FREE
DECEMBER 2018
LIS TE N AT SWA NSEA STU D E N TME D IA. C O M
ISSUE 283
06 01
17 01
31 01
news
cymraeg
crime
Decrease in applications for language courses Xtreme radio celebrates 50 years Sexual harrasment procedures failing Xtreme radio to host SRA conference
Amser Nadolig
The Peterson Case
10 01 music Open mic at The Perch
19 01 wellbeing
relationships
Settling into life at uni
Agony Aunt Fun Xmas gifts for your partner
20 01 food
11 01
Make your own festive drink The Pizza Boyz
features It's time to talk about PTSD
13 01 culture The Year of the Sea
14 01 liberation The right to gender neutral toilets Mental health - an open letter
16 01 photography Picfair: Everything you need to know
32 01
22 01 travel Chile on a shoestring Country at a glance: Bali
27 01 tech 2019 games preview
28 01 creative writing The Box Illiterate in the language of Burn the Roses Lost & Found
34 01 film The Lion in Winter Watchmen
36 01 puzzles Crossword GCHQ Pic Cross
38 01 sport Monthly round up Titans celebrate 10 years
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
FILM
Carys Svendsen
Matt Walker
waterfronteditor@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontfilm@swanseastudentmedia.com
DEPUTY EDITOR
FOOD
Megan Thomas
Jacob Fleming
waterfrontdeputyeditor@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontfood@swanseastudentmedia.com
PHOTO EDITOR
LIBERATION
Charlotte Husbands
Zoya Chisti
waterfrontphoto@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontliberation@swanseastudentmedia.com
DESIGN & ARTWORK
MUSIC
Tom Robertson, Carys Svendsen & Iain Fisher
Fin Hardie & Joshua O' Mahoney
waterfrontdesign@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontmusic@swanseastudentmedia.com
PROOFREADING
PUZZLES
Caitlin Jones & Kathryn Hayne
Laurence Brown
proofreader@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontpuzzles@swanseastudentmedia.com
NEWS
SPORT
Polly Manning
Jessica Hayden
waterfrontnews@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontsport@swanseastudentmedia.com
CREATIVE WRITING
STUDY ABROAD
Rory James
Bronwen Beard & Lauren Lewis
waterfrontcreativewriting@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontstudyabroad@swanseastudentmedia.com
CRIME
TECHNOLOGY
Becky Barnfather
Henry Burgess
waterfrontcrime@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfronttech@swanseastudentmedia.com
CULTURE
Open position (contact our editor to apply for this role) waterfrontculture@swanseastudentmedia.com
FASHION
FEATURES
Meryl Hanmer waterfronttravel@swanseastudentmedia.com
Open position (contact our editor to apply for this role) waterfrontfashion@swanseastudentmedia.com
TRAVEL
WELLBEING
Emily Williams & Olivia Rogers waterfrontwellbeing@swanseastudentmedia.com
STUDENT MEDIA COORDINATOR
Canisha Chakadya waterfrontfeatures@swanseastudentmedia.com
Iain Fisher
iain.fisher@swansea-union.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS Polly Manning • Alex Evans • Joshua O'Mahoney • Polly Manning • Kathryn Lock • Nicola McAndrew • Zoya Chishti • Amy Mitchell Rebecca Martin • Georgia Williams • Joshua Cole • Jacob Fleming • Polly Manning • Isabella Pugh • Polly Manning • Amber Dennis Henry Burgess • Sebastian Fletcher • Daisy Welham • Kellie Ayres • Rhian Davies • Katie Brewster • Carlos Tseng • Finn Basketfield Laurence Brown • Ben Larwood • Julia Cook • Luke Wheadon • Ashley Lewis
WATERFRONT IS A FREE PRINT AND ONLINE PUBLICATION FROM SWANSEA STUDENT MEDIA AND YOUR STUDENTS’ UNION. SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
hello from your editor Carys Svendsen Editor-in-chief Can you believe it’s almost Christmas and that 2018 is nearly over? Me neither. As we wrap up this year with Waterfront (don’t worry, we’re still online), we turn to all things festive. And by festive Imean games previews, crime investigations and how to make your own mulled cider. This issue is best enjoyed by the christmas tree, with Michael Buble playing in the background. Christmas jumper is optional, and so is wearing two santa hats, but a festive hot chocolate is a must. I’m talking full whipped cream and marshmallows here, no half measures. Hope you all have a great festive season and here’s to an even better 2019!
ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
Decrease in Welsh Students’ Uptake of French and German Language Courses BY POLLY MANNING
There has been a continual drop in the number of students from Wales taking language courses at university, according to admissions service UCAS. The numbers of students enrolling on foreign language courses was down by a third at the same time last year, latest figures show. Cardiff University has been working with schools to encourage more pupils to take up subjects such as French. An academic at the university said that there was "a worrying pattern" of schools reducing language options. The UCAS figures indicate that only 80 students from Wales secured places on European language and literature courses - down from 120 this time last year. In 2009, 180 places had been taken up by students from Wales. Professor of French at Cardiff University, Claire Gorrara, said many factors had influenced a downward trend over many years, including a greater emphasis in schools on maths and science subjects, and a wider sense that "English is sufficient to progress in the world".
She said: "We're seeing a worrying pattern at present of schools reducing their offer - so maybe having had two foreign languages they're reducing down to one and of course that's impacting on young people's perceptions of the value of the subject. "We have some schools where the senior leadership team require a certain number of students for it to run and in some schools there is no modern foreign language class at GCSE. "The challenge for us is maintaining that diversity of languages and encouraging schools to invest in what may appear to them to be a subject that is an optional subject." Undergraduates at Cardiff University have been involved in a mentoring scheme where they talk to 13 and 14-year olds just before they take their GCSE options. Figures show a decline in the last decade in numbers taking French and German in particular. At A-level, entries in French and German have fallen by two thirds over the same period and Spanish by half.
NEWS POLLY MANNING
7
As you can see, the studios have changed a lot from the early days
With thanks to station alumni Fred Marden for the pictures
XTREME RADIO'S 50TH BIRTHDAY
I bet you are wondering what Xtreme Radio is and why you should care. Well, we’re Swansea University’s student radio station and this year we’re celebrating our 50th birthday, which makes us the oldest student-run radio station in Wales It all started in 1968 when a group of students launched Action Radio. We’ve changed a lot since then and undergone quite a few name changes. We were even called Shreek at one point, which was… interesting. Our other names include URA and C-air… Seriously, we’ve changed our name more times than Prince! So 50 years on what makes Xtreme Radio so great? Well, the thing that makes our station amazing is how well we’ve done, despite being one of the smallest stations around. In the last few years we’ve managed to pull off fantastic events like our annual Varsity coverage, making sure that even if you can't make it to the big day you’ll be able to experience it. At this point I should give a big shout out to Xpress from Cardiff for working with us on
this (though we are Welsh University of the Year). Every year we host a stage at the Summer Ball with our strong DJ network making the Junkyard Stage the wildest arena at the Ball (if you were there you know). As Station Manager, I think the best way to describe us is as a small station with big dreams. This year we have two huge events. The first being our 50th Anniversary celebration, where we’re bringing back members from the whole 50 years of student radio in Swansea to commemorate the event in style, and by style we mean with a silent disco (Get it? It’s because you listen to the radio with headphones too). Our second event is huge for us as we’re going to be hosting the Student
BY ALEX EVANS
Radio Conference in 2019 (read more about this over the page). This conference is probably the biggest thing that Xtreme has hosted and we want to put on the biggest and best conference ever to help put Swansea on the radio map. If you want to get involved with the best student radio station in Swansea (we’re the only one so there isn’t much choice) feel free to drop me a message at manager@xtremeradio.org and we can get you on the air tomorrow! Hope to see you at our party on the 1st of December. We’ve got 50 years worth of celebrating to do. Alex Evans Station Manager Xtreme Radio
ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
Sexual Harassment Procedures are Failing -Leanne Wood Current procedures are inadequate for dealing with allegations of sexual harassment and assault, former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has said. Leanne Wood has described current procedures for dealing with sexual assault and harrasment 'inadequate'
Speaking in the Welsh Assembly in October, Ms Wood told AMs that "all too often nothing happens" when allegations are made. The Rhondda AM said she was setting up "a new network" nationwide to provide support for women making allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Ms Wood said that every woman she knows has experienced unwanted sexual attention. "One year on from the #MeToo movement, and the sea change that many of us hoped it would spark has not happened," she said. "Encouraging people to report is important, but all too often, when they do, nothing happens.” "Police and victim support services are underfunded, waiting lists for counselling and other support are unacceptably along." She branded organisations' procedures "inadequate", saying they were "unable to deal with the particular characteristics of sexual
BY POLLY MANNING
harassment and assault". Ms Wood added: "People don't have confidence in our systems and the majority of incidents therefore go unreported. "So, I'm putting out a call today for anyone interested in changing how we tackle sexual harassment and assault to get in touch with me to be part of a new network." Wood later went on to describe her own experiences with sexual harassment in a piece for Wales Online. She described how, early in 2018, a man in a Brussels bar “casually placed his hand on my backside while attempting to start a conversation.” “Sexual harassment and pervasive rape culture thrive on denial, minimisation and the knowledge that people on the receiving end are reluctant to complain.” “The majority of decent men think of sexual harassment as something that is happening somewhere else. It can be hard to accept that it is
happening every day in their own institutions and workplaces, to their own sisters, mothers, daughters.” “At the same time, women who have to experience the leers, the inappropriate touching and suggestive or lewd comments that are the early warning signs of a darker undercurrent are all too used to brushing things off and learning, often by talking to other women, who to avoid rather than tackling the problem head on or at source.” In her newly-appointed role as Shadow Cabinet Minister for Housing and Social Justice, Wood added that she is seeking to address these structural issues through the long-term development of a national network which will offer help to those affected by sexual abuse and harassment. She went on to encourage women to feed into the development process by contacting her. Leanne Wood AM can be contacted on : Leanne.Wood@assembly.wales.
NEWS POLLY MANNING
9
The Student Radio Awards were held at Indigo @ the O2 on 8th November
BY ALEX EVANS
XTREME TO HOST STUDENT RADIO ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE IN 2019 On the 8th of November at the Student Radio Awards at the O2 arena, Xtreme Radio Swansea University's very own radio station were announced as the hosts of the 2019 Student Radio Conference. The event, to be held in April 2019 will bring some of the biggest names in radio will be coming to Swansea University's Bay campus. The conference is a mix of workshops, keynote speeches and exciting evening events. Previous conferences have attracted a host of familiar names, such as Greg James, Mistajam and Chris Moyles, as well as
leading industry professionals. The evening events include Demo Factor, a talent show style competition where budding radio presenters put themselves in front of key players from some of the biggest stations on the planet, and if successful can land a job right on the spot. On the second night it's awards time with the 'I Love Student Radio Awards', the second biggest student media awards in Europe. It's a huge coup for Xtreme to bring the the conference to Swansea. It will attract student radio members
from universitites all over the UK and will place them firmly on the national stage. There are many ways you can support the station, whether you're just listening in on www.swanseastudentmedia.com or doing your own show, every little helps. We are also looking for volunteers to help out with the conference; if this is something that sounds like its in your wheelhouse then get in contact withthe station manager, Alex Evans at 'manager@xtremeradio.org'. Here's to an exciting year for Xtreme.
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
Open mic night at the perch BY JOSHUA O'MAHONEY
Almost every pub in Swansea has an open mic night, with a range of different people who participate. Some will feature almost exclusively musical acts, whereas others will cater more to the comedians or poets. This is exactly why I found the newly organised open mic night at The Perch so intriguing. Not only have they fashioned a wonderful little night out for many to enjoy on a Sunday evening, but it was also a reminder of how raw and unsuppressed an open mic night can be; an open mic night where anything goes. I really didn’t know what to expect when I was on my way to The Perch. Apparently it was on Wind Street, but I’d never even heard of it before, let alone seen it along that road that I’d walked a million times. Well, I learned very quickly that it wasn’t tucked away in a dark corner somewhere, but it was right opposite The Griffin, on full display. A cute little cocktail bar, it seemed that it was always there, I was just too oblivious to its existence before, that or I was too drunk.
The interior was wonderfully hipster, if that’s your cup of tea when it comes to a cocktail bar, and the open mic setup was nothing too flashy, just a spare guitar, and a microphone. Simplicity is probably always best with this kind of thing; it allows the greatest deal of flexibility. In my opinion, a good open mic night should make you want to get up and perform yourself; at least, that’s what I look for. Diversity is always the key to that, and that is what The Perch has. There were no regulars, and no routines, people just got up, one after the other, and did their thing. I went there to see a friend perform, and in the end, left having seen a veteran recording artist, a few amateur musicians, and the owner of a pub who performed some brilliant slam poetry. There were no rules, and that should be the essence of every open mic night. The idea is to let performers perform, no matter what they do, and that is what I enjoyed most about The Perch.
FEATURES CANISHA CHAKADYA
11
It’s time to talk about PTSD! *Disclaimer: Contains a brief description of sexual assault and descriptions of PTSD. BY KATHYRN LOCK
I am not writing this as a medical article; yes, I’ll describe symptoms and possible treatments for PTSD sufferers, but I am writing this simply to raise awareness of PTSD and highlight how it can affect victims and their relationships. When people think of PTSD, their first thoughts are usually of war veterans who suffer from “shell shock”, horrific flashbacks to terrifying events in combat. However, many people don’t think of the 70% of sexual assault victims who experience anxiety attacks, horrific nightmares and intrusive thoughts after their frightening experience. When I was fifteen years old I went to a party. There were drinks, music and dancing; a good night as far as any other teenager was concerned. However, at this party there was also a sixteen-yearold boy who would drink too much and then attack me in an alleyway only 50 yards away from where all my friends were. What started as a reluctant kiss for me ended in being forced on the ground with my legs spread as he attempted to enter me. Thankfully a chaperone walked past and saw him on top of me. At the time I was too scared to call out for help, but the idea of “getting caught" gave him a reason to get off me and return to the party. I was left alone and feeling confused, used and dirty. Here I am five years later, in a threeyear long relationship with a man who makes me feel safe, comfortable and loved. Yet why was it that for two of those years the wrong touch or phrasing of words would cause me start shaking and burst into tears? It is because of the actions of that boy at a party, the sexual assault that left me with a mental health condition called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD), something which I have now recovered from. PTSD from sexual assault can affect an individual in many aspects of their life, including their cognition, their physical reactions to stimulus and their emotions. All of these symptoms can have a detrimental effect on the victim’s current and future relationships. For example, experiencing pessimistic views about the future, an extreme drop in their self-esteem, or a complete loss of interest in once-loved activities. Additionally, individuals can experience intense physical or emotional reactions to triggers, such as i feelings of guilt, frightfulness, aggression and anxiety. All of these symptoms make it incredibly difficult to function in a healthy relationship and the affected individual’s partner can also become a victim. Luckily, there are many things which we can do to help victims of sexual assault who suffer from PTSD. Reducing stigma about the mental health disorder is the first step to helping victims feel comfortable enough to talk about their issues. Talking openly with sufferers at their own pace is the perfect place to start when helping someone recover from PTSD. Moreover, being sensitive to their situation is very important. Try not to make assumptions about how they feel or question why they might not have acted differently in the situation. Aim to be positive and applaud the small steps the individual takes. For example, praise them for being able to talk about the things that they once couldn’t, or being able to visit places that remind them of the traumatic event. It is also incredibly important
to look out for those close to, or in relationships with, victims of PTSD. Similarly to other mental health issues, PTSD is very taxing and can be exhausting for those trying to look after victims. Providing continuous support or trying to learn or predict triggers can be exhausting and emotionally draining for loved ones. It is important to remember to look after your own mental health if you are involved with someone who suffers from PTSD, as well as that of the victim. All in all, it is time to talk about PTSD. It is time to talk about the disorder in all its forms, including the huge percentage of sexual assault victims who are left with repeated terrors after their experiences. It is time to talk to each other, support each other and look after everyone who is affected by PTSD. If you suffer from PTSD, talk! If you know someone who you think may suffer from PTSD, talk! If you don’t know anyone who suffers from PTSD, talk! At the end of the day, we need to raise awareness and help those who are in need so that everyone can go on to have happy loving relationships in the future, instead of being terrorised by the past. If you or anyone you know is suffering from PTSD and you want to learn about how you can help them, the mental health charity Mind has a fantastic website. Here you can find lots of information about symptoms, care and support for friends and family. Furthermore, the NHS website provides helpful information if you are looking to learn more about the medical side of the disorder.
ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
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£70 Studio Tour Taith Stiwdio
24.03.19
Transport & Entry Trafnidiaeth a mynediad 01792 203235
travelshop@swansea-union.co.uk
CULTURE NICOLA MCANDREW
All images - Visit Swansea Bay
13
The Year of the Sea Throughout 2018, we have all seen a great deal of cultural change, both on a local and global scale. It seems that celebrating the cultural beauty around us has become all the more significant. Cue ‘The Year of the Sea’; an exhibition which will be celebrating the beauty of the Welsh coastline – arguably one of the most exquisite coastlines in the world. And it’s fitting, too! As pointed out by The Cymru Wales Brand, you could be anywhere in Wales and still not be more than an hour from the beach. So, when you want to celebrate Welsh beauty, what better place to start than the coast? From the rugged North to the serene South, the 870-mile Wales Coast Path is the envy of many. The rich coastline boasts 230 beaches, including cliffs, harbours, bays and coves that truly
BY NICOLA MCANDREW
make the Welsh coastline one of the most impressive in the world. 2018, as the Year of the Sea, is dedicated to celebrating all of this natural beauty, and Swansea is no exception. Between 12th-30th November, the Arts Wing of Swansea Grand Theatre will hold an arts exhibition dedicated primarily to The Year of the Sea. It will also focus on other aspects of the Welsh landscape, with a rich variety of artwork on display. The exhibition will be headed by professional artist and tutor Zoe James-Williams and promises to be a cultural delight not to be missed, and arts journalist Mark Rees will open the exhibition on the first Friday. The artwork will be up for sale, and
the event is conveniently placed just in time for Christmas shopping – what better present could your family and friends ask for than a canvas celebrating the true beauty of Wales? Put together by a group of professional artists, the exhibition is guaranteed to impress, and a piece of artwork will definitely make a much-appreciated gift. Entry to the event is free, and as stated by Rough Guides, promises to showcase “a magical landscape harbouring jagged peaks, theatrical sited castles, lush valleys and an epic coastline”. As well as focusing on The Year of the Sea, the exhibition will also be holding a raffle for The Mumbles Lifeboat Station. It is refreshing to see that Swansea is a part of such an impressive celebration of Welsh beauty – a celebration which is very well-deserved.
ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
The right to gender neutral toilets It’s important to understand the difference between sex and gender. Sex is the biological and physical characteristics that a person has the reproductive organs, genes and hormones. Gender is a set of culturally defined concepts, that may relate historically to femininity, masculinity, non-binary people, or social norms. So why do we need to make them gender specific? Labelling individual toilet stalls by the amenity they provide (e.g. if there are urinals) instead would bring us one step closer to removing the gender binary from public spaces and ultimately towards having a more inclusive society. Currently, the familiar but outdated silhouettes of a man and woman, that we use to mark public toilets, promote the restriction of gender identity to the clothes we wear and the way our bodies are. They fail to acknowledge non-binary people, and further propel outdated gender stereotypes and expectations. We need gender-neutral toilets across all of our university campuses. Samuel James Mann, the LGBT+ Open Place officer for this academic year, agrees with this and, upon enquiry, said, “it is extremely important that we lobby
Going to the toilet is a basic human right. Bathrooms are an amenity that everyone should have equal access to, surely? In recent years, public toilets have become gender identity battlegrounds. LGBT+ activists and groups have been tirelessly pushing for gender-neutral toilets. So why do we need these facilities?
BY ZOYA CHISTI
the University for a greater number of gender-neutral toilets. This was included in my manifesto, and as such, I will be working this year to ensure that a greater number are seen across Singleton campus (which currently has a distinct lack of gender-neutral toilets).” Members of Swansea University’s LGBT+ community have been faced with this issue for many years. Daisy Welham, a trans woman and former Swansea University student, had this to say: “I think gender-neutral facilities are especially important for transgender people because they get us out of a dilemma...if a transgender woman uses the men’s room, she misgenders and outs herself. If she uses the women’s room and does not ‘pass’ as cis, she’s in danger of being accused of being a predator and getting yelled at. Gender-neutral toilet facilities prevent this, as by removing the gendering of the facilities, all of those problems are circumvented.” This dilemma is one that Trans and non-binary people face on a daily basis. It’s 2018, and we as a society are still
restricting freedoms and supporting an outdated need for gender conformity. When asked about the impact this has had on Daisy’s university experience, she said, “It’s one of the main reasons I lived on campus for all three years at university. I’d much rather be able to quickly go home to Preseli, Penmaen, or Caswell than to brave gendered public toilets or have to travel to Fulton to use the accessible toilet there. It also made me late to lectures a few times - going back to my flat to use the loo takes much longer than just heading to one in the same building as my lectures”. No student should have to feel uncomfortable exercising one of their basic human rights - going to the toilet - due to fear of violence or their wellbeing coming under threat. The costs may be high, and perhaps it will only benefit a small segment of society, but the wider message that this will send is what makes it crucial: that we accept and acknowledge that gender is a non-binary concept; and that we want everyone, irrespective of what their gender identity is, to feel safe and comfortable while studying here at this university.
LIBERATION ZOYA CHISHTI
OUR MENTAL HEALTH IS A DISABILITY AN OPEN LETTER
Someone with depression is not ‘just sad’. Someone who has anxiety does not just get ‘a little nervous’. We have taken steps forward where mental health is concerned, but people still misunderstand what it really means to have a mental illness. It’s 2018, and we are still battling the stigma that surrounds conditions such as anxiety and depression. The demand for wellbeing services in universities has trebled since 2013, and the suicide rate amongst the student population has increased over the same period, with every 5 in 100,000 students taking their own lives. As one of the 50,000 students suffering with mental health issues in the UK today, I think it is time to talk about some common misconceptions. Mental health is a disability. It is a disability when people cannot physically bring themselves to walk the short way to university because the paths are busy, and their anxiety is in overdrive. It is a disability when someone has to leave a great night out early because the club is too crowded, and they feel like their lungs are no longer working. It is a disability when someone is unable to leave their bed in the morning because their chest is heavy, and they cannot see any good coming from getting up. Poor mental health can be debilitating. Just because mental illness is not always as visible, it does not make our disability any less valid than someone who has a physical disability. It’s tiring to be made to feel as if it does not count as a legitimate disability, or as if it isn’t ‘as bad’. Pain and suffering are not relative; just because someone is suffering in a different way does not mean that it is any less damaging. People feel the need to constantly one-up each other: “oh well MY disability” or “oh well MY experience”. However, what people do not realise is that although every experience is different, they are all still relevant. Their emotions and hardships are valid, regardless of whether they stem from physical or mental problems. Even our laws and legislation, specifically the Equality Act (2010), support this. Mental illness falls under the protected characteristic of Disability. Disability is defined as any physical or mental impairment that has an impact on a person’s ability to carry out day-today activities. So why do we still approach mental illness with a “get over it” kind of attitude? Why is it still not treated with the same amount of respect and understanding that physical disabilities are? Maybe, if we tried to understand more, tried to educate ourselves more, the 5 in 100,000 students who did not make it to the end of their university journey, would still be with us.
Zoya Chishti - Waterfront Liberation editor
15
ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
PHOTOGRAPHY CHARLOTTE HUSBANDS
Picfair:
BY AMY MITCHELL
In a digital era, everyone is a producer of their own content and it’s becoming increasingly easy to display your work online. For budding photographers,there’s the option to create your own website to display your portfolio of work, however this is usually a pricey method which requires regular maintenance. Picfair can solve this, by providing a free alternative where they do most of the work for you. What is Picfair? Picfair is a free online platform dedicated to supporting and encouraging new photographers by connecting them directly to potential customers. These include the global community as well as companies such as The Guardian, National Geographic, and even Google. It works in competition with Shutterstock and Getty images while providing less exclusive licensing for photographers. Therefore, there’s no need to be a professional to use their services; simply pick up your camera or phone and give it a try! So, what’s the catch? Surprisingly, there isn’t one. Picfair prides itself on believing that, regardless of skill level, everyone and anyone should be able to sell their images online. It’s simple to
Everything you need to know
use and completely free, hence the 35,000 photographers using its global network. How does it work? After having signed up for an account simply by using your email address and making a password, you are encouraged to provide basic details and a description of yourself in order to personalize your profile. Then, you can get started with uploading your images. Each image will need a title, a brief description and tags. The tags, similar to networks like Instagram, are the most important element. These are used to match up with the searches made by customers they can use the tags to follow and view the themes of images they like. Once this is done, hit upload and ta-dah! You have your very own Picfair profile and a marketplace for your photos. You can even pick and choose how much you’d like to sell your images for, in both digital and physical form. It's all up to you. What images should you upload? For obvious reasons, selfies and photos showcasing intoxicated nights out aren’t quite what customers will be looking for, but other than that, you have free reign over the images you choose to display. Whether it’s portrait photography, landscapes or nature and
animals, Picfair welcomes new content with open arms. There are also regular competitions on the site, for example this month’s ‘Women Behind the Lens’ competition, highlighting the work of women to Picfair’s global audience. Do you have to be a professional? Not at all! Picfair is majorly built out of amateur photographers, so anyone can make an account and benefit from its services without the pressure of having years upon years of experience. It even accepts photos taken on your phone! So, the next time you’re taking a stroll through Singleton Park, Swansea Bay or the Gower, keep in mind you could be profiting from your photos. You as students can benefit from the click of a button, and it’s really as easy as that! Where can you sign up? You can sign up on Picfair’s website: www.picfair.com. For any further questions, visit their FAQ page: https://support.picfair.com/hc/en-us. Want to be a contributor to the Photography section or even share photos you have added to Picfair, then please email the editor at: waterfrontphotography@ swanseastudentmedia.com
CYMRAEG REBECCA MARTIN
17
a N d r o e s l i g m A a m s Time t s i r h C GAN REBECCA MARTIN
Have you ever been interested to pick up some Welsh during your time at university here in Swansea? Why not get in the festive spirit and learn your very first words and phrases just in time for Christmas!
ENGLISH
WELSH
PRONOUNCIATION
Merry Christmas!
Nadolig Llawen!
Nah-doll-ig Ll-aw-en
And a Happy New Year!
A blwyddyn newydd dda!
Ah blweedd-in newidd-dda (dd’ like in Pont-y-pridd)
Father Christmas
Sion Corn
Sheeon Corn
Christmas tree
Coeden Nadolig
Coid-en Nah-doll-ig
Christmas dinner
Cinio Nadolig
Cihn-eeo Nah-doll-ig
Decorations
Addurniadau
Ah-ddirn-eeah-dai (dd’ like in Pont-y-pridd)
Presents
Anrhegion
Ahn-hregg-eeon
WELLBEING EMILY WILLIAMS & OLIVIA ROGERS
19
settling into life at Uni BY GEORGIA WILLIAMS
The fun of Freshers is now over for everyone and the reality of deadlines hits you. How do you cope with that? A part of university life is trying to figure out a way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle: getting enough sleep, eating correctly, fighting off freshers’ flu, whilst still trying to maintain the aspect of socialising with your friends, attending all of your lectures and keeping on top of your additional reading. The most important thing to remember is that you’re not the only person going through this struggle. Every single student, no matter how well composed they may seem, is struggling one way or another to stay on top at university. That’s the challenge of it. You may feel alone and isolated in your deadline stress, cramming in as many of the limited hours you have free at the library to try and finish the essay or the lab reportbut you aren’t. We are all going through it. There are many services across the university, such as the Wellbeing centre or the Advice and Support Centre, which are there to offer you support if you feel like the stress of university is becoming too much for you. Admitting and acknowledging the struggle you’re going through doesn’t mean you’re failing.
The first step to coping with it all, is effectively taking a step back. It is incredibly hard to find time for yourself at university, but in order to stay sane and healthy you must try to find the time for yourself. Even if that time consists of ten minutes each day in between your schedule, sitting down to have a cup of coffee, escaping to the gym or to the beach or giving your best friend, or whoever you’re closest to, a call. This will help you have a breather. Getting caught up in your own stress of deadlines can make it feel as if you can’t escape the constant feeling of panic and stress. The more time you take for yourself, the more your perspective on your own situation will start to change, and the more you will realise that you’re the priority in your university life. All-nighters are appealing, and they happen to even the most organised of people sometimes. You start October with one or two pieces of work, then you end up with three deadlines in the space of a week and not enough time to figure it all out. It’s important to remember though, that our bodies need sleep for us to function. We are supposed to get eight hours of sleep per night. It seems impossible, I know. Trying to get yourself into a sleeping routine based
around your weekly timetable is an effective way of ensuring you stay on top of the stress as it will allow you to work as effectively as you can during the day. Try and sleep a little earlier each night and set your alarm half an hour earlier each day so eventually you do become that morning person. Taking care of yourself will help you cope with university. If there was a step by step guide to teach us all how to get through it, it wouldn’t be as fun and as much of an experience as it is currently. Finding your feet, figuring out who you are and getting to grips with university life is one of the most difficult things you will ever have to go through. It’s okay though- it’s worth it and you need to remember how far you’ve come to get here already. You will make it, just keep pushing through and don’t give up. Even make it to your 9ams. It will all be worth it. If you do feel like you are struggling and would like to receive support, Welfare@Campuslife can provide you with practical advice and support on whatever welfare issues you may be facing. If you wish to seek support you must firstly contact your college welfare rep, whose contact details can be found on the @CampusLife page on the Swansea University website.
ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
Make your own festive drink BY JOSHUA COLE
With the passing of Halloween, we find ourselves looking to Christmas. A distant dream in this bleak world of overbearing assignments and deadlines. To this end, I like to make sure I’m keeping the spirit of Christmas alive. Not only by believing in Santa Claus, but by hosting friends and family for festive drinks.
When I think of Christmas drinks, I turn to mulled cider. Traditionally made with dry ciders, I thought it best to innovate with Strongbow Dark Fruits: The lifeblood of any respectable student accommodation. I chose ingredients that were (for the most part) readily available around the house. To little surprise, there was plenty of Dark Fruits to spare. Finally, following a bit of experimentation and several drinks later, we came up with a spicy concoction to tickle the taste buds of all around.
What you’ll need 3x 440ml cans of Dark Fruits 75ml of whiskey (I recommend using Bourbon but any whiskey should do) (You can of course substitute these for an alcohol free alternative if you are so inclined. This would still be just as festive if substituted for cranberry juice) 250ml of apple juice The zest of one orange 2 thick slices of said orange Half of a ground nutmeg (one lump teaspoon if pre-ground) 4 cinnamon sticks (one lump tablespoon if pre-ground) 2 teaspoons of cloves These measurements serve 5 people so multiply as necessary to accommodate bigger parties!
The method It couldn’t be simpler. Grab a large saucepan and combine all the ingredients. Give it a little stir and bring the whole affair up to high heat, then dropping to medium low once the bubbles begin to appear. Leave to simmer for at least half an hour, occasionally stirring the mixture. This lets all the flavours get to know each other and can only be improved by leaving it to simmer longer. Be sure not to boil it less you want a thick syrupy mess! Straining the drink through a sieve is advised to remove any of the bits, return them back to the saucepan. Naturally, this drink is best served hot, and for some artistic flair you could garnish with a slice of orange. A warm way to refresh yourself and boost morale, as well as a good excuse to bring the house together. Happy drink making to one and all!
FOOD JACOB FLEMING
Pizza. It’s a food that brings us joy - encompassing a myriad cheesy, meaty and saucy goodness. Domino's and Papa John’s are a safe bet but lack the unique character and authentic ingredients used by Swansea’s own new boys on the block: The Pizza Boyz. They perfectly encapsulate a real mix of flavour on every pizza they bake in their traditional oven. Delano and Ali have said that each of their recipes are based upon things a hungover person would put in a sandwich. With a classic Margherita always on the menu; their other creations include another veggie option known as The Truffle Shuffle, consisting of truffle oil, olives, mushrooms, rocket and a hefty helping of parmesan. Or, if you fancy something a little meatier, you’d be mad to not give their Stateside Swirl - which combines chicken, salami, ranch as well as hot sauce - a go. When they say they are inspired by hangover food, they really do mean it! Delano and Ali channel their
21
Delano & Ali hard at work
BY JACOB FLEMING
father's Italian influence and use their Welsh business acumen from their mother to present passion in everything they do. Unfortunately, they lost their mum to cancer last year, but they keep her memory alive through their craft. Not only do they use local ingredients such as Italian
tomatoes and Caputo flour to honour their family both at home and abroad; but The Pizza Boyz also donate a portion of their profits to Cancer Research in addition to sending funds to both the Swansea Community Farm, as well as the Cwmbwrla Day Centre. With every pizza you buy, know you are aiding great causes, but with the added bonus of getting a delicious, authentic pizza. But don’t just take my word for it, these boys have made it to the finals of the 2nd Annual Welsh Italian Awards! They are in the running for being named ‘Best Newcomer’ and are in for the chance at picking up the title for having ‘Wales’ Best Pizza’. After only six months in the business, it’s an impressive feat that they have come so far in such little time. The Pizza Boyz can be found regularly on Wednesdays from 6:3010pm at The Optimist in Uplands, but to make sure you know of their whereabouts at all times, you can find them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter under the same name.
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
Chile on a shoe string
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ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
Above: San Pedro de Atacama Below: Plaza de Armas
Chile is home to some of the world’s most varying climates and landscapes, making it the perfect place for any traveller who is new to Latin America and yearns to start exploring the continent. BY ISABELLA PUGH
Sandwiched between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Chile has the world’s longest coastline and boasts a range of different environments. From the glaciated landscapes of Patagonia in the South, all the way up to the Atacama Desert in the north: Chile gives a little taste of each type of wonder that South America has to offer. Thanks to its shape, Chile can be easily travelled without missing any of the key attractions. Direct flights to Santiago de Chile leave from London Heathrow four times weekly at an average flight time of 14 hours and 35 minutes. You could spend months exploring all that Chile has to offer, but two to three weeks is really enough to cover the basics.
First stop has to be Calama where a day trip can be arranged to San Pedro de Atacama. Tours to San Pedro from Calama generally take around three to four days, cost around £70 and include tours of Valle de la Luna; Saalar de Atacama; Lagunas Altiplanicas and Geyser del Tatio. From Calama, a flight back to Santiago will allow you to begin exploring the country’s centre. You will find that you can get a good feel for the European-esque city in just a couple of days. Free walking tours leave from the Plaza de Armas in the centre at 10am and 3pm daily, taking you through the maze of streets that make up Chile’s capital city. Don’t miss the cable cars of Parque Metropolitano which have incredible views over the city contrasted with the backdrop of
the Andes. From Santiago, there are lots of possibilities for day trips and excursions. Local attractions include Chile’s street art Capital, Valparaiso; incredible hiking trails near Embalse El Yeso and the beach town of Viña del Mar. These are just a few of the possibilities. To finish off the perfect tour of Chile, a flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas will take you on a Patagonian adventure! The southernmost tip of Chile is packed full of outdoor adventures and is extremely close to Antarctica. Tours range from 3 to 5 days, cost around £120 and include Penguin spotting; Torres del Paine National Park and whale watching. Chile is a once in a lifetime adventure where you can create memories that you’ll never forget!
TRAVEL MERYL HANMER
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Kuta beach, Bali's most famous beach resort destination
COUNTRY AT A GLANCE: BALI Bali has recently become the most popular island holiday destination in the Indonesian archipelago, attracting tourists from around the world. Bali has activities to suit all types of holidaymakers, including exotic temples; amazing local cuisine; world-famous night spots and breathtaking beaches. The list of exciting activities is practically endless but the following are four of my favourite which show the immense diversity of the island BY AMBER DENNIS
Tirta Empul meaning ‘holy water spring’ is a 960 AD temple complex and holy mountain spring in central Bali. Many devoted Hindus purify themselves here in a bathing ritual by dipping their head under water spouts located within two sacred pools. Tourists are also welcome. One of the most unique food experiences you can experience is that of Kopi Luwak coffee. This is one of the most expensive and highly demanded coffees in the world but can be found almost everywhere across the island. This coffee is digested by an Asian palm civet (a small mammal in the Viverridae family that resembles a ferret) and the beans are picked from the civet’s excrement. There are many spots where you can not only taste the coffee but learn about the fascinating process.
Kuta beach is not only a breathtaking sand beach but also plays host to the Sea Turtle Project which aims to protect sea turtles and increase their hatching rate. This project allows visitors to get involved and aid in the release of turtles during the hatching season (April to October). Every year people come to Kuta beach to help safely guide the newly hatched turtles into the ocean whilst also learning about their protection and conservation. The Mirror Lounge and Bar is one of seemingly unlimited choice of nightclubs and bars within Bali. This dynamic island plays host to some of the greatest clubs and international DJ’s. The Mirror stands out above the rest with its unique interior design which combines a Gothic cathedral and a futuristic rave, including lasers, trapeze artists, and an entire ceiling made of glass. It really is a party under the stars.
The ritual purifying bath at Tirta Empul
1 In celebration of the 175th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’, join us this festive season for James Hyland’s award-winning stage adaptation.
T STUDEN S T TICKE FROM £5 ONLY
Upcoming Shows & Films at Taliesin BY TALIESIN ARTS CENTRE
LIVE EVENTS
BROADCAST EVENTS
FILMS
£6
£5 £5 ON THE DOOR
Saturday 1/12 @7.30PM: NYRSYS. A Welsh language production which takes us behind the scenes of a busy cancer ward in a hospital in Wales today. English translation via Sibrwd app (details: theatr.cymru). Thursday 20/12 @7.30PM: A CHRISTMAS CAROL - AS TOLD BY JACOB MARLEY (DECEASED). Told from the perspective of Scrooge’s deceased business partner, this groundbreaking theatrical event has been hailed as the “definitive telling of A Christmas Carol” (Redditch Standard).
Monday 3/12 @7.15PM: Royal Opera House THE NUTCRACKER (U). The Royal Ballet keeps true to the spirit of this Russian ballet classic, with period details and dancing snow flakes. Thursday 6/12 @7PM: National Theatre Live ANTONY & CLEOPATRA (12A). In this live broadcast, Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo play Shakespeare’s famous fated couple in his great tragedy of politics, passion and power. Monday 17/12 @7.15PM: Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company THE WINTER'S TALE (PG). Shakespeare’s timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption, starring Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh.
Monday 26/11 @4.30PM & 7.30PM: THE BIG LEBOWSKI (18). Tuesday 27/11 @4.30PM & 7.30PM: THE LITTLE STRANGER (12A). Wednesday 28/11 @4.30PM & 7.30PM: BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE (15).
Wednesday 5/12 @5PM & 7.30PM: BLACK 47 (15). Monday 10/12 @4.30PM & 7.30PM: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (12A). Tuesday 11 & Wednesday 12/12 7.30PM:
PETERLOO (12A). more films on www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk
SIGN UP FOR A FREE MEMBERSHIP CARD AT THE BOX OFFICE AND SEE YOUR FIRST 3 LIVE EVENTS FOR FREE!
TECH NEWS HENRY POLLYBURGESS MANNING
2019 Games preview
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BY HENRY BURGESS
2018 has been an extraordinary 12 months for gaming with some of the finest and most complete games being released, with the likes of Spider Man and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey alongside the more recent additions such as Battlefront V and Red Dead Redemption II to name a few. Not only have a lot of blockbusters been released, but so many have been magnificent and certainly have met, if not exceeded, expectations. Despite the bar being raised so high in 2018, the new year does not look to show decline but instead promises to add to the richness of quality. Titles such as Skull and Bones and Anthem are examples of two big releases to look forward to, so here is a taster of what to expect:
Skull & Bones
Teased by Ubisoft since 2017, Skull and Bones promises to be the greatest pirate game themed game since Assassin’s Creed Black Flag. After several trailers being dropped, each subtly different, it’s confirmed that they now have the finished article. The focus of the game is essentially to establish yourself as the most powerful pirate by plundering loot and sinking enemy vessels. However, expect fierce competition from other pirate factions while also taking on a declining Empire who have been attempting to rid the ocean of piracy for years. The relentless conflict and the tenuous alliances formed certainly live up to the ‘dog eat dog’ environment emphasised in the most recent trailer. Although it may seem that making alliances is a great risk (which it is), it’s still necessary to dismantle large warships and reach the top of the food chain. The spinelessness of the characters really brings to life the deceitful and uncertain world. The gameplay mechanics for the sailing are very similar to that in Black Flag, which makes it an easy transition for those who played the 2013 Assassin’s Creed game. Although there is a lot to enjoy from testing out your sailing capabilities, the most absorbing part of operating such a vessel comes when engaged in combat; while canons
appear simple weapons, each ship has its own unique ability which can help you use your canons to either damage your enemy or to hinder their capability to return fire. The nature of the game, particularly the combat, is ugly and ferocious, yet the brutality of your actions is nicely contrasted to the sublime scenery that you find yourself sailing around or looting. While looting is central part of the game there is more to it than merely enjoyment. For instance, the loot you take can be spent on the customisation of your own vessel and character. Customising your ship can also go beyond designing your own Queen Anne’s Revenge, as certain customisation options may be more appropriate in specific scenarios. Ubisoft really have formulated and produced a wondrous game, permitting you to conquer the seas and maraud to your heart’s content. While they kept the best bits of Black Flag, they have innovated wonderfully to create the most complete pirate game to date. They may have taken their time to release this title but, from all the snippets and teasers we’ve seen, I believe it will be well worth the wait.
Anthem
Anthem is another blockbuster lurking after the new year, and although we know considerably less about this one compared to Skull and Bones, there’s
still a lot to get our hopes up about. Set in an unfamiliar, incomplete new world full of hostile environments and menacing creatures, the game is about a band of human survivors who are struggling to coexist with the dangers surrounding them. The trailer reveals the world was created by the gods who wielded the power source known as the Anthem and, while creating landscapes, they brought life to multiple beings to occupy their planet. The gods, however, disappear, leaving their work unfinished and leaving the life they introduced to compete in unstable surroundings. The small congregation of humans, known as Freelancers, manage to hold their own against the formidable foes as they have designed protective suits, known as javelin exosuits, which grant them superhuman abilities. The Freelancers are coping in the unforgiving world but there is a sense of being up against the clock as they search for a more sustainable existence. However, their missions in search of this sustainability will introduce them to a darker and even more monstrous enemy and they’ll learn that the fight for survival has only just begun. Skull and Bones and Anthem are just two of a long list of exciting games to enjoy in 2019 and if half of them can be as awesome as some of the 2018 releases we should be in for another phenomenal year.
ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
Illiterate in the Language Of By Sebastian Fletcher Dear my
,
Ever since I met you I found something that speaks to me
By Sebastian Fletcher
It’s so strange, for the first time ever I can feel my own heartbeat
You find a box. Just a regular box. Sides all flawlessly square. Corners at perfect 90-degree angles. A box that really says, “This is a box.” You open it up. It opens soundlessly. You take a peek inside.
It’s so strong, like a herd of a
Nothing. There’s nothing in the box. An endless well of nothing. You tip the box upside-down. Nothing after nothing comes pouring out. It fills up the room. It fills you.
We’re like a piano that always
Your corners are at perfect angles. Sides flawlessly square. A person that really says, “This is a person.” You open yourself up. You open effortlessly. You take a peek inside. Not that you needed to. You already know what’s there. A box. Full of you. Nothing.
hundred elephants I’m so happy you’re around it’s hard to make any sense. It’s been awhile since I’ve been anything but alone But you and I fit together like a warm winter glove hits the right tone With you everything’s so perfect, I’m so sure that it’s
.
Sincerely,
Burn the Roses By Daisy Welham
Burn the roses,
so their thorns won’t cut you again. Burn the sunflowers, for the sun is gone, and lie in shadow.
The fire will give you warmth. Burn the lavender.
Finally, you can sleep.
CREATIVE WRITING RORY JAMES
29
Lost & Found BY SEBASTIAN FLETCHER
A young kid moped around all day ‘I still can’t see past my nose Asking for his sister Plus, I think I hurt my pinkie toe!’ Ever since that foggy day He had sorely missed her. Neither child could see past the black The lad made up his mind They were playing by the old well Throwing over the rope for a way back By the edges of the field Further and further down he climbed. During hide and seek he heard a yell Saw nothing, not even her beloved toy seal. The journey down felt rather odd It took more than quite a while Town firemen and police chiefs Stone walls moving by even if he stopped Did an awfully thorough search And the flashlight turned off after half a mile. Found nothing in any well or past any leaf Not even in the overgrown church. Exhausted, the boy’s feet touched the ground Reached down to turn on his light Frustrated, the boy set out at night It was nearly dead, but with a buzzing sound While their parents were asleep Revealed a puzzling sight. Bringing rope and a small flashlight In case their sibling was somewhere deep. There was no sibling present here Something’s wrong, the kid could feel Feeling cold and awfully winded In the dirt, something caught their eye After an hour they questioned the hunt A torn-up plush-toy seal. However, this was quickly rescinded After hearing a desperate grunt. Looking up, hairs stood on end, Eyes met a toothy grin By the well a voice did scream and shout Mounted upon the chasm’s walls ‘Brother! It is me! Made of malevolent human skin. Please come down here, I can’t get out And I can hardly see!’ The walls were closing in Oh, the secrets the mouths could tell Timidly, the boy edged up close Now reunited with dear lost kin Shining light far down below All’s well that ends well.
CRIME BECKY BARNFATHER
The Peterson Case
31
BY KELLIE AYRES & RHIAN DAVIS
Michael and Kathleen Peterson seemingly had it all: the perfect family; the perfect house; the perfect marriage. All of this changed in a matter of moments when a 911 call detailing a fall down the stairs, changed the world’s perception of the Peterson’s outwardly perfect life. Married in 1997, family and friends would claim that the couple had a perfect relationship, but when Michael is taken into custody for the murder of Kathleen, dark secrets begin to come to light, tarnishing the couples ideal image. Novelist, columnist, and former soldier Michael Peterson had two sons - Todd and Clayton - from a former marriage. He would later adopt two daughters - Martha and Margaret - after their father, a fellow soldier, passed away. Martha and Margaret’s mother also died and was found dead in Germany. Kathleen, having been previously married, had a daughter: Caitlin. Together they successfully merged their families into a happy unit, moving to 1810 Cedar Street, Durham, North Carolina. On the night of 9th December, 2001, with the children away at college or at friends’ houses, Michael and Kathleen made the most of having the house to themselves. They made dinner, watched a movie, and enjoyed a few glasses of wine. From this point, the story gets murky, as Michael claims that the couple went outside to the pool, where they continued drinking and talking until Kathleen decided to return to the house and continue working. Michael claims to enter the house at around 2:30 am, where he discovered Kathleen’s body at the bottom of the staircase and called 911 at 2:40am. He called again six minutes later to report that Kathleen had now stopped breathing. Crime scene investigators arrived promptly to analyze the situation and formed the conclusion that the crime scene did not fit with a fall down the stairs, thus implicating Michael Peterson murdered his wife. As investigators worked, one thing became increasingly clear: Michael Peterson was an incredibly complex man. The prosecution was able to find damning evidence against Michael. Neuropathologists testified that there was evidence of red neurons in Kathleen's brain, indicating that oxygen had failed to reach brain tissues. The
number of red neurons present indicated that Kathleen had been dead for around two hours before any emergency call was made. The prosecution argued that the volume of blood found at the crime scene and K a t h l e e n ’s injuries were inconsistent with the fall, which the defence rebuked, claiming that as there were no fractures on Kathleen's skull. The defence’s own expert testified that the blood spatters on the wall were consistent with a fall. It is important to note that years after the original Peterson trial, the Prosecution’s blood pattern analysis expert from the SBI, Duane Deaver, was fired in 2011 due to improper practice and arguably false testimony. The prosecution also discovered that Michael was bisexual and had been arranging meetings with male prostitutes. When searching his computer, images of male pornography were found, and the prosecution argued that Kathleen discovered this when using Michael’s computer, and her discovery would have angered Michael enough to kill her. However, Michael argued that Kathleen was aware of his bisexuality and that this was simply not true. Perhaps the most provocative pieces of evidence came from a death that occurred in Germany years before, and involved the mother of Michaels adoptive daughters, Elizabeth Ratliff. She had been found in her home, which was next door to Peterson, at the
bottom of a staircase. Throughout court proceedings, Ratliff’s body was exhumed, and a new autopsy posed that she could have been murdered. The prosecution asked the question: Was Elizabeth the first victim of Michael Peterson? With the discovery of financial issues between the couple and a life insurance policy of $1.4 million on Kathleen, the evidence stacked up against Peterson. Whether Michael killed his wife remains a mystery. Michael Peterson pleaded guilty to manslaughter in February 2017 through the Alford plea, meaning he accepted guilt without admitting that he killed her, despite being found guilty already in October 2003. Michael’s children, Clayton, Todd, Martha and Margaret, all stand by their father. However, his stepdaughter Caitlin, who initially stood by Michael, quickly began to believe that Michael had killed her mother. Interest in the case sparked several documentaries being made about the murder, including Netflix’s The Staircase. It’s important to note that one of The Staircase’s producers was romantically involved with Michael during filming, perhaps showing some bias within the documentary. The case itself remains unsolved, and there is still great debate over Michael Peterson’s guilty plea.
ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
BY KATIE BREWSTER
I moved to uni last month and my boyfriend and I have already broken up. I feel like I missed out on freshers and societies because I was too consumed by my time with him. Any suggestions? You can join a society anytime! Just send one of the societies that interest you an email and find out how you can get involved. If you are interested in sports most clubs do another round of tryouts and taster sessions in January. So don’t panic yourself - the more the merrier is the saying! Plus, meeting new people is the best way to move on.
I think I am falling for my best friend but he isn’t gay. Even though I wouldn’t act on it, I still want to be honest but I don’t want it to ruin our friendship. Be honest and explain how important your friendship is, and that you understand they are straight so you’re not going to act on those feelings. Give them their space to come to terms with it so your friendship can move on. If they are a true friend, you’ll get through it.
My girlfriend is convinced my mum doesn’t like her and I don’t know how to fix this? This is common. Meeting the parents can be nerve racking and leave you worrying. Speak to your mum honestly and see what she says. Try and re-introduce your girlfriend at times where other family members or friends are there to take some of the pressure and attention off your girlfriend.
I’ve tested positive for an STI, but I don’t know how to tell my previous partners. Honesty is the best policy. At the end of the day, one of them will be the one who gave it to you. So, it’s really important that they know so it doesn’t spread. It can be awkward but the stigma will never end if people aren’t honest.
Looking for love? Want to join our blind date scheme or need advice? Contact us at waterfrontrelationships@ swanseastudentmedia.com
RELATIONSHIPS KATIE BREWSTER
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I think it’s always important to have a fun or silly gift in the mix at Christmas, it can add something entertaining and fun to your Xmas celebrations. Appeal to your partner’s nerdy side with a themed gift, get kinky with some handcuffs or a dirty game or laugh with a straight up comedy gift, like the Book of Trumpisms. Here are my top picks for fun gifts for your partner, no matter what the budget. BY KATIE BREWSTER
One thing that is always a good idea is a silly game or maybe an expansion pack for one. Games are a great way to find out more about your partner and have fun together or in your wider social circle. Pop! Vinyls are always a win. Get one of your partner's favourite characters and it will be cherished. Foody gifts are great as they are something you can both enjoy - who doesn’t like Star Wars and cheese? Sounds like the perfect date night in to me. No one is too old for Disney or Lego; there is guaranteed enjoyment out of their products!
Disney Chip Tea Cup £9.99 hawkin.com
Love is Mug Coaster £3.99 amazon.co.uk
Joke Couples Mugs £13.99 amazon.co.uk
Human Beer Pong £10.00 hawkin.com
Red Fur Hand cuffs £5.00 annsummers.com
Disturbed Friends £24.99 menkind.co.uk
Storm Trooper Cheese Board £29.99 menkind.co.uk
The Little Book of Trumpisms £4.99 menkind.co.uk
Harry Potter Quidditch Match £34.99 shop.lego.com
Buddy the Elf Pop! Vinyl £14.99 menkind.co.uk
ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
A different sort of Christmas BY CARLOS TSENG
The Lion in Winter When we think of Christmas, we usually think about presents and family and friends all gathering together. Not often do we associate the festive season with “politics, vengeance, greed and ambition” but The Lion in Winter somehow brings it all together with its cutting cinematography and deliciously wicked screenplay. The excellence achieved by Anthony Harvey simply cannot be ignored in this magnificent period film. We are transported back to 1183 where King Henry II (Peter O’Toole) has invited his estranged wife Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn) to his Chinon château for Christmas. Also present at this reunion are their sons Prince Richard (a very young Anthony Hopkins), who later becomes Richard the Lionheart, Prince Geoffrey (John Castle) and Prince John (Nigel Terry). The friction that exists within this family are quickly exposed as the family all plot against each other with the princes each vying for the throne. Both Eleanor and Henry have their favourites and tensions rise to a new level when Richard also plots with a young Phillip II of France (Timothy Dalton). Eleanor continues to torment her husband in revenge for exiling her but he resists by continuing
his affair with Alais (Jane Merrow), his much younger mistress. As each son’s true intentions become clearer to Henry, his bitterness increases leading to an emotionally charged climax that is bound to leave viewers in shock. It may come as a surprise that the original play opened to lacklustre reviews when it debuted on Broadway, yet the film won a trio of Oscars including one for James Goldman’s razor-sharp screenplay. The script is biting and unforgiving as well as deeply thought-provoking. The complex relationships between the characters are far from loving and you see them grappling between their instinctive affection for one another as well as a lust for power. It's also a delight to see Peter O’Toole reprise the role he played in Beckett as he exploits the savagery of Medieval Britain, whilst also masterfully conveying the king’s anguish and innerconflicts. Much acclaim too must go to Anthony Harvey whose direction brings out the best in the talented cast and presents audiences with a challenging but rewarding story. And then there's Katharine Hepburn, whose tour-de-force performance won her an unprecedented third Best
Actress Oscar. She would of course win one more for On Golden Pond and she still holds the record for most acting Oscars in history with 4 Academy Awards for Best Actress. The unmistakable Hepburn-esque accent is not masked by a faux English/French accent even here, because, like her long-time romantic partner Spencer Tracy, Hepburn doesn’t need to “act”. Once she’s in front of a camera, she burns up the screen with her naturally vivid New-England persona. She brings a degree of suspense and rage in Eleanor but doesn’t compromise the intense wit of her character either. Eleanor of Aquitaine remained one of Hepburn’s favourite roles and whilst she is not particularly likeable, audiences can’t help but feel drawn to the Machiavellian queen. As the film celebrates its 50th anniversary, it would seem that there is a need to revisit this now often overlooked gem. Katharine Hepburn on her own makes the film worth watching but when you add James Goldman’s screenplay and Anthony Harvey’s vision, it’s certainly a surprise to me that The Lion in Winter is not already considered a Christmas classic.
FILM MATT WALKER
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Watchmen was released in 2009
WATCHMEN BY FINN BASKETFIELD
The modern-day film industry is filled with superhero movies. Between Marvel and DC we seem to be getting five to six superhero movies a year, which whilst being enjoyable, are beginning to just stick to a formula and offering nothing new. That’s what makes superhero films like Watchmen so special. Set in an alternate 1985 where superheroes have existed for years, along with other drastic changes, this film presents its viewer with a very bleak world on the brink of nuclear holocaust caused by America and Russia. The story revolves around a group of superheroes, known as the Watchmen, who had disbanded when the government banned superheroes.
When one of the former heroes is brutally murdered, the others reunite to uncover a plot against them, but find an even darker one lurking underneath. Made by Zack Snyder and based on the comic book by Alan Moore, Watchmen is recognized on the Time’s list of 100 best novels published since 1923, this film is a gripping, character driven story that will leave you questioning what is right and wrong. With intense violence that most superhero films will shy away from and scenes that look like they have been lifted from the pages of a comic book, as well as points about corruption in government and war that can easily be applied to today’s society and world. With Jackie Earle Haley putting in the performance of his career as the
unrelenting Rorschach, Billy Crudup as the all-powerful Dr. Manhattan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the polarizing Comedian, bringing the same energy he does to his role as Negan in The Walking Dead, the characters are what really make this story so powerful. Everyone of the main characters has relatable features that make their story arcs so compelling, be it Nite Owl feeling so powerless in the face of the impending apocalypse, Silk Spectre being forced by her mother to be a superhero or Dr. Manhattan being expected to save everyone whilst not knowing if he cares enough about anyone or anything. The film is so layered that you will pick up on something new no matter how many times you watch it, whilst offering something refreshing in an oversaturated genre to first time watchers.
PUZZLES CROSSWORD
ISSUE 283 DECEMBER 2018
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
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Across 2 African country (5) 7 Great deed (11) 13 None (4) 14 Area of Wales (7) 16 Creator (8) 18 Currency (4) 21 Inventor of the world wide web (13) 22 Dirt (5) 23 Secrecy (15) 24 City which contains Taj Mahal (4) 26 Passenger vessel (5) 28 Sea, in the Mediterranean (6) 30 Welsh Saint (5) 31Bubbling noise (6) 32 Spy, plural (4) 34 Alter (4) 36 Detection system (5)
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Down 1 Enclosure made of wire (4) 3 A Country in Europe & Asia (10) 4 Place of Sleeping (3) 5 Sequence (5) 6 Not Yes (2) 8 Hawaiian city (8) 9 Mountain (7) 10 Wages (8) 11 Heat measurement (11) 12 Cleanliness (7) 15 Natural substance from which metal can be extracted (3) 17 Harbour guide boat (3) 19 Yet to be discovered(7) 20 Circular flight (5) 23 North American country (6) 25 Bulletproof material (6)
26 Disappear gradually (4) 27 Path (5) 28 Cold dessert (3-5) 29 Irrationality (8) 30 Arrow (4) 31 Alcoholic drink (3) 33 Captures (5) 35 Copy (9) 38 Steam locomotive, Flying - (8) 41 Planet (5) 43 Tidy (4) 44 Mistake (5) 45 Caribbean nation (5) 47 Book promo (5) 50 Pull behind oneself (4) 51 Strike (3) 53 When someone's coming (3) 55 Tall rounded vase (3)
PUZZLES LAURENCE BROWN
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GCHQ PUZZLE How to complete a Pic Cross Each number tells you that there is group of consecutive black squares somewhere in that row or column. For example, a 5 above a column means that somewhere in that column, there is a group of five black squares with no spaces between them. If there is more than one number for a row or column, it means that there are multiple groups of black squares, separated by at least one white square. You must use logic to figure out which squares should be filled in, and which should stay blank. When you solve the puzzle, the grid will have a picture in it.
Women's Netball 1st, Team of the Week, 24th October
Volleyball, 17th October
October sports news round-up BY JULIA COOK
The first month of term seems to have flown by, but not without some outstanding displays of sport. The first Team of the Week chosen by Sport Swansea was Women's Rugby 1sts, who started off their season the right way by beating Bristol 2612 away. This was a feat made even more remarkable with this being their first season in the BUCS Premiership League, after winning promotion last season. Other notable results that week included Badminton Men’s 1sts beating Cardiff 7-1, and Lacrosse Women’s 1sts beating Aberystwyth 19-6, with the Men facing the same club winning 19-1. The squash Men’s and Women’s teams both beat Cardiff and Bath at home respectively, and both Water Polo 1st teams took the win. The following week the competition for Sport Swansea’s Team of the Week was so strong that not just one could
Women's Rugby 1st
be decided on. After stunning weeks for both teams, Surfing and Volleyball took the joint crown. Surfing enjoyed plenty of BUCS success as Emily Williams won the gold medal in the Women’s Individual, battling tough conditions to take the crown. Nathaniel James then took the bronze in the Men’s Individual to add to Swansea’s medal count. This then helped the men to take the team championship, scoring another gold medal for Swansea and certainly starting off our BUCS year on a high. Volleyball took Club of the Week after incredible performances from all three of their teams, taking home wins across the board. The Women’s 1sts beat Bournemouth 2nds 3-1, whilst the Women’s 2nds pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win against UWE 2nds, after being a newly entered team this year. The Men’s 1sts added to the victories with a 3-2 win against Plymouth 1sts. After a tough start to the season
for the Netball 1sts, their hard work and perseverance finally paid off this week as they beat Southampton 1sts 46-29 in a thrilling match, that at times looked too close to call. But Swansea’s strength and endurance shined through as they took their first win of the year, which surely will be the first of many. Many other teams performed admirably this week, with notable performances coming from the Mixed Golf Team beating Exeter 3.5-2.5, Men’s 1sts Water Polo beating Bath 26-2, and Men’s 1sts Lacrosse keeping a clean sheet to thrash Exeter 10-0. The year has started off superbly for Swansea, with incredible sporting performances being seen across the board and, as we look forward to the rest of the year, it’s certainly shaping up to be a year to remember. Follow Sports Swansea on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with all things sport.
SECTION SPORT JESSICA EDITOR HAYDEN NAME
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Swansea University American football 'Titans' celebrate 10 years Swansea University American Football Club, or ‘The Titans’ as they are known, are celebrating their ten year anniversary of competing. As they reminisce of the success of our predecessors, they look forward to a challenging season. BY LUKE WHEADON & ASHLEY LEWIS
The Titans entered their debut season during the 2009/2010 campaign of the South Western Athletics Championship division, where they recorded just two wins out of their eight games. Since then, the Titans have grown rapidly, last season finishing third in the Premiership South League, making them one of the top ten University teams in the UK. In the last ten years, the Titans have won Varsity, most recently beating Cardiff 42-2, and also won two Division One National Finals. A successful pre-season saw the Titans travel to Filton Academy of Sport on the 14th of October for their pre-season game, achieving a draw of 6-6. The game was a tough challenge, as Filton is a world-class sporting academy with a high calibre of players - with some being drafted
into the NFL. The Titans’ only touchdown came from an incredible 50 yard run, by stand-in Quarterback Elliot Bodman. This season, the Titans are looking to get revenge for last season’s defeats and are hoping that this year’s freshers will help them achieve that. Over the year, the Titans have been blessed with quality players, many of whom are now playing in Europe. Most recently, one of the squad won the Adult National Championships with the London Warriors. In September, the Titans had two very successful taster sessions where they were able to sign plenty of fresh talent. The team are training hard for the upcoming season as they eye up the ultimate prize of becoming National Champions, having made it to the quarter finals for the last two
years. With the team growing from strength to strength, the Titans are hoping that they can go all the way this time. The Titans now look forward to their ten-year anniversary match on the 4th November as they take on the Hertfordshire Hurricanes. This game is undoubtedly one of the biggest games of the season for the Titans, as the Hurricanes beat the Titans twice last season with both games being separated by less than 5 points. With both teams tipped to be challenging for the Premiership South Crown, it’s one not to miss, so head down to Llandarcy Academy of Sport on November 4th at 1pm to watch the Titans in action. If you are interested in joining American Football, message Swansea Titans American Football Team on Facebook.
reb o und S at urday 1 st dec em b er Ti c k e ts f rom swa ns ea s u. fats o m a .c o m