Cardiff Times - September 2022

SEPTEMBER 2022

CARDIFF TIMES®

FREE

TICKETS FROM

£OC9YN.N5A0U O

Sheku Kanneh-Mason ©Jake Turney

T

EOM 0661 SDH A5 Series Advert.indd 1

UP TO 30% O FF SUBSCRIBE N – OW! HYD AT 30% ODDI AR Y PR TANYSGRIFIW IS – CH NAWR!

19/07/2022 12:25 pm

Expert dementia care at your fingertips

Llys Cyncoed care home, Cardiff Our dementia specialists support each individual to live life independently.

At Llys Cyncoed care home we offer exceptional care and we’re here to help you and your family at every step of the journey.

Trusted to care.

If you’re considering care 029 2000 2706 elisabeth.may@careuk.com careuk.com/llys-cyncoed

Rated

9.7

out of 10 on carehome.co.uk

PTCFA Advert A4newC[P] 2022_Layout 1 07/07/2022 12:46 Page 1

Continuing and Professional Education Addysg Barhaus a Phroffesiynol

Cyrsiau rhan-amser ar gyfer

Part-time courses

2022-23

2022-23

Ewch ati i ddysgu rhagor, cyflawni eich dyheadau, rhoi hwb i’ch CV a gwneud ffrindiau newydd yr hydref hwn

Improve your knowledge, achieve your ambitions, boost your CV and make new friends this autumn

www.caerdydd.ac.uk/dysgu ffôn: 029 2087 0000

www.cardiff.ac.uk/learn tel: 029 2087 0000

oedolion for adults

Welcome Dear Readers, Welcome to our September issue.

At the time of writing this page, our dear friend Eirwen emailed and noted that this section was missing in our August issue. This month we dedicate this issue to you Eirwen.

We’ve been working around the clock to try and complete this issue in a speedy fashion in order to take time off with the children before they return to school in September. This month our daughter starts a new journey into high school. Horah!

Both children can now walk to school without mum having to drive like a lunatic to get her to school on time or make a packed lunch in a hurry. We say a fond farewell to Marlborough Primary School and thank them for doing such a great job looking after both our children. We will always be part of your community.

Now big brother will have to teach younger sister how to fold a tie. Exciting times lay ahead.

This summer has been great weather for cricket. Both children have managed to play and train with no cancellations apart from one because the weather was TOO HOT! Can you believe in the UK our weather was too hot to play cricket.

Our son recently had his bike stolen whilst it was locked outside of Penylan Library. Please buy strong locks because it’s simply too easy for them to be cut with a bolt cutter. Also security mark

4 CARDIFF TIMES

EDITORS LETTER your bike or use an etching kit. There are plenty of other useful tips from this website https://www.securedbydesign.com/ We hope the person who stole the bike is enjoying riding it around whilst we are still paying for it. To restore the good in this world @PuffaJones is donating a bike to us. Please check him out on twitter. He’s donated so many bicycles to children who may never have the pleasure of owning a bike. If you turn to page 30 Mike is featured in Natalie’s column.

It’s been a trying time for our business. In fact it’s been difficult for a long time but we’re still here hanging on to annoy our readers. We’d like to thank our advertisers for continuing to support us and last but not least a huge thanks goes out to our writers.

Happy reading, Louise & Mark

Follow us on Twitter @CardiffTimes

www.facebook.com/CardiffTimes

LET'S LIGHT UP CARDIFF

k e Wallk Sparklle FRIDAY

23rd SEPTEMBER

AT 8:00 PM

10KM NIGHT TIME MEMORY WALK, 8 + // £15 PER PERSON INCLUDES A GLASS OF SPARKLE

e ce c ac a urr plla err you e stte giis eg Re Re ow! no en ne n nllliiin on k2022 alllk Wa e eW k kllle arrrk pa Sp #S

6PM MUSIC & REGISTRATION OPENS, 8PM WALK STARTS REG CHARITY No. 1023311 www.cityhospice.org.uk 02920 524 150

Proudly

sponsored by

Insole Court, Llandaff CF5 2LN

CARDIFF TIMES 5

Having something to say!

byWyn Evans

The Girl, my sixteen-year-old daughter, returned yesterday after spending four happy days visiting her friend in Aberystwyth. It has become an annual trip. What started out being a singular event one Easter as a birthday celebration has become an essential fixture in both girls’ social set. Her visit no longer needs tacking onto a birthday; it’s been moved across to the Summer giving them more time and space to plan activities and revel in each other’s company. The Boss and I enjoy these few days because we know that our daughter is having a whale of a time with a family that loves and accepts her, while we catch up on ‘we’ time: date-(or at least late)-nights, film evenings, eating out, um, doing the ironing, and so forth.

You see, both The Girl and her friend have Down Syndrome (DS). Both have been educated in mainstream schools, with especially adapted curriculums and access to learning support assistance. Back in the day, we gave a great deal of thought, involving sessions with professional educators, psychologists and clinicians, trying to determine whether we should send The Girl to a ‘special’ school or to mainstream education with support as necessary.

There must be as many different answers to this question as there are non-typically developing kids. Eventually, we made our decision and have never regretted choosing the mainstream environment, with support.

When it came to The Girl’s extra-curricular activities – pre-school clubs, sports and leisure – we took a similar approach. We were particularly taken by the story of a little boy with DS standing with his mother one evening in a fish and chip shop queue who, upon catching sight of another little lad with DS turned to his parent and said “mummy, there’s someone who looks just like me”. Overlooking for the purposes of this article the fact that, though kids with DS share some similar features, they take after their family members more than they do one another. What we took from this was similar to the approach we’d taken to The Girl’s education. Namely, that people with DS fare best when they are rooted in a community and that their particular needs must be identified and supported too.

There is a wealth of peer-reviewed science and just as much qualitative research in support of both aspects of that statement. So, we always told our lass that she has DS and we explained just what having an extra copy of chromosome 21 means.

We have occasionally felt frustration on behalf of our daughter and sometimes noticed her become frustrated too. It seems that typically-developing kids mature emotionally more quickly. This was rarely problematical until around about school years 5/6, growing more noticeable through years 7-9. Party invites became rarer.

OK, I mean that is a truism. What I should have written was that when whole-form birthday parties died out as the kids aged, the child with DS was the one who was left out of

6 CARDIFF TIMES

the small gatherings of between, say, two to five kids. Girls matured into their friendships. I don’t mean they started fancying boys. Rather that they might seek permission to go with a single or two or three friends to the park to just hang out; or that they might take the bus into town to do some shopping with their ‘BFFs’.

At first, this offended me. I would ask parents to think of asking their daughters to include The Girl in such events.

However, the more I thought about it the more I realised that The Girl’s relative emotional immaturity meant that she didn’t perceive that she was missing out on anything.

The last thing on her mind was shopping trips. What’s more, there would have been a danger of tokenism and resentment spoiling perfectly good relationships had my former approach been maintained. I had to realise that, in wanting everything for my daughter, I wasn’t supporting her particular developmental needs; I was instead comparing her to ‘normally’ developing kids and, what’s worse, in doing so, reaching inappropriate conclusions.

So I forced myself to sit back and intervene less. Sure enough, as her own emotional and intellectual maturity has grown so has The Girl’s ability to make her own friendships. It is because she and her Aberystwyth friend have reached the stage of insisting they have time together that it happens. I still hope that typically developing adults

and young adults choose to be inclusive but am much more relaxed now I’ve realised that our daughter has what it takes to make and keep genuine BFFs of her own. She is particularly receptive to other young people with DS but also to those who themselves might be developmentally maturing in a different timeframe to the norm, or who have autism or ASD. Speaking as a dad, what’s great is that she knows she has something to offer her friends and is equally aware that their love and acceptance gives her something very special indeed. This becomes clear every time she meets up with her DS youth group on Friday nights or at their annual Summer Camp. She is loved, respected, and accepted, has something to say and to contribute and assuredly does not require parental mediation! It’s great watching our kids growing up! ****************************** I’m writing this the morning after an attempt was made on Sir Salman Rushdie’s life. Like every magazine of its genre, the Cardiff Times is full of writers and wannabe authors.

We love the opportunities this affords us to make ourselves vulnerable, learn, pontificate and generally chew the cud with you, our readers.

But with Rushdie attached to a ventilator, now seems a good time to reaffirm something which underpins all our words, well described by ex-Labour MP Tom Harris: “Let us remind ourselves: your feelings don’t matter. Your

devotion to any religious figure, be it Christ, Mohammed or Buddha, is not to be imposed forcefully on others. If it matters to you, fine, fill your boots. But we should be able to expect the nation’s politicians to prioritise above all the right of citizens to say and do anything they [...] like, within the law, without the threat of violence against them ... allowing people to live in freedom, free from intimidation and violence ...” (1).

Self-styled Ping-Pong Guy, Matthew Syed, writing in the Times, puts it this way: “Is it any wonder that myriad surveys reveal that people throughout the West desist from speaking out on sensitive issues, out of fear of the consequences? This is the destination at which the liberal world has arrived — through stealth and increment, through a million little retreats, through the acquiescence of those who should know better.

For initially noble motives related to the fear of giving offence to minority groups, we have committed the most grievous offence on our way of life. “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” was the view attributed to Voltaire by his most famous biographer. We must resurrect its spirit, reclaim its beauty.

For today, with Rushdie hooked up to a ventilator, we continue to sleepwalk towards disaster”(2). Amen.

Footnotes: 1. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/08/15/left-mustnot-allowed-ignore-attack-salman-rushdie/ 2. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ayatollahs-salmanrushdie-comment-western-liberals-97zrr9v69

CARDIFF TIMES 7

Cardiff Times August - Page 1 Editorial_Layout 1 28/07/2022 14:13 Page 1

CARDIFF CLASSICAL SERIES 2022/23 FROM Brussels to Reykjavík, the Cardiff Classical Series 2022/23 features 18 world-class concerts and after the return of live performances last year, we’ve got even more reason to be smiling - the National Concert Hall of Wales is 40 years old! We are so proud to provide visiting orchestras with one of the world’s finest acoustics to perform in. Plus, this year’s breathtaking season is more affordable than ever with more than 500 seats available at just £20 and below, and hundreds at under £10.

The series starts in style with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Thurs 6 Oct). Led by Ryan Bancroft, the evening opens with the first of many distinguished soloists throughout the season as Yeol Eum Son performs Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 3 before an epic finale of Stravinksy’s spellbinding The Rite of Spring. The following week sees award-winning cellist Laura van der Heijden join the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra (Sat 15 Oct) for a feast of Czech music including Martinů, Janáček and Dvořák, while the Welsh National Opera Orchestra (Fri 4 Nov) perform stormy seascapes to stunning sinfonietta under the baton of Tomáš Hanus.

Virtuoso pianist Paul Lewis joins forces with the Belgian National Orchestra (Weds 9 Nov) for a variously solemn, scintillating and stirring repertoire of Respighi, Mozart and Saint-Saëns, and masterful conductor Markus Stenz leads the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Thurs 17 Nov) through a thrilling performance of Mahler’s Symphony No 9. Meanwhile, John Wilson puts the Sinfonia of London (Mon 28 Nov) through its paces in a sumptuous programme from Broadway to Boléro including former BBC Young Musician of the Year, Martin James Bartlett playing Gershwin’s jazz-inflected Rhapsody in Blue.

Then it’s time for the return of The Sixteen (Sun 4 Dec) with their captivating Christmas concert, while the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Sun 15 Jan) celebrate 100 years of Disney. The Welsh National Opera Orchestra (Sun 29 Jan) luxuriate in Bedřich Smetana’s sparkling portrait of his beloved bohemia in Má Vlast, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Sun 12 Feb) play a mesmerising programme of Brahms, Messiaen and Fauré. Powerful emotions of passion and patriotism surge through a Philharmonia Orchestra (Sat 25 Feb) repertoire of Berlioz, Bloch and Sibelius featuring Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Plus, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Thurs 9 March) make a welcome return with Elgar and Schumann. Then there is a double-header from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Sat 25 March & Thurs 20 April) with master works by Britten, Elgar and Szymanowski.

Don’t miss a rare chance to hear the Iceland Symphony Orchestra (Thurs 27 April) with its chief conductor Eva Ollikainen and acclaimed pianist Stephen Hough playing Beethoven, as well as Daniel Ciobanu reeling off the fabulous flourishes and thundering bravura of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No 1 with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Thurs 11 May). The penultimate concert of the series serves up a real treat as Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska directs The Hallé (Sat 20 May) in an incredible programme of Sibelius and Beethoven with three of the world’s most distinguished artists in Nicola Benedetti, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Benjamin Grosvenor. The Cardiff Classical Series 2022/23 then comes to a sensational conclusion with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Thurs 1 June) playing a rousing repertoire of Grace Williams, Mozart and Richard Strauss featuring soloists Alice Neary and Becky Jones.

Tickets start at just £9.50 and you can save up to 30% by subscribing - for more details, please call Box Office or visit our website below!

8 CARDIFF TIMES

TIC

KE

RO

M

.5NN0AU O 9 £ CY

F TS

Sheku Kanneh-Mason ©Jake Turney

TO

EOM 0661 SDH A5 Series Advert.indd 1

UP TO 30% O FF SUBSCRIBE N – OW! HYD AT 30% ODDI AR Y PR TANYSGRIFIW IS – CH NAWR!

19/07/2022 12:25 pm

‘And Another Thing...’

Two egg cups and a peacock

byVince Nolan

Let me explain. I was out on a shopping spree looking for egg cups. I mentioned in a previous article that we had rediscovered soft-boiled eggs but could not rediscover our egg cups, hence I sallied forth to buy two ovoid receptacles. To say I became somewhat waylaid is an understatement.

The Sainted Mother-in-Law had not been well. You name it, she had infected it, not to mention the COVID that came along in parallel which also hit the Current Mrs Nolan (but not me). Such laughs.

Anyway, purple and peacocks are things which the M.I.L has always liked so we bought the critter on the left to cheer her up. I then remembered the real subject of our shopping sojourn. The egg cups cost £2 and the bejewelled peacock didn’t.

Did you hear the story about the peacock? You haven’t? Well, it’s a beautiful tale.

I read with some alarm (no pun intended) that the Welsh Ambulance Service has been criticised for reaching “only” 54.5% of life-threatening red calls (within 8 minutes). Well let me tell you a

story in praise of these wonderful people. The aforementioned Mother-in-Law really did struggle in the heat with COVID leaving us little option but to phone 999. I was so impressed. Before I was off the phone to the call-handler these three arrived.

Must have been 4 minutes, tops. Two paramedics and a full ambulance crew and they still didn’t take her away!

However, I always look for gallows humour amidst times of high stress. The aforementioned emergency workers set about doing what they do best whilst all the neighbours speculated over who might have died. All but one neighbour that is. Let us call him “Ray.” He is a man of good age but remains sexually active, so he says, with a number of lady friends on the go at any given time. The arrival of the Health Service heroines and heroes coincided with his usual Saturday of visiting the poor and needy of the parish to bring them some loving. However, he was somewhat stymied on this occasion. Having taken his usual handful of performance enhancing pills, his car was blocked

Two egg cups and a peacock

10 CARDIFF TIMES

Let me explain. I was out on a shopping spree looking for egg cups. I mentioned in a previous article that we had rediscovered soft-boiled eggs but could not rediscover our egg cups, hence I sallied forth to buy two ovoid receptacles. To say I became somewhat waylaid is an

Talking of intolerance, I am led to believe that the

Wilson who was jointly away called on a St.George Peter’s Rugby Club bus is anybody’s apping skills and picked the little guy understatement. The Saintedterm Mother-in-Law had not been well.

You name it, shewhere had infec heckler originated from the textile trade, convicted ofcertainly stealing mail at gunpoint guess but it would have caused a major d him back into the wild.

No harm n smacking kids law introduced in Walestoforheckle was it,to nottease towrong mention the COVID that along in something is called a typo.

Socame if oritcomb-out flax or hemp andI say was sentenced tohit death bya talko? diplomatic incident. ……..well, until next door’s cat got 2022.

Whilst being welcomed by most something wrong is it called parallel which also the Current Mrs Nolan (bu ensure that we had properly warmed up sincefibres. we didn’t wantmodern to pull drinkinga littlewas The coined in Dundee drew herany eyebrows high she did her realised that our celebration coincided with to So: “Any ofmeaning awould number of subatomic particles right-minded people it us will of course bea minimum nothing Furthermore, a typo onwhen a headstone be Just beten clear: Did you hear about the urologist hanging.

He refused a pardon in 1833 . Unfortunately, only six of turned up and of were required or the makeup the other day.

She looked surprised. me). century.

Such laughs.

Anyway, purple and peacocks in thedue earlya carrying 19th Aselectric the hecklers toiled in the Stereophonics and Tom Jones being a fractional charge, postulated but bad news forold-timers the Cardiff under 14’s grave error?

Between typos and autocorrect s off. I engaged four who were inhad the sold bar (could have been the who was eaten by a bear?

He was a meteorologist unting, if I were illegally hunting for as building blocks of the hadrons.

Quarks at the Principality Stadium which from President Andrew Jackson and things which the M.I.L has always liked so we bo Lederhosen Formation Slap Dancing Ensemble it’sone getting harder to post stuff these days.

One the factory, of the team would read out the days’ Given the spell of intense heat we all suffered entionedout ones from Taff Vale) and asked were them then whether they fancied havingdirectly a have not been observed but theoretical Citythe hotels.

The concerts (meaty urologist, oh please yourselves). ould I have questionable morels? who will the no longer be slapping each other as tiny mistake and your whole post is urined. recently, I was in this pub (purely for cooling the critter on the left to cheer her up.

I then news and others would butt in with constant was executed after Supreme Court y tour and free beerand for the afternoon.

Fearing some of the honey trap, they tookonthe predictions based their cancelled weunless found athey City centre hotelkind down purposes) and this guyexistence said: “Thishave isn’t ofa their routines are given The Leader of the Opposition and I were sitting in youpart callfor deer who has lost both onvincing that my offer was genuine.

Cautiously, they agreed to join us.

Picture the remembered the real subject of our shopping interruptions and a stream of “furious debate.”

With been confi rmed experimentally.”

Ohwanted please! hurrah! However, theMinister. fickle finger ruled The world has taken strange twist –Now at least hot.

When I was in Texas it was if 63°C.” then he could turn ita down he special £80, dispensation by our First scene, 5pm on a sunny ourinsocially distanced local, The Funky Furlough, ng accident?

No eye deer. let’s examine this claim I thought to myself.

That And as for mesons and baryons, we could be of fate (presumably the middle one),this then theIsojourn. parts I collated seem occupy.

Iquality have Thetoegg cups cost £2been and the bejewelle mind have some put-downs to.

No pleasing some folk. weekday evening at145°F. theayou side How long have had arthritis?”

“IRugby don’t equates to The hottest temperature ever here allabout night. intervened and cancelled thespecials office lunch Saw this Trump in a local pub board: reading proposal for the 2027 whencomics a lady close by to us asked the Bar Manager that when dies, Ion willtheir give peacock didn’t. which have used to deal with modern recorded was at on Death Valley, California where itdayI entrance to the Brewery us toand wander lonely as some clouds “We leaving Love Local champion local farms World Cup which will prevent any team in “but red have arthritis, Father,” the drunk said, reached 134°F or 56°C, so once again,day a complete iffacilities theCaroline toilets were still upstairs.

He ofother course ill the say: “He it isthat today how he aswarmed hecklers: IStreet was at the hairdressers the for my where four yd) time tried to around the Castle and itswas outdoor bar and fisheries.”

All very laudable but the first shirts and green shirtsto playing each other to ensure we had properly up since we didn’t want pull any drinking just read in the paper that the Pope does.” storyteller.

Continuing January scalping when the Jimmy Nail song pensioners who could barely Did you hear the story about the peacock?

You until frostbite got the better of us and forced us confiup rmed that they were but Ipeople thought thisstruggle to be ato ….wearing make-up lying item on their menu and was Mediterranean Olives. because colour blind often scles. only sixinoffront us turned and a minimum of ten were required or nk theUnfortunately, other three “Ain’t Nohanging Doubt - She’s Lying” came on thethe “What size of shoe does your mouth take?” stand were seen onto back toina the hotelsame we did not need.

Much fun, but Overheard pub: “Every time we distinguish between the two.

Not criticising Staying with drink, there has always Iquestion. have beenthe giving some thought to something catchy the ropewho haven't? it'shave abeen beautiful tale. very stupid IWell, would said ys. tTomlinson was off.

I engaged old-timers were inthem the bar (could have the wireless.

Totally the aWales, masked ahow lamppost, for rather we quickly foundfour out that there is asay. limit to come here we come here.”

You don’t of support, course but thisattached would affect business names orunscripted, slogans.

If Iwe, owned café I been much snobbery to wine. like: “I don’t know asked by the son of a good friend singers in the chairs and our masked stylists theme: “This is what comes from drinking on an empty rementioned oneswine fromone the Taff Vale) and asked them they fancied having a much mulled can drink before falling than illumination.

An would whether call it “Brunch, Lunch or Something toAfrica Canada, Ireland, Tonga, Russia, South bout sell-buy dates before Indeed, people make a living from it, all started to sway and sing to the music in a I read with some alarm (no pun intended) that th Munch.”

Staying with retailing, if I owned a herb over. afternoon they would and Japan.

This had me in mind of that quote when madam was uld write a urology his Dad’s head.” wery tour and freeforbeer forSoap the afternoon.

Fearing some kind of honey trap, they took on scene reminiscent from The Full Monty when shop I would call it Rocket Man and if I had a pest but I am making a stand because of the ocal supermarket on a Friday nly 3 shops I really from BBC snooker commentator Ted Lowe who never…… remember.

Welsh Ambulance Service has been criticised for in by thethat three emergency vehicles and he was with us but t have the heart to say eulogy me convincing my offer genuine.

Cautiously, they agreed tolast join Picture the control I would call itus.

“Vermin Extermine.” they allcompany started dancing inof the queue atwe the awas rope famously said during one his commentaries: lockdowns.

I’m giving up wine, every day, all “I know where you were when they were handing shables that would make the prevented from going on his errand of mercy.

To mat call with Mark Dacey (on the leS) who is the dynamic CEO of reaching “only” 54.5% of life-threatening red cal s,he Boots and job centre.

Fortunately all sharp implements scene, 5pm onare a them sunny moved out to meant.

Anyway, here is bent double in frustration “And for those ofthat’s who watching in black A drunk who smelled like ayou see a guy in his seventies Another of my catchy road safety slogans: “Slow Pope on a month.

No wait, not it.

I’m giving up. the brains out………getting an extra helping of t I had some doubt whether were downed for a few short minutes and then Colleges.

It does not need me to suggest the uncanny (within 8 minutes).

Well let me tell you a story in and white, the pink nextcar towith the green.” drugs and weekday evening atmotor the side brewery got onora mow bus and satisStaying was sausage comical enough, only bettered by the bluethe park many down down.” vehicles, Wine every day all month! without further comment, just like in a musical, mouth.” e car for the journey home. rope lights moving for him to a priest.

The wonderful I praise witnessed athese welcome move away from gun rule ofentrance people.

The orike Ricky Tomlinson or of vicefollowed versa.by the screech down next to Brewery have had enough months ago aslike aon tale, was affectionately everybody went back to the their day job Interesting lyric we heard on the wireless of(he tyres asto he exited the area recently when I saw a drive by shouting.

Muchthe se it’s nothing do with EUat Warp Factor 8.drunk's shirt was stained, his aforementioned Mother-in-Law really didno strugg Two people out on a first date.

“Do you Caroline Street where four nothing had happened.

Lockdown has ayou lot to arrived at his assignations on and other day: “Sports bra and aconsequence Maserati car.” you know, ifbright you wore soundproof trousers safer all round.

Which reminds me, what do direct because ofhe his likeness have toWhether home school face was full of red tdafi sell-buy dates before but a recent trip“Do totime my local supermarket nspection ofworking the packaging in full order is a matter of conjecture.

One answer for but that was very funny. the heat with COVID leaving us little option but t call a Pharaoh who drives around with “Road like Merlot Tammy?”

“Yes, but you don’t Who would have thought of that combination? pensioners could Perhaps barely once owned one of the chewed pencils which one would hear word saying.” lipstick and he a had a half-you’re of who Covid19.” ibyan leader), involved a tripImake hopes not. of the Rage.”

Tootin’ car man. thighlight no perishables that would the following Monday.

In fact I gin for fruit and veg like Apparently many have including a poet called pronounce the “t.”

“Oh, Ok.” Looks at phone 999. I was soShakespeare impressed. Before I was off phone to the call-handler these three stand were seen hanging onto empty bottle of the wine sticking used to his famous works. used Thewrite Leader of The Opposition andI He I were this is “discovered”. why do not run ch Wales play France.

Wecar for the Dave Cox whom I have just She and I were discussing .hey So these comestibles would make it towith the home.

What is going day leS on the sell-buy date.

It takes an inordinate amount of skill to supply OT then it’s serious, “Is that real face or are you still celebrating I was struggling a crosswordone thejourney other day out ofyour his pocket.

He opened waiter: “Two Merlots for me and Ammy.”

She and I were discussing cremations. listening toaproperty Michael Ball on the wireless. lamppost, for support, rather Intellectual rules prevent me quoting cremations.

Nothing to chew on it so much that I couldn’t tell whether it was a pub. a 20 year relationship with and supply had one word to go Closer to complete it. Turns out in-@me” withhis 24 hours towas spare.

Waste levels mustOsmond be astronomical.

Nothing sinister in this bywho the way sinister in and started limes, picked, packaged, He interviewing Donny do with issues? inspec@on ofnewspaper the packaging for theEU excitement. minimum of ten were required or Halloween?” than illumination.

An any of his work here but I encourage you to this by the way (there the word was Kappa which I had guessed.

Still (there was nothing on the telly).

I was Our friend Drthe H has trained her dog Daisy . A couple of minutes later, he asked theorpriest, "Father, what causes arthritis?"

A in wife sent her and played themaround home and hadhim been appearing in panto at the London 2B not 2B. Staying with Bard, days gone by, distributed UKmeant A recent WalesOnline article bizarrely claimed look up.

A real comedy genius and hugely nothing onisthe telly).

I have a nort, for fruit veg like Tanzania and Argen@na.

So these notand knowing what Kappa IStaying looked it up and with food, I have been doing some research into what no longer manuf sit was off.

I engaged four old-timers have a ceramic hip replacement afternoon they would , it's caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much and to bring her alcohol, a bottle of red wine.

No surprise Palladium. was speaking about a “Your bus leaves inDonny 10 and minutes...

Be under it.” and husband a romantic ch international weekends.

On that GPs were working 40 months an hour refreshing. wished I hadn’t: “Denoting one of the two types of ceramic hip replacement red to the shops and put on we wondered if this would in order to attract women, Ihere used to use this quote from the UK. The list isport endless but ismentor a He small Pringles (Belgium), Smar@e were in the bar (could have been the n exo@c climes, picked, packaged, taken tothat," the or airport, pt for your fellow man," priest replied.

"Imagine theformer drunk muttered. never…… remember. acting ofsample: his who told him the really, she’s a Bordeaux collie.

I when was sat light polypeptic chain present in all ridiculously immunoglobin f?

A phrase we wondered if this would be ( overtime.

I we have nothe doubt they are be likely toare combust Isend do. text message.

She wrote: “If you sleeping, rip (Mike’s fi rst), we did it in the y left on the sell-buy date.

It Colman’s English Mustard ( Germany), Terrys Chocolate Orange (France) and HP d tostretched reading his Thebut priest, thinking about what had said, turned tofor the following: “Theatre is out theIV, only place where mentioned ones from the Taff Vale) “Well, it’s night out him.. and a 82: night offyou for his Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Act III, Scene line molecules.”

Fancy me not knowing that.

Ia have also been reading Mortimer’s Recent crossword clue: “Brush under the ehouses then delivered to40 the shops and put he on the shelves with Turns IBob cook nicely at circa likely to combust when I do. atpaper. present, months an hour? with She Who Must Be Obeyed the other om the 18th Century Parliament) Sauce (The Netherlands).

Staggering. dunt apologised: "I'm sorry, Iferry didn't mean come onme so strong.

How long you had can dream public. job as actor isnicely at circa of skill to supply goods your dreams.

Ifhave you are laughing, send me way, athem bus to crossing autobiography which IYour alsosmelled strongly 1300C whilst myTurns hipan will melt at carpet 5Dover, and 4.”

The answer “gloss over.” out I cook sked whether they fancied That’s over three years an hour.towas The only way family.”

Aindrunk who like ayour whilst she sipped a glass of wine Beauty journalist Father," Alice Du the Parcq wrote a "but I day to deliver that dream” which we thought was ?"

"I don't have arthritis, drunk said, just read in the paper that 2000C. I suspect that my nearest recommend.

Funny, poignant andIf very clever, Picture the poor trying to maybe learn English. whilst my hip“LiKle will melt urs todo spare.

Waste levels not straight was this be tostudent time travel so smile.

If you are knock.” eating, sendgot me a bite. you are Paris.

I great waswould sitting next toinhim.

Ather Here’s one for you: “Knock “Who’s there?”

“LiKle old lady.” old la g atobrewery tour and free beer for the banner headline one of recent brewery a1300C bus sat and will beon offered theand hipa as a that my and she said, “Idearest love you much, rather good.

Oh yes it In is. e does." but enough about me. itso heat recalls tale “Hello.”

– try it in a German accent: “If I 2000C. Iyou suspect they Student were referring to Dr Who. In my world this “I need you like Van Gogh needed stereo.” articles: “Are You Skinundated With “I had no idea you could yodel.” drinking, send me a sip.

If you are crying, send me med Customs Offi cer came onto oon.

Fearing some kind of honey trap, warp and weft).

Of souvenir of me or I will be recycled which is down next toI could a priest.

The about having chronic flatulence asever aand child nearest dearest understand zis correctly, in zeReaders, place you know.

Icourt don’t know how live will be would be likeBeauty driving at 40 hours afirst mile which Baffling Jargon?”

IWell was reading about anice. case where accused I to thought I might makethe a very coat Thanks my cousin Lawrence forgood this joke. with the drink, there has always been ook some convincing that my offer was offered the hip a“ souvenir of which was both embarrassing and at times your tears.

I love you.”

Her husband texted back: id: “Just hold up your passports are brushing benease your carpet and zen you drunk's shirt was stained, his would be quite slow but not unlike trying to I am of awithout certain age so the my tolerance does asas well as it use ed related have to confess I am.

Of course I a man you.”

Ihall said, “Isthreshold thatmicrophone you orwork the wine I walked into our local bar, The Moaning Monet and vewith beenIthe doing some research hook for or karaoke perhaps What do you call aa Frenchman wearing snobbery attached toof over wine.

Indeed, me or I will be recycled which is very painful.

During one particular attack he add shiny paint it.

You British!” was described as “having murderous intent.”

I was know nothing beauty regimes and ne.

Cautiously, they agreed to join us. negotiate the recent traffic carnage in Cardiff when being asked embrace new technology.

I was therefore heart I’mVan in talking?” theGogh toilet, please advise.” come along and count them and par@cularly or even ato new shower head theaen-suite. face was full offoron bright red She said, “It’s me talking to the sandals?

Phillipe Flop!

Quickly by a I make saw sitting at the end bar stool. anufactured init,they the UK. The nice.followed I to thought I might a make a living from but I am making alanes went to the Doctors who managed “release the products which accompany them on the City Centre as impose bike (French for en-suite one assumes). eedthe scene, 5pm a sunny weekday She WhoaMust Be Obeyed suggested I download anothing new app called What3Words. what I writ: quite topoem learn that had to dohook lipstick and hequotes had agood halfto me and said “Ion didn’t know Staying with word games, I completed wordwine.” coat for the shouted “Hey Vince do you want avery drink?” save forher the TV adverts.

Apparently of the lockdowns.

I’m giving up disappointed the pressure” forthis him.

He the Doctor secause arest small sample: Pringles of us. rs, let’s call Dr naviga@on aid which divides the World into 3 metre squares and gives each squar ng at the side entrance to the Brewery puzzle on myNophone and I correctly guessed you now need towait, use Soliberine to hall or a karaoke microphone Finally, we all know how difficult times are with the as saying: “Better an empty house than a empty bottle of wine sticking very day, all month. that’s not Happy New Year Dear Reader, the Year of the assport and I haven’t got one.”

I with camping. nada), Colman’s English Roses can red,for Violets are purple.

Just combina@on ofFinally, three words.

I s@llbe drive about aillustrate lot for business, believe itshower or not atenant” blessing the drink: God, in “commute proof” your skin, never mind theevery they were looking for was out with Dr Rword who perhaps or even ahis newone current financial crisis.

To the point, it got roline Street where four pensioners He shouted back: “No thanks, I’ve already The Sainted Mother-In-Law was looking for car noisy which I thought was very good. iving up.that Wine day all month! out of his pocket.

He opened saying.

Ox. Apparently this year is going to be lucky g” or words to that effect.

Then, in a the Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid.

One rys Chocolate Orange was graduation time recently and I saw my Sister head for the en-suite.

(French Hadron as in the Hadron Collider.

Having no assured that this system would be much more accurate than using our sat nav.

Iu sent tohis cheer both insurance now thatwere her stunt driving days are goodness, Presumably thisthe wasgrapes, in the days before the ould barely stand seen hanging ear.” senting.

We Finally, news, my friend David has lost ID. needs arecently master’s degree in to with his newspaper and started weeping uncontrollably, worried that her Economics opleover. out on awhat first date.

“Do you like for en-suite one assumes). this was really allchemistry about Isad decided the Ox representing diligence, persistence cent of aclue World War 2 find prisoner of war es of Parliament) Sauce (The the first @me the other day and the unique three word loca@on I was looking for w I managed to a reasonable policy, Doctors were working 40 months an hour. a top bathroom tip: Never leave your and small.

Little will drink too begin to have clue pronounce we arethan being told and greatFinally, aTammy?” lamppost, for support, rather degree wouldn’t land herfools a job.arthritis?"

I said: “Are you “Yes, but you tocouple look itpinned. up.

Iadon’t wish Iwhat hadront bovvered (see ding.

A of minutes later, he asked the priest, "Father, what causes a note was sorted it out and paid for it.

She in turn kindly Now he is just Dav. Are Lost!”

Design fault or user error? pile ointment next to Sis?” your andithow honesty.

Not for going to betoothpaste!

Trump’s year Mike down the footwell g. ducked sold.

It seemsinto to me that the more complex Adios Amigos having financial cry, much and fools none at all.crisis.

My round.

Finally, we know difficult times are with the current financial To illustrate the nation.

An they would “Oh, Ok.” Looks at waiter: “Two what Iafternoon did there): “Any member of aallclass of Hasta laagreat Vista. reimbursed me with this immortal covering ister, it's caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, and sounds, theRadio more expensive it becomes.

Contrast t…… of door.

Live then is it?

I piled his coat and mine on top of point, it was graduation time recently and I saw my Sister weeping uncontrollably, worried subatomic particles that are built from quarks for me and Ammy.”

Yamas Chums La Vista remember. email: “Thank you, thebuy Monet in the bank.”

I Chums Au Revoir Mes Amis. blokes stuff: “Beer, it.”Hasta I is would be interested Knock knock.”

“Who’s there?” ntempt for your fellow man," the priest replied.

"Imagine that," theI drunk muttered.

He that her Economics degree wouldn’t land her a job. said: “Are you having a financial cry, and thus react through the agency of the to be outdone we not move, whilst we were both ofto course countered this with “There was really to know what our resident fashion columnist Molly nd Dr H to has trained her dog Daisy to bring her amesons, bottle of redabout wine. No surprise ld lady who?”

“Ilike had nothis idea urned reading his paper.

The priest, thinking what he had said, turned to the strong force.

The hadrons embrace Sis?” nk who smelled apriceless brewery got Dutton thinks about all blinding with science. no need to give me a impressionist ghing uncontrollably.

The lowing “Please he’s a Bordeaux collie.

I was satCustoms with SheObeyed Who Must Be day whilst baryons and many Trouble Inote: bravely told their She that she painting butdown thank youWho anyway.” n and apologised: "I'm sorry, I Be didn't mean toObeyed come the on other so strong.

How long have you had bus and sat next toMust aresonances.” priest. e bus, did is I the thencount, wantedmissed to knowMike what a quark was.

hritis?"

"I don't arthritis, Father," the drunk said, "but I just read in the paper that runk’s shirt washave stained, his face As we when people type n age sohave my observed tolerance CARDIFF TIMES 11 ullPope of bright hadMes Amis. does."red lipstick andAuhe Revoir as well as it used to -empty bottle of wine sticking out of asked to embrace new cket.with He opened histhere newspaper and been ying the drink, has always

Two Great Shows Coming to the New Theatre

BOOK NOW! 0343 310 0041 newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

Sun 02 OCT

Sun 06 NOV

SCAN HERE FOR TICKETS

FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER BOX OFFICE: 029

2022 4488

motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk Cardiff times MOM AEOB NT Cardiff LIM Motorpoint 090822.indd 1

12 CARDIFF TIMES

09/08/2022 15:29

Huge selection of designer frames for every budget from...

*

KEEPING YOU IN SIGHT FOR LIFE

59 Wellfield Road, Roath Park, Cardiff T: (029) 2047 1010 greenberg.co.uk

Pics for illustrative purposes only. All offers subject to availability, not exchangeable for cash & exclude all others. *Applies to sales over £290. 10% deposit, subject to status. Full written details on request. **1st pair over £60, 2nd pair up to £60. Same plastic single-vision prescription. Additional charges for premium lenses. Terms and conditions apply. ◆The NHS does not provide for sunglasses or for optional extras.***An up-to-date prescription will be required.

Our initial consultation of £55 (if applicable) will be payable only if you subsequently purchases lenses. Ask in-store for full details. †Most stock ranges of non-prescription sunglasses for a limited period. No VAT to pay, we’ll deduct the VAT from the RRP. ††While stocks last. Please ask in-store for details.

HEALTHIER MINDS STUDY BETTER MAINDY CENTRE

Accelerate your mind and body with a Better Student membership offering access to a wide range of fun and enjoyable activities.

Start your journey today at Maindy Centre, Crown Way, just off North Road

Join at better.org.uk/students

Join today!

Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398

CARDIFF TIMES 13

In The Words Of

by Carl Marsh

I won’t lose any sleep over it on your behalf.

But, if you have anything about yourself, please research what’s being pumped out by those in power or the media, as you might be surprised what lightbulb moment may occur in your brain.

Lastly, debates are good, but calling nasty names to someone like me is a bit schoolyard. I laugh as I did at school. The bully never won back then, nor will they ever do so now.

REVIEWS All of Us Are Dead - Netflix

Now humidity and heat aside these last few weeks, I want to set the record straight as I’ve been called several names on social media these last few weeks concerning my comments in this opening column. Granted, I am glad that people read my work, as all feedback is greatly appreciated. I don’t particularly enjoy being classed as a typical voter of the Tories, ignorant, or having no objective evidence to anything I write down. It’s fair to say that I am politically homeless. All Parties are the same when it all boils down to how “we” get taken for a ride regarding taxation, cuts to whatever public services, overcharging for this/that, and so on.

The cost of living is beyond a joke. Net Zero seeking is foolish when the average person has to consider if to eat or heat very soon; even in the summer, electricity costs are laughable. At least the shareholders of these companies are happy. The politicians live in cloud cuckoo land.

Granted, most of UK Labour’s MP’s come from working-class backgrounds, but the ones higher up, maybe not so… At least Wales breaks that mold. I can’t gel with the ones that we have here.

Then again, who can?

So, back to my opening lines about setting the record straight, my eyes and ears are open. My head is not buried in the sand now that many facts are coming out about “this or that”, and unlike most people, I refuse to follow “that” status quo. If you want to be told what to do by the media and government cronies, then yikes, 14 CARDIFF TIMES

Korean TV is getting better and better. Squid Game set the benchmark, and with a second season on its way and with many more TV shows from South Korea to choose from whilst I await the aforementioned sequel, All of Us Are Dead did the trick for me. I loved a Korean film from a few years back called Train to Busan: a zombie apocalypse film. All of Us Are Dead references this movie in a tongue-in-cheek way, as this is a TV series of a similar vein [pun intended], but with bits of dark humour thrown in by a few of the characters’ personality traits. Many people will listen to the dubbed version, but some will like to watch by reading the English subtitles. The first episode is a slow burn, but man, just wait…

INTERVIEWS It would be insane to try and get this month’s interview onto one page, so I have made Neil Warnock [ex-Cardiff City FC manager] a two-pager. I just had to. Ten pages would have sufficed, but that’s not doable. I met Neil in May for a face-to-face at St David’s Hall. The gig he is promoting is his night there on the 6th of September, which happens to be my Birthday!

Have a great September. See you all next month, Carl Marsh Twitter - @InTheWordsOf_CM YouTube - InTheWordsOf

One of football’s most entertaining managers has now retired from the game, and one who has ruffled feathers a lot during his time whilst also making us all fans; even some haters have now come to love him. I think he’s unique. Neil Warnock, ex-Cardiff City FC manager, sat with me for this extended chat ahead of his talking tour at St David’s Hall in Cardiff on Tuesday, September 6th.

Carl Marsh Are you sure that a couple of hours on the night to talk about your career is enough?

Neil Warnock I’m gonna have to cut it a few stories a bit short [Laughs], because, you know what I’m like, if I start talking about football, I never stop. So, since I’ve agreed to do these shows, it’s been great for me to think back of stories and then (by) talking to people, something else has triggered another story, you know, and so then I’m writing them down because, at my age, I forget everything.

So, I’m writing these stories, and it’s good to not just be about my time at Cardiff, but to think about the stories I had with (Arsene) Wenger, (Alex) Ferguson; even going back to the start of my career where I was at Notts County and, and I had a few luncheons with Brian Clough,” the” Brian Clough, who was my idol. So it’s going to be nice to be able to, you know, tell a few stories. I just want to make people laugh and find it an interesting evening.

Carl Marsh I’m sure there will be so many stories to tell because when I’ve always referred to real genuine managers of the football game, it’s been a case of there being Brian Clough, and then there is you next in line.

Neil Warnock That’s very good. I’m very honoured today. That’ll do me.

Carl Marsh But you come from that calibre, that stable of manager, no holds barred where you’ve got the experience and trust, but you also don’t take any nonsense.

Neil Warnock I think you’ve got to set your stall out. On the evening, I’ll be saying about how I learned a lesson at Gainsborough Trinity - early doors - where somebody tried to tell me who to pick in the side, and I realised at that early stage I’ve got to do my own thing if I want to survive. I’ve learned that all the time.

What I’ve tried to do, wherever I’ve gone, is that I’ve tried to leave the club in a better place. I think that’s all you can do as a manager; you’ll make mistakes. But I think if you can leave the club in a better place. And I believe that I’ve done that everywhere I’ve gone.

Carl Marsh And can you believe that you’ve managed 1,602/1,603 games?

Neil Warnock 1,603 [Laughter] Carl Marsh Of course, you’d know! [Laughter] I can’t see it being beaten, can you?

Neil Warnock I can’t see it now. No disrespect to any manager now, but with the likes of yourself, social media, etc. Everybody’s an expert now. Everybody picks the team better than you.

Everybody does substitutions better than you. When I first started. I wanted two or three years to build a club. Now you get two or three months. So, when I look back at my days at Scarborough and if you’d told me that I would have been breaking a record, well… But now, I just can’t see it being beaten. I thought when I got to my 1000th game; that was at the Emirates against Wenger, I never thought I’d end up on 1,603! It’s amazing. My Dad and Mum would be ever so proud of where I am and what I’ve done, but I’ve enjoyed it. I enjoyed it. And as you know, the way I manage. I’ve had ups and downs, confrontations etc.

But what I think gives me a lot of pride is when I’ve gone to a club, and people have said, “Well, I didn’t like you, Warnock, before you came here, but I’m glad you’re here now!”.

[Laughs] I think that’s about the best compliment I could get.

[Laughter] Carl Marsh Regarding the referees currently, do you think they have been put on pedestals too highly, and how much is due to the TV money and the Premiership over the years?

Neil Warnock I think it’s how they are. They have an ego; my dad used to be a top referee and said, “I know I’ve had a good game when nobody mentions me”. Whereas it’s almost like they have to be mentioned to justify the position, I’ve never been a big fan of Mike Riley, who’s in charge now. I had him referee me when I was playing at Hartlepool, no sorry, managing, I was managing, and I never forget when he ran away at the end of the game as he’d seen me. I had to chase him over a car park! [Laughs] But you know, he was what they call it now: a robot referee. He knew the rules inside out, but he had no feeling about common sense and talking to people, and that’s how these referees are a lot of the time. In fact, the only one coming through these last couple of years has been a lad called (Jarred) Gillet, and he’s from Australia! He’s come over here, and the nearest one I’ve had that’s going to be a top-class referee.

CARDIFF TIMES 15

Carl Marsh

Neil Warnock

Have there ever been occasions where you’ve had to change your squad’s tactics or lineup once you’d known who the upcoming game’s referee was to be, knowing of past dealings or conflicts you’d had with him?

No. No, you wouldn’t find referees in the places I go to.

People will have to have a personality where I go.

Neil Warnock Not really because I’d been doing that every week [Laughter]. I mean, I used to obviously ask my secretary to tell me on a Monday who we’d got on Saturday and then I’d remember when he refereed in (a particular game). You know I had a couple of run-ins with certain referees, such as when I was Sheffield Utd’s manager, and Graham Poll [referee] in the semi-final had intercepted a ball which ended up being a winning goal, which nowadays would not have been allowed as the rule would have changed now. And then with Craig Pawson, I’ve had two games against Chelsea.

I think I’ve been fined about 30 grand altogether! I didn’t realise the second time I got fined that Craig Pawson had fined me.

I remember at (Crystal) Palace saying [post-match TV interview], “We had a lad booked early doors. And then John Terry did a worse foul. And he didn’t book him. John Terry puts his arm around Pawson and they get away with it.”

And I said, “Look, had that been one of my lads, he would have, been booked.” I think that was 15 grand [Laughs].

Somewhere like that.

Carl Marsh And with any of these referees, have you bumped into any of them since you’ve left the game or when you’ve done any TV or radio punditry?

16 CARDIFF TIMES

Carl Marsh At Cardiff, you had the awful tragedy of Emiliano Sala’s death in that plane crash. What convinced you not to walk away from football then, as I know you’d considered it?

Neil Warnock It was probably the most difficult period because it brought home that football wasn’t just a game, you know. But, looking back, there were periods... It was very difficult as I had to run the whole club. All the players and fans were devastated.

So I had to take over at a time when I needed help as well.

At the time, you probably didn’t realise that you needed help and to talk to somebody, but it was a difficult period. Because I was convinced from a personal point of view that he would have got us the goals that would have kept us up.

So that’s why, you know, from a footballing side but from a family point of view, having met his mom, dad and sister, it was a difficult time because he could have been anybody.

He could have been our son. To have a life cut short like that.

The fans were brilliant at the games after that. I remember thinking we went to Arsenal or somewhere, and they were just fantastic. That’s probably as bad a time in football. I didn’t do anything for about a week and didn’t even want to.

I wasn’t bothered by anything. I would have called it a day if I had felt like that much longer.

Neil Warnock - St David’s Hall - September 6th

TICKETS SELLING FAST, FROM £35

FEAT. AJ TRACEY LIVE

ROUND

01

KEN ROCZEN

WORLD SUPERCROSS BRITISH GP SAT 8TH OCTOBER

2021 FIM Wsx NO. 02

PRINCIPALITY STADIUM

CARDIFF

BOOK NOW AT LIVENATION.CO.UK SCAN FOR TICKETS & EVENT INFO!

Viney Hearing Care

How do you clean your ears?

In my years of being a Hearing Audiologist I have been told many stories about what people clean their ears with from the everyday cotton swabs to pens, paperclips, hair grips, glasses arms, car keys. I’m sure nearly everyone reading this is guilty of sticking something in their ears they are not supposed to so I’m going to explain why the old wives tale ‘nothing smaller than your elbow’ is so true.

Our ears are designed by nature to be both self-cleaning and self-protecting and that’s why by using the wrong cleaning methods, you risk causing injury to the ears, damaging your hearing or even causing infections.

Earwax (also called cerumen) is necessary for the ear's self-cleaning mechanism to work properly. Earwax is manufactured by glands in the skin of the outer ear canal, the hole through which sound travels to the eardrum. Earwax serves several important functions. It coats the skin of the ear canal, repelling water and helping to protect it against injury and infection. It also helps to keep the skin inside the ears from

FREE hearing tests & advice with the latest diagnostic equipment FREE demontrations of the newest hearing aid technology

getting dry and itchy. In addition, earwax traps dust and germs, keeping them from reaching the eardrum. Usually, you don't need to do anything to help this natural cleaning process unless you suffer from an impaction that may have to be removed.

Trying to forcibly remove the ear's protective wax layer or stop an itch can damage the delicate skin of the ear canal or puncture (put a hole in) the eardrum.

This can increase your risk of infection and lead to a permanent hearing loss needing either surgery or a hearing aid to correct the

impairment. So it is best to leave the inside of your ear alone and not disturb its natural environment. This means no cotton swabs, no fingers and certainly no sharp objects, keep your hair grips for holding your hair back and keep your car keys for unlocking your car!

The ear canal is narrow and curved, consequently some people are susceptible to getting blockages of wax, skin, foreign objects, debris from infection. If a blockage is present you may notice your hearing seems, dull, there may be a ringing sound in your ears, your ears may feel full become itchy or ache. If this is the case you will need to have it professionally removed.

Although there are several methods to clean your ears such as syringing, sprays and drops, Microsuction is renowned as the most efficient and the safest. It is highly recommended by GP’s, audiologists and ENT consultants. Microsuction of an ear canal is performed under direct vision using a microscope. The ear canal is cleared using gentle suction, proving to be the most effective way to clean the ears reducing all risks of infection.

Viney Hearing Care

FREE Micro-Suction and

...introducing Micro-Suction The safest way to clean your ears

Viney Hearing Care is now the first hearing centre in Swansea to Thursday 29th September offer Micro-Suction, the SAFEST way to remove wax. No more ear FREE lifetime Normal cost £55 syringing necessary, there is no aftercare service Call today as there are longer any need to pump water into limited spaces Micro-Suction wax the ear to remove wax. It is performed removal. The safest under direct vision using a microscope way to remove wax using gentle suction and instruments to clean the ears. The ear canal is narrow and curved and can become blocked with: wax, skin, debris from infection and Service, repair and foreign objects. This can cause your hearing to become dull and the quickest relief is calibration of ANY microsuction. If you are having problems and dull hearing, itchy ears, blocked feeling, it hearing aid could be wax blocking your ear canals.

Come and have a FREE ear health check to determine if wax is the problem.

Video Otoscopy We will use a fibre optic camera to view and assess the condition of the fibre optic camera ear canal and ear drum. If we find that the ears are blocked with wax, to show the microsuction is the safest way to remove it. condition of the ear Speech Analysis - testing how well your hearing aids allow you to hear speech

18 CARDIFF TIMES

Ear Health Check Day

02920 250121

www.vineyhearingcare.co.uk Viney Hearing Centre, 66 Merthyr Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1DJ

STRONGER, SAFER SWIMMERS START EARLY. Your local Better leisure centre gives your child the swimming confidence and safety skills needed for lifelong fun in, on and around the water.

Join the UK’s leading Swim School at better.org.uk/lessons Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no.

27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398

CARDIFF TIMES 19

Grow Up! Growing Up. Grown Up? (Childhood Part 2)

by Sara John

Last month I wrote an article recalling memories of my childhood from very long ago and promising to report about what happened next for me.

In truth not much for ages and ages.

When it came to trying on my summer dresses, when I was 6, 7 or 8, to find out if they still fitted me and would ‘do’ for another year, I was accused of growing ‘fast’. I did not really know very much about anything then anyway, but I did care. I dearly wanted to be grown up. I still do. Fast was not fast enough. I wanted black velvet dresses with straps, and nothing pink, peach or lemon. I loved dark purple. The answer to that was always ‘no, do not be so silly’.

Older relatives frequently mentioned, perhaps after going for a longer than usual walk, that their legs were tired. If I said the same about my thin little legs, they told me I had ‘growing pains’. Then I would go and look at myself in the long wardrobe mirror in my parents’ bedroom in case I could actually see if any part of me was growing.

I realised without being able to explain to anyone that the growing measurements could only be ascertained in relation to something which was stable and stayed stable; such as the hooks on the back of the bathroom door, the low garden wall at my grandparents’ house, the hall light switches which I was frequently sent to switch on in the early evenings.

Slowly, too slowly for my looking anyway, I could see that

20 CARDIFF TIMES

these fixtures were truly ‘fixed’. But I was not!

That must mean I was growing up. In addition, I could spell words of increasing length and complexity. I understood that the bits of the words were called syllables. This is where my devoted companion of those times comes in, Rupert Bear.

With my father’s patience and Rupert’s adventures, my little life was moving on. On most evenings while my mother was sewing, I would clamber on my father’s lap clutching my Rupert Bear Annual, open ready at the page where we left off the evening before. I learned to read the couplets under the illustrations, while my father read to me the text lower down the page.

In the 1950s there were few books available for children, many were quite expensive so were only bought for birthday or Christmas presents. I made paper covers for my books from leftover wallpaper (pretty terrible bedroom wallpaper at that), so that they stayed immaculate. I was an only child and children with brothers and sisters were I thought at a disadvantage, namely having younger siblings with coloured pencils, or even worse crayons, helping themselves to blank parts of books that did not belong to them! And drawing on them!

Books were my companions. Quite soon I was asking where the books came from, how did they put the pages together, who did the drawings? It meant that I was at last actually growing and gaining confidence.

I started ‘using’ my mother’s treadle sewing machine, the first item I made by machine was from brown sateen lining, it was an evening dress with one shoulder, it was for my teddy bear. His name was Colin, so no further comment! I was loaned my father’s best fountain pen so that I could copy the alphabet in copperplate on the lines below his example.

Then he taught me the Greek alphabet as well. On holidays decades later, that saved an hour’s walk back to our hotel after going to the local town, as we managed to board the correct and very local bus.

I devoured reading books passed on from older distant cousins. Old enough to be sent to collect my grandparents’ pensions and by now being tall enough to see over the counter, but below the brass mesh separating Mr Rowlands J.P. the Post Master (bow tie, rimless glasses, immaculate shirt and well-tailored three-piece suit) and his assistants (blouse, with brooch at the neck, and skirt possibly pre-war, cardigan in cold weather, permed hair – definitely pre-war).

Here I spotted a treasure!

A large, heavy black book was in constant use, and when not being used was kept carefully closed. It reminded me of family bibles but was half the size. When in use, opened on the counter, every cardboard page had its own allocated sheet, a whole sheet of stamps with each sheet in a different and wonderful colour. They were carefully torn off along a run of holes, later in life known to me as perforations. Just imagine having a book like that of your very own!

I had begun sewing when I was very small so by this time, at eight or nine years old I was able to measure, use a set square, a pair of compasses, scissors, cut paper, fabric, use sticky tape, and so on. My very good idea, so I thought, was that I would make a book like that for myself.

The box room might have been short of boxes then, but I managed to collect all I needed. I began making my very own big book of stamps. I did not know how the colours of the stamps and their differing monetary values were worked out. So I just made it up. Then, with lots of stamps drawn in rows and coloured in, I came up against a serious problem.

On a par, I realised many years later, with ‘Houston, we have a problem’. Well it was to me then anyway.

How do I make those small perforations? Watching my mother one evening undoing a stitched seam on satin material, she found that the holes made by her machine’s needle (should have been changed for a thinner one) showed up clearly. Her problem became my solution! It was a memorable moment for me because the unfortunate holes in her fabric became the answer for the required holes on my paper, for the sheets of coloured stamps. I recall thinking and knowing this was a moment which I would have over and over again in my yet to be grown up life. When I told my father he said it was being ‘resourceful’. That word frequently came up on my annual reports later on in my world of work.

My coloured sheets of stamps were soon under the needle and my small foot, the right one, was on the treadle. I was too small to sit at the machine, so I just stood up. One foot on the floor and one on the footplate working it back and fore.

I knew I wanted to do something in my life that involved measuring, pasting, colouring, and wearing a flowered smock. And not having plaited hair and hair ribbons or ankle socks.

As a child, for many years an aunt very kindly crocheted my socks. My life was like constantly walking on a sharp

CARDIFF TIMES 21

gravelled drive! My mother warned me not to say anything!

By then I had to explain to my mother that I was 14 and many of my friends were already wearing nylons.

By now, times were getting better, but adults were discussing something called the Cost of Living and how it was going ‘UP’. I assumed that was to do with going ‘UP’ to heaven, I also assumed there could not be any alternative. Dying as a topic was not discussed in front of children so when I overheard my mother discuss the funeral costs of a distant relative with an aunt, she mentioned the Cost of Dying and how it was rising. By this time I was totally confused. You have to pay to die? At this time of course I believed that you did not have to pay for food in the Co-operative. You had a book and a number and the person behind the counter had to write things in your book with a pencil and carbon paper.

I was sometimes given some of the magic paper to take home, it must have been ‘off ration’.

from later daily visits to groups of Victorian school buildings, called going to school as a ‘scholar’ (that is what we were called then) after various Education Acts, and being controlled by strict but devoted teachers.

Within the wider world of the Valleys we had a great deal to choose from: 1. Mrs Lane, who as a Sunday School teacher, was responsible for the youngest class but with the most pupils.

She had a special fluffy/sticky board standing on a shelf in the school room of the church and had a collection of coloured sticky cut outs of characters and animals to illustrate her stories.

2. Chapel anniversaries being celebrated with the Sunday School classes on stage singing, reciting and performing ‘action songs’.

By the last few years of the 1950s, well after the Coronation, living standards had much improved. It was noticeable and measurable even for a child to observe. Shop windows were ‘dressed’ again. Coupons for food had disappeared. The Christmas festivities had regained their dignity.

3. Short junior school plays performed in the hall for all the other classes to see. In Standard Two I was Cinderella and there were unpleasant scenes from the two ugly sisters (should have been played by two boys not two girls), regarding who was The Leading Lady. It was me! Both my father and mam-gu said so. So there.

I was frequently asked as a ten/twelve/ fourteen-year-old, ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ What I ‘wanted’ to be had no name that I knew. What I became ten years later was beyond my clouded dreams, so long ago.

4. Churches’ and chapels’ drama societies with regular public performances of popular plays.

But what happened in between? I have thought about this and have recalled the ‘influences’ that helped my journey,

22 CARDIFF TIMES

5. Regular Music Hall in the Empire in Tonypandy, including dancers, singers, musicians, conjurors, animal acts, comedians and acrobats.

6. A memorable occasion was when I was taken to hear Sir John Barbirolli conducting The Halle Orchestra in the Park and Dare Hall in Treorchy.

on, I was better able to look ahead in my schoolwork to decide on the best subjects for my Plan of Life. It was not fully formed.

7. The Pentre Operatic Society performed in the Grand Theatre in Pentre each year. I recall some of the names of their productions: Naughty Marietta, Belle of New York, Waltz Time, Duchess of Danzig, The New Moon and The Bohemian Girl.

I did not have enough information. But it was forming. My grandfather always watched The Brains Trust in the early years of television. A regular was a lady lecturing at The London School of Economics, her name was Marghanita Laski. Her jet black hair in a bun, her cigarette in a very long cigarette holder, her dresses were very plain, elegant and beautiful with no jewellery. I could nearly follow her contributions to the discussions, and she spoke beautifully, was strong, articulate and clearly very confident. I was aware (by now I am in Grammar school) that when she spoke, the other panellists, all gentlemen, stayed quiet. I doubt I had ever witnessed that before!

8. Drama competitions in the Workmen’s Hall.

The competitors came from Drama Societies from across Glamorgan. I went each night of that week with my grandmother. One year the plays were, Love in the Mist, The Ghost Train, The Seventh Veil, The Trial of Mary Duggan, and Johnny Belinda, which won the competition. It was brilliant. (It was the basis many years later for ‘Children of a Lesser God’ which I was lucky to see on Broadway). If you ask which was better, for me with decades between the two events, they were both top class.

From time to time we travelled further afield – Pontypridd, Cardiff, Swansea. But for a child then I was satisfied going to Treorchy, to the Park and Dare Theatre, going to Noddfa Welsh Baptist Chapel, also in Treorchy, that had enough seating for an audience of close to 1470. These venues were very very large and beautiful. Although not theatres, the performances therein seemed to me theatrical, overwhelming, joyful. Everything was very very loud. It was wonderful.

Gradually I was, by being exposed to so much drama, music, song, culture, books, libraries, local art exhibitions and so

The next few years were all about exposure. Challenging literature, daily gym and good levels of fitness, tackling difficult subjects, more and more mathematics, and later on choices of subjects that for many of us were the tickets to later successes.

These childhood influences definitely affected my later life choices.

Next time, there is more about what came next, meeting and working with Richard Burton, Tessie O’Shea, Ken Dodd, Glyn Houston, Sir Clifford Evans, Max Boyce, Sian Phillips, Joan Collins, Dennis Price, the entire cast of Dad’s Army, and Lord Charles with Ray Alan.

And a true tale about naughty Emu and my friend Wanda.

CARDIFF TIMES 23

• Curtians, Blinds & Electric system options available.

• Re-Upholstery • Interior Consultation.

15% DISCOUNT ON CURTAINS UNTIL 22ND MARCH- LIMITED TIME ONLY!

LUXURY LIVING, ALL INCLUSIVE CARE

Tŷ Llandaff is a private residential and nursing home situated in Pontcanna, a leafy suburb of Cardiff.

The home provides exceptional levels of residential and nursing care in an all-inclusive, luxury environment. Our focus is on creating a home-from-home for our residents, offering first-rate accommodation and superb facilities in beautiful surroundings.

Our All-Inclusive Features Include: En-suite Luxury Accommodation • Around the Clock Care • Hair Salon & Spa Area Café Bar • Chauffeur Driven Car and Mini Bus • Celebrations Room • Resident Chef Private and Secure Gardens • Full Activities Programme

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

T: 02920 600 100

E: info@tyllandaffcare.com | www.tyllandaffcare.com NURSING

|

RESIDENTIAL

|

RESPITE CARE

CARDIFF TIMES 27

cost of living 138x192mm.indd 1

10/08/2022 15:16

Your Lawyers, For Life

Because life is rarely child’s play.

At Harding Evans, our team of experienced and friendly solicitors are here to help you with any legal support you may need, for the good times and the bad.

Residential Property Wills and Probate Family and Matrimonial Dispute Resolution

Personal Injury Medical Negligence Employment Law Debt Recovery

Get in touch: 13 Merthyr Road Whitchurch CF14 1DA 029 2267 6818 hello@hevans.com hardingevans.com

CARDIFF TIMES 29

Start a chain reaction of kindness

by Natalie McCulloch

It is said that “the best things in life are free”; one local man who is determined to demonstrate this is Mike Jones who is on a mission to make the most of unwanted bikes and bike parts people may have lying around.

Mike who is more commonly known as ‘Puffa Jones’ sums his mission up perfectly by stating “‘don’t scrap old bikes’ I’m trying to get recycled bikes to deserving kids in need…because every child should own a bike.”

Many of us will have happy memories of riding a bike, or getting our first bike, as a youngster, but why is riding a bike so important to children and families?

• It gets them away from screens and out enjoying fresh air and soaking up vitamin D • It helps them to build muscles and strong bones and improve coordination and balance • It can reduce anxiety, agitation and stress

30 CARDIFF TIMES

• It can increase confidence with a new skill set mastered • Its fun and free to have a day out once you’ve got a bike to ride!

These are just a few! Perhaps you could add more?!

Mike/Puffa Jones is a keen mud cyclist himself alongside being a father, grandfather, and full-time carer for his wife. When he ended his IT career spanning over 23 years to care for his wife who was unwell, he decided he would like a small project to do in his free time, from his home. So, 3 years ago he set up his ‘shedquarters’ and began work repairing old bikes. Mike comments that the project has ‘grown beyond expectations’ and that it has helped his own mental wellbeing too.

So far over 2000 bikes have been repaired and rehomed putting smiles on thousands of families faces nationwide and provide such a well-loved pastime to those who may otherwise struggle to finance one.

Although he is based In Newport, Mikes bikes go around the globe supporting those most in need.

may have never owned a bike of their own.

Bikes are gifted for free. Once repaired people can ask for a free safety helmet too.

Cardiff Times has been a keen follower of Mike on Twitter and as fate would have it, the Editor’s son had his bike stolen. Unfortunately, the insurance did not cover the bike theft, so Mike has been so kind to offer a replacement.

Louise says, ‘When something unfortunate happens in life it is reassuring to know there are always good people out there like Mike to restore that balance of good. Mike’s dedication, time and generosity is making such a positive impact to children who may never own a bike.

I know I speak on behalf of everyone that Mike has helped, in saying, we cannot thank you enough.’

If you have any unused bikes you would like to donate or bike parts/maintenance products, please contact Mike on Twitter (@PuffaJones) or Instagram @puffajones75 and he’ll give you the delivery information.

Let us start a chain reaction of kindness from a wheelie great idea!

Bikes have gone to NHS keyworkers, foster homes, charities, community groups, social work referred families and more.

22 schools have received free bikes and helmets and more on his waiting list.

This inspirational project has had support from some biking organisations but needs community support so if you can consider helping that would be brilliant.

How can you help?

• By donating money - Donations would be used to buy maintenance products for the bikes, parts and also fuel so if needs be Mike can pick up and drop bikes off himself • By donating bike accessories or even better an unwanted bike – any standard will be appreciated With your help and kindness these unwanted bikes can be rescued and given to a child that CARDIFF TIMES 31

THE PUMPING STATION

ANTIQUES & INTERIORS

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.

info@thepumpingstation-cardiff.co.uk

02920 221 085

Monday to Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm Penarth Road, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF11 8TT

GARY PINKARD VEHICLE REPAIRS

·

· · · ·



 GERALD COUNSELL  INTERIOR PAINTER  & DECORATOR

SERVICING BRAKES CLUTCH DIAGNOSTICS M.O.T PREP

02920 490212 07875 077294

www.pinkardvehiclerepairs.com 24 Russell Street, Roath, Cardiff 32 CARDIFF TIMES

 

Autumn at the Sherman Theatre Cymru This autumn, Sherman Theatre is home to an exciting season of drama. Back by popular demand following smash hit performances in 2020, Tylwyth returns to the Sherman in September. A decade on from the trailblazing and award-winning Llwyth, Aneurin, Rhys, Gareth and Dada return in Daf James’s witty and provocative commentary on contemporary Welsh life.

In October the Sherman will be staging their joyous new production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Artistic Director Joe Murphy.

Two of Wales’ most exciting writers, Mari Izzard and Sherman Writer in Residence Nia Morais, will offer fresh new perspectives on this evergreen classic with newly written adaptations in the Welsh language, creating a rich bilingual theatre experience. Welsh language dialogue will be captioned in English as part of the production at all performances.

The production promises all of the magic you might expect from A Midsummer Night’s Dream whilst offering new insights and opportunities to think about our world now. Nia Morais said “I have always wanted to work on a Shakespeare production. Adapting has been an exciting challenge and I can’t wait to watch the show!”

Mari Izzard added “I knew that there was a beautiful bilingual version waiting to be explored inside this tale that we all know and love. I’m so excited to be bringing this to life with Nia and the team!”

The Sherman is home to Cardiff’s finest family entertainment at Christmas time and this year is no different. In the Sherman’s Main House, audiences will join Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel in a brand new adventure, as they’re transported from Edwardian Cardiff to the magical fairy tale world of the Brothers Grimm.

Hannah McPake’s new reimagining of the Tales of the Brothers Grimm is perfect for audiences aged 7+. For younger audiences, Sherman Theatre’s Christmas show for ages 3-6 gives children across Cardiff and South Wales their first taste of theatre.

This year, Elgan Rhys’s new telling of the Goldilocks story is the perfect show to introduce children to the magic of theatre. The production is performed in Welsh and English at separate performances as Elen Benfelen and Goldilocks.

With the price of everything seeming to be going up at the moment, the Sherman wants to ensure that the cost of tickets is in reach of as many people as possible. Under 25s can see Tylwyth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream or Tales of the Brothers Grimm for half price. The Sherman have also introduced a new scheme, Pay What You Can Previews, which will allow audiences to choose how much they are able to pay for tickets for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Elen Benfelen / Goldilocks and Tales of the Brothers Grimm.

CARDIFF TIMES 33

Johnny Owen: The Merthy Matchstick Part Two

Johnny Owen wasted no time in getting back into the ring. It was vital that the Welshman notch up a number of wins to ensure that he can once again get a crack at the European bantamweight crown. On the 19th of April 1979 the Welshman faced Lee Graham at the National Sporting Club in Piccadilly, London. Graham came with a record of 24 fights; winning 5, losing 14, with 5 drawn. The reigning British and Commonwealth king romped home outpointing Graham over 8 rounds. The very busy Owen put on the gloves once more and at the Sports Centre in Pontypool on the 10th of May 1979 he faced Frenchman Guy Caudron who knew his way around the ring having participated in 49 bouts: winning 35, losing 11, with 3 drawn. Caudron had previously challenged twice for the European bantamweight crown but was unsuccessful on both occasions. Caudron’s first attempt at the European title took place on the 2nd of February 1972 in Barcelona, Spain against the defending champion Agustin Senin which resulted in a 15-round points defeat. Then on the 4th of October 1974 he once again paid a visit to Spain to contest the then vacant European crown.

His opponent being Bob Allotey. Any hopes that Caudron may have had of winning the title on his second attempt were dashed when Allotey was awarded a 15-round points decision. In his contest with Owen, Caudron proved tricky and showed his vast experience after mixing with a number of top men in the division. A win against the Welshman would put the French fighter in a good position to once again go for the European crown. When the bell sounded to end the Owen-Caudron contest the Welshman showed his ring maturity to score a 10-round points decision.

Owen later put his British and Commonwealth titles on the line on the 13th of June 1979 at the Double Diamond Club in Caerphilly. The challenger was Dave Smith, a man whom Owen had already defeated in 1978 and was once again expected to repeat the victory. Smith now had a resume of 14 bouts: with 10 wins, 3 defeats and 1 draw. Owen racked up another win when he stopped Smith in round 12 of 15.

The Welshman’s next contest took place at the St. Andrews Sporting Club in Glasgow on the 17th of September 1979.

Owen met with yet another former opponent in the shape of Neil McLaughlin who had shared the ring with the Welshman on three other occasions drawing once and being outpointed twice. McLaughlin now had a slate of 17 fights: winning 5, losing 10, with 2 drawn. This looked a sure fight win for Owen and so it proved when he won a 10 round points decision over his opponent. Looking at the situation realistically the recent victories by Owen was not likely to be a great cause of concern for the fighters at the top of the tree. They were not going to lose any sleep, since the men Owen had defeated were not considered to be dangerous fighters. However, the Welshman was edging his way towards them slowly but surely and learning in each fight he participated in. Owen’s next opponent was the American Jose Luis Garcia who had competed on 15 occasions: winning 7, and losing 8. The visitor did not

34 CARDIFF TIMES

by Ralph Oates

represent any kind of threat to Owen. The Welshman was clearly on another level to his opponent and had the skills to send Garcia back to the USA with another defeat on his record. The Owen-Garcia bout took place on the 4th of October 1979 at the Leisure Centre in Ebbw Vale. On the night Owen sent his fans home happy when he maintained his winning streak stopping his opponent in round 5 of 10.

It was all looking good for the Welshman who was getting better and better in every bout. Davey Vasquez, another fighter from the USA, was the next man to step into the ring with Owen on the 29th of November 1979 in a fight which took place at the Leisure Centre in Ebbw Vale. Vasquez had a record of 31 fights: winning 19 and losing 12. Owen looked odds on once again to have a victory added to his record. However, he had to ensure that he concentrated fully on the job in hand and not assume it would be an easy night’s work. Many a fighter had slipped up in the past when taking on an assignment which turned out to be a nightmare. Owen however did not fall into that trap and boxed with complete confidence outpointing his man over 10 rounds. Make no mistake at this stage Owen was looking really special confirming his right to be ranked highly in the world ratings. Owen took to the ring at the National Sporting Club in Piccadilly, London on the 22nd of January 1980 to meet fellow Welshman Glynne Davies in a bout set for the duration of 8 rounds. Davies had taken part in 60 contests during his career of which he won 29, lost 25 and drew 6. So, Davies was far from a novice, and it was felt that he would extend Owen a little. The fight however was not a challenging one for Owen. The reigning British and Commonwealth king won when Davies retired in round 5.

It was time now for Owen to face the only fighter who had defeated him in the professional ranks; that man being Juan Franciso Rodriguez of Italy. This was the fight the Welshman wanted, a fight he badly needed. Rodriguez had outpointed Owen over 15 rounds in 1979 in defence of the European bantamweight title a bout which took place in Spain. The result caused a degree of controversy when it was felt that the Welshman was more than unlucky not to have been given the decision. Now it was time to put the record straight, this time the fight was on Owen’s home turf. Rodriguez was once again putting the European title on the line. The distance of European title fights had now been reduced from 15 to 12 rounds. Rodriguez’s record now stood at 20 fights consisting of 14 wins, 3 defeats, 2 drawn and 1 no contest. At the Leisure Centre in Ebbw Vale on the 28th of February 1980 Owen became the new king of Europe when he clearly outpointed the Spanish fighter to take the title. Owen became the first UK boxer in the division to hold this championship since Johnny Clark who reigned from 1973-1974. This victory over Rodriguez gave Owen’s claim for a world title shot a massive boost.

Owen had to take care of business on the home front before stepping up for a world championship shot. John Feeney, undefeated in 18 bouts, was the next to challenger

Johnny Owen third left. Image by Derek Rowe.

for Owen’s British and Commonwealth titles. Feeney was not going to be an easy fight since he was ambitious and had every intention of defeating Owen. The championship bout was scheduled for 15 and since European title fights were fought over the duration of 12 rounds the continental crown was not at stake in this meeting between the two.

The venue for the contest was the Empire Pool, Wembley, London. Feeney fought well showing fine ring skills but Owen always had the edge. The fight went the full distance on the 28th of June 1980. Owen emerged the victor on points to retain his titles and thus won the Lonsdale belt outright. In so doing the Welshman also confirmed his position as a world title challenger. (Feeney would at a later stage win the British bantamweight title on two occasions).

The time had now come for Owen to box for the WBC world championship of the world. The man he was to face was Mexican Lupe Pintor, an excellent title holder who would be hard to remove from the throne. Pintor had fought a number of top-class fighters to reach the top and hence won the title on the 3rd of June 1979 from holder Carlos Zarate winning a 15-round points decision. In his first defence which took place on the 9th of February 1980 Pintor retained his crown when he stopped challenger Alberto Sandoval in round 12 of 15. The second defence saw him travel to Tokyo in Japan where Pintor faced home fighter Japan Eijiro Murata.

The Mexican retained the crown by way of a draw over 15 rounds. Pintor would be going up against Owen with a resume of 48 fights: winning 42, losing 5 and drawing 1. The last British fighter to challenge for the world bantamweight crown was Alan Rudkin who challenged undisputed title

holder Ruben Olives at the Inglewood on the 12th of December 1969. Rudkin failed in his attempt when he was knocked out in the second stanza. The Owen-Pintor bout took place on the 19th of September 1980 in the USA at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. (At the time the WBA holder of the title was Julian Solis of Puerto Rico). Owen knew that the task at hand would be difficult, but he was confident that he had the ability to bring the title home. The Welshman was the underdog in the scheduled 15-round fight but he surprised many when he started fast giving the Mexican problems. The Welshman was taking the fight to the champion scoring with good jabs and looked to be edging in front. However, as the fight went on Pintor started to get on top and in the 8th round floored Owen for a count. The challenger got to his feet and bravely fought on hoping to turn the tide but in the 12th round the contest came to a sudden close when Owen was knocked out.

The fight proved tragic for the Welshman when he was carried from the ring on a stretcher and taken to Hospital.

Sadly, Owen failed to regain consciousness and later died.

This was heart breaking for all concerned. The news was devastating, too hard to believe. Owen was a well-liked and respected man. A credit to boxing both inside and outside of the ring. He was a dedicated athlete who gave so much to the sport both amateur and professional. A man who highlighted everything that was good in the world of boxing.

A statue was later unveiled of Owen in his hometown of Merthyr. Today Johnny Owen is still remembered and will be so for many years to come, he left boxing with a record of 28 fights: consisting of 25 wins, 2 defeats, with 1 draw.

CARDIFF TIMES 35

WELSH DIVING

NEW ADVENTURE! Why not try a new hobby this spring by learning to scuba dive?

bubbles illustration: @upklyak/freepik

Welsh Diving is a PADI Five Star Scuba Diving School and Instructor Development Centre.

We provide courses from complete beginner to professional dive instructor. From ages 8 years to adults For more information please contact: kmartin@welshdiving.co.uk m 07753 691794

LEARN THE GAME OF BRIDGE AT CARDIFF BRIDGE CLUB

Anyone can learn to play bridge – you don’t have to be Warren Buffet(left) or Bill Gates (right)!

We all understand the need to keep physically active throughout our lifetime. But keeping mentally active is equally important. The game of bridge can keep us challenged mentally and also provides good social interaction with like-minded people.

There are many aspects to the game of bridge which all contribute to the continued fascination. Anyone can learn to play bridge and our bridge courses have been developed and refined by the English Bridge Union over the last 40 years.

At Cardiff Bridge club, our bridge teachers are both experienced bridge players and fully qualified bridge teachers dedicated to helping you achieve your goal of becoming an active participant in your local bridge playing community.

Cardiff Bridge club is an excellent venue for bridge teaching, spacious with good presentation facilities and other technologically advanced teaching aids.

There are many bridge clubs in the South Wales area to choose from and you can play bridge at a local club every day of the week, weekend tournaments and you can enjoy a wide range of bridge holidays and cruises. In addition, you can play “online” 24x7x365!

To find out more, book onto our free Bridge “taster” Session to be held at Cardiff Bridge Club on Wednesday 14th September 2022 at 14:00hrs. Or just book-up for the first or second terms (each 10 weeks) starting on Wednesday 21st September 2022 13:30-15:30hrs and 16:0018:00hrs respectively.

The course fee for each course is £190 which includes “Beginning Bridge” course documentation. You also will receive associate membership of Penylan Bowling & Cardiff Bridge Club so you can enjoy all our club’s facilities. For more information or to book the course or the free “taster” session please email: teaching@cardiffbridgeclub.org or phone Sarah Amos on 07930 503746.

Penylan Bowling & Cardiff Bridge Club, Marlborough Road, Cardiff CF23 5BU CARDIFF TIMES 37

Fashion Done Your Own Way

by Molly Dutton

Festival season has fallen upon us and, if you’re anything like me, you’re extremely unprepared.

However, do not fear, because if I have made it through a five-day festival with little preparation, so can you. Sixteen-year-old me would have shuddered if she’d heard that I had jetted off to Boardmasters having packed a mere twelve hours before attending; a couple of years ago, the outfits would have been neatly laid out in the spare room weeks prior to the big event. But, that’s not how it goes when you live in two different locations and haven’t sat down in four months so I’m here to tell you all about what you need to get through the upcoming season of mud, glitter and extreme heat. If you’ve never heard of Boardmasters before, it is a huge music festival in Newquay Cornwall filled with all sorts of music genres and events that can be enjoyed by everyone, families and teens alike.

The beauty of the festival lies in its location; essentially right on the edge of the beach, fitting in perfectly with the surf aesthetic that the name lends itself to. Before this weekend, I had never attended a festival before and due to the incredibly busy schedule I have taken on this summer, I didn’t have much time to get myself sorted. I have now learnt a lot from the experience, as to what you should bring and what you can probably leave at home (you can thank me later).

Packing light is probably the most important thing I could recommend for all of you festival goers this year, especially given the heatwave we seem to have been experiencing for some time. This can be helped greatly by your choice of bag; I chose a camping/hiking bag

to stuff all of my things into as they are designed to assist you when carrying your items (the tents are not very close to the entrance unless you’re extremely lucky). The outfit planning if you’re anything like me can be slightly excessive and one thing to really focus on is making use of the items you have and re-wearing them! I was initially disappointed with the idea that I couldn’t bring lots of outfits but your back will thank you when you have a much lighter bag. One thing that I couldn’t get enough of was skorts. When you’re dancing around in 32 degree heat the last thing you want is a pair of trousers on, but skirts aren’t always practical. I purchased a Slazenger skort from Sports Direct that absolutely did the trick. You can boogie all night, stay cool and forget any worries about whether your skirt is too short; a fashion item sent straight from the festival heavens.

For all of you that like a bit of glam (myself included), the limited access to showers and the piles of mud might be a bit much. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the music. Also, sometimes the huge crowds and the heat can cause anxiety and sometimes panic which can get in the way of the enjoyment. The company Safer Spaces offer different variations of wellbeing tents that can help festival season become a happier and safer place for everyone involved. For me, the heat this weekend was sometimes unbearable so myself and my friend headed over to the safe tepee where we could sit in the shade and have a little snooze with some pillows and some breeze. I also

38 CARDIFF TIMES

found that trying to get myself ready for the day was a bit of a palava as I could barely stand up in our tent let alone manage my hair (humidity and me are not best pals). Safer Spaces created the most amazing beauty tent with a selection of hair and beauty products, along with mirrors and lots and lots of friendly faces. If you’re ever in need of a bit of frizz ease oil or fancy meeting some new people, it is such a wonderful environment to be in. The company operate across many festivals including Boardmasters and Boomtown; a great relief as they offer so much support for festival goers every day.

It wouldn’t be my article without some top hair care festival tips, would it? My hair was my biggest problem at Boardies, especially as I have an awful lot of it and can’t always rely on the natural drying method (think Monica in the one episode of Friends). I have never been gifted in the hair styling department so lovely braids and plaits weren’t really an option for me.

Instead of stressing over French plaits, I decided to opt for a few easier styles to get me through to Monday.

My go-to look for any warm event is the slick back bun. All you need is a comb, some hair spray and/ or gel, and two hair bobbles. It’s as easy as parting your hair in the middle and simply combing your hair up and back until your happy with the positioning and then popping it into a bun. The look takes a whole of two minutes and will stay in place all night. My second

‘new’ favourite style was putting two tiny little plaits at the front of my face. Forget the days of struggling to braid your whole head of hair, instead just grab one piece of face-framing hair and do a tiny plait, securing with a small elastic hair tie. Repeat this on the other side and you’re good to go! It doesn’t matter at all what the rest of your hair looks like as the plaits add a bit of decoration to a wild hair do and keep those annoying fly aways at bay.

Festival season is incredible and should be enjoyed as it doesn’t last very long at all. Glitter yourselves up, grab some funky sunglasses and stay safe, because no amount of good tunes is worth being unsafe for.

CARDIFF TIMES 39

ADVERTISING FEATURE

New faces at Romilly Financial Owen and Jack joined Romilly Financial in 2021 following an exciting expansion. They have joined the team as trainee IFAs and paraplanners to both David Stealey and Marcus Rees.

Owen Morgan

I am fluent Welsh speaker from West Wales, and I graduated from Cardiff University in 2015 with a degree in Accounting & Finance.

Following my studies, I spent the next five years as a professional cricketer with Glamorgan CCC and enjoyed experiences of playing in front of sell-out crowds against some of the world’s best players.

With an eye on the future and aspirations of becoming a financial planner, I joined Romilly in 2021 as a Trainee IFA having already attained my Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Since then, I have also passed my mortgage qualification, and I would like to achieve Chartered Status in the next couple of years.

At Romilly, my role involves working closely with David Stealey as his Paraplanner. This means attending meetings, undertaking research, identifying planning opportunities and solutions as well as processing any recommendations. This role has enabled me to oversee and be involved in a wide range of different client scenarios, which will benefit me as I begin advising.

In my free time, my passion for sport continues, spending most summer weekends captaining St Fagans Cricket Club in the South Wales Premier League. I also enjoy other sports such as football, rugby, and the occasional game of golf, although I spend more time looking for the ball.

Jack Maynard I began my career within the Financial Industry in 2018 as a Trainee Financial Planner. I have recently completed my mortgage qualification and currently working towards gaining my Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.

Prior to working at Romilly Financial, I was a self-employed Protection adviser for Umbrella Financial. This enabled me to gain experience in a client facing environment whilst planning for individuals specific Protection needs.

At Romilly, my day-to-day role consists of working closely with Marcus Rees as his Paraplanner. The role allows me to develop in real-life situations by actively being involved in client meetings and researching appropriate products suitable for the client goals and objectives.

In my spare time, I play rugby for Llandovery RFC and golf whenever I get a chance. I have also attained the role of head barista within the firm!

26 Hickman Road, Penarth CF64 2AL Call 029 2041 5100 info@romillyifa.com www.romillyifa.com RomillyIFA romilly.financial

CARDIFF TIMES 41

   No job too big or too small !! 

 

42 CARDIFF TIMES



 

£12 £12 £12

31

31

From

£895

*

for a fully fitted electric garage door.

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Our expert local installers will fit your new door and they’ll take away the old one too, so there’s no mess.

Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up FREE of charge.

CALL US TODAY ON:

029 2199 0150 MOBILE:

07537 149 128 *Offer valid for openings up to 2.4m wide & including 2 remote controls, 55mm white slats, internal manual override

44 CARDIFF TIMES

Visit our homepage www.KelvinFrancis.com for the latest updates, advice and tips.

Tel: 02920 766 538 E: info@kelvinfrancis.com

£sRSELEF

EYOU ABL V L SAIT IT AVAI

F CE D N AN NA FI

Forget fence worries for good.

Choose 25 years maintenance free metal fencing*. Choose ColourFence.

Unique ColourFence GUARANTEE ◆

Virtually, maintenance FREE for 25 years*

◆

Won’t warp, crack, shrink, rot or peel

◆

Withstands gusts up to 130mph

25 YEAR guarantee

Why choose anything else? ◆

Metal fencing available in four colours

◆

Established in the UK for over 15 years

◆

Professional installation, or fit it yourself

◆

Finance available

Brown

Cream

Blue

Green

“We chose ColourFence 15 years ago and it looks as good as new. ” Mr & Mrs P. Stringer

†

For a free, no-obligation quote, find out more via:

07398 476 659

colourfencecardiff.co.uk * T&C’s apply - see website for detials. †Cardiff Fencing LTD is an introducer appointed representative of Ideal Sales Solutions Ltd t/a Ideal4Finance.

Ideal Sales Solutions is a credit broker and not a lender (FRN703401). Finance available subject to status. The rate offered is always provisional and will depend upon your personal circumstances, the loan amount and term.

DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS Broken Glass Replacement Misted Glass Replacements Faulty/Broken Hinges Locks, Handles Pa�o Door Problems Draughty/Leaking Windows, Doors Conservatories Ca�laps, Le�erboxes

* * * * * * * * * *

*

* * * * * *

*

New Door Panels Stained Glass Repairs and Replacements Glass/mirrors of all types cut to size uPVC New Windows/ Doors Installed Upgrades to Locks and Handles Fascias, Gu�ering, Clading Coloured Composite Doors

For a Free Quotation by a Reliable, Competitive Company Servicing Cardiff

02920 566694 / 07950 027826

Email: Decostains@aol.com Web: www.doubleglazingrepairscardiff.co.uk facebook.com/Decorativeglasscardiff/

65

Unit 3, Western Business Centre, Robert Street, Ely Cardiff 65 CF5 5AS

Fensa approved Reg: 31498

The Handyman ‘A man for all reasons’

Locally based | Free no obligation estimates References a pleasure • • • • • •

• • • • • • •

PLUMBING FENCING CARPENTRY ELECTRICAL ROOF REPAIRS UPVC WINDOWS & DOORS

Under New Ownership Still Going Strong Since 1991

DECORATING PAINTING ODD JOBS BATHROOM FITTING KITCHEN FITTING GARAGE CONVERSIONS EXTENSIONS

No job too small, no matter how trivial you think it may be...

MOB: 07973 713 002 or email: leighasus@live.co.uk leigh@thehandymanteam.co.uk

ZEST

ACCOUNTANTS

RUNNING A BUSINESS IS HARD WORK TAKING CARE OF YOUR BOOKS SHOULDN’T BE We look after the complicated stuff, so you can concentrate on growing your business.

NO GREY SUITS, NO JARGON

Just straightforward advice and year-round support for you and your business.

BOOK-KEEPING VAT | PAYROLL ACCOUNTS | TAX CIS | XERO

Contact us now to arrange a

FREE CONSULTATION  01633 546 268  hello@zestaba.co.uk  www.zestaba.co.uk

CARDIFF TIMES 49

See our ranges and get a quote online

www.mpnwindows.com Call us today for a FREE home visit:

CARDIFF: 02920 508770 Mobile/Text 07976 640 959

It’s easier to join

Costco Cardiff EVERYTHING YOU WANT. ALL IN ONE PLACE.

Come along and meet the membership team and preview the warehouse before we open EVERY SUNDAY between 10:00 - 11:00.

No purchases can be made until after 11am

Costco Wholesale is a membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices.

Costco Wholesale is a membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. The annual membership fee for Standard Trade Membership* is £22 ex VAT (£26.40 inc VAT). The annual membership fee for Standard Individual Membership* is £28 ex VAT (£33.60 inc VAT) which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or domestic partner. For more information and to preview our warehouses visit www.costco.co.uk/join or scan the QR code.

We’ve extended our eligibility criteria for Costco Cardiff. If you fall under the following categories, you qualify for Individual Membership.

Membership Categories Current or retired employee within: Banking / Finance, Civil Service, Education, Fire / Rescue, Insurance, Construction, Local Government, Medical / Health Service / Veterinary, Police Force, Emergency Services, Post Office, Aviation, Engineering, Property and Legal

OR

Chartered / Qualified as: Architect, Engineer, Surveyor, Dentist, Optician, Pharmacist, Accountant, Solicitor/ Barrister, Magistrate / Advocate

OR

New Membership Categories* Members/Card Holders of: RAC, AA, National Trust, English Heritage, Professional Body or Association

To join and start saving please provide one piece of business evidence for Trade membership, or for Individual membership your employee ID card or current pay slip to prove your employment, PLUS one piece of photographic identification for both memberships.

£10

VOUCHER

JOIN TODAY

Special Offer

for new members to spend online when you sign up for membership†.

Expires: 31st December 2022

Costco Cardiff, Capital Retail Park, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8EG T: 02920 787520 E: marketing120@costco.co.uk www.costco.co.uk

† Sign up for membership with this advert at our Cardiff warehouse and receive a £10 voucher to spend online at www.costco.co.uk. New members only. *Membership Criteria applies. Membership must be obtained before purchases can be made. ∆Qualifying ID required to preview. Accepting Mastercard, American Express and Visa credit cards as well as cash, debit card or cheque. No cash or cheque at fuel station. Fuel stations not available at all locations. JN30763

Made at Sher

man / Crëwyd

yn y Sherman

Under 25s Half Price / Dan 25 Hanner Pris For / ar gyfer Tylwyth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Tales of the Brothers Grimm

Your City. Your Stories. Your Theatre.

Eich Dinas. Eich Straeon. Eich Theatr.

Sherman Theatre / Theatr y Sherman

Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru & Theatr y Sherman / Sherman Theatre

TYLWYTH

26 – 30 Med / Sep

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

£16 – £27

14 – 29 Oct / Hyd

£16 – £27

3-6

7+

Theatr y Sherman / Sherman Theatre

Sherman Theatre / Theatr y Sherman

ELEN BENFELEN / GOLDILOCKS

TALES OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM

4 – 5 Tach / Nov & 28 Tach / Nov – 31 Rhag / Dec £9.50

26 – 30 Sep / Med

SHERMANTHEATRE.CO.UK

£16 – £27

029 2064 6900

Sherman Cymru Productions Ltd | Registered Charity Number / Rhif Elusen Cofrestredig 1118364 Top images / Lluniau uchaf © Burning Red. Bottom images / Lluniau isaf © Emily Jones