Cardiff Times December 2020 by Cardiff Times Magazine

DECEMBER 2020

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Welcome PUBLISHER Cardiff Times EDITOR Louise Denning 07903 947594 FEATURES EDITOR Mark Denning 07758 247194 SALES & MARKETING Beth beth@cardiff-times.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS Wyn Evans, Vince Nolan, Sara John, Molly Dutton, Carl Marsh, Natalie McCulloch, Zoë Gingell, Michael James

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December

CONTENTS

6 Muhammad, Michael, and me by Wyn Evans 10 “And another thing…” BYE DON by Vince Nolan

49 15

14 The animals of the animal wall at Cardiff Castle by Sara John 18 Handmade in Wales with love All based locally

20 Christmas Gift Guide – For Adults 26 In The Words Of by Carl Marsh

30 ‘LOCKDOWN’ - How Has It Been For You?  by Michael James

44 40

32 Christmas Gift Guide - For Children 36 Finding positives through the pandemic by Natalie McCulloch

40 Fashion done your own way by Molly Dutton 44 2020 Book Guide

Skype, Facetime or Zoom. With our churches closed, ‘virtual’ services are being conducted through these

I have heard it said that it evokes the old wartime spirit of good neighbourliness (is there such a word?)

Muhammad, Michael, and me. ByWyn Evans

A memory I treasure is of Muhammad Ali at the 1996 Atlanta Games, holding up the Olympic flame in his right hand as his left shook violently. Born in 1942 he was diagnosed with Parkinsonism in 1984. What had been one of the most famously expressive faces in the world now looked out from the still mask that is a symptom of the condition. The quicksilver limbs that revelled equally in making him the most formidable boxer of any generation and which also saw him excel at card tricks and magic had succumbed to the shakes. I hope that few watching him light the flame felt pity that day; wonder yes, empathy for sure; but something about his demeanour showed that he had accepted his new opponent and was still living his life on his own terms. Muhammad Ali had been diagnosed aged forty-two, which is substantially earlier than the more usual sixty-odd that it commonly manifests. Parkinson’s happens when nerve cells are lost in a very specific part of the brain - a region called the substantia nigra, which plays an important role in movement, muscle control and balance. Ali had demonstrated some symptoms of Parkinson’s whilst he was still boxing and the extent to which his choice of career contributed to his developing the disease is still a subject of debate. His brain disease did not kill him - Ali died aged seventy-four following complications linked to a chest infection. Doctors still do not know why people develop Parkinson’s disease but a combination of genetic and environmental factors are probably responsible. I was fifty-eight when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in May 2016. This means that, if I manage to live for as long following my diagnosis as Ali did his then I might become a nonagenarian unless something else sees me off first. And that still gives plenty of time for a cure to be found doesn’t it? The actor, Michael J. Fox is another who had a 6 CARDIFF TIMES

diagnosis at a young age, twenty-nine, though he kept this from the public for another seven years. His optimism that a cure will be found in his lifetime has waned and it seems to me, too, that this is a sad but realistic assessment. The Consultant Neurologist’s letter confirming my diagnosis said “he has a rest and action tremor of his left hand, his gait is pretty normal; he has no postural instability or topping [and] can walk on tiptoe, heel and tandem walk. Facial expression is diminished, he has bradykinesia to fingertips and hand clasps on the left; evident chin and lip tremor... I certainly think he has Parkinson’s disease”. I was not too upset at the diagnosis itself as The Boss and I had sort-of narrowed the possibilities down to Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis. But I was miffed that I apparently had chin and lip tremor. I mean, who knew? I certainly didn’t. I suppose that to the trained clinical eye even a slight tremor is ‘evident’. I was even more affected by the publication of Michael Fox’s diagnosis than I was Ali’s, not least

because he is only three years younger than I and because I loved his three ‘Back to the Future’ movies and his TV comedies. He was so young and vibrant and energetic; married, with a young family, and so, so funny. So when my diagnosis came in MJF was already in my memory as someone to find out more about. In 2002, his memoir ‘Lucky Man’ wittily noted that Parkinson’s is a gift “albeit one that keeps on taking”. Well, this autumn MJF has a new book out (‘No Time Like The Future’) and he has been interviewed about it by Hadley Freeman in the Guardian. It struck me that it would be a positive thing to see what he says about his life these days and see how his experiences compare with my own. In August 2018 I wrote on Facebook “I’m a little worried. I’m unsure which way causation lies; I’m struggling with walking and therefore am walking less often and less far. My legs from thighs to ankles seize up and my chest hurts and breathing tightens. My feet stumble at even the slightest unevenness on the pavement. Compared even with a year ago I am worse. And I am much less capable than two summers ago. And I am exhausted all the damn time. Still it hasn’t killed me yet.” Talking to MJF, Hadley Freeman noted: “One day, at home on his own, after assuring his family he’d be fine without them, he fell over and smashed his upper arm so badly it required nineteen screws”. MJF says “things don’t always turn out. Sometimes things turn shitty. My optimism is suddenly finite”.

And he adds, “You don’t die from Parkinson’s, but you do die with it,” and typically the longer you have it, the harder it becomes to carry out basic functions. “It’s like my walking. I used to walk fast, but every step is now like a frigging math problem, so I take it slow.” In my own case, my legs/knees are weak beyond belief. Getting out of the car or up from a chair are challenging activities. I’ve never been very fit or athletic but I’ve always been strong. No more. To give an example, recently, I had to open the attic hatch for the surveyor. To do so I stood on a stool about two feet from the floor. So I raised my right foot onto the stool and pushed-off. The best I managed was to stumble forward - avoiding falling on my head only thanks to the presence of the wall. The dogs have managed to pull me into the river twice, something spared both Fox and Ali: the first time because my balance let me down, the second because they were too strong for the new me! What a state I was – a creature from the black lagoon! Fox notes that “Parkinson’s is harder for the people around me than it is on me”. His wife, notes Freeman, “is not, he says, “all soft-eyed, like, ‘Are you OK?’ She’s like, ‘Are you really wearing that shirt?’” Finding something to be grateful for is what it’s about,” he says. Freeman concludes that: optimism is about the promises of the future, while gratitude looks at the present. Like Fox, I am equally grateful that The Boss and Girl are here to root me in the present. And as Fox says, “I can move around – it takes some planning, but I can move. I can think, I can communicate and I can express affection. What else do you want?” Merry Christmas to all those with Parkinson’s or other chronic conditions, to all those who care for us, and to all our readers. Nadolig Llawen!

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MATHS    

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“And another thing...”

BYE DON!

ByVince Nolan

I think most of us would agree that 2020 has been one of the weirdest years we have experienced thus far (before the US Election). On the one-hand my knowledge of all things scientific (Wikipedia), enabled me to better understand what a virus was and how it could be spread. If it has taught me anything it is that we all take our freedoms for granted and have had a very loud wake-up call. On the other hand, I have been unable to go to the gym (for the last 25 years) and have secured a ready supply of various types of liquid refreshment for Nolan Towers…..the only essential supermarket items I am interested in. Recent advice from the Welsh Rugby Union if Clubs intended showing the 6 Nations matches: “Remind customers to avoid shouting, dancing or singing.” Shouldn’t have worried, nothing to shout, dance or sing about. No nativity this year as the Three Wise Men face a travel ban. The shepherds have been furloughed. The Inn Keeper has suffered a big drop in bookings and has finally been forced to shut under lockdown. Santa cannot work as he would break the rule of six with Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donner and Blitzen. As for Rudolf, with that red nose, he should be isolating and taking a test. Q: What is Santa’s favourite pizza? A: One that’s deep pan, crisp and even. Q: What goes “oh oh oh!”? A: Santa walking backwards All of which brings us nicely on to the carnage that was the US Election. Son and heir had a grandstand seat from his office in New York and having a New

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York States Cop as a girlfriend, put both of them very much on the front line and her in the ﬁring line. At the time of writing Biden is still no closer to taking residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As for Trump, he became the subject of further ridicule on the Saturday after the Election when the location for the big press conference that he had called at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia, turned out to be at Four Seasons Total Landscaping (a parking lot between a crematorium and an adult book-store). Somebody forgot to book the hotel! Staying with the virtual reality show that is North America, I was musing about who the real McCoy may have been? Apparently he was the inventor Elijah McCoy, born in Canada in 1844. He had many different inventions listed against his name including an ironing board and a lawn sprinkler. Other companies copied his devices, but these never worked as well as Elijah’s so people would say, “Make sure it’s the real McCoy.” Whilst walking in Cardiff Bay recently I took this picture of The St. David’s Hotel. The rooﬂine had triggered some distant memory in me and then I remembered it was Mary Queen of Scots and her head covering. Best not talk too much about her head though eh?

I have been reading a very good autobiography written by a guy who was parachuted into France in the last war to help organise the French Resistance. A great read and a very brave man. I was however confused at one point. The passage in question went something like this: “Agale moved around me as I sat in the bomb-bay of the Halifax bomber waiting to parachute into France.” There were of course a number of French characters throughout the book as one might expect but I was forced to flick back through as I had missed Monsieur Agale. Turns out it was a typo. It should have said: “A gale was moving around………………” I overheard two old guys in the supermarket the other day (I know, there I go again with my playboy jet-set lifestyle). It went something like this: “Remember when we used to chase the girls?” “Yes a long time ago now wasn’t it.” “I couldn’t chase them now as I would be out of breath before I caught them.” “Yes, so would I. I would also have a problem remembering why I was chasing them in the first place.” Very touching I thought from the pensioner adventurers. I walked past a car the other day which had a sticker on the door which said: “Hiya Car.” Great name I thought. I have since found out that this is a peerto-peer car rental business. Funnily enough I keep getting peer pressure to play the Flamingo Game but I’m not going to play it anymore. I’m going to put my foot down. We ordered this repast one rainy Saturday lunchtime in a Devon cafe. Cheeseboard, pate, salad and a bottle of wine, £28. Top notch and my kind of Devon tea.

One of the major drawbacks of lockdown and all its’ variants has been my inability to report on the Great British Public in their natural habitat. Having said this, the current Mrs Nolan and I were enjoying a legitimate stroll through Roath Park recently and witnessed a life size (whatever that is) pink unicorn with a yellow horn jogging past us. I must stop drinking. Later the same week I was in a well-known supermarket purchasing a bottle of red wine (purely for medicinal purposes you understand). It was a self-service till but as I was buying alcohol, a member of staff was required to certify that I was over 18. As if by magic, a lady appeared at my side. First of all she told me she liked the wine I had chosen. I was touched (not literally). Then she told me she had just bought a new vacuum cleaner. “Oh yes,” I said, somewhat bemused. “A Shark,” she said. “My Dyson broke,” she added. I was ecstatic for her as I scanned the room for her keepers. She then recommended the Shark above the Dyson. At this point I seriously wondered if I had been cornered by somebody masquerading as an employee. If I had, the uniform was quite convincing. I was not unduly concerned but the squeal of tyres in the car park perhaps bore witness to my subconscious need for a fast getaway. Merry Christmas Chums or Sungtan Chukhahaeyo as they say in Korea (don’t look it up).

CARDIFF TIMES 11

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The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Disney Goes Classical

They’re back, and just in time for the festive season! The nation’s favourite and mostloved musical duo Michael Ball and Alﬁe Boe join forces again for a magical new album ‘Together at Christmas’.

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Light For The World A contemporary production from original isolators. The Poor Clares of Arundel, a community of 23 nuns release ‘Light For The World’, a beautiful soundtrack for mindfulness and meditation.

one of the best-loved singers of our generation, Ronan Keating, returns with an album that encapsulates his many musical achievements since the millennium. Entitled ‘Twenty Twenty’.

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CARDIFF TIMES 13

The animals of the animal wall at Cardiff CastleBy Sara John

Welcome to the Animals of the Castle Wall in Cardiff. You may not know this, but the Animals you see guarding the Castle and Bute Park have names, backgrounds, friends, enemies, partners and responsibilities. You, only see the Animals in the bright light of day. They watch people passing but, they must remain still. “Remain still like carved stone statues”, they were told long long ago. “But at night when all is still and dark and quiet enough to hear the fog horns at the coast, you can do as you wish”. After dark is when their adventures begin. Now Meet The Animals LYNDA the Lioness had always wanted to be a hairdresser. When she was just a cub she would wash and set her father’s fine golden mane. Then brush it out and spray on lacquer she had found in someone’s shopping bag left overnight on a bench in the nearby park. She failed to get an apprenticeship at a hairdressers (for ladies) but they kindly suggested to her mother that she might be more suited to pet grooming. So, she qualified and worked for some years with poodles and their many hairdos, and taildos and pawdos. In the end she became very stressed and some poodle people recognised an element of risk in having a troubled and highly strung (her mother said her problems with nerve troubles came from her father’s side of the family) lioness trimming their small dog’s coat. Customers would say when booking, “any time, any day, but NOT with Lynda”. In the end she left and took time to recover. Her parents took her to Bute Park in Cardiff one lovely autumn day and she knew, the open spaces, and the company of other animals and all the shops close by, specially Matalan, were where she wanted to be. NICHOLLS the Lynx is from London. He had trained in a very famous sculptor’s studio and watched avidly the work going on there. Nicholls tended to keep himself to himself but was friendly and slightly sporty. He was mad about Frisbies but always needed someone to throw them for him. He had his eye on Lynda, the lioness who had been pet groomer/poodle dresser as she was dainty and pretty but he needed to check on line about mixed marriages and the risks associated with entering into such an arrangement. And how to extract himself without any risks, to life, limb, tail and his savings in the Post Office, should they not be compatible, after all.

LIONEL the leopard is very clever. He reads a lot and takes the Telegraph, daily, because it has always had a reputation for excellent foreign news coverage. When he awakes each night at midnight (well, midnight by City Hall clock that is, leopards do not wear wristwatches, they think they are less than feline, the watches that is, they, themselves are super feline), he gets up, stretches and follows his own secret route into the Library, near John Lewis, in town, and frequently borrows a book. He does not have a reader’s ticket but seems, so far, to be getting away, not with murder which is a long established family trait but with reading a lot. He has given up on finding any smart jackets for himself in John Lewis, they stock nothing in his size with sufficient spots to suit him.

14 CARDIFF TIMES

SYONARA the seal is a beautiful grey seal who was born off the west coast of Scotland. It was the area best known for the folk tales of ‘Selkies’ who are said to be creatures neither seal nor human who can come on land, at will, slip out of their sealskins and spend time with their land family. At night, if they wish they can go back down to the sea, slip out of their land clothes and back into their sealskins and swim off to their “Ain folk”. The females are well known for their ability to sing and make music. When Syonara was young and at seal school she told too many people about this, and her family feared for her safety: it was said she was making it all up and frightening the younger seals. Her parents thought it best, when she was old enough, for her to follow a group of seals swimming south to warmer waters. Arrangements were made and on her journey, she passed by Dumfries, Blackpool, Conway, Menai Straits, Aberystwyth, St Davids,—“No” said the older seals who were guarding her on behalf of her family back in Scotland, “not far enough yet, but not much further”. Past Swansea, Port Talbot and at last Cardiff was in sight. The guardian seals explained that she would be escorted by older local seals who would ensure her safety and would take her on the last part of her journey up the famous River Taff and on to the Castle in Cardiff where she would be most welcome. She made a lot of friends on her journey south, all promised to keep in touch and her safe arrival in Cardiff would be transmitted

to her family in Scotland by calls, music and songs. She was told she had done well and had been very brave. One of the seals explained to her that it was thought best if she changed her name. She had been named Morag after her great Aunt Morag, a name she was not very happy with because the other young seals changed Morag to Toe-rag. “Syonara, It means Goodbye in Japanese” the senior seal suggested She was pleased with her new name, just then as her companions swished around to head north she was surrounded by singing seals, they were Welsh you see, and they were singing, “We’ll keep a welcome in the hillside, we’ll keep a welcome in the vale……” Fighting back salty seal tears, Syonara thought to herself, I think I am going to like it here. VERNON the Vulture is a decent enough vulture. The other animals talked about him behind his wings and marveled at his immense appetite and wide range of foodstuffs. What they did not always appreciate, and he was tired of telling them, was that without Vultures, and there were not that many, if any, in Cardiff or Penarth anyway, plus their Fox colleagues, Rats, Pine Martens, rodents assorted, insects and so on down the system, the whole place would be littered with carcasses, half eaten burgers, cold dead chips, recently deceased animals and possibly aliens from Outer Space who expire from hunger and thirst when they land in Cardiff and can find nowhere to park. The Aliens can never find toilets either that are not designated Male or Female. They, of course, being ahead of the game are neither. Vernon is very clean and tidy but does not seem to be popular with the others. He is probably on the bossy side, always on about clearing up after picnics and other outings and not leaving behind even a clawprint, hoofprint or pawprint. He liked to remind everyone that he is a ‘Green Crusader’, the smaller animals thought he belonged to a secret society. He did not disavow them of their thoughts. PHILIP The Pelican. He is always good fun, he always joins in, a real team player. Keeps all his belongings in his capacious beakbill (that is what he calls it). His belongings are quite few really, a tape measure, some very pretty shells, a scout’s penknife, a double ended pencil and an unopened packet of Polo Mints. He owns some pre-war, unopened tins of sardines but nobody, NO BODY, knows where he keeps them. He says they are for emergencies only, but refuses to define ‘emergency’ AUSTIN the Anteater, is slow, cautious and always on the lookout for ants. He just loves ants. When he was small his mother used to make him ant toffee and sometimes ant crumble with just a pinch of ginger., with custard of course. He never raises his head to see where he is going, in case he misses an ant, so he often has Elastoplasts on his considerable proboscis. He appears to be older than he really is. However because his grandfather whom he greatly admired, lived to be 475 he is keen to reach that considerable age too.

RODERICK AND ROSEMARY are the Raccoons who were born into a circus family. They are brother and sister and played as children pretending to be gymnasts. When they were older and had their own spot in the circus they did not like moving tent and cage every Thursday so after fetching the Racing Times every morning from local shops for five years at sixpence a time for the Jugglers who were eager gamblers at the circus, they saved all their sixpences and bought a one way weekday ticket to Cardiff . They are both, having been all their younger lives in show business, great fun and still very fast and agile. HENRIETTA the Hyena, and you can ask any of the others, is a scheming minx. Some would change that noun for another. She says, in her own defence that she was brought up as a “pack animal”. Hyenas live, eat, breed and hunt in PACKS! She was left behind in a sand storm in the desert and was rescued by a botanist of repute. He was Finnish, quite brilliant in his specialism of plants and flowers but lacking in experience of the world of animals. He assumed the word ‘animal’ was English for ‘Reindeer’ not having ever really looked at any other creatures as he was born, raised and educated within the Arctic Circle. They, the other animals, were all too big to put under a microscope and when he was very busy with his academic work he got them confused with the cars and buses that he saw in Helsinki. Henrietta was eventually brought to Cardiff but found that Bute Park had no other hyenas and when she first arrived and went out on expeditions by herself was often rounded up and labelled “A funny looking dog-animal”. “No wonder she is so disaffected”, Lynda the Lioness said, “she has never been loved”, “Nor eaten, yet” said the Lions who were always hungry and had recently tried to become lightly anti-vegan. “I am a lion” each would announce to all around, “I do not eat salads: but I do, still, enjoy rare roast hyena though, and always, with plenty of gravy”. TWO APES called Jeremy and Jeanette had fallen in love as teenagers when they were living in a small private zoo. Although they had every loving care, en- suite bathrooms, fresh fruits from round the world, radios with the World Service, free scented toiletries, feather pillows and adoring visitors they were not

CARDIFF TIMES 15

permitted actually, to share premises. They had hoped they could, at last be ‘together’ when they first arrived at the Castle grounds but there had been complaints, mostly from people with young children. It was something to do with Health and Safety, or that is what they claimed. The Press had got hold of it, as it were and as they often do made things much worse. Even though the City Authorities had notices up in four languages saying DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME there had been a visit from the Licensing Department. Nowadays, Jeremy and Jeanette were approaching middle age and were less adventurous, amorous and ‘agricultural’ than previously. As long as they had access to daytime television, out of sync these days of course, but that did not worry them, bananas, and a clean warm place to sleep together, they were happy to go along with the flow. BRUNO. The big strong brown bear was great fun, a real character, up for anything, dangerously friendly but able to turn his paw to any task or job that needed to be attended to. He was a rescue bear and had been a performing bear in Eastern Europe. He had had no freedom, he had to put up with doing a lot of non- bear things and his employers were happy when the customers laughed at him for being, as it were a non-bear. One day he was collected by some people who spoke a strange language. He saw money changing hands and papers being signed. Then some very senior policemen arrived and put up notices saying that from now on there would be no more animal performances. The whole thing was closed down just like that! Poor Bruno, he thought the worst. He was helped into the back of a very posh “bear carrier” on wheels with a grand suspension system. With funny number plates and a blue badge that said UK. A lady got in the back with him and sang some songs which lulled him to sleep. When he woke, he thought to himself, oh well I am still here! But, we are moving at great speed. “Oh dear me, what is to become of me?” The singing lady played on her lute and gave him some honey sandwiches which were delicious, followed by baklava, as many as he wanted, and a big dish of blackberries, more than enough to make endless pots of jam. He began to feel a great deal better. He settled down. She told him the story of what had been happening and what was going to happen. Although he could not understand her words he listened to the reassuring music in her voice. He relaxed for the first time for a very long time, he dozed pleasantly for the rest of the journey and began to discover what had been happening to him. Later on, the driver of the vehicle, came around to the back of the truck to share some food and cakes and started speaking to him in Bulgarian. Months later, and thinking about that time, he was able to piece together the tale, which at the time had made little sense. It would appear that a charity devoted to releasing working or performing animals had raised awareness of their conditions and had asked people in

16 CARDIFF TIMES

the UK to help to find them new homes. The money raised was used to “buy” their freedom in exactly the same way that Dr. Livingston visited Slave Markets in Africa and instead of trying to persuade the slave traders to free these human beings, simply bought them their freedom with money sent from Britain for that purpose. There was a message at the Channel Ferry for Bruno from someone called Audrey from Cardiff who had heard about the sad plight of these performing creatures losing their dignity to make others rich and was DETERMINED to help. She had saved, raised and given enough money for Bruno to have his freedom and enjoy life as a bear. She had helped to find him a home with people who studied and wrote about animals and who lived in the countryside just outside Cardiff. Bruno breathed an enormous sigh of relief, this had not been his imagination after all. He was not making it up in his head, it was real. It was for keeps. After a few relaxing and happy years his carers were asked if Bruno would like to retire to Cardiff Castle and live with the other animals. They took him to meet everyone and it was clear that it was a warm sociable environment with acres of Bute Park for adventures. “Yes please” he growled. BERTRAM. The beaver is always very busy. Bertram’s one topic of conversation, other than his construction work is the life, times and work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He still repeats the story of his ancestors helping to “move the River Taff” a bit further over to its present position west of Westgate Street, instead of being, as it was originally, IN Westgate Street. It was the mid 1850’s, so the story goes, and Mr Brunel was fretting over the need to move the river, work generally carried out under the auspices of what is called an ‘Act of God’. Suddenly, as he was flicking through his early copy of Arthur Mees Children’s Encyclopedia, which he relied on for his amazing projects such as Suspension Bridges, Tunnels under Tidal Estuaries, Iron Ships and Railroads, suddenly, he saw the future. He often saw the future and then constructed what he saw! But this was a future employing Beavers! He read that they worked in return for board and lodging, had their own meetings, prepared their own plans, frightened the planning authorities,

never had their radios blasting unsavoury music while they were working and kept their nether regions well out of sight and under water. The book had pictures of a family of Beavers drawing up plans for constructing dams. The name the Beaver family had chosen for their company was BEAVERS INTERNATIONAL DAM. BUILDING COMPANY. Their mission statement was “Pie in the Sky Projects Welcome” Although, their granny used to comment that it was “More like Sky in the Pie”. She did not live long enough to hear of their success, all kept top secret of course, of the Boulder Dam in Colorado or the Aswan Dam in Egypt! They, the beavers, were Mr Brunel’s answer to his problem.

jump down off the wall around the Castle and stretch their paws. They always had to be back well before dawn for a number of reasons. If they stayed outside the magical Castle wall when it was getting light they changed back into strong, heavy, stone statues. So the smaller animals trailing behind those with longer legs, were often in danger of being taken by people and put on display in front gardens; even worse they could end up being painted with cheap paint, bought in Woolworths years and years ago and now, far from fresh. There was a risk of them getting lost because the entire Savannah, as they called what we call Bute Park went on forever. “It goes as far as the foothills of the Brecon Beacons” explained one of the senior animals, “I read about it in my book BURGES and WILLIAM. about the Romans”. The Two Lions at the Gate. All the animals had to look Inseparable, delighting in smart and more than just each other’s company. The neat and tidy. “You have two lions loved each other to look as though you are very deeply. They were both ready to defend Cardiff from very artistic, and not just in Aliens, even if you are only the Oscar Wilde tradition. directing them down Penarth Road and suggesting some sea air.” They loved all things, shapes, items, flowerpots, fabrics in the Said Bruno the bear, who always added that he had had enough of Medieval style and adored everything that Cardiff Castle and travelling anyway. Castle Coch were about. Clever themselves they were well able Wallace the wolf had taken it upon himself to organise the ‘Big to identify and encourage others to build, garden, paint, decorate, Annual Animal Wall Animals’ Outing’. It usually took place midwinter invent, design, in fact all and everything creative. because that afforded the most time away from the Castle grounds. It was annual because it took about eleven months to reach any They shared the same astrological sign which should have been sort of agreement about what to do and where to go. a warning to them both. But, planning their future together they had, being a cautious pair, been to a relationship specialist. When Wallace was good at this sort of think, only the lions dared to raise a roar. This was easily dealt with by a show of perfect teeth from they explained to him that they wanted to be “Bonded Together Wallace who had a first class dentist in Whitchurch – Mr Dandy for Ever” even though they had the same star sign he suggested private of course. they should just go for it, anyway. The Relationship Specialist turned out to be an owl (they were able to get an appointment quite easily because the Owl only worked nights anyway) and currently he was doing some freelance work as he had become ill adjusted to academic life and felt that at his age he only wanted to read Hello magazine and not have to study leather bound volumes written by hand and covered in dust. Burgees and William are still discussing plans, guests’ seating arrangements, wine lists, dance or disco?, inviting vegans? not inviting pets? Invitation cards, plain or deckle? Times New Roman or Luminari? Spraying swans pink to match the blancmange? purple or silver fireworks? and whether or not to ask everyone to walk about on stilts otherwise it is ‘bad luck’ for the Lion pair’s future. It is expected to be some considerable time before we get to the magical day of their Bonding Event. Wallace the Wolf was popular and very very brave. He had never cried even when he was a cub, and his sister pulled his fur. Although he too was a pack animal he was easy going about the company of the other animals. He was always ready to go up the Taff Trail at night when the animals were Off Duty and eager to

Postscript Wallace is asking for suggestions from all the Animals for the very popular mid Winter Animals Annual Night Out. So far he has had little help or proper suggestions. Can you think of somewhere interesting to go? So far his list looks like this; Phil the Pelican……………Fish market in Devon Austin the Anteater……… Any garden close by R. & R.Racoons……………Madagascar Lionel the Leopard……… . Morgan’s Butcher stall in the Market Bertram the Beaver……….Anywhere that is flooded Vernon the Vulture………..a landfill site near good restaurants Henrietta………………….Claire’s Accessories in town Wallace the wolf and organiser…..I don’t care!!! J&J the Apes………………Any big forest Syonara the seal………….a trip round the Barry Island Bruno the bear…………….go to the pictures plus popcorn Lynda the Lioness……….shopping. shopping. shopping Nicholls the Lynx……….a big stone quarry in Italy B&W the Gate Lions……Fortnum and Mason or Harrods How can this be resolved without loss of dignity, feathers, pride, feelings and sense of own importance?

CARDIFF TIMES 17

Handmade in Wales with love MADE opened its doors in Roath seven years ago with our ﬁrst Christmas Exhibition of local artists. It’s been quite a ride since then - I’m especially proud of how we’ve kept going all these years and the feeling of being truly part of the local community as a valued space - where art is part of everyday life. We’ve helped to showcase the work of artists living in the city and in the areas beyond to the residents and visitors to Cardiff, connecting the creative scenes of makers, music, and performers as well as visual artists, and bringing a visibility to what would remain niche. We’ve encouraged people to collect and display original art in their own homes. 2020 has presented huge challenges for everyone, and for MADE which acts as a network and creative producer of live and interactive events, shutting our doors to the public was hard. But in many ways it’s opened new avenues; we’ve developed a website version of all that we do : www.cardiffmade.com which has an online gallery and shop, to compliment the many local arts and craftspeople who we feature and promote. We will be publishing live ﬁlms of performance works which have been made whilst the doors were shut next year on the website. We’re so grateful to have noticed that locals are choosing to walk to places and discover and support local independent business at this time. In doing so, there is an effective and positive note to the idea of giving in knowing that your purchases are contributing to support the livelihoods and creative output of so many people, whilst enhancing your own environment. In the meantime, we’ve extended our gallery opening hours for the festive period and have a fantastic selection of craftspeople including knitwear, lighting, jewellery and clothing designers, feltmakers, and over 50 4 local artists exhibiting on our Affordable Art Wall. I’ve selected a few makers and printmakers who we’ll be featuring in our Roath shop and whose products you can purchase across the city and in the town centre amongst the independent shops.

18 CARDIFF TIMES

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JEWELLERY: • (1) Inplico design Designer jewellery made from recycled metals by Roz Adams limited stock available to buy in MADE’s Christmas shop and online www. cardiffmade.com instagram: @inplicodesign Stockists : instore / www.cardiffmade.com HOMEWARE / GIFTS • (2) Anna Palamar Designs Screen printed original artist designs for walls, cards and homeware, as well as creating hand poured candles instagram: @ annapalamardesigns @ makersarcadepopup Stockists : instore / www.cardiffmade.com & www.makersarcade.co.uk

• (7) Rhi Christie Ceramics Ornaments created using natural forms as inspiration by Rhi Christie instagram: @rhi christie Stockists: Cardiff MADE instore / www.cardiffmade.com

WELLBEING PRODUCTS & BEAUTY PRODUCTS • (3) The Happy Hive Beauty and wellbeing products created by a doctor / beekeeper with a passion for all things natural, based in Cardiff @happyhivecardiff Stockists: instore / www.cardiffmade.com • (4) Nature’s Little Helpers Hand made soaps, lip balms and honey by Cardiff based beekeepers with over 60 hives across the city instagram: natures_little_helpers Stockists: instore / www.cardiffmade.com

CRAFT - KNITWEAR / MACRAME / FELT • (8) Loulou Gingell Hand knitted hats, slippers and garments using both traditional and contemporary patterns sourcing the ﬁnest yarns instagram: @loulou_gingell Stockists: instore / www.cardiffmade.com

• (9) Lark Design

Celebrated crafter Gemma Forde makes handmade leather and shibori jewellery plus a range of macrame homeware, supplied also as kits, as well as running workshops in how to make them (from her little crafting workshop next to Cardiff Made) Stockists: Lark Design Shop (in Roath) and Cardiff MADE. instagram @larkdesignmake1 Stockists: Lark and MADe instore & www.larkdesignmake.co.uk

Penylan Preserves Large Gift Box • (10) Penylan Preserves Select any three 200g/226g jars. Add the 3 ﬂavours you would like in the box in the NOTES section of your order. Each box comes with a tag and tied with ribbon. penylanpreserves.co.uk

The Drifter • (11) Driftwood trees made from locally sourced driftwood in Wales. £25 each. Order from Claire 07958 169701

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CERAMICS: • (5) Sarah Glazier Ceramics Simple, elegant hand built stoneware vases, mugs and tableware instagram: sarah_glazier_ceramics Stockists: instore / www.cardiffmade.com • (6) Fallow Deer Ceramics Unusual and original porcelain bowls and vases, featuring unique techniques and animal motifs by Harriet NcCormick instagram: @fallowdeeerceramics Stockists: instore / www.cardiffmade.com • (7) Rhi Christie Ceramics Ornaments created using natural forms as inspiration by Rhi Christie instagram: @rhi christie Stockists: Cardiff MADE instore / www.cardiffmade.com

• (9) Lark Design

The Drifter • (11) Driftwood trees made from locally sourced driftwood in Wales. £25 each. Order from Claire 07958 169701

11 CARDIFF TIMES 19

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

This gentle, nourishing and sulphate free, coconut-derivedcleanser develops a rich luxurious lather that gently cleanses whilst protecting your hair’s natural lipid layer and maintaining the scalp’s oil balance aloe vera helps to helps to sooth and calm scalp irritation.

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Katherine Daniels Rehydrating Cream

£22 / 250ml, Cultbeauty.co.uk

Uplifted & Bright Set

Get in the glow with these skincare favourites for visibly ﬁrmer, brighter skin. All products are vegan, cruelty-free and combine science-led, efﬁcacious skincare with sustainable practices.

This intelligent moisturising cream combines a unique hydration process with turbo moisturising ingredients to deliver an immediate and long lasting hydration boost, fortifying your skin’s barrier and protecting against the ageing effect of dehydration. £45/50ml katherinedanielscosmetics.com

Biossance Holiday Gift Sets are availible from Cult Beauty and Selfridges - £55.00

NEW Eco Warrior Beauty Edit Bars

This nourishing hand & body bar is the perfect ‘chill-out’ companion for wind-down washing. Great for exam time, bedtime bathing or just to shut yourself away from the world for some chill out time.

The Zerowater 12-Cup Filter Zerowater reduces 99.6% of all total dissolved solids in your drinking water. It delivers the purest tasting water in minutes. Zerowater removes much more from tap water than other leading ﬁlter brands in the UK. Zerowater removes 97% of lead, 96% of mercury, 95% of chlorine and even 97% of asbestos which is often displaced from old and ageing water pipes. £39.99 from Zerowater.co.uk

Eco Warrior Beauty Edit Bars (£4.50 / 100g) are availible exclusively at Superdrug

Heath The Original Kit A selection of best sellers from the Heath product range - presented in a sophisticated vegan leather wash bag. Gift Set includes: Face Wash, Moisturiser & Hand Salve Heathlondon.co.uk | RRP £35 (Worth £50)

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CENTRED. Daily Calma Shampoo

CENTRED. Unwind Detangling Hair Primer

This superﬁne mist, enriched with vitamins, tames unruly knots, locks in moisture and protects your hair from damage without weighing it down orange ﬂower water, aloe vera and chamomile condition the hair and calm and soothe the scalp. £18 / 100ml, Cultbeauty.co.uk

Byre Body Wash A rich, thick and creamy Full Cream Body Wash with a vanilla fragrance. It is formulated with sweet whey powder from British cows, a highly efﬁcacious and nutritious ingredient. Enriched with aloe vera, oatmeal extract and sustainable poppy seed oil, it cleanses and conditions the skin, leaving it feeling soft, supple and silky smooth. £3.75 www.byre.co.uk. Also availible at Sainsbury’s

Flick And Stick Adhesive Eyxeliner Precision Pen Lola’s Lashes have found the ultimate replacement for lash glue! Revolutionary product to help you apply your falsies The Flick & Stick Adhesive Liner Pen. It’s quickly becoming the ultimate replacement for toxic lash glue.

Lola’s Lashes, the UK’s Leading Magnetic Lash Brand. £15 lolaslashes.co.uk

Jo Loves Jo by Jo Loves Fragrance A fresh and full-bodied fragrance with notes of grapefruit and lime created by Jo for Jo The bold red glass bottle makes a gorgeous Christmas gift The fragrance is available in the Jo Loves Store, as well as Joloves. com and also Space Nk which has stores nationwide as well as online at Spacenk.com. 100ml | £115 | joloves.com Also availible at Cultbeauty.co.uk

Bronner’s All-One Cinnamon Toothpaste With many looking to find that festive feeling earlier this year, there’s no better way than to take a seasonal breathe of air with Dr. Bronner’s All-One Cinnamon Toothpaste. The perfect flavour for those with a sweet tooth or simply those wanting a festive twist on traditional toothpaste, the fluoride-free formula leaves mouths feeling tingly-clean with a delicious spicy taste. £7.49 Avaliable from Dr Bonner’s UK www.drbonner.co.uk

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CENTRED. Daily Calma Shampoo

CENTRED. Unwind Detangling Hair Primer

Lola’s Lashes, the UK’s Leading Magnetic Lash Brand.

£15 lolaslashes.co.uk

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Lush Northern Lights gift set

Six multi-use stimulating shower products plus a product tin for traveling.This Christmas gift design is inspired by Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy for head-to-toe rejuvenating showers. RRP £45.00

GIA

Honouring the art & power of individual creativity with a Lavish Turkish Rose, Gia expresses passion and is given ﬂight by notes of feminine power and purity.Top: Tangerine, Bergamot, Pink Peppercorn Heart:Turkish Rose Absolute, Ylang Ylang, Orris Butter, Tuberose Base:Amber, Vanilla, Vetiver, Patchouli Available nationwide 50ml EDP SRP £68.00, 100ml EDP SRP £98.00

EXPLORER 200ml size

New 200 ml size of Montblanc EXPLORER the fragrance pays tribute to a theme which it is closely linked to the brand exploration and has been a favourite among keen travellers for the past century Both exceptional and exclusive, the main ingredients of Montblanc EXPLORER come from Givaudan’s Sourcing for Shared Value program The famous perfume house has identiﬁed several ingredients essential to perfumery such as vetiver or patchouli and supports local producers in embracing ethical and sustainable development Top Bergamot, Pomarose®, Sage Heart Vetiver, Leather, Sandalwood Base Patchouli, Ambroﬁx, Akigalawood® Available from November 2020 200ml EDP RRP £106.00

Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Wash & Lotion Set Deeply cleanse and moisturise hands with this hand care duo set, awash with Australian sea fennel and salted cypress; encased in a 1920s-inspired gift box, ﬁnished with eye-catching holographic foil. Top notes of ﬁg leaves, cardamom and bergamot. A heart of marine notes, jasmine and violet leaf. A base of salted cypress, cedarwood and musks.Includes: Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Fine Liquid Hand Wash 300ml. Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Hand Lotion 300ml.

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Limited edition | Worth £42 - Molton Brown

Bobbi Brown Luxe Encore Eye Shadow Palette

Four bouncy geleé shadows in the season’s most luminous, pink and ruby-toned palette. Open for one-stroke color and creamy, multidimensional effects. Dressed in gold with watercolor art by Cecilia Carlstedt, inspired by the energy of dance and the holidays in New York City. RRP £48.00

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In The Words Of

By Carl Marsh

One can only hope that we all get to spend Christmas together, but it’s a fact that COVID-19 has put a stop to some normality. Perhaps you will be able to see your loved ones, and at the time of writing this, that may be the case, but who knows! Regardless, do stay safe and keep those around you even safer. To cheer us all up and seeing how this year has been much of a write-off, I came across a show on YouTube called The Martin Decker Show; and I interviewed the guys involved. Made from home (in a bathroom), very socially distanced (the same person does the filming and acting) and it’s what we all need!

Ultimate Travel List by Lonely Planet - £19.99 Nobody can travel, but if they can, there’s no guarantee you won’t have to self-quarantine at home for weeks on end. So, seeing as you can’t go on holiday, I thought it would be best to bring the holidays to you in the comfort of your own home. Armchair holiday surfing might be the new norm for the foreseeable and Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List has 500 of the best places to visit on Earth. It will give you wanderlust and possibly the valuable time to plan your ultimate trip, so when the time comes that we all can venture to places far and wide, this book will be the catalyst for those plans.

with the book previously, this Lift-the-Flap Atlas will teach the youngster about the planet via more than 100 flaps for them to explore. This is very, very detailed; even I was enriched with lots of information I got from it. This is perfect bedtime reading also for the child or parent to read to him/her/them.

Concrete Plans - Certificate 15 - All digital platforms Written and directed by Will Jewell, and starring two of Wales best-known actors, William Thomas (Torchwood & Hinterland) and Steve Speirs (The Tuckers & Stella), this was also primarily filmed just outside of Brecon. Also starring talented actors like Goran Bogdan, Kevin Guthrie, Chris Reilly, Amber Rose Revah and Charley Palmer Rothwell, you’d be mistaken thinking this was anything but a small independent production. I don’t know what favours Will Jewell pulled for this stellar lineup, but all I will say is, well done. The film is maybe not for all the family to view, it’s a thriller of the claustrophobic variety, that falls just short of being classified as gory, or does it! I had access to an early viewing of this film, and it had me hooked late into the early hours, maybe not for fright reasons but because I wanted to watch it all in one sitting. A bonus (for me) was that Orbital’s Paul Hartnoll created the music throughout, somebody I admire a lot. That is all for this month, I will see you next month, but most importantly, Have a very ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’, however best you can! Carl Marsh

Lift-the-Flap Atlas by Lonely Planet Kids - £12.99 With the last book more than likely aimed at the teenager and above, Lonely Planet Kids have an excellent little flap-up book that will cater to the younger audience. So whilst the parents may be dreaming (planning) about faraway places

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Twitter - @InTheWordsOf_CM Facebook - @InTheWordsOf YouTube - InTheWordsOf

Would I be correct in saying that there is a little bit of Martin in all of us - especially “us” Dads - and that is why he’s who he is? Martin’s at an age where he’s had a few failures and knockbacks, and these have become part of his personality. He may be amusing, but I think there’s a recognition aspect in that he’s struggling to come to terms with his own limitations. He wants to be able to dream and his bathroom shows are his outlet. And is ‘Martin’ actually somebody you both know in real life, or have met? I’m one of three brothers, all in our forties, so maybe he’s based on all three of us... at our worse. I know that it’s Kevin playing Martin, and I know you are both actors, so was it always the case that or did you have to toss a coin to decide who would be Martin? (won’t answer this question as Keiron plays Martin) Is it a joint effort with the writing of the material? I’ve written the scripts so far, but it feels like a joint effort, because I know much Keiron connects with Martin. He usually adds a few lines on the day – and they’re always my favourite lines. Also, we ﬁlm in lockdown conditions – I’m not actually in the bathroom, but viewing through an Ipad, so there’s huge trust on both sides. One of your episodes is centred around a rap (song) attempt and the other being the game, Minecraft. What’s next? With each episode we try to be more ambitious, so the latest one is an alien invasion – The Martian Decker Show.

At what point did the idea actually go from inception to filming the first video? The idea actually started off as a theatre piece I was developing with the Cardiff company Spilt Milk. When lockdown happened, I decided to re-look at the project as a web series. The plan was, rather than shoot straight monologues, use my TV background (as an editor) to try something different. Have you set yourself any deadlines for getting new content up on YouTube? Each episode takes 6-7 weeks, as I’m fortunate enough to be working at the moment. Also, we have a rule that Martin has to be able to make the whole show himself. In the latest episode, there are a great deal of “Martin style” special effects. It took a bit of time and plasticine. I’m a big fan of fresh new comedy that thinks outside the box whilst also utilising how ‘Lockdown’ has made us all stay at home (at times) for weeks on end. The Martin Decker Show is a YouTube production written by Kevin Jones; with Keiron Self as the star of the show, Martin Decker. With a couple of shows under their belt, with many more to come, I chatted with them both. Would I be correct in saying that there is a little bit of Martin in all of us - especially “us” Dads - and that is why he’s who he is? Keiron There are elements of Martin in all of us. He is a bit of an everyman to a certain extent. A Dad who’s lost his way and is trying to find a path through a sticky moment in his life. His wife has left him; he’s lost his job, he’s adrift, misses his kids. he needs a safety valve—an escape. Most people might take

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up a new hobby, get a moped, wear inappropriate clothes for their age group, but instead, Martin retreats to his safe place – the bathroom of his house and tries to create his own show. So, you know, reasonably normal coping mechanism! Kevin Martin’s at an age where he’s had a few failures and knock-backs, and these have become part of his personality. He may be amusing, but I think there’s a recognition aspect in that he’s struggling to come to terms with his limitations. He wants to be able to dream, and his bathroom shows are his outlet. And is ‘Martin’ actually somebody you both know in real life or have met? Keiron Certainly, I can identify with lots of Martin as a middleaged Dad trying to do his best but not with such extreme measures! Kevin I’m one of three brothers, all in our forties, so maybe he’s based on all three of us, at our worst. I know that it’s Keiron playing Martin, and I know you are both actors, so was it always the case that or did you have to toss a coin to decide who would be Martin? Keiron I think Kevin Jones, the genius writer/editor/director behind Martin Decker plays Martin through me! I am his balding, pot-bellied puppet! Is it a joint effort with the writing of the material? Kevin I’ve written the scripts so far, but it feels like a joint effort because I know how much Keiron connects with Martin. He usually adds a few lines on the day – and they’re always my favourite lines. Also, we ﬁlm in lockdown conditions – I’m not actually in the bathroom, but viewing through an iPad, so there’s enormous trust on both sides. Keiron Yeah, Kev does all the hard graft, I show up and offer some suggestions, and we improvise a bit on the day. He’s created a character I understand entirely so it’s a joy to read the new episodes when they arrive and we’ve talked a lot about where he could go and what may become of him, depending on SFX budgets! One of your episodes centred around a rap (song) attempt and the other being the game, Minecraft. What’s next? Keiron Don’t want to give too much away, but there’s a nod to Ray Harryhausen!

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Kevin With each episode we try to be more ambitious, so the latest one is an alien invasion – The Martian Decker Show. At what point did the idea go from inception to filming the first video? Kevin The idea started as a theatre piece I was developing with the Cardiff company Spilt Milk. When lockdown happened, I decided to re-look at the project as a web series. The plan was, rather than shoot straight monologues, use my TV background (as an editor) to try something different. Keiron Kevin developed the character for years for a theatre project which went through several ramifications before I got involved for a workshop and reading. When lockdown started, we both wanted to do something with the character and the monologue written for the stage and supported by Spilt Milk Theatre Company morphed into the web series. It was always a funny, human take on masculinity and Kev managed to get hold of few cameras and was allowed to paint his bathroom, and we just tried some socially distanced stuff out! Have you set yourself any deadlines for getting new content up on YouTube? Kevin Each episode takes 6-7 weeks, as I’m fortunate enough to be working at the moment. Also, we have a rule that Martin has to be able to make the whole show himself. In the latest episode, there is a great deal of “Martin style” special effects. It took a bit of time and plasticine. Keiron It will be great to keep doing Martin so long as we can think of things for him to do and expand on his little, increasingly odd universe. I’m so lucky to have been involved in the project this year; it’s helped keep my sanity playing someone who’s struggling with his! The Martin Decker Show is on YouTube.

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‘LOCKDOWN’. How Has It Been For You?

By Michael James

I wrote most of this article for the May edition but for many differing reasons Cardiff Times couldn’t be published, printed nor delivered. Louise, our editor kindly posted it on the Cardiff Times Facebook page where some of you might have seen it, but many regular readers of the magazine will have missed it. The original article on Facebook still stands but I have re-written it here, bringing it up-to-date as we come to the end of this difficult year. The term, ‘Lockdown’ is a prison protocol that prevents people or information from leaving an area. It can also be used to protect people from a threat or other external event. (Edited from Wikipedia). Sounds about right for the position we have been in since March. Lockdown, as we have become used to during the COVID-19 Pandemic, has made us prisoners in our own homes and has prevented us from travelling, except for very limited and restricted reasons. For the vast majority of people it is a protocol that we have accepted, for the greater good, praying that the virus will somehow be stopped or, at least be slowed down, until an effective vaccine has been found to combat it. Thankfully, there are now encouraging signs that such a vaccine has been found to combat it. Thankfully, there are now encouraging signs that such a vaccine(s) has, indeed been developed, with the likelihood that it will be available to all before long and hoping (praying) that, in the meantime, we will be kept safe and well. Is that how you have seen it? How have you responded to and adapted to life in Lockdown? Are you one of those who, however reluctantly, are just getting on with it or are you furious with the official clampdown on ‘normal’ life? Some are furious, just because they cannot stand to be told what to do, screaming, ‘What about freedom of the individual?’, but there are many others for whom being confined to the house has been more difficult, something that they just cannot handle and they have become fretful and upset. I have a number of friends who have obvious physical or learning disabilities and a number 30 CARDIFF TIMES

whose problems are not visible, but are equally disabling. Their lives and those of their families and or carers, depend upon having some sort of normal structure, one of which is to be able to go out and participate in different interests or hobbies or just meet and speak to others while simply being out and about, and there are so many others for whom this period is very difficult indeed. One of the blessings which kept many of us going in the earlier spell of the Pandemic was the good weather we had. It must have been a great relief for dogs who could take their owners out for walks. For those of us lucky enough to have gardens, whatever its size, it was a joy to have been able to be out in the fresh air, whether to just lounge in our deck chairs or tend our gardens. But, even then our ‘Britishness’, gets the better of us and despite the concerns of the Coronavirus, all we moan about is the more recent weather that has confined us to our homes I asked earlier, how are you adapting to the current crisis? Well I hope? For me it’s been great. I am adapting to it like a duck to water. I think that I have now morphed into the perfect person for selfisolation. I know that we all slow down with age but, from being a sports playing, outgoing youngster, up to and through middle age and, more lately, someone who trekked in the Himalayas at 75 years of age, I have now become a ‘couch potato’, with official blessing from the Government! Furthermore, I have recently been diagnosed as having a lung complaint, nothing sinister I am pleased to say but, according to my medical consultant, I must stay indoors during the current pandemic, except to visit my doctor’s surgery for regular blood tests.(It’s the only thing that I can’t ask anyone else to do for me!). Thinking of asking for, or offering to help, brings to mind another element of ‘Lockdown’, the way that people are pulling together and helping each other. Shopping for elderly relatives and friends and even neighbours who we normally might only exchange brief nods with or a polite, ‘Good morning’. Or checking on your neighbours and friends that

you can now only be in touch with by telephone or through the modern miracle of social media, such as, Skype, Facetime or Zoom. With our churches closed, ‘virtual’ services are being conducted through these IT platforms. It amuses me that as well as being able to see our pastor, up front so to speak, we can see on screen the faces of all those attending the service, rather than the backs of their heads as we would normally do. Earlier this year, I wrote about, ‘Help and Hope is all Around You’. I penned it before we were fully aware of the seriousness of Coronavirus and how it would impact on our lives, It was about how we are surrounded by help if we need it, from our neighbours and friends, voluntary organisations and Faith Groups. That was just a general observation at the time, little did I think how true it would become. We all owe a tremendous amount of thanks for the tireless work carried out by our wonderful NHS, local GP’s, and Pharmacies, Care Workers, Ambulance, Police and Fire and Rescue Services, Refuse Collectors and our Supermarkets and smaller food shops and the countless thousands of others who work, often unseen, to ensure that our every need is catered for. What would we do without them? Yes, help and hope is all around us. We thank God for that and for the help we get from our families, friends and neighbours. We can’t give them a well deserved hug,

so give all of them a big clap, for just being there, if and when needed. I have heard it said that it evokes the old wartime spirit of good neighbourliness (is there such a word?) and it certainty seems like that, but this is different! Yes, everybody seems to be pulling together for the greater good and well-being of our nation, but unlike conventional wars, this enemy is invisible and sadly, can be in those we know and love and even be within our own homes. We can only be vigilant and heed the advice we are given, ‘Stay apart. Stay indoors, to Stay Safe’. However well you have been adapting to the present Lockdown, I pray that we will soon be free of this dreadful disease and that we will be allowed to meet up with our loved ones at Christmas. Perhaps, like our Muslim and Hindu cousins whose Ede and Diwali celebrations had to be curtailed, large family gatherings may be limited but please remember, that despite reports to the contrary, Christmas Isn’t Cancelled, this year nor can it ever be. It’s not simply a holiday period but a time to celebrate Jesus’ coming to earth to bring us all, Peace, Love and Everlasting Life. May I wish you and all those you love, a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year 2021, (Covid free, I hope).

CARDIFF TIMES 31

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

This year’s must-have game teaches children how to beat germs whilst having fun Germ attack

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The latest gruesome game in the best-selling Horrible Science range from Galt Toys, teaches children valuable lessons about bacteria and germs whilst they take part in a ruthless race around the body. Suitable for between two and six players, Germ Attack is designed to teach children fun and interesting facts about the body and germs, a lesson that is more important than ever before, in an exciting, engaging, and fast-paced way. Horrible Science Germ Attack has an RRP of £19.99 and is available to buy now from Amazon. Suitable for children aged eight and over.

Richard Osman’s House Of Games Board Game Provides Fans Hours Of Fun

Dantoy Lead The Way With Sugarcane Toys Dantoy’s brand-new “I’m Green” line of bioplastic products, their bioplastic is made of at least 90% sugarcane, a sustainable raw material, and their bioplastic is 100% recyclable. Dantoy leads the way with their bioplastics. The manufacture of bioplastics reduces carbon emissions. The sugarcane is cultivated on controlled, pesticide-free plantations in central and southern Brazil. The sugarcane is harvested every 6 – 12 months. Bioplastic made of sugarcane is a 100% sustainable raw material. The Dantoy Bio-Toy 7 Stacking Cups £20 from Amazon.

Based on the hit BBC2 show hosted by Richard Osman, the House of Games board game is the ultimate test of knowledge and skill. Enjoy some of your favourite challenges from the show in the comfort of your home.

Go Back To Basics This Christmas With Marvin’s Magic

The heart-warming advert shows how simple things can make a big impact as the children transform and start performing magic tricks to the whole family. Marvin’s Magic 130 Magic Made Easy Tricks costs £12 from Argos

Mesmerising Puzzles With Carnovsky These beautiful 500 piece jigsaw puzzles explore the interaction between colour and light through the visionary work of Carnovsky. Three different images sit on top of each other, and the resulting picture is unexpected and mesmerising.

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The Ginger Fox Richard Osman’s House of Games Board Game costs £25 from John Lewis

Blast Off With The NASA Rocket

Get ready for blast off with the ofﬁcial licensed NASA Space Rocket Construction Kit. It’s ideal for ages 12+ and an amazing gift for space lovers and those who like building. In eye catching yellow, black and silver colours it looks stunning in any room.

Jump To Christmas

Plum’s 8ft Space Zone II Trampoline is the must have active toy this Christmas. Trampolining is a great activity, whatever the season. The Plum Play 8ft Space Zone II Trampoline costs £179.99 from PlumPlay.co.uk

The NASA Space Rocket Construction Kit costs £29.99 from Thumbsup.com

Rubik’s Box Of Magic Tricks

Marvin’s Magic have partnered with Rubik’s to celebrate the 40th anniversary of world-famous Rubik’s Cube. The Rubik’s Amazing Box of Magic Tricks contains themed magic props and instructions for 40 tricks that are ideal the whole family.The set comes in a giant Rubik’s box and contains exclusive tricks and illusions, each with the unique Rubik’s touch. Rubik’s Amazing Box of Magic Tricks costs from £24.99 from Marvin’s Magic. For ages 8+

This year’s must-have game teaches children how to beat germs whilst having fun Germ attack

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Richard Osman’s House Of Games Board Game Provides Fans Hours Of Fun Based on the hit BBC2 show hosted by Richard Osman, the House of Games board game is the ultimate test of knowledge and skill. Enjoy some of your favourite challenges from the show in the comfort of your home. The Ginger Fox Richard Osman’s House of Games Board Game costs £25 from John Lewis

Blast Off With The NASA Rocket

Jump To Christmas

The NASA Space Rocket Construction Kit costs £29.99 from Thumbsup.com

Rubik’s Box Of Magic Tricks

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FINDING POSITIVES THROUGH THE PANDEMIC

By Natalie McCulloch

‘2020 has been the best year ever!’ Ok, this may not be a phrase on many people’s lips as we look set to enter 2021 with another lockdown looming and the exhaustion of a stressful year behind us. It goes without saying that 2020 has brought many people worldwide many challenges, much sadness, financial losses, employment losses, health issues and even personal losses or deaths. Owing to Covid 19 our lives have been tossed into a somewhat ‘snow globe’ situation where they’ve been shaken up in an uncontrollable and unpredictable way. In fact, in light of how challenging 2020 has been for most people it would be understandable to ‘write it off’ so to speak. However, it’s possibly very important to think differently about this and actually acknowledge, even celebrate what we have learnt in 2020 and use this to go forward in 2021. “The struggle you’re in today developing the strength you need for tomorrow” - Robert Tew So what’s worth celebrating about 2020? As I say, 2020 may not have been the best year for people due to the global pandemic, flooding, storms and the waves these caused, to mention a few things. However there may be some small shafts of light in these dark times worth considering. On a wider level – air pollution plummeted, Venice’s canals are clearest in 60 years and people have reconnected with nature in wonderful ways. On perhaps a more personal level people have reported becoming more appreciative of things they’d taken for granted (Such as seeing family/friends, dining out, being able to shop) and had chance to take up new 36 CARDIFF TIMES

hobbies, improve IT skills (zoom quiz anyone?) and develop healthier hygiene habits. Whether it’s the best of time or worst of times, it’s the only time you have. Look for the good in each day. Focus on growth, purpose, peace, love and gratitude. - Karen Salmansohn On a personal note, I am grateful for 2020. Its allowed me to identify my unhealthy rigid attitude towards my gym routine which had gotten in the way of life’s more important things/people to the point I recognise I’m not in the right place to be a member of a gym currently. It’s allowed me to focus on what is important to me in my life, which is mainly my wonderful friends, family and amazing boyfriend all of whom give me a reason to live, smile and I love very dearly. Its allowed me to engage in my love of outdoors and photography (sorry everyone on facebook who sees 1001 photos every time I step outside!). It’s allowed me to try a new job role in the NHS where I feel honoured to work and meet new people as well as learning new skills and it’s made

me reflect on all the wonderful things I have in my life and all the many things I want to achieve. I’m not usually the most positive of people but in the height of the first wave of C19 I was becoming saddened by the amount of negative energy around which prompted me to take action. I was fortunate enough to have a chance to do an art display in the hospital I work in (YES! ME, ART, I KNOW - first time ever and definitely not my forte!) In conjunction with the amazing NHS art team. The display which depicted positives that patients, staff and visitors had found through c19 period was showcased as you entered the hospital and added to over time. It was really touching to see how people commented and reacted to it, even people who had lost family members, job roles or faced challenges wrote in with their positive reflections. One quote from a patient stuck in my head that “it was the first time since the war that community spirit has existed”, others focused on learning new skills, spending time

with loved ones and tidying their lives and mind’s. Its things like this that we have taken for granted previously perhaps but that perhaps we need to take forward with us into the New Year in order to have a fulfilling one. According to Verywellmind.com; positive thinking can help reduce depression, lower blood pressure and improve immunity and by acknowledging the strengths that have taken you through 2020 and the skills you’ve acquired you may have built up resilience and transferable skills to face whatever 2021 throws at you. So, I urge you to join me in reflecting with an open mind and trying to find even a few positives through this pandemic or at least focus in on lessons learnt during lockdown. Perhaps you could share them on the Cardiff times twitter feed? I’m not for one moment downplaying how incredibly hard 2020 has been and how overwhelmingly sad also, but I would like to help people hone in on any positives they can, recognise their strengths and acknowledge the small things in life which often get forgotten. “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain!” Further information cardiffandvale.art/2020/05/26/positive-reflection www.verywellmind.com/

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Fashion done your own way By Molly Dutton The world, as it is, is never ceasing to amaze me with all of its current twists and turns. Corona certainly hasn’t made our lives easy but now is the season for us all to fully enjoy ourselves and wave a not-so-sad goodbye to the year of 2020. When I wrote my first article of the year all the way back in January, I never expected the long and tiresome year that was to come but I must say that, as a country, we have battled on and made the most of every opportunity that has come our way and for that I feel we are well entitled to celebrate the most we ever have this Christmas. Christmas for me is all about coming together as a family (or as a group of friends) and appreciating all that we have and all that is to come; I would mention the copious amounts of food too but I feel that may take away from the sentiment in this paragraph. Food, drinks, good songs (I don’t know about you but I’m planning on listening to Heart Xmas from this day onwards) and many other things are going to make this year’s celebrations extra special and I cannot wait! I will admit, it’s been rather difficult finding inspiration for this month’s article as I’ve found myself in a bit of a slump, possibly as I’ve just about finished my birthday celebrations. But when I really thought about what I wanted to talk about this time round, I found myself leaning towards the theme of gifts. For me personally, giving gifts is far more exciting than actually receiving them (possibly because I’m now a fully fledged shopping addict who has no control over purchasing things), and I think there is nothing more special than finding the perfect gift for someone who you love. So, following that note, this article is all about gift giving and the best ways to buy this Christmas. In past years I’ve normally relied on one single 40 CARDIFF TIMES

shopping trip to purchase all the family’s gifts. This always seemed like the most effective method of bulk buying and it did the job fairly quickly, but I wanted this Christmas to be an exciting experience, even down to the gift buying. This year, I felt a little bit different about purchasing gifts as I had a huge amount of time on my hands and didn’t have that overwhelming desire to rush into buying them. One thing that I would hugely encourage if you’re able to, is buying the majority of your gifts from small businesses. Now I know what you’re thinking, not everyone is going to want a personalised door matt or a keyring from that little boutique from down the road but, in all seriousness, if you have access to the internet and a bit of patience, there is a world of beautiful gifts just waiting to be bought from extremely caring and grateful businesses. This year, smaller companies have taken huge hits as more and more people use the big sites like Amazon to get all of their everyday items and now their Christmas presents too, mostly because its seen as

the easiest way to get everything in one place (the British do love a hassle-free shop). When I started to browse on the good old web for some inspiration, I came across the handmade marketplace Etsy and decided that that was where I was going to spend my money this year, browsing through all the pretty items and hampers that they have to offer. The beauty of buying handmade gifts from these little companies is that they really do appreciate every single person who purchases from them and they show that in the way that they package their items and present their gifts; every little detail is perfectly organised to show their appreciation and it’s like opening your very own ray of sunshine every time. Without sounding too dramatic, I had a lot of people to buy for this year, mostly for the ladies, but also for the men in the family. I spent hours looking on Etsy for all of these individual gifts and I found that the hamper selection on the site was something that very much caught my eye. As you can contact the sellers, I was able to tell them what type of things I wanted in my hampers and they always responded in such a lovely way. Another way that I managed to discover these wonderful brands was through Instagram as a lot of my mutual friends have set up their own businesses and have promoted others in my local area. One

lovely seller called @Rubyharrydesigns has been making beautiful fabric masks, scrunchies and hats for each of the seasons (my pumpkin style one was surprisingly the start of many conversations), just releasing her brand-new Christmas range which is ridiculously exciting. Whilst Instagram is mainly used for photos, it now has a new business section which allows you to reach out and communicate with sellers from the local area, something I didn’t see coming from the app which saw me evolve from a tutu wearing thirteen year old. I decided to post about the small businesses I have been supporting and it actually generated a lot of interest from my followers who replied with their own favourites and we created a little community of small business supporters which really was the highlight of my month. If you’re not a fan of Instagram, Facebook is just as much of a hotspot for businesses, especially if you start following your local community pages and pop any questions about items that you’re looking to find on there. The main message that I want you to take from this article is that it’s so important to keep our friendly, local businesses thriving and successful during this time, even if it takes an extra twenty minutes of your day to track down some lovely gifts.

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2020 BOOK GUIDE Coronavirus in the words of children Gemma Cartworthy Cardiff university alumni, Gemma Clatworthy, author of The Girl who Lost her Listening Ears has released a new book in support of NHS Charities Together. She carries on her theme of lockdown literature and has gathered over 100 responses from children about what they think of coronavirus, lockdown and how school is different now. All of the author proceeds from this book will be going to NHS Charities Together. Gemma says: “I have really enjoyed putting this book together and reading all of the wonderful responses, which range from heartfelt to hilarious. We all have something to thank the NHS for, so I feel privileged to be able to support NHS Charities Together with this project.”

Claudia Quash and the spell of Pencliff Wendy Hobbs Claudia Quash A magical book that helps grant wishes to #seriouslyillchildren @DreamsWishesOrg #charity On her thirteenth birthday, Claudia Quash receives a mysterious letter. It unlocks an unsolved crime, and Claudia must clear her family name. Little does she know that she’ll be transported back in time into a magical world, where she also discovers special powers of her own. On her journey she’ll be chasing criminals, making new friends, and facing a dark terror that hovers over the land. If she can’t solve the mystery, she might never return home…

The Beast and the Bethany Jack Meggitt-Phillips Reads like a modern classic. Sharp, funny, original – I thought this was brilliant’ – Sam Copeland, author of the bestselling Charlie Changes into a Chicken ‘What a FEAST! A funny and (bone) cracking good read’ – Michelle Harrison, bestselling author of A Pinch of MagicMajor ﬁlm deal announced with Warner Brothers and Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts producer, David Heyman.

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Lion Pride Before the Fall George Logan

Big Trails - Great Britain & Ireland

Acclaimed wildlife photographer George Logan has launched a new book of stunning wildlife photography to support and raise awareness for Africa’s dwindling lion population. The hardback coffee table book, entitled ‘Lion: Pride Before The Fall’, is in conjunction with international wildlife charity Born Free and contains a collection of the London-based photographer’s beautiful and thought-provoking images of lions in the wild in Africa.

Kathy Rogers & Stephen Ross

Always in the Dark

Big Trails: Great Britain & Ireland is an inspirational guide to the most iconic, spectacular and popular long-distance trails in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. The twenty-ﬁve featured routes take the reader across the best of the British Isles.

Diane Harding This is not an easy read – the pain of the author is tangible – but it is a haunting memoir of a childhood mystery that unfolded painfully and ﬁnally with a devastating understanding about the shocking truth of her life. This book of surviving in the face of pain and suffering, is a book about courage, of putting others ﬁrst; and its opposite- a cruelty by her father and his mistress who shared a small intimate space with the mother of a young girl perfectly able to ignore her pain.

Hank the Hungry Monster

Hard Men of Rugby Luke Upton The true stories behind 20 of the toughest players to ever play the game, from pre-WW1 ﬁrebrands to modern-day YouTube sensations. Irrespective of size, reputation or opposition, they never took a step back on the pitch. Featuring exclusive interviews with some of the players themselves, insights from former teammates and a foreword from refereeing legend Nigel Owens, if you love the characters that make rugby great, then this is the book for you.

Julie Derrick

Letters From the Dead Sam Hurcom Sam Hurcom’s debut, A Shadow on the Lens, published last year and received fantastic reviews, described by The Guardian as ‘gothic, claustrophobic and wonderfully dark’! This is a stiﬂing and atmospheric gothic crime novel set in the early 20th century for fans of The Woman in Black, The Silent Companions and Little Strangers and I hope you love it!

It is undeniable that being a parent is rewarding, but it can also be incredibly challenging. Despite increasing conversations around mental health, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood, particularly in children. OCD sufferers have obsessive thoughts, leading to compulsive rituals and behaviours, with around 1.2% of the UK population experiencing the condition. Author Julie Derrick is determined to raise awareness and push for early identiﬁcation of the condition in children through her new children’s book, Hank the Hungry Monster.

Lion Pride Before the Fall George Logan Acclaimed wildlife photographer George Logan has launched a new book of stunning wildlife photography to support and raise awareness for Africa’s dwindling lion population. The hardback coffee table book, entitled ‘Lion: Pride Before The Fall’, is in conjunction with international wildlife charity Born Free and contains a collection of the London-based photographer’s beautiful and thought-provoking images of lions in the wild in Africa.

Always in the Dark Diane Harding This is not an easy read – the pain of the author is tangible – but it is a haunting memoir of a childhood mystery that unfolded painfully and ﬁnally with a devastating understanding about the shocking truth of her life. This book of surviving in the face of pain and suffering, is a book about courage, of putting others ﬁrst; and its opposite- a cruelty by her father and his mistress who shared a small intimate space with the mother of a young girl perfectly able to ignore her pain.

Hank the Hungry Monster

d rs e, ds be of sip rws rs m a g ou at en u.

Julie Derrick

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TOY APPEAL

27 November - 20 December YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO CHILDREN IN SOUTH WALES THIS CHRISTMAS STDAVIDSCARDIFF.COM/TOYAPPEAL

PRESENTED BY

Cardiff Times December 2020

Articles inside

Finding positives through the

Handmade in Wales with love

In The Words Of

2020 Book Guide

The animals of the animal wall at