: 5 | Band: A* | Rent: £73-78
Rooms: 5 | Band: A* | Rent: £71-74
5 bedroom managed property close to Brynmill and the town centre. Property comprises 5 good sized double bedrooms (1 ensuite), kitchen, living room, shower room, new patio back garden. Studentpad Ref: SWP4046
SAS handle maintenance repairs
Rodney Street
St Helens Avenue Rooms: 5 | Band: A* | Rent: £73-74
Studentpad Ref: SWP11131
Provides personal belongings insurance up to £3000
5 bedroom property in good location for both University and town centre. Comprises 4 double bedrooms, 1 single, large kitchen with table and chairs, good size living room, 1 bathroom, 1 shower room & patio back garden.
Comprises of 5 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, shower room with WC and separate WC, decorated to a high standard - property to have all double beds and new bedroom furniture in the summer.
Studentpad Ref: SWP3962
St Helens Avenue
St Helens Avenue
Rooms: 5 | Band: A* | Rent: £73-74
Rooms: 5 | Band: A | Rent: £67-69
Own individual contracts No agency fees!
Studentpad Ref: SWP18014
In an excellent location - close to University and local amenities. Recently renovated and redecorated throughout to very high standard. Brand new kitchen, shower room, 5 double bedrooms, living room with plasma TV, separate WC patio back garden.
Rooms: 5 | Band: A | Rent: £64-70
No damage deposit SAS manage your rent on a termly basis
5 bedroom terraced property in Brynmill - comprising kitchen, living room with dining table and chairs, 2 shower rooms with WCs, laminate floor throughout, 4 double bedrooms, 1 single.
Studentpad Ref: SWP4014
5 bedroom property renovated and redecorated throughout to a very high standard - comprises 5 very good sized double bedrooms (1 ensuite), large kitchen with dishwasher, living room, utility room, bathroom, separate WC room.
Studentpad Ref: SWP3959
2 storey terraced property in excellent location for University and local amenities. Comprises of 5 double bedrooms, kitchen/ diner, new shower room to high standard, separate WC room, rear bike storage, new patio back garden.
St Helens Avenue
Victoria Terrace
Rooms: 5 | Band: A* | Rent: £73-74
Rooms: 5 | Band: A* | Rent: £73-74
5 double bedroom property comprising good size kitchen, living room, shower room with WC, separate WC room. Property decorated to high standard. Studentpad Ref: SWP4015
Studentpad Ref: SWP3958
All properties are available to view on Studentpad – www.swanseastudentpad.co.uk.
5 double bedrooms, living room, new kitchen & new boiler, tumble dryer as well, new shower room with WC 09 & separate WC room, new patio in back garden - living room to have new laminate floor and sofas in the summer. Shower room and WC room to have new tiled flooring.
swanseastudentpad.co.uk password for Swansea students: housing2012 Any queries please email us on sas@swansea.ac.uk or phone us on 01792 295 328. Alternatively-pop into our office situated on the ground floor of Fulton House.
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WIth OLIVIA ROSENTHALL
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2 December 2013 waterfrontonline.co.uk
music
‘And skips...I liked getting It’s not every day you get to in a skip...’ meet Gary Numan doing it with a kickstarter? HARRY: It was funded by a distributor but that was like having a label telling you what to do. This time it was a bit more like, this was our label. Our manager wanted us to make a stadium pop record, and what we wanted to do was make a fun record. A record label can’t really afford to take risks so I think people get a bit more creatively squeezed. JAMES: When you were recording it you used a lot of homemade percussion. What led you to choose that?.
JAMES Rawlings speaks to Harry Dartnall of Young Knives about their most recent album “Sick Octave”... JAMES: The album was funded through crowd-funding platform, Kickstarter. How did you find that? HARRY: You have to put a lot more stuff in jiffy bags. If we’d done an album we didn’t think was great we’d have found it quite hard to say to people “give us some money” because it’s only going to be hardcore fans who would do something like that. We treated it like a big pre order of the record and threw in some other cool stuff, like t-shirts a couple of things we had kicking about. JAMES: In the past you’ve recorded on your own label, was that different to
HARRY: Some of it was stuff we found around and about, scaffold pipes and things. And skips... I liked getting in a skip. We used a load of software as well, a lot of free iPad apps. There’s a load of good apps, so if you think “I really need a toy piano” you can just download an app where someone’s sampled it and there you go, you’ve got a free piano. JAMES: What’s in store for your upcoming gigs? HARRY: We thought we’d do this record a bit different, just throw everything at them. Just make sure it looks good and things look good. It’s quite structured. Let’s dress it up bright and throw stuff in between. We build a bit of a story out of it, its freaky and disjointed. The audience thinks, “what’s going to happen next” and then things happen.
GARY Newman is possibly one of the most celebrated artists on earth, and luckily Samantha Booth got to meet him and talk to him about his new album “Splinter”... SAM: How are you feeling about touring Splinter? What are you most excited about? GARY: The album has had, by far, the best reaction of any album I’ve ever released so that’s a very reassuring thing to be aware of as a tour looms. One of the most exciting things about the UK leg of the tour is that it has a brand new, and considerably improved, light show and production compared to other things I’ve done over the last 20 years. That is what I’m most excited about. SAM: Is it ever frustrating that songs like ‘Cars’ and ‘Are Friends Electric?’ became so popular? GARY: I’ve learnt to be proud of those two songs. I think most songwriters would dream of writing something that did that well and has lasted that long. Cars is arguably one of the most famous songs in the world and I’m very proud of that. But, it’s also true to say that I haven’t always felt that way. Luckily, things are going much better these days and so I no longer see those two songs
as frustrating ties to the past, more a glorious part of it. SAM: How do you think your music has evolved over the last 35 years? GARY: I’ve tried many things musically over the years to try and broaden my skills as a songwriter and as a musician. Not all of those things were successful but they were all important in me finding my way to where I am now. I have never felt more at home than where I am now, musically speaking. Most people seem to think that Splinter is either the best album I’ve ever made, or certainly one of the best, so I can’t grumble about any mistakes I might have made in the past that littered the road I took to get here.
Read the full interviews online at www.waterfrontonline.co.uk
‘Nothing like your home town to get you cacking yourself’ JAMES Rawlings has had a week, he even chatted to Spragg of Alabama 3 about most recent album “The Men W.O.M.B.L.E.”
busy culture people are listening to a wide Rob variety of music which wasn’t really their done a generation before. from JAMES: You say it’s now an iPod shuffle generation, how would you say the music industry has changed JAMES: Will you be playing any new since you’ve been recording? stuff in your upcoming tour? ROB: It’s gotten really good fun. ROB: Yeah we’ve got a new album Download it, share it, steal your files. coming out, weird mashup electro If you buy it you’re a plonker. A lot of mixtape stuff. We’re definitely musicians are moaning about where rejigging – our bassplayer is busy their revenue is coming from. There’s touring so we’ve got The Wizard in only been a music industry since who’s a drum and bass kinda dj on the phonograph a hundred years the synthesiser, so we’ll be warping ago and it died with napster so stop moaning about not selling records. heads. JAMES: Does everyone contribute in I love the fact that x-factor is there because it gives you a wall to kick the writing process? against. ROB: Very much so. We’re on stage as a nine piece band and we’ve always JAMES: Are you looking forward operated with a wu tang clan kinda now to playing back in Cardiff? vibe, and with technology these days ROB: I’m shitting myself, aren’t I? you can play around and mix things Because I’m from the valleys and all up. We work quite quickly and we’re the hooligans will turn up, I’m really quite aware with musical culture nervous. Nothing like your home these days, with the ipod shuffle town to get you cacking yourself.
Reviews Linkin Park
Recharged (ALBUM)
Linkin Park burst onto the music scene in the early noughties, writes Alex McKenzie, and bought with them a unique combination of live instrumentation and electronic samples that established them as one of the most popular bands on the planet. After distancing themselves from these influences with their later albums, it now seems appropriate that with the huge resurgence of EDM in today’s charts, they’ve chosen to release their second remix album ‘Recharged’. Mostly featuring remixes of tracks from their last studio album ‘Living Things’ by both members of the band and other guest DJs, the album opens with the only original track, ‘A Light That Never Comes’. As you’d expect from a collaboration with current electro house celebrity Steve Aoki, it isn’t particularly subtle; an intensity that runs throughout the album, ‘Recharged’ is what you’d expect if Linkin Park and Skrillex had become good friends and tried to impress one another through imitation. The sonic equivalent of Marmite, you’ll either want to headbang along to the kidney-shaking bass and autotuned vocals, or retreat into a quiet room for a few days to reassess your outlook on life.
Cloud Control
Promises (SINGLE)
Following on from their debut album, Bliss Release in 2011, writes Niall Oultan, Cloud Control have matured into what seems to be a tidy garage rock band. This new single from the band is incredibly strong and really holds a vintage feel. Although ‘The Sonics’ influences are not overplayed. The harmony and rough guitar riff fit together to give a haunting relaxed indie undertone. The strength of the lead vocals adds to the intensity of this modern bop. This is a strong start and the evolution of this band’s music is very promising.
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film
Films for the festive season
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T is that time of year again, the adverts are on telly, the shops are stocking up and soon enough you will be able to start on that advent calendar you have been eyeing up for the last two weeks. So with December fast approaching, writes Lillie Halton, to get us in the festive mood, here are my top five Christmas films. 5. The Christmas Shoes, Andy Wolk (2002) One you might have missed, Andy Wolk’s made-for-tv film The Christmas Shoes follows the interwoven stories of three people around Christmas time. The most heartbreaking of all is the story of Nathan, his sick mother and his wish to buy her shoes for Christmas. Gut wrenching and touching, The Christmas Shoes has the perfect dose of Christmas spirit and emotion for all to love. 4. A Christmas Carol, Robert Zemeckis (2009) Though there have been many adaptations, even the Muppets have had a go at doing one, the heartfelt essence of the story is always the same. In this most recent version, animated Jim Carrey plays Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Director of the likes of Back
to the Future, Robert Zemeckis, sticks to the same animation process as his other Christmas film, The Polar Express, yet this time around the colours are richers and the animation is a beauty to behold. A firm favourite for all the family to enjoy. 3. The Nightmare Before Christmas, Henry Selick (1993) Not the most conventional of festive films, Tim Burton’s take on Christmas is intriguing as we see it mostly being set in the dark and eerie Halloween Town. No-one can deny that Jack’s first visit to Christmas Town is one of the high points of the film as we are swept along with his interest and amazement with newlyfound Christmas as he sings “What’s This”.
1. Love Actually, Richard Curtis (2003) Richard Curtis’s interwoven stories in Love Actually are all displayed fantastically, with an ensemble cast including British greats such as Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy and of course Hugh Grant. Despite being labelled a romantic-comedy, there are some difficult elements to the film which bring down the cutesy, sugar-coated style we’re used to with other Christmas films, showing us a realistic view of all the features of the festive season.
2. Elf, Jon Favreau (2003) Will Ferrell in his most hilarious role plays Buddy the Elf, who discovers he is a human and goes out to New York City to search for his real family. Buddy’s sweet innocence and naivety is what makes this film so hilarious and Will Ferrell plays the part of excited man-child perfectly. It might not be one to watch with the older generation, but the story is ultimately endearing as Christmas Spirit triumphs at the end.
Film News: Hunger Games Would you Catching like toFire review sets aalight film? to Write the to box Saul office, Masters Sonyat plans waterfrontfilm@swansea-union.co.uk Spider-Man spin offs, Need for Speed trailer released
Film Reviews Philomena
By Lillie Halton
Judi Dench and Steve Coogan are an unlikely on-screen duo that instantly click in Stephen Frears’ true story adaptation. Dench plays the titular Philomena, a woman whose baby born 50 years ago was forced to be given up for adoption and has been kept secret all her life. Cowriter Coogan, in a more mature role, plays Martin Sixsmith, the man who helps Philomena track her long-lost child. The film, despite its essence being very emotional, has its funny moments through Dench’s hilarious mannerisms of a typical Irish woman and Coogan attempting to keep calm with her never-ending commentary and stories. Philomena tackles the raw subject of adoption in Irish convents mixed with glimmers of comedy to keep the tone fairly positive. Steve Coogan shows he is more than just funny man Alan Partridge through his impressive writing and magnificent portrayal in this developed and interesting character. The chemistry between Coogan and Dench is what makes this film truly enjoyable as well as gut-wrenchingly poignant.
Die Hard
By Luke Maxwell-Libby
Christmas is a time of year in which we remember the birth of someone that we used to regard to be a good thing, and what better way to celebrate that than with a review of the best Christmas movie ever made. Yes, it’s Die Hard, the story of a chain-smoking foul-mouthed all-American badass saving an international corporation and his estranged wife from the clutches of a group of German terrorists. In his first outing as grizzled NYPD Detective John McClane, Bruce Willis, is highly entertaining to watch, from his goading of the terrorists over radio to the inception of one of cinema’s greatest one-liners. You all know what I’m referring to. Since then the Die Hard series has spiralled into mundane, outdated action, although even the atrocity of A Good Day To Die Hard hasn’t killed the franchise just yet. But this 1988 classic has aged well and in places transcends the genre that it founded. In spite of his cynicism and toughguy attitude, McClane is in genuine fear for his life in places and is very much in the wrong place at the wrong time, the only reason being that he wishes to spend Christmas with his family. The film serves as something of a hope for the action genre, showing that it can be played straight without looking stupid if done properly. Someone should probably call Stallone on this one before he makes another Expendables movie.
Doctor Who
By Saul Masters
The 50th anniversary special hit the cinema this weekend but is it the special we have all be been waiting for? In short, probably not. If you are a fan of the programme and there are a lot of them, then you will eat up all the references and Easter eggs to past episodes. Yet if you know little about the show you will be left a bit confused. The episode sees Matt Smith’s 11th incarnation bump into David Tennant’s 10th incarnation as well as throwing in John Hurt’s War Doctor and the chemistry at first is fantastic. All three doctors bounce off each other and the humour is marvellous. Smith flaps his hands about and brings his all to the role, Tennant is on form yet you cannot help but feel like he could have been given a bit more, and Hurt’s face alone portrays the pain of an 800-year old Time Lord. The sub plot, which includes shape shifting red aliens, lacks the gravitas of past specials but is simply frame work for the final act. The last 20 minutes is a mixture of fan pleasing and great script work but for something that has been in the works for years it seems a bit rushed.
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food
Fairy tale dessert tastes just magic E
VERYONE loves Christmas, the trees, the decorations, the events, and the lights but personally, the best part of Christmas is the FOOD. I’m not just talking turkey and sprouts though; it’s the desserts for Christmas tea that are my favourite! Gingerbread houses always seemed a bit out of my league with me not being very artistic or patient but nonetheless the last two years I’ve tried. I’ve made two successful gingerbread houses, and two… prototypes… Here’s the recipe I use, including my tips on how to avoid some of the catastrophes I’ve encountered. There are loads of templates on the web, I use the one on the BBC’s Good Food website: www. bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4900/simple-gingerbreadhouse
Gingerbread House 250g unsalted butter 7 tablespoons golden syrup 200g dark muscovado sugar 600g plain flour 2 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda 4 teaspoons of ground ginger 200g flaked almonds 500g icing sugar 2 eggs – separate yolks and whites – keep whites 2 boxes of chocolate fingers 1 chocolate mini roll Marshmallows Desiccated coconut Sweets of your choice for decoration Preheat your oven to gas mark 6 or 200 degrees C. Melt the butter, syrup and muscovado sugar in a pan on the hob. Mix the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, and the all important ingredient: ground ginger in a large mixing bowl, add the warm butter mixture and stir it all into a stiff dough – if it doesn’t seem to stick together add a splash of water.
Put a sheet of baking paper on a work surface and roll a quarter of the dough into the thickness of two pound coins. Cut a section of the template (see weblink left) out of the dough and place it with its baking paper onto another piece of baking paper. Repeat with the remaining dough and template pieces. Make sure you have two roof panels, two sidewalls and a front and a back. Use any leftover dough to make Christmas trees, reindeer or gingerbread men and women. Use the flaked almonds and poke the most intact almonds gently into the roof panels to represent tiles – they look really cool once done but be careful, its quite fiddly and they snap really easily. Bake all the sections on a flat baking tray with their baking paper for 12 minutes or until firm and slightly
darker around the edges. Trim around the templates again and then leave to cool completely. Making the mortar of your gingerbread house: sift the icing sugar (leave a small amount for dusting) and mix with the egg whites. Spoon into a piping bag with a nozzle, and pipe generously along the wall edges and join them together. Put a small bowl in the middle of the house-in-progress to stop it from caving inwards. Do not try and put the roof panels on before the walls have set completely, every year I try and every year it’s the reason for the (fairly traumatic) collapse. I’ve taken to leaving it overnight to distract myself from poking it so it really has a chance to set. Once it is dry, remove the supports and fix the roof panels - hold them in place for a few minutes to allow the ‘glue’ to set. If you have a gap in your roof, line each side with the icing glue and stick marshmallows in the gap – gap all gone! Use the chocolate fingers to make panels on the sides of the house, a door and a window if you wish. To make icicles squeeze a little icing and then pull it down leaving a little pony tail, to make it more distinct you can use a cocktail stick to pull the icing down while its still wet. Cut a chocolate mini roll at an angle and stick to the roof for a chimney – add some icicles to this too. Decorate any trees, reindeers you’ve made too. Now the best bit, use any sweets you want to make it a Hansel and Gretel’s paradise, surround the house with some desiccated coconut to add some more snow, sprinkle with icing sugar and don’t get too attached, people think it looks amazing, but it’s soon discovered that it tastes just as good as it looks!
Have you got a recipe you’d like to share? Email editor@swansea-union.co.uk
Sticky, gooey, chocolatey, Christmassy goodness! EVER heard of Florentine? They’re not the prettiest snack, and the ingredients never enticed me all that much, but once you taste them, you’re in for a gooey, sweet, chocolatey and Christmassy delight. Traditionally Florentines are made with dark chocolate, but dark chocolate not being my favourite, I decided to use milk chocolate and they were great (I’ve also seen them made with white chocolate – there’s no limitations chocolate wise, they always taste awesome.)
Florentines 25g Butter 75g Caster Sugar 10g Plain Flour (and extra for dusting) 65ml double cream 50g ready-flaked almonds 50g thinly sliced almonds 25g chopped glacé cherries 50g of chopped Candied peel (Found near glacé cherries in supermarkets) 150g of chocolate
Melt the butter, flour and sugar on a low heat in a fairly big saucepan, as you’ll be adding lots in. Once the mixture has melted slowly stir in the double cream, keep stirring to keep it smooth. Add all the almonds, candied peel and glacé cherries and stir well . Remove from heat to cool slightly, meanwhile line a tray with baking paper, a little melted butter and dusted flour. Use two teaspoon to spoon little heaps onto the trays, leave two inches in between each Florentine, as they will spread out A LOT. Flatten the heaps with the back of your spoon and bake one sheet at a time for 12 minutes at 190 degrees C or gas mark 5. When you take them out the oven let them cool before removing them, they need to set. Move them off the tray so you can bake the next batch. Melt your chosen chocolate and spoon a thin layer over one side of each Florentine. Just before the chocolate sets you can make a pattern if you wish, easiest just to use a fork to create wavy lines. Leave to set and then enjoy the gooey, wonderful and Christmassy-ness of these sweet snacks.
culture
City’s culture doesn’t need a title S
WANSEA may have needed a cwtch after losing out to Hull in the bid to become the City of Culture 2017. But Swansea shouldn’t be too disheartened at the result, we should still be proud of our thriving cultural scene, writes Lauren Phillips. This year has seen the continuing success of the Dylan Thomas Prize and Do Not Go Gentle Festival in Uplands. These events are leading up to a major cultural year for Swansea in 2014, with the Dylan Thomas Centenary Festival. This will be a cultural feast of events throughout next year including recitals, plays, music and workshops. There is no place better to experience local music than in Uplands, from a tentative teenager performing their first gig to the age-old band returning year after year to perform at their favourite venue. And there are many venues that host local talent, from Mozarts to Uplands Tavern. Wine bar Noah’s Yard not only offers entertaining signs from its interchangeable letters (‘The Hangover’ anyone?) but also some of the finest jazz Swansea has to offer. Even in our own university, we are proud to showcase up and coming musical talent in our open mic nights in JCs. It is well-known that Swansea inspired local poet Dylan Thomas and it continues to inspire new poets today. Only recently did a German poet comment that the city “often feels like the real centre of the universe.” Jorg Benig wrote his poem whilst visiting Swansea, inspired by its landmarks and “wandering water far from the shore”. Swansea’s campaign, ‘Cwtch the Bid’,
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Celebrate Christmas in Swansea ‘TIS that season again of drinking mulled wine and wearing festive jumpers, writes Rachael HowesTonks.
was based on “the natural, exuberant expression of our day-to-day culture”. It’s not just local poetry and music that showcases Swansea. Local culture thrives amongst the hustle and bustle of its indoor market in the city centre. Swansea’s food culture, especially its signature seafood, can be experienced. Every visitor to Swansea must try the best cockles in the country. It’s not only in the energetic city centre where Swansea life and culture can be experienced. We have an area of outstanding natural beauty on our doorstep that has seen generations of families travelling from all parts of the UK to spend their summers here. The stunning coastlines of the Gower Peninsula are gems in Swansea’s heritage and landmarks. Actor Michael Sheen, actress Catherine Zeta Jones, Dr Who writer,
Russell T Davies and comedian, Rhod Gilbert, are but a few of the local famous voices that spoke up in support of the ‘Cwtch the Bid’ campaign. Michael Sheen has hosted major cultural events himself in the Swansea area in the past. He starred in the three-day play The Passion, which was performed across his hometown of Port Talbot in 2011. Although Swansea may not have won the title of City of Culture, that doesn’t mean we are a city without culture at all. The ‘Cwtch the Bid’ campaign has reminded Wales and the rest of the UK that Swansea should not be overlooked. Our culture not only stems from local music, poetry and art in the city, but also in the nooks and crannies of everyday life in Swansea. And it is a culture that will continue to thrive long after 2017 has come and gone.
Private lives: Seven years on... OUTSIDE influences affect all corners of our lives, even in our own family homes. This is what photographer Huw Davies has tried to capture in his ‘Seven Point Seven’ exhibition in the Elysium Gallery on College Street, Swansea, writes Lauren Phillips. His pictures show what has happened to the seven families he photographed in his 2006 documentary series, ‘Fear and Hoping’. “The families chosen were all my friends and family,” says Huw Davies. “We were all going through that period of becoming parents. I wanted the different dynamics and roles within the family unit.” The layout of the exhibition is very simple; seven large photographs of the families taken in 2013 with the smaller photographs taken in 2006 beside them. There are no titles on the portraits, the contrasts and changes between the two stages speak for themselves. Looking at the exhibition the changes for some families is apparent. Most families have had more children, however some family units have ended with divorce. One of the portraits shows the single parent standing central in the living room. A move purposely made by the photographer who wanted to capture a “stance of empowerment”. A modern influence such as technology is another factor that has altered the family unit. One of the portraits shows each family member sitting around a dining room table all holding mobile phones. The exhibition runs until December 7.
With the bitter cold already here and those final assignments handed in, winter is definitely in full swing in Swansea. And what better a way to banish those winter blues than getting into the Christmas spirit? We all know about the Elf and Snow Ball, but here are a few other alternative Christmas events taking place in Swansea to get you in the festive mood… The Christmas Show Taking place at the Ceri Richards Gallery in the Taliesin until the 20th December, the show promises; “an unrivalled selection of artwork, crafts, jewellery, gifts, cards and decorations”. Exhibiting paintings, glasswork and jewellery from local artists, it’s the perfect place to pick an unusual gift for mum, or to grab a few quirky Christmas cards for your housemates. Peter Pan It wouldn’t be Christmas without a good panto, and this year’s performance at the Grand Theatre boasts names including pop legend Jimmy Osmond and radio star Kevin Johns. With discounted tickets for students, the production goes on right until January. So if you fancy a chance to see pirates, fairies and have a good laugh, this is for you. The Nutcracker One of the most iconic Christmas productions, The Nutcracker arrives in Swansea just before term is out. The Royal Opera House screening is being shown at the Taliesin on Saturday 14 December. Full of “magic and mystery,” this ballet is sure to get you in the mood for festive celebrations. Romeo and Juliet The remake of the classic tale of star-crossed lovers comes to Taliesin on December 11. Written by the people that brought you Downton Abbey, and produced by Swarovski, this new “sumptuous period adaptation” promises to be a lavish affair, and a must-see during the Christmas period.
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travel
Say hello to Sarah from Whales! A
SWANSEA student who aims to visit 50 US states before she turns 50 has made an impressive addition to her list – nine months in Colorado including a stint with Barack Obama’s campaign team. Sarah Roderick taught American schoolchildren about Wales, helped to restore land damaged by wildfires and volunteered with the local Democratic campaign team in support for Obama’s re-election while studying at Colorado State University (CSU). The 21-year-old Swansea University student said she was fascinated by American history. “Originally I had planned to study history as a degree, but wanted to focus on American history, which a lot of universities don’t do,” she said. “Swansea University has a very good American Studies programme. When I researched it I saw that it accommodates a lot of different subjects like history, politics and literature. The course also allowed for the chance to study at an American university for a year, and as I had always wanted to study in America, I could not pass up the opportunity to go.” Sarah was sent to CSU in Fort Collins, close to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. “Initially, the amount of work I was expected to do was overwhelming,” she said. “It seemed like there was no end to it, but the work was a lot easier than that at Swansea University, so there was still plenty of time to experience other aspects of American student life. “There were one or two moments when I felt homesick during the start of the year, but that was more the fear that I would not make any friends. However, I was quick to realise that it is easy to make friends when you have a British accent. Even now some of my closest American friends say that they were determined to be my friend so they could tell other people they had links to Wales! “I thought I would be really homesick on my birthday, but because it falls on Halloween there was a lot to do that day. Everyone wanted the novelty of taking the Welsh girl out for “a proper American Halloween”. “Before I left Wales, two of my friends drew up a list of things I needed to experience during my year, mostly things like see an American football game. The overall goal of the year was to see President Barack Obama.” She achieved this, just two weeks into the year, when President Obama visited the CSU campus on his presidential campaign trail. “He was very charismatic and had the ability to engage the crowd on a personal level without seeming like a politician. After that once-in-a-life time opportunity, I volunteered at the local Democratic campaign team in support
American Studies student SARAH RODERICK found her Welsh accent went a long way during a memorable year in Colorado. for Obama’s re-election. “I was usually put on the phones inviting people to organised events, like our pizza party for the presidential debates or our Women for Obama meeting - the leaders of our team thought I would bring in more people because of my accent. “This worked, as a lot of people found it interesting that a foreigner was putting in a lot of effort to help the Obama campaign. At one point I spent 30 minutes on the phone with a woman who kept thanking me for flying out to help in the election!” Sarah also helped the effort to restore some of the land damaged in Colorado’s 2012 wildfires. Sarah is closer to her goal to visit all 50 states before she turns 50, thanks to the friendships she has made in the US. “Another Swansea Uni student, Sian Seymour, and I travelled to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon over Thanksgiving break, which was a lot of fun,” she said. “I also travelled to Virginia during Spring Break to stay with my friend, Jenna, and her family just outside Washington D.C. “That week was unforgettable. The day I flew out to Virginia was the same day Wales won the Six Nations, and I was questioned about rugby and the Wales game almost as soon as I met Jenna’s family in arrival. I didn’t know the outcome, and had never met these people before but I knew straight away this family was awesome. Actually exploring D.C. was great too. “Back in Colorado, I was roped into doing a presentation about Britain and Wales for a fifth grade class studying Henry VIII. At one point I did get a bit mean and asked the class to sing the Welsh National Anthem, without teaching them the tune or how to pronounce anything. It was one of the funniest moments of my year. At the end of the week they are asked to write about their favourite lesson of the week, and I was informed they all wrote “Sarah from Whales”.” She added: “I would recommend studying abroad to anyone, even if you only go on one of the shorter programmes. It is 100 per cent worth it. If I had to option to stay longer I would have. I learnt so much and met the most amazing friends.”
MY YEAR IN AMERICA: From top: Sarah (centre) in Swansea with fellow students Sian Seymour and Rachel Kelly; President Obama at CSU; Sarah Roderick and Sian Seymour at the Grand Canyon; Sarah (right) helps restore the Rockies.
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front row
Frankenstein National Theatre Live’s 2011 broadcast of Frankenstein returns to cinemas as part of the National Theatre’s 50th anniversary celebrations (pictured left). Oscar-winner Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire) directs a sensational production with Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek: Into Darkness, BBC’s Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller (Trainspotting, CBS’s Elementary) as Victor Frankenstein and his creation. Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein’s bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. 7pm, Friday, 6th December, Taliesin, Swansea University. Price: £11 (students)
Poet Carol Anne Duffy This month I absolutely recommend Carol Anne Duffy at The Dylan Thomas Centre, but be quick as tickets are selling fast. Duffy, who is the Poet Laureate for the UK, is known for her simple yet eloquent language when dealing with topics such as gender and oppression. She will also be joined by Gillian Clarke, the National Poet for Wales, making it an evening not to be missed. 7.30pm, Friday 13th December, The Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea.
Hogwarts Society – Yule Ball An evening inspired by J.K.Rowling’s ‘Goblet of Fire’ to celebrate the Christmas season. A three-course meal followed by music and dancing. 7pm – 1am, Friday 6th December, The Refectory (Café West), Fulton House Price: £15.50
Outdoor Christmas market If you’re still short on a few presents, or even if you’re just looking for a few treats for yourself, then Swansea’s annual outdoor Christmas market is the perfect solution. The festive green and red cabins will host a range of independent retailers, ranging from handcrafted jewellery and delicious local produce, to fine art and stocking fillers. All this teamed with a frothy hot chocolate and some roasted nuts will provide a perfect start to the holidays.
Nine Lessons & Christmas Carols Swansea University Chaplaincy is helping to spread the Christmas cheer with their Christmas Carol Service, which is open to everyone and comes complete with mulled wine and mince pies. There will also be a collection in aid of the St Vincent de Paul Community in the Philippines for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. So that’s Christmas cheer, free wine, and a feel good factor. How can you possibly turn this down? FREE, 7pm, Thursday 5th December, The Hive, Fulton House.
Waterfront Winterland
10am – 5.30pm, Thursdays 10am – 8pm 29 November – 22 December, Oxford Street, Swansea.
Saturday 7th December, Sin City, Swansea. Price: £8
I can’t believe that our beloved Sin City is celebrating its 7th year. If you’re an oldie like me, you might remember the opening night - a few broken tables, too many shots, and, of course, everyone managed to miss the New Year’s countdown because they were too busy dancing. So, if you’re still in Swansea at the end of December there’s clearly nowhere else you should be, and if you’re not planning on being here in December then I definitely recommend coming back for it! 10pm, 31st December, Sin City Swansea. Tickets: £5 (booking fee £1)
9 Lessons & Carols for Godless People
Sink Christmas party featuring Bondax Bondax’s evocative music seems to drift between urban sonic landscapes, avoiding classification. Incorporating elements of post-dubstep, R&B, and garage, the Lancaster based duo craft an intimate, electronic bliss that reveals something new with each repeated play. Despite the fact that Adam and George are still enjoying their teens, their music shimmers with a maturity and sophistication that belies their age.
New Year’s Eve @ Sin City 7th Birthday
Wrap up warm and grab some mates, because the Waterfront Winterland has rolled in, officially starting the Christmas countdown. Show off your skills (or lack of, in my case) on the ice rink, win a goldfish on the stalls, and take a spin on the carousel. You can even have a go on the new Sky Ride, but I’d definitely recommend an empty stomach before this! 12 noon – 10pm 15th Nov – 5th Jan, Museum Park, Swansea.
On a national level, I would definitely recommend making the trip up to ol’ London Town to catch this spectacular science-themed comedy night, complete with singing, dancing, and stand up from a cluster of well-known names. This year includes Robin Ince, Richard Herring, Milton Jones, Scroobius Pip, Mark Watson and loads more! Perfect for any budding physicists or philosophers, or just anyone who’s a fan of great comedy. 15 – 22nd December, at The Bloomsbury, London. Tickets available via www.thebloomsbury.com Concessions: £15 Standard: £25 Have you got an event you would like to see in Front Row? Email waterfrontfrontrow@swansea-union.co.uk
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ENHANCE YOUR STUDENT EXPERIENCE With Jazmin Kopotsha
societies
Annual London Photo Hunt P
HOTOSOC recently visited London and joined more than 20 other societies and 350 students for the National University Photographic Society’s 5th annual London Photo Hunt. “We all met in Jubilee Gardens by the London Eye, were put into teams and spent the day taking photos all over Central London. It was a really fun day and a great networking opportunity,” says Emily Peters, PhotoSoc President “Everyone was still talking about it on the bus home and it roused a lot of team spirit! All of our members took fantastic photos and came back to Swansea with lots of funny stories.” To see more photos from the event search ‘Photography Society - Swansea University’ on Facebook.
Gospel Society – Carol Aid A community charity carol concert in aid of CISS and Tearfund’s Children In Syria Appeal. Performances from SU Gospel Choir and local schools and organisations. Date: Friday 6th December Time: 6:30pm Venue: Pantygwydr Church, Uplands Price: Free
History Society fears over walking alone personal safety alarms, paid for by the students’ union. “As a union we take the welfare and safety of our students very seriously. We are aware that committee members often have committee meetings and socials that run on later into the evening,” says Ceinwen. As a result, Isabel has made the decision to make it a requirement for
DARKER EVENINGS: Safety warning.
the History committee to take personal alarms to all society socials and events. These alarms will be passed on to next year’s committee to ensure the safety and protection of future committee members. “I may not be able to stop my committee from walking home alone, but I can help to ensure their personal safety,” Isabel said. Most society events, meetings, and socials take place in the evenings to fit around lecture schedules, but that doesn’t mean that your personal safety has to be at risk. “As a union we offer free person alarms to anyone who wants one, so as the nights draw in feel free to pick one up from myself, Becky our welfare officer or Rosie our women’s officer on level three of Union House,” says Ceinwen.
Law networking & employability dinner THE University Law Society recently held a networking event at the Grape and Olive. Various chambers and firms covering Swansea, Cardiff and Bristol as well attended the event, as did a judge from Swansea County Court.
German, Scandinavian and Spanish Societies – EuroBall A 1920s Glamour Themed Christmas Cocktail Party! Date: Tuesday 3rd December Time: 8pm Venue: Pitcher and Piano Price: £12/15 members/public Drama Society - Pantomime (Less Miserable) Shoreline Theatre returns with another theatrical treat - a West-End classic in pantomime form! Date: Wed 4th Dec & Thurs 5th Dec Time: 6:30pm doors for 7:30pm start Venue: Divas Price: £2.50/3.50 members/public
PHOTOGRAPHY SOCIETY: Fifth annual London photo hunt. Photos by Emily Peters and Sam Pendlebury.
WE’VE all walked home alone after meetings, socials, rehearsals, late night library visits or evening lectures. For most of us, this walk can sometimes be unsettling. The unfortunate truth is that some of us fall victim to harassment, assault or crime. This has recently been a concern for Isabel Costello, President of the History Society. “After the History Society’s Pub Golf social on Wednesday 6th November one of my committee walked home alone. On hearing this information, I began to think of ways the society could ensure not only the safety of our members, but also the safety of the committee. We risk assess our members, but we fail to risk assess ourselves,” says Isabel. After speaking to Ceinwen Cloney, Societies and Services Officer, the committee were provided with six
What’s On This Xmas
Members of the Law School Faculty also made an appearance for what turned out to be a really successful event. Hannah George, Vice-President of the society said: “It was a fantastic evening, all the members were dressed to
impress and certainly made a wonderful impression on the legal professionals. The knowledge that was shared with our members was invaluable and we will be sure to hold another event at the Grape and Olive – it was an incredible venue for the society.”
Hogwarts Society – Yule Ball An evening inspired by J.K.Rowling’s ‘Goblet of Fire’ to celebrate the Christmas season. A 3-course meal followed by music and dancing. Date: Friday 6th December Time: 7pm – 1am Venue: The Refectory, Fulton House Price: £15.50 Academic Societies – London Trip A visit to see some amazing exhibits at the Science, British and Natural History, as well as the beautiful city of London at Christmas. Date: Saturday 7th December Time: All day Venue: London Price: TBA Choral Society - Christmas Concert Prepare to be entertained with all things Christmassy. Proceeds for Maggie’s Cancer Charity and Good Vibrations. Date: Saturday 7th December Time: Doors 7pm for a 7.30pm start Venue: St. Paul’s Church, Sketty Price: £3/4 concessions/public Christian Union – Carol Concert Carols performed by our Choral, Glee, Gospel and Musicians Societies followed by mince pies and hot chocolate! Date: Monday 9th December Time: 7pm Venue: Saint James’ Church, Uplands Price: Free History Society – Christmas Dinner Ticket includes a three course meal, a bottle of wine on the table, music and dancing. Date: Wednesday 11th December Time: 7pm Venue: The Pump House, Marina Price: £19
SPOTLIGHT ON: The Dance Society
W
ITH more than 400 members, 31 hours of classes a week, regular socials and a growing list of inter-society collaborations, Dance is definitely one to watch this year! The Dance Society offer a wide range of classes from Hip Hop, Breaking, Ballet and Tap, to Swing Dance, Bollywood, Contemporary and Salsa. All abilities are catered for. Membership is only £10 for the entire year. Already this year they’ve hosted two incredible socials, performed on stage with members from 90’s boy band ‘Blue’ and raised over £120 for Children in Need. By the end of term, the society are excited to say they will have collaborated with Hogwarts, African Caribbean, Friends of MSF
TAPPING FOR CHARITY: Dance Tap Classes do “PJ’s for Pudsey”
CONTEMPORARY DANCE: Limbering up.
Societies and the University Amateur Boxing Club, as well as having returned to Bath with their DanceSport team to compete in a competition. Big events to look forward to include the Dance Society Christmas Social this month, and their annual Strictly Come Dancing charity competition, the Dance Society Annual Showcase next year. Dance Society President Irene Christodoulou said: “It’s been a pleasure to run one of the university’s biggest societies so far, especially with such dedicated committee members and teachers. We’ve got so much more to look forward to. It’s going to be an amazing year for us and our talented dancers!” • facebook.com/SUDance • twitter.com/SUDanceSoc
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Correction We stated incorrectly in the last edition of The Waterfront that Courtney Vasile was president of the German Society. She is in fact the social secretary, whilst Judy Balaratnam is the society president.
INSIDE SOCIETIES Three things that you probably didn’t know about societies at Swansea University: • Swansea University Musicians Society is divided into 6 different sub-ensembles that include Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Big Band, String Ensemble, Flute Choir and Folk Group and runs specific rehearsals for each every week. • Connor O’Neill, second year student and Irish Teacher for Swansea University Dance Society, is currently ranked 9th in Great Britain and 12th in the World in his group. • We have more than 30 Academic Societies at our university. Joining one can be beneficial in complimenting and supporting your studies, or even just to learn something new and socialise with like-minded people.
HOW JAZZY: Students using their bodies.
Greek gods as modern celebrities
books
A
FORMER Swansea University student has gained glowing reviews after self-publishing her debut novel on Amazon Kindle. Sarah Cate Anstey was inspired by her studies when she chose the topic for her book, Dion: His Life and Mine. After falling in love with folk tales, myths and legends when she was at primary school, Sarah went on to study Classical Civilisations with English Literature at Swansea University. That inspired her to write Dion: His Life and Mine when she realised that ancient myths still have relevance in today’s culture. Set in a modern, timeless world, it is aimed at young adult readers and tells the myths of Dionysus through the eyes of Ariadne. In her inventive, interactive retelling of these myths, you can see both sides of the story, question fact and fiction and ultimately contemplate our continued fascination with the myth of celebrity. Said Sarah: “Dion is a troubled grungerock god and throughout her narrative, Ariadne refers to media texts which have been written about her, Dion and their associates. These texts can be read on
my website, or hyperlinked from various points in the book from later versions of Kindle or iPads. I like the idea that readers can have a different experience or perception whether they choose to read these supplementary texts before, during or after reading the novel.” One reviewer said: “I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a fresh perspective on the classic story of Ariadne and Dionysus with an unexpected twist on the troubles of fame.” The book is available to download on Amazon for 77p and the first two chapters can be read online for free. For more information about the book, see www.mynovelideas.co.uk
AUTHOR: Sarah Cate Anstey.
‘Dion: His Life and Mine’ by Sarah Cate Anstey Reviewed by Heather Cartwright The time of year is upon us when the shelves of bookshops and supermarkets alike are slowly filling with the latest ‘celebrity’ offerings, promising us tell-all exclusives in exchange for a place under the Christmas Tree. You’d be forgiven at first reading for believing ‘Dion: His Life and Mine’ had once been snuggled in between Katie Price and Alan Titchmarsh on Tesco’s best-sellers shelf, the well-worn testament from the ex-wife of an aging Rock God promising to divulge the truth behind the scandals is hardly fresh socking-filler fodder. Except this is not the autobiography of a fading star – this is Greek mythology as you have never heard it before. ‘Dion: His Life and Mine’ recasts the tales of Ancient Greece through
the prism of today’s celebrity obsessed culture; in retelling age old legends of romance and tragedy in the unique way she does, Anstey breathes new life into figures of antiquity, engaging a younger audience with her passion for ancient Greek mythology. Exclusively marketed as an e-book, ‘Dion’ utilises this by embedding hyperlinks within the text to supplementary ‘news articles’ in Hello!-esque magazines, in order to create an interactive experience for the reader. Anstey explains that she ‘liked the idea that readers can have a different experience or perception whether they choose to read these supplementary texts before, during or after reading the novel’, satirising the dominating role the media plays in shaping public opinion. I would recommend ‘Dion: His Life and Mine’ for fans of Young Adult Fiction, or indeed anyone who is looking for something un-taxing to read over the Christmas holiday. Perhaps best described as Chick-Lit with a historical twist, ‘Dion’ makes for a fun and quirky read.
careers 35
fInternational 35
books 33
societies 32-33
front row 31
travel 29
culture 27
food 26
film 25
music 23
Relationships 17
with Aderonke Atoke Taiwo
fashion 14-15
35
features 12-13
international
1 October 2012 waterfrontonline.co.uk
Happy holidays – wherever you are! I
T is with great excitement that I write to introduce the international students’ column at The Waterfront. It is also with great trepidation that I put down these first words, writes Atoke. How do I define “international students” and then determine what that entire section of the student body at Swansea University wants to read? As a result of the diversity of mankind, merely calling a group of people who are NOT from the UK “international” is not enough to find a unifying trait. One thing that unites us as international students (outside of the fees) is the fact that after a term-long haul of studying, we look forward to the holidays. For those of us who are new in Swansea, it will be our first Christmas/Hanukkah in Swansea. Christmas is usually a time for merry making and to spend with family and loved ones. It is that time of the year when gifts are exchanged, there’s an expectation of a lot of food as well as a general feeling of merriment. However, if you’re away from home, it can be a bit of a downer. One way you can lift your spirits is by trying to recreate a ‘home away from home’ in Swansea. If you have friends who have come from the same place as you, you can get together for a fun cooking time. Nothing reminds you of home as the sweet smell of familiar food. If you’re not big on cooking during the holidays, then head into town for an amazing range of restaurants. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, so bring out those CDs of nativity songs from home. Create an atmosphere of home away from home. Remember to shop for your gifts early to avoid the shopping rush. You can also reward yourself for all the hard work you’ve put into studying for exams by buying yourself a present. Nothing says ‘well done’ like a gift and a well
BROTHERHOOD Swansea brotherhood makes great sense
deserved time off from all the studying. Finally, check your Swansea student email for fun events and things to do in Swansea. There are little nuggets of gold in that often abandoned email. On behalf of The Waterfront, I’d like to welcome you to send in stories of your experience as an international student in Swansea. Your stories of how you spent the holidays will be published in the next edition of The Waterfront. Oh, and don’t forget to tell us how you’d traditionally spend the holidays if you were at home and how being in Swansea makes it different or unique. Write to editor@swansea-union.co.uk. Happy holidays!
Nice to experience concerns Concerns for strangers with worried faces Concerns so burning to ask: How may I help you? Deep natural willingness to assist Assist stranger find their way And with love and passion, assistance flows Flowing and luxuriating without counting cost or returns And in multiplication flows the spirit of lending hands Lending hands with deep passion and smiles And with passionate courtesy, sympathy flows Sympathy for lacking answers and solutions to requests Sympathy for not being able to assist Deep sympathy for misleading assistance Misleading assistance out of communication gap And in Swansea, great people vibrate Great people that bridge gaps in humanity Great people that enrich mankind Great people with great and large hearts Great people that see the big picture Great people uplifting Welsh noble hospitality What a noble race inhabiting Swansea! Noble race that see the common good Noble people vibrating in discipline, love and decency In this noble people humanity roars And in them, superficial brotherhood is murdered In them, fair-weather brotherhood is buried But in them, pristine, genuine and sincere brotherhood vibrates Indeed! In them, brotherhood has fatherland. By Vin Agwagom (written after a week in Swansea)
careers
Sign up for Employability Week events I
T’S been a busy semester for the Careers & Employability team... Our careers adviser team of Gareth, Jennie, Rebecca, Paula and Zdravka have been involved in delivering lunchtime workshops to students covering the following areas: •Commercial awareness •Sourcing & preparing for graduate jobs •Writing an effective CV and covering letter •Personal branding •Understanding the recruitment process The workshops have been well received and the feedback has been positive. As we are guided by you, our students, please free to suggest any other sessions that you might be keen to see run. You can contact us via: careers@swansea.ac.uk Our one-to-one guidance service has, as always, proved popular throughout this semester. Students can now have access to a careers adviser for a half hour one-to-one session to discuss their plans and ambitions. The team
Make the most of what the careers and employability service has to offer, says Jennie Drewson. are happy to support students in all aspects of careers and employability including investigating postgraduate study, preparing for interviews and deciding future plans. Our Employer Talks & Skills programme has been well received by students throughout this semester with approximately 300 attending. We have had a wide range of employers attending discussing a range of topics, from Aberystwyth University talking about PGCE applications to PwC discussing interview techniques. The Employer Talks & Skills programme runs every Tuesday and Friday from 5pm – 6pm during term time. Next semester the Employer Talks & Skills programme runs from week commencing 27th
January starting with Deloitte. Other employers that will be in attendance over the course of the semester are: Parenthese, UNA Exchange, Royal Engineers and Phillips 66. Careers & Employability Service will be hosting My Employability Week 2014 events and workshops from Monday 20th January through to Wednesday 22nd January. •Careers & Cake – Library Foyer (opposite Hoffi Coffi), Library & Information Centre •Careers & Employability Workshops (Tuesday and Wednesday) •GO Wales – Library Foyer (opposite Hoffi Coffi), Library & Information Centre •GO Wales application process •External organisation workshops More information and how to book your place will be available on our website very shortly: www.swansea. ac.uk/careers The team have been involved in developing leaflets for students on:
•Developing your CV •Completing Job Application Forms •Looking for part-time work •CV Action Words Why not call into the library to collect a leaflet so that you can start building your employability skills. This semester our placement coordinators Chris and Lucy have been involved in selecting potential students for Week of Work and SPIN. Chris, Lucy and the careers advisers have supported potential applicants through a series of master classes and one-minute pitches. Don’t forget that work experience can boost your employment prospects. If you feel that you’re interested in gaining work experience, phase 2 of applications will open in the New Year. Watch this space for more details. We would like to welcome our fourth full time careers adviser – Lucy Norman. Lucy has joined us from Swansea Metropolitan University where she has experience of GO Wales projects.
36 I SPORT
thewaterfront 2.12.13
SWANSEA INTRAMURAL FOOTBALL Fixtures
Sunday 1st December Ajax Treesdown vs Team Sloth AFC Crackwell FC vs Clinical Finishers Golden Showers vs Fulton Wanderers Hardly Everlusen vs Team Armadillo History FC vs University 7ths Photosinthesis vs Singleton PR Real Engineers vs Crayola FC Sunday 8th December Clinical Finishers vs University 6ths Fulton Wanderers vs Singleton PR Team Armadillo vs Photosinthesis Team Sloth AFC vs University 7ths
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
WITH two months of the season played, Fulton Wanderers hold a narrow two-point lead over the University 7th team at the top of the Swansea University Intramural league table. Below the unbeaten top two sit Team Sloth and the University 6th team, level on 19 points and both with six wins from eight games. Crayola FC, having played a game more than the top four, occupy fifth place ahead of Golden Showers, although Showers have played only seven times. Armadillo and Photosinthesis currently hold down the seventh and eighth positions in the table, despite the latter having lost more games than any other of the top 13 and possessing a negative goal difference. Menwhile. Crackwell FC’s dreadful season continues; the side have lost all seven of their games so far, scoring 18 times and conceding 69 times in the process, at an average of just under ten goals conceded per game. Real Engineers still occupy the second-bottom position, and have only mustered five gioals from eight league games.
Ashleigh Road results round-up
All information correct as of 28/11/2013
by Tom Nightingale
Latest league table 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Fulton Wanderers University 7ths Team Sloth University 6ths Crayola FC Golden Showers Team Armadillo Photosinthesis Ajax Treesdown Gladiators Ladzio FC Hardly Everlusen Clinical Finishers St Helen’s Athletic Singleton Park Rangers History FC Pitches & Bitches Real Engineers Crackwell
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts
8 8 8 8 9 7 8 9 8 8 7 8 6 7 9
7 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 2 2 1 1
1 2 1 1 2 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 2 2
0 0 1 1 2 1 2 4 2 3 3 5 3 4 6
36 31 30 30 34 30 31 16 22 26 11 17 15 16 19
10 9 9 9 16 14 20 17 15 17 12 16 20 25 41
26 22 21 21 18 16 11 -1 7 9 -1 1 -5 -9 -22
22 20 19 19 17 16 16 15 14 13 12 7 7 5 5
Sunday 24th November Ajax Treesdown 2 - 1 Uni 6ths Fulton Wanderers 13 - 1 Crackwell Golden Showers 4 - 0 History FC Hardly Everlusen 4 - 0 Real Engineers Photosinthesis
0 - 1 Ladzio FC
Singleton PR 3 - 5 Clinical Finishers St Helen’s Athletic 2 - 3 Crayola FC Team Sloth 2 - 2 Gladiators FC Uni 7ths 5 - 0 Pitches & Bitches Wednesday 27th November
ERSTANDING SUPPORT RECOVERY MENTAL HEALTH MIND STU ACE PROBLEMS CONFIDENTIAL ADVICE UNDERSTANDING SUPP RECOVERY MENTAL HEALTH MIND STUDENTS SPACE PROBLEM CONFIDENTIAL ADVICE UNDERSTANDING SUPPORT RECOVER MENTAL HEALTH MIND STUDENTS SPACE PROBLEMS CONFIDENT VICE UNDERSTANDING SUPPORT RECOVERY MENTAL HEALTH M DENTS SPACE PROBLEMS CONFIDENTIAL ADVICE UNDERSTAND PORT RECOVERY MENTAL HEALTH MIND STUDENTS SPACE PROB CONFIDENTIAL ADVICE UNDERSTANDING SUPPORT RECOVER MENTAL HEALTH MIND STUDENTS SPACE PROBLEMS CONFIDENT 18:00-19:00 SUPPORT GROUP FOR VICE UNDERSTANDING SUPPORT RECOVERY MENTAL HEALTH M STUDENTS WITH EATING SU ADVICE CENTRE DENTSDIFFICULTIES/PROBLEMS. SPACE PROBLEMS CONFIDENTIAL ADVICE UNDERSTAND FULTON HOUSE PORT RECOVERY MENTAL HEALTH MIND STUDENTS SPACE PROB NFIDENTIAL ADVICE UNDERSTANDING SUPPORT RECOVERY ME swansea@studentminds.org.uk /swanseastudentminds EALTH MIND STUDENTS SPACE PROBLEMS CONFIDENTIAL ADV Golden Showers vs Crayola FC
Hardly Everlusen vs Pitches & Bitches Real Engineers vs Gladiators
16 17 18 19
9 8 8 7
1 1 0 0
1 0 1 0
7 7 7 7
20 11 5 18
34 32 33 69
-14 -21 -28 -51
4 3 1 0
Crackwell 5 - 8 Singleton PR
Fulton Wanderers 5 - 0 Real Engineers Team Sloth AFC 4 - 1 Crayola FC
EVERY MONDAY
waterfrontonline.co.uk
SPORT I 37
American Football
Titans outclass Aberystwyth Tarannau to continue unbeaten start to BUCS season
ABERYSTWYTH 6- 32 SWANSEA TITANS THRIVING: Swansea University American football team continued their fine start to the season by brushing aside Aberystwyth. THE Swansea Titans extended their division winning streak to 8, dating back to 2011, with an away 6-32 win over Aberystwyth Tarannau. The Titans have now played two, won two and sit second in the
by Simon George waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
South West Atlantic Conference, with just UWE Bullets above them. The tie against the Tarannau has historically been a fierce encounter
and last year’s 64-0 demolition of Aberystwyth was clearly still fresh in the memory. Swansea began the game in a similar vein as the previous year as they went two scores up early in the first quarter.
Rookie running back Jacob Amadi was matching his clear physical ability with performance on the field, scoring both of the early touchdowns as he broke tackles and powered his way into the endzone. Aberystwyth’s offense responded by putting back to back long drives together, sucking time out of the game. However, the Titans defense held two goal line stands. This was an impressive end to the half for a defense that was missing a couple of key starters. The Titans to went into the halftime break with the score at 0-13. Receiving the ball at the start of the third quarter, Swansea was hoping to get an early score and put the game out of Aberystwyth’s reach. This simply was not the case. Mistakes had already allowed Aberystwyth good field position on numerous occasions and the Titans allowed a sack and subsequent
fumble on their own five-yard line. Aberystwyth recovered the ball and consequently scored making it 6-13. Like all good teams the Titans responded immediately, as wide receiver Ayekhele Okomilo Loek was found in the endzone for a 23yard touchdown reception. This was a strike to the heart of the Tarannau who had just brought themselves right back into the game. In all fairness the home side kept applying the pressure as Swansea were forced back as they tried to manage the clock and see out the rest of the final quarter. The Titans defense was lead by George Downs-Wheeler, who had an outstanding game, tallying 8 tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Swansea had possession again and 74-yard Marcus Wyatt touchdown, followed by a third score for Amadi put a gloss on a victory that was hard fort and not as straightforward as the final 6-32 score line would suggest.
38 I SPORT
thewaterfront 2 .12.13
Netball
Belford delighted with netball success
LEADING THE WAY: Swansea University netball club have been one of the university’s most successful sports clubs so far in 2013-14. IT has been a fantastic start to the 2013-14 season for Swansea University netball club, and club captain Lorna Belford is thrilled with the teams’ progress. “Over the summer I have worked hard with the committee to make some important changes to the structure and overall running of the club”, she said.
by Tom Nightingale waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
Belford went on to explain how the biggest change to the club for the 2013-14 season has been with relation to training. “Social and team training now takes place in separate training sessions,” she explained, “and so the teams now have 2 training
session a week with a coach. “We also worked hard on appointing a coach who could attend our games. Having a coach such as Alecs, who is enthusiastic and has skilful knowledge on netball has, I feel, helped with the progression of the club massively and we cannot thank her enough. “ With both the first and second
teams near the top of the table and the third team sitting in a midtable position, the new regime is obviously working wonders for the club. “Not only do we have the two training sessions but we now also do a fitness session once a week with the uni gym,” Belford explained. “This is definitely taking our teams from strength to strength. “Away from training we have also set up a club fourth team who play in a local league in Swansea and are improving each week. “We’re hoping that next year we will have all four teams competing in BUCS.” The club is also hoping to venture into ways of giving back to the local community. With Swansea University netball enjoying a very successful season so far it is looking like being a big year for the club. As the rewards of an overhauk in training and the progression to four teams show, not just performance on court but also work off the court is repaing its reward for Swansea’s netballers.
Volleyball
Volleyball club reaping reward by Tom Nightingale
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
EIGHT weeks into the season and Swansea University volley ball club remains unbeaten. After an extremely impressive first half of the season both the men’s and ladies’ team are top of their leagues without a single loss in their name. Both teams are looking to keep up the good work as they start the second half of the season. The men’s team are optimistic they can hold onto their title spot to repeat what the women did last year by ensuring promotion to the top tier. Meanwhile the women will continue to challenge the top teams in their next 5 games and play some high-class volleyball every week. Why not come and see them in action next weekend (7th Dec.) to get a taste for next year’s Varsity, as they take on Cardiff firsts at home.
waterfrontonline.co.uk
SPORT I 39
Rugby Union
First team no match for ruthless Exeter by Max Stevens waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
Barley was left exasperated by what he referred to as “easy tries” as Exeter again scored a converted try to take the score to 5-19 before half time. Swansea came out strong in the second half and for a while it looked as though their physicality might allow them to get back at Exeter but unfortunately it was not to be as the difference in their respective league positions showed. Exeter were able to use their superior ability to put the Swansea defence to the sword on two further occasions in the second half, one failed conversion meaning that the score ended 5-31 in Exeter’s favour. Swansea could have suffered an even greater defeat were it not for the second half heroics of Elliot Jones who made a number of quality tackles close to his own try line to prevent Exeter from extending their lead even further. After the game, Barley expressed his disappointment
SWANSEA 1sts 5- 31 EXETER 1sts
waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
VALIANT EFFORT: SURFC firsts could not build on a lightning start to the game to find a result. with the Swansea performance. “We didn’t play our best today and we all know we’ve got so much more to give,” he explained. He was not completely downhearted however, commenting on his side’s “hunger to get into the opposition” and “solid set pieces” as positives he could take from the game.
This result left Swansea rooted to the foot of the table and Barley noted that at this stage it would be points and not performances that were important for the team from now on. “The time for good performances and not winning is over, from here on in it’s only about the result, every game is a must-win.”
Football
SUMFC first team’s slow start continues SWANSEA 1sts 1 - 2 EXETER 1sts
EDGED OUT: SUMFC firsts were perhaps unfortunate not to get anything out of the game. SWANSEA University men’s football first team continued their unlucky start to the season, with a narrow home defeat to Exeter University. Swansea controlled the game throughout and looked very comfortable in defence with captain George Parsons leading the
by Ryan O’Leary waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
back line. However, midway through the first half Exeter took the lead after an unfortunate mistake from Swansea keeper Luke Martin, the low November sun making
Tennis club enjoy start of season by Oliver Jackson
PHOTO: SOPHIE WIGGINS
SWANSEA University Men’s Rugby Union first team took a surprise early lead against highflying University of Exeter firsts but were eventually soundly beaten. The team in green and white got off to the best possible start at Sketty, when a great show of power and speed by David Evans punched a hole through the Exeter defence and presented Swansea with a 2 v 1 on the right hand side. Evans held his nerve before offloading to Spencer Cawley who outpaced the Exeter defence to score. Unfortunately Jack Shields was unable to convert from a tough angle. Cawley came close to increasing Swansea’s lead with a penalty from just inside the Exeter half which wasn’t far away from the posts. Unfortunately for Swansea this seemed to spark Exeter to life as they soon scored two tries, one of which was converted, which Swansea captain Jon Barley said “caught us a bit cold, they took the lead and it’s always difficult to catch a quality side like Exeter.”
Tennis
it a tough afternoon for both goalkeepers. The home side still looked comfortable even after conceding, and were unlucky on a few occasions before half time. With the midfield creating plenty of chances, striker Matt Barnard, up front on his own, made the Exeter keeper produce some good saves. Not long before half time, against the run of play, Exeter doubled their lead in soft circumstances, their goal summing up Swansea’s luck in the first half. The second half began at a much faster pace, with Swansea looking the most likely to score next with Jack McKenna looking lively on the wing. Despite the Swansea pressure Exeter had two good opportunities to score a third, Luke Martin denying the first chance with a great save and then full back Harry Tobin clearing the ball off the line to keep Swansea in the game. Tom Grigg then forced the Exeter keeper to make a superb save after a sweet strike that was destined for the top corner. But with just ten minutes remaining Swansea finally got a well-deserved goal from the
penalty spot. After Matt Barnard did well to win the spot kick, Jack McKenna coolly slotted home in the bottom corner to make it an interesting finish to the league match. Unfortunately Swansea did not get the result they deserved and Exeter went away with a fortunate three points. After the game captain George Parsons was bitterly disappointed but still believes the side can turn their fortunes around. “The season has started very poorly, with high expectations at the start of the season we have underachieved massively. “We now have seven games left to prove that we are the best side in the league. “We’ve made it extremely difficult for ourselves by only gaining one point out of a possible nine in the opening 3 games; however with the talent in our squad I believe we can remain unbeaten for the rest of the season.” The team captain concluded in an upbeat manner. “We are devastated with this defeat to Exeter, however, we all believe in our ability and know we can bounce back.”
THE Swansea University Tennis Club have enjoyed a flying start to the 2013-14 season., with both men’s and women’s tennis achieving some fantastic results. The men’s first team opened the new season with a thumping 10-2 victory over Cardiff University first team, who are their main rivals for the league. Despite failing to get off the mark in their first game, the men’s second team have come back fiercely and now sit at the top of their table. Meanwhile, the women’s team recorded their first victory for four years with a 12-0 thrashing of UWE. With half the season gone, the men’s first team are at the top of their league having won all their games aside from a solitary disappointing draw against Exeter. If the club can keep up this current form for the rest of the season then promotion is very much on the cards, although even at this stage it is already looking likely to be a straight head to head race for the title against Cardiff firsts. The second team are performing comfortably in their league and should be pushing for promotion right to the end of the season judging by their current results. The girls team will be hoping to be able build on their destruction of UWE to record further wins which will see them climb up the table and hopefully to a top-half finish. In addition to some great team performances, social tennis has really hit it off this year with large numbers of people turning out every week. A special mention to the club’s social tennis coach Dai Williams, who continues to do a fantastic job.
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Issue 234
waterfrontonline.co.uk All of our articles throughout the year can be found on our website, it’s updated regularly so check it out today !
2 December 2013
SWANSEA SECURE FIRST WIN OF SEASON
Inside This Issue American Football
Titans win in style again
p37 Netball
SWANSEA 1sts 3- 1 EXETER 1sts
Netball club reaping rewards
OFF AND RUNNING: Swansea University men’s hockey first team recorded an impressive victory to get off the mark for the season by beating top-of-the-table Exeter. SWANSEA University men’s hockey first team produced an excellent display to beat tabletopping Exeter for their first win of the BUCS season. Captain Jonathan Cardy was delighted with his team’s display. “It was an outstanding performance, easily our best of the season, so I was extremely pleased,” he enthused. “It feels great to get our first win, and the way that we did it was brilliant.” The game got off to a cagey start, with both teams passing the ball around the back, patiently looking for openings. It was the away side who threatened first, with Swansea ‘keeper Mike Gerrard having to be alert to keep out two good efforts.
by David Beale waterfrontsport@swansea-union.co.uk
Exeter continued to press, and were rewarded with their efforts with a short corner. However, this was flicked just wide of the post. Exeter’s momentum was interrupted shortly before half time, as a yellow card temporarily reduced them to ten men. This allowed Swansea to have their best spell in the match, and they almost took the lead on the stroke of half time. Michael Venn found some space in the D to unleash a powerful low strike, but it went the wrong side of the post with the goalkeeper beaten, to leave the score at 0-0 at half time. The second half started with
Selected Results November 20th
November 27th
Women’s Fencing
Men’s Fencing (Trophy)
ABER 1st 85 - 135 SWANSEA 1st
SWANSEA 1st 129 - 121 ABER 1st
Golf
Men’s Rugby Union (Cup)
Men’s Tennis
Men’s Football (Cup)
SWANSEA 4.5 - 1.5 USW Men’s 1st
SWANSEA 3rd 19 - 0 USW 3rd
CARDIFF MET 2nd 4 - 8 SWANSEA 1st
SWANSEA4th 3- 0 USW NEWPORT 1st
Women’s Volleyball
Women’s Netball (Cup)
SWANSEA 2 - 0 BATH
Swansea still on the front foot, and they took the lead shortly after. A great ball from Toby Webster found Tom Newman in the D, who rounded the ‘keeper to fire home from an angle. Newman then had a chance to double his tally, but his lobbed attempt went just wide. Exeter responded well to going behind, and their sustained pressure resulted in a short corner. From this, a low flick looked to have beaten Gerrard, only for it to hit James Nicandrou’s foot on the line. The resulting penalty stroke was brilliantly saved by Gerrard, but the umpire to ruled it had to be taken again after the ‘keeper moved too early. The Exeter player made no mistake second time around, confidently dispatching from the
Selected Fixtures December 4th Women’s Squash
CARDIFF1st
v
SWANSEA 1st
Golf
USW NEWPORT 2nd v SWANSEA 1st Men’s Tennis
SWANSEA 1st v CARDIFF 1st Men’s Rugby Union
SWANSEA 1st 68 - 12 BRISTOL 3rd CARDIFF 3rd V SWANSEA 2nd
spot to equalise. However, this only spurned Swansea on. Some quick thinking by Cardy earned a short corner for his side, after his driving run into the D was halted illegally. The resulting corner was powerfully flicked into the bottom corner by Rory Thorburn to restore the home side’s lead. The game was made safe minutes later in almost identical fashion. Webster’s run into the D won a short corner, which was flicked home by Thorburn to make it 3-1. Cardy admitted he was not expecting to get anything from the game. “They came into the match having won all their games pretty comfortably, and they had beaten us 8-0 when we played them before, so it was a real turn up for the books.”
p38 Rugby Union
Men’s firsts outclassed by Exeter
p39
CURRENT BUCS 2013 1 2 3 4 5
Loughborough Durham Nottingham Bath Exeter
29 Stirling 30 Swansea 31 UWE
1900 1890 1565 1549 1511 667 640 639