Features
Inspirational stories from South Wales
Comedy in Cardiff! Meet the face hosting “Pigeon Laughs” the international comedy short film festival – Jose Fortuna
On Thursday 1st June and Friday 2nd June, Jose Fortuna will be hosting an international comedy short film festival at the University of South Wales. The festival is known as Pigeon Laughs and has been a project Jose and his brand have been building up to for a long time Jose agreed to do a…
Summer Olympics: How Jade Jones’ family helped her exceed all expectations.
Almost every parent that has ever lived is or was proud of their children, but how does it feel to have one of your children exceed all expectations you have of them? Most parents expect their children to find a good job, settle down, and start a family, but how many can say that their…
Independent Bookstore Day – 29th April
Today is Independent Bookstore Day which will be celebrated by book lovers and independent book shops. Visiting independent bookstores is a different experience compared with visiting a chain bookstore such as Waterstones. There is something relaxing about walking around a smaller bookstore that may not have your typical mainstream books. There will often be a…
Ramadan 2023
As we approach the end of Ramadan here are some reflections to mark this holy month. Starting from the beginning, Piccadilly Circus in London was illuminated for the first time ever with a lights display.The installation, which features 30,000 lights forming 61 moons, was developed in partnership with the heart of London Business Alliance. The display…
PODCAST: Discussing SLAPPs with Prof. Chris Frost of the NUJ and Barrister David Hughes
In conversation with Professor Chris Frost of the NUJ and Mr David Hughes Barrister of 30 Park Place Cardiff Chambers, discussing the chilling effect that SLAPPs is having on journalists, and what comes next. BROUGHT TO YOU BY HOST LYNNE HUGHES-WILLIAMS a Visual Journalism Student at USW
Emily Henry’s exciting new April release
Emily Henry is an American Author who mainly writes women’s fiction and romance books. She has written and published six novels and since then has been named as the New York Times bestselling author for her novels “Beach Read”, “Book Lovers” and “People We Meet on Vacation”. Her books, usually based in America will involve…
A day in a life of a Monumental Mason.
Video and Words by Kelsey Roberts David James, Monumental Mason. David James has been a Monumental Mason for the last 29 years in Maesteg after buying his house next to Maesteg Cemetery where he has been carving and painting headstones for the residents for that time. David has took on the job as a hobby…
Home: In Another Land by Glenn Edwards
Words by Caitlyn Morris Home: In Another Land is an exhibition from Newport based photojournalist Glenn Edwards. The work spans across 6 years of work photographing the African community across Wales. This long term project covers a range of topics from religion, social issues, remembrance and the Black Lives Matter movement of people who have…
Cost of living: Cardiff Bus fares to increase from April
Bus passengers in the Vale will be facing a price hike from next month as bus fares are set to go up again. Cardiff Bus said that increased costs have forced them to increase fares for the first time in four years – there will also be changes to fare zones and their boundaries. The…
A lookback at the film Tiger Bay released on this day in 1959
J. Lee Thompson’s British crime drama known as Tiger Bay was released on this day 63 years ago in 1959. The film stars actors John Mills, his daughter Hayley Mills and Horst Buchholz, and tells a grim tale filled with lies, deceit and murder. Tiger Bay was shot on location in Cardiff, which made it…
Llandaff Cathedral: Popular YouTuber to perform at anniversary recital
Popular YouTuber and and organist Richard McVeigh has over 95,000 subscribers and will be playing this weekend in the historic Llandaff Cathedral which has been in the city since 1120. This is to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the church organ’s installation. The original organ served the church for 60 years but after a…
The Welsh Government’s plan to make Wales the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe
Feature by Georgia Ferda Wales are to follow Scotland’s lead with the implementation of the Welsh Government’s LGBTQ+ Action Plan. Wales’s First Minister Mark Drakeford previously stated he supports Scotland’s gender self-identifying system and would welcome the introduction of a similar system in Wales. The plan, first introduced as an idea in 2021, would require…
Ukraine war: Cardiff donation centre helps people in need
By Ellie Spark ‘Cardiff for Ukraine’ was set up last year on Ukraine’s independence day, August 25th, to aid Ukraine after the war started and was set up by lead volunteer, Helen Mcaide. We visited the hub today on Royal Stuart Lane by the bay and saw the process of an aid run, on its…
Sign Language: thriving or not?
March the 13th marks the beginning of British Sign Language Week. The tradition is a new one, only having begun back in 2003 – it will coincide with events, schemes and celebrity statements all to promote teaching and understanding of sign language and the needs of deaf people in the UK. Even before the week…
International Women’s Day: Gender pay gap increases by over two percent despite years of narrowing
Accounting giant, PricewaterhouseCoopers, published a report yesterday showing how the trend has surprisingly increased by two point four percent after ten years of narrowing. In Cardiff City Centre, women gathered for a networking meeting to discuss business and issues surrounding gender inequality. Kerrie Aldridge who is a mother and charity worker said: “The more we…
WOMEN OF SOUTH-EAST WALES CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Text and Images by Lynne Hughes-Williams A day to reflect and celebrate what women have achieved over the last few decades, showing resilience in the face of adversity. We are where we are today, because we have had to fight hard for our rights. Our right to be treated equal in all aspects of our…
Turkey and Syria earthquakes: Cardiff church fundraising concert helps those affected
The event raised nearly £800 for the earthquake appeal and was held at St Andrew’s church hall in Roath, Cardiff, on Saturday, March the fourth with a variety of performances. Cardiff Theatre Café held the fundraiser concert to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee Cymru and the money will go direct to the frontline…
Comic Con comes to Maesteg!
Words and Images by Kelsey Roberts Comic Con made its way to the South Wales Valleys. Farplace Maesteg, a charity shop situated on Commercial Street, Maesteg, hosted a Comic Con for the residents of the town on Saturday 25th February 2023. The day consisted of a tombola where customers could try their luck and win…
Baba Marta: Traditions without borders
Words and images by Melisa Numan Grandma Marta Day is a holiday celebrated in Bulgaria, on March 1. It is beloved by people living in the country, and those who carry the tradition abroad. Martenitsas, usually in the form of a wrist band, small yarn dolls, or tassels, are created combining red and white coloured…
Woman, 80, from Cardiff knits 80 daffodils for St David’s Day to raise money for Marie Curie
Sheila Small from Whitchurch has knitted the daffodils in a month and has raised over £80 so far for their Great Daffodil Appeal. The challenge was set for her 80th birthday and is in memory of her friend Carol who passed away but was given end of life care from Marie Curie so she wants…
Eco-conscious Cardiff
By Eleanor Fox “Looking at the world through a sustainability lens not only helps us ‘future proof’ our supply chain, it also fuels innovation and drives brand growth.” Paul Polman, former CEO of the Britishconsumer goods company Unilever. Sustainable & Zero waste stores With the rise of the eco-friendly industry, more stores have opened up…
The story behind the picture
Words and images by Eleanor Fox Jian Chen’s Fine Art was established a decade ago, first opening pop-up shops around Cardiff before getting her first store in the Duke Street Arcade. Jian has had to move locations since COVID-19, but is now happily settled in her new store in the Morgan Arcade. Jian Chen’s artistic…
Rocks raise community spirits
Words and Images by Kelsey Roberts Esther Waters, Maesteg resident, paints rocks and pebbles and places them around the town cheering up the residents of Maesteg and has now been found around the world in places like Dubai and America. Esther started painting rocks on her holiday in Devon in July 2020 when the COVID…
Independence: Women of the Road
Words and Images by Caitlyn Morris Have you found a way to escape from your stresses and struggles of everyday life? These women have used their love of motorcycling to find enjoyment and freedom in their lives. All the women included have been interviewed members of the South Wales Female biker group across two popular…
Want a life size dinosaur? Here’s the place to get it!
Words and Images by Caitlyn Morris Steve and Lucy Powell inherited Life size models nearly 25 years ago from Lucy’s family. Life size models is an online business that creates realistic statue and resin figure store based in Cwm, South Wales. The because first started in their shed which called Alba Shed, formed by the…
The important of arts in the Welsh Valleys
Words and images by Kelsey Roberts Shaun Keddy, Club Leader of Maesteg Ukulele Club (above) enjoys a pint of lager while teaching the group their set list in time for their Concert in January. We live in a society where the arts are all around us and the Llynfi Valley is no different. Situated in…
BA Illustration art fair hits the Atrium campus
Valentine’s Day has come to USW as hearts and flowers flood the University of South Wales’ Cardiff campus as illustration students across the university have worked together to create a seasonal art fair for the occasion. Students will be selling a variety of Valentine’s Day cards and gifts both handmade and digitally as well as…
Welsh pub goers thoughts on the Six Nations
Fans flood local pubs in Caerau, Maesteg in preparation for Wales to host Ireland in this years Six Nations competition.
Bushman Survival: handcrafted hobby turned successful business
Words and Images by Caitlyn Morris Paul Roberts is the owner of Bushman Survival based in Pontypool, South Wales. Originally based in England, Paul was in the army before he decided to move to Wales to start a new life in his 16th century farm house with his family. Bushman Survival is a viking themed…
Through Our Eyes: Natasha Hirst presents her latest exhibition in the Senedd
The member-led photography project sets to challenge the perception of people with learning disabilities by highlighting their roles and activities in the Community
In Conversation with Rhiannon Farr:
An investigation into digital media and the future of the Journalism industry By Katherine Witts The journalism industry of today is an ever-changing field, from the rise in multi-media journalists to TikTok being a key source of news for young audiences (Eddy, 2022). With the digital age requiring journalists, and creatives more broadly, to become…
The Political Youth of Wales
Meet the Countries Future Leaders
Rise of women’s football in South Wales
The impact of the Women’s Euros 2022 in South Wales
Drag artists help save historic Cardiff church
Drag performers have been attracting large crowds to a historic church to pay for expensive repairs to save the building. The events have taken place over the past five years and have raised more than £20,000 to help repair broken parts of the church, which has been open since 1897. This edition was called 5…
‘This is our space to be creative’ – USW’s student radio station ‘Tequila Radio’ has launched
By Jorja Kyei Tequila Radio is preparing to launch live shows towards the end of January, focusing on podcasts and social media content until then. Former Nigerian radio host Dooake Sonrandein co-founded the radio station with other students. Ake believes that aren’t enough opportunities to encourage students to be themselves and express what…
Barry Island businesses hit by cost of living crisis amid government struggles with the economy
By Gareth Rees “I have seen a massive decline in customers due to the rising cost of living and I am struggling to pay the bills.” These are the words of local business owner Mark Vockins who runs Quasar in Barry Island. He is just one example of how the rising cost of living is…
‘I think this is the right time to bring this up…’ Exclusive interview with your USW Student Union President
By Jorja Kyei As a student at USW, you have the opportunity to have your voice represented by the Student Union. The union is a collaboration of executive officers, council members, student representatives and the students. The SU focus on many different aspects of student life such as clubs and societies, charitable events, student welfare, sports…
Too Good To Go: a cheap takeaway treat
Feature by Megan Dibben The company Too Good To Go has recently become increasingly popular on many social media platforms, marketing itself as an ethical way to enjoy your favourite foods at a cheaper price. By offering ‘Magic Bags,’ which can be reserved the night before, the restaurant of choice will put together a bag…
RATS ARE PE$TS
When I tell people I have rats I almost always have to clarify that I mean the pet kind, not the pest kind. And a look of disgust is still usually followed, “you mean you choose to keep rats?!” Yes. And they make wonderful pets. So let me tell you what I excitedly tell everyone…
Meet Wales’ first Rastafarian beekeeper!
Phillip Henry is the co-founder of The Honeycomb Cooperative (THC), an organisation of Pan-African Welsh Apiarists. Phillip was helping a friend through the grief of losing his farm when he came to the realisation that his community had lost their connection to nature. “I grew up in Bristol in the eighties; it was a hostile…
Over 120 years of Roath Park: Changed but still the same
Roath Park has been enjoyed by generation after generation. Although its undergone many changes over the years, much of its iconic features remain the same today. Not only is it the same recognisable park as it was over 100 years ago, it also has taken the same space in Cardiffians hearts. The park was officially…
For the Love of Plants! A Succulent Story
How one businesswoman has grown her business from the roots, up! By Danni Graham Tucked away in a corner of the Boneyard, Canton, lies a little plant nursery that at first glance, is easy to miss, but so rewarding to find. Set in a small shipping container, filled to the brim with hundreds of different…
Don’t Fear The Reaper! Join Him For A Bite!
Reaper Cardiff have set their roots in Canton as Wales’ first hot sauce bar opens it’s doors. By Danni Graham What began as a couple of young men with a love for spice and all things vegan friendly, quickly grew into what is now today known as Reaper Cardiff. Having gone from a small, pop-up…
After The Chocolate, The Bunny Is Next To Go
4 out of 5 rabbits bought for Easter end up being dumped at shelters, abandoned in the wild or suffer an untimely death due to poor treatment and a lack of proper care. By Danni Graham Fighting the narrative of the “Easter Bunny” is an ongoing struggle for many pet shops, charities and rescues. Including…
Poop like a champion 
If pooping and farting are natural body functions, then why be embarrassed about it:)
Always late but worth the wait: “ADHD is my superpower”
This year The Independent reported that hundreds of thousands more women tested themselves for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a condition that is estimated to affect 1 in 20 adults, however four times as many boys are diagnosed in comparison to girls. Why? ADHD presents itself differently in women, and it does not…
Murder in the Name of “HONOUR”
By Farheen Farooq A woman can be targeted for murder for a variety of reasons, including refusing to enter into an arranged marriage or seeking a divorce or separation, possibly from an abusive husband. The mere suspicion that a woman has acted in a manner that could damage her family’s name may trigger an attack;…
GHAG; An Anti-Feminist Pashtun Tradition
Break the Bias by awareness rising on evil tradition of Ghag on this International Women’s Day By Yusra Waheed The Patriarchal and ancient custom of “Ghag” is still haunting the Pakhtun women in parts of KP-Pakistan and the tribal belt of Pakistan. “Ghag” which means “to declare or announce” is a proclamation of ownership of…
From Patriarchal Society to Strong Women Leaders-is not an easy Journey
Celebrating International Women’s Day with Pakistani Female Leaders from Lawyers to Trekkers, Models to CEOs, Bloggers to Entrepreneurs, who are constantly working to be empower other women and themselves through their strenuous efforts by challenging the patriarchy By Asia Jamil A few years ago, a survey by the London-based Thomson Reuters Foundation had ranked Pakistan…
Donut mind if I do!
Donut shop with a difference.
Introducing Marca Design
Public art at Metros.
The 8-year-old Journalist you’ve probably not heard about..yet?
Words, images by Shaheen Shah and Video by Saqib Shah An 8-year-old social worker and Pakistan’s youngest journalist, Muhammad Hasnain is well known in Pakistan and across the borders owing to his voice and style for interacting with his audience. Muhammad is a motivational speaker with a life’s mission to educate the street children who…
The Trailblazer in Politics from the Conflict-Affected Tribal Area
Words and images by khalida Niaz & Translated by Asia Jamil Since the inception of Pakistan, women from the Tribal Districts of Pakistan are deprived from the basic right of education. Women have faced hardships for decades in Tribal Districts, yet the 21st century has brought changes in the lives of women from those districts. Women…
Volunteering for Wildlife
Learn what its like to be a wildlife volunteer.
Bee Bricks
“If you’re looking to make more space for nature then the Bee Brick solitary bee house is for you. Great for garden lovers, design lovers and nature lovers, the Bee Brick is an innovative nesting site for solitary bees, created to look lovely just stood in your garden, with the innovation that the brick can also be…
Cardiff’s greatest tourist attraction reopens its gates
Cardiff Castle has finally reopened for the public to enjoy. Visitors were unable to visit since Christmas due to ‘essential maintenance’ taking place on the castle.
Bunny walks to jump all over
Bunny walk the Rhondda Cynon Taff
Foundation helping with the migrant crisis on the Polish-Belarus border
Since migrant crisis on the Polish-Belarus border started to escalate, foundations in Poland are working to help refugees – Humanitarian Point is one of them.
Cardiff Businesses and Covid
Meeting some of Cardiff ‘s small businesses to talk to them about how they are surviving the Covid crisis.
Bird Spotting
Words and pictures by Megan Ellis Bird watching was something I never really thought I would be interested in. Hours sitting in one place watching and waiting for something to fly by (and often without much luck) didn’t seem very appealing. However, after many days visiting the hides and surrounding myself in nature, I began…
Spacemen: Not just a band
Words and pictures by Meg Ellis Jordan Timms, Liam Dean and Max Smith are a trio of songwriters and producers known as Spacemen. Together they work out of Numen Studios in Addlestone, Surrey, which was set up in 2017 and have produced, written, mixed and worked with many up and coming artists as well as…
Making a Nest Box
Video, pictures and words by Olivia Davies Morgan Griffiths is a student at Bridgend college studying Wildlife and Countryside Management. He is eager to help our wildlife, one way he likes to do this is by creating nesting boxes for birds. Nesting boxes are vital as they provide a safe place for birds to build…
Student Eats
Student healthy eating feature
Barry Island Pleasure Park
by Georgia Hill Short documentary about Barry Island Pleasure Park. Barry Island Pleasure Park, has brought people from across the world to Barry Island, South Wales. What once was a rundown seaside town, is now a thriving tourist attraction, bringing up to half a million visitors a year to the area. Photojournalist Georgia Hill went and…
Post-Brexit reality in Wales through European Citizens eyes
Words and images by Karolina Król UK left the table is a project focusing on migrants from the European Union living in Post-Brexit reality around Wales. It’s been almost a year since the United Kingdom left the EU and a lot of things changed since. Sharing experiences of migration can have a positive impact on…
FEATURE: Exploring Cardiff’s new cycle superhighways
The Covid-19 pandemic has seen an increase in cyclists across Cardiff. In an effort to maintain the amount of new riders on the capital’s roads, the council has invested in new Cycle Superhighways. The new routes will allow for continuous cycle paths throughout the city, allowing an environmentally friendly connection between Cardiff’s communities and its’…
Author thrilled as Cardiff’s libraries reopen to browsers for the first time in over a year
Members of Cardiff libraries can book a slot to browse bookshelves for the first time since their closures at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. The reopening of Cardiff Council’s recovery of community services since their closures over a year ago.
Manifestation for life goals
“I don’t really like to talk too much about some manifestations that are working because it’s kind of a rule to manifestation not to talk about it whilst you are manifesting something. Generally, when I write thanks to the universe for the wealth I have, money always seems to appear… for example, someone would buy…
Help for Cardiff wildlife
Words and images by Meg Ellis Severn Wildlife Rescue are a team of volunteers who dedicate their time to preserving our wildlife. They have branches in Bristol, Avon and Cardiff and work to rescue and rehabilitate injured and sick wildlife. SVR in Cardiff doesn’t currently have a main hospital building for their patients, so are…
Office Space: the realities of working remotely during a pandemic
Words by Emily Price. Images by Kira Butters using the virtual photography app https://theshutter.app From vaccinations in an eerie pub to admin in the bath, people are working from the most extraordinary places. It’s been almost a year since working environments were reshaped to obey Covid-19 restrictions and working from home has become part of the new normal. Andrew Pearsall is…
Myfanwy the Unicorn: Spreading love in a time of need
Words and images by Caitlin Bolt Spotting this pink unicorn is becoming a right of passage around Cardiff. The inflatable creature named Myfanwy has a Facebook page bringing the city of Cardiff together in tough times to announce sightings and share photos. The unicorn is often spotted in random locations all over Cardiff. Myfanwy’s purpose…
Behind Closed Doors: Why the pandemic hasn’t changed life much for those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a long-term illness that is often triggered by infections, problems with the immune system or mental health problems such as stress and trauma. It tends to be more common in women, with 70% of sufferers in Wales being female. But it is a misunderstood condition, and not easily diagnosable.…
Allotment demand in Wales increased since the first lockdown
The demand for allotments in Wales have increased since the first lockdown. Allotments have been around for hundreds of years, yet it’s the system created in the nineteenth century that we recognise today. Land was handed over to the labouring poor for the provision of food growing. In August 2020, the Social Farms and Gardens…
‘Get Out and Do Stuff’ says cancer patient
By Olivia Grist ‘You have cancer’ is a phrase no one wants to hear, but for David Martin, his diagnosis has pushed him to make the most of his life and now he is encouraging others to do the same. The 40-year-old, who lives just outside Birmingham, was first diagnosed with stage 4 bowel and…
Birdwatching in lockdown takes flight
By Emily Price A survey from the RSPB has found that birdwatching has soared in popularity during the COVID 19 pandemic. More than two thirds of people polled said they have used birdwatching and simply listening to birdsong as a way to calm lockdown anxiety. It seems that this family friendly actively has offered people the chance to reignite a love of nature and appreciate outdoor spaces…
The Mystery of Billy Wynt
The Billy Wynt is a small isolated stone tower that sits on the hilltop of Y Graig, near the old historic town of Llantrisant, South Wales. Although a well known part of the landscape, the origins and reason for the circular structure are unknown. Dean Powell, local historian and manager at Guild Hall in Llantrisant…
Arhantika Rebello: ‘The Covid pandemic gave me time to focus on myself and my studies’
By Emily Price. A university graduate is celebrating the success of an online magazine which she created for her final project during the Covid-19 crisis. Arhantika Rebello, 21, graduated from the University of South Wales last year in the grip of the pandemic. Her online magazine, Quake, was originally intended to be her final project but its bold and colourful website has since gone from strength to strength. Arhantika said: “Throughout my time…
Dating online for Valentines
Levels of loneliness are at a record high in the UK. The Office for National Statistics state that over half of all singles are lonely because the pandemic has made it almost impossible to meet new people, either organically or at social events. However, virtual dating is rising in popularity as its a safe way…
Karla Brading: Writing gives me life – but losing my friend has made me want to teach
By Emily Price. For Angela Stanton, who once placed Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone in my hands. On a rainy day in the Welsh valleys, Karla Brading sits in a house brimming with novels. From when she was just a small child, she began folding piles of blank paper into the shape of a book…
Increase in plant buying during lockdown
With national lockdown restricting our use of the outdoors, and an increasing amount of free time, more people have begun to turn to gardening and houseplants amidst the ongoing pandemic. Figures show that there has been a vast increase in the number of people buying plants and bulbs during lockdown. Patch Plants, an online plant…
The Forgotten Heroes of the NHS
These are the staff who kept the National Health Service running during Covid-19, they work in the background booking appointments, arranging surgeries and talking to patients, but when Covid-19 struck they were all but forgotten in the Media. These are their stories of struggling through Covid-19 and the changes put in to place. By Natalie…
Imbolc (Brigid’s Day) 2021
Imbolc, also called Brigid’s Day, is a Gaelic traditional festival, traditionally held on 1 February, marking the beginning of spring. Since the late twentieth century, Celtic neopagansand Wiccans observe Imbolc as a celebration of purity and rebirth. It is a celebration of the Sun King waking up and the light beginning to return after the winter months. Imbolc is a…
Virtual 268 Mile Race Challenge
Lynne Callaghan, 46, from Plymouth, taking part in a month long Montane Virtual Spine Race, which is 268 miles long. She has 78.5 miles to go, with just under a week left of the challenge. This race would traditionally be completed over a series of days, along the Pennine Way from Edale in Derbyshire to…
The volunteer economy
Since Covid-19 hit the UK in March 2020, there has been an increase in the need for community cohesion and coming together to help those most in need within the community. It’s recorded that a total of 16,000 people has registered to formally volunteer with Volunteering Wales since March this year. This project takes a look at those, often overlooked, volunteers in our community,…
The decline of British starlings
Llantrisant, Wales. 21 January 2021. A starling sings whilst perched on a telegraph pole. Starling numbers have declined markedly across much of northern Europe and the UK. The decline in the UK started during the early 1980s and has continued ever since. Recent data from the Breeding Bird Survey suggest continuing population declines affecting starlings…
What does Asian look like
Words and images by Aarthy Balaganesh According to Collin’s dictionary, the definition of the term ‘Asian’ means belonging or relating to Asia. British people use this term to refer to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh; whereas American people refer to Chinese, Japanese or Korean. There has been a long debate on the term ‘Asian’ in the medical…
Football Behind Closed Doors
Up to the present date Covid 19 has taken over a million lives and changed our daily routine drastically. Life as we know it has gone with social distancing, hand sanitizer, empty pubs and restaurants becoming the new norm. It has been a long journey for football to return with the last game played on…
Covid class of 2020
One of the many casualties of the 2020 Coronavirus outbreak are the thousands of final year students across the country who found themselves in lockdown during their final weeks of their degree. Online teaching replaced face to face lectures and graduation ceremonies are indefinitely postponed. In this article I speak to recent 2020 graduates about…
Epilepsy and me: Trapped inside a dream
This has happened before. Or do I think it did and it didn’t? No, this definitely happened before. Not just déjà vu, it happened. I’m reliving something. I can’t breathe. I’ve skipped through time. I know what’s going to happen before it does. I’m going to throw up. There’s music, and a weird noise. Why am I such a freak? For as long as I can remember, I…
Snap! Photojournalism graduate bags dream job during pandemic
By Emily Price University of South Wales graduate, Matthew Lofthouse, made the move to Newcastle after being offered his dream job as a photojournalist for North News. But COVID-19 has changed his view of what he thought being a professional photographer would be. To view Matthew’s work please go to: https://mlofthousepj.myportfolio.com/ Image by Arhantika Rebello.
Photojournalism students chart lockdown life in new book
Photojournalism students at USW have produced a photobook charting their lockdown. Their iamges show the impact of the crisis on family life, journeys and everyday living. Senior lecturer Becky Matthews said “As their lecturer, I am extremely proud of our students. When the country went into lockdown the majority of our students were mid way…
FaceTime
The rapid spread of COVID-19 caused countries across the globe to get into lockdown in a bid to contain the virus. So I became stranded and was unable to return home. I am from Norway and they shut their borders in mid-March, way before the UK restrictions came into place. I couldn’t fly back to…
How Coronavirus has torn my heart in two
By Morgan Morton As the pandemic progresses and the number of deaths and overall devastation continues to increase day by day, it feels like my anxiety is progressing along with it. The United States of America alone has over 200,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 5,113 related deaths. The global cases are just shy of…
HRH Princess Anne visits Riding for the Disabled, Pencoed.
Monday 2nd of March 2020. Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) celebrated their 50th anniversary at Bridgend college, Pencoed campus, with a guest appearance from HRH Princess Anne. It was the first time that the princess had visited the South Wales RDA. Three hundred representatives from South Wales RDA groups gathered to welcome her at…
Refugee Rhythms
Cardiff, UK, 22nd February 2020. Inkspot was the venue on Saturday for Refugee Rhythms, an event held by the network Student Action For Refugees (STAR). The STAR network runs in over 50 universities across the the UK and aims to try and improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers through fundraising and awareness. The…
Cardiff creatives making waves
According to research by the British Council, Cardiff’s creative sector is increasing. The city’s fast growing emergent media and TV industry is thanks in part to the BBC and the 42,000 students who are based in the the welsh capital. Cardiff is a hub of creativity with a growing appetite for the arts and entrepreneurship.…
Anti Valentine Burlesque
The University of South Wales’ very own burlesque group the South Wales Sirens performed a sold out ‘Anti-Valentines’ show at Tiny Rebel, Cardiff this weekend. The groups performances focus on the art of tease, empowerment and inclusively. Committed to spreading self-love, empowerment and body-positivity through the art of burlesque dancing and performing. Anyone is welcome…
Remembering Bethan Amy James
The Journalism class of 2020 to Bethan James and her family. This is a piece of writing that we never even thought we would have had to do. Writing this, we are all still in shock that one of our own, Bethan Amy James, passed away over the weekend. This goes out to Steve, Jane,…
The Last Hoca
2nd year Melisa Numan travels home to Golyamo Vranovo, Rousse, Bulgaria to visit Asiye Novmanova and Nedzmie Hocain, the last two Hoca in the village. Hoca, or hoxha is the Turkish term for a Muslim teacher and used as an honorary title or surname for religious reader. The Hoca are present to perform necessary ceremonies…