Childhood Memories In A Café With the weather closing in, and winter forcing itself in through the front door I find myself feeling too cold, too often. So upon entering the Coffee Barker café in the Castle arcade you might be able to understand how happy I was to be greeted with a warm pot of tea, comfy sofas and an cwtchy atmosphere. With the … Continue reading Coffee Barker Cafe: reviewed
I can’t lie, there have been plenty of times I’ve found myself scrolling through Instagram, envious of all the travel photos I see. I find myself wishing that I could be sponsored by some big shot company and sent abroad to experience new cultures and new places to share with my very small following. That’s the beauty of digital marketing; it sparks emotion in an … Continue reading Sunscreen, Selfies, and Sponsorships
Breakthrough ‘brat punk’ sensation Delilah Bon is someone you should keep your eye on – especially if you’re a metal head! Infusing bratty riot grrrl punk with lyrical hip-hop and hard-hitting nu-metal, Delilah Bon’s distinct musical style generates fierce anthems that will give you the freedom to be angry and loud. Her music explores important political and societal issues, honing in particularly on women’s rights … Continue reading Delilah Bon: The Freedom to be Angry and Loud
October was not just the end of freshers and Halloween for me; it was also my birthday month! This year it was a special one, I turned 21! Do I feel 21? – absolutely not, in my head I’m still a 16-year-old teenager. However, being considered a fully-fledged adult everywhere in the world now, I thought I would pass down all of my wisdom. Both … Continue reading 21 Things I Have Learnt In My 21 Years of Life
Classical literature serves as a bridge between past and present, offering timeless wisdom, trends and narratives. But what makes these classics relevant to the contemporary era, and what defines a book as classic? For me, the beauty of classics lies in their invocation of originality and inspiration. While narratives and traits are often inspired by pre-existing works in contemporary literature, classics serve as fundamental blueprints. … Continue reading Remembering Tradition Through Classical Literature
Food is a central aspect of every culture, yet it remains one of the most underrepresented areas in the culinary world today. Here are a few recipes that celebrate diverse cuisines and will awaken your palate. My Mother’s Lazy Nasi Lemak I was born in Malaysia and came here to the UK when I was 6 years old. Growing up, I had always wondered what … Continue reading Culinary Heritage: Recipes That Have Been Passed Down Through Your Culture.
In recent years, an overconsumption of media, mainly among younger generations has led to a rise in parasocial relationships. In these unrequited and one-sided relationships, members of the public obsess over influencers and celebrities, who are clueless about their followers’ existence. These relationships have sometimes proved helpful in providing a sense of community. ‘Swifties’, for example, are a massive fandom united around their shared love … Continue reading Parasocial Relationships: Helpful or Harmful?
In the face of growing censorship and threats to literary freedom worldwide, Cardiff University Book Club is leading the charge. By hosting engaging discussions and raising funds for PEN International, the club is committed to championing the right to read, write and share ideas. Krisha (President), Christine (Social Secretary), and Khalid (Reading Group Coordinator) discuss their insights and aspirations. What does the term ‘literary freedom’ … Continue reading Advocating for Literary Freedom: An Interview with Cardiff University Book Club
In the cutthroat world of property journalism, Cardiff Alumni Sasha Nugara is already making her mark. After graduating in 2021 with a BA in English Literature, Nugara joined The Times as an apprentice in 2021, immediately showcasing her talent for storytelling. Thanks to her evocative first person travel piece on Sri Lanka, Nugara earned a finalist nomination for the TravMedia Awards’ Rising Star of the … Continue reading Sasha Nugara: The Cardiff Grads Journey to The Times and Beyond
Plating the Perfect Sunday Roast What makes the perfect Sunday roast? For me, it’s all about balancing flavours, textures, and colours on the plate. Let’s start with some sweet, tender carrots and parsnips. A staple of British winters, root vegetables add a natural sweetness, which pairs beautifully with the more savoury elements of a roast. I love roasting carrots and parsnips. Roasting deepens their flavour, … Continue reading The Sunday Roast: Dos and Don’ts
Ahead of the release of their second studio album Faux Animoux, I caught up with Sarah and Sam Gotley of alternative, electronic rock duo Blue Violet to talk inspiration, the human race, and their upcoming UK tour. Let’s start with the new album’s writing process. Was it always such a conceptual piece of work, or something more pieced together? We really like to write a collection of … Continue reading In Conversation with Blue Violet
The lights dim and the familiar opening twangs of ‘Love Story’ echo out across Cardiff’s Temple ofPeace. It is through this unexpected fusion of the Swiftian and Shakespearean that Act One DramaSociety’s production of Twelfth Night transports us into the mystical realm of Illyria. Directed byAmelia Quarm and produced by Luke Knights, the production premiered in February for a three dayrun; starring students across years, … Continue reading Act One’s Twelfth Night: An Elaborately Tangled Web of Displaced Desire
My secret Cardiff spot As much as I love a pint and a gossip at the Woody, or orange VKs at YOLO, it isn’t what Cardiff means to me. In years to come, I will remember a spot nested in the centre of Bute Park that is surrounded by greenery and wildlife. A place that shares its name with a Frances Hodgson Burnett book – … Continue reading Tasting Cardiff: A Culinary Journey Through the City
A night of naughtiness, raucous laughter and pure queer joy, Student-run drag show Sly landed with a bang on the 25th of April in the Student’s Union. The university’s first-ever drag show and held in support of Mind Mental Health Charity, Sly’s triumph represented a landmark feat for Cardiff’s queer communities. Creative polymath Josh Salisbury created, hosted and performed as a part of Sly. Since … Continue reading Student Drag Show Review: Sly’s Self-Conscious Slay Was An Elitely Executed Lesson in Camp
Distinguished magician and producer, Oliver Tabor is celebrated for his captivating performances and innovative contributions to the world of magic. His flagship production, West End Magic, is London’s longest-running magic show. This theatrical spectacle combines mesmerising illusions, comedy and a diverse lineup of talented performers. From being president of the IBM British Ring or FISM Champion, in this interview, he shares insights into his journey … Continue reading Behind the magic: an Interview with Oliver Tabor
The doorstep toast While searching for a Cardiff cafe, I was stopped by the phrase “doorstep toast” and knew I needed to visit whatever establishment served this. So off I headed to The Bike Lock, with its miss matched tables and chairs and mellow lighting. All which emulate cosy, Gilmore girl vibes, and the pleasantness of everyone makes it one of the friendliest cafes around. With a system for storing bikes … Continue reading Cardiff’s Bike Lock: a review
The 2023 ‘clean girl’ has been pierced. Make-up influencers are putting down their sad beige palettes, and painting themselves in layers of colour and gel face masks. From aloe-vera, honey, vaseline, to even egg-whites, make-up lovers have been experimenting in an attempt to achieve Pat McGrath’s iconic shiny finish. This collection marks a dramatic semantic shift for what we once thought of as ‘glass skin’, … Continue reading Galliano and McGrath: Weird Girl Couture
Ahead of the release of their fourth studio album Smitten, I had the opportunity to speak to Pale Waves guitarist Hugo Silvani. We spoke about the inspirations of the new album, the writing process, and discussed Silvani’s passion for the sonic side of the musical world. We then delved into details of the upcoming 2024 Smitten tour. Talk me through your writing process as a … Continue reading Pale Waves: In Conversation with Hugo Silvani
A New Discovery As a third year student, I’m a little ashamed to say that I have never actually been to Bricks cafe, nor any of their other establishments… and I can’t believe I waited so long to do so! Bricks has a lovely open atmosphere, with lots of light and welcoming faces, it makes a perfect spot for a quick yap, or an afternoon … Continue reading Brodies Coffee Review
Words by: Bhamini Khandige & Charlotte Hardie-Watts Following our opportunity to get press tickets to the theatre show That’ll Be The Day, as the editors of the Quench Culture section, we have each provided a run-down of our experiences of the show. As well, we were fortunate enough to have been able to interview the show-runner and performer, Trevor Payne. Happy reading! Bhamini’s Opinion I … Continue reading That’ll Be The Day: The Review
