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editors letter
cardiff times
Welcome PUBLISHER Cardiff Times Hi All, and welcome to our June issue.
EDITOR Louise Denning 07903 947594 FEATURES EDITOR Mark Denning 07758 247194 SALES & MARKETING Beth beth@cardiff-times.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS Wyn Evans, Vince Nolan, Carl Marsh, Sara John, Michael James, Molly Dutton, Ali Sparkes, Melissa Compton, Heather Wilkins
It is now supposed to be summer, and as I write this it is raining outside, which isn’t really a surprise! We are taking a couple of days off soon to go to Bluestone in West Wales, and hoping for that much anticipated heat-wave to arrive just in time for our break! May was an unusually busy month for us in terms of attending different events and visiting different places. These included an evening at the Motorpoint Arena to see WWE Wrestling surprisingly very entertaining!, an afternoon watching Circus Extreme, which was incredibly exciting and nerve wracking at the same time, as well as trips to the cinema and a variety of restaurants. Oh, and we had the little matter of our son’s 11th birthday party at Laserquest, and the children's’ school Sports Day, which was great fun. Phew! Mark and I are hoping for a slightly quieter June, but looking at our calendar there’s not much chance of that! In the magazine this month, we have the second instalment of Sara John’s fascinating account of her experiences of Lambing in Pembrokeshire, hilarious and poignant in equal measures, we loved reading it! Also, our entertainment columnist Carl Marsh has once again come up with an eclectic and brilliant mix of interviews and reviews which are definitely worth a read. Finally, in celebration of all the Dads out there, we have a special Father’s Day Feature starting on Page 48, plus a dedicated Beauty Page, so with plenty of ideas for you, please make sure you spoil him!
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June
CONTENTS FEATURES 14 June Diary
52 ‘And Another Thing…’ By Vince Nolan
18 On Moving By Wyn Evans
56 Puzzle Mania
24 Health - Mental Health Awareness
60 Four Choirs, A Baton And A Gong By Michael James
30 Top Summer Festival Beauty Picks 31 Top Picks For Dad 34 Talented Young Athletes In Cardiff Receive Awards To Help Achieve Sporting Success
64 Loving Lambing - Part 2 By Sara John
70 Books To Look Out For In June 71 Puzzle Mania Solutions
40 “In The Words Of…” By Carl Marsh
72 Makeup Done Your Own Way By Molly Dutton
48 Father’s Day Feature 10 10
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june diary
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To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, this year’s AmserJazzTime festival focusses on alumni of the College and their current resident artists and students. The four day event celebrates world class jazz, but with also a spotlight on emerging talent; if you wish to be inspired or you just have a love of music, this is the event for you. Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff www.rwcmd.ac.uk
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With the debut of their fourth album, Delta, Mumford and Sons launch their huge world arena tour across the UK, Ireland, US and Canada. With support from Villagers, the show promises to be a one–of-a-kind experience. Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk
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Craft and making is at the heart of St Fagans and its collections. Our new galleries are filled with handmade objects - some over 200,000 years old. With a range of activities from seeing traditional craft skills in action as the St Fagans family are joined by master crafts people across the Museum to family friendly sessions costing £5 or less, there’s something for everyone in this creative weekend. St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff www.museum.wales/stfagans
D D D - 24 24 D D BBC Cardiff Singer of the World is a life-changing experience for twenty young singers at the start of their professional careers. Over four hundred gifted singers applied from all over the world, and the final twenty have made it through a rigorous selection process The performances are broadcast across the BBC to audiences around the UK and beyond, and the five strongest singers are selected to compete in the exhilarating final at St David’s Hall. St David’s Hall, Cardiff www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
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June Diary
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After a successful run in London, the world-class interactive exhibition will be opening in Cardiff’s St. David’s Shopping Centre. This highly anticipated multi-room exhibition offers fans the opportunity to delve into the super-workings and backstory of The Avengers. St David’s Shopping Centre, Cardiff www.stdavidscardiff.com
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Tafwyl is a family friendly festival, and is a lively mix of music, literature, drama, comedy, art, sports, food & drink. The event is nine days in total: ending with the main event at Cardiff Castle. The fair is a wonderful showcase of all that Welsh culture has to offer so bring your family and friend for days of entertainment. Tafwyl Fair, Cardiff Castle www.tafwyl.org/en/
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Award-winning stand-up comedian is returning to Cardiff with the incredible success of his tour Humanity after a decade long break meant that it was possible Gervais would not tour again, but luckily with the announcement of Supernature we can enjoy his side-splitting comedy once again. Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk
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Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival attracts over 14,000 visitors a year. Referred to in previous years as a “summer highlight� by the South Wales Echo, Everyman is proud to stage productions that cater to a wide demographic of all ages. With performances of The Little Maid as well as Stand-Up in the Park, this festival caters to all, spanning over a week there’s plenty to see and do. Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff www.cardiffopenairtheatrefestival.co.uk
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If this is your first time watching or you’ve sung along before, this outdoor cinema experience will be completely unique. The Royal Mint Experience will also have live entertainment as well as their cafe serving hot food on the night. This fantastic evening is not one to miss with the hopefully summer weather making the hugely popular biopic all the more special. The Royal Mint, Llantrisant www.royalmint.com
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on moving By Wyn Evans
But books are the problem! No, let me rephrase that. Books in themselves are never a problem. Consider a three-piece-suite. When you upsize it’s relatively easy to buy a second suite for your new second lounge; or to get a new king-size bed for your new fourth bedroom. Likewise, when it comes to downsizing that same bed can be passed on to other members of the family who are starting out; and the large dining table that used to adorn the extension can be sold-on at a fraction of its original price to a good home. All this is more or less manageable without it causing one any great feeling of sacrifice or emotional volatility. But books are a different matter. They get under your skin, into your system, with an emotional heft to match their physical weight. I appreciate that kids today live in a digital, wireless age. No need for CDs when we can stream music. Nor bulky VHS tapes when we’ve got Netflix. No need for books when there is Kindle. Nor bookshops when we have Amazon Prime.
We’ve moved about a lot, my little family. Take The Boss. Born in Leeds, her family moved to Canvey Island before she was two, followed by a return up North and another six moves of home, attending seven different schools, all before she was twelve. She then had a period of continuity at Leeds Girls’ High school before attending Leeds University, marrying for the first time and moving to Cambridge to start training as a chartered accountant. Or take me. Born in Glanamman, we lived in Pentregwenlais, near Llandybie, until I was three, when we moved to Cardiff. We lived in three different homes here before I was ten years old (including a spell with my Nanna up in Trelewis). Dad’s yearning to till the soil and husband animals then led to our moving to Sir Benfro. Between the ages of eleven and fifteen I attended three different schools and lived in four different homes, ending up at Carmarthen Boys’ Grammar School and living in Kidwelly; which had a castle and a road out of town, on which I escaped to university in Aberystwyth.
I admit it: I am an analogue dinosaur. It’s been all I can do to take twenty or so Psychology text books that, I accept, I am unlikely to turn to ever again, to the University Department that they may be sold for a few coppers to undergraduates. It’s not the ‘few coppers’ that’s the problem. I’d be equally unhappy if they brought in a few pounds sterling. It’s that I recall every chapter that I once found value in; I can visualise where and on what page to find a startling fact or witty turn of phrase, one that brought me joy or surprise. If I’m like this with textbooks, imagine what I’m like with the novels, the poetry, the Classics that I have built-up over the years. I know which books I’ve read and which are to be read, and in what order. I can visualise where in the shelves they were stacked. I recall vividly the storylines and the great arcs of character development that can span across many titles in genre-based series. I have sacred books, like the key texts of major religions and philosophies.
I too got married for the first time straight after university and The Anti-Boss and I subsequently lived in Laindon and Billericay (both in Essex), Bridgewater, Pembs (again), and Cambridge, where we got divorced and I came out of my first marriage with (a) an ageing Vauxhall Chevette that had holes in the floor and (b) my sanity. Thereupon, in our late twenties, The Boss and I met, married and learned what to look for when hiring removal companies(1). We first lived in Cambridge before returning to The ‘Diff and, over the next thirty years, have had four different homes here. The first of these was in St Mellons and the next three in what my friend Ed calls “my beloved CF23”, a sentiment I echo. We’re kind-of hoping that our wanderlust is now spent and that our golden years lie ahead of us, sandwiched between Rhydypenau Road and Nantfawr Woods, our bifold doors open to the breeze and the day-long birdsong serenading us. So you’d think that The Boss and I would by now be dab hands at everything associated with packing and unpacking, upsizing and downsizing, between knowing what to keep and what not to keep.
But my books are not in and of themselves sacred – I will turn down pages, write in the margins, cross-reference between paragraphs and chapters. I have an ever-changing hierarchy of authors and of titles, somewhere near the top of which can always
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CT Feature
be found Joseph Heller’s ‘Catch 22’ (which I have read five times but which The Boss couldn’t even finish once), and John Berger’s ‘A fortunate man’ (my copy of which is full, cover-to-cover, of written margin-notes and underlinings).
And this is what’s left: getting the remainder of the books from the Pickfords boxes in the garage onto their new shelves. It’s taken the best part of two years and it may take a few more months yet. It may be that some yard sales will be necessary. And, horror!, it may be that now will be the time to part with the rest of my books on psychology, theology and religion, management theory, and even (horror of horrors!) some of my chess books and CDs.
The Boss and I and our newly-teenage daughter, The Girl, have been in this new home for nineteen months now. We have redecorated the hall, stairs and landing, repainted each of the living spaces and bedrooms, and rewired the electrics. We’ve had to rebuild both shower cubicles, two toilets and three cistern covers (they’d been glued-in). The attic has been boarded. We have dug-up the lawned areas at the back and side of the house, and had builders in to improve the drainage. A fresh vegetable patch and greenhouse grace the newly-pebbled back garden; the surrounding fence has been properly sealed, and the side garden ripped-out and replaced with artificial grass. A trampoline has been added for The Girl. New furniture has been purchased where necessary. Bookshelves have been added on two long internal walls and along two walls of the garage.
If all this clears the garage then The Boss will be content. And if it spurs me to getting my novels, poetry, and history books back up on the shelves where they belong, then I guess that what may be our last-ever move, here to Nantfawr, will finally have been completed. Footnotes Get three different quotes. Then choose Pickfords!
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Stewart Greenberg Page page 1
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PREPARE NOW TO BE A BEAUTIFUL BLUSHING BRIDE THIS SUMMER Planning a wedding this year? Chances are that as well as having the dress, venue and photographer sorted, your diet and exercise regime is already well underway. But have you thought about skincare?
Universkin was developed in France by a team of elite scientists to address this demand; this isn't a one-size-fits-all skin solution, but a revolution in skincare. A one-on-one consultation
Every bride is concerned about her make-up on her wedding day, but with a little work on your skin beforehand you can provide the perfect canvas for the make-up style of your choice – whether that be Hollywood glamour or a natural glow.
Just like every other aspect of your wedding day, preparing your skin needs to be done properly. When you come into the Cardiff Specialist Skin Clinic expressing an interest in Universkin, one of our qualified experts will give you a truly personalised, one-on-one consultation to help decide exactly which products are right for you, and formulate a unique skincare programme especially for you.
Skincare tailored to you Demanding a personalised approach to your skincare doesn't make you Bridezilla. Every woman is unique and there is no time when this becomes more apparent than on your wedding day. Everything about the day reflects your style, personality and interests (and the groom's, of course!), and the skincare you choose should be an extension of this. Here at Specialist Skin Clinic, we offer patients at our Cardiff skin clinics the opportunity to experience a completely personalised skincare regime, with Universkin from Schuco.
So if you want your complexion to be as beautiful as your dress on your wedding day, why not give the team here at Specialist Skin Clinic in Cardiff a call on 02929617690 to book your personal consultation and get your skin regime underway. Or go to our website at www.specialistkskinclinic.uk for more information.
Bespoke beauty is on the rise In recent years we've seen a growing demand for bespoke skincare solutions [external link: http://www.mintel.com/blog/beauty-marketnews/consumers-take-control-ascustomisation-in-beauty-grows-2] - your skin is as unique as you are and demands a skincare range that can be adapted to support your skin and target any skin concerns you may have, whether that's restoring a radiant glow or tackling skin demons that could flare up as your big day approaches.
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mental health awareness By Ali Sparkes
as they say, and “ok not to be ok”. So is the best result increasing our own self-awareness? And realising that being “normal” is an imaginary state.
As it was Mental Health Awareness week in May, I’ve been thinking about what that really means. Awareness days are abundant these days and becoming ever more creative - my particular favourite is “Talk like a Pirate day”. Awareness days can be fun or frivolous, but most are intended to increase the profile and visibility of important issues such as health, culture, history etc. They’re often a good medium for charities to fund-raise and also spread awareness of help and support that is available.
I don’t even like the phrase “mental health”. How can you have one bit of your body/entity healthy – I think the word Health should automatically refer to Mind, Body and Soul, which is very much my ethos. As a pharmacist, I’ve become too aware of how many medical problems are linked with anxiety, stress, depression and a lack of self-care skills or support to deal with them. Very often in medicine, we are sticking plasters time and again over open wounds, without getting to the root of pain and healing.
Increasing awareness in the general population, apart from fundraising objectives, can raise conversations which are often taboo e.g. “How is your mental health?” would not be a common dinner party question, unless perhaps it had become viral on social media or prominent on TV.
I’ve become more aware of this having been sidelined from life for the past 5 months with a bad ankle break and surgery. I’d been lucky enough to do the same thing 25 years ago to the other ankle! My memory of that was not pleasant, as I’d become very depressed and experienced a lot of pain both physical and mental. Self-coaching is a wonderful
I could not find any research on the effectiveness of such days/weeks in the UK, although Johns Hopkins University did show some beneficial effects from similar events in the USA. Yet it’s good to talk,
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somewhere I can retreat and realise its temporary, often its necessary and yes, it can be healing.
skill I’ve learned over the past 6 years and I now had plenty of time to practise! I was determined to make it a different experience this time.
I realise my affliction was temporary, there are many people so ill or depressed their rabbit-hole reveals no light at all and may well be in need of medical intervention. However, I feel there are so many skills we can learn and teach, so suffering can be lessened. Self-awareness can at the very least alert us to our bodily sensations, our feelings and our fleeting thoughts. Being aware we can start to put this into words, make changes and reach out if we need help. On a TV documentary recently I was struck by a comment from a terminally ill woman who said she was grateful for her illness as it had given her time to be with her family. Must we wait for things to become so bad before we take action?
In many ways it has, I only had Oprah Winfrey as my TV friend then, now we have the ability to speak via FaceTime, continue work at home and retain some semblance of connection to the outside world. Human connection though is hard to substitute virtually, and I did have times of being deep down in the rabbit-hole of despair. The rabbit hole had always been a scary place to me, brought up with bogeyman tales of aunts sticking their heads in gas ovens and father’s post-war Depression. Mental illness was always a shadow looming over me. As a result, I’ve kept myself busy, so very very busy. Now I’d been gifted a time to hang around the rabbit hole and see what it was really like. I used to wait for my “black dog” (as Winston Churchill described) to pass so I could leap out and face the bright lights of the world again. That can take time and vast amounts of energy that frankly you haven’t got when you feel so low. This time I stayed with the feelings - uncomfortable! - but it meant I could try to understand and learn from it. I realised that I didn’t need to go back up the same hole as I fell down. I didn’t need to return to who I was 4 - 5 months ago. In Rabbit warrens, there are many entrances and exits. By finding another way through and out, I was kinder to myself and I’ve come out in a different place and I feel a distinct change. Re-engaging with the world, I find that I don’t want to lose that sense of presence or difference. The rabbit-hole I’d so feared has become an ally and protector -
Reflecting on last month’s Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s nice to think we might have more compassion and empathy for each other, however next week it’s another topic and so easy to forget. There is help available, it is good to have support, but ultimately we fight our own battles. Isn’t it strange how often in health we use the terminology of fighting some enemy? It’s a bit like my fear of the rabbit-hole – yet we don’t always realise the strength and resources we have inside. Do we forget the word healthy contains that magic word ‘Heal’? And to have a healthy self we can often Heal-thy self. Self-care and self-resilience are the ultimate, but please remember, as I’ve also found, that people are often keen to help. Sometimes we just need the courage to ask and the humility to receive.
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Craniosacral Therapy brings about a eep state o rela a on This can help resolve problems such as back or neck pain, hea aches or any stress relate symptoms It can also help spee your recovery rom acci ent, opera on or illness
Craniosacral Therapy enhances health an well–being or more in orma on, contact !u y Clover RCST on 029 20 481844 or mail@ju yclover co uk www ju yclover co uk
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Top Summer Festival Beauty Picks ... Clarins+ Mineral Sun Care Compact [SunPlant Complex] Enriched with botanical extracts Water and sweat resistant 11.5ml £27.00 • Skin Type: All skin types • Texture: Compact Clarins+ Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face The like-magic self-tanner to combine with your usual skin care products for a radiant glow all year round! 15ml £20.00 • Skin Type: All skin types • Texture: Fluid www.clarins.com
NEW lavera Whitening Toothpaste 75ml |RRP £5.95 This highly effective formula strengthens teeth and, thanks to an exclusive active ingredient composition with bamboo cellulose cleaning particles and coconut oil, it naturally reduces stains and is gentle on tooth enamel. lavera KIDS Toothpaste 75ml | RRP £4.95 The KIDS toothpaste with organic calendula and calcium offers: • Fluoride-free protection for milk teeth • Free from colourants, free from titanium dioxide • Gently removes plaque, prevents cavities and protects gums Available from: www.laverauk.co.uk
GHD PLATINUM+ STYLER £175 Keep your locks on point with the prism like shine of the ghd platinum+ styler for the hottest festival trends. Ultra-zone technology monitors the heat 250 times per second to ensure the optimum styling temperature is maintained Hair is proven to be 70% healthier and 20% shinier. Available from ghdhair.com OSMO Matt Salt Spray: Work it for tousled beach waves and gritty, gutsy matte texture. Sandalwood Extract moisturises and conditions hair and improves scalp health. Bergamot Extract controls the production of sebum. Creates freestyle, full bodied results, whilst remaining hair friendly. 250ml OSMO Day Two Styler: Time saving alternative to daily wash and blow dry ritual. Corn starch absorbs sebum and excess oil and adds volume. The refreshingly fragranced spray leaves locks revitalised and ready to restyle for another day. 150ml Available from hair salons nationwide and feelunique.com
Beauty pages June 2019 page 1
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Top Picks For Dad Harry's Men's Face Wash 150ml Harry’s Face Wash combines the deep cleansing benefits of a foaming wash with the gentle exfoliation of a facial scrub. Volcanic rock removes impurities, while eucalyptus and peppermint leave your face feeling fresh and cool. The face wash not only removes dirt and scrubs away dead skin cells, it also softens your beard, preparing your face for an even more comfortable shave. Alongside Harry’s iconic Orange Truman Razor is Post Shave Balm (£7.00) a hydrating lotion including aloe vera and cucumber - perfect for cooling the skin after a shave as well as a day out in the sun playing sports or walking round the city, for a refreshing, clean feel in between shaving and sunbathing! All products are part of the Harry’s collection that is available in Boots and at Harrys.com . COOLING AFTERSHAVE Hydrating Soothing Winner of AskMen.com’s 2018 Grooming Award for Best Aftershave Gel, Cooling Aftershave refreshes skin and awakens the senses with an energising and masculine scent. Infused with an intoxicating fragrance comprised of citrus, agave, cedar and sandalwood notes, this moisturising aftershave gel, leaves skin soft and hydrated with a cool finish. HOW IT WORKS Antioxidant-rich barley seed extract nourishes skin, while an agave citrus scent awakens and refreshes. RRP 75ml £13.95
SHAVE CREAM Moisturising Softening This rich shaving cream lathers up for a smoother, closer shave while minimizing irritation and moisturising the skin. HOW IT WORKS Barley seed extract, coconut, and other softening ingredients help soothe the skin and reduce the appearance of razor bumps. RRP 150ml £13.95
Enjoy Solid Cologne’s best-selling Alexander fragrance, a stunningly sweet, rich and sophisticated scent. From application you can instantly recognise the scent of fresh grapefruit, leading to the heart of aromatic bay leaf and jasmine. Meanwhile it’s woody base includes notes of patchouli, oak moss and ambergris. A truly unforgettable cologne for a truly modern man! Solid Cologne (Alexander) is available to buy online for £14.99 from Solid Cologne.
Beauty pages June 2019 page 2
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Lisa is an A ar inning complementary therapist ho uses a combina on of therapies to help you achieve be+er balance ithin your both your min an bo y This may inclu e Hypnotherapy an either Spiritual Healing or Reiki Lisa also uses a min fulness base behavioural therapy calle Acceptance an Commitment Therapy ACT hich helps to gui e you on a conscious level using your personal values to create a be+er life
What would you like to achieve this Summer? Whether it’s feeling calmer, overcoming your phobia e g ge ng on that aeroplane, learning to rive , ea ng more healthily an achieving your op mum eight, rinking less alcohol, re ucing pain or maximising your personal performance e g presenta ons, speeches, sports performance etc Hypnotherapy an Healing by Lisa Pryce-Jones coul help you
Working on a sub-conscious level using Hypnotherapy is far more po erful than the conscious min alone Combine ith the universal energies of Healing an ACT the client results achieve are o0en life changing an elighte clients have provi e many tes monials to this eect hich are sho n on Lisa’s ebsite
Life is in ee challenging on occasions an for many the har est step is ackno le ging that you nee help to achieve your goals If the metho s hich you have trie previously have not orke to ate hy not try something ierent – you might be both surprise an elighte ith the results!
1or further informa on please visit hypnotherapyan healing co uk or call Lisa for a chat to iscuss ho Hypnotherapy an Healing coul help you
hypnotherapyan healing co uk lisapryce--jones@outlook com 07427 451992 lisapryce
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talented young athletes in cardiff receive awards to help achieve sporting success YOUNG CYCLIST ZOE BACKSTEDT WINS RHODRI MORGAN AWARD opportunities all focussed towards supporting their athlete journey.
95 talented young athletes from Cardiff will benefit from a £60,000 fund – thanks to charitable social enterprise GLL, which manages Cardiff’s Better Leisure Centres on behalf of Cardiff Council. The local athletes will be supported through the GLL Sport Foundation, the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK, which this year marks its 11th year of supporting today and tomorrow’s athletes.
The main award, in memory of former Assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan, was presented to 14 year old Zoe Backstedt from Llantrisant. Zoe is considered to be one of the hottest prospects in cycling at the moment winning every major championship she enters, most recently the Prestigious Gent-Wevelgem races in Belgium. Zoe hopes the support from the GLL Sport Foundation will help her realise her dreams of becoming a professional cyclist.
A presentation event took place at SWALEC Stadium, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Monday 13th May when the winners were announced and received their awards.
One of the youngest recipients is Rhydian Castle aged 12, a pupil at Ysgol Glantaf. Rhydian started playing squash at Fairwater Leisure Centre at the end of 2017and now absolutely loves the sport. He attends the Squash Wales Academy Squad at Sophia Gardens and has started winning medals. He is an exceptional player and the grant will help him achieve his aspirations for his future in this sport.
Supported athletes will receive award packages that include financial grants of up to £1,000, free training memberships to use Cardiff leisure centres’ facilities and across 300 GLL and partner operated sporting venues. They will also benefit from access to sports science, medical support and employment
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CT Feature “With a staggering 90% of award recipients receiving no other sport funding and 73% of recipients being aged under 21, the Sport Foundation provides a vital funding lifeline for young talented athletes currently competing at National and international levels.”
Rhydian said: “The grant from the GLL Sport Foundation will help me to carry on putting in as much time and effort into the sport and enable me to compete both in this country and abroad in the future. I have improved since receiving a grant last year and have moved from the first group to the second group in the Squash Wales squad at the National Sports Centre in Wales. I hope to reach my full potential whilst both training, and playing at tournaments throughout the year.”
Rhys Jones, Better Cardiff Manager , commented: “The wealth of young sporting talent within Cardiff’s local communities is truly inspiring. We are delighted to play our part in supporting the development of sporting talent across the city where GLL operates sports and leisure facilities. Our programmes are providing much needed financial support along with complimentary benefits such as free training facility use, sports injury treatments, physiotherapy and sport science support.”
A leading sportswoman, Welsh Rugby Union player Elinor Snowsill from Radyr, Cardiff, becomes an Ambassador. Elinor has 53 caps for Wales, including three World Cups, and played in nine Six Nations tournaments. She recently started at fly half for the Barbarians in a historic win v USA.
“I would like to thank all of our partners and sponsors who make an essential contribution to the programme – together we re-affirm our commitment to GLL’s social enterprise principles to reinvest in sport and local communities.” Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: “For the last 11 years the GLL Sport Foundation awards have been offering vital support to athletes, some of whom have gone on to compete and win at the highest level, but awards have only been made in Wales since the start of our partnership in 2016. Hopefully some of Cardiff’s recipients this year can do the same and eventually inspire more and more local children to get involved with sport.” This year, GSF will support a total of 3,120 athletes across the UK, to the value of £1.8 million – including cash support totalling £360,000. The recipients are spread across 117 sporting disciplines.
Elinor commented: “I am very grateful for the support I and many others have received from the GLL Sport Foundation. It is a constant challenge to balance the demands of being a high performance sportsperson with working or studying full time, and foundations like GLL help to alleviate some of the challenges that arise during this time.”
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“in the words of…” By Carl Marsh
had expected, the added bonus of an orchestra playing with and then at times without Katherine showcased indeed why orchestral music both benefits her voice, yet also as a standalone, nothing quite beats an orchestra playing in St David’s Hall. Interviews This month I interviewed three singers and one comedian of the highest order. The first of the singers is Kelly Jones from The Stereophonics, and he is doing a solo gig at St David’s Hall. Following on from Kelly, I had a chat with Il Divo’s David Miller ahead of their concert at the Motorpoint Arena. Supporting Paul Weller at Cardiff Castle is Miles Kane, I got to speak with this very talented young musician who seems to have been around for ages, and is proving to be a genius at what he does. Lastly, I spent a bit of time chatting with comedian Stewart Francis, and he is doing his final “FINAL” tour. That’s at St David’s Hall. And that’s final!
June, The month where summer has finally arrived and where I am proud to say that I have caught the podcast bug, even skipping playing the radio in the car and also not watching late night TV while in bed. All these podcasts are free, yes, FREE to own! I started off with a podcast series called Serial. I believe so far that there are three seasons, but I’ve only listened to series one. This is a murder case that happened in the USA concerning a young lady and her ex-boyfriend. After completing this series, I moved onto a few other murder case podcasts - more about them and Serial later in the reviews page.
Local Mentions Miller & Carter Steakhouse - I visited here very last minute before I went to the Katherine Jenkins concert. I had made a personal booking online a few hours before. I arrived before my guest and had to wait only a few minutes to be seated. It was busy. Very busy. So busy that after ten minutes when my guest arrived, I/we still hadn’t been offered a menu of any type. I decided to head to the bar myself, but the waiter did come once I had glanced back over to my table, so I walked back. He was very apologetic, it appears that the Katherine Jenkins concert had caught them all off-guard. The service from this point forward was excellent. Even when one of our meals was just a bit too heavy on the garlic, it was changed without fuss, for another meal, in the blink of an eye. The meal I ate was nothing too fancy, garlic bread to start and then a burger for my main. It was perhaps the most excellent burger I have eaten in a long while. I don’t eat many burgers but having read how it was described on the menu, well, it made it so, so easy to choose. And how fast did I eat that burger - yikes! There was also a happy hour with the cocktails, or was it happy two hours?! We left happy, full and satisfied with the bill. And yes, we made sure to give the nice waiter a big tip.
I have only been listening to podcasts so I thought it would be good to review a couple of holiday destination guide books; it’s actually four books in total, but it’s still only two destinations. One is the larger much-detailed ‘all bells and whistles’ version while the other is a pocket guide, and it will actually fit in your pocket. More about these on the reviews page. After the interview that I did with Katherine Jenkins in last months edition, I attended her show that she kindly had put me on her personal guest list for. I finally got to meet the talented vocalist in the flesh (as you can see by the photo). She was as lovely as you would expect and mentioned how much she appreciated the interview I conducted with her in Cardiff Times. The night itself was beyond what I
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Kelly Jones - St David’s Hall - Saturday 8th June 2019 Do you and the rest of the guys in the band feel like you are at the top of your craft? I work hard, and I know I try to do what feels honest and truthful to myself, I try to write what I am feeling and going through, and if other people can relate to that, then that’s great. But the minute I am writing it, and the minute I am recording it, it’s for me really, obviously I’ve got an element of an audience in the back of my mind but if I thought about all that first, I don’t think it would be as real as I would want it to be. I try to treat myself like an antenna, whatever comes through, you put out. What comes to you first when you are writing, is it the music or the lyrics? Generally it’s the melody for me, and then a little line will come, and I will piece it together, sometimes I have done complete pages of lyrics first, but generally, they are hand-in-hand really, the melody and then the words.
more organic and authentic. I try to mix it up and producing wise, I do try to do that, and I do think about “Is this going to be dated in five years” while you do have to remain contemporary as well, obviously, but I do keep a little bit of that in my mind.
The Stereophonics music, would you say that it is timeless?
What is your current take on all of these manufactured singers, are you still not a fan?
Well that’s the question isn’t it, I think to make a catalogue that lasts the test of time, you have to be very attentive to how you record them and how you produce them because in a way, if you’re too much ‘flavour of the month’, in a few years it becomes very dated. The 1980s was a great example of that whereas the 1960s and 70s music seem to hold still a lot stronger than some of the 80s stuff as it’s a bit
I think kids are making music in so many different ways, the world is changing, and you are finding music all over the place, so I am not going to judge how people get their music out there as these are very different times to when I started. We had no choice, we had to get in the back of a van and travel all over the country. I think more from the point of view that I hope the people that massively get the attention understand that that’s not normal, to begin with, you have to learn how to fail, and die on stage before you can achieve belief in yourself really. Otherwise, you are going to have a significant fall, that is my only criticism with that kind of stuff. They put some of these singers on such a high pedestal, and then they fail after having lasted only a year, then they are gone? That’s just it, you can’t take a kid from a local football club and stick him in the Premier League! It doesn’t work like that, you have to work up to it.
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need an orchestra, do we need a band, maybe we need some samples. It was just a big experiment for about four months, and it wasn’t until we had that first breakthrough moment, which was a song called ‘Unbreak My Heart’ when we listened back, as the producer had given us a rough mix of it and our voices. Then when we heard it, we were all saying “That’s something special, that’s different, that’s new” and also that it sounded like the four of us, it was more than that.
Il Divo - Motorpoint Arena - Friday 28th June 2019 - David Millar I know you will be touring here in Cardiff, what makes this new tour different from the others? This tour is very special to us as this is our 15th anniversary and it’s one of those things that you don’t really take stock of until you are kind of forced to (laughs) and it’s like “We’ve been together 15 years, how did that happen?”. It’s been really great, so this tour is like a greatest hits tour with a cross-section of the songs that the audience loves and those that they request, you know, the one that we love to sing. There will be a few surprises in there, and there is also one song in there that we have never sung on any of our tours before that is apparently ‘the most popular’ Il Divo song by a long shot, especially in the Latin countries. And we are all saying, “Why have we never done this song?” There will also be a lot of interaction with the audience where we ask them how long they have been coming to see Il Divo in concert, and there are so many hands that go up and that have been with us for the entire 15 years, so this is really cool.
How did it compare having to sing in a recording studio, as this is not what you or your voice was used to? As an opera singer, it was completely foreign to me to work in a sound studio in the way that pop music does, it was all very much like a jigsaw puzzle. I would go into the sound booth by myself, I’ve got all this music coming through my ears, and I am singing into a mic, which is something I have never done before as an opera singer. I’m hearing my own voice back and judging my own voice, you just don’t do that in opera, you just let your voice fly, and whatever happens!
Did the four of you really think you would be together for this long even though you have always been classed as the ‘Ultimate’ boy band? I think as far as boy bands go, I think you are right. Our tenure together is double what The Beatles was. And it’s not like I would call them a boy band! I don’t think anybody really expected when we started out that we would have had this much success. It must have been hard initially, as you all were from different parts of the world, I guess that the work must have been intense to start with? Everybody was just focused on what it was that we were trying to do, four guys put in a studio together, never met each other, from different countries and with a handful of songs that none of them had ever really sung before but might have been sort of familiar with. And then it was just an evolution of a process of finding out what is going to sound good, what will work, do we
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fun to do, and it’s something that I have enjoyed doing, I like to be hands-on with it, and I go into their offices and spend time with their team. They make it easy for me and for me, it’s just like a hobby.
Miles Kane - Cardiff Castle - Sunday 30th June 2019
Have you always wanted to be a musician? I always did since from when being in school where I would always daydream out of the window and in break time, I would always listen to my headphones. In school, I was in a band playing the guitar, but it took me quite a while to grow confident to be a singer, as I started off just wanting to play the guitar. I always did dream of being a musician though, yes. Was there anything or anyone that did inspire you that you could make something of a musical career? My cousin is in a band called The Coral, and when I saw them, I was about 15, and they were just starting to make waves, and I went to one of their gigs where it blew me away. It was so intense and wild and loud, it was rocking, so that really did inspire me. I just definitely wanted to do this. You are supporting Paul Weller at his gig in Cardiff Castle, haven’t you been friends with him for a while but you must still be a massive fan of his work?
On the stage, you come across as this really confident type of guy, and your fans might think you can always be like you are on the stage, but what is the real you like?
I can’t speak highly enough of Paul, aside from that and before all that I’m a massive fan. We initially met eight years ago as we were doing this radio thing together. He came over carrying this book, which was something to do with men’s fashion in the 1960s, and he said that I looked like this French singer (from that period). I said that this singer had inspired this song of mine, and Paul picked up on that, so that is how we first met. Ever since then, we have hung out a bit, did some work together and some gigs.
Well, I hope that the fans don’t have a misconception of me, I am pretty much ‘what-you-see, is what-you-get’. I always give fans respect, and the time, I just hoped that they haven’t caught me on a bad day!
Seeing as you mentioned fashion in your answer, you’re involved with Fred Perry, how did that come about? Again, that was also years ago, about five years, that started from a conversation about a shoe or a trainer and I told them that I am not really a trainer/pump guy, to be honest. Then there was this talk about doing a polo shirt, then after the conversations were going on, it just sort of grew to “Do you want to try a little line”, so we started with that, and it’s grown from that, as the response has been ok. It’s been a lot of
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Stewart Francis - St David’s Hall - Friday 7th June 2019 So is this really your last tour? Yes, I’ve given my word, this is going to be my last tour. Is that because you want to concentrate on being a cartoonist again? Not so much, that’s the rumour that is out there as when I initially started out, Plan A was to be a cartoonist, but Plan A didn’t pan out, so I became a stand-up comedian. I might dabble in cartooning, but the focus is going to shift more-or-less completely to acting, and voice-over work. I also have a couple of ideas for screenplays and stuff like that. I just want to see what comes of it and to challenge myself. I know you have dabbled with comedy TV work in the past, but I always thought you had done a lot more serious acting work, but that will be changing then?
Timed to perfection, then? Exactly, and ironically, the Hammersmith Apollo, well, Hammersmith is the name of my cartoon that I did 30 years ago when I was trying to become a cartoonist! It was a single panel cartoon, so this has dovetailed nicely.
Yes, in dramatic acting because yes, in the past a lot of the stuff has been comedic because people have seen me as a comedian, as that is what I was. I want to have a separation between that and the more dramatic stuff. The last date of this tour will be at the Hammersmith Apollo, and that will be effectively 30 years to the day since I started stand-up comedy, I think that is a good old run.
Doing the one-liner jokes on a stage and keeping it up for over an hour must be so hard? So I am continually told, so yes, it is hard! It is easy, as writing the jokes is one thing then putting them in sections, as it were, as I can’t just put them randomly because my brain doesn’t have that capacity, most people don’t. I need to compartmentalise the jokes, so that is the tricky part and then memorising it, so I’m like an actor approaching a script. That helps make it easier by putting the jokes in sections or chunks, as I call it. Would you say the routine is quite linear then, it’s not like you just come out with your repertoire of jokes? I do, it will be random jokes done in an un-random way. To you, they will be random jokes but there will be themes where I will make five jokes about my wife, so that is how I will remember to make those jokes, and then five jokes about my children, then ten jokes about jobs, or something like that. That's how I have to do it. All ‘you’ as the audience member are doing is just hearing a barrage of jokes coming at you.
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CT Feature
Entertainment Reviews
Music Love + Fear by Marina The singer returns after something like after a 4-year break. This album is much more modern than her previous work, perhaps everyone has to keep transitioning and staying current. It’s a fun album, with some standout tracks, and fresh music!
TV Literary TimeOut | New York / Barcelona - Crimson Publishing £14.99 each - Paperbacks TimeOut | New York / Barcelona | Shortlist - Crimson Publishing - £7.99 each - Paperbacks Guidebooks can often be tricky when it comes to researching before any given trip, often only guiding you to restaurants that don’t exist anymore, or to a bar no-longer en-vogue due to a newer much more exciting bar opening across the other side of town in the last few weeks. Nothing can prevent that, but thankfully, these two brand-new current editions, are the next best thing, they are as current as you can find. Reading like a book, which for me is what you want from a guidebook, you want to be taken on a (literary) trip, way before you have even booked said (physical) journey. The condensed ‘Shortlist’ £7.99 is more detailed than the offerings of any of its full-sized competitors! While the £14.99 version covers probably everything Barcelona and New York have to offer, and then much, I found it hard to think about what they could possibly miss out! The only drawback I have with the books is the headache you will have afterwards of trying to decide which places to visit, in the timeframe you have in the destination - ha ha ha! (Five Stars)
What Makes You by Elephant Sessions For what is an entirely instrumental album. This is music that wouldn’t sound out of place if it had vocals in it, which at times, I felt like somebody would appear and sing. If your mind is open to listening to the instruments alone though, you’ll comprehend why this band has won many awards for their innovation. (Four Stars)
Podcasts Serial Narrated by Sarah Koenig, this was initially a weekly podcast examining an old Baltimore homicide about a young woman called Hae Min Lee. Her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was charged with her murder, convicted and sent to prison for life. He has always protested his innocence. With Serial, nothing is quite so clear-cut and is long-form journalism at its most riveting. (Five Stars) Casefile Hands down my number one go-to podcast as there are over 100 episodes to get through! Some range from 20 minutes through to over 2 hours. This is all true crime, often using actual voice recordings of the victims, or accused when they were interviewed. This is the only podcast that I would pay for had it not been for free. Don’t let this series not be on your podcast wish list. Beware though, that some of the episodes go into horrific detailing of the crimes committed. Five Stars)
For these and other books reviewed by me, you can find them all at the Amazon Verified Page www.amazon.co.uk/shop/inthewordsof_
Concerts Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - Cardiff Castle May 2019 You can’t fault Noel Gallagher, post-Oasis he keeps on getting better and better with his song writing. Performing new songs and old as part of his guise as Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, these went down both well and indifferent, due to them being not that well known. You can’t help feeling that most of the crowd were there for only his Oasis back catalogue, which when he did perform a few, the crowd went crazy as if reliving their youth. This was not a young crowd overall, although you did see the few pockets of the younger generation, and some adults had brought along their young children. The location at Cardiff Castle is a setting so enthralling, it feels magical. The only sour point for me and my guest was the fact that too many people were overtly drunk since people were drinking in the city before going in. This was because the queue for the bars, toilets and food was ridiculous; therefore, people already in-the-know from previous events here, visited the town centres establishments beforehand. (Five Stars - Noel Gallagher)
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Dead Man Talking This is a podcast that I found so interesting, I listened to it every day over the space of a week! The narrator is a UK journalist called Alex Hannaford and is about his investigation into The Railroad Killer (Angel Resendiz) who crisscrossed the US by freight train in the 80s and 90s, choosing his victims at random, before he was executed. Alex had interviewed Resendiz when he was on death row some years previous and only came back to the case once he heard (and found the tapes!) that others might be in prison for crimes committed by The Railroad Killer. This is top drawer. Just listen to it! (Five Stars)
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Thank you all for reading, see you next month. ( Feel free to contact me on Twitter @InTheWordsOf_ or Facebook @InTheWordsOf )
Wednesday, 29 May 2019 00:56 Magenta Yellow Cyan Black
Cardiff Times Times Cardiff
The perfect place to discover thousands of unique items not found on the high street! Also on site are: CafĂŠ Florist Tarot Card Reader Reflexologist
Antiques, Retro, Mid Century, Modern Furniture, vintage clothing, jewellery, toys and more. Over 45 Traders. A quirky and eclectic mix. www.thepumpingstation.cardiff.co.uk 02920 221 085 Penarth Road, Cardiff, CF11 8TT
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Father’s Day What to do, where to go & what treats to get for the most special dads! BIG PIT Father’s Day FEASTival @ Big Pit National Coal Museum 16 June, 11am - 4pm Looking for something different to do for Father’s Day, or wanting to spoil Dad with something special? Come along and join us for a Father’s Day treat at Big Pit National Coal Museum with local food, drink and craft stalls. There’ll also be music, face painting, soft play and craft activities for children plus a free cuppa and welsh cake for Dad. As well as the mouth-watering produce on offer, there will also be an opportunity to experience the world famous underground tour, the Pithead Baths exhibition and a chance to pick up any last minute Father’s Day presents in the gift shop. Visitors will be able to take the weight of their feet, in the authentic Miners Canteen which will be serving a selection of hot food and snacks including homemade Bara Brith, Welsh Cakes and Faggots and Peas. In partnership with Torfaen County Borough Council’s Taste of Torfaen. Entry the museum and the FEASTival is FREE. A £3 car parking charge applies. www.museum.wales/bigpit
THE CINNAMON TREE The Cinnamon Tree is one of the finest Indian restaurants in Cardiff, with the interiors exuding the feeling of tradition and present their family history beautifully. With impeccable service and a broad, interesting and diverse menu, there is something to suit the taste of every person that walks in the door. Just the fragrance of their curries that are bursting with flavour makes you salivate. Each of their dishes showcase the deep-rooted knowledge of authentic Indian cooking: the Maharaja Bhuna and Lamb Dhaka Achari are their most favourable dishes and are guaranteed to make you want to keep going back for more. It doesn’t matter what flavour of food suits your palate, the Cinnamon Tree provides dishes that are mild, medium and hot. The only problem you’ll face is having to decide on one dish from a wide selection, but no matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong. 173 King’s Road, Cardiff CF11 9DE 029 2037 4433 Cinnamon House, Tonteg Road, Treforest CF37 5UA
01433 843 222
CELTIC MOWERS Fed up with the same old socks & underpants as a present on Father’s Day? Then why not consider something a little bit different! Celtic Mowers is the largest stockist of garden machinery in South Wales and they are sure to have something for your Dad. Lawn Mowers from £199.99. Chainsaws from £179.00. Brush Cutters from £169. Gift Vouchers are also available. Celtic House, Fabian Way, Swansea, SA1 8QB. Email: info@celticm.co.uk Tel: 01792 641 517
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Feature FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF WALES Why not treat your Dad to some European football this month, as local sides Barry Town United and Cardiff Met prepare for UEFA Europa League action! Both sides capped off a fine 2018/19 season by qualifying for Europe, and will be in Preliminary Round action at the end of June (1st Leg – 27 June, 2nd Leg – 4 July). Keep an eye out for the draw on June 11th, and search for Barry Town United and Cardiff Met FC online to keep up to date with dates, times and details of their home matches.
POSTERLOUNGE Wall art from Posterlounge Becoming a father is easy enough but being one can be very rough. Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day, only you usually don’t spend as much. This Father’s Day you can purchase your dad that wall print that he didn’t know he wanted. Posterlounge offers a vast portfolio of 80,000 designs to choose from, including modern illustrations, timeless photographs and classic artworks. You will be spoilt for choice, not just with the designs, but also on the materials you can have your favourites printed on. Whether it be a simple poster with a glossy finish, a shiny acrylic glass print, a canvas print that pops out from the wall or a more natural option, by having your design printed on wood – Posterlounge offers it all and more. All products, which can be printed in an array of different sizes, come with the option of a chic looking frame or an easy-to-mount wall bracket so that upon arrival, your product is ready to be hung up. Posterlounge cater for every taste and living space. Head on over to their website and start looking for that dream design. www.posterlounge.co.uk
SimAir737 On arrival at our Gloucestershire Airport site, you will find a warm welcome awaiting you. Prior to your flight one of our experienced instructors will undertake a pre-flight briefing with you, before you take the ‘Captain’s’ seat in the full size cockpit. You will be able to tailor your flight by choosing weather conditions, time of day and preferred airports. Whether a complete novice or an aviation afficianado, one of our friendly and professional instructors will guide you how to fly, including take-offs and landings, to get the most out of this amazingly life-like experience. “Experience the thrill of flying the big jets’ – that is what we offer at SimAir737.
*Special Price* £79 for 60 minutes (normally £159) SimAir737, Aviation House, Gloucestershire Airport, Cheltenham GL51 6SR 01452 238011 flights@simair737.com
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We are WE Bridge Academy – a professional English language school located in the very heart of Cardiff. Our premises can be found inside South Gate House – an executive business building that overlooks the centre of Cardiff and is a five-minute walk from Cardiff Central railway station. Our friendly team are passionate about delivering exceptional standards of education and encouraging the very best from our students in a professional learning environment. Our spacious classrooms are equipped with modern technology. We offer tea and coffee making facilities, a spacious student lounge, free Wi-Fi and a multi-faith prayer room and washing facilities. In 2018 we took over additional space within Southgate House to create new offices and four brand new classrooms. Floor 10 boasts a ‘quiet room’ for our students where they can relax or work on those all-important assignments without being disturbed. Our genuine and friendly approach to teaching is what makes us different. We have a real passion to see everyone that studies with us succeed and anyone aged 16 and over is welcome to join us.
Southgate House, Wood St, Cardiff CF10 1EW 02920 225656 www.we-bridge.co.uk
Homestay hosts within the Cardiff area required for International students aged 16 years and over.
Excellent remuneration offered. For further information, contact Richard (We-Bridge Academy) on
02920 225656 07908 139716 richard@we-bridge.co.uk 50 50
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“And Another Thing…….”
By Vince Nolan
it’s like déjà vu all over again continental Europe followed the Gregorian one. This meant that the date in Europe during the 17th Century was 10 days ahead of England’s. Never mind putting the clocks forward or back by an hour, try 10 days. I think we should do this again just to be awkward.
Now chums, I know we are all fed up to the gunwales with Brexit but I wanted to ask you a question to see if you have been concentrating: Which visionary political commentator said this in April 2016? With a vote in the offing in Britain, this has now become a personal matter, with far reaching economic consequences if we get it wrong. But don’t let that worry you, no pressure. Remember that the dodgy geezer down your local pub has the vote. He will help decide the economic future of millions of yet unborn Brits. Have you noticed that nobody has produced any definitive literature to illustrate in calm and non-political terms what an in/out vote will mean for us? You will also have noticed that already the old battle-lines have been drawn up within the EU. The Scots want independence if the UK votes out so that they can vote back in. The Irish, Portuguese, Spanish, Greeks and Cypriots are all keeping their heads down as they have been bailed out by the EU and cannot afford not to toe the line.
It occurred to me that Barry Manilow and Theresa May have very similar dance moves. See what you think. I have only just noticed that the “Oppnity” letters on view behind the PM are an anagram of Pit Pony. Well, if the bridle fits<<<
Any ideas? Alas, I penned this in this magazine in 2016. Not proud of being right. All this nonsense has persuaded me that we should dispose of democracy. All in favour, raise your hand. I asked my North Korean friend how it was for them. He said he couldn't complain. Have we tried unplugging 2016, waiting ten seconds and plugging it back in?
Now then, let us turn our attention to matters closer to home. In early January we pitched up at a well-known high street emporium and bought not one, but two leather suites in contrasting colours. I know, I am spoiling the current Mrs Nolan. The salesman thought Christmas had come early even though it had just gone (depending which calendar you are on). As is the custom in the UK, we paid for the merchandise up-front and then waited four months for it to arrive.
A committee of Euro MPs has voted to scrap the custom of changing the clocks in spring and autumn by 2021. If this becomes law, this would apply to the UK as if we were still in the EU or in a transition period at that time. Countries would be able to choose whether to remain on “permanent summer” or “permanent winter” time, under the proposals. Interesting, but nothing new. I have just finished reading about the life and times of Queen Anne and it seems that throughout her lifetime, England used the Julian Calendar whilst
Much excitement on delivery day and a phone call telling me they were half an hour away with said goods. They arrived at Nolan Towers and the guy in charge was invited in to work out whether delivery would be achieved via the front door or the rear patio doors. On inspection he asked me what
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CT Feature
“Note how the tomatoes have caught the light, in a sense mocking the juxtaposition of the more phallic symbols of the spring onion and baby cucumbers. The lettuce and dill are alas silent thus far. Yeh, your salad is in the fridge.”
was going to happen to the old suite which was still in situ. I said: “I thought you could put it in the garage mate, pending a charity picking it up.” ”Can’t do that mate,” he said. “Not allowed to move any furniture that we have not delivered.” I said: “So you took our money 4 months ago and now cannot deliver as arranged.” “Not my fault mate,” he said. “They should have told you that when you bought it.” At this point I employed tactic 1, bribery. Nothing doing. I then switched to tactic 2, Anglo Saxon threats***not fazed at all. The upshot was they were delivered to our garage and are now nestling alongside our old TV, bookcase, coffee table and rug, making the garage more commodious than our house. As luck would have it I was then sent an email satisfaction survey by said store. Alas, the Editors of this fine magazine would not allow me to share with you what I wrote. Hopefully it will be used by the store for training purposes although on reflection, they would be better suited to training porpoises.
Whilst no longer a writer about things rugby and of St. Peter’s RFC in particular, I cannot let this season go by without congratulating the 1st XV on winning promotion to Division 1, and the 2nd XV on winning their league. The Youth and Junior Sections have also enjoyed very successful seasons. Well done to the players, coaches, parents and supporter, a great effort all round. Staying with sport, my mate Anna told me that her friend Dai Kwando had won the Welsh Martial Arts Championships. Not sure I believe her. Next month I shall be regaling you with tales of how Son and overdraft, Tom, returned from Sydney for a few weeks and how the Sainted Mother-in-Law, The Leader of the Opposition and I all contracted Norovirus at the same time. Just a coincidence I am sure.
Staying with furnishings, I thought I won the argument with She Who Must be Obeyed over how to arrange the dining room furniture, but when I got home, the tables were turned. So after this experience I applied for a job at a furniture factory as they said they had an opening for someone to inspect the mirrors. I told them "That's a job I could really see myself doing."
G’Day.
Sent this to She the other day using arty words (since it was a still life installation) upon being asked what was for tea:
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Cardiff Times
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puzzle mania! Crossword 1
3
2
9
8
10
16
17
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22 25
29 36
11
6
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19
18
31
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35 38
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Across 1. Covering of the skull (5), 4. A tool for making holes (5), 6. Remove clothing (5), 8. Shoot of a plant (3), 10. Falseness (9), 14. Dance to pop music (3), 16. Crest of mound (7), 19. Dress (7), 21. Owed as a debt (3), 22. Advocate (9), 23. Have (3), 25. &, the line, conform (3), 27. Consume (3), 29. The lady! (3), 34. Down in the dumps (3), 36. Butterfly snare (3), 37. Unwilling to co-operate (9), 38. Conclusion (3), 39. Ancestor (7), 41. Special-interest magazine (7), 44. Beam of sunshine (3), 46. Act of being sent home (9), 50. Set (table) (3), 52. Small tree (5), 53. Funny (5), 54. Beliefs not to be questioned (5). Down 2. Group of vineyards (3), 3. Hit, tap (3), 4. President Lincoln’s nickname (3) 5. Grain (3), 6. Scheming (3), 7. Wedding vow (1,2) 8. Cry of contempt (3), 9. Pleasing to the ear (6), 11. Brazilian resort (3), 12. Of the whole universe (6), 13. Sales agent (3), 14. French actress, Brigitte & (6), 15. Mate (3), 17. Pipe (4), 18. Sound of a cat (4), 19. Of oneself (4), 20. Chaste (4), 21. Mischievous person (5), 24. Unclothed (5), 26. Squeal of surprise (3), 28. & Gardner, actress (3), 29. Well built (6), 30. Rim, verge (4), 31. At great distance (4), 32. Woman’s bathing suit (6), 33. Fit of bad temper (4), 34. Daze (4), 35. Refusal (6), 39. Animal pelt (3), 40. Panto’s Baba (3), 42. Alias indicator (1,1,1), 43. East Anglian cathedral town (3), 45. Fire residue (3), 46. Touch lightly (3), 47. Female pig (3), 48. Hog’s home (3), 49. Boy (3), 51. Prepare for war (3).
Puzzle Pages July 2016 page 2
Wednesday, 22 May 2019 11:44 Magenta Yellow Cyan Black
WORD WHEEL
E N
R E
T
M
E.g. TEN
I
R M
Including the middle letter, how many words of 3 letters or more can you make? 20 = Good 25 = Excellent 30 = Outstanding
Sudoku Easy
1
Hard
2
4
9
8
2 3
7
1 6
2 8
5 4 6
6
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3
2 8
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9
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four choirs, a baton and a gong By Michael James
I hope that the title of this piece might intrigue you enough to read it. In the January issue of Cardiff Times, I wrote about 'My Mate Steve' and I am pleased to say that it was well received by many of you. It encouraged me to write about other locals who I am pleased to number among my friends and to make known their talents and achievements, one of whom is Jeff Howard.
Jeffrey Howard, BEM ARAM is a true Cardiffian, born and bred in Grangetown and who now lives in Pontprennau with his wife and three children. As I said, a Grangetown boy who attended Grange Council Junior School, Fitzalan High School, the University of Wales College Cardiff and the Royal Academy of Music, London. Jeff was, and still is, blessed with a special musical talent, nurtured from a young age by sitting with his mother at the organ and piano at Grangetown Baptist Church. That talent has grown over the years into the man who is the Musical Director of the four choirs of the title and expertly wielding the 'baton' with which he keeps the choristers together with the music. His work with voice and instruments has developed to a point where has been made a Associate of the Royal Academy of Music and more recently been granted a British Empire Medal in the New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Honours list 2019 for Services to Music (hence the 'Gong'!).
Michael James - June 2019 page 1
All this in a young man would be sufficient for anyone but Jeff is a talent that 'just keeps on giving'. In a free-lance career as an organist, pianist, vocal coach and conductor, he has accompanied leading international singers, including Sir Bryn Terfel, Sir Willard White, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dennis O'Neill, Rebecca Evans, Wynne Evans and Alfie Boe. Jeff has performed in concert halls and cathedrals throughout the United Kingdom and Europe including, the Wigmore Hall, St. Paul's Cathedral, St.George's Chapel, Windsor, The Goethe Institute in Brussels and Notre Dame in Paris. His work with orchestras includes, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the Royal Philharmonic, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Budapest Symphony, Welsh National Opera Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales both as pianist and arranger. He made his Royal Albert Hall debut in 2002 as soloist in Shostakovitch's 2nd piano concerto and returned to that well loved auditorium as pianist and organist for the London Welsh Festival of Male Choirs. He performed Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto and Beethoven's Emperor Concerto at St. David's Hall with the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra (with Rhapsody in Blue set for October 18th!) and in recital with Sir Bryn Terfel at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Jeff is an active organ recitalist throughout the UK with a varied repertoire, from classical through to lighter music and transcriptions of movie themes. In 1996 he was Guest Artist in Residence at First United Methodist Church, Lubbock, Texas and also held the position of Visiting Professor of Organ at Texas Tech University. During his time in the USA, he performed many concerts, television and radio broadcasts, recorded a solo organ CD and performed at prestigious venues such as the Washington National Cathedral. For some twenty-seven years, Jeff was a Vocal Coach at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, repetiteur at the Welsh National Opera and Welsh National Youth Opera, Wales International
Wednesday, 22 May 2019 11:39 Magenta Yellow Cyan Black
CT Feature
Albany Road Baptist Church on Saturday 6th July at 7.00pm. The concert is in support of the work of the Rainbow of Hope, a local charity which works among the homeless and disadvantaged here in Cardiff. Contact me on 02920 753149 for further information and tickets.
Academy of Voice with Dennis O'Neill and on the Music Theatre Course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Jeff also worked on the opening production at the Wales Millennium Centre for WNO, La Traviata, and wrote the Fanfare for Her Majesty the Queen when she opened the Senedd building in 2006. Outside the field of classical music, Jeff is also involved in cabaret and music theatre, having worked with such names as Katherine Jenkins, Michael Ball, John Owen Jones, Aled Jones, Shan Cothi, Rhydian Roberts, Connie Fisher, Peter Karrie, Ruth Madoc and more informally, Dame Shirley Bassey! But what about the Four Choirs I hear you ask? Let me tell you about them, not in an order of preference because Jeff loves working with each of them equally, but to fit in with what I want to say about each of them in this article. Two years ago, Jeff was appointed Director of Music at St. John's College in Cardiff, and as well as overseeing the music at the school, he directs the choir of Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral here in the city centre which is made up of pupils at St John’s. The second choir is the world famous Treorchy Male Choir. Jeff has been its Musical Director since 2014 and as well as arranging and conducting the classical Welsh hymns and traditional songs for male voice choirs, he has led them into a more modern repertoire of lighter favourites, as sung by the great Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, as well as music from cinema and musical theatre. The choir, together with Jeff at the piano and organ and his wife Rachael playing the harp, will be presenting 'An Evening of Music' at
Michael James - June 2019 page 2
The third and fourth choirs are Cambrensis, a mixed choir of about 40 choristers - who sing to help churches and chapels with various celebratory and charitable concerts - and the St. David’s Praise Choir of 250 voices from churches and chapels throughout Cardiff and the South Wales area. On Saturday, 13th July, these two choirs, under Jeff’s baton, will be joined by the popular Christian singer/songwriter, Stuart Townend at St. David's Hall. Tickets are on sale now and are obtainable from the box office. Both these concerts are not to be missed! Perhaps I should have called this piece, FIVE choirs because Jeff was once part of 'Only Men Aloud', winners of the BBC competition, 'Last Choir Standing'. Jeff was an accompanist, singer and arranger for this popular choir, touring the UK with them in 2009 and writing many of the musical arrangements. Their second album, 'Band of Brothers' for Universal won a Classical Brit award in 2010. Jeff's skills as an arranger and orchestrator are in great demand and he frequently provides pieces for the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, Songs of Praise, S4C and various solo artists, including Sir Bryn Terfel and 'Go Compare' tenor Wynne Evans. As I said earlier, this is a local Cardiffian, with a special God-given musical talent, of whom we should be proud. After reading this article I am sure you will agree, Jeff Howard deserves all the honours which have already come his way and I am sure they will continue to come, although I know he will say, ‘I do it because I love all kinds of music and want to make people happy’. I also know, from personal experience, that Jeff makes each practice session and concert performance a wonderful, uplifting and happy time for choristers and audience alike. Keep us singing Jeff and from all of us in the Four Choirs, under your 'baton', thank you! PS. You fully deserved that 'Gong'.
Wednesday, 22 May 2019 11:39 Magenta Yellow Cyan Black
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GERALD COUNSELL LOCAL PAINTER & DECORATOR
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loving lambing - part 2 By Sara John
During a quick lunch break, we exchanged phone numbers and shared our apprehensions. Mavis, from North Pembrokeshire, had trained and qualified as a real midwife, but had moved to A&E because as she explained to us, she had a ‘sympathetic uterus’ herself. She was worried that condition might return, in the middle of the night, in the next few weeks, surrounded by her dark woolly new four-hooved patients. She decided she needed a quick smoke and popped outside for a mo.
The young vet, immaculately attired in his white coat, was running a course on Lambing, and he had quickly and easily captured the full attention of his class. All the women present were listening avidly to his sound advice and clear instructions. This was some years ago, of course, when many parts of the UK were affected by a major outbreak of Foot and Mouth, and there were stringent Government Rules about animal care, their wellbeing and their movements
Later that afternoon Dr. Vet summed up. “Sheep will go off on their own to lie at the periphery of the field, under a wall or hedge, when they go into labour.” We looked at Mavis, who had gone a funny colour. She pointed to ‘down below’ and mouthed “I’m okay.” “Sheep usually give birth at night,” Dr. Vet continued, “you will need a sturdy torch or two. Remember, no perfumes, no hand creams. I will repeat what I said about twins, keep an eye on them as, frequently the mother will favour the stronger lamb. You all have the helpline telephone numbers and your notes to refer to. Now, you may want to equip yourselves with these.”
Those on the course were first-time Sheep-Midwives as it were, all living in Pembrokeshire and eager to learn about caring for our pregnant tack sheep. These sheep did not belong to any of us but came to the milder climate of Pembrokeshire for the winter months from the mountainous areas to the north, in particular the Brecon Beacons. Now the sheep could not be moved back to their home farms because of the movement restrictions resulting from the Foot and Mouth outbreak. Some of us had a small flock, I had twenty four increasingly plump ewes, pregnant for the first time. Another student Sheep –Midwife with a much larger acreage had four hundred! We all knew we had to learn fast. It seemed that we were the ones responsible for the success of the coming confinements as no men, husbands, brothers, boyfriends, partners or, as the Inland Revenue had coyly referred to a friend’s latest love of her life, ‘co-mortgagee’, applied to come on the one-day course. Strange that.
There were disposable gloves that went up to the armpits, tins of molasses for poorly newborns, aerosol sprays in nice colours so you could match up mothers with babies if the new arrivals wander off. You could use numerals or splashes or even motifs (my word not the vet’s!). All sorted as we agreed we were now more confident and more anxious, both at the same time. And, we would form a support group with each other if only by telephone.
The vet was now waving a bent wire coat hanger at us. He drew diagrams on the blackboard illustrating a sheep’s business end as affected by a prolapse - and how to deal with it. Some of us felt a little queasy. Lambs, he went on to explain, should come out of their mother head and front hooves first, like diving into a swimming pool. Most farming families, he said, would involve small children, particularly little girls, if a ewe was having problems. He said with their tiny hands and support from the adults they could help with awkward deliveries! The ewe was represented by a cardboard box with a plastic bag gaffer-taped inside, instead of, in normal times, a live sheep. Some of us were turning a Whiter Shade of Pale; we were of the generation that remembered that record when it was number one. We were also of the generation who had attended ante-natal classes ourselves, much of those old concerns, worries and fears were creeping back up from our tummies and lodging in our throats.
A week later a friend arrived, country fashion, at the back door of our house, breathless and very over excited, pointing back at the route she had taken. “LLLLamb! LLLLamb!, seeeee!” she stuttered. We rushed out. The mothers to-be stood in a circle around the new mother sheep and a tiny, hours-old spotless lamb. We cried. We named the new arrival Lucy after my friend who was the first human to see her. A week later when I had learnt a bit more we changed HIS name to Lucien. By now we were fully occupied giving our flock extra supplements and providing clean water in new plastic washing up bowls. Sheep do not normally drink anything but these were seemingly very well informed
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about their requirements for the forthcoming weeks. As I thought I heard one saying to another, “In the next few weeks, my dear, we are just going to be woolly milk-providing machines, we must do our best for the next generation!”
Although warned by a dear neighbour at Middle Hill Farm, Queenie, not to name them, I failed to resist. We had twin boys, Hamish and Dewi; Pandora; Baby Agnes; and so on. By this time Lucien, who was a good two weeks older than the others, had assumed the role of lead-lamb. Escaping from the field they were in was his speciality, followed by coming down to the house and peering in and getting inside the netting meant to protect newly planted conifers and other saplings.
The expectant, expanding, constantly eating animals were very vocal. We stopped opening our bedroom curtains in the morning because they would look to the window, decide we were up and about and start loud baa-ing until we went out with their supplementary foods. And that was country early in the morning.
The other younger lambs stood around admiringly. He was far too cute and handsome to be cross with, and friend Lucy, who had a special bond with him, observed that his mother “doted on him”, and didn’t he grow fast!
Then the remaining lambs started arriving. Always at night. Had the sheep been on a government course? Makes you wonder.
The lambs soon formed ‘gangs’ and frolicked together like children in the playground. We spent hours watching them. They were smart, cheerful and full of curiousity. Some were braver than others, but all capable of being naughty. They loved following Lucien on one of his escape routes, they were quickly spotted and had to be rounded up and returned to their mothers. Then once the mothers had settled down to chat to each other, they would scamper off again to jump on and off their play–bales of straw, and jump off on and off each other, or off a dozing mother.
Mrs. Sylvia Blackface, one of the Lead Sheep, had twins. I named them Gregory and Marylambkins. And, as I had been warned by the Vet, Gregory was the stronger and she favoured him. But Marylamkins was smart. As smart as new paint. The official advice was to feed her with a bottle, lamb formula milk every three hours. Yes EVERY three hours. I could not wait for it to be time to feed her. Midnight was the last bottle, quick doze and then up at three to start a new day, back to bed and up at six, and so on. Pembrokeshire at night had little light pollution, which was wonderful if, with others for company, you stepped outside to admire the stars. At three in the morning, on a cloudy night, it was eerily black; but with so much wildlife around and many farms close by it was also worryingly noisy and spooky.
The Foot and Mouth crisis was, thankfully, over by late Spring and all too soon it was time for the sheep and lambs to be collected by John and Blodwyn from Brecon. It was, I realised, going to be difficult to say goodbye. But, after all, they were mountain sheep, strong and hardy, and they were going back to their natural home environment. On the day they were due to go to Breconshire I spent some special time with them and told them how much they would be missed.
Setting off at that dark hour to feed the needy lambs with bottles of warm milk dressed in what was my lambing fleece, so mucky, milky and earthy that it stood up on its own, I would sing “Who would true valour see” in an attempt to keep away any stray evil spirits. Our top field had been a battle-ground during the Civil War and I was not keen to meet any wounded soldiers from that time still wandering around. Some of our neighbours had apparently done so.
All too soon the sheep truck with John and Blodwyn and their two sheep dogs arrived to collect the sheep and their lambs and take them back to the wild, windy high lands of Mid Wales. The sheep had clearly forgotten about obeying sheep dogs, and the sheep, taking one quick look at the dogs, decided to scatter. The lambs decided this was a new game and great fun! I had to run round them shouting “come on girls” to gather them up. Some persuading was required to get them close to their own lambs as some of the lambs wanted to travel with their friends not with their mothers. It took hours but eventually, with the farmers’ praise and thanks resounding in our ears, they were on their way.
I would light the lantern in the old railway carriage at the side of middle field and shout quite quietly, “Marylambkins!” I would hear a tiny bleat of greeting followed by, dar-run, dar-run, dar-run, as she cantered towards me. She would take the bottle very quickly and I, remembering Dr. Vet’s instructions, would refrain from picking her up and leaving a stranger’s kisses on her head. Bottle finished, she would give a loud burp and run back to her mother. One week later and she had caught up with her twin brother and they were nibbling grass and having milk together from their mother.
I really hoped they had enjoyed their stay half as much as we had delighted in having them.
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£12
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Tuesday, 21 May 2019 22:34 Magenta Yellow Cyan Black
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Tuesday, 21 May 2019 22:34 Magenta Yellow Cyan Black
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Tuesday, 21 May 2019 22:33 Magenta Yellow Cyan Black
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Thursday, 23 May 2019 10:41 Magenta Yellow Cyan Black
Books To Look Out For In June Decorating With Plants by Baylor Chapman Baylor Chapman starts with a primer on plant care and an illustrated directory of the 28 best and easiest-to-care-for houseplants. Chapman shows readers how to decorate with plants in every room of the house. There are projects such as creating a living centrepiece for the dining table and how to make a dramatic vertical garden for the entrance into your home. Available: Hardback £18.99
Celestial Geometry by Ken Taylor Celestial Geometry takes us to a fascinating array of destinations. However, the focus moves slightly further afield by exploring 60 of the world’s most extraordinary and mysterious archaeological structures and locations to uncover captivating insights into mankind’s early understanding of the cosmos. This beautifully presented book combines a study of ancient architecture and archaeology with an accessible explanation of astronomy. With this wonderful book, readers can learn more about the movements of our skies and our ancient societies. Available Now: £16.99
A Soldier’s Tale by Mel Bryan The lives of three generations of a Wiltshire landed family are bound up with the British Army: firstly, during the Indian Mutiny of the 1830s, then in the First World War. At a time when social status was everything in England and considered even more important in India, the story follows the events that affect the family’s fate. Fascinating detail of ‘upstairs and downstairs’ during both wards provides the colourful background to this action-packed story. Available: Paperback £8.99
Book Pages May June 2019 page 2
Dream Horse by Janet Vokes A new book by Janet Vokes tells the incredible true story of Dream Alliance – the allotment horse who became a champion. The heart-warming story of an ordinary Welsh woman who dreamed of training a racehorse, and Dream Alliance, the horse who defied the odds to become a champion and brought a community together. Available Now: £16.99
Wednesday, 22 May 2019 10:29 Magenta Yellow Cyan Black
‘WORDS OF TRUTH’
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PUZZLE MANIA SOLUTIONS Easy
Hard
5
1
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8 6
3
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CROSSWORD Across 1. Scalp, 4. Auger, 6. Strip, 8. Bud, 10. Treachery, 14. Bop, 16. Hilltop, 19. Apparel, 21. Due, 22. Barrister, 23. Own, 25. Toe, 27. Eat, 29. She, 34. Sad, 36. Net, 37. Difficult, 38. End, 39. Forbear, 41. Fanzine, 44. Ray, 46. Dismissal, 50. Lay, 52. Shrub, 53. Witty, 54. Dogma. Down 2. Cru, 3. Pat, 4. Abe, 5. Rye, 7. I Do, 8. Bah, 9. Dulcet, 11. Rio, 12. Cosmic, 13. Rep, 14. Bardot, 15. Pal, 17. Tube, 18. Purr, 19. Auto, 20. Pure, 21. Demon, 24. Naked, 26. Ooh, 28. Ava, 29. Sturdy, 30. Edge, 31. Afar, 32. Bikini, 33. Huff, 34. Stun, 35. Denial, 39. Fur, 40. Ali, 42. AKA, 43. Ely, 45. Ash, 46. Dab, 47. Sow, 48. Sty, 49. Lad, 51. Arm.
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Wednesday, 22 May 2019 10:26 Magenta Yellow Cyan Black
makeup done your own way By Molly Dutton
Considering our recent beautiful weather, I have decided (with no authority whatsoever) that we are going to have a rather hot summer in these upcoming months. Taking into consideration that the weather is going to hopefully be stunning for the best part of two months, I have found myself in slightly difficult situation regarding the choice of makeup I must decide on to get through the heatwave. I am not usually one to wear makeup on a day to day basis, however I often go through varying stages throughout the year; occasionally favouring a natural look or a bold, glam aesthetic depending entirely on the mood I am in when I wake up each day. The subject of makeup is not something I have covered in my previous articles but is going to be a common feature in the future as, I myself, thoroughly enjoy the fun and experimentation which goes alongside my favourite makeup looks. As those of you who like makeup will know, summer is not the ideal environment for a fully made up face, it usually ends up going cakey, or worse, sweating off entirely, which is why I felt it important to give some of my own advice on how to make summer makeup ,and makeup in general, work for everyone.
later moving on to the “easier” tasks of foundation and concealer. My first trial of eyeliner was an absolute disaster to say the very least and even worse, I thought I looked incredible. After spending hours of my time scribbling all over my eyes in the mirror, I finally managed to create what looked somewhat like the feline flicks I had seen all over my Instagram feed. Over time, the use of eyeliner became additional hassle and I realised that it is so much easier to stick to the basics for school or work (only impressing with the cat eye when necessary!) From sitting in the garden these last few days I have had time to think about how I could improve my makeup to make sure it lasts all day and hopefully into the evening with a bit of luck. My brain formulated a three step plan of “how to keep that face on at all times” that I want to share with you to show you how simple it is to become a master of the makeup arts (a beauty warrior as I like to call it). The plan goes as follows: setting spray, powder, setting spray. I can honestly promise you from first-hand experience that the use of setting spray will officially change your life, with no additional hassle or stress. It is a bottle of miracle time that makes it possible to maintain a flawless natural finish for as long as possibly
I am in no way a makeup expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I do believe that each person can achieve any makeup look with an extra bit of time and effort. It has taken me years to accomplish the makeup skills I have developed, and I will still not be satisfied until the day I am able to do my makeup like a fully-fledged makeup artist. Although achieving a whole full face of elegant makeup may seem extremely daunting, it can be broken down to ensure you can create the separate elements to the standard you truly desire. Personally, I aimed to tackle the harder parts such as the dreaded eyeliner and eyeshadow before
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needed. From my research and from buying it myself, the prices range from drugstore to high end, both working to very similar standards as usually happens with makeup products. A little spritz of spray, Mario Badescu rose water being my current favourite, locks in the foundation and concealer on your face and leaves you looking full of natural glow at the same time! Then add your powder on top to act as an extra line of defence for that sun, and give yourself another spray for luck; then you’re good to go. Adding these two small steps will make you look like a glowing marvel which is ideal for summer and all seasons following. Some fabulous ones I have discovered include Urban Decay’s All Nighter, Mac’s Prep and Prime, and Rimmel’s setting spray, all varying in cost, but worth it all the same.
dark times (big, over drawn brows are almost always a bad idea) to what has become slightly more natural and personal to my face. A lot of my friends favour a bolder look, experimenting every day with colour and funky geometric shapes which I do admittedly envy. The idea of trialling new things by watching videos designed to help on your chosen elements is a method I would strongly encourage to any learner, with it giving you a very organised step to step process alongside, usually, a descriptive image or video; you really can’t go wrong with that. Beauty and makeup have acted as one of my favourite hobbies since I was around aged ten, swiping all the freebies from the big fashion mags that my mum bought, seeing what I could do with a white eyeliner and some blusher. Although many people might say it is a bad thing to trial and fail at makeup, it is a necessary learning process to get you up to the more complex techniques that have a lot of potential to wow.
As well as the three step rule, I also find it very useful to stick to the basics on a warm summer day to avoid any complications. Often I just pop on some foundation concealer and mascara to add a bit of definition to my face and perhaps a bit of a more bronzed appearance. But, as I previously stated, makeup is your own personal choice and you should feel free to wear whatever amount or style whenever you choose to. Over the years, I have consistently adapted my looks from some
Keep spritzing your setting spray and persevering at that eyeliner and I can assure you you’ll be glowing throughout this sunny season (or most likely rainy season)!
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