Today on the show.....

Live at 12-1 on http://www.xpressradio.co.uk/ the cardifference show is pleased to announce that on today’s show we will be:


Talking Fairtrade with a member of People and Planet

Exploring your ideas for our Student Bucket List

Asking what all this census fuss is all about

Playing some brilliant tunes especially related to the www.xpressradio.co.uk show last night with the amazing Alex Sedgmond and King Louis Collective

Asking is cake rage a new social disease plus

Other chitter chatter, and help and advice to help you through your student life inside and outside of the student bubble.

What would you do before leaving Cardiff? Get involved with our new feature – The Student Bucket List. We are making a list of all the things you should do before you leave Cardiff – we want your ideas and suggestions e-mail us at cardifference@gmail.com or text Studio and your message to 82010 – thank you for listening

Tweet tweet we are on twitter @cardiffdigs

I Will For Wales

Your cardifference show presenter (Kieran McCann) has signed up to Keep Wales Tidy’s ‘I Will For Wales’ campaign because he believes everyone should do their bit to look after their local environment.

On last weeks show we had Sarah Philpott, Communications and Campaigns Officer for Keep Wales Tidy (KWT) on the show talking about KWT and the I Will for Wales pledges.

The mission of KWT is to encourage local action to protect and enhance the environment of Wales. They will engage in activities that encourage individuals, groups and organizations to act in a way that achieves a Clean, Safe and Tidy Wales.

The ‘I Will For Wales’ campaign asks people to make a 2011 resolution online at http://www.keepwalestidy.org/
You can pick one out of ten simple pledges relating to rubbish or create your own.



The pledges are everything from simple changes to your everyday life to active involvement. There is something for everyone to sign up for including using a bag for life, disposing of cigarette butts and chewing gum responsibly, being a responsible pet owner by clearing up your dogs mess, to becoming a litter champion or joining a KWT volunteer group.



cardifference presenter Kieran McCann signing up
for the I Will for Wales campaign



I would encourage everyone to sign up. We have signed up because we strongly support Keep Wales Tidy’s belief that small changes in our daily lives can make a huge difference to our communities. Keep Wales Tidy is asking people to make small changes to their lifestyles that will make huge differences to their local communities.

On the show one of the suggestions that came out was that students could make a pledge to sign up for Tidy Text. Tidy Text is a free texting service just launched in Cardiff. This easy to use service sends text messages to remind you when your recycling bags and waste are being collected.



Students are being encouraged to make full use of this service to help them understand their waste and recycling responsibilities. Sign up is free when you subscribe online at http://www.keepcardifftidy.com/ 

Alternatively, you can register by texting ‘Tidy' with your house number and postcode to 60066.

Go Global

On last weeks show Cos Montagu, our Societies, Events and Activities Officer very kindly came in to talk about the week of events at Go Global and promote the Global Village.

Each year Cardiff Students’ Union brings together students from different backgrounds and cultural heritages for a week-long celebration of culture and diversity.

Go Global, the Union’s annual festival of culture and diversity, this year ran from 19-27 February 2011. In conjunction with the Cardiff Guild of Societies and the international student community, the Union hosted more than 35 events, including music from around the world, art workshops, taster sessions and debates on international issues.

Cos made sure to remind our listeners of the benefits of joining and partaking in society events to add to your student experience. The Guild of Societies is the umbrella group for all affiliated societies at Cardiff Students' Union. Led by Cos the Societies, Events and Activities officer, the Guild of Societies exists to help co-ordinate, support and represent societies in the Students' Union.

There is always time to join up to a society or find out which societies are running by visiting Cos

Location: 3rd Floor, Students' Union building

Website: http://groups.cardiffstudents.com/societies

One of the highlights of the week was the Global Village which took place on Sunday 27 February. As well as introducing visitors to food from more than 20 countries, this event was the showcase for some of the University’s talented students, with performances including Bollywood, Chinese dancing and singing, a masquerade, break dancing, an international fashion show and many others.

Cosimo Montagu, the Union’s Societies, Events and Activities Officer, said: "Thousands of students get involved with Go Global each year. It is an excellent way to present the identity and strength of culture of our student body to the University and to the wider community in Cardiff."

Cardiff has a long-established tradition of welcoming students from overseas. There are currently more than 3000 international students studying at the University, representing over 100 countries.

Back on Air

We are pleased to announce The Union Show - ‘Cardifference’ is back on air tomorrow (Friday 24th) 12-1 at http://xpressradio.co.uk/

Follow the cardifference show on twitter here

And xpress radio here

On the show (Friday 24th 12-1) we will be talking Go Global, the Union’s annual festival of culture and diversity. Find out about events happening across the weekend here

And chatting with Sarah from Keep Wales Tiday about their new campaign ‘I Will’ that aims to help people care for their local environment and improve the look and feel of our communities.

We will also be launching a new feature 'Student Bucket List' so tune in for more details.

So what’s the show all about?

Cardifference hosted by Kieran McCann and Louisa Cavell

Make the most out of your time in Cardiff inside and out of the student bubble

Help and Advice throughout student life

Add to a cleaner, greener, safer, healthier and more optimistic city and lifestyle

Put the Unity in Community

Live More Spend Less

Our Philosophy:

Only the Boring Get Bored

http://www.cardifference.co.uk/

Go Global

Cardiff Students’ Union is bringing together students from different backgrounds and cultural heritages for a week-long celebration of culture and diversity.


Go Global, the Union’s annual festival of culture and diversity, runs from 19-27 February 2011. In conjunction with the Cardiff Guild of Societies and the international student community, the Union will be hosting more than 35 events, including music from around the world, art workshops, taster sessions and debates on international issues.

One of the highlights of the week will be Global Village which takes place on 27 February. As well as introducing visitors to food from more than 20 countries, this event will also showcase some of the University’s talented students, with performances including Bollywood, Chinese dancing and singing, a masquerade, break dancing, an international fashion show and many others.

Cosimo Montagu, the Union’s Societies, Events and Activities Officer, said: "Thousands of students get involved with Go Global each year. It is an excellent way to present the identity and strength of culture of our student body to the University and to the wider community in Cardiff."

Cardiff has a long-established tradition of welcoming students from overseas. There are currently more than 3000 international students studying at the University, representing over 100 countries.

A full list of Go Global events is available online here
All the week’s events are open to staff, students and members of the public. There is a charge for some events.

Cardiff Rivers Group

Cardiff Rivers Group in action along the Taff

Cardiff Rivers Group held their first event of 2011 two weeks ago with well over 70 volunteers turning up, pulling out a bath among other things from the river. They have announced their second event will take place this Sunday 20th February where they will be tackling the riverbank and Taff Trail from Radyr Weir downstream towards Forest Farm.

Meeting point: Car park of Radyr railway station

Meeting time: 9.45am

Finish time: 12pm

The group will provide equipment and insurance. Just turn up in suitable clothing, wear sturdy footwear/wellies and bring some water.

For more details contact Louise Tambini 07824 504790

http://cardiffriversgroup.blogspot.com/

Ps Don’t forget to sign up to Keep Wales Tidy’s ‘I Will for Wales’ campaign. How will you help the Welsh environment in 2011? You can make you resolution here

Back on air shortly

After a Christmas and New Years break that included jumping off the world’s highest bungee jump bridge! The cardifference show and xpress will be back up and running later this month, will be keep you posted.

But with the surge in students starting to look for housing to rent for next academic year there has been a number of housing advice weeks with key advice about what to avoid. We have recently had lots of e-mails and enquiries about housing so here are some key pointers and reminders

The most important piece of advice is Don’t Rush – make the smart move.

Remember there is more housing than demand: So don’t panic.

www.cardiffdigs.co.uk have been giving out ‘Avoiding the pitfalls’ information, but it is worth reminding you that this information is available here in the section from halls to house
A podcast with housing hunting advice and avoiding the pitfalls is available here

The Advice and Representation Centre has also created a housing booklet relevant for all students and an interview and transcript with Jane Harding from the advice centre about housing tips can be found here

Anne Rowland has also been on hand at the various events making sure students are aware of The Landlord Accreditation Wales, Letting Agents and Additional Licensing
For example there are over 90 unaccredited letting agencies in Cardiff. Anyone can open up a letting agency (you can even have a criminal record)

So ensure your letting agent is registered with a regulatory body such as ALMA (Cardiff) ARLA, NALS, RICS or NAEA (search here) who provide minimum set standards to abide by.

Also make sure your landlord is accredited through Landlord Accreditation Wales (LAW).

You should see landlords and agents who are part of the Landlord Accreditation Wales (LAW) scheme as the people to approach first when finding accommodation to rent. They will treat you professionally and you know that they have all the knowledge necessary to ensure that your time in their property is enjoyable and hassle free.

To assist you in finding accredited landlords in your area, covering different types of accommodation, please use the search facility here just search Cardiff as your local authority.