2005 GRAND SLAM 20TH ANNIVERSARY
IN AID OF THE MAXWELL FAMILY FUND
FRIDAY 21ST OF MARCH 2025
Join us for a special celebration marking the 20th anniversary of Wales’ iconic 2005 Grand Slam victory!
This exclusive lunch promises an unforgettable afternoon at Principality Stadium, hosted by Lauren Jenkins, Shane Williams MBE, Jonathan Davies OBE, Tom Shanklin, Rhys Williams, Ian Gough, Dwayne Peel and Adam Jones.
Enjoy a three-course meal, a captivating Q&A session, live music by Josh Navidi, entertainment from magician Adam Reeves and pitch side drinks as we relive the glory of that historic rugby triumph. Don’t miss this chance to honour a golden era of Welsh rugby in the company of legends!
Why do I need a Lasting Power ofAttorney (LPA)?
If you lose mental capacity through illness (for example a stroke, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease), or an accident, and haven’t created an LPA:
• You will no longer be able to choose who makes decisions and act for you (such as your spouse and children). You can only make your LPA while you still have mental capacity.
• A stranger appointed by the court such as a solicitor would end up making crucial decisions about you and your assets – where you will live, whether to accept medical treatment to keep you alive, what you eat and wear, and will control all your finances and your property.
• Your spouse, children or friends would have to apply to court to get permission
to make decisions on your behalf and act for you – which is far more expensive and time-consuming than making an LPA and the court could refuse the application.
If you still have mental capacity, LPAs are a simple, inexpensive, and legally robust way of giving someone you trust the power to make decisions and act for you – either temporarily or long term should you lose capacity in the future.
To plan for this, you must create an LPA now whilst you still have mental capacity and so make things much easier for other people in your life.
Westminster Law are specialists in organising this.
“Housemates.”
by Wyn Evans
‘Housemates’ tells the story of how Jim Mansell, then a 19 year old Cardiff University student, together with other students and Ely hospital residents like Alan Duncan and Heather Howard, planned and won their shared house at 12 Ruthin Gardens in Cardiff, and how that influenced the future of supported living across the world. Back in the 1960s people with learning disabilities were kept out of sight and out of mind, in large institutions, like Ely hospital. As the father of an 18 year old daughter who has Down Syndrome it comes as a shock to realise that young people with her condition were routinely housed in these stultifying lock-ups. There were caring staff available but the model within which they worked was so sub-optimal as to be due a revolution. And, of course, there were scandals related to the care, safety, and administration of the patients. Mansell called for Ely Hospital to be closed down.
As writer Tim Green shows, Jim Mansell volunteered to take the residents on day trips and became friends with many of them, not least Alan Duncan, a young man with Down Syndrome and a shared love of music. Mansell invited Duncan to move into his student digs, little knowing that it would be the catalyst for ending institutionalised care for disabled people. The ground-breaking house share paved the way for modern-day supported living, ending a long and inglorious history of people with disabilities being consigned to faceless institutions. This little-known story is now being told in a play, performed at the city’s Sherman theatre, just a stone’s throw from the student house that inspired it - “The story of Jim Mansell... somebody who develops a vision and changed the world - I thought ‘somebody should make a Hollywood movie out of this’,” says Green. He first came across the story behind his new play
‘Housemates’, after reading Jim’s obituary in the Guardian newspaper in 2012.
‘Housemates’ is an origin story of a fight which has never gone away, a fight for the rights of learning disabled and autistic people to live in homes, not hospitals. Institutional care still exists in the UK and with budgetary constraints and shrinking economies the rights of disabled people to adequate care, support and homing is again being eroded. Housemates tells the story of a campaign that ultimately was successful for the characters in the show and led to the closure of many institutions across the UK, we should never forget that there is further to go, and we all have a responsibility to ensure that we never return to those bleak days when places like Ely Hospital were the norm. It is a challenge which has still not been satisfactorily resolved. Just as I shed a quiet tear when the crew reminded us of the conditions people with learning disabilities suffered way back when, so I realised that my daughter’s generation still face similar challenges. As actor Richard Newnham says:
“This story is about real people who fought for their right to live independently. It’s important we keep telling it so that people understand how far we’ve come – and how far we still need to go.
I hope that people who see ‘Housemates’ feel inspired to make the world a more inclusive place. We all deserve to be seen, heard, and respected.”
The cast of actors had a busy evening as they also played instruments and turned in very tight versions of ‘60s classics. The audience was jumping (quite literally in the case of my daughter and very many scores more). But over and above the story that ‘Housemates’ narrates is the way that it narrates it. The Sherman audience offered up guffaw after guffaw – a tribute to the quality of the writing, presentation and acting. The Sherman team, the Hijinx actors, the cast and creative team did themselves and their audiences proud.
[With thanks to Nicola Bryan (BBC News).]
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‘And Another Thing...’
The Alarm That Nearly Did My Head In
The joys of motoring were brought home to me recently when the Nolan limousine needed some fettling. I went to get into the car, pressed the remote control and the alarm went off and the doors stayed locked. Plenty of “helpful” badinage with neighbours about the possible cause of the problem. Eventually the alarm stopped and the vehicle allowed its lord and master to enter and start the engine. Being a former boy scout (Prepared), I had some spare key fob batteries and changed them over. This still caused an alarm issue. Off I went to a well-known auto store and was informed by the young mechanic that a new battery for the car was required and some £300 would procure one. The battery is in the back and unfortunately our hatchback mechanism also needed fixing. As I held it up for the guy to install the battery, down it came like a guillotine leaving a nice crease in my cranium. All went well (apart from concussion) and the car was fixed.
I then got behind the wheel and started the engine. As I did so the electric seat started to bend forwards forcing me to bend toward the dashboard with my face firmly planted on the steering wheel. My coat had inadvertently got caught between the door and seat controls and decided to contort me.
Once I realised what was happening I sorted it out. Driving off I wondered whether there was CCTV and whether all this would appear on TikTok or similar with the hatchback in cahoots with the electric seat? You cannot make this stuff up and it really hurt. Two senior moments for the price of one!
So cahoots is not a word oft used in these times.
by Vince Nolan
However, I understand that this comes from Cahute, a French word meaning “cabin” or “hut.” This suggests that “cahoots” came from the idea of people working together in secret in a hidden place. Normally this word is used to describe a questionable collaboration or secret partnership, often between people who are up to no good. I’m probably just being paranoid but I can definitely see two Peruvian owls (here’s one) perched on our tree, watching me through the kitchen window. I’m sure they’re Inca hoots.
Incidentally, the collective noun for owls is a parliament which I thought was rather cool.
Local pub and overheard an older and younger bloke talking. The older bloke said: “I will culture you cos you is a slob.” There really is not much hope for the English language is there, Anglo Saxon or otherwise? Lorry driver also in the local pub: I’ve got two drops tomorrow, Manchester, Widnes and Wigan. Even with my rudimentary grasp of mathematics, isn’t that three drops?
I got knocked off my bike by a lunatic driving
I recentallly red in a client’s funding
I along with our Friday Eve Pub Chums
one. No choice but off to pub number four, this but there are only 150,000 police are armed there. Where would you chose where the phrase “Smart Aleck” came operated a con game where she would lure
In The Words Of by
March 2025
Is it me, or are people watching less and less of these UK TV soaps, cringeworthy ‘celebrity’ game shows, and reality nonsense like ‘Love Island’ and the like? Outside of watching live sports and the occasional ‘attempt’ at watching some Christmas special, sitting and watching something on terrestrial TV is a distant memory for me. Thank goodness for streaming services!
I interviewed an author and a heartthrob twin from an 80s band this month. The author is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of her bestseller, Labyrinth. The band member created a craze involving Grolsch bottle tops. Can you guess who this month’s chats are with?
TV Review - Reacher (Season 3) - Prime
Previously, I reviewed seasons one and two of Reacher. I loved the first season; it blew me away as to how it upped the level of violence, wit, storyline and character development. The second season spent so much time introducing many new character developments that I got lost. It was still enjoyable but didn’t recreate how I felt about season one. This new season is as if the scriptwriters had read my review of the last offering! Perhaps they did, as it’s a fact that I have many Hollywood types who follow me on social media. Season three is - like the previous ones - a standalone season based on another of Lee Child’s novels. Therefore, if it was me, and I was new to the show… I’d watch season two, then one, and then three. Save the best to last! The fourth season is
Carl Marsh
already in development and won’t be too far away from appearing on Prime.
Concert Review - Dean Lewis, Utilita Arena, Cardiff
I can’t lie, but my daughter asked about Dean Lewis tickets last year. So, I put the request in, ideally for a chat, but nothing came of it. I was still none-the-wiser about whether I was getting interview time or reviewing tickets. The latter were offered a week before the gig in February. I made a point of kinda going in blind to the gig, not brushing up on my listening to his music ahead of the gig. And I am so glad I did, as I got to experience a concert where I wouldn’t have been disappointed had certain tracks not been performed. All the songs were pure class; not one failed to get me or the crowd nodding along or singing if you knew the words. I should have known how good he would be once I’d listened to the support act, Sofia Camara. Somewhat unknown, but perhaps better than 99% of the acts currently in the charts. She’s definitely one to watch. Dean Lewis is so good that Ed Sheeran needs to up his game!
Carl Marsh
X - @InTheWordsOf_CM YouTube - InTheWordsOf
Lastly, it would be really amiss of me if I didn’t mention the sad passing of one of Cardiff’s muchloved and respected individuals: Jay Page. I think anybody who’s ever done any events in Cardiff would have bumped into or known Jay. He did a lot for the music, bar, restaurant and club scene. A few words here don’t justify how much he’ll be missed. Sleep well, Jay Page.
with Kate Moose
Kate Mosse will provide an immersive theatre experience for attendees. The show will have two main components: telling the story behind the writing of Labyrinth and sharing the real historical details that inspired the novel. When you enter the theatre, you can expect to be transported to medieval France!
Carl Marsh
The tour is obviously about ‘Labyrinth’, but for those that have read it and the following two books in the Languedoc trilogy [‘Sepulchre’ and ‘Citadel’], even though they can be read as standalone novels, would I be correct in saying that due to the vast amount of research you put into ‘Labyrinth’, you always knew there’d be more books based on the amount of ideas you had as some characters appear in all three books?
Kate Mosse
That’s exactly right. So, the thing is, we call it the Languedoc trilogy, and there are three books, but I didn’t intend to write a trilogy. I would have done things differently if I had to. It was more that when I published ‘Labyrinth’, and the enormous reaction to it, I felt I wasn’t done, and I wasn’t done with Carcassonne, really, that was the thing. So, then I did ‘Sepulchre’, and a couple of characters appeared in ‘Labyrinth’ that do appear in ‘Sepulchre’, and then with ‘Citadel’, it’s the same. A couple of characters come back. That was very satisfying because I wanted to write about the history of Carcassonne in different periods. More than that, with my research for ‘Labyrinth’, I came across some incredible stories
that I couldn’t use because they were outside of my time period. One of them was at the very end of the (French) Wars of Religion against this group of Christians called Cathars. So, 100 years later than the period I’m writing about, in a village in the Pyrenees, a whole village was immured inside the rocks. They ran away from the Catholic soldiers.
The soldiers, rather than killing them, just walled them in, and they all starved to death. And it’s just the most awful story, but I couldn’t get that in because it was outside my time period. But years later, I wrote a novel called ‘The Winter Ghosts’. So, you save your research, and then things come back, and you think, “Oh, yeah, you know”. And my latest series is called ‘The Joubert Family Chronicles’, 16th century Carcassonne. And you know, it’s just… it’s that you come across things and think, “One day. One day, I’ll have time to do that”.
Carl Marsh
And that love for Carcassonne… It’s always there, now through your new stuff.
Kate Mosse
It never goes away. And I know from my readers, and quite often with the recent series of books about the Huguenot Catholic wars, that many people say, “I am so glad you did go back to Carcassonne for a bit”. So, you know, all of my fiction, in a way, are love letters to Carcassonne. Join Kate Mosse at the heart of Labyrinth Live: Unlocking the Secrets of the Labyrinth at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall on March 17. Tickets available via: www.labyrinthlive2025.com
Interview
Interview with Matt Goss
Words by Carl Marsh
‘Matt Goss: The Hits & More’ is at the New Theatre in Cardiff, Monday 31st March. And you know it’ll be an electric atmosphere that promises to be the best night out with this celebrated artist. For the ‘Brosettes’ and ‘Bro’s’ amongst us, you can even pay for a meet and greet, and I can tell you from experience that Matt will give you plenty of his time. Just don’t forget the Grolsch bottle tops on your shoes!
Carl Marsh
Your last tour had a big band set up, so how will this one differ from that one?
Matt Goss
It’s definitely a rock and roll set-up. We’ve got an 8-piece band and a horn section… but yeah, it’s more of a rock and roll setup with guitars, bass, drums, keys, horns and backing singers. It’s all about me being really proud of my hits, and there are about 15 or 16 of them. I just don’t want to compartmentalise it, but to enjoy my “career” and all the stuff I’d played in my band by myself in Vegas. This will be a night out of excellent music, a higher level of musicianship, complex arrangements, and a wonderful musical experience. And obviously, I am having a bit of fun as well. The way I like to entertain is to include the audience… and it’s truly become my safest place on (the) stage. So I feel like, you know, I just miss it so much. From doing so many live shows [in Las Vegas] and coming back here, I’m not playing as much live as I’d want to.
Carl Marsh
With the Vegas residency over, and like you’ve said before, you were on the stage all the time, but after a short break, you were itching to get back to performing live. Yet, when you’re not on what’s your “safest place” and what are your coping mechanisms?
Matt Goss
Well, the funny thing is that even right now, I’m in the middle of making an album on this most incredible project with Princess Anne’s charity, the Not Forgotten Association. I’ve just written their anthem, with almost 100 musicians on it. We’ve got the Household Guards on it with their orchestra, drum corps, bagpipes, string section, everything. It’s really, really beautiful. I’ve just finished the video about three days ago, and everyone’s really loving it. So, I plan on releasing something as well for the 80th anniversary of the victory of Europe and the Second World War.
As you know, I’m an honorary captain in the American Army, so it’s essential to me. I’m a royalist. I’m a proud British man, and I’m immensely supportive of the troops and what they go through when they come back, the support they need, not just the… God bless them, the troops that don’t come home, but the troops that do come home and that have mental health issues, and their families. I want to do as much as possible while on this earth to help those guys because it’s just important.
‘Matt Goss: The Hits & More’, New Theatre in Cardiff, Monday 31st March 2025.
So this year, I’m on stage a lot.
MORE WAYS TO PLAY IN CARDIFF
Whether it’s with friends or with family, discover a world of fun for all ages this school holiday. Book holiday activities at better.org.uk/cardiff
GETTING ON! AN ANGINA MONOLOGUE
by Sara John
Popping into our village Post Office a few years ago, I bumped into some friends who were congregating by the newspapers in the doorway where we locals could cause the most inconvenience to visitors. I was foolish to ask the fateful question, “how are you all?”
“Oh! my sciatica is so painful I can hardly get about anymore,” said Joan.
“Well, with my cataracts I can hardly see where I am going,” responds Patricia.
“I can’t turn my head because of this problem with my neck,” adds Bruce.
‘Don’t talk! My rheumatism means I can barely get out of bed in the night to visit the bathroom,” explains Mary.
“Well, that is the price we all pay for getting old.” sighs Jean.
“It’s not that bad,” adds Margaret cheerfully, “at least we have still got our marbles, we know what day of the week it is, today’s Wednesday.”
“Well, actually it is not.” explains Annie, the post mistress, very kindly replacing our selected copies of last week’s magazines on the shelves. “It is only Tuesday today.”
There is a whiff of taboo about this subject, something the rock’n’roll generation never expected to happen, namely the strange business of ‘Getting On’- a bit. Of course it means not just the ageing process but also the task of getting on with our own lives as circumstances change. It should of course be a lot easier when one does not have to report for work anymore but can become complicated after retirement if you find yourself being volunteered for community or charity organisations. Not care in the Community but Care of the community. Doing our bit, one explains with a smile.
Eventually one may have to negotiate a second or third retirement from these bodies.
Society has always been age specific for most of us, the 21st birthday being considered a legal and social watershed. The Law of the Land has defined what one can and can’t do at any age: education, marriage, voting, fighting for one’s country, marriage and having control over our own affairs.
Nowadays, I understand that 80 is the new 60, 50 the new 40, so going backwards the younger generation do not reach maturity until they are in their late 20’s and their ‘coming of age’ no longer exists. It appears many of them never do, come of age that is. In many cases they are still living at home in their late twenties and early thirties.
What older people must avoid is preaching to the young.
‘Now look here young man, it was not like that in my day, my father fought through two world wars to achieve the benefits you enjoy today.’ Tempting though it may be, ex-goers like myself should not carry on like that.
We, the silver surfers, the grey panthers are living longer and making more noise about it. If we do not understand something, we know how to find out because we can all read – as long as we get help to find our specs. Many of us do dislike being idle, we enjoy being busy but our energy levels are not necessarily in sync with ambition or aspirations.
On reaching your 60th birthday you may receive unsolicited mail or even a phone call from a young person attempting to sell you a stairlift. I, for one, was perfectly able to climb the stairs the previous day when I was still 59.
Cheaply produced garish catalogues arrive on the doormat full of products to ‘beautify the home’, in designs of autumn leaves (fawn and brown) or raspberry ripple (plum and pink) that were last seen in the closing down sale of Ton Pentre Co-op in 1957.
Also available are crocheted items for jars full of jam, to protect the contents from wasps and matching items for milk jugs designed to deter cats and flies. Chair arm covers, chair back covers, complete covers for your chairs, covers for your copy of the Radio Times or People’s Friend and covers for your husband to keep the dust off him. Cushions in odd shapes and sizes and pieces of plastic covered in chintz to place under the cushions to give your chairs ‘a new lease of life’, or under your husband to achieve the same results. All available by mail order. In a plain wrapper.
There was no information about learning to fly a light aircraft, no offers of insurance on speed boats, no maps of treks in the Himalayas, leaflets on advanced falconry or hang gliding or surfing.
You may decide one cold and rainy afternoon that
you will sort out that box of photographs or fill in the details on those peel off labels which proves challenging to the extreme. You cannot remember the names of the places, or who all the other people are. You are not even convinced that person with long hair, strappy high-heeled sandals and no specs could be you. And anyway, who is that chap with jet black hair that has his arm around you?
When asked, you are no longer sure if your gas comes from the Electricity Board, your electricity from the phone company or your wireless connection with all those cables comes from the Water Board.
No wonder so many of us appear to others a little eccentric. It is a useful label. It means you no longer need to worry about upsetting people. It is still considered pretty harmless to be an eccentric.
With our childhoods constrained by rationing, shortages (and grandparents who, in my case, were waiting for Mr. Gladstone’s return to prominence) is it any wonder that our generation invented night starvation, split ends, body odour, flat batteries, intermittent faults, National Service, inter-city breaks, rail rover tickets and relationship counselling? Oh! and a quarter of sweets and threepeneth worth of chips.
Nowadays we can be politically incorrect and claim ignorance of the concept of political correctness. Or, in defense you can say you misheard what was said.
We can shout at the bloke reading the news on the television. We can spend a lot of time in the shed. We can spend a lot of time in the shed mending stuff because we can. We know how.
You see, eccentricity is within easy reach for all of us. Nothing is out of the question anymore.
Health, taken for granted for many years becomes an issue, and retirement from the workplace affords an opportunity to pursue a new past time – hypochondria. Should you risk going to the doctor? Can you find a doctor who is older than your youngest grandchild? Can you find a doctor who is not going to say to you, ‘what do you expect at you age?’
And what age is that exactly?
During adolescence you would be told you would grow out of whatever was troubling you.
Through your 20’s the answer was, ‘you will be fine once you settle down and have a family’.
In your 30’s you were told that it was related to your job.
In your 40’s the blame was the stress of a recent promotion.
In your 50’s the doctor would remind us that we were not getting any younger.
And for me recently, on a rare visit to a doctor who I reckoned would not be able to recognise a decapitation, he asked a completely irrelevant question, ‘how are things down below?’
Eventually I caught on to his condescending linguistic style and replied that, ‘everything is okay although I am not the rock chick I once was.’
Another laughter inducing request from a GP when I went to ask about flu vaccinations was, “take your top off!’
George Burns won his first Oscar at 80. Michelangelo was 70 when he painted the Sistine Chapel. Mary Wesley’s first novel Camomile Lawn was published at 70.
A 91-year-old friend had a car accident when he was shunted into the vehicle in front. The magistrate decided he would have to undergo a test drive with an independent examiner before being reunited with his licence. Mr B. turned to the rather nervous (very)
young examiner, and asked, ‘did you do a lot of driving in the blackout during the war?’
We can spell, use punctuation, understand grammar. We can read. We can multiply and do long division. We can count money old and new.
We know when we are paying 10 shillings for a bar of chocolate and a few pounds for a loaf of bread. However, we are better off financially because most of the things we want to buy are no longer sold –airtight cake tins, peat for hydrangeas, quality toffees, ink for fountain pens. And televisions with screens that honour an aspect ratio of 5:8, not those that replicate looking through next door’s letterbox.
We have a lot to be proud of: we have travelled, met many people, we understand more and know more about the past. The trick is to try and use that knowledge and experience to understand the present. Having been brought up in an era beset with the shadows of Victoriana and childhood diseases, our generation over the decades has created a more informal lifestyle. More importantly WE invented rock’n’roll!
Therefore, we must take pleasure from getting on and comparing the present with the past. It’s all great fun!
FIGHTING MAN FILMS
In this month’s edition of the Cardiff Times, I had the pleasure to interview Janice Adkins, head of the new film company Fighting Man films.
Ralph Oates
Where in Wales were you born?
Janice Adkins
North Gower near Swansea
Ralph Oates
Have any members of your family ever boxed?
Janice Adkins
No. My partner’s boxing story is the inspiration behind my writing and producing.
Ralph Oates
What made you decide to produce a film based on boxing?
Janice Adkins
My partner was a former boxing champion who had a fascinating life story and during Covid lockdowns we wrote his memoirs together; publishing a book called Warrior in Wellington Boots.
by Ralph Oates
Ralph Oates
I have to say this is an excellent book well worth reading, you both must have felt proud of the finished product?
Janice Adkins Yes we were.
Ralph Oates
When was your film company formed?
Janice Adkins August 2023
Ralph Oates
What inspired you to start your film company?
Janice Adkins
I met Steve Crowhurst who wrote and directed a successful film shown on Netflix ‘Big Boys Don’t Cry’. We decided to work together on film projects, hence the film company was established. Steve is a highly acclaimed writer and director and has written a superb script for the film Cornelius. He will also direct our movie.
Ralph Oates
Where is your company based?
Janice Adkins
Fighting Man Films our film company is based in Gower.
Ralph Oates
Do you have any other boxing themed films planned for the future?
Janice Adkins
We are focusing on this project at present and have been working on it for nearly two years. There maybe other boxing related film projects in the future. We also aim to produce a documentary about the making of ‘Cornelius’ after the movie is launched.
Ralph Oates
There has been a number of boxing films produced over the years. Do you have a favourite?
Janice Adkins
I love the Rocky films with of course Sylvester Stallone playing the lead role. However, Raging Bull with Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta and The Champ with Jon Voight as Billy Flynn are probably amongst my favourite films made in the boxing genre.
Ralph Oates
Which is your favourite weight division?
Janice Adkins
Most people love to watch the powerful heavyweights in action, but I enjoy the technicalities, speed, power and athleticism which most middleweights bring to the boxing ring.
Ralph Oates
Who did you feel was the best boxer to have won the world heavyweight crown.
Janice Adkins
I believe Muhammad Ali is the greatest boxing champion ever, he of course won the title on three separate occasions, the first to do so.
Ralph Oates
What was the best world heavyweight title contest you have seen to date?
Janice Adkins
George Foreman v Ron Lyle. Their contest took place on the 24 January 1976 at the Caesars Palace Sports Pavilion in Las Vegas. The bout was for the vacant North American Boxing Federation heavyweight title. Foreman won by way of a 5-round knockout.
Ralph Oates
Who is your favourite modern-day boxer?
Janice Adkins
Vasyl Lomachenko an outstanding boxer whose record confirms that very fact.
Ralph Oates
Who is your favourite old time boxer?
Janice Adkins
Sugar Ray Robinson. He is a true boxing great. He won both the welterweight and middleweight world titles during his professional career. He was inducted into The International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.
Ralph Oates
Wales has produced a number of topflight boxers over the years, who do you think was the best?
Janice Adkins
The flyweight Jimmy Wilde who is regarded as one of the greatest flyweights in the history of the sport. Then of course the great champion Joe Calzaghe who retired from the sport undefeated with a perfect resume of 46 fights.
Ralph Oates
How do you feel about women boxing?
Janice Adkins
Whether it’s a male or female in the ring it takes hard work and bravery to be a boxer. But it’s great seeing girl power.
Ralph Oates
Have you ever been tempted to box?
Janice Adkins
I don’t think I would be a good boxer.
Ralph Oates
What is the title of your boxing film?
Janice Adkins Cornelius.
Ralph Oates
What are your plans for the future?
Janice Adkins
To produce award winning and iconic British films which will stand the test of time.
This was an enjoyable interview with Janice. I feel that the film Cornelius will prove to be a knockout and will be the first of many to emerge from this exciting new film company.
We at Cardiff Times wish Janice every success for the future.
With more than 35 different traders under one roof it is easy to while away an entire afternoon at this welcoming destination - you can even enjoy a coffee at the onsite coffee shop.
Here at The Pumping Station you will find so many wonderful examples of clothing, jewellery, antiques, furniture and home furnishings from the Victorian era right through to modern day, there really is something here for everyone.
DON’T LET CHILDHOOD BEREAVMENT BE THE ‘ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM’
by Natalie McCulloch
As Grace et al (2003) highlights ‘The death of a child of any age is a profound, difficult, and painful experience. While bereavement is stressful whenever it occurs, studies continue to provide evidence that the greatest stress, and often the most enduring one, occurs for parents who experience the death of a child’.
Someone who knows this all too well is Rhian Mannings who tragically lost her 1-year-old son, George, after he suffered a seizure at home in 2012 and just 5 days later tragically lost her husband, Paul, at the age of just 33. Incredibly, despite going through these two life shattering events she found solace by creating ‘2wish & 2wish Cymru’ in their memory as a way of supporting others who have suffered similar bereavements. Over the past 13 years Rhian has gained strength through raising money for charity in Paul and George’s name and the charity has gone from strength to strength.
2wish & 2wish Cymru’ is about letting families know that, following the loss of a child or young adult, they are not alone and the feelings they are experiencing are often normal.
The charity supports anyone in Wales affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person aged 25 or under including:
The whole family – they recognise loss doesn’t only affect the immediate family.
Individuals – ensuring support is available to anyone affected and needing support. Witnesses – to ensure support is available for those who may have witnessed a tragedy involving a young person and are supported to process their experiences.
Professionals – they recognise that just because people are in a ‘job role’ it doesn’t negate them from being affected.
Historic deaths – there is no time frame on bereavement or loss, and neither is there a time frame on their support and services.
Sadly, due to governance of the Charity Commission ‘2wish & 2wish Cymru’ cannot support everyone (i.e. those affected by miscarriage or stillbirth). But there are avenues of support for such issues (see their website for further details).
2wish are governed by the Charity Commission. The criteria for 2wish Cymru in Wales states that the person who has died must have resided in Wales or died in Wales. For 2wish in England, the criteria currently extends to enable the team to support if the person who has died was born in, resided in or died in one of the following counties: Cheshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Avon and Somerset.
Every experience of grief and bereavement will differ and ‘2wish & 2wish Cymru’ have an extensive range of incredibly diverse services available in recognition of this, including:
Counselling
Play therapy
Complementary therapies
Support events
Respite breaks to rest, reflect or reconnect.
They aim to provide support services to best meet the needs and language of choice and have Welsh speaking members of staff who can deliver immediate Support Services.
Another breakthrough initiative they are keen to drive forward is the provision of ‘Bereavement rooms’ in all hospitals. It is crucial for those affected to have a private and comforting space to wait for news, have quiet time with loved ones and, when necessary, be together to say a final goodbye.
The very first ‘Bereavement room’ was created here in Cardiff’s ‘University Hospital of Wales’. They provide a listening ear and a ‘holding hand’ throughout what must feel like the lonlienest and most painful time of one’s life.
Since 2012, they have supported approximately 8,456 individuals. Thanks to the incredibly dedicated team of staff the charity continues to grow as they support more people who need them.
The aim of ‘2wish & 2wish Cymru’ is to support anyone affected by the death of a young person in Wales aged 25 or under whether its recent or in the past.
If you or anyone you know of can benefit, please reach out or spread the word!
The family of Tia McCarthy quote “The Charity 2 Wish came into our lives when we lost Tia. Within days, Jo came out and explained everything and gave us so much support. There was no limit to the time and kindness Jo gave. 2 Wish recommended a number of services which offered to help our grieving process, and they were only a phone call away when we needed them. Knowing Jo has given us comfort during this difficult painful time. The service is invaluable for any family losing a young adult. Tia McCarthy 12.12.24”
As with all charities they rely on the generous support of individuals who dedicate incredible amounts of time and effort to raise awareness and vital funds to enable the charity to keep helping others. From bake sales to sponsored walks or simply a mention of the charity to someone in need of support, helps massively. Further information of the ways you can get involved in supporting ‘2wish & 2wish Cymru’ are available via their website.
I must give a mention to ‘Gorgeous George’, the charity’s mascot. Named aptly after the founder’s son, George, their elephant friend plays a huge part in the work they do at ‘2wish & 2wish Cymru’. An elephant was chosen for two reasons. The first, just like bereaved families, they never forget. Secondly, the subject of childhood death continues to be the ‘elephant in the room’ where no one really knows
what to say. 2wish aim to change these things and encourage people to speak out about this vitally important topic.
If you require support after suddenly losing a child or know someone else who is struggling with their loss then please contact: support@2wish.org.uk
Getting involved is a fantastic way to support the charity to ensure they can continue to be there for bereaved families. Contact: fundraising@2wish.org. uk
For any bereaved families who would like to keep up to date on facebook follow: ‘2wish—FAMILIES’
If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact their friendly team today or follow them on social media:
www.2wish.org.uk
info@2wish.org.uk
01443 853125
Reference
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Children and Their Families; Field MJ, Behrman RE, editors. When Children Die: Improving Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Children and Their Families. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2003. Appendix E, Bereavement Experiences After the Death of a Child. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/ NBK220798/
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