Seeing through HIV's disguises - Cardiff University

Dame Kiri
becomes President
See p.2
Extending our
Campus Horizons
See p.3
Anniversary
celebrations
See p.6 & p.7
News
NOVEMBER 2008 Volume 15 No.2 Wizard advice from
School of Welsh
See p. 9
Seeing
through HIV’s
disguises
Scientists’ boost
for under-attack
immune system p.5

NEWS
Dame Kiri becomes
Academy President
International opera star Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is to become President of the
Cardiff International Academy of Voice, the University’s academy for training
the opera stars of the future.
Dame Kiri will also work with
students of the Academy for a
week next month, culminating
in a public masterclass with a
selection of singers on Tuesday, 9
December at 7.30pm, in the Reardon
Smith Theatre.
Members of the audience will gain
a unique insight into the teaching
methods and vocal techniques used
by one of the world’s most famous
sopranos, as she passes on her
immense knowledge to the Academy’s
young up-and-coming singers.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is a familiar
figure in the leading opera houses of
the world, including Covent Garden,
the Chicago Lyric Opera, and the
Sydney Opera House. She is best
known for her repertoire of works by
Mozart and Richard Strauss.
Director of the Academy, worldrenowned
tenor Dennis O’Neill,
said: “Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is not
only the most famous soprano in the
world but has gained a unique place
New deal provides
operatic boost
Carlos Osuna is unique - he’s the
first-ever student of the Cardiff
International Academy of Voice to
receive the prestigious ‘Santander
Universities’ scholarship.
The scholarship, a new partnership
between Cardiff University and Abbey
National plc, Banco Santander’s UK
subsidiary, provides opportunities for
overseas students and, in particular,
students from Latin America to
study at Cardiff University.
Under the partnership, initially
for a period of three years,
three International Excellence
Scholarships are awarded to
postgraduate students from the
11 countries in the ‘Santander
There’s so much going on…
Cardiff News contains only a
fraction of the University’s news
output, the majority of which is
published at www.cardiff.ac.uk/
news Here are just a few of the
recently featured items.
Universities’ network who wish to
study at the University. The network
includes universities in Argentina,
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico,
Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain,
Uruguay and Venezuela
Carlos, who hails from the Mexican
seaside resort of Mazatlan, is no
stranger to study. He started his
vocal studies with Cristina de
Vadillo and later on with Antonio
González Guerrero, conductor of
one of the most recognized choirs of
Mexico, the Angela Peralta Choir.
This gave him the opportunity
to become a soloist, eventually
obtaining a scholarship of the
Training and Improvement Program
for Young Lyric Singers.
Common Cold: The Common Cold
Centre - the world’s first research
centre dedicated to studying
symptoms of the common cold and
recognised around the world for
its innovative and ground-breaking
research – has just celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Full story at: www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/commoncold
in the history of singing and in the
hearts of the public across the globe.
Not so well known is her unstinting
devotion to the new generation
of artists and the development of
their talent. It is with immense
gratitude and pride that we at the
Cardiff International Academy of
Voice announce that Dame Kiri has
accepted the Honorary Presidency of
the Academy.”
The Academy provides an
opportunity for early-stage singers
However, the opportunity to work
with one of his all-time opera
hero, Dennis O’Neill, at Cardiff
University’s International Academy
of Voice proved too great. As Carlos
puts it himself, the scholarship allows
him to follow his dream, “to follow
in the footsteps of Dennis OʼNeill
and sing lead roles in the major opera
houses of the world as I know past
students from the Academy have
already achieved this goal!”
Further information on the
Santander Universities scholarship
is available at: www.abbey.com/
csgs/Satellite?c=GSProducto&cid=1
210606340400&pagename=Abbey/
GSProducto/GS_Categoria.
Credit: John Swannell
to perfect vocal techniques and
styles. Students are taught by the best
coaches and language experts as well
as visiting eminent conductors and
international stars from the operatic
world, helping them to fulfil their
international potential.
Tickets for the Cardiff masterclass
with Dame Kiri cost £12 full price, £10
concessions and £3 students and are
available from the Academy on
029 2048 1853 or CIAV@cardiff.ac.uk
Made in Wales: The School of Physics
and Astronomy has unveiled a new large
optical telescope for use by students
and the public, which is equal in size to
the largest of any UK university teaching
telescope, and enables a level of image
quality unparalleled by similar sized equipment.
Full story at: www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/madeinwales

Extending our
Campus Horizons
Cardiff University is embarking
on one of the most ambitious
projects in its history.
As part of its future development
strategy, the University’s multi-million
pound Campus Horizons project will
see the creation of extensive new
high-quality infrastructure to support
Cardiff’s continuing mission of
becoming a world-leading research
and teaching institution. This will
involve new building developments
and the upgrading of many of the
University’s existing facilities,
enhancing the academic environment
for both staff and students.
The scale of the project is such that
staff on the Heath Park and Cathays
Park campuses will all see benefits.
The Campus Horizons project will
enable greater flexibility in how
people learn and work, create space
for growth of research and other
academic activities, as well as support
and encourage collaboration across the
University’s campuses and schools.
One of the keystones of the strategy will
be the creation of entirely new facilities,
to be set in outstanding landscaped
surroundings on the former railway
sidings now owned by the University.
These are located on the east side of
the railway tracks separating what
is often referred to as “The Maindy
Road Site” from the Humanities
Building and Cardiff Business School.
The proposed development will
regenerate a run-down and disused
November 2008
area and provide much-needed
University and public investment
which will benefit both the City and
the local community. The Optometry
and Vision Sciences building, which
is close to the proposed gateway
to the new development area, is a
demonstration of the University’s
commitment to high quality
sustainable design.
The first phase of the site
development will be the design of
a “Centre of Centres” which will
express the University’s commitment
to its future in high quality research.
The new building
design will encompass
the very latest thinking
in environmental and
sustainable developments
and will be a flagship
proposal of which the
University, local
residents and Cardiff
City can be proud.
It will include flexible research space,
office, conference and exhibition
facilities and will set the standard for
the future phases of the project.
The development of this site is
still very much at the inception
stage. Currently the University is
in consultation both internally and
with the local planning authority
to produce an overall development
master plan for the site.
The purpose of this plan is to obtain
agreement from key stakeholders,
including staff, students, the planning
authority and the local community
as to the use of the site to meet the
future strategic requirements of the
University.
The University views the proposals
as strategically significant to its
future growth and reputation. The
importance of this project clearly
cannot be conveyed by its current title
of “The Maindy Road Site.”
That’s why Cardiff News is inviting
all staff and students to suggest a new
name for the entire site. The name
should be evocative, reflecting the
prestigious nature of the project, the
importance of academic elements and
its integral role within the Cardiff
University estate – all within two or
three words!
The competition is open to all
members of the University. Every
entry will be entered into a draw for
£100 in Amazon vouchers to spend
on books of the winner’s choice. All
the suggestions will go forward for
consideration as the official title of
the new development. You can send
up to three suggestions by going
to the online interactive version of
Cardiff News at www.cardiff.ac.uk/
news/newsletter/nov08/
NEWS
Realizing Rights
President Robinson in the Julian Hodge
Building prior to her lecture
The former President of Ireland visited
the University recently to deliver the
Hadyn Ellis Distinguished Lecture
and highlight the importance of
placing human rights standards at the
heart of global governance. Around
400 members of the public filled the
Julian Hodge Lecture Theatre to hear
President Mary Robinson deliver an
engaging talk on ‘Ethical Globalization:
A Challenge for the 21st Century’.
President Robinson’s talk drew
heavily on her experiences as former
United Nations Commissioner for
Human Rights and as the founder
of Realizing Rights: the Ethical
Globalization Initiative. With 2008
marking the 60th anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, President Robinson reminded
her audience that, under the terms of
that document, human rights are a
birthright and those in power have an
obligation to ensure that those rights
are implemented on a global scale.
At the end of her talk, President
Robinson took questions from
members of the audience, including
the First Minister Rhodri Morgan, on
topics as diverse as Barack Obama,
climate justice, the International
Monetary Fund, children’s rights and
the death penalty.
The lecture marked a fitting tribute
to Professor Hadyn Ellis CBE DSc
(1945-2006), formerly Deputy Vice-
Chancellor of Cardiff University.
Images of research projects from all of the University’s Schools
go on display at an Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
special exhibition from 5 December to 11 January 2009. The aim of
the free exhibition is to raise awareness of the variety and benefits
of research at Cardiff. The images are made up of photographs,
computer generated images and drawings and have been selected
in consultation with the University’s Community Engagement Team.
There will also be a televised display of images from many locations
around the University. The image left shows recording of biomedical
and physiological movement in the movement analysis laboratory,
School of Occupational and Healthcare Studies. Researchers use the
laboratory to help determine how to restore movement in patients.
3

RESEARCH: HEAlTH RoUNd-Up
SARTRE launches
a new philosophy
for Medicine
Cardiff and Bristol Universities
have joined forces in an
unique alliance aimed at
accelerating the translation of medical
research into new treatments and
therapies to benefit patients.
The Severnside Alliance for
Translational Research (SARTRE)
has just secured more than £2M
in funding from the Medical
Research Council. This will build
the infrastructure to allow more
research projects at both Universities
to move forward in the translational
pipeline and facilitate partnerships
with industry. It will also create
the opportunity for more individual
projects to bid for Research Council
funding under its Developmental
Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS).
A keystone of the new Alliance will
be the creation of a new Professor
of the Practice of Translational
Research. This will be a joint
appointment, acting as a “talent scout”
to identify research projects suitable
for development and also engaging
with industry and the biotechnology
sector to facilitate translation.
The postholder will work with
two new Translational Operations
Managers, one for each institution,
who will ensure that resources are
in place and appropriately targeted
to support translational research
projects. They will project-manage
individual bids and guide researchers
through the regulatory, intellectual
property, ethical and research
governance frameworks.
The Alliance also received funding
(£600K) under the Developmental
Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS)
portfolio to establish a facility for
production of proteins in sufficient
There’s so much going on…
Cardiff News contains only a
fraction of the University’s news
output, the majority of which is
published at www.cardiff.ac.uk/
news Here are just a few of the
recently featured items.
4
quantity and quality for proof of
concept testing and biological process
development.
The facility will be housed at Cardiff
University, Central Biotechnology
Services (www.cardiff.ac.uk/medic/
cbs) and help researchers overcome
what can be a serious bottleneck
preventing project development.
The Alliance aims to
bring forward projects
right across the range of
diseases and conditions
tackled by experts at both
Universities, combining
significant strengths in
patient cohorts across
the region.
Areas already identified for priority
alliances include:
• Colorectal and hematopoetic
cancers
• Early vascular disease and
hypertension
• Neuropsychiatric illnesses
• Immunological and cell-based
therapies
Professor Paul Morgan, the Dean
of Medical Research at the School
of Medicine, Cardiff University
said: “This award and the creation
of SARTRE is great news for
medical researchers, who should
find swifter pathways to bring their
projects to commercial development.
Furthermore, it is good news for
patients, as pioneering treatments and
therapies will become available more
rapidly.”
Dental Annexe: The First Minister for
Wales, Rhodri Morgan, has opened newly
modernised teaching and administrative
facilities at the School of Postgraduate
Medical and Dental Education. They will
bring together staff and students within
the dental section on one site for the first time. Full
story at: www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/dentalannexe
Easing arthritis pain
Arthritis sufferers might find some
relief in a new compound found
to ease bone damage in mice by
researchers at the School of Medicine
and colleagues.
The laboratories of Dr Eddie
Wang, a senior lecturer in Medical
Biochemistry, and Dr Anwen
Williams (Rheumatology) found
that mice lacking a protein molecule
called Death Receptor 3 (DR3) are
freed from the bone damage usually
caused by arthritis.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are
more likely to have extra copies of the
gene that codes for DR3. Perhaps of
even greater significance, treatment
with an antibody that blocked the
binding of DR3 to its specific binding
partner TL1A significantly reduced
joint pathology, providing proof-ofprinciple
of a potential therapy.
New gum disease
bacteria found
A new species of oral bacteria has
been found by School of Dentistry
researchers working with colleagues
in London.
The bacteria, named Prevotella
histicola, could contribute to gum
disease and tooth decay and could
help us understand how mouth
problems develop. They have also
been linked to infections in other
parts of the body. The findings
were reported in the International
Journal of Systematic and
Evolutionary Biology.
The mouth is host to hundreds of
different species of bacteria, many
of them still unknown. Three
strains of the bacteria were isolated
from tissue specimens taken from
patients with oral cancer at the
Dental School, as part of a study
to determine what, if any, bacteria
were living inside mouth tumours.
Laboratory tests have also shown how
DR3 might also induce the development
of bone destroying cells in humans.
Dr Wang, of the School’s Infection
Immunology and Inflammation (I3)
Research Group, said: “A few stones
remain unturned in the hunt for the
proteins which cause bone damage,
as blocking DR3 didn’t eliminate
bone destruction altogether. However,
it did reduce a lot of the damage,
suggesting DR3 plays an important
part in the onset of disease. It could
therefore be an important target in the
treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and
other diseases where disrupted bone
physiology is seen.”
The research was carried out with
colleagues at the University of
Southampton. The findings have
been published in the Journal of
Experimental Medicine.
From DNA analysis the Cardiff
team of Dr Sam Hooper and Dr
Melanie Wilson realised that these
strains didn't match any known
species. Their collaborators at the
King's College Infection Research
Group confirmed this with an array
of biochemical and physiological
tests. The tests showed that the
novel species was part of the
Prevotella family of bacteria, which
are known to cause many different,
painful infections in the mouth and
other body sites.
Dr Hooper, of the School’s Oral
Microbiology Group, said:
“We suspect this new species
might also play a role in disease.
Discovering more of these
unrecognised bacteria is important
as it gives us a better picture of how
oral diseases, such as tooth decay
and gum disease, are caused and
thus how they might be treated.”
Dr Who: The 45th anniversary
of Doctor Who is to be marked
with an academic conference, the
‘Whoniversal Appeal’ , which will
examine issues of morality, history,
philosophy, fan culture, sexuality,
and technology which surround the hit science fiction
series. Full story at: www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/drwho

HIVʼs disguises no match
for engineered killer T-cells
Professor Andy Sewell of the
School of Medicine is part
of an international group of
scientists which have engineered
immune cells capable of seeing
through HIV’s many disguises.
When viruses enter our bodies, they
hijack the machinery of host cells in
order to replicate and spread infection.
When our body’s cells are infected
with a virus they expose small parts
of the virus on their surface, offering
a “molecular fingerprint” for killer
T-cells from the immune system to
identify and destroy. HIV however,
has the ability to mutate and disguise
its fingerprints, allowing it to hide
from killer T-cells, such that the
immune system is unable to rid the
body of HIV.
Professor Sewell, and colleagues from
the University of Pennsylvania and
from Adaptimmune Ltd UK have
engineered and tested a killer T-cell
receptor that in the laboratory is
able to recognise all of the different
disguises which HIV is known to
All-Wales initiative to tackle primary healthcare challenges
Primary care - community based
services such as GPs, pharmacists,
dentists and midwives - plays a crucial
role in the front line of the NHS.
That is particularly the case in
Wales, which has some of the most
disadvantaged communities in
Europe. Effective, comprehensive
primary care improves not only health
but also quality of life.
However, the provision of primary
care varies greatly across the country.
Rural and post-industrial areas pose
very different healthcare challenges.
The Welsh Assembly Government’s
vision is for locally accessible services
There’s so much going on…
Cardiff News contains only a fraction
of the University’s news output, the
majority of which is published at
www.cardiff.ac.uk/news Here are just
a few of the recently featured items.
November 2008
Professor Andy Sewell
have used to evade detection. The
receptor can also eradicate HIVinfected
cells in culture.
Over 33 million people were estimated
to be living with HIV worldwide in
2007. Although anti-retroviral drugs
have been successful in delaying
the onset of AIDS, no vaccine or
cure yet exists and drug resistance is
increasingly becoming a problem.
offering patients integrated services
from clinical, health and social care
professionals, together with services
for procedures where quality is
enhanced by concentrating them in
fewer, highly specialised centres.
To support this vision, several Welsh
Universities are collaborating to
create the Wales School for Primary
Care Research. Backed by the Welsh
Assembly Government, this will
provide relevant research to help the
development of high quality primary
care in General Practice, Pharmacy,
Nursing, Optometry and Dentistry in
the first instance. It aims to develop
and share excellence in primary
Foreign Secretary: The
Vice-Chancellor welcomed
David Miliband to the
University as the Foreign
Secretary visited to launch a
safety campaign for students travelling abroad. Full
story at: www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/foreignsecretary
“In the face of our engineered
assassin cells, the virus will either die
or be forced to change its disguises
again, weakening itself along the way,”
said Professor Sewell, who is Infection,
Immunology and Inflammation
Interdisciplinary Research Group link
chair. “We’d prefer the first option but
I suspect we’ll see the latter. Even if
we do only cripple the virus, this will
still be a good outcome as it is likely
care research and, in time, work
with professionals across all relevant
disciplines to improve the quality and
quantity of primary care research in
Wales.
The School is a new partnership between
the universities of Cardiff, Swansea,
Glamorgan and Bangor. The Director,
Professor Chris Butler, Professor of
Primary Care Medicine at Cardiff
University, said: “Worldwide, health care
delivery is changing fast, with excellent
primary care widely recognised as the
key to a sustainable health service.
But this has to be underpinned by
world-leading research if it is to deliver.
The Wales School for Primary Care
RESEARCH
to become a
much slower
target and be
easier to pick
off. Forcing
the virus to a
weaker state
would likely
reduce its
A killer T-cell
capacity to
transmit within the population and
may help slow or even prevent the
onset of AIDS in individuals.”
Pending regulatory approval, clinical
trials using the engineered killer
T-cells will begin shortly at the
University of Pennsylvania.
Professor Sewell is also exploring
using engineered receptors on killer
T-cells as a way of improving immune
responses to cancer. Initial results
indicate that it is possible to engineer
human anti-cancer killer T-cells that
are substantially better than anything
the body is able to produce naturally.
The research has been published this
month in Nature Medicine.
Research brings together researchers
from several primary care disciplines to
develop and share research excellence so
Wales can continue to punch way above
its weight in this crucial field.”
First Minister Rhodri Morgan said:
“The main emphasis of the Wales
School of Primary Care Research
will be to promote a ‘step change’
improvement in the quality and quantity
of multi-disciplinary research. Worldclass
research of international standard
will then generate evidence that is
locally applicable and internationally
relevant to inform practice and policy
in Wales and beyond.”
Building Blocks: Researchers
from the South East Wales Trials Unit
at the School of Medicine, Cardiff
University have led a successful
£4M bid to evaluate the Family
Nurse Partnership programme in England. Full story at:
www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/buildingblocks
5

HEAdER 125TH ANNIVERSARy CElEbRATIoNS
Founders’ Day
A special celebratory event in the presence of staff, students
and other friends and supporters marked 125 years since the
University’s foundation on 24 October.
Church bells were rung across the
city, just as they did on the opening
of the University in 1883.
Professor Sioned Davies, Head of the
School of Welsh, (pictured right) read the
poem Education - a special commission
for Cardiff University’s 125th Anniversary
by Gwyneth Lewis, Wales’s inaugural
National Poet.
Personnel from Wales Universities’ Officers
Training Corp marked the occasion by
arranging a ceremonial gun firing.
“Our 125th anniversary celebration
provides good cause for celebration with
the many friends, supporters, members
of the University and other stakeholders
upon whom Cardiff University’s
continued success depends,” wrote
Vice-Chancellor Dr David Grant in a
celebratory supplement in the Western
Mail newspaper.
“Today we can all look with pride upon
achievements and progress across a very
wide range of academic disciplines which
have brought an equally wide range
of benefits to individuals and society
throughout Wales and in the wider world.”
Ceremonial firing by the 104 Regiment Royal
Artillery (v)
6
Education
(To celebrate the 125th anniversary
of Cardiff University)
Beiddia feiddio,
gwellha dy wneud.
Mynna geisio,
parcha ddweud.
Trawsnewidiad
fydd dy glod.
Dy ddyfodol:
mentro bod.
Learning’s a passport that returns you home
a better person. It permits you to dare
being daring. Makes you secure
with not knowing everything. Helps you welcome
some failure. Forges an alloy
with others’ thinking. It is simple delight
in mind and its motions. Scintillates
but isn’t deceptive. Admits the joy
of institutes, is the open road
to everywhere but bigotry.
It’s the shortest distance between you and me
and, if you’re lucky, it never ends.
Gwyneth Lewis
Sarah Weste, Master of Cardiff Students Bellringing Society, ringing the
Anniversary peal
The University Christmas card is now on sale. As part of the
125th anniversary celebrations, 10p from every card sold
will go towards supporting the 125 for 125 campaign to raise
additional funds for students to realise their academic ambition
at Cardiff University.
Cards are on sale at Graphic Services outlets throughout the
Cathays Park and Heath Park campuses. Versions can also be
purchased and printed with the names, messages and logos
of individual Schools or Divisions via the Media Resources
Centre Printing. The card can be viewed at www.ecards.cardiff.
ac.uk/christmas, where a wider selection of festive eCards is
also available.

Gala Concert
The University’s 125th
anniversary year has seen
many celebratory events, but
none with quite the sense of occasion
as the spectacular gala concert staged
at the Wales Millennium Centre on
Sunday 19th October. Opened with
a fanfare tribute to the University
- written by leading international
composer and Cardiff alumnus Karl
Jenkins, the concert was compèred
with humour and charm by BBC
journalist and Cardiff graduate Huw
Edwards.
World-renowned tenor Dennis O’Neill
led the production with vigour,
receiving rapturous applause for his
passionate performance of Nessun
dorma. He was accompanied by
Grammy award-winning soprano
The Presidents’ Dinner was staged at the
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum and
Gallery Wales in Cardiff
Rebecca Evans to sing some of the
world’s best loved classical pieces,
including extracts from La Traviata.
Past and present students from the
Cardiff International Academy
of Voice performed throughout
the afternoon, along with the
School of Music’s Chamber Choir.
Also performed was the poignant
orchestral piece Somewhere
Unknown, a large-scale symphonic
work composed by Cardiff PhD
student Liz Lane following the death
of her mother.
As the concert closed, staff, students
and friends of the University joined to
sing the Welsh national anthem and
with that united in a great sense of
pride – a truly magnificent birthday
celebration.
Bill Rammell
• Welsh rugby legend Gareth Davies was inducted into the Cardiff University
Rugby Club Hall of Fame at an Anniversary dinner, launching the Former
Players Association, bringing together people who have played rugby for the
University. • University Hospital Llandough also celebrated an Anniversary
– its 75th – by unveiling a commissioned painting and launching a new
Education Centre for undergraduate and postgraduate medical training.
November 2008
Huw Edwards (left) and Vice-Chancellor Dr David Grant in conversation at the Gala
The proceeds of the concert will go
towards the University’s 125 for 125
Scholarship campaign which will
provide financial support
for future generations of students
at Cardiff.
Presidents’ Dinner
The first ever Presidents’ Dinner
took place as part of the 125th
anniversary celebrations, bringing
together more than 150 guests,
including 100 alumni.
The Presidents’ Dinner was an
opportunity for the University and
the Students’ Union to honour those
who have contributed and will
continue to contribute greatly to the
development of both institutions.
Highlights of the reunion included
Bill Rammell MP, (Minister of State
for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs) reflecting on his time as
Students' Union President between
1982 and 1983, a fundraising ‘Money
Can’t Buy’ auction hosted by BBC
Wales News presenter Jamie Owen,
and the launch of the ‘Your Union’
Appeal. Charles Bassett, former
www.cardiff.ac.uk/125
HEAdER
Canadian High Commissioner to
Central Africa and Sir Emyr Jones
Parry and Lady Lynn Jones Parry,
respectively former President and
Vice-President of the Students’
Union were also among the guests.
John Robertson, Director of the
Development and Alumni Relations,
said: “It was tremendous to be
able to invite so many friends,
supporters and colleagues back
to the University, particularly in
our anniversary year. It provided
us with a fitting opportunity to
say a personal thank you to all
the hardworking Students’ Union
presidents, sabbatical officers and
Med Club presidents who have
invested their energies in the
University and Students’ Union
over the years.”
7

NEWS
Saving Station X
The famous Bletchley Park code-breaking centre has new hope, thanks to a
letter signed by some of the country’s leading scientists. Professor Robert
Churchhouse, a pioneer of computer science at Cardiff, was one of them…
In 1952, the story of how code
breakers at Bletchley Park cracked
the German Enigma device
remained an official secret.
A young Robert Churchhouse
certainly had heard nothing about it,
despite being taught Mathematics at
Manchester by two of the men who
had broken the code – Alan Turing
and Max Newman.
Reporting for his first day of national
service to work on ciphers at GCHQ
(Government Communications
Headquarters) in Cheltenham, he was
asked to sign the Official Secrets
Act. He was then handed a thick
typescript book.
The book told an
incredible story of a
German code machine
with an astronomical
number of combinations
which were continuously
changing.
Professor Churchhouse said: “I was
amazed. I asked: ‘How could you solve
this?’ They told me: ‘Well, we did.’ ”
Professor Churchhouse discovered
that most his colleagues had served
during World War II at GCHQ’s
forerunner, Station X at Bletchley
Park, a converted country house in
Buckinghamshire.
From them, he learned more about
the Enigma machine – a deceptively
simple-looking typewriter-style
device used by the German military
to send messages. When a key on the
typewriter was pressed, a combination
of rotors and wires caused a bulb
marked with another letter to light
up, giving the code. The complication
was that there are 1090 possible
Enigma set-ups. Each time a key was
pressed, at least one rotor moved on,
meaning that there would always be a
different substitution alphabet.
8
Professor Churchhouse also learned
about the work his colleagues
had done at Bletchley Park. How
mathematicians, engineers, linguists
and lawyers worked together to
break the Enigma messages. Of the
outstanding bravery of servicemen
who captured Enigma machines and,
vitally, the codebooks giving the rotor
settings for the month – all without the
knowledge of German High Command,
who believed to the end of the war
that Enigma remained unbroken.
Bletchley Park was also a nursery
for the computer age. Another, even
more complex, code machine was
used for the highest level German
military messages – known by the
British as “Tunny”. This has 12
wheels and 10150 possible settings.
However, without ever having seen a
Tunny machine, the Bletchley team
deduced how it worked and built a
giant, valve-powered computer of
their own to crack it. The machine
was known as Colossus and Professor
Churchhouse’s two former lecturers,
Professors Newman and Turing, were
among the men who designed it.
Professor Churchhouse left GCHQ
after ten years. In 1971, he was
invited to Cardiff, to take up the first
Chair in what was then a very small
School of Computer Science.
However, his interest in Bletchley
Park remained with him. The work on
Enigma features in his book Codes
and Ciphers. During the 1980s,
teaching a course on data security
to third year undergraduates, he was
able to call in a favour from his old
employers at GCHQ, and borrow an
Enigma machine to show the students.
The workings of the machine was
sometimes set as an exam question
although, perhaps considerately,
Professor Churchhouse never asked
his students to crack the code.
It was therefore logical, when the
School of Computer Science received
a request to help Bletchley Park
earlier this year, that they alerted
Professor Churchhouse, now retired.
Bletchley Park had fallen on hard
times. The Bletchley Park Trust,
which preserves the site on a
charitable basis, needed funding.
Professor Churchhouse explained:
“The main house itself is fine, that’s
where they have the National Museum
of Computing. However, a lot of the
huts in the grounds are in a poor state
of repair, and that’s where groups of
people did some of the most vital work.
“Hut 3, for example, is where they
decrypted signals from the German
Army and the Luftwaffe. Hut 4 is where
those were translated. Hut 6 is where
German Navy ciphers were broken
and Hut 8 determined which messages
should be passed on to the Admiralty.”
In July, Professor Churchhouse and other
leading computer scientists co-signed
a letter to The Times, calling for secure
long-term funding to preserve Bletchley
Park as a resource for the nation.
Professor Churchhouse also carried
out radio interviews explaining the
importance of Bletchley Park. He
believes it should be preserved, both
for its crucial role in the war effort
and in the history of computing.
A WREN operates one of the Bletchley
Park code-breaking machines
He said: “I think it would be a terrible
shame if it was lost or built over.
At least one or two huts should be
kept open, where some of the most
particularly significant work was done.”
Professor Churchhouse with the Enigma
machine he used to teach Computer
Science students at Cardiff.
The Times letter, which was also
signed by Professor Nick Fiddian,
Head of the School of Computer
Science and other School members,
had a galvanising effect. The
American computer giant IBM has
announced a large donation to the
upkeep of Bletchley Park. More
recently, a £330,000 grant from
English Heritage will help guarantee
the future of the mansion and talks are
under way on the future of the huts.
Simon Greenish, Director of the
Bletchley Park Trust, said: “'The
letter to The Times on 24th July this
year urged the government to step in
to help save Bletchley Park and was
signed by 97 eminent scientists and
heads of department from Universities
around the country. The publication
of this letter coincided with a visit
to Bletchley Park by Their Royal
Highnesses The Prince of Wales and
The Duchess of Cornwall.
“The combined events of that day
triggered media and public interest in
Bletchley Park on an unprecedented
scale. The Bletchley Park website,
www.bletchleypark.org.uk received
a record 278,000 hits and public
donations came in at a rate the
Bletchley Park Trust had never
experienced before.
“I believe that the awareness in the
UK of the need for the restoration of
Bletchley Park was greatly enhanced
by the combined events of both the
Royal Visit and the letter to The
Times that day and the Bletchley Park
Trust is enormously grateful to the 97
scientists for their support. We are
now far more optimistic that the site
can be restored for future generations.”

Wizard advice from
the School of Welsh
What do we really know about Merlin?
A medieval illustration of young Merlin
telling King Vortigern of two dragons –
a key tale in Welsh folklore
The BBC’s new Saturday drama
about the Merlin’s early life has
triggered fresh interest in the
wizard. An hour-long documentary,
Merlin: The Legend, screened before
the series began, aimed to answer
some of the enduring questions, with
advice from Dr Juliette Wood of the
School of Welsh and the Centre for
Lifelong Learning.
Dr Wood acted as consultant to BBC
Wales, who made the documentary in
association with Cardiff-based Green
Bay Media. She appeared explaining
the development of the Merlin myth.
“The story of Merlin has been told
mainly through poetry and prose, but
historical facts are hard to find,” said
Dr Wood.
“He does have many forms –
mythical hero and historical bard;
hermit and fierce warrior; wise
man and madman; fighter of evil;
magician and scientist; protector
and poet.”
Dr Wood trained in the United
States, but is now associate lecturer
in the School of Welsh and tutor at
the Centre for Life Long Learning.
She specialises in medieval folklore
and Celtic tradition and is interested
in the modern revival of interest in
magic and Celtic culture. She teaches
courses on such topics as Welsh
Folk Narrative, Celtic Mythology,
Arthurian Literature and the Sources
of Contemporary Pagan Thought.
Her major interest at the present time
November 2008
is the relation between medieval
tradition and popular culture with
special reference to ‘new age’
movements.
She added: “Merlin has been an
important figure in Welsh culture for
centuries, from the Welsh Arthurian
legend in the middle ages to the
Celtic revival in the twentieth century.
We find him still in the contemporary
arts from modern fantasy magicians
like Gandalf and Harry Potter to
Pagan festivals at Stonehenge.
“For centuries, Merlin has influenced
poetry, prose, music, the visual arts,
film and even television. Merlin still
connects us to a past, which we never
quite forget, and to a future which we
can always imagine.”
Front page picture from the drama series
Merlin appears courtesy of the BBC.
Cyngor Cyfareddol o Ysgol y Gymraeg
beth ydyn ni’n wir yn gwybod am Fyrddin?
Sbardunodd drama newydd y BBC
ar ddydd Sadwrn am fywyd cynnar
y dewin ddiddordeb newydd ym
Myrddin. Nod rhaglen ddogfen awr
o hyd, sef Merlin: The Legend a
sgriniwyd cyn y gyfres oedd ateb rhai
o’r cwestiynau oesol, gyda chyngor gan
Dr Juliette Wood o Ysgol y Gymraeg
Bu Dr Wood yn ymgynghorydd i
BBC Cymru, a gynhyrchodd y rhaglen
ddogfen ar y cyd â Green Bay Media
o Gaerdydd. Ymddangosodd yn
esbonio datblygiad chwedl Myrddin.
“Mae chwedl Myrddin wedi’i
hadrodd yn bennaf trwy farddoniaeth
a rhyddiaith, ond mae’n anodd dod o
hyd i ffeithiau hanesyddol,” meddai
Dr Wood.
“Mae ganddo sawl ffurf – arwr
chwedlonol a bardd hanesyddol;
meudwy a rhyfelwr ffyrnig; dyn
doeth a dyn gwyllt; ymladdwr
drygioni; dewin a gwyddonydd;
amddiffynnydd a bardd.”
Llên-gwerinwraig broffesiynol wedi’i
hyfforddi yn yr Unol Daleithiau yw Dr.
Wood, ond mae bellach yn ddarlithydd
cyswllt yn Adran y Gymraeg ac yn
diwtor yn y Ganolfan Dysgu Gydol
Oes. Mae’n arbenigo mewn llên
gwerin ganoloesol a thraddodiad
Celtaidd ac mae ganddi ddiddordeb yn
niwygiad modern y diddordeb mewn
hud a diwylliant Celtaidd. Mae’n
addysgu cyrsiau ar bynciau megis
Naratif Gwerin Cymru, Mytholeg
Dr Juliette Wood
Geltaidd, Llenyddiaeth Arthuraidd
a Ffynonellau Meddwl Paganaidd
Cyfoes. Ei phrif ddiddordeb ar
hyn o bryd yw’r cysylltiad rhwng
traddodiad canoloesol a diwylliant
poblogaidd gyda chyfeiriad arbennig
at symudiadau ‘oes newydd’.
Ychwanegodd: “Mae Myrddin wedi
bod yn ffigur pwysig yn niwylliant
Cymru ers canrifoedd, o chwedl
Arthuraidd Cymru yn yr oesoedd
canol i’r diwygiad Celtaidd yn yr
ugeinfed ganrif. Rydyn ni’n dal
i’w weld yn y celfyddydau cyfoes
o ddewiniaid ffantasi modern fel
Gandalf a Harri Potter i wyliau
Paganaidd yng Nghôr y Cewri.
“Ers canrifoedd, mae Myrddin
wedi dylanwadu ar farddoniaeth,
cerddoriaeth, y celfyddydau
gweledol, ffilm a theledu hyd yn oed.
Mae Myrddin yn dal i’n cysylltu â
gorffennol, nad ydyn ni byth yn ei
anghofio’n llwyr, ac â dyfodol, y
gallwn bob amser ei ddychmygu.”
RESEARCH
Family values in
Indian religion
A £168,715 grant from the Arts
and Humanities Research Council
will take Dr James Hegarty and
Dr Simon Brodbeck of the School
of Religious Studies on a journey
involving visits to India, studying
Sanskrit writings, an international
conference at Cardiff, public lectures
and a new book on the subject.
The purpose is to establish to what
extent family narratives helped form
new social, political and religious
concepts and institutions in early
South Asia. The two researchers will
look at narratives of royal and priestly
lineages in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain
traditions from the 4th century BC to
the 6th century AD.
The award came from the Research
Council’s early careers fund – the
first such be gained at Cardiff.
● The Cardiff Humanities Research
Institute and the University’s
humanities schools hosted a daylong
visit by Professor Shearer West,
Director of Research at the Arts and
Humanities Research Council.
In addition to attending networking
events for all researchers, Professor
West met current AHRC-funded
postgraduate students studying at
Cardiff. She also visited the Schools
of Journalism, Cultural and Media
Studies, of History and of Welsh. The
networking sessions included displays
of research projects, demonstrating
the breadth and depth of original
work at humanities schools.
Professor West expressed thanks
to everyone who had taken time to
meet her, and noted how impressed
she was with the research culture in
humanities at Cardiff.
9

pEoplE
In my opinion…
Matthew Murray
is an Associate
Lecturer at
the School
of European
Studies. A
graduate in
political science from Wheaton
College, Massachusetts, he gives
his analysis of Barack Obama’s
ground-breaking victory in
the US Presidential Election.
Barack Obama’s message of “change
we need” received a resounding
endorsement from American
voters and lead to his socially
historic presidential win. Obama’s
campaign overcame a long-fought
primary battle and moves by the
McCain campaign to affirm the core
constituencies of the Republican
Party. These moves included
increased “conservative” rhetoric
by the Republicans and culminated
in the eventual Vice-Presidential
selection of Sarah Palin. This placed
the Republican campaign into the
untenable position of being a ticket of
change but with a familiar, previously
Bush-like tone. In the “battleground”
states where the undecided voting
numbers can swing the state one
way or another, this “conservative”
message appeared a bit too familiar.
The growing seriousness of the
global economic crisis undoubtedly
aided in creating high voter turnout
nationwide, a situation that often
favors Democratic candidates.
Lost in the fervor of Obama’s historic
win were the perhaps even more crucial
wins by the Democratic Party in the
Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Democrats now hold a majority
in the legislative branch which ratifies
policy, laws and approves the budget.
It is likely we will see legislation
being passed during Obama’s term on
healthcare and other social welfare
reforms, the environment and an adapted
war effort focusing on Afghanistan and
away from Iraq. But questions remain as
to whether the powerful special interests
lobbies in Washington will allow the
reforms promised by the campaign to
be fully realized. It is also unclear if
Obama’s popularity abroad will remain
as strong, given his international policy
aims and the effect domestic needs
may have on the ongoing condition
of the global economy.
Working to address the looming
domestic recession while managing
the staggering national debt will
be Obama’s first real challenge. It
will be hard for a campaign that has
espoused so much “change” to do
as promised in reality. Only time
will tell if Obama’s term will be as
politically groundbreaking as it has
been socially groundbreaking.
• Do you have an expert view on a
topical issue? Contact newsletter@
cardiff.ac.uk with your suggestion.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies has achieved Investors in
People (IIP) status in recognition of its commitment to staff development.
This is the national Standard which sets out a level of good practice for staff
training and development to achieve business goals.
Professor Sheila Hunt, Dean and Head of School, said: “Everyone here has
worked hard to meet the rigorous IIP standards and, as a result, we have created
a very positive and supportive working environment within the School”.
Academic and administrative staff are pictured celebrating the award at the
School’s recent Away Day in Thornhill.
10
How “interview
practice” led to
56 years’ service
(Left to right) School of Dentistry lecturer Carole Harris, (representing those with more
than 25 years’ service) with Professor William Mapleson and Professor Steve Tomlinson
and an anniversary cake.
William Mapleson was not
sure what he was going
to do. It was 1952, and
he was nearing the end of his Ph.D
in Physics at Durham University,
studying atmospheric electricity
“My superviser asked what I was
thinking of doing next. I said I was
thinking about doing something
medical. ‘Oh well,’ he said, ‘there’s an
advert on the noticeboard you should
take a look at’.”
The advert was for the post of assistant
lecturer in anaesthetics at the then
Welsh National School of Medicine
in Cardiff. It called for “a wide
knowledge of knowledge of physics,
physiology and pharmacy.” William
Mapleson knew about physics.
Nevertheless, he recalls: “I decided
to apply to get some interviewing
experience. When I was offered the
job, I told my mother it would do for
five years. 56 years on, I’m still here.”
Professor Mapleson, as he now is,
was the longest-serving of the 65
members of staff to be recognised at
a recent ceremony for their work for
the University of Wales College of
Medicine and, post-merger, Cardiff
University. Between them, a total of
more than 3,300 years of service was
acknowledged.
The awards were distributed at a lunch
organised by the Human Resources
Directorate. The long servers included
academics, clinicians, technical
staff, library, secretarial and human
resources staff from across the range of
Schools which made up the College of
Medicine. They received their choice of
gift - either a crystal bowl, vase, clock
or the option to donate the value of
their gift, in whole or part, to charity.
Presenting the awards, Professor Steve
Tomlinson, former Vice-Chancellor
of the College and now Provost of
Cardiff University told the staff and
their guests: “As an institution which
prides itself on its reputation, it is
important to remember how that
reputation was achieved. Without
committed, dedicated and loyal staff,
I believe that the University would not
be where it is today.”
That commitment continues, in
Professor Mapleson’s case, even at
the age of 82. He jokes that he is on
his third head of department since
he retired. His research career has
focussed on computer modelling of
the uptake and distribution of inhaled
anaesthetics. He is currently analysing
data on the blood supply in the brain
as consciousness is lost. He estimates
that the number of anaesthetists he
has trained runs into the thousands.
He has also enjoyed learning from
colleagues from across all medical
departments, right from his early days
when the College was based at the
Royal Infirmary.
Professor Mapleson said: “I’ve led a
charmed life. I’ve been able to carry
out research – and get paid for it!”

Cardiff people: Terry Burnett
Terry Burnett
I joined the university in March 1992 as
a porter with House Services, becoming
Senior Porter a year later based in Main
Building. In January 2006, I moved
to the administrative side as Head
Porter based in the security centre.
I now supervise the 28 porters
deployed in the variety of different
roles throughout the university campus.
Apart from organising the movement
of equipment, computers, furniture
etc around the University, this also
involves liaising with departments
regarding special events such as
examinations, graduation ceremonies,
VIP visits and open days.
For the last twenty five years I have
spent my summer holiday working
with the Welsh National Pilgrimage to
Lourdes looking after disabled people.
What do you listen to first
thing in the morning?
My CD alarm clock playing Guns
and Roses “Welcome to the Jungle”.
Who inspired you on your
career path?
My ex-employer who made me
redundant.
Which word do friends use
about you most?
I would like to think my friends
would say something like loyal
or trustworthy. I’m sure if you
asked them you would get a totally
different answer.
Most memorable encounter
with a celebrity?
In my role I have met many
celebrities, such as Patrick Stewart,
November 2008
Terry Burnett (sitting left) with colleagues on the Welsh National Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Carol Vorderman, Alan Ayckbourn
etc with all the graduation
ceremonies and VIP visits to the
university but the one that sticks
out in my memory is Archbishop
Desmond Tutu. A small man in
stature but a giant of a man in
personality.
What thoroughly
annoys you?
Bad timekeeping, I think anyone who is
one minute late for a meeting should be
shot. Anyone who is five minutes late
should be tortured, then shot. Anyone
who is ten minutes late, well you can
see where I’m going with this!
What is your secret
ambition? (just between us)
To play the drums. I wanted to be
Cozy Powell when I was younger.
What does the University
need more of?
Storage space. The University
has outgrown most of the present
buildings.
Mr Bill John, a Vice-President of the
University and a former President
of the Students’ Union, with the
current President of the Union, Andy
Button-Stephens, at the University’s
annual Act of Remembrance. On
11 November past and present
students and staff gathered alongside
representatives from the Army, Royal
Navy and Royal Air Force to honour
those members of the University
who gave their lives in the service
of the country during the World
Wars and other times of conflict.
The Reverend Gareth Powell led an
Which book did you re-read
most as a child?
Janet and John 1A. I was a slow learner.
What one question would
you really like to know the
answer to?
What was on the other side of the road
that made the chicken want to cross?
Tell us a joke
Do Wasps rugby club have a B team?
(Lame I know but you try to think
of a PC-friendly joke that will be
published in a magazine!)
your favourite view in
the whole world (or the
universe)?
Apart from looking in the mirror it’s
either Lourdes or Cardiff Arms Park.
Who would play you in the
film about your life?
Brad Pitt would be pushing it a bit so
I’ll be happy with Jack Black.
Act of Remembrance in the Viriamu
Jones Gallery. Wreaths were laid on
the University’s war memorials by
Mr John, Andy Button-Stephens, and
a representative from the University
Cadet Corp. Welcoming guests to
the Act of Remembrance, Professor
Teresa Rees, Pro Vice-Chancellor,
Research, said: “It is particularly
appropriate that former students of
the University, many of whom served
our country in the cause for justice
and peace, are able to be present
with the University community for
this commemoration”.
IN BRIEF…
pEoplE
The distinguished award of
Academician has been conferred
on Professor Terry Marsden by
the Academy of Social Sciences.
Professor Marsden, Head of the
School of City and Regional
Planning, now joins 16 other
members of Cardiff staff across
seven academic schools as a
member of the Academy.
Professor Kenneth Harris of the
School of Chemistry has been
elected as a Fellow of The Royal
Society of Edinburgh, recognising
substantial contributions to
several aspects of the physical
chemistry of solids.
Honorary Fellow and high-profile
war correspondent Kate Adie
OBE (pictured below) re-lived
some of her frontline experiences
when she addressed invited guests
from the School of Journalism,
Media and Cultural Studies.
Kate spoke of her reports from
war-torn countries, as well as
highlighting some of the changes
taking place in the world of
journalism and broadcasting.
Heads of School
Professor Paul Furlong is on
sabbatical leave from the Cardiff
School of European Studies from 24
September 2008 until 23 September
2009. Professor David Boucher will is
Acting Head during this period.
Professor Martin Kayman is on
sabbatical leave from the Cardiff
School of English, Communication
and Philosophy from 1 September
2008 to 31 August 2009. Professor
Terry Threadgold is Acting Head
during this period.
Professor Michael Owen is Acting Dean
of the School of Medicine with effect
from 1 October 2008 until such time
as a permanent appointment is made.
11

HEAdER Visit our website at www.cardiff.ac.uk
Anniversary photography competition
What’s on
This is a sample of Cardiff
University lectures and other
events. Please visit www.cardiff.
ac.uk/events for a full listing.
Thursday 4 December
Alcohol: The good, the
bad and the ugly!
Free Science in
Health public lecture
The speaker will be Professor
Ian Gilmore, President of the
Royal College of Physicians and
Chairman of Alcohol Health
Alliance UK. No booking is
required and all are welcome.
The lecture takes place in the
Large Chemistry Lecture Theatre,
Main Building, at 7.30pm and
refreshments will be available
in the Viriamu Jones Gallery,
Main Building, from 7.00pm. For
further information on the Science
in Health series, please contact
Andrew Emery in the University’s
Community Engagement Team
on 029 2087 6935 or email
EmeryAD@cardiff.ac.uk.
Cardiff News
Editor: Brian Richardson, Director
Public Relations and Communications
Division, Cardiff University,
46 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BB.
ISSN 13355-3127, Vol 15 No2
Copy deadline for next issue is 5 December
2008 for publication in December 2008
Printed on 100% recycled paper.
Thursday 27 November
bioknowledge Economy:
New Challenges betweeen
Myths and Reality
Public lecture delivered by Professor
Alain Pompidou, President of
European Patent Office 2004-2007.
The lecture is free but admission is by
ticket only. Birt Acres Lecture Theatre,
Bute Building, 6.00 – 7.30pm. There
will be a wine reception in the Bute
Building reception area from 5.15pm.
Tel: 029 2087 9075
Email: publicbookings@cardiff.ac.uk
Monday 8 December
An Empire of pleasure?
Masculinity, Reproduction
and the Harem in Ancient
persia and the Near Easte
Free public lecture delivered by
Dr Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones from the
University of Edinburgh. Part of the
series of Ancient History Research
Seminars at the School of History
and Archaeology. Room 0.36,
Humanities Building, Colum Drive,
5.10pm – 6.30pm.
Tel: 029 2087 4821
Email: WestgateR@cardiff.ac.uk
The Editor reserves the right to edit
contributions received. Whilst care is taken
to ensure the accuracy of information, this
cannot be guaranteed. Views expressed in
‘Cardiff News’ do not necessarily reflect
those of the University. Items of interest
relating to the University and its staff are
welcome and should be sent to: Public
Relations and Communications Division.
Tel: 029 2087 5596, Fax: 029 2087 0104,
Email: newsletter@cardiff.ac.uk
How well do
you know your
University?
The stonework in last month’s
picture can be found above the
main entrance to the Aberconway
Building on Colum Drive.
Cardiff News is available in
large print format. To request
a copy contact Catrin Palfrey
on 029 2087 0293, email
PalfreyC@cardiff.ac.uk
Address Label
This photograph (left) of Alexandra
Gardens was taken by Marc Isaacs,
histology and imaging technician in
the School of Biosciences.
It won September’s University
Campus category of the University’s
125th Anniversary Photo competition.
Since being launched at the beginning
of the year the competition has
attracted more than 1,000 entries to
the four categories – the other three
being Use Your Imagination, My
Work and Cardiff Life.
All the winners now go forward for
judging to find the overall winner in
each category. You can view all the
monthly winners at: www.cf.ac.uk/
photowinners and see many others
from the link on the anniversary
website www.cf.ac.uk/125 .
The sea creature in this month’s
photograph looks quite friendly
but where exactly does it lurk on
campus? The location will be printed
in next month’s issue and can also be found online at
www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/Nov08 . Have you noticed an overlooked
feature of the University campus? Please send suggestions or
photographs for future issues to newsletter@cardiff.ac.uk.