So here we are, beginning another year of Gair Rhydd and I find myself the Editor in Chief of this paper which has been at the centre of my time thus far at Cardiff. I could never have imagined that I would be writing these words over two years ago, when I first encountered the paper at freshers’ fair in 2023. Last year I joined the team as a section editor on Opinion, it was a great privilege to have a platform to express myself in Wales’ oldest student publication.
I want to begin the year by thanking Belle for all the effort and toil which she gave to the team, she set a high standard of dedication which I will try my best to meet. She prompted me to apply for the editorship and I am grateful that she did, I am not sure I would have done otherwise. Student media is largely defined by the brevity in which its leadership is in place, this is the case in all student publications, and thus much changes for year to year, each editor changes the focus, style or tone of a paper.
I will touch upon the changes we are making or to make in a moment, but despite this I am still immensely grateful for all Belle did for Gair Rhydd last year, she has left us a publication ready to start punching above its weight again, and able to challenge and inspire all the members of the student body. I spent this summer building the team and filling roles. I found this immensely inspiring.
We have a large and diverse team of passionate and talented writers, designers, proofreaders and digital contributors. Through meeting everyone face to face or online, I have become stronger in my belief that Gair Rhydd can do something really impactful this year. And how will we make an impact?
One word, engagement. We are seeking out stories and voices to bring to our readers. From political leaders to annonymous informers our ears are open and we want to help better inform the student body on things they should know.
There will be more on this to follow, we begin this year with an interview with SU President Maria Pollard. Longtime readers will see that the design of the paper has been changed, infact this is the most significant redesign the paper has had in at least a decade. The design is based on archival research done by myself and Liv, our brilliant Head of Design.
Our new banner for example, is based upon one used in the late nineteen eighties and early nineties. We hope that people will appreciate this change of skin. In another change of approach Gair Rhydd is going more digital this year.
Alongside an improved and more consistent social media presence led by our Deputy Editor Bhamini, we are currently working on the website. Our other Deputy Editor Nye, along with the Online team are working on a new and improved design, hopefully we will be able to update our readers in the next edition. This role has of course changed my outlook for the year, engaging means being engaged all the time, and I certainly feel as though I am on duty all the time.
But I wouldn’t change it for the world, Gair Rhydd has been passed onto me and I am passionate about keeping it going stronger and better than before. I will work as hard as I can for our members, contributors and readers, and with luck this will be a year to remember.