Jon May went to have a chat with Simmo Simmons, the Events and Promotions Manager for Swansea University Students’ Union, to ask the question most Freshers will want to know.

What is Ents? Aren’t they the talking trees in Lord of the Rings?
Ents (shortened from Entertainment) is the old name for Student Swansea Events. We’re the provider of your social life at university and are an official department of the Students’ Union.

What is “Freshers’ Fortnight”? Just a booze-up?
The first two weeks are the best way to kick off your university experience and there’ll be events every night! It’s not about drinking; it’s about exploring the nightlife and getting to know people.

Why should Freshers go to Student Swansea Events?
Every penny goes back into the Students’ Union to improve it and the services it gives you. Money raised from Tooters (£2 entry, £1/pint on Friday nights) helps run the nursery on campus, and shots at Sin City helps run societies. Unlike private companies, all the proceeds go to help improve your student experience.

How many events do you run?
We organise 11 weekly nights and we also plan, run and sell tickets to the Welsh Varsity – the Cardiff V Swansea rugby grudge match, and the Summer Ball, which raises vital funds for the Students’ Union. We also organise balls and events around Christmas, Halloween and Easter.

What was the Summer Ball like last year?
The atmosphere was amazing. Pixie Lott headlined and Tim Minchin was there singing songs on his piano. In the past we’ve had Florence and the Machine, The Streets, Feeder and even the Vengaboys. We’re always looking for the biggest and best acts to put on a spectacular show.

What is the Welsh Varsity?
It’s basically a battle in every sport between Cardiff and Swansea University, culminating in the Millennium Stadium for the Men’s Rugby 1st Final. The whole place buzzed as 15,000 students came down to cheer on their team.
Summer ball aside, this is the hardest challenge for us every year as we plan the biggest university rugby game in the UK.

How do people go about buying tickets for events?
This year, everything is going online. Just head to Swansea-union.co.uk and buy them there. Every purchase goes onto your student card, which is your ticket into each venue. The door staff will scan it and your ticket will show up. For the first time, you’ll also be able to buy tickets from your ‘Residential Volunteers’, so you know you’re buying genuine tickets to Students’ Union venues.

What’s the difference between a Wristband and a Platinum Package?
It’s easy, the Freshers’ Wristband (£45) gives you free entry to every event happening during Freshers’ Fortnight. From Fresh ‘n’ Free all the way through to the finale event Illuminate, it would cost you £104 to go to every event, giving you a massive saving of £59.
If (well, I really mean when!) you find the Freshers’ to be good value, you can upgrade it to the Platinum package (£199 full /£154 upgrade) and that’ll give you free entry to every event for the year. It works out to just 70p per event!

What about picking up Freshers’ Wristbands?
We’re cutting queues and making the process a lot simpler this year. You can pick it up from the Freshers’ Marquee when you arrive during Arrivals Weekend or pick it up anytime from Sin City, JCs, The Wonky Sheep, Fulton Outfitters, Spar in the village and Langland Terrace.

What should people do if they get stuck?
There shouldn’t be any problems, it’s pretty simple to book and pick up your tickets/wristband, but if you do need help or ask questions, we’re on the second floor of Union House, behind the Porters’ Lodge.