Kidzlife Magazine by City Publications

welcome

contents

Kidzlife grew from a toddler to a tweenie, last issue and will continue to stay at its current size as our readers and advertisers alike prefer the larger edition.

4-8

What’s On Where The Bumper guide for Easter and beyond.

10-11

The Learning Curve Educate your children through interactive media.

12-13

Petzlife The brand new feature on our furry friends.

Draw a Pet Competition The Children of Ysgol Iolo Morganwg demonstrate their artistic side with their drawings.

Reading & Watching Alan Mount looks at the latest DVDs to amuse and entertain.

At City Publications we are delighted to take on board reader's comments and one of the most popular suggestions was to run a regular What's on section. Our six page what's on feature is packed with events, attractions and stunning places to visit for Easter and the May holidays. We also have our regular DVD and books section plus a special Petzlife feature which I hope will become a regular spot in issues to come. Our front cover features the new Doctor Who, Matt Smith who will grace our screens for the first time at Easter. I can't wait, he does have a hard act to follow.

16-17

Dani the Dragon’s Lair Dani’s Easter recipes and crafts will keep the kidz quiet over the holidays.

I hope you all have a great Easter and we will be back for the Summer Holiday issue at the beginning of July. Happy Easter!!

Alison Tucker and all the team

Editor: Alison Tucker 029 2045 0532 alison@citypublications.org Advertising: Julie V. Jones, Alan Mount and Adrian Stone 029 2045 0532 info@citypublications.org Contributors: BBC Wales, Ysgol Iolo Morganwg, Network DVD and Sterling Press. Design: Jonathan J. Jonas

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We're now online.... Read our magazines using innovative page turning software... www.kidzlifeuk.com www.athomeinwales.com www.diamantebridal.co.uk READERSHIP AND DISTRIBUTION With a readership of 45,000, At Home In Wales/Kidzlife is distributed to Cardiff, The Vale of the Glamorgan, Caerphilly, Pontypridd, Talbot Green, Bridgend, Newport and the surrounding areas. It is available at retailers, hairdressers, dentists, doctors, leisure centres, libraries, restaurants, hotels, children’s retailers, pet shops, veterinary surgeries, playcentres and private schools. Added to these outlets At Home In Wales/Kidzlife is also available from selected Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda. Our magazine unlike any other, is distributed via a dedicated courier service, which is both trackable and signed on delivery; thereby providing a reliable service for perspective advertisers.

DISCLAIMER © All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without written permission of City Publications. Whilst we take every care to ensure that content in Kidzlife is accurate at time of publication, neither City Publications nor its contributors can accept any liability for reader dissatisfaction arising from editorial content. City Publications reserves the right to accept or reject any article or material supplied for publication or to edit such material prior to publication. City Publications cannot take responsibility for any loss or damage to supplied materials. The opinions expressed or advice given in this publication are the views of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of City Publications.

Issue 12 | Spring 2010 3

HAPPY EASTER!! If you are not in this feature, please send your details and events/activities to us and we will consider your information for the next issue. While we appreciate you may have alot to say, please keep your listings to a minimum. E: info@citypublications.org

Big Pit / National Coal Museum, R.C.T. T: (01495) 790 311 W: www.museumwales.ac.uk 5 & 6 APRIL Big Pit celebrates its 25th Anniversary on April 5, with a weekend of celebrations. THROUGHOUT EASTER HOLIDAYS + 29 MAY-6 JUNE, 9.30AM - 5PM BAG A BAG - Take one of our activity bags and explore the museum. Bridgend Recreation Centre, Bridgend T: 01656 657 491 E: leisuremarketing@bridgend.gov.uk SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Range of activities available to children of all ages. Bristol Zoo, Bristol T: 0117 974 7300 W: www.bristolzoo.org.uk 2 APRIL-31 OCTOBER 2010 The Amazing Animal show will be performed on the main lawn at; 12pm & 2pm on weekends and school holidays, 1pm on weekdays during term time. SAT 2 APRIL – SUN 18 APRIL Easter eggstravaganza - Get eggcited this Easter by taking part in our Easter Egg Hunt around the Zoo. The Easter Bunny and Spring Bear will also be making special appearances. MONDAY 3 MAY Postman Pat® and Jess the Cat - Come and meet ‘Postman Pat® and Jess the Cat’ as they head to the Zoo this bank holiday – special delivery.

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SATURDAY 22 MAY International Year of Biodiversity Day - Each family will receive a free packet of seeds upon entry to support the International Year of Biodiversity. SAT 29 MAY - TUES 1 JUNE A superhero celebration of flight! - Meet ‘Batman: Come along to the Zoo on Tues 1 June where this superhero will be making personal appearances at various times throughout the day. Free entry for every child dressed as their favourite superhero with a full paying adult, between 9am-11am on 1 June. Cardiff Harbour Authority, Cardiff Bay T: 029 2087 7900 W: www.cardiffharbour.com W: www.flatholmisland.com SAT 27 MARCH, FRI 9 APRIL & SAT 10 APRIL Flat Holm Island - Easter Egg Hunts. EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY ACTIVITIES Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre - Have a cracking time at the Tube this Easter. Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, Oxford T: 01993 823006 W: www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk 2-5 APRIL 1, 2, 3, 29, 30, 31 MAY STATIC BIRDS OF PREY WEEK, JUNE 1-6 INCLUSIVE, JULY 31 Birds of Prey Demonstrations by the Cotswold Falconry Centre ALL BANK HOLIDAYS & EVERY SUNDAY FROM 2 MAY–29 AUGUST, FROM 2– 4P.M.

Reptile Awareness Days - All days subject to good weather conditions Come and meet a reptile and receive expert advice from their keeper. Look for sign in the tortoise area for additional days whenever possible. 23 MAY Ford RS Owners’ Club 27 JUNE Jaguar Owners’ Club 12 JUNE Helen & Douglas House Sponsored Walk/Whizz 17 JUNE Barnardos Big Toddle Dizzy Kidz Indoor Playcentre, Newport T: 01495 725850 E: dizzykidz1@aol.com EVERY WEDNESDAY 10.30AM-12.30PM Mother & Toddler Mornings. Folly Farm, Pembrokeshire T: 01834 812731 W: www.folly-farm.co.uk MARCH 20 - SEPTEMBER 3 10AM - 5:30PM DAILY For hands-on farming fun you can feed a kid goat in our hugely popular daily bottlefeeding shows. There's also entertainment with the Folly Farmers and our lovable costume characters, Henry the Horse, Patsy the Cow and Lily the Lemur, will pose for photographs.

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PLEASE NOTE: All events and activities are all correct at time of publication and subject to changes

Go Ape Hire Wire Forest Adventure, Wales T: 0845 643 92 15 W: www.goape.co.uk MARGAM COUNTRY PARK WEEKENDS: SAT 27 FEB - SUN 21 MARCH. DAILY: SAT 27 MARCH - SAT 30 SEPT. PEMBREY COUNTRY PARK DAILY: SAT 27 MARCH - SUN 31 OCT. This course is new for 2010 and will open on 27th March. You can book your adventure online now. FOREST OF DEAN DAILY SAT 27 MARCH - SUN 31 OCT. WEEKENDS: SAT 27 FEB - SUN 21 MARCH. Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran T: 01633 647662 W: www.greenmeadowcommunityfarm.org.uk SUN 14 MARCH Mothering Sunday - Free admission for Mum's Mother's Day lunch MARCH 27 - 11 APRIL Easter Fun at the Farm, our favourite time of year. Activities incl. craft sessions & Easter egg hunts. MON 3 MAY Teddy Bears picnic and May Fayre MAY 29 - JUNE 6 Half Term Fun at the Farm - daily craft activities, meet the animal sessions and more! Heatherton Country Sports Park Ltd, Tenby T: 01646 652000 W: www.heatherton.co.uk EASTER - 31 OCTOBER, PARK OPEN 10AM - 9PM ACTIVITIES OPEN - 10AM - 6PM Longleat, Wiltshire T: 01985 844400 W: www.longleat.co.uk SUN 28 MARCH TO SUN 31 OCTOBER 2010 Safari Park: 10am-4pm (5pm on weekends, Bank

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Holidays and during state school holidays) Longleat House: 10am-5pm (5.30pm on weekends, Bank Holidays and during state school holidays) All other Attractions: 11am-5pm (10.30am-5.30pm on weekends, Bank Holidays and during state school holidays). FRI 2 - MON 5 APRIL: Longleat Easter ChocTrail - The Easter ChocTrail takes place daily in the Adventure Castle from 11am-5pm. Collect your ChocTrail quiz sheet on entry into the Adventure Castle and find the answers to the hidden clues! All correct answers will win a chocolate prize! SAT 24 - SUN 25 APRIL: Numberjacks - Come and help the Numberjacks! Join in with acting out a Numberjacks mission, with songs, music, fun and games. As ever with the Numberjacks, a highly enjoyable mix of entertainment and education will get children laughing and thinking at the same time. FRI 4TH – SUN 6TH JUNE: Big & Small - Join two of CBeebies' best-loved characters, Big and Small, as they visit Longleat on the 4th to 6th June. These two best friends couldn't be more different. Big is big, thoughtful and very patient, whilst Small is small, vivacious and very, very messy. Despite their differences, their friendship is defined by tolerance, kindness and lots of laughter. Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay T: 029 2048 0077 W: www.mermaidquay.co.uk SAT 21 & SUN 22 MARCH, 10AM-6PM All on board the Ezeeeplay bus for soft play and lots of fun. TUES 30 MARCH Face Painting with Pudseys Pals. FRI 9 APRIL Face Painting with Pudseys Pals. SAT 17 & SUN 18 APRIL, 10AM-6PM

All on board the Ezeeeplay bus for soft play and lots of fun. SAT 1 MAY - MON 3 MAY Bute Town Jazz Festival. SAT 22 MAY & SUN 23 MAY, 10AM-6PM All on board the Ezeeeplay bus for soft play and lots of fun. Millennium Stadium Tours, Cardiff T: 029 2082 2228 W: www.millenniumstadium.com/tours SCHOOL HOLIDAYS + WEEKENDS* Why not treat the children to a tour around the stadium and changing rooms. *Not on match days. National Museum, Cardiff T: 029 2039 7951 W: www.museumwales.ac.uk UPTO: 10 MAY (N.B. OPEN TUES–SUN AND BANK HOLIDAY MONDAYS) Medieval Wales: Some Crusade Stories. The National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire T: 01558 668768 W: www.gardenofwales.org.uk MARCH 27 – APRIL 11 Easter Egg Trail - Easter Bank Holiday Weekend + entertainment. APRIL 24-25 Mediterranean Weekend + Med Craft and Food Fair + entertainment. MAY 1,2,3 May Day Bank Holiday weekend + entertainment + Quack Pack on Saturday. Also West Wales Food Festival + entertainment including the Mardi Jug Band and magic man Jugglestruck.

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Issue 12 | Spring 2010 5

PLEASE NOTE: All events and activities are all correct at time of publication and subject to changes

MAY 15-16 Members and Volunteers' Giant plant fair weekend stalls in Millennium Square. National Waterfront Museum, Swansea T: 01792 638950 W: www.museumwales.ac.uk 7 MAR Tunes@Two with Parklands Primary School. 13, 14, 20 + 21 MARCH Earth, Wind, Fire and Water - Family Science Workshop. Suitable for age 6-12 years. 26 MARCH Waterfront Nippers - Cookibods taster session. 18 months - 5 years. 29 MARCH Canu gyda Babi - For babies 0-3 years. 2-18 APRIL Meet Henrietta and Jemima! 2 & 5 APRIL The Great Museum Easter Egg Hunt 3-4 APRIL Gener8 - Save the Egg! challenge 6-18 APRIL Design a Future Food 11 APRIL Henrietta, chick in the city! The Grand Theatre, Swansea T: Box Office - 01792 475715 W: www.swansea.gov.uk WED 7 APRIL 2PM & THURS 8 APRIL 11AM & 2PM Noddy in Toyland. Park Events, Cardiff T: (029)20684000/ 20445903/ 20445900 W: www.cardiff.gov.uk/parks SAT 27 MARCH, 10AM-12NOON Forest Farm Wildlife Watch Club/Easter Art Activity - WATCH is the junior branch of the National Wildlife Trust and is designed for children

Issue 12 | Spring 2010 6

aged 8-12 years. Meet at the Wardens Centre, Forest Farm, Whitchurch. SUN 4 APRIL, 2PM-4PM Join the Park Rangers for some EGGCITING Easter games and art activities! ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. Meet at the children's play area, Roath Park. THURS 8 APRIL, 11AM-1PM Join the Rangers in the junior photography workshop. Please bring your own camera. Meet at Roath Park Conservatory. ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. SAT 24 APRIL, 10AM-12NOON For children aged 8-12 years. A family cycle ride along the popular Taff Trail from Pontcanna to Forest Farm. You can hire a bike if you don't have one! Meet at the Caravan Park, Pontcanna. SAT 22 MAY, 10AM-12NOON For children aged 8-12 years. Learn about a variety of traditional woodcraft skills at Forest Farm. Meet at the Wardens Centre, Forest Farm, Whitchurch. The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay T: 029 2025 6261 W: www.thereddragoncentre.co.uk Come rain or shine there's something for everyone - discover a world of entertainment and dining all under the comfort of one roof. FRI 5 - SUN 7 MARCH (FRI 12-7PM / SAT & SUN 10AM-7PM) Discover the exceptional talents of locally dedicated crafters at our monthly craft fair. SUN 28 MARCH, 12 - 5PM It's the start of the Easter Holidays so hop on over to The Red Dragon Centre and bring your little bunnies to our FREE Easter Bonnet workshop. MON 29 MARCH - MON 5 APRIL Follow Your Dreams will be sailing into The Red Dragon Centre over the Easter holidays with their Pirate themed road show. WED 7 APRIL, 12.30 - 2.30PM

Join us for the launch of Tiny Tots Play Pod. A FREE parent child play program for your little tots. First Wednesday of every month at The Red Dragon Centre, 12.30 - 2.30pm. FRI 9 - SUN 11 APRIL (FRI 12-7PM / SAT & SUN 10AM-7PM) Discover the exceptional talents of locally dedicated crafters at our monthly craft fair. FRI 16 - SUN 18 APRIL (FRI 12-7PM / SAT & SUN 10AM-7PM) A fabulous monthly event showcasing a variety of products including jewellery, stylish accessories, body products and more. SAT 22 AND SUN 23 MAY The Wales Streetdance federation will be showcasing some of Wales' best talent to celebrate the opening weekend of Streetdance 3D at the ODEON. Rumble in the Jungle Playcentre, Cambrian T: 01443 433033 W: www.rumbleinthejungleplaycentre.co.uk THURS & FRI MORNINGS ACTIVITY MORNINGS - Normal entry charge applies, but includes FREE activities, including Lego, Puzzles, Colouring, Playdoh etc, and FREE SQUASH & TOAST for EVERY CHILD! St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff T: 01291 420000 W: www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans/ 29 MARCH â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 APRIL Easter at St Teilo's Church - As the high point of the Christian year in Tudor Wales. 8-11 APRIL Tudor Painting Workshop - Ever wonder how the Tudors did their DIY? Take the chance to make your own Tudor portrait or coat of arms. Use pigments, pouncers and stencils, just like Tudor artists did around 500 years ago. Find out about

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PLEASE NOTE: All events and activities are all correct at time of publication and subject to changes

secret techniques and tips used by artists in the past. Techniquest, Cardiff Bay T: 029 20 475 475 W: www.techniquest.org March 8-April 11, weekends & local school hols. "Amazing Eggsperiments" - The Egg Show (Science Theatre) A show full of science and bad yolks! What have we learned from the humble egg about chemistry, engineering and cookery? April 17-May 23, weekends & local school hols. "The Brain Drain" (Science Theatre) Discover the wonders of your very own brain in this fascinating new show. ‘til April 11, weekends & local school hols. "Mission to Mars" (Planetarium) Fancy going on a holiday to Mars? (Suitable for under 7s). April 17-May 23, weekends & local school hols. "Gas Giants" (Planetarium) Discover fascinating facts about the largest planets in our solar system. Suitable for 5s and over. April 17-May 23, weekends & local school hols. "Day trip to the moon" (Planetarium) Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut? Suitable for under 7s. March 29-April 11, weekends & local school hols. "Mars Mission Madness" (Lab) How do you cushion a fragile spacecraft for landing? What are the forces involved? Toddler Days: March 22 - On the Move April 19 - In the Garden. Once a month pre-school children have their run of the exhibits with activities on a special theme. There'll be drawing and colouring and something to make to take home. Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay T: 029 2063 6464 W: www.wmc.org.uk SAT 13 MARCH - Family Days

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An opportunity for you to introduce your children to theatre and the arts. All activities below are inspired by Matthew Bourne's production of Swan Lake, which is performed at 2pm and 7.30pm on the day. 11AM-12PM - Victor Salvi Room. Douglas Comley workshop - a dynamic introduction to dance. Learn simple, high impact choreography to perform to Robbie Williams' famous hit Let Me Entertain You. Suitable for 14+ 11.30AM-12.15PM - Meet at the Halo. Explore the Centre's on this 45mins trail especially designed for families. 12-1PM - Storytelling with Taffy Thomas MBE. This event is part of Beyond the Border, the Wales International Storytelling Festival, a product of St Donats Arts Centre. 1PM-3.30PM - Design a Costume. Great way for younger children to really get involved. A member of the Centre's team will work with your family to design costumes inspired by Matthew Bourne's work. 1.30-1.45PM - Meibion. Dance performance by Meibion, all male community based dance group based in South Wales. STALLS We've invited several stall holders to set up shop selling a range of items, from books and toys to handmade crafts. MON 22 MARCH - FRI 26 MARCH, 1PM Global Music Maker: Big Celebration of Little Voices. Cardiff Council Music Development Service lead little voices in song. SAT 10 APRIL - CATH ARAN, 12PM This event is part of Beyond the Border, the Wales International Storytelling Festival, a product of St Donats Arts Centre. From the wind beaten mountains of Snowdonia comes Cath Aran. SUN 18 APRIL - BOMBASTIC FAMILY DANCE WORKSHOP, 1-1.45PM Victor Salvi Room - A dance workshop for children and their parents is followed by the magical

performance of My Shadows and Me in the Weston Studio at 3pm. SAT 24 APRIL - MUSIC IN THE VALE, 1.15PM Music in the Vale is a charitable organisation that runs an annual competition for young singers and instrumentalists. SUN 2 MAY - BUTETOWN BAY JAZZ FESTIVAL Join us in celebrating Tiger Bay's rich jazz heritage with a fun day of music and events. Recreating the spirit of the Docklands community. MON 3 MAY - FUNNY BONES FAMILY DANCE WORKSHOP, 12.30-1.30PM Victor Salvi Room - This creative, fun-filled dance workshop for the whole family to get involved with. The theme of the workshop is 'senses and sport'. KARIAD - 1PM-1.30PM & 2.15PM-2.45PM Popular children's entertainer Kariad returns to wow children of all ages with an afternoon full of magic, games, jokes and a lot of laughter. SAT 15 MAY, 12PM Saturday Storytelling - Cat Weatherill "Dancing on my Own". This event is part of Beyond the Border, the Wales International Storytelling Festival, a product of St Donats Arts Centre. SAT 22 MAY, 10.30-2.30PM - BAYLINGO Learn & LIVE Welsh (In association with Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan Welsh for Adults Centre). Stalls and entertainment including; music, magic, children's performances, dancing, schools performances and more. You will also have the opportunity to learn some useful Welsh phrases, dance moves and lyrics of popular Welsh songs. Zoopadoopa, Cwmbran T: 01633 861916 W: www.zoopadoopa.webeden.co.uk EVERY WED, 10 AM Happy Hands and Twinkly Toes’ are fun and energetic sessions for pre-school children and their ‘carer’. After School Meal Deal - a childs meal, a drink and unlimited play. (Well untill six pm anyway!!)

Issue 12 | Spring 2010 7

40TH ANNIVERSARY ARCHIVE APPEAL - YOUR PHOTOS AND STORIES NEEDED! This year Cotswold Wildlife celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

Park

On Good Friday 27th March 1970 the Park opened to the public for their very first time, with fine weather and admission prices of 5 shillings for adults (25p) and 2 shillings for children (10p). As part of our 40th A n n i v e r s a r y celebrations we plan to create an archive chronicling the Park's history from day one right up to the current day. This collection of photos, news articles and other memorabilia will be used to create an updated history

DRAMA ACADEMY CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF DEVELOPING CONFIDENT AND ARTICULATE CHILDREN.

book to be made available to visitors as well as providing an invaluable record for the owners of the Park and their staff. We would like to invite our visitors to share their memories of the Park with us and would love to hear your stories of visits to the Park and see any photos you may have showing how the Park has changed over the years. Please email your stories and photographs to archive@cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk for photos be sure to tell us the approximate date and location of the photo. If you would like to write to us or have any memorabilia you would like to donate to our archive please write to: Archive Appeal, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX184JW.

For 30 years the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy has been using a curriculum which has helped thousands of students to develop interpersonal skills as well as a love of drama. Principal Becky Goodfield said "If you are looking for the best way to develop your child the benefits offered by our unique self development programme are countless!!" In 2010, the Academy will be running adult classes which will offer adults the opportunity to increase in confidence and self esteem, improve public speaking and presentation skills, develop social interaction skills and expand speech and language proficiency. Classes are very affordable and open to all. Please contact 0845 603 7220. for further information

CLARE KING'S SCHOOL OF DANCE. Clare King's School of Dance is located in Llandaff North, Cardiff and offers a fun and friendly environment for people who wish not only to dance but to do so in a way that enables them to keep fit and to make new friends. Clare has 30 years experience of tap dancing and is registered with the British Ballet Organisation whose examinations are in line with Local Education Authority standards. Vocational opportunities exist for those who wish to follow dance professionally and parents are permitted to watch classes for new and much younger pupils. Importantly, attention is equally given to the hobbyist dancer, purely for fun; in addition local shows are programmed two or three times a year which are well received.

Issue 12 | Spring 2010 8

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Julie’s Books CHILDRENS BOOKS FOR YOU TO LOVE AND SHARE

Free Usborne books Hold an Usborne event with me and get FREE books for your family, school or library. Whatever the occasion, I will tailor the event to suit your needs, and arrange everything, so you don't have to.

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Host an Usborne home book party and benefit from:

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10% in FREE books - when the total party sales value is £100.

When you order through me, you will also be eligible for special offers and great discounts.

20% in FREE books - when the total party sales value is £100 or over and there are two or more future bookings. HALF-PRICE books - when the total party sales value is £150 or over, you may order at half-price up to £15 (RRP) worth of books.

Contact:

Holding an Usborne event is easy I will do all the work for you. Here are some things I can do: I can supply leaflets, brochures and all promotional material in advance and can advertise your event on this site. I can attend the event with a selection of titles for you and your guests to browse and enjoy.

Julie Williams 15 Bryn Dewi Sant Miskin Mid-Glamorgan CF72 8TJ Telephone: 01443 449950 Mobile: 07867 805521 Email: juliewillo383@hotmail.com

I will handle all order details and payments, and calculate the value of your free and/or discounted books. You may be eligible for FREE DELIVERY*.

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Although you’ll be running your own business, you will be entering a ready-made community. All our Usborne Organisers have a network of other Organisers they can approach for help, support, and advice..

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Be your own boss and build a business around your family with Usborne Books at Home. You can sell Usborne books wherever and whenever suits you, and even take your children along too! For a low start-up cost, you will earn up to 26% on everything you sell, right from day one. And what’s more, you don’t need any previous selling experience, because Usborne books sell themselves. Become an Usborne Organiser, and there is no limit to your potential earnings – children will always need good quality books, and parents will always want their child to have the best education possible. Your business can be as large as you want it to be, and once you start building you can earn up to 40% commission on everything you sell, plus bonuses, to create a full-time income.

"I have built a fantastic, full-time business with Usborne, and have had lots of fun and made some great friends along the way. Plus, my business keeps going from strength to strength - sales within my personal division are up over 68% on the same period last year!" Tracy, Usborne Organiser

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Usborne Books at Home provides all New Organisers with the essential tools and training to enable them to get off to a flying start. We have a dedicated website specifically for Organisers, which is continually being updated with all the latest news and initiatives on Usborne books to help your sales grow. We provide stationery, downloads, templated websites, training courses, and much more, letting you concentrate on building your business.

An Usborne ‘Executive Club’ for high flyers, with exclusive previews of new products, free business tools, plus extra incentives. VIP trips to day spas, Michelin starred restaurants, and everything in between. Holidays all over the globe, from South Africa to Hong Kong to the Caribbean. We also hold National events throughout the year, from regular training and conferences to the annual Gala awards ceremony. These events are open to all Organisers, and are the perfect reward for everyone’s hard work over the year.

Issue 12 | Spring 2010 9

Learning Curve The Centre for Educational Studies (Canolfan Astudiaethau Addysg - CAA) is an educational publishing agency which is part of Aberystwyth University. CAA is one of the largest educational publishers in Wales - and around 50 titles are published every year by the agency. CAA produces materials of a high standard in a wide range of subjects for every Key Stage: primary education, secondary education and post16 and Higher. The agency has considerable experience of producing materials of good quality for the National Assembly for Wales' Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS). A service is also offered to institutions and businesses which wish to develop educational materials. In November 2003 CAA won the Basic Skills Agency Book Award for primary literacy in Welsh for Cyfres Clic, a series designed as a reading scheme for pupils in Key Stages 2 and 3. Then in March 2004, one of the Centre's publications, The Battle of Mametz Wood, 1916, was awarded the Tir na n-Og prize for the best English language publication. Atebol Press is a leading and innovative educational publisher. Atebol specialises in the preparation and production of learning and teaching materials for the home, schools and colleges. Atebol originate and publish educational materials including interactive whiteboard materials for the Foundation Stage, Early Years, Primary Education, Secondary Education and Further Education.

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Atebol also offers a 'one-stop shop' for a broad range of clients who need to produce bilingual publications in English and Welsh. Atebol has a professional team of writers, translators, editors, proof-readers and designers. Make photos Fun, by Georgina Flambert - Why not try a more relaxed approach to getting your photos taken? By helping you to relax and enjoy yourselves, we can create some really natural images of yourself and your family, or perhaps just the kids... even the dog or cat can get in on the action if you like! I know what they say... 'never work with children or animals', but leave that part to me, once we get everyone settled, it can be a lot of fun and you'll end up with some great pictures that perhaps you never thought possible! Of course everyone wants photographs of their children - they grow up so quickly! We have a BabyGrow package, involving 3 sessions so that you can watch your baby grow into a child, or perhaps you want a photo of your children before they grow up too much, or even a photo now that they are grown up - this is something a lot of people forget to do. Whatever the reason or occasion, we can guarantee you some great fun, some great pictures and for some great prices!

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Issue 12 | Spring 2010 11

A Cowbridge Welcome For Pampered Pets Already attracting a lot of interest, Annie's Pampered Pets aims to do just as its name suggests - provide a service to dogs, cats, rabbits and birds built on loving care and devotion to duty. And, says Anne, of Aberthin, Cowbridge, how the idea for the business began makes for a real shaggy dog story. Recovering from divorce in 2007 mum of three, Anne, decided it would be a great idea to get a dog for the children. "I grew up surrounded by various rescued dogs and cats so I phoned up Dog's Trust in Bridgend. Little did I know how that phone call was going to start

me off on a huge life-changing roller coaster!" And, responsible for the thrills and spills ever since has been a small, black, poodley mongrel by the name of Shani Flewog. "Shani had been brought in as a stray and had obviously suffered greatly" says Anne, 46, a former journalist and public relations consultant. "Her fur was matted and filthy and she was so traumatised she would only crawl along the ground. I visited her every day for a month before being allowed to bring her home". Sadly, however, worse was to come as, just four days after her arrival, a still terrified Shani broke free from her Anne harness and high-tailed it to the Cowbridge Downs. "She lived there for nearly a week before being hit by a car" says Anne. "Her injuries meant the vet had to refer us to a specialist small animal practice in Bristol." Four operations later and months of aquatherapy Shani was as good as new and back in the arms of her devoted family and Anne was holding a bill for over ÂŁ9,000. "Luckily, insurance covered most of it but I was still left

Issue 12 | Spring 2010 12

Photograph by Angela Davies Photography

ANIMAL entrepreneur Anne Llion has been rushed off her feet of late - she's just started a dynamic new dog walking and petsitting business for Cowbridge and surrounding areas.

Llion and Shani at home in Aberthin with a large hole in my pocket. It was a price I was willing to pay though as she was a little dog who had suffered so much". It took intensive nursing and a lot of love to get Shani well again, and, says Anne: "It made me think about becoming a petsitter for animals who need extra TLC such as rescue and older pets". Family friendly dogs are welcome to spend a holiday at Anne's home in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan. Anne is CRB checked and also fully insured. A pet-to-vet and animal taxi service is available and, for those with stunning good looks (owners or pets!) award winning photography from Anne's associate, Angela Davies of Pyle, can be arranged. Comments Anne: "It's a big worry for owners to know who to approach when their animals need care. Well, now it's a problem solved as at Annie's Pampered Pets caring always comes first".

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Issue 12 | Spring 2010 13

Winners of the ‘Draw a pet’ competition, from children of: Ysgol Iolo Morganwg, ages 3-6 years.

Tanwen Mair Gray, TORTOISE

Rees, Megan Annie HUSKY

Lili Devonald, DOGGY’S DREAM

Hawys Evans , DOGGIES DA Y OUT

Elen Hunt, HER CAT MEG

Rhys Williams, SWIGOD

Issue 12 | Spring 2010 14

If your school would like to enter in our next competition, please email: info@citypublications.org or telephone: (029) 2045 0532 to take part. www.kidzlifeuk.com

THE CLIFTON HOUSE MYSTERY This enthralling and sometimes chilling ghost story is a new Network DVD release suitable for older children of a 6 part series made in 1978 and tells of a posh orchestral conductor and his extremely well spoken wife and children who move into rather gloomy and forbidding house in Bristol and find that it is full of secrets such as a walled-up room plus a skeleton in a bed and other presences guaranteed to make you sleep with the light on. Starring no one you've ever heard of other than Peter Sallis from "Last of the Summer Wine" as a ghost-hunter this is a highly atmospheric and well written and performed piece from an era when children's TV did not simply consist of references to breaking wind and unsuitable innuendo. A prime example of the sort of children's material that Network DVD releases that no other company I can think of can come anywhere close to. You can watch this as a family without embarrassment. THE DOOMBOLT CHASE From the same era comes this interesting but equally intriguing six parter aimed at a teenage audience and providing them with a naval adventure tinged with sci fi accoutrements not dissimilar to those found in the earlier "Freewheelers". A daring teenager and his friends attempt to unravel secret codes and information that lead them to uncover the threat of a deadly undersea weapon and in doing so endure some exciting but not overly perilous situations along the way. Starring the reliable and forbidding Peter Vaughan in the main adult role and a cast of likeable younger actors "The Doombolt Case", like "Clifton" is an HTV production which makes both series even more interesting for "Kidzlife" readers with a taste for the much more challenging fare than those of their age are provided with nowadays. Nice production values here too and not as studio bound as you might expect. Another winner from Network DVD. UP I must admit that I am not terribly enamoured of this new Pixar release and I am finding this style of animation tiresome and prefer the old style which thankfully has now been reborn in the new Disney cinema release "The Princess and the Frog". I do not share the general enthusiasm that has greeted UP but what do I know.? Many will enjoy this tale of an elderly old codger named Carl who ties thousands balloons to his house and floats around the world with an 8 year old stowaway. I find all this a bit precious to be honest with you but at least the environmental subtext is not as obtrusive as I feared it might be and there can be no denying that Pixar rules the roost with this kind of stuff as the Box Office has proved. Plenty of extras here too which are to be expected but none the less welcome.

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Furnaces of Forge by Alan Skinner The first book in The Land's Tale series, Blue Fire and Ice, told how the peoples of The Land joined together to discover the source of the devastating blue fire, deep in the ice fields of the High Mountains. Furnaces of Forge continues The Land's Tale. Blue Fire and Ice, which I we have reviewed previously, featured some brilliance, the sequel, however, lacked any sense of progression. We see more of the industrious Myrmidot life, as the two apprentices try to right a wrong with the mystical flaming stone. The baddies come from the same place, don't differ enough in their intent. There is still a strongly inventive author at work here - he does some clever things with his characters, animal and humanoid, which will open the book up to a different response than would something more like straight fantasy. Age 8+ The Comet's Child by John Ward The Comet's Child is set in an alternative world: maybe it's the past rather than the future. Teenage Fin is rescued from his remote forest home by Ragg, the first man he has ever encountered. Having such a sheltered childhood has equipped Fin with the speech and education of a nobleman's son but little idea about the real world. Other than relying on his instincts and resourcefulness. It's not long before Fin witnesses a bloodbath and we understand that he is a political pawn played between opposing forces. This is exactly the right book to give a confident reader of 8 or over. John Ward's artistry will lead him gently into the world of fantasy. What a pleasure to read such a well-crafted story! Age 8+ Blue Flame (Perfect Fire Trilogy) by Katie Grant A band of Occitan knights are besieged by Richard the Lionheart, and they must protect the Blue Flame at all costs. It's the soul of their country. Realising doom is inevitable, the knights entrust the flame to Parsifal, the young son of Sir Bertrand. While he makes his escape, they make their last stand. Catholics pit themselves against Cathars and the country is ablaze with bigotry and hatred. In the midst of the turmoil are Yolanda and Raimon, one Catholic, one Cathar, who are falling in love. Raimon must help Parsifal protect the blue flame, and Parsifal must decide to which side he should entrust his precious burden. It took me a while to get into Blue Flame and I didn't feel comfortable reading until I'd got about a third of the way through however, once I did, I found myself engrossed. The love story between Yolanda, the rich heiress, and Raimon, the humble weaver's son, is particularly well-told - it is young love in all its passion and glory, but it is tempered by class, bigotry, religion and political turmoil. By the end of this first volume,my heart was in my mouth. I loved this book and I hope younger readers stay with it long enough to see why.

Issue 12 | Spring 2010 15

Issue 12 | Spring 2010 16

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Issue 12 | Spring 2010 17

Issue 48 Spring 2010

Price: FREE

New Properties For Under

£75,000

This issue we speak with Treble Brit Award Winning sensation

LADY GAGA

SPRING INTERIOR SPECIAL

• 5 Key Trends • Meet The Interior Specialists

Property News • Celeb Interviews • Health • Entertainment • Puzzles

The Biggest

WEDDING EXHIBITION In Wales

CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL ARENA 28TH MARCH 2010

Everything Under One Roof! wedding of your dreams. You’ll find the largest choice and best wedding suppliers in Wales all under one roof. the bride outfits, guestwear, bridesmaid dresses, venues, cakes, stationery, cars, photographers, videographers, accessories, jewellers, ice sculptures, chocolate fountains, flowers, entertainment and much much more..... Also featured at the exhibition are the biggest and most spectacular catwalk shows. You’ll be able to see all the latest gowns from leading designers together with menswear, shows are 500 all tiered seating so you can just sit back relax and enjoy the perfect view.

Opening 11.30 - 5.00 pm Admission £3.00

OVER 100 EXHIBITORS SPECTACULAR CATWALK SHOWS 12.30 14.00 15.30 THE LARGEST SELECTION OF BRIDAL GOWNS EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS ON THE DAY

JD Wedding & Events Tel: 0843 2899108 www.jdweddingandevents.co.uk

Welcome As you will have noticed At Home in Wales magazine experienced a growth spurt in the last issue, we listened to our readers wishes and took the magazine back up to its A4 format, I am so glad that we did as the response has been amazing. A full sized magazine provides the opportunity for bigger articles and larger pictures making the reading experience much more pleasant, it also means that we can bring you more information on property prices, interiors ideas and more in depth celebrity interviews. With Easter just around the corner and a general election looming I think there will be some dramatic developments that should see improvement in the economic situation. As you will see in our property feature, this really is the best time to buy a new home as there are bargains aplenty. In interiors there are 5 key looks from which to draw inspiration and in our celebrity interview we have the avant garde Lady Gaga whose presence in the music industry has taken the world by storm. Have a great Easter and we will be back in the Summer!

4-5

More Bang For Your Buck!

The Home Facelift

Take Control Of Your Curtains!

Brand New Homes For Less Than £75,000 From A New Kitchen To A Conservatory

Interior Expert Julie Perkins Tells Us Why Curtains Are So High-Tech

10-11 The Home Specialists

We Talk To Five Top Home Experts

14-15 Better By Design

Five New Interior Looks For The New Season

16 17

Watching With Alan Mount

The Latest Must See DVD’s

Tea Break

Give Your Brain A Workout

18-19 Going GaGa!

We Talk To The Lady Who Is Not So GaGa!

20-21 Table Talk

Why Eating Out Is The Best Therapy

24-25 Parting Of The Ways

Your Guide On How To Handle The Divorce Process

Alison Tucker

26-27 The Holistic Approach

and all the team

The Alternative To Conventional Treatments

‘At Home In Wales’ has 45,000 readers and is distributed in-house. Magazines can be found at showhomes, business and quality establishments throughout South-East Wales. The magazine is also distributed to supermarkets via Self Select Distribution. © All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without written permission of City Publications. Whilst At Home in Wales take every care to ensure that content is accurate at time of publication, neither City Publications nor its contributors can accept any liability for reader dissatisfaction arising from editorial content. City Publications reserves the right to accept or reject any article or material supplied for publication or to edit such material prior to publication. City Publications cannot take responsibility for any loss or damage to supplied materials. The opinions expressed or advice given in this publication are the views of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of City Publications.

Editor

Alison Tucker 029 2049 0532 alison@citypublications.org

Advertising

Julie V Jones, Adrian Stone & Alan Mount 029 2045 0532 info@citypublications.org

Design

Jonathan J Jonas

Contributors

WMC, Cardiff International Arena, BBC, Cathy McLean of RICS and Network DVD

We’re Online Too....

Read our magazines using innovative page turning software www.athomeinwales.com www.kidzlifeuk.com www.diamantebridal.co.uk

PROPERTY AROUND THE SITES

✹

More Bang

Although borrowing in the current climate is more difﬁcult, if you have money or can secure a mortgage, this really is the best time to take the plunge. Firstly mortgage rates are at an all time low, and are unlikely to rise dramatically any time soon, secondly property is affordable, particularly in the New Homes market.

For Your Buck!

Housing developers across the country realised that in order to stay in business they would need to give incentives that would make their homes irresistible.

We are told that the property market is looking up, and yes prices have risen over the last few months, and perhaps these so called ‘Green shoots’ of recovery will emerge as the weather improves. For many of us this is of no comfort as we have seen thousands wiped off the value of our property and any equity evaporated. Added to this job losses in all sectors and at all levels have left us all feeling completely deﬂated, but there is a silver lining to this rather large black cloud and that is property is now more affordable.

From help with mortgages, delayed payments and ﬁtting and ﬁxtures provided free, this really is a good time think about buying a new home. In our Around the Sites report we see just what you can buy for your buck in 2010.

New Homes For Less Than £75,000

Live in a one bedroom coach house for less than £75,000. This deal is amazing for a ﬁrst time buyer as it includes an oven, hob, washer/ dryer and carpets, 20% interest free loans available for 10 years or full value part exchange on your existing home Broadheath in Newport offers modern living in a choice of apartments and two, three and four bedroom houses, combined with a location that is experiencing an exciting renaissance as the entire area is transformed through regeneration projects, reaching from the heart of the city centre to the historic waterfront. Broadheath’s local area has many amenities, including a parade with shops, a community centre and a doctors surgery. The revitalised town centre offers a brilliant selection of shops - from John Frost Square to Kingsway Boulevard the city bustles with street-life. City regeneration continues with the development of Friars Walk Galleria, which is seeing a multi-million pound investment, with major brand shops, a multi-screen cinema and an upper ﬂoor dedicated to chic cafes, bars and restaurants. Newport has a variety of pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes for you to enjoy including The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre which offers a wide range of entertainment from music, dance and comedy, to stylish cafes that spill onto the

riverside terraces. For those with a little more energy, visit Newport International Sports Village. This state of the art centre for over forty sports clubs has something for everyone, from swimming, squash and badminton to basketball, cricket and football. Rail services from Newport to Cardiff take just 20 minutes, and London is less than 2 hours away. The area’s road network is excellent with Ringland Way (A455), Chepstow Road (A48) and the M4 close by. Call the sales centre Tel: 01633 280270

ˇ A 2 Bedroom Apartment For Under £87,000 With the opening doors scheme from Bellway Homes. 100% of the property for 75% of the price. At Pencarn Village, Newport, award-winning housebuilder Bellway Homes have created a diverse and attractive development of three, four and ﬁve bedroom houses and one and two bedroom apartments. The enviable location enjoys the rare qualities of convenience and tranquillity, being minutes from Junction 28 of the M4, yet literally next door to the beautiful 17th century Tredegar House and 90 acre Country Park. For access further aﬁeld, the city’s mainline station is approximately 3 miles away and the nearby M4 means that London is a two hour drive, with Cardiff and Bristol airports each less than an hour away. Newport’s cosmopolitan city centre is about ten minutes away by car. A wide choice of pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants is complemented by clubs, cinemas and theatres, all contributing to a lively and varied nightlife. All the major retailers and a good selection of speciality shops can be found in the bustling High Street and The Kingsway and Cambrian shopping centres. Educationally, the area is well-served by quality nursery, primary and secondary schools, and of course, The University of Wales, all easily accessible from Pencarn Village. For details contact the sales centre Tel: 01633 816957

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PROPERTY AROUND THE SITES

City Centre Living For Under £100,000 With Taylor Wimpey City Vizion at Rodney Parade Newport boasts a selection of 1 and 2 bed apartments that are perfect for a ﬁrst time buyer who wish to live in the heart of the city whilst still retaining scenic views of the River Usk. These stylish 1 and 2 bedroom apartments have an open plan Living/ Dining/ Kitchen area. Most apartments have views over the River Usk. The properties also beneﬁt from Gas Central Heating and allocate parking space(s) City Vizion represents the centre of a massive regeneration of Newport City Centre. In 2010, Newport becomes a major player on the global stage when it hosts the 3rd largest sporting event in the world- the Ryder Cup. The anticipated re-generation of Newport will make the city a more vibrant and exciting place for people to live, work, shop, and learn. The City centre regeneration will exceed £500 million and include the Kingsway Shopping Centre. Conveniently located on the M4 corridor, Newport is easily accessible to Cardiff and Bristol.

New Homes For Less Than £110,000ã From under £110,000 you could have a brand new home at the Brookheath Development in Llanishen.

Brookthorne Heath combines modern stylish living in the community of Llanishen with a location just four miles from Cardiff’s city centre. With its facilities from post office and bank to local library, Llanishen is a thriving village, with local shopping that includes Morrisons, Marks & Spencer and Iceland and Somerfield stores under two miles away. Llanishen’s Leisure Centre is the largest in the Cardiff area, a state-of-the-art venue with leisure pool and wave machine, gym and fitness suite, which means that at Brookthorne Heath quality of life is taken to a new level. If the outdoors is more to your taste why not take in the scenery from the greens of Llanishen’s own golf club, a wooded mountain course with spectacular views. Llanishen reservoir, an oasis of natural beauty, is home to water sports and a Sailing Centre, the perfect spot to enjoy one of its regattas on a summer’s day. Or head to the city to dine al fresco at hotspots like The Brewery Quarter.

Cardiff’s centre offers all-year round attractions, from its cuisine to chic shopping, culture and sport whether your tastes run to Welsh National Opera or Six Nations rugby.

At Brookthorne Heath you never have to choose. Just 13 minutes by train into Cardiff from Ty Glas railway station, the M4 motorway is close by and Cardiff Airport just 13 miles away. Contact the sales centre Tel: 029 2076 4832

Bayside Plaza Prospect Place For under £120,000 you could live in the exciting and dynamic, Bayside on Cardiff Bay. Here a cosmopolitan city lifestyle meets chic luxury apartments and cutting edge architecture from national housebuilder Bellway. It’s the place where the spectacular setting of Europe’s largest waterfront development offers the perfect base for your modern city lifestyle. Part of Bellway’s prestigious and popular Prospect Place development, Bayside lets you discover new ways to unwind at its own state-of-the-art spa and leisure facilities, which include a spa pool, gymnasium, steam room and Wales’ ﬁrst lap-lane swimming pool. Not only does it offer all this, but it is also just a stone’s throw from the International Sports Village. Bayside living is far enough away to escape the hustle and bustle, but still well placed to enjoy this lively, cosmopolitan city’s fantastic shopping opportunities as well as a virtually endless choice of entertainment. Cardiff also boasts international calibre attractions including museums, art galleries, and major venues hosting everything from world-renowned opera and ballet to stand-up comedy. Whenever you want to enjoy city life it’s just a short water taxi ride away; whenever you want to enjoy a stunning waterside lifestyle its all on your doorstep – picture yourself on a balmy summer’s evening at one of Mermaid Quay’s bars or restaurants enjoying the spectacular views across the bay and you can picture yourself at Bayside.

www.athomeinwales.com

As you would expect transport links are excellent with both the A4232 and M4 conveniently close by. Contact Sales Centre Tel: 029 2034 1377

LOOKS FOR LIVING

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LOOKS FOR LIVING

Giving Your Home A Facelift There are many things you can do to increase the value of your home. The first is to add space by building an extension. This will cost money to do, but you’ll gain extra room and see a return on your investment when you come to sell. Before starting, check with your local authority’s Planning Department to see if you need planning permission. You’ll need an architect, so use specialist websites to find one in your area. Then find a good builder – if you don’t have a recommendation from a friend look at the Federation of Master Builders to find a reputable one. A conservatory is an inexpensive way of adding extra living space at around £10K-£15K, but make sure you have heating and blinds to make it usable all year round. If you don’t have room to add an extension, there are other ways to get extra space. Loft conversions are a great way of gaining an extra bathroom or bedroom. As with other extensions, you will have to check whether you need planning permission, and you must adhere to building regulations. You must also check that you have no less than 2.3 metres of head room over at least half of the room. Loft conversions can be the cheapest way to gain extra space in a house, costing £95 per square foot compared to £150 – 200 per square foot for add-on extensions. If you don’t have any extra space to add an extension or do a conversion, you might consider changing the layout of your home to create an open-plan living space, which will add modern appeal for buyers. But before you go knocking down any walls, first check who your buyers might be – if they’re not likely to have modern tastes, this might be a waste of time! If you’re thinking of doing up your kitchen, don’t spend a fortune on expensive fittings – it might put off potential buyers unless it’s exactly suited to their tastes. But if you play it safe, a sparkling new kitchen can be a real selling point for a home. It’s the little things that will give your home the edge in a very competitive market. For starters, you should make sure that your home has got good ‘kerb appeal’. If you tidy up the front of your house, this will make a good first impression. Repainting your front door, making a tidy area for the bins and adding a few plants will all make a huge difference. When it comes to sprucing up the inside of your home, it’s essential to de-clutter the space. Too many belongings can be very distracting and will make rooms appear smaller. If you’ve got too many things and can’t tidy them away on shelves and in cupboards, hire a storage unit and stash them! Don’t go mad with the tidying, though, as people do want to see a ‘lived-in’ feel and not an empty shell. If you have a garden, spend a bit of time tidying it up - mow the lawn and put in some big statement plants. Buy some garden furniture – displaying it will help your buyer imagine spending time in it if you have a large space invest in some decking and seating, as more and more people love alfresco dining. Remember you’re paying for every square foot of your property, so make the most of it. Bring dead space back to life.

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LOOKS FOR LIVING

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LOOKS FOR LIVING: JEWELS CANLEY INTERIORS The Beneﬁts of Electric Curtains and Blinds

• Ideal for large or difﬁcult to reach windows • Added security with automatic timers for opening and closing • Suitable for almost every type of fabric • Stylish and easy to keep clean • Customised to ﬁt exact window measurements

Take Control

Of Your Curtains and Blinds!

We’ve all been there. Blinds we can’t reach properly, curtains that threaten to pull the pole off the wall every time they are drawn and difficulty in finding a neighbour to open and close the curtains when on holiday… From modern apartments to luxurious character properties, electric curtains and blinds are becoming increasingly popular as home owners search for that perfect solution for large or difficult to reach windows. As stockists of the leading electric curtain systems, Silent Gliss, Jewels Canley Interiors on Whitchurch Road, Cardiff offer a range of electrically operated curtain tracks that can be individually operated, arranged in groups or incorporated into building management systems. All are customised to fit exact window measurements. Guaranteeing comfortable operation, the Silent Gliss range can be used with the heaviest and largest of curtains or blinds. Customers may choose from

With over 25 years experience, Julie Perkins and her team at Jewels Canley offer interior design, re-upholstery and bespoke furniture services.

a range of control mechanisms including radio or remote control, or both. All of the systems are attractively designed and discreet with any cabling running behind the actual curtain - Jewels Canley Interiors can also organise any electrical work for you to accommodate the necessary wiring. What’s more, electrically operated curtain tracks are ideal for very high curtains or blinds that are out of reach. Jewels Canley Interiors also supply and ﬁt the Autoglide domestic range with dawn and dusk or timer select and remote control – this is ideal for those that are security conscious and want the reassurance of knowing that the curtains can be set on an automatic timer to open and close. Electrically operated curtain tracks can be used with virtually any fabric. Snazzy, traditional or contemporary – the choice is yours as all curtains and blinds are made to measure and ﬁtted along with the actual systems. In fact, a favourite with many clients of Jewels Canley Interiors is the ‘wave’ curtain. An ideal style for electric curtain tracks, the ‘wave’ features a glider-cord that is contained within the curtain track allowing the curtain to hang in a smooth, simple and continuous wave effect. As a very popular alternative to traditional pinch, pencil pleat or goblet style, the ‘wave’ offers a contemporary and stylish curtain that is ideal for modern properties with large windows. They are also very easy to keep clean! So, if you have dismissed electrical curtains or blinds because you thought they may be unsightly or too expensive, then think again. Electric curtain tracks offer style, elegance and security, all at a price that can be afforded.

For further information please visit www.jewelscanley.co.uk or call 029 2069 2255

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LOOKS FOR LIVING

The Home Specialists Refresh And Revitalise Your Home Looking for a cost effective and environmentally friendly way to revamp your home? Then re-upholstery is the answer for you as Julie Perkins of Cardiff based Jewels Canley Interiors explains why… Most of us take the time and care to choose the best quality furniture we can afford. The majority of us will choose furniture that not only looks good but will endure the stresses and strains of modern day living.

Why then is our first instinct to go out and buy new when our existing furniture starts to look tired or when we want a new look or plan to redecorate? The simple fact is that good quality furniture costs more than double what it would have cost a few years ago. Unlike recovering, re-upholstery isn’t just about removing the existing covering. The item is stripped right down to the frame then rebuilt from the frame upwards. When the frame is stripped all the joints can be checked for wear and tear and any repairs are made at this time. The furniture is then rebuilt using new springs and new filling to meet all current fire regulations before being recovered in your choice of fabric, in which there are many options. So remember if you have a beloved item of furniture, you can increase its lifespan.

Making The Most Of Every Space Have you ever thought about having ﬂoor to ceiling sliding doors? If not, then let me suggest why they are such a good idea. Prestige Interiors in Talbot Green have been designing and installing sliding door systems for several years and they know just what a great idea they are! Sliding doors provide your home with space that would normally go to waste. With sliding doors there is no need to allow room for opening doors, they also maximise the area that would normally be left empty above your free standing furniture and because they are made to measure they can be ﬁtted into

nooks and crannies that would otherwise be impossible to fill with ready made furniture. Sliding doors can create their own décor, you can choose from beautiful wood finishes, mirrors, high gloss colours, metallic finishes. Styles can be contemporary, minimalist, traditional or even totally unique. All Prestige Interior designs can be fitted with soft close systems as an option, another huge benefit of sliding doors is the ease at which they can be installed; once you have been measured up, chosen your design and finish they can be fitted in one day with little or no mess. Great!

Passionate About Furniture Treehouse on Penarth Road is a furniture shop full of surprises. Aside from the main showroom, it boasts 4 ﬂoors of wonderful room displays which show everything from solid wood furniture, home accessories and stunning lighting ideas to exquisite carpets, rugs and the new collection of soft furnishings from the highly sought after Elizabeth Holland range. From the contemporary through to the luxurious French collections, owner Stefan has used his 30 plus years experience in the antiques business to bring you the ﬁnest quality, design and value for money. He clearly loves furniture and is happy to spend time discussing your individual requirements.

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LOOKS FOR LIVING

The Tile Specialists The Tile Studio offers ceramic, porcelain and natural stone. With a wealth of tiling experience they can supply or provide a complete supply and ﬁx service to cater for your bathrooms and kitchens etc. The Tile Studio also provides a full contract service working directly with developers, contractors, designers and architects.

Please visit www.thetilestudio.co.uk for a list of our current and recently completed larger projects. The Tile Studio can cater for any size project ranging from a small splashback to a leisure complex. Please call us for any advice relating to your project.

Raising The Bar In Home Fashion Curtain Raisers in Kelston Road Whitchurch have been a well established name in the interior design sector for 13 years, they have built up an enviable reputation with their clients, providing them with the highest quality fabrics, great designs and excellent standards of service. As well as being specialists in made to measure curtains and blinds, Curtain Raisers also stock a vast range of wallpapers, upholstery fabrics, lighting, home accessories and paints.

New this season! The very latest range of poles and ﬁnials from the Walcot House Collection, which will add creative style to any window dressings and the new mirror collection that can be covered in any fabric to compliment your décor. They are so unique they’re guaranteed to create a statement in any room. From a studio apartment to a country mansion Curtain Raisers rise to the challenge.

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LOOKS FOR LIVING

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LOOKS FOR LIVING

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LOOKS FOR LIVING

Interiors - Better By Design If you’re looking to update your home in 2010, then look no further...

We’ve had a sneaky peak at what’s going to be big on the high street in the year ahead... and we like! There are ﬁve main trends: Folk Style; Big Blooms; Natural Materials; Retro/Vintage and Country House Glamour. Enjoy!

Folk Style

Folk style has been given a fresh new feel and is one of the biggest trends for spring summer 2010. Look for anything with a crafty, and if it includes a woodland animal motif, all the better.

Big Blooms

Large colourful blooms are adorning everything from bedlinen to kitchenware this season.

Natural Materials

Wood has made a big comeback for 2010. This time around it’s all about showing off the grain and even the bark. Think other natural materials, too – stone and metals – and mix them up in a gorgeously natural scheme.

Retro/Vintage

Homewares with a retro or vintage feel are still a popular choice for 2010.

Country House Glamour

Bold splashes of elegant muted shades will give your home a country house feel, without looking like you’re showing off.

Evie Motif Charcoal

This big blooms wallpaper would look great in any style home. Here the large bold design is offset with monochromatic subtlety. This design would be great on a feature wall and will work well with the natural look. Price: £8.97 per roll Company: ARTHOUSE Website: www.arthouse.com

Ocean Drive Cushion

This bold ﬂoral cushion is great if you just want a touch of the blooms theme. This very inexpensive cushion would work with the natural theme and the Country theme too. Perfect for the living room, bedroom or conservatory. Price: £7.99 Company: Dunelm Mill Website: www.dunelm-mill.com

Into The Groove Designer Rug

This vibrant ﬂower power rug combines two of the key trends, it oozes retro chic as well as being a great example of the Big Bloom trend. Prices from £65.81 to £214.79 - Custom size rugs also available Company: Style International Website: www.arteespinarugs.co.uk

Country Chic Candleholder

This is the ultimate in Belgian shabby but chic - this country chic candleholder has 5 arms and delicate heart shaped patterns. With its grand design and elegance it will certainly transform your dining room with a period glow. Price: £67 Company: JasmineWay Website: www.jasmineway.co.uk

Upholstered Side Chair

This fully upholstered Side Chair is the epitomy of Country Style Glamour. It has a tight upholstered back a generous curved seat and elegant Sabre back legs. Company: Baker Furnitur Website: www.bakerfurniture.com

Cream Country Garden Collection

A selection of cushions from the Country Garden Collection. This Country House look would be equally at home with Folk Style or vintage 50s settings. Price: £63 Company: Jan Constantine Website: www.janconstantine.com

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LOOKS FOR LIVING

Hand Painted Metal Hook With Birds And Flowers

Gorgeous Wall Hook beautifully decorated with painted ﬂowers and birds in fabulous contrasting colours such as hot pink, yellow and red. Lovely detailing and strong enough to hold clothing, bags etc. Price: £22 Company: Berry Red Website: www.berryred.co.uk

Fabulous Folk Contemporary Rug

This charming rug oozes folk charm and would make an excellent focal point for any room. The Rugs in this unique collection are without doubt designed with passion and ﬂair. Prices from: £225 www.funkyrugs.co.uk

Owl Cushion

This 100% lucious lambswool cushion is the epitome of folk chic. Designed by Donna Wilson and knitted in Scotland, it comes complete with a duck feather cushion pad. Price: £60 Company: Rume Website: www.rume.co.uk

Sartori Celebrate Nature Rug

Nature shown at its best, this leaf has every vein so well deﬁned, you may think you are in a forest. 100% wool rug available in 3 sizes. Price: £1172 Company: Mac&Mac Interiors Website: www.macandmacinteriors.com

Natural Stack Of Cushions By Melin Tregwynt Add depth, texture and pattern by mix and matching Melin Tregwynt’s signature woollen designs, perfect for those Winter months. Price: Cushions from £32.50 and throws from £85 Company: Melin Tregwynt Website: www.melintregwynt.co.uk

C & J Suit Design

Browns and neutrals blended together in faux leather and suede create a natural element within the bedroom. Company: Matalan Home Website: www.matalan.co.uk Telephone: 0845 330 3330

Cindy Table Lamp

This sassy vintage style Table Lamp from Kartell Light Kartell Cindy is ideal for bedside, Sofa side or on a hallway console table. With a choice of Lush metallic colours and a curvaceous 1970s inspired shape - this little cutie really could ﬁt in to any decor. Price: £123 each - which includes 25W Energy Saver Flourescent Bulb. Company: design-conscious.co.uk Website: design-conscious.co.uk

La Cafetiere Polka Dot Gift Set

This a a great girly pink La Cafetiere set - & the perfect size for coffee with friends! Gift set includes an 8 Cup Pink Rainbow Polka Dot Cafetière with two matching cups. Packaged in sturdy a pink and white Polka Dot gift box. Price: £24.99 Company: Westway Website: www.west-way.com

Vintage Teapot Cushion

This super-cute cushion is handmade from a fabric produced in the 60’s, with a great graphic design and colour palette, it would look great in a child’s bedroom. The cushion has a feather pad and measures 30cm x 40cm Price: £28 Company: Winter’s Moon Website: www.wintersmoon.co.uk

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HOME ENTERTAINMENT: DVDS

DVD Reviews by Alan Mount

Danger Man: Complete Series One Patrick McGoohan fans and The Prisoner completists will cherish the release from Network DVD of all 39 episodes of the ﬁrst series of the classic 60’s action adventure series about NATO secret agent John Drake. These gritty 25 minute monochrome adventures may seem dated now but are packed with action in their short running time and McGoohan’s uniquely individual acting style makes his character edgy and somehow dangerous although the transatlantic accent he adopts here is

jarring at ﬁrst and he wisely abandoned this in subsequent series. Drake is unlike Bond as he rarely if ever becomes involved in romantic entanglements and doesn’t often use a gun if he can avoid it but this is not to the detriment of the stories and it is nice to see a DVD boxset where you can sit back and enjoy over 6 times as many episodes than is the case with modern TV thrillers which normally contain only a paltry six episodes or so per series. Recommended.

Wallander: Series One and Two Kenneth Branagh stars as less than cheerful Swedish detective Kurt Wallander in six feature length dramas based on the best-selling detective series by Henning Mankell which have become perfect Sunday night viewing in recent times Branagh is nothing less than superb in these intricate but rewarding 90 minute dramas that do not shirk in shocking and sometimes graphic detail about the murders that our gloomy hero investigates in the bleak but beautiful Swedish settings in which the stories unfold. You won’t ﬁnd much in the way of comic relief here but our hero is a complex and engaging character and of the six excellent episodes here I would say that ‘One Step Behind’ and ‘The Fifth Woman’ are the best. This BBC release also has some interesting minidocumentaries taking you behind the scenes of what I rate as the best new detective drama in many a long year. Long may it continue.

Michael Jackson’s: This Is It On a lighter note but then perhaps less so when you remember that the mercurial and highly talented subject of this startlingly good documentary is no longer with us Michael Jackson’s prophetically titled ‘This is It’ covers the rehearsal footage compiled from over 100 gruelling hours of preparing for what Jackson hoped would resurrect his ailing career and re-establish him as the premier artist of our times. This essential release for fans of the man show him to be the most demanding and creative of performers as he leads his small army of musicians and dancers to draw no less out of themselves than he demanded from himself. All the old favourites are here and performed with the same gusto in rehearsal as they would have been had he lived to perform them on stage in London. This is indeed it but what a ride it was along the way

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Tea Break

Dingbats

Sudoku

Crossword

ACROSS

DOWN

1. See pro in restful mode (6) 5. Nipper Georgia could be motto (8) 9. One abroad again before the water. In the depths? (8) 10. Miffed or angry Partly over your head (6) 11. Dundee's desperate heavyweight? Was revolutionary. (6) 12. Wanderer in front. Walked all over. (8) 14. Aplain epic, so. To do with bishops. (12) 17. Remembrance about one's hoard? (12) 20. Don't sway around Native Americans. (8) 22. Your angry. Part ape (6) 23. Irishman takes IOU? Paradise. (6) 25. Where to get drugs, may parch. (8) 26. I.R.A. stoic over betrayer (8) 27. Poor golfer gets into computers. (6)

2. Top notch gas oddly lasts for a very long time. (6) 3. Where happy footballers join cows? (4,3,4) 4. Sense tail is obligatory. (9) 5.1 castle? It's flexible. (7) 6. and 7 dn. RAF diner. Heat source? (5,3) 7. See 6 dn. (3) 8. Spare man? Hard cheese? (8) 13. Level, maybe. Works either way. (11) 15. Hot lamp. Hi, lover of learning. (9) 16. Stay up, for example. Mixed up old Roman province. (8) 18. Cistern made out of princes spittle (7) 19. Individual mother-of-pearl for a piece of land. (2,4) 21. Almost OK. A picture of giraffe's cousin. (5) 24. Prinicpally, prefer eating any vegetable. (3)

9). LAST BUT NOT LEAST 8). FISH OUT OF WATER 7). CHANCE IN A MILLION 6). GOOD LOOKING 5). CUT A LONG STORY SHORT 4). BACK IN A MINUTE 3). HALF TIME 2). BOWLED OVER 1). ROBIN HOOD

Dingbats

Sudoku

SOLUTIONS

Crossword

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CELEB FEATURE

We’re All Going GaGa! Lady Gaga brought her UK tour to the Cardiff International Arena on Wednesday March 3rd The Monster Ball will be her ﬁrst UK shows of 2010, and the ﬁrst chance for fans to hear songs from her revamped album, The Fame Monster. Lady Gaga was the biggest selling artist of 2009 and has already claimed the title of the next rock/pop/electro superstar. Mix one part Blondie with one part Madonna, swirl it in a bath of the Scissor Sisters and Gwen Stefani, throw in some glitz and sprinkle with glitter and you come close to the recipe. From teenage fans to the most mature and discerning music connoisseur Lady Gaga has a very wide appeal. In a recent interview we tried to fathom out what makes her so popular.

Editor: “You certainly seem to look to the more colourful artists as your inspiration. How do you feel about the Scissor Sisters for instance?” Lady Gaga: “Oh, I love them, I can’t breathe. I remember the first time I heard them, it was on the radio, and I was like, ‘who the heck is that?’ They are a big influence. I love the disco, their outfits, and they really care about their performance. I’m also a big Elton John fan, and you can hear the influence on every record, so I love them.” Editor: “How about ‘Red One’?“ Lady Gaga: “‘Red One’ is like the heart and soul of my universe. I met him and he completely, one hundred and fifty thousand percent wrapped his arms around my talent, and it was like we needed to work together. He has been a pioneer for the House of Gaga and his influence on me has been tremendous. I really couldn’t have done it without him. He taught me in this own way – even though he’s not a writer, he’s a producer – he taught me how to be a better writer, because I started to think about melodies in a different way.”

Editor: “So where does the name Lady Gaga come from?” Lady Gaga: “Queen’s song ‘Radio Ga-Ga’.” Editor: “You have become famous for coining all kinds of great words. Tell us about retrosexual.” Lady Gaga: “Retrosexual – I came out with that a long time ago. Me and my buddy Tom were hanging out one day in the studio and we were talking about metrosexuals, because he had bought a pair of boots and I said ‘Those are very metrosexual.’ And he was like “I don’t know, I think they’re kind of retro.” And I said “So you’re retrosexual.” It was kind of a joke. The more I thought about it – I’m so obsessed with all things retro, the 70s and 80s. I don’t know, that word just kind of ﬂew out of my mouth one day, and it stuck with me. I often do that – if I coin terms, they’ll become like the centrefold of my entire project or an entire record.” Editor: “Very cool. What was it like ﬁlming the video for ‘Just Dance’?” Lady Gaga: “Oh it was so fun, it was amazing. For me it was like being on a Martin Scorsese set. I’ve been so low budget for so long, and to have this incredibly amazing video was really very humbling. It was really fun, but you’ll see if you ever come to a video shoot of mine one day – I’m very private about those things; I don’t really talk to everybody. I’m not like the party girl running around. I might even seem to be a bit of a diva. I’m sort of with myself, in my work head space worrying about costumes, and if extras look right, and placement. I don’t just show up for things, you know. That video was a vision of mine. It was Molina the director who wanted to do something, to have a performance art aspect that was so pop but it was still commercial, but that felt like lifestyle. It was all those things, I love it.”

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CELEB FEATURE

“I’m not like the party girl running around. I might even seem to be a bit of a diva.”

the cameras, but it’s also a love song about fame or love – can you have both, or can you only have one?” Editor: “What’s the story behind ‘Dirty Rich’? I love that song.” Lady Gaga: “I was doing a lot of drugs when I wrote ‘Dirty Rich’. It was about two years ago, and it was about a few different things. First and foremost the record is about – whoever you are or where you live – you can self-proclaim this inner fame based on your personal style, and your opinions about art and the world, despite being conscious of it. But it’s also about how on the Lower East side, there was a lot of rich kids who did drugs and said that they were poor artists, so it’s also a knock at that. “Daddy I’m so sorry, I’m so, so sorry, yes, we just like to party.” I used to hear my friends on the phone with their parents, asking for money before they would go buy drugs.” Editor: “What’s the story behind the song ‘Paparazzi’, because there’s been a few interpretations of it?” Lady Gaga: “Well I’m so glad there are a few different interpretations, that was the idea. The song is about a few different things – it’s about my struggles, do I want fame or do I want love? It’s also about wooing the paparazzi to fall in love with me. It’s about the media whoring, if you will. It’s a love song for

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So do I have the answer to why Lady Gaga is so popular? Yes quite simply, she is bright, witty and knows her stuff.

OUT & ABOUT

Tabl

We all need a break from our normal routine and to enjoy time away from home and our daily responsibilities, don’t we?

Eating out provides a perfect opportunity to break away from our daily grind and spend time with family, friends, our spouse or partner for a few hours. So, why should we eat out instead of dinning in?

Social Get Togethers This one is huge and one of the most popular reasons. Meeting up with a group of friends or family members is something we all do. It can be a huge burden to host the get together at one person’s house and most people do not have the time to do the cleaning and preparation involved to host the event. Then there is the added expense of providing food and drink for your guests. Even if you have a potluck the host still has to clean, usually provide some of the food and then on top of all that they have to clean up afterwards. It’s so much easier and cheaper to just meet up at a restaurant and let someone else do all the work.

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OUT & ABOUT

le Talk Special pecial Occasions This is another very popular reason and for so many it is a tradition, so much so that people will go to the same restaurant year after year for their birthday or anniversary or other occasion. If it’s a special occasion for someone who usually does the cooking, it would not be much of a treat if they had to shop for the meal, prepare it and then clean up after would it?

Eating out is also something that can be done on any budget and gives us something to do for entertainment. Dining out is also a time for us to allow others to cater to their whims and wishes and for a little while it’s as if we are among the rich and famous.

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There is something wonderful about being seated at a table and given a list of food to choose from and then have someone politely ask you what you would like to eat, how you would like it prepared and then bring it to you just the way you asked for it. Then after you are done and ready to leave, there is nothing to clean up. What could be better?

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OUT & ABOUT

Pugh’s Garden Centre Pugh’s have been established on the outskirts of Cardiff as a horticultural company for over 60 years they have always been known for their quality and variety of plants, gifts and horticultural sundries. In recent years this has been extended to include The Ty Nant Farm Shop. The Farm Shop sells all that is best in local Welsh produce. There is an impressive deli counter with a range of products from Welsh meats to fresh pasta, pate, cheeses, pies and smoked gourmet products for the connoisseur.

Become Part Of

Our Heritage

The Cardiff Association of National Trust members was formed to enable members to obtain more from their membership especially as there are no properties in the vicinity. Regular indoor meetings, with illustrated talks on varied topics are held during winter and spring months. These are open to non-association visitors too. A full programme of day coach trips for members are also arranged during the spring, summer and autumn, visiting properties and places of interest. It is a friendly group for people interested in our heritage, countryside, historic buildings and gardens. Please contact the email address for information on how to join. New members are welcome.

In addition to this varied selection, customers can choose from ready meals with frozen pic n mix fruit and vegetables, wheat free products for specialist diets, and unique Welsh Gifts such as Welsh cookery books, Welsh tableware, kitchenware and home baked Welsh Cakes from the griddle. A speciality of the Farm Shop is the fresh baked bread. The choice of loaf is so extensive and means customers can choose a different variety each day of the week and still not sample the entire range available. Ty Nant Farm Shop also offers customers a chance to enjoy a coffee on the outside decking area with its picturesque views over Castell Coch. Customers are welcome to relax and enjoy the shopping experience that is on offer.

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Exclusive Lodges are available to buy in South Wales and across the UK! Rhandirmwyn open days 15-16 August.

Visit our website

www.exclusivelodges.co.uk or call 0844 770 6860 to find out more £1000 discount if you quote SUNDAY WALES

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12613 Rhandirmwyn Ad 105x73mm:12613 Rhandirmwyn Ad

OUT & ABOUT

The Friendly Club

Relax and unwind at a new luxury holiday lodge Free

hamper on arrival*

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Rhandirmwyn in Llanovery has luxury lodges offering the perfect base to enjoy the great outdoors or share a romantic view or two. Situated on the edge of the Brecon Beacons in peaceful mid Wales, the lodges sit at a secluded campsite on the banks of the River Afon Tywi. A week’s holiday starts from just £332 for up to 4 people.

• Grand Slam Memorabilia • Sporting Goods • • Souvenirs • Welsh Love Spoons • • Welsh Jewellery • Welsh Pewter Gifts • • Bone China • Glazed Pottery • Welsh Coal & Slate • • Prints & Paintings • Soft Toys & Teddies • • Chocolate & Sweets • Clothing •

Call 024 7647 5087 to reserve your relaxing holiday quoting At Home in Wales for your free hamper* or view www.clubselfcatering.co.uk for more information.

SECURE WEBSITE • FAST DELIVERY

Tel: 01495 792555

Welsh Gifts 97 Broad Street, Blaenavon, Torfaen. NP4 9ND

* Free wine and chocolate hamper on arrival with every holiday booked and taken by 8 January 2010.

Tel: 029 2088 2050

The Welsh Craft Shop 10 Market Street, Caerphilly. CF83 1NX

www.welshgifts.co.uk

Visit

Ty Nant Farm Shop at Pugh’s Garden Village

where you will ﬁnd over 60% of our products are Welsh

garden village

❅ Fresh local fruit & vegetables ❅ From our frozen pic ‘n’ mix section: fruit & vegetables ❅ From our Bakery: freshly baked bread ❅ From the Gridle: homemade Welsh cakes ❅ Welsh meats

garden village

❅ From the deli counter: Welsh cheeses, fresh pastas, pates & smoked gourmet products for the connoisseur ❅ Food hampers & food baskets, ﬁlled to your choice - ‘The ideal gift’ ❅ Coffee shop, indoor & outdoor area

❅ Welsh wines & ciders

We have everything that you would expect to ﬁnd at your local garden centre and more!

Tel: 029 2084 2017 www.pughsgardencentre.co.uk garden village

Tynant Nurseries, Morganstown, Radyr, Cardiff, CF15 8LB

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For your Garden and Outdoor Living - Open 7 days

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DIVORCE FEATURE

Is Divorce My Only Option? Is it really over? Have you done everything possible to save this relationship? Have you looked at your part in this breakdown and can you be honest with yourself? If you are in the midst of emotional turmoil, now is NOT the right time to think about divorce.

Should I start legal proceedings?

Rational planning

If you are so emotionally distraught, now is not the time to suddenly commence legal proceedings with the exception of domestic violence or fear of disposal of assets.

You may know it is over when you are able to feel more rational and plan ahead for all concerned, when you can walk out the door with little anger or frustration. Otherwise you really do have unfinished business until you are able to look each other in the eye without hatred or resentment. Just as you planned ahead for the marriage, now sadly could be the time to do some work on your divorce.

But contacting a solicitor and getting advice from him does not mean that you start divorce proceedings, you are just informing yourself about your rights and obligations. No decisions have to be made. Step back and try to get yourself on some level ground. How do I know it's over? You need to ask yourself: How did you feel when your marriage worked? Why did it go wrong and when was this? What was your part in this? Be truthful. What do you want and who will it hurt the most? Is what you are fighting about, or neglecting, worth the breakup? What can you do to save it?

'Divorce is most likely to wreak havoc when spouses declare war on each other and draft their kids.' The difficulties arise when you are both riding the emotional rollercoaster whilst dealing with the life-changing decisions affecting any children and your present and future finances. So, whether you have come to this decision alone or together or it has been made for you, the best advice is to learn as much as you can, seek professional advice, always try to communicate with each other and do your utmost to behave in a dignified manner, especially where there are children involved.

No substitute for solicitors There is no substitute for your own solicitor's professional advice. He/She is the only professional person who can advise you about all the areas of your divorce; your legal position, your children and your finances. No matter how much you read or what your friends tell you, there is only one person who can advise you properly. Never rely on the information provided by your spouse; always seek independent legal advice and seek a solicitor who will try to reach agreement in a nonconfrontational manner. Remember you are not alone, there are many people willing to help you. Preserve your assets and relationships with cool heads.

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DIVORCE FEATURE

These Daunting Problems Need Specialist Advice • • • •

Divorce? Breakdown of a Relationship? How to divide the Financial Assets and Liabilities? Child Contact or Residence Issues?

At such a difﬁcult and upsetting time it is important to have sensitive accurate and comprehensive advice to guide you through the procedures to achieve a fair and reasonable settlement with as little stress as possible. The ﬁnancial issues arising on divorce or the breakdown of a relationship can be particularly worrying – especially when they involve retaining a roof over the children’s heads! It is essential that the right settlement is reached because once the Order is Sealed by the Court it cannot be re-negotiated. Issues over which parent the children will live with and when they are to see the absent parent can also be very stressful. Early expert advice can avoid unintended consequences. Co-habiting couples may have particular problems as (contrary to popular belief!) the Courts do not have the same powers to transfer assets between the parties as when they are married. Ideally they should seek advice at the beginning of the relationship and preferably enter into a Co-habitation Agreement to set out what should happen if the relationship breaks down. Few people do this. It is then even more important that expert advice is sought as soon as possible as to how to deal with the division of assets (and liabilities!)

The Youngs Solicitors Team At Youngs we have two experienced family solicitors – John Young and (Mrs) Toni Young who is a member of the Law Society’s Family Panel and of ‘Resolution’ – a group of Family Law Solicitors who abide by a speciﬁc code of conduct, designed to resolve the issues between separating couples in a non-confrontational way if possible. We can offer a free initial interview in normal ofﬁce hours and we hold a ‘Drop-in’ Legal Surgery most Tuesdays, between 4.00-7.00 pm. We are currently offering Fixed Fee Divorces from £300 + VAT for Respondents and £500 + VAT and disbursements (£340) for Petitioners. Children and Financial Issues are charged separately- at reasonable rates. For further information contact John or Toni Young or visit our website on www.youngs-solicitors.co.uk

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HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Restoring The Balance

Holistically

Holistic Medicine aims to treat a patient by considering all aspects that make up a person (mind, body, spirit). Conventional medicine treats only the part of the body which is no longer working correctly and fails to deal with the imbalance which caused the problem in the ﬁrst place. Complementary and alternative medicines use non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical techniques as an alternative to the conventional medicine approach. Holistic medicines include (also know as alternative or complementary medicine) Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Reiki, reﬂexology and Homeopathy, which have been used for thousands of years. Holistic medicine is a system of health care which fosters a cooperative relationship among all those involved, leading towards optimal attainment of the physical, mental emotional, social and spiritual aspects of health. It emphasizes the need to look at the whole person, including analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle values.

Diana Brook of The Rainbow Sanctuary offers a range of holistic treatments that include: Indian Head Massage, Reiki, Yoga 1-2-1 sessions and meditation. Diana holds Health and Healing Centres in Cowbridge and Caerphilly and offers a home visit facility if you are unable to attend one of their healing centres. The Rainbow Sanctuary believe in an integrated health approach by encompassing traditional methods of the West and the ancient wisdom of the East to take into account of the unique mental and spiritual make-up of each individual. Their aim is to restore equilibrium, achieve optimum well-being, and

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Church Village Podiatry & Chiropody Services PRESCRIPTION ORTHOTICS REGISTERED PODIATRIST Yousef Kalami BSc (Hons) M.Ch.S Podiatry, BSc (Hons) Sports Science CLINICS AT TALBOT GREEN & TONTEG ALSO HOME VISITS

For booking appointments telephone:

01443 206508 www.athomeinwales.com

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

increase vitality into each lifestyle, health and healing programme in recognition of the present day challenges we face.

balance itself. It helps many conditions, from sports injuries to long standing complaints.

For those wishing to learn more about the Reiki healing technique, Diana is running courses at the Chapter Arts Centre in Canton. Courses commence in April. For further details contact The Rainbow Sanctuary.

There is no vigorous manipulation, It’s gentle, stimulating and healing. It improves mobility, balances the body and de-toxiﬁes. It improves circulation, lymphatic and venous drainage. The Bowen Technique helps address both physical and emotional issues and substantial relief is often achieved after only one session.

The Rainbow Sanctuary is proud to be a member of The Federation of Holistic Therapists, The Spiritual Workers Association & the Association of Reﬂexologists. The Bowen Technique is one of the most versatile and effective therapeutic treatments available today. Its ability to re-align and balance the body means it is effective for most conditions. A treatment consists of a series of gentle moves on skin or through light clothing, with the client usually lying on a bed or treatment couch, although it is possible to be treated seated. A session usually lasts up to an hour and frequently results in a deep sense of relaxation, allowing the body to recharge and

AND YOU CAN REST ASSURED BECAUSE... Certiﬁed Practitioners are well trained and adhere to a stringent code of conduct are fully insured, and they are also required to undertake 16 hours of Continuous Professional Development training every year.

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FREE initial telephonic consultation

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