Cardiff Times January 2021

JANUARY 2021

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Y SECURITY G R E N E = E G LAR + STORA IN 2021... SO

IT’S OFFICIAL (NOW EVEN LESS WITH YOUR PROMO COST CODE INSIDE) SOLAR POWER IS THE LOWEST ENERGY (NOW EVEN LESS WITH YOUR PROMO CODE INSIDE)

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       

                                      

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CARDIFF TIMES

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, Michael James, Jen Abell

EDITORIAL 029 2046 3028 ADVERTISING 07903 947594 EMAIL info@cardiff-times.co.uk WEB www.cardiff-times.co.uk

EDITORS LETTER

Welcome Hi All, and welcome to our January issue.

Due to print deadlines, and the recently announced new national Lockdown commencing at the end of December, we are writing this considerably earlier than we normally do!

Last month saw Louise celebrate a milestone birthday, I’m not allowed to say how old she is (it’s halfway between 40 and 60!) The day was a lot quieter and less busy that was originally planned, but was still special nevertheless. What made the day extra special was a video compilation put together by Louise’s sister with over 50 family and friends wishing her happy birthday - there were even a couple of people that she didn’t initially recognise on the video!

With our children officially breaking up from school today, we’d just like to take a moment to thank all their teachers for the work they have done this term in difficult circumstances, it is appreciated. While we’re on the subject of thanks, Mark and I would like to say big thank yous to all our advertisers and writers, without your support there simply wouldn’t be a magazine.

Finally, a thought on 2020, which to say has been challenging is a bit of an understatement. Coronavirus has affected so many people in so many ways, and we know this word has been overused but it really has been ‘unprecedented’.

However, during adversity is sometimes when we see people respond positively, generously and freely, and it truly has been heart-warming to see and read the huge number of stories of selfless acts by people from all communities across the city and beyond. Here’s to a different 2021, when, fingers crossed, we can return to some sort of normality.

Please continue to stay safe everyone, and Happy New Year!

Louise & Mark

Follow us on Twitter @CardiffTimes

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4 4

d

n

,

December CONTENTS 6 My Freudian Lapse

by Wyn Evans 10 “And another thing…”

The Saxophonist in Cardiff Bay

by Vince Nolan 19 Atlantic Meeting “Gone Fishing”

by Sarah John 28 Be A Friend - Befriend

by Natalie McCulloch 30 A Short Guide to: Making Your Community Efforts Work Harder This Year

by Jen Abell 34 In The Words Of

by Carl Marsh 40 Fashion Done Your Own Way

by Molly Dutton 44 New Year 2021, Back To Normal?

by Michael James

My Freudian Lapse

ByWyn Evans

The Boss and I were together in our utility room this

actual or suspected concussive and sub-concussive

week, just off the kitchen. She was folding the clothes

injuries during match play and training sessions.”

that had no need of ironing while I was preparing the

Thompson, for example, was the England team’s

washing machine with its next load, a reds wash.

hooker when they won the World Cup in 1993. Still

“It must be horrible for those rugby players who

only forty-two years old and father of four, he has been

have been diagnosed with depression”, I said. “No,

diagnosed with early onset dementia and suspected

not ‘depression’, um what’s it called..., ‘demerit’?” I

chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the

slapped my palm against my head. “D’oh, that’s not

progressive brain disease caused by repeated blows

right either. What’s the word I’m looking for love?

to the head. Shockingly, he says of what had been the

Help me here.” There followed about a minute of my

biggest day of his sporting life, “I couldn’t tell you what

wife asking me to say in a few words what I’d clearly

the changing rooms were like. I can’t remember being there... What’s the point of having a rugby career if you can’t remember it? When all you’ve got now is the rubbish to deal with. All I’m doing is paying for it”.

I realised, after reading the above stories in newspapers and watching on television news, that I had not been entirely truthful in last month’s column dealing with my Parkinson’s Disease (‘Muhammad,

intended to say with one and me getting little closer to nding t e word wa traw ing my yna to nd.

e imit

emerara

e trying

e in ui

unti at

Michael, and me’, Cardiff Times, December 2020). ot t at wa

eing de i erate y mi eading.

at er

there was an elephant in the room that I failed to

last, it came to me. “Dementia. It must be horrible for

mention. Or, more likely perhaps, that an issue was

those rugby players who have been diagnosed with

so personally threatening that I hid it behind the

early onset dementia.” “Yes, and for their families”,

ofa wit out rea i ing t at

ad done o. or wit

hindsight, how could I have written an article about

added The Boss.

Parkinson’s without noting the fear that has been with We were referring of course to the former rugby players who have commenced legal action against

me every day since my diagnosis four and a half years ago? Aarsland and Kurz(1) note that at least seventy e er cent of

their sport’s governing bodies, suing them for

atient w o ur i e for more t an

alleged negligence over head injuries. Amongst the

ten years will develop dementia. The mean time from

one hundred-plus players involved are Englishman

onset of PD to dementia is approximately ten years.

Steve Thompson and Welshman Alix Popham. “The

They point out that most established risk factors

aimant a ege t at t e ug y owed t em a indi idua

rofe

td and

or d

for early dementia are old age, severity of motor

iona

ayer

symptoms, in particular postural and gait disturbances,

a duty to take reasonable care for their safety by

mild cognitive impairment, and visual hallucinations.

establishing and implementing rules and regulations in

And I have some of those motor symptoms.

respect of the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of

CARDIFF TIMES

This isn’t the place for a lecture on metaphysics, on

High. Her teacher is moving on to a new school and

the brain and the mind. But memory is tied in to our

she gave The Girl a charm, to go on a bracelet, and

conceptions of the ‘Self’ and losing one’s sense of self

a card with the following beautiful message: “What

has always struck me as a terrifying and fundamental

an absolute pleasure it has been to be your form

thing. There are different types and causes of

tutor! Your smile and positive attitude never fail to

dementia but reading the rugby players’ stories was

make even the gloomiest of days brighter! Please

like a slap to the face. I feel their fear, because I share

keep this charm safe as it will make sure that you’re

it. As I also do Thompson’s perspective on his family:

always surrounded with good luck and remind you of

“It’s just the guilt, I don’t want to be a burden. I’ve

how much I believe in you!” Thank you for everything

got young kids, a young wife. It’s going to get worse.

you’ve done to help our girl grow and thrive under your

I don’t want my kids to give up their lives looking

leadership.

after me. That’s the last thing I want”. So there was something darkly ironic about my conversation with e o

in our uti ity room t at day.

And thank you all for reading. It’s been a strange

trugg ed to nd

old year hasn’t it? Let’s hope 2021 brings renewal to

t e word dementia or u con ciou y refu ed to nd

us all. How will I be celebrating you ask? Well I have

it w en trugg ing to nd word and a ing memory

another load of washing to get on, whites this time.

lapses may be a sign of dementia.

Happy new year!

Happily, The Girl, my fourteen year old daughter, who happens to have Down Syndrome, overdoses on life itself and always has some left over to share with her old dad. Recently, she has mostly been focusing of Strictly Come Dancing. Last Saturday was the emi- na . o my ur ri e

e eft t e rogramme on

half. Not because she wasn’t enjoying it but because she was enjoying it so much that she just had to go into the front room, where her CDs are, to do her own dances. Which I think is a positive outcome.

She’s asked our permission to go on the programme herself... with me as her partner. Happily, we were able to explain that when she goes on she’ll be partnered by a professional and won’t need me. (I can only hope HRVY turns pro by then as she likes him a lot.) nd t e o d routine no onger uf ce.

e to

ir

“We’ll have to remember to get mince pies for Father Christmas and a couple of carrots for the reindeer”.

Girl to me: “Dad, puh-lease...I’m a teenager now not a child”!

***** PS, in case you are wondering, the picture of the apple refers to “Hel Calennig”, which is a Welsh tradition of t e r t day of t e new year an a

But some things remain the same. She has had the same form teacher for her four years at Cardiff

e

impaled on three sticks like a tripod, decorated with cloves and a sprig of evergreen.

CARDIFF TIMES

A brighter 2021 2021 mwy disglair Edrych ymlaen at ddysgu rhywbeth newydd eleni.

Mae Prifysgol Caerdydd yn cynnig ystod eang o gyrsiau rhan-amser i oedolion a fydd yn tanio’ch dychymyg ac yn gwe a c

. ydd cyr iau y n cyc wyn y gwanwyn wn

yn cael eu dysgu ar-lein mewn dosbarthiadau bywiog, rhyngweithiol a fydd yn cael eu cynnal ar amseroedd penodol bob wythnos. ydyc yn of r ce fyddydau a diwy iant yn awyddus i ddysgu am y gorffennol, yn cael eich swyno gan wyddoniaeth, yn ymddiddori mewn gwyddoniaeth gymdeithasol, yn angerddol dros ieithoedd neu’n teimlo’r angen i we a c

gi iau u ne a c yfri aduro mae gennym

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CARDIFF TIMES

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Look forward to learning something new this year. Cardiff University provides a wide range of part-time courses for adu t w ic wi

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HELLO

BONJOUR

HALLO

NI HAO

“And another thing...”

The Saxophonist in Cardiff Bay

By Vince Nolan

I know, this month’s title sounds like a new Michelin starred fusion restaurant but alas is not. She Who Must Be Obeyed and I were having a stroll around The Bay in an effort on my part to lose some of the excesses of the Lockdown Festive period when we were drawn to the sound of accomplished saxophone playing coming from a busker (from the Spanish Buscar to search for. Presumably to search for the right note in many cases). Mind you, a buscar would be a very interesting mode of transport. However, I digress. On closer inspection the guy had a sign asking for donations, but given these days of no cash transactions, had with him his own card-reading machine and was taking £2 tips (the minimum transaction). We had to admire his ingenuity. riti rmy of cer otted a busker at the bottom of the escalator on the London Underground.

The busker had a sign which read: “VETERAN SOLDIER OF THE FALKLANDS . e of cer thought, “Poor chap, I was there and it was awful!”

Feeling sorry for a fellow eteran t e of cer took out of i wa et and ga e it to t e u ker. e of cer wa then greeted with a hearty: “Gracias, Senor!”

In wildlife news, the current Mrs Nolan and I were on one of our lengthy nature rambles alongside the recon- onmout ire cana o er ing t e ora and fauna (since all the pubs were in lockdown). e aw an ama ing a of a uamarine from a CARDIFF TIMES

tree followed by a splash into the canal as we witne ed a ing er i ing u to it name.

As we were returning to the car we happened upon this Star Wars character out walking with his daughter. She was normally dressed. I hadn’t the heart to ask him why he was dressed this way.

A cry for help possibly? In a related matter, which programme do Jedi use to open e Adobe-Wan Kenobi.

When we got home we heard some rustling in the conservatory but cou d not nd t e source or is that the sauce? It was not because our

conservatory is so big that we couldn’t pinpoint it but because it sounded like our next door neighbour was messing about in his garden. A few hours later a sparrow introduced itself to us which mu t a e own in w en t e atio door were open. Being man, the hunter, I used my instinctive tracking and trapping skills and picked the little guy up and released him back into the wild. No harm done………………..well, until next door’s cat got him.

Staying with hunting, if I were illegally hunting for mushrooms, would I have questionable morels?

Also, what do you call a deer who has lost both eyes in a hunting accident? No eye deer.

I have decided that when Trump dies, I will give his eulogy. I will say: “He is today how he was as President……….wearing make-up and lying in front of us. Amen.”

I was recently asked by the son of a good friend of mine if I would write a urology for his Dad’s funeral. I didn’t have the heart to say eulogy but I knew what he meant. Anyway, here is what I wrote: My favourite Mike tale, (he was affectionately known a adda ecau e of i ikene to the former Libyan leader), involved a trip to Paris to watch Wales play France. We had developed a 20 year relationship with a French side and played them home and away on French international weekends. On t i articu ar tri ike r t we did it in t e old-fashioned way, a bus to Dover, ferry crossing and then on to Paris. I was sitting next to him. At o er a uniformed u tom f cer came onto our bus and said: “Just hold up your passports guys and I will come along and count them and you.” Mike turned to me and said “I didn’t know we needed a passport and I haven’t got one.” I aid o if ng or word to t at effect. en in a scene reminiscent of a World War 2 prisoner of war escape story, Mike ducked down into the footwell next to me and I piled his coat and mine on top of him. I told him not to move, whilst we were both reduced to laughing uncontrollably. The Customs guy walked the bus, did the count, missed Mike

and we were on the ferry.

There was no Customs inspection in France as we had already been inspected and we were off to Paris. We repeated the people smuggling exercise on the way back. Quite what would have happened if u tom ad found o one adda towing away on a St. Peter’s Rugby Club bus is anybody’s guess but it would certainly have caused a major diplomatic incident.

Just to be clear: Did you hear about the urologist who was eaten by a bear? He was a meteorologist (meaty urologist, oh please yourselves).

The Leader of the Opposition and I were sitting in our socially distanced local, The Funky Furlough, when a lady close by to us asked the Bar Manager if the toilets were still upstairs. He of course con rmed t at t ey were ut t oug t t i to e a very stupid question. I would have said something like: “I don’t know when madam was last with us but we moved them out to the car park many months ago as a direct consequence of Covid19.” Perhaps this is why I do not run a pub.

A wife sent her husband a romantic text message. She wrote: “If you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile. If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are drinking, send me a sip. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you.” Her husband texted back: “ I’m in the toilet, please advise.”

Happy New Year Dear Reader, the Year of the Ox. Apparently this year is going to be lucky with the Ox representing diligence, persistence and honesty. Not for going to be Trump’s year then is it?

CARDIFF TIMES

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Couple reunited in ‘Covid proof’ pod for golden wedding anniversary A woman living at a Cardiff care home was able to celebrate her 50th anniversary with her husband in a ‘Covid-proof’ family visitors’ area. nne i ne a een i ing at andaff an a inc u i e re identia nur ing a iati e and re ite care ome in onway oad ontcanna and it ad not een possible for her to receive visitors due to the coronavirus outbreak. owe er care ome taff created a ami y i itor od inside the home back in the summer which has been designed to defy the pandemic and allow its residents to have face-to-face contact wit t eir fami ie . e ground oor i rary oom a een con erted to dua accessible area with a large vinyl screen and partition. andaff a remained free of o idfor the duration the crisis of the pandemic and there are trict infection contro guide ine are eing fo owed inc uding u e of y taff. i itor are re uired to wear face coverings and have to have their temperature taken on arrival.

nne wa a e to ee er u and o n and eak with other family members via video calling on his laptop in emotiona cene at t e ome. t wa t e r t time t e cou e ad een eac ot er in mont . taff at andaff also bought them a special anniversary cake and put banners up around the room. andaff er ice manager i a ri tina aid e were de ig ted t at nne and o n were a e to ce e rate t eir 50th anniversary in some way at the home. All the staff at andaff a e worked e treme y ard to kee our residents safe. That is why we are so pleased to enable visits to take place when they’re allowed which follow Government guide ine in our ami y i itor od. e e een kee ing t ing a norma a o i e at andaff and kee ing our residents busy but we know the importance of family connection. Anne wa o er oyed to ee o n again and spend some time talking to other family members on video calling. It was a wonderful occasion.”

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CARDIFF TIMES 15

Local businesses urged to access Government funding to access help Local businesses urged to unemployed young Local businesses urged people to help access Government funding Government to help unemployedfunding young people unemployed young people WHAT IS THE

KICKSTART WHAT IS THE SCHEME? WHAT IS THE KICKSTART KICKSTART TheSCHEME? Kickstart Scheme will fund hundreds of thousands of high SCHEME? The Kickstart Scheme will fund quality 6 month work placements

hundreds of thousands of high Kickstart will fund for The young peopleScheme aged 16-24 quality 6 month work placements hundreds of thousands of high deemed at risk of long term for young people aged 16-24 quality 6 month work unemployment due to placements deemed at risk of long term for young people aged 16-24 Coronavirus. unemployment due to deemed at risk of long term Coronavirus. unemployment due to The scheme will pay employers Coronavirus.

100% the National Theof scheme will payMinimum employers Wage forof25 hours a week, plus 100% the National Minimum The scheme will pay employers employer National Wage for 25 hoursInsurance a week, plus 100% of the National Minimum contributions and employer employer National Insurance Wage for 25 hours a week, plus minimum automatic enrolment contributions and employer employer National Insurance minimum automatic enrolment contributions.

There also a contributions and is employer contributions.

There is also a £1,500 grant per job placement minimum automatic enrolment £1,500 grant per job placement available for setup costs, support contributions.

There is also a

available for setup costs, support and training. £1,500 grant per job placement and training. available for setup costs, support

Most employers and training. aren’t allowed to Most employers aren’t allowed to apply directly to the Government apply directly to the Government employers aren’t allowed to for Most funding. for funding. apply directly to the Government for official funding.Kickstart Gateway, As an As an official Kickstart Gateway, we can handle your application we can handle your application anbehalf officialentirely Kickstart Gateway, on As your free of on your behalf entirely free of we can handle your application charge as the Government covers charge as the Government covers on your behalf entirely free of our administration costs directly. our administration costs directly. charge as the Government covers

Official Kickstart Gateway

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Free of Charge Applying through Kickstart Jobs UK is free Applying through KickstartWe Jobs UKhandle is free of charge for employers. will Free of Charge We willthe handle of charge for employers. the application process with Applying through Kickstart Jobs UK is free

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Atlantic Meeting “Gone Fishing”

By Sara John “Do you want soldiers?” enquired a very elderly immaculate waitress of me when I was staying in Portsmouth some years ago, as a guest of the Royal Navy. “All the gentlemen like them for dipping in their boiled eggs” she explained to me, the only female, and therefore non gentleman in the very formal dining room. I decided it must be another respected naval tradition so said “yes please”.

I recalled this incident and a number of others some years later when I was having lunch in a local pub in Cardiff with a friend, a long retired and very well-respected producer and broadcaster. I was babbling on about my small, recent adventures, this and that and, inevitably, exploring tangents, thereby managing frequently to miss or forget the point of my tales. rig t and went u in t e air i inde nger ointing at me – to stop me ‘tangenting’ in my conversation.

‘Talking about naval traditions, let me tell you about an event of August 1941 which is still loud and clear in my memory. It took place under the most secret of circumstances when I was serving as a midshipman on the battleship The Prince of Wales. It left an everlasting impression on me. I was there.

We ordered more coffee, and he took over an imaginary microphone. This is what he told me. itt e ackground r t. ritain ad y t en t at i been at war for two years. The Allies had been struck down and riti force ad een dri en from uro e. ritain situation was dire.

Churchill and Roosevelt had agreed the Lend-Lease deal which provided equipment and armaments from the to ritain. ut y t i time in Churchill knew he needed more help. A great deal more help.

Roosevelt’s position was complex. e wanted a o e a to tay in of ce it had only been twenty- four years since American troops entered the First World ar t ere wa a ery arge erman population in the USA, including many r t- or econd-generation immigrant w o were in t e to get away from uro ean con agration ua e uarre in a ion de truction and death.

In addition, there was no hunger in the population, politicians or Chiefs of Staff for another War, at that time. e of cour e in ritain knew ery itt e of t i . e re and the public were highly supportive of Churchill. When we were ordered back to our ship, The Prince of Wales, which was not completely repaired following having been damaged during t e i marck incident to re are for a to - ecret operation. We had no idea of Churchill’s hopes and plans w ic were cunning con dentia and ery we crafted.

Under the cover of total secrecy, we crew members were recalled and re-assembled on board The Prince of Wales, awaiting further orders.

She was still damaged, blasted and blemished by her recent success. She clearly needed more than just a coat of paint. Spirits were high and rumours were blowing about ike a force ten ga e. eryone ad t eir own idea of w y we were preparing to sail – to where? To achieve what? For how long? Small sums of money in a sweepstake began to change hands. In those days, we midshipmen, we were a rentice of cer in ca e you were going to a k e t in

CARDIFF TIMES 9

hammocks amidships crowded together. However, we had no idea what was going on.

For a number of days, we went about our routines awaiting further instructions and at last, early one morning, we were told to stop what we were doing. ere were a out fteen undred crew aboard and most of that number were instructed to muster on the decks. We were in the cold, wild waters well north of Scotland where the Atlantic met the North Sea. e r t art of a ery ecret an wa about to be exposed.

It appears that we were awaiting the arrival of the ORIBI, a destroyer, with a very valuable Cargo.

We were in the calmer waters of Scapa Flow when out of the morning mist came the music of the Royal Marines band and a sight I shall never forget. There, on the bridge of the destroyer was a man smoking a large lit cigar. The whisper went around the Prince of Wales like a summer breeze. “It’s Winston Churchill!”.

He was welcomed aboard and in no time was settled in a cabin.

Then a bugle sounded. A bell rang. The surrounding hills were moving.

2 CARDIFF TIMES

We were off, but where was our destination?

Over the next few days, we were full speed ahead to a rendezvous somewhere in the north Atlantic. We had said goodbye to our naval escorts, as they had trouble keeping up and time was of the essence. We all saw Mr. Churchill moving about the ship, frequently on the bridge, looking and asking questions. He was clearly in very high spirits.

What was going on?

For a few days we sailed a steady, fast course in a westerly direction and, if my memory serves me well, on Friday August 8th we were close to the coast of Newfoundland.

Hearing the Band of the Royal Marines rehearsing ‘StarSpangled Banner’ on deck above our heads gave us, at last, a strong indication as to why we were here off the coast of Newfoundland.

Surely? Surely? How could this be possible? Mr. Churchill meeting a senior representative of the United States Government? America was not at War and odd references in the recent press inferred that it had no immediate intention of entering the War. On Saturday August 9th 1941 bugles awakened us at the dawn stand-to. Word raced around The Prince of Wales that Mr. Churchill was already on the Admiral’s bridge - an outside platform - scanning the horizon and asking questions of any crew member who risked going anywhere near. Then at about 7-30 American destroyers came steaming towards us ying t e tar and tri e . ey e corted u into acentia Bay in the south-eastern corner of Newfoundland.

As we rounded the promontory, we saw the inspiring sight of the American warships waiting for us. Instantly from the bridge and up to the crow’s nest telescopes were levelled. Word went around that there in the centre was the Augusta cruiser with the President aboard!

As we came in American seaplanes circled above us.

The Prince of Wales steaming behind her escort sailed through a lane of ships. As we passed by the Augusta, a tall gentleman in a brown suit removed his hat and stood in salute as the Prince of Wales passed by. It was, indeed, Mr. Roosevelt himself. We were told a few days later that he had told the press in t e t at e wa going ing The band of the Royal marines crashed into the StarSpangled Banner and the band on the Augusta responded with God Save the King.

We had arrived, at last and safely. And, in total secrecy.

Over the next twenty- four hours there were many comings

and goings: long and late discussions: long and late lunches and dinners.

Word was passed around that all American ships were dry!

Unlike our own of course. Gifts were exchanged.

I recall a few things that I shall never forget.

The Prince of Wales, fast, strong and state of the art at that time was battered and damaged. She had indeed been in the wars. She had also sailed across the Atlantic in complete darkness. In contrast, the American vessels were immacu ate iny new and fu y it u at nig t. ne ig t.

On that Friday night a decision was taken to undarken t e rince of a e for t e r t time in er ife. ow we a cheered!

The following day was a sunny Sunday and Mr. Churchill had planned ‘a church parade’.

In the centre of the quarter-deck facing the four guns of the fourteen-inch turret, was a lectern draped with the intertwined Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes. The crews both of American vessels and the Prince of Wales were told to ‘mingle’. The guests came aboard, and as Mr. Roosevelt’s foot touched the deck the band struck up playing the StarSpangled Banner. The decks were crowded with dignitaries, and crewmen, politicians, advisers, very senior serving of cer and eager mu ician . one of u eemed to e a e to understand what we were seeing with our own eyes. The service was led by the British Chaplain and the American Chaplain.

Opening prayers were followed by Mr. urc i r t c oice of ymn “O God our help in ages past”. Those close to him commented afterwards that he was sobbing quietly and dabbing at his eyes with his pocket handkerchief.

The service continued and Captain Leach read the lessons. Mr. Churchill’s

second choice of hymn followed, sung with vigour and gusto. Deep male voices urged, “Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war”.

Mr. Churchill’s pocket handkerchief reappeared.

The prayer for the victory of Right and Truth was fo owed y t e na ymn w ic wa e ected y r.

Roosevelt. Planning this service the previous day, it was reported that Mr. Roosevelt said to Mr. Churchill, “But you must have ‘Eternal father strong to save!’.

At this point, my lunch companion on recalling these events which were clearly etched, bevelled and jewelled on his memory, needed a few minutes to collect himself.

Days later, and after I had done some research of my own on this momentous event, I read the words of the only reporter present who was tasked with making a clear and accurate account of this mission by Mr. Churchill himself, namely the journalist and travel writer, . . orton. e wrote “Now, as the voices rose and fell, a situation that was almost intolerable in its uncalculated emotionalism reached breaking point.

“Then came, slowly and solemnly, the words that are ordered to be said every day in the Royal Navy. Starting with “O Eternal Lord God, Who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging sea…………”

The British press were eager to advise their readers of what had been achieved by Mr. Churchill in undertaking this risky and dangerous endeavour once the news was out. ir t y t e end- ea e greement wa rmed u t e t antic Charter was established by Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill which, along with twenty plus other countries who wished to sign up to it, eventually formed the basis of the United ation oreo er an i toric meeting ad taken ace two outstanding men meeting face to face, with a shared history, a shared language and a shared will to reinforce common values, aims and philosophy.

Four months later the Prince of Wales was sunk with all hands in the far east after my storyteller friend had been posted elsewhere. our mont ater a an om ed ear ar our.

The rest is history’.

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CARDIFF TIMES 2

Be a Friend – befriend

By Natalie Mcculloch

“The chances are we’ve all been affected by Loneliness, either directly or through someone close to us. We can all do more to try and make a difference and make our country a less lonely place.” Minister for Loneliness Baroness Diana Barran Everyone needs other people, but not everyone has someone. Could you be that someone that brings companionship and a friendly ray of light to someone’s day? If so, please consider being a befriender!

Befriending aims to offer supportive, purposeful and esteem boosting relationships to those who would otherwise be socially isolated or coping with challenges alone. There are many projects throughout Wales offering be friending services to those with mental ea t i ue earning dif cu tie t e e der y eo e in prison, young people and carers to name a few.

Befriending comes in all forms, it may be a friendly chat over the phone once a week, a letter or email to check in with them or (if current government guidelines allow) meeting up for a cup of tea, chat or social activity. Many of the people who access befriending services may be unable to leave the house, have no other social contacts or have no other communication with people apart from those who are ‘paid to meet physical needs’ they may have. It speaks for itself that t e im act of a ing a friend i uge and t e ene t to both parties also! eing a friend a o many ene t for e am e

For the service user: - you could provide someone with a chance to talk in an otherwise silent isolated wor d increa e t eir e f-e teem/ e f-con dence and provide them with a sense of worth. This has huge impacts on people’s physical, mental and cognitive function.

“Many older people look forward to ‘their’ be friender visiting/calling and this meaningful relationship is said to be ‘lifechanging’ for both parties”(Stitch in time, befriending network, 2020) For the community: - You could help reduce the strain on services which some people may be using in order to maintain social contact as opposed to what the service was set up for and possibly help increase a sense of community spirit.

“Research commissioned by Eden Project initiative The Big Lunch found that disconnected communities could be costing the UK economy £32 billion every year” For the befriender: - you can gain skills, confidence and a sense of purpose/pride for the amazing job you are offering.

“I befriend because I hate the thought of people being on their own, during covid lockdown I felt the effects of loneliness and I cannot imagine how people live that way day in day out even outside of lockdown. I wanted to give back, help someone, I have done this and built up strong rapport with the wonderful people I talk to”

Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men but from doing something worthwhile.

Wilfred Grenfell

2 CARDIFF TIMES

Sharlot May, befriender.

In a world over run with 24/7 social media sites, zoom functions and busy streets is this service needed? Are people needing ‘friends’? Here are some facts to mull over if you’re in any doubt about the difference you could make if you choose to befriend: • Loneliness, living alone and poor social connections are as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and worse than obesity. (Holt-Lunstad, 2010) a f a mi ion o der eo e go at ea t e or i days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all • Loneliness and social isolation put individuals at greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia • A survey by Action for Children found that 43% of 17 year o d w o u ed t eir er ice ad e erienced problems with loneliness, and that of this same group less than half said they felt loved.

• The lockdown resulted in an 88% surge in calls to the AGE UK advice line and a 300% rise in demand for befriending services of AGE UK One of the charities offering befriending services are MHM (mental health matters Wales), I asked their director why befriending mattered; “MHM would thank all their be frienders who have had just a positive impact not only on the individuals but on their community too. Befrienders have played a vital role during these uncertain times, their support reduces isolation and loneliness well as creating lasting friendships which increases well being for everyone”

Becoming a friend is easy so if you feel this is a role for you please don’t hesitate to get involved! Here are some ways you can: • The Befriending Network is a ‘one stop shop’ showcasing volunteer opportunities, supporting befriending services and raising awareness about befriending. Log onto t eir we ite to nd out a out a range of opportunities in your area https://www. befriending.co.uk/ Alternatively contact an organisation you are aware of whom offer befriending services to see how to apply, here are a few: • Mental Health Matters Wales is an inde endent non- ro t non- o itica c arity which works with people who have a mental health related issue, other voluntary organisations and statutory services to promote mental well-being and to ensure there is a comprehensive range of mental health services in Wales. admin@mhmwales.org or 01656 679884 • AGE UK - Offer free telephone friendship services for older people so they can enjoy chatting with someone over the phone, all from the comfort of your their home. https://friendship.ageuk.org.uk/ • A Letter from Louise is a free pen pal correspondence service that matches volunteer pen pal writers with clients for regular friendly conversations and sharing of stories. aletterfromlouise@omega. uk.net | 01743 245 088 • Independent age is a charity supporting older people who believe in the ‘power of a good chat’ contact them on volunteer.recruitment@ independentage.org or call the team on 020 7605 4255 • Mencap - the leading voice of learning disability can be contacted on friendships@ mencap.org.uk • Friends for you campaign for children 7 to 18 in Cardiff https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/SocialServices-and-Wellbeing/Children/Friends-4-U/Pages/ riend - -u.a or cardiff counci a o need we eing calls to the over 50s people who are self-isolating because are most at risk from the Coronavirus.

As Catherine Pulsifer said: “Small acts of kindness can make a difference in other people’s lives more than we can imagine”

CARDIFF TIMES 29

A Short Guide to:

Making Your Community Efforts Work Harder this New Year

By Jen Abell

How many of you watched in despair as charities and companies closed in 2020? Have you vowed to make your new year resolutions community focused this year? If my locality in rangetown i a a e re ection of our fair city; the answer is a lot of us on both counts. For that, I applaud you.

But be honest, on whose terms are we being charitable? Let’s start 2021 deter-mined to make our efforts work as hard as they can this year.

• A lot doing a little can move mountains: Despite the crippling efforts of 2020 to dismantle our industries, Cardiff still boasts around 29,000 businesses. I wonder how many of these organisations have a charities programme? I use ‘pro-gramme’ lightly here. Annual cake sales qualify. It’s tough out there, this doesn’t have to be strenuous. Cumulatively over 29,000 businesses, those Vicky sponges

CARDIFF TIMES

could transform a lot of lives. With staff fundraising proven to increase team morale and any volunteering proven to im-prove wellbeing considerably, it makes sense to take the next step and in your endea our on a eci c cause.

• Choose simply, choose well: Whilst charities are (and have to be) grateful for every contribution they get, they also need to keep lights on and core staff funded to deliver their services. Having spent seven years in fund-raising, I’ve learnt the hard way that this doesn’t always sound that exciting to you. Funding res-cue boats, sponsoring a dog, responding to an emergency appeal and buying shiny new equip-ment sounds luminous by comparison.

We all like to buy new equipment or pay neatly for one item if we can. But what about the staff that purchase that item? That train volunteers and

staff to use it? That made the poster that got your attention? That maintain the building where the staff make the poster that got your attention? I’ve volunteered and worked with charities and community groups in Wales for a decade. A constant struggle is inspiring supporters and funders to keep the c arity o ent r t and foremo t.

Generally, people need a hook or a gimmick before they give. We’re used to seeing emotive and expensive campaigns. Sometimes the wisest gimmick that we can back is keeping our charities and community organisations alive. Cardiff, we need you to use your efforts to donate to our charities for the sake of donating to our charities.

Don’t wait for a slick, one- off, attention grabbing marketing campaign.

• Choose the right task for the team at hand: All activities that are safe, respectful and carried out with consent are warmly welcomed and ac-tively encouraged! Throwing wet sponges at your boss when they haven’t agreed to it, less so. One rule applies to any activity be it big, small, safe or outrageous. Make sure you have either, enough volunteers, or can recruit enough volunteers to make it happen. Tempting and understandable though it is, it’s problematic to approach charities with a personal ambition of organis-ing a Wales wide 500 participant cycle with only yourself and an hour a week to spare. It’s hard enough for charities to put time and energy into recruiting brilliant, willing people to run their existing

groups without recruiting for yours too. Charities want to help, they really really do but gener-ally, they can’t. It’s impossible to achieve your vision, as well as their own, their funder’s and that of their service users. If you are your only volunteer, choose a task that can be a one person job.

• Choose the right time: In those halcyon pre- Covid times, I loved nothing better than whiling away Sundays at the River-side Market. Hearing that I work for a charity, chatty people huddled around their third cup of Hard Lines shared the wonderful and awe inspiring contributions they make in their communities. I love it. It replenishes me. I’m always surprised and heartened to hear that the festive ea on ti in ire ardif an to do an annual good turn. For some organisations and groups, this can be the only time people think of them, so the help is vital. For others, it could be more helpful if our combined Christmas spirit was rationed, drip fed to them throughout the year. An example would be shelters. Some get an abundance of volunteers, sometimes too many to process, during the festive season.

Charities too are for life, not just for Christmas. Your charitable impact may be higher if you can help when others aren’t. at about after your efforts You’ve done the incredible; held your walk, your dance, your sponsored i ence your e our tint in a at of cold baked beans. Congratulations, take a bow! Enjoy the adrenaline, sense of community and unique glow that only helper’s high provides.

And quite rightly, now you want to shout about it. I’m all for normalising volunteering but there is a word of

caution. Whilst you’re showering bean goop from behind your ears, take a pause to think about what publicity you ask the charity for. Do you really need them to write multiple press releases, book social shares and send thank you videos? This may sound severe but the reality is that sadly, this pull on scarce staff resources can entirely negate the value of your hard earned donation, neutralising your charitable impact.

Share your stories on your pages if you can.

• Charities, are we el in eo le el us There are a lot of people in hard to reach groups that want to volunteer.

Are we actually inviting them to? What can we do to make it easier for people who have disabilities, accessibility or communication dif cu tie at about trying an event suitable for people with sensory sensitivi-ties?

Activities that seem intuitive to some are not to others. Adding a line on an event group in-viting people with participation issues to chat with organisers before the day could help eo e ui d con dence to tart t eir volunteering journey. I rarely see this. Conversations like these will inevitably help charities understand and remove barriers to participation.

This is volunteering at its perfect best, ene tting ot artie . ou are a nite resource.

Remember point 1: a lot doing a little can move mountains The capacity that Cardiff has shown for being truly charitable during 2020 is immense. We saw feed the NHS programmes, Covid- 19 aid groups, food drop offs, new food co-ops

forming (Splott, I’m looking at you) and telephone befriending services.

We saw and see businesses using their own stock to make sure no child goes hungry before school or when schools close. Let’s keep this city wide momentum and help charities and community groups survive what will inevi-tably be another trying year. And for those tough days when you feel like you can’t make a dif-ference, channel your inner Mother Theresa; ‘If you can’t feed 100 people, just feed one’.

Jen Abell @ffotojenic Cash or time poor? There are still plenty of ways to make your everyday actions work hard for charities in 2021: • Follow and share charity messages.

For suicide and drowning prevention messages, this small act could literally save a life.

• Use Crowdfunders as birthday wishlists. Wild Thing’s page is full of amazing rewards from Car-diff makers.

- Use ‘Give as You Live’, ‘Go Raise’, ‘The Giving Machine’ and ‘Amazon Smile’ services for eve-ryday shopping.

These sites donate commission on purchases to charity.

- Shop with Topo delivery. This Cardiff owned grocery delivery service offers opportunity to make food bank donations whilst shopping from Welsh producers. Business owner Aaron delivers food to Cardiff Foodbank weekly himself.

• Set up a social media birthday fundraiser.

Find your perfect volunteering opportunity in Cardiff: - C3SC.org.uk (Cardiff Third Sector Council) - volunteering-wales.net - svcymru.org (Skills and Volunteering Cymru) - intoworkcardiff.co.uk - Outdoor types will love Cardiff’s litter picks and river cleans (Picturedvolunteers at Cardiff Rivers Group litter picking session near Blackweir) - Visit volunteering sections of your favourite charities website.

CARDIFF TIMES

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CARDIFF TIMES 33

In The Words Of

By Carl Marsh

providers closed. As a New Year resolution, why don’t you decide to read a book a month/week? Learn a new language? The time is now to create and stick to a New Year’s resolution. Fitness might be your thing/ dream. Just do it.

Just. Do. It. Interviews This month, I have two very cool interviews for you. One is with Outlander star and the new star of HAPPY NEW YEAR!

season two/three of A Discovery of Witches, Steven Cree. He plays the character of Gallowglass, who,

Let’s hope this new forthcoming year turns out to be better than the last one!

apart from being a fan favourite in the books, he is also known for his strength, so Steven has had to get into impressive shape for this role. He is a great

Usually, I would be saying what amazing Christmas

individual to chat with; I hope you enjoy the interview.

parties I had been to or concerts attended; sadly, it’s a no. Life has been hard for all of us in 2020,

My other interview is with a young rapper/

Christmas practically cancelled as the bars/clubs/

singer called Jenna Dickens, aka Rude Grl. Jenna

restaurants were either closed entirely or had to

was raised in Cwmbran before running away to

shut by 6pm. And that’s without any alcohol on sale!

London aged 16. She is a remarkable person and

Drinking isn’t the be-all and end-all, but…

a joy to chat with. She is part of Rude GRL & CC, which consists of herself, legendary bassist Chris

What will the New Year bring in the form of

Constantinou (Lou Reed and Adam Ant notoriety),

entertainment, that is the million-dollar question? It’s

and Bunni Morretto. They have just been awarded

a tough one, plenty of TV shows and movies either

t e e t i

didn’t happen or got delayed beyond the entirety of

in Los Angeles.

o track at t e

ark ward

2020. My favourite show, The Walking Dead, has been pushed back until who knows when! At least we a e t e mar e of

et i

e

ma on rime and

at i a

wi

ee you ne t mont

have a:

Disney+. Can you imagine if this was the 1980s and we only had four channels! Terrestrial TV these days has plenty of re-runs they can re-run. I hope output gets back to where it was before.

We have books, plenty of books. We might all be

Carl Marsh Twitter - @InTheWordsOf_CM

in Lockdown (number three) here in Wales when

Facebook - @InTheWordsOf

you read this, and perhaps with everything bar food

YouTube - InTheWordsOf

CARDIFF TIMES

do try and

REVIEWS Screen Review: e

e

e i

This is a Russian language production that I came across via Stephen King mentioning it on social media. Filmed in 2018, it’s based on a novel about Moscow being infected with a deadly virus, with one of the critical symptoms being coughing! Remember, t i wa med in and aired in u ia in the book was written much, much earlier than this! It is subtitled and set over eight episodes that I bingewatched over two days. It is class. The characters you get to warm to, the development of each person is handled so well by the director, and actors, you get to go on that journey with them, and for me, I got to imagine myself in their shoes. The cinematography has to be some of the best I have ever seen. This is not an easy watch at times, but it’s addictive viewing, even if hard for a moment or two. I hope they don’t try and turn this into an English watered-down version as this Russian one does not hold back.

Strap yourself in, and this is a must-watch.

of Lockdown(s). This is laugh-out-loud funny stuff.

Some of us can all relate to some of the put-downs we all use or receive whilst being part of a family, and this book highlights them to a hilarious level. I’d say that if you wanted a deep insight into what it is like bringing up kids in the 21st Century, and don’t have know edge r t- and t en read t i ook. t wi gi e you a good image of what to expect.

Tall Tales and Wee Stories: The Best of Billy Connolly by Billy Connolly - £6.74

It is what the title suggests, so I don’t need to explain what it is about. You have to read this with an imaginary Billy Connolly’s voice in your head talking the words to you. He is a man that I have never seen perform live although I have seen all of his live performances on DVD or TV. Perhaps the funniest British comedian alive today, nobody comes close, maybe never will or has. If you are a fan of comedy, then this book is for you.

Book Reviews:

e

i

e

e

l in

e : e ill i

i

e

e

i Thank you, Carl Marsh

Perhaps appropriate based on the year some (all) of us have had, this book by Gill Sims is another from her ‘Why Mummy…’ books but with this maybe having some connection to 2020, the year

Twitter - @InTheWordsOf_CM Facebook - @InTheWordsOf YouTube - InTheWordsOf CARDIFF TIMES

Interview:

t e

e t nd and a t at tuff ut connected er

to

ri

u t o er a year ago.

en e met er

e

Rude GRL & CC - Jenna Dickens

just said: “Oh my God, you’ve got to get Bunni in

Now based in London, Jenna Dickens upbringing

the band, she’s so fun!”. She was excited about that

was in Cwmbran before she ran away to London, at

knowing that it would be with a rock star (like Chris).

16 years old. After a few years of personal struggles, e i now rm y ett ed into mu ic and er and

Carl Marsh ere you uite intimidated y working wit

Rude GRL & CC have just picked up Best Hip Hop track at the PMA Mark Awards 2020 in Los Angeles.

t e r t

ri in

ace ecau e e got a ong track record

it mu t a e een uite daunting mu ica y for someone so young to be involved with him?

Jenna Dickens t funny.

en wa younger

wa not fa ed.

But now that I’m older, I’m like, wow, this is cool. As a teenager and as a kid, I was brought up listening to some of the artists he had recorded with. So cool.

Carl Marsh our ate t track i ca ed

ike

ow and t e

is released on the 8th January; what do you want people to take from this, what does it mean to you and what’s the more important message for people to take from the band?

Carl Marsh ir t t ing

Jenna Dickens r t

ow did you get connected

e

wit t at ong

u t wanted to a e fun

ut

with your two fellow members of the group: Chris

what I want from this band, especially for people of

Constantinou and Bunni Morretto?

colour or from the LGBTQ community is that punk is for them as well. Growing up, I loved punk music,

Jenna Dickens

and I loved rock music, but most of the bands that

So with Chris, I was working with him when I was a out

r t of a .

e got on we

ut got ocked

in with all the addiction and all that stuff for a few years. Then one day he randomly sent me a text at

I saw were consisting of ‘white men’ (laughs). So when I did see a black singer or a female singer, I wa

ike

ow

ut d a e to go onto ou u e and

nd t em from t e

and

. t en rea i ed t at

3am, two years ago saying that he had this project

this music is not just for white men; this music is for

with Universal and did I want to do it. I replied saying

me as well. That’s what Chris, Bunni and myself want

“Hell yeah! Yes” and since then we’ve been doing all

to do; it’s to show that you can be black, you can be

this pretty cool music.

gay, you can be whatever! Punks for you, rocks for you. If you like it, then that is the message we want

Bunni is my girlfriend, and we’ve been together for nearly six years. She’s an actor and has been in CARDIFF TIMES

to bring.

Interview: Steven Cree Having been a regular on the top-rated TV show, Outlander, Steven Cree will next be on our screens this month portraying the character of Gallowglass on Sky’s second series of A Discovery of Witches.

Steven Cree Yeah, I read the books when I got the part, but w en auditioned oog ed to nd out a itt e it about Gallowglass, and then quickly discovered that he was a fan favourite in the book series. And also, he’s described in the books and online as being a really big guy, and very muscular, and this almost gentle giant type, at times. I’m 5ft 10. So, I’m not exactly a giant! So from a physical point of view, I wa a itt e it un ure w et er or not tted t e i in that sense. But when I read the books, I could see and kind of understood a bit more why they cast me because I think personality-wise, I bring probably a lot of traits to Gallowglass. So then after I got cast, I grew this beard, which I feel like I’ve had forever, now. And I started spending a lot of time in the gym and not eating the usual amounts of ice cream and chocolate that I usually do (laughs).

Carl Marsh I’ve seen some of your social media posts which I know you upload for fun, but you are looking very trim, so you’ve not taken this challenge lightly?

Sky Original A Discovery of Witches S2 will air on 8th January on Sky One and NOW TV

Carl Marsh I know that season two is about to air, but you’re ni ing off ming ea on t ree efore it recur or even airs, that must be weird?

Steven Cree t i uite odd ming ea on t ree efore ea on two has come out because usually, you’ve had a reaction to the season that you’ve just done before you go off and do this other one. Maybe that’s a good thing. I don’t know, it depends if you know if it didn’t go down too well (season two) and before we’ve got a few week eft of ming ea on t ree ut don t think that’ll happen (laughs). I think season two is going to go down pretty well.

Carl Marsh our c aracter a owg a w ic i a rm fan favourite from those that have read the books. Did this mean you had to read them back to back to make sure you approached the role a certain way?

Steven Cree Oh, thank you. There’s a large side of myself that hates me for posting that. I don’t think it’s necessarily who I am or kind of what I usually like doing. But it’s art of owing t e tne ourney work in a way because you never know what’s going to make it actually on the screen. So, there was part of me that wants to say “Look, I have done it. I’ve done my side of it”.

I know from having been in Outlander that there’s a lot of really high expectations there, but with my character, Gallowglass, there are even higher expectations with him. So, I want to give as good a service as I can, but by the same token, you’re never going to please all the people, all of the time. And when you get into all that, you’re always going to be too small, too big or too this or too that, or whatever.

There’s no point winding yourself up too much about it.

CARDIFF TIMES

Fashion Done Your Own Way

By Molly Dutton

Finally, we’ve made it to a brand-new year, and we can wave goodbye to the disaster that was the big bad 2020! Whilst life may still not ack to t e way it wa we can a na y breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to the opportunities of this upcoming year; a sigh that I have been holding in since last March. With o iti ity eing ard to nd in t e na mont of 2020, I want to start this year’s collection of artic e wit a guide on w ere to nd a rat er amazing combination of fashion, homeware, and lifestyle items without pushing the budget over the edge (you would think that, with being in lockdown for most of the year, I would’ve saved money and you would be wrong)! I know that, as a result of the chaos, many have sadly found t em e e wit nancia trou e and wou d o e to e a e to e e eryone nd little things to make life that little bit better at an appropriate price that will limit any stress. or me er ona y a new year igni e a fre start; this month I plan to focus on the little details as there is still truly little I can control in the big wide world and starting small is the best thing in these strange times! For the longest time, I have relied on big online brands for all of my shopping needs and, whilst I do still order from online boutiques such as Missy empire and Missguided, I know that now is the time for change and I have made a conscious effort to make more sustainable choices with my purchasing. As they say, you never know what’s waiting around the corner…

It just so happens that around the corner from me (or just down the hill to be more precise) we have the loveliest St David’s charity shop which I genuinely did not know existed for most of my teen life. If it wasn’t for a splurge or curiosity CARDIFF TIMES

one afternoon when I was wandering home from school, I may still to this day have been unaware of its existence and consequently denied the wonderful experience of browsing through the endless goods that it provides. I have always been fond of a charity shop ever since my lovely nana began volunteering at one in her free time, something that I’ve always admired and been immensely proud of. Ever since I was a young girl (she says at the ripe old age of eighteen), I have loved going and helping her behind the scenes, organising and tagging all the different clothing and home items that they receive from the community; there has always been something so special a out eeing eo e nd e act y w at t ey re

looking for in someone else’s previously loved items. With my love of charity shops at heart, I decided to venture into my local one just before the March lockdown and see if I could discover any items for myself or for my friends that might just be worth a buy and, of course, I managed to ea e wit a out e eautifu item to my wardro e wit . e r t urc a e wa a red dress that looked as if it should be much more than £3.00 followed by a lovely little pink bag and ome go d ewe ery a a ni ing touc .

The obsession then came back after the recent re reak ockdown a found my e f una e to stray much further than my local village; I have somehow ended up with another faux fur shearling coat (don’t tell my mum, we had a strict no more coats rule this year), a collection of murder mystery style books, a beautiful vogue book and a lava lamp which I never even knew I needed and probably don’t. It’s safe to say that, despite the accusation that charity shops are only for a certain age bracket, if you have the time to browse through the clothes and books there are some hidden gems to be discovered! not er ene t of uying t ing t i way is that it is a much more sustainable way of building your fashion and homeware collections as it reduces the need for fast fashion which comes as a result of fast paced online retailers needing to keep up with the current trends. It may take you a little while longer in a charity shop as there is usually only one of every item but, in my opinion, that adds to the authenticity and uni uene of any item you nd. ery time you buy from a charity shop, that money is going towards a really important cause and you know t at omeone out t ere wi ene t from your purchase which gives me a warm, happy feeling when I make that purchase. nfortunate y it can e e treme y dif cu t ometime to nd t ing t at catc your eye and often there is a chance that you might leave with nothing which isn’t an issue in high street shops or online; this, however, can add

an element of excitement to the shopping trip as you never know what will happen. My only advice to you all is that, when looking for things in charity shops, try and envision the out t t at you wou d wear t e item wit or t e room you would put that object in; if it doesn’t t t e out t or t e en ironment ut t e item i good, it might be best to put it back. Also, try and browse each section independently of the ot er a it can e uite o erw e ming at r t if you take in all the sections at once; I like to start with the homeware area and then move onto the books and clothes last as they tend to be the places I like to browse for longer.

Pop down to your charity shop and see what trea ure you can nd.

CARDIFF TIMES

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CARDIFF TIMES

New Year 2021.

Back to Normal?

By Michael James

A ‘Happy New Year’, to you all. I hope that it will be better, safer and healthier than 2020.

How was your Christmas? Good I hope? Whether spent with family and friends or, socially distanced or even self isolating. Whichever it was for you I am sure that we can all agree that it was different from previous years and almost certainty, not the one we were e ecting. t de nite y wa ery different from my usual run up to Christmas and into the New Year. My preparations for Christmas usually start at the beginning of October, not in purchasing of and wrapping presents or writing all my Christmas cards and having them addressed and stamped ready to go.

No, my preparations begin with getting our Church, Albany Road Baptist, nice and warm to welcome some 200 choristers from Cambrensis and the St. David’s Praise Choir, for rehearsals in preparation for the annual ‘Promise of Christmas’ Carol Concert at St. David’s Hall in early December.

These rehearsals bring together people from Churches and Chapels from Cardiff and throughout South Wales to enjoy a time of fellowship and joyfulness as we sing in worship of Jesus’ birth. The event itself is eagerly looked forward to and, for

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many, it really is the start of their Christmas. Sadly however, not this year. Social Distancing rules put paid to all that, as it did with the traditional carol services in our churches although, many managed to get around that by rehearsing and performing virtually, by the wonder of Zoom and other IT platforms. Similarly, Christmas Services took place but, however welcome, it’s not the same, is it?

I know that for others, while accepting that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus into the world, your own traditions would not be similar. Nevertheless, however you chose to enjoy this time of year, your plans will have undoubtedly been somewhat different this year. No getting together with family and friends, no social gatherings, no parties, not going to theatres or pantomimes, no attending soccer or rugby matches, pubs and restaurants closed and perhaps, not being able to do our Christmas shopping (gasp!). All the things we usually enjoy postponed, but thank God, not the true meaning of Christmas. I hope that you were able to enjoy it and if you are in the hospitality or shopping trades, I really hope that you have been a e to ride out t e dif cu tie you faced. ike our wonderful NHS staff, teachers and public services, you deserve our grateful thanks.

Being unable to meet with others or go out for walks probably meant that you spent time playing all forms of indoor games (which I hate) or spending time watc ing te e i ion or m ot of w ic love). I have said before, our enforced captivity hasn’t really bothered me too much, it’s just reinforced my becoming a ‘couch potato!’. But even I am now thinking how nice it would be to get away to a sunnier clime, which brings to mind some old memories.

In previous articles I have mentioned that this Covid-19 Pandemic, has been likened by some to the second world war problems we faced at that time. wa e en year o d w en t at war ni ed and most of my memories are happy carefree ones but I was also well aware that my family and I did not share the heartbreak and hard times faced by many others. Yes, for some years after the war, we all faced many problems, including food rationing and we were, more or less, all in the same boat.

Holidays were few and far between and any trips to t e ea ide were con ned to day at enart Barry Island, Porthcawl, Swansea and, for the more adventurous, perhaps as far as Weston-Super-Mare (you could almost walk there from Penarth when the tide wa out . o iday furt er a e d in t i country or ‘abroad’, were still sometime into the future.

I had a widowed Aunt who, in the early 1950’s, spent most of Christmas reading the few, available travel brochures, dreaming of faraway places, like, ‘Callander and The Trossachs’, ‘Loch Ness and

The Highlands’, ‘Keswick and the Lake District’, ‘The Norfolk Broads’, or, even Paris, Vienna or wit er and. tota y out of er range nancia y but, nevertheless, worth dreaming about. One day, perhaps!

Does it all sound rather familiar? It could be you or I over this past Christmas, dreaming if we will be able to get away in the coming year. As well as the smaller than usual pile of Christmas cards dropping through the letterbox there will also be brightly coloured holiday brochures selling exotic destinations, much, much further away than those ever envisaged by my Aunt. But, just like her, back in the day, were they be just something to whet our appetites as we poured over them? Are they just hoped for dreams or, will they become a reality?

I pray that things will improve for all of us but even as I write this, in mid December, things are changing in different areas throughout the UK. There is even news of a different strain of the virus spreading. We are told that the production of several new vaccines to combat and protect us from the ravages of the Coronavirus, including these new strains, gives us hope to look toward the future but even if the Pandemic will no longer be a problem, what about the effect of us leaving the EU? Will we be able to travel as easily to our favourite holiday destinations within Europe? Not everyone can afford to y furt er a e d and e en if we cou d ow many countries will be willing to greet us as they may still not be Covid free themselves.

The New Year, 2021, promises to be better than 2020, indeed, how can it be any worse and we should be able to look forward in hope and expectation but, who knows? Will we be back to the old ‘norm’? Will we be able to put the past behind us and dare for something better? I certainly hope so and pray that we will all be able to face a better, brighter and healthier future. May I wish you all a very, Happy New Year and may God Bless you all.

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