C ITY L IFE SUMMER 2019
P R O U D
T
Th e C i t y
of
T O
B E
PRICELESS
I N D E P E N D E N T
C a r d i f f ’s P r e m i e r L i f e s t y l e M a g a z i n e
Delicious! WE VISIT GREY’S RESTAURANT & CARDIFF INDOOR FLEA MARKET PLUS DINING OUT, WEDDINGS, TRAVEL & MUCH MORE
Restaurant Reviews What’s On, Business, Shopping
T here ’s
more online
citylifecardiff . co . uk
A rt, Music, Style H ealth, Competitions and more plus
Tux & iara T 6th Birthday Ball
Saturday 30th November 2019 7pm St David's Hotel, Cardiff
Sparkling reception 3 course dinner with tru les Wine on table Entertainment Photo booth
Tickets ÂŁ55pp | ÂŁ500 table
Book now at welshhearts.org/events or call 02922402670
THE CITY OF CARDIFF’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
C ITY L IFE Editor Jennifer Hobbs-Roberts jennifer@goodlifepublishing.co.uk Creative Director Mark Roberts mark@goodlifepublishing.co.uk Editorial editorial@goodlifepublishing.co.uk
www.citylifecardiff.co.uk 0845 180 2345 Cardiff House Cardiff Road Cardiff CF63 2AW Passionate about Cardiff We are a small independent publisher. We are not a large publishing group pretending to be home grown. City Life magazine is written, designed and printed in Cardiff for the people of Cardiff. Our philosophy We are committed to quality. This quote by William Foster pretty much sums up our thinking: “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” Caveat emptor Advertisers supply their own copy or artwork, and therefore City Life cannot accept any responsibility for disputes between advertisers and their customers. Caveat emptor - let the buyer beware. Important you read this We have made every effort to ensure that all information contained in City Life or on www.citylifecardiff.co.uk (or our social media streams) is correct and accurate. However, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions and can offer no compensation should we get it wrong. Please note that the opinions, thoughts, views or ideas expressed in articles contained in City Life are strictly those of the authors. Intellectual property © Copyright City Life 2019. All rights reserved. Nothing in this magazine (including adverts) may be reproduced in any shape or form (in whole or part) without the express written permission of the publishers. We take breach of copyright and theft of intellectual property extremely seriously and will sue at the drop of a croissant. You have been warned (nicely); ignorance is no excuse. Subscriptions To guarantee your copy, please send a cheque for £20 (four issues) made payable to City Life. Visit www.citylifecardiff.co.uk for special subscriber discounts and special offers. Missed the last issue? We hold a small number of each issue in stock so if you do need a pristine copy, please telephone us or email jennifer@goodlifepublishing.co.uk. Hopefully we’ll have the issue you want (but we cannot guarantee it). Each back issue costs £5 including postage and packing. Yes it’s free. Priceless actually! City Life is distributed free through a wide variety of outlets across Cardiff and beyond and is given away free of charge on the understanding that we are happy for it to be lent, passed on, given to friends and generally read until it falls apart. At which point, you can recycle it and we’d be delighted if you did. Green is good The pulp used in the production of the paper City Life is printed on is sourced from sustainably managed Scandinavian tree farms and utilises an elementary chlorine-free bleaching process.
We’re very sociable! We’re on the web! www.citylifecardiff.co.uk Like on Facebook! www.facebook.com/CityLifeCardiff Follow on Twitter! @CityLifeCardiff #CityLifeCardiff
WELCOME
Welcome to the summer edition of City Life. The weather continues to be classic Welsh and, as I type, no sign of the heatwave we enjoyed last year. But the highs and lows won’t dampen our spirits, there’s much to look forward to this summer if you get out and about in our gorgeous capital. Talking about getting out and about, there’s a distinct travelling theme to this issue as we have been down to Devon and even further south (east) to Malta. Haven’t been to Malta before and we must say it was rich in history. Some of the churches and the cathedral in the capital took our breath away. This combined with gorgeous blue seas and wonderful architecture, markets and superb food, Malta should certainly be on your “must visit” bucket list. We have our own excellent markets in Cardiff too. We love the Cardiff Indoor Market and we recently paid a visit to one of Cardiff’s real hidden gems - Cardiff Indoor Flea Market. You can read all about it on pages 8 to 11. We hope you have a lovely summer and we’ll see you again soon in autumn.
Jennifer Hobbs-Roberts Editor 07766 106 701 jennifer@goodlifepublishing.co.uk uk.linkedin.com/in/jenniferhobbsroberts
Get Social! Join In! We’re on all the popular channels: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We’d love to hear from you. Tell us what you love about your Cardiff life. Where do you dine? Where do you walk? Which are your favourite boutiques? It’s good to engage. We’re friends with over 100,000 followers through our channels across Cardiff and the Vale.
Promote your business Butcher? Baker? Candlestick maker? Whatever business you’re in, reach over 35,000 aspirational readers right across Cardiff and beyond! For more information call 07766 106701 or email jennifer@goodlifepublishing.co.uk
Read the world over… City Life magazine, along with our sister magazines is available online. We’re read in over 50 countries and reads for our digital editions alone stands at almost 3.2 million page views. www.goodlife.directory
CITY LIFE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED US OVER RECENT MONTHS. OUR CONTRIBUTORS, OUR FAMILIES, OUR FRIENDS (INCLUDING ALL THE NEW ONES WE HAVE MADE) AND OUR ADVERTISERS - WITHOUT THEM CITY LIFE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. WE HOPE YOU LIKE WHAT WE’VE PRODUCED AND WE’LL TRY TO MAKE EACH ISSUE EVEN BETTER THAN THE LAST AND IF YOU HAVE A STORY THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH. CITY LIFE IS REGISTERED AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY AS A MAGAZINE ISSN 1757-1723. FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.CITYLIFECARDIFF.CO.UK
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LOV E YO U R LO O K
Seeing the difference with colour If you want to save money and have the compliments flooding in, then a session with Nicole Griffiths of Love Your Look is a must. Nicole had her colours analysed 10 years ago and hasn’t looked back since. Shopping for her is now a joy as she can pick out the perfect clothes straight away, saving time and money. Nicole offers Colour and Make-up analysis; looking at people’s individual colouring: their hair, eye and skin colour and laying coloured drapes directly under their face to identify the colours that compliment them the most. She
also applies make-up matching you with the perfect make-up colours, using the most up-to-date application techniques making clients look younger, fresher and more vibrant - using organic, vegan, cruelty and paraben free products. At the end of the consultation every customer takes away a swatch wallet to keep in their bag containing 42 coloured swatches to use when shopping. Coming soon Personal Style Consultations, wardrobe edits and personal shopping trips to advise clients on the best styles to suit their body shape, personality and lifestyle. Why not treat someone who has a special birthday such as 40th, 50th or 60th with a Love Your Look Voucher?
www.facebook.com/loveyurlook
S H O E R E PA I R E R S , DA N C E W E A R AND GIFTS
Frangoulis A family businesses with thirty years’ experience in the shoe repair industry. Offering a wide and diverse range of services from shoe repairs, key cutting, engraving trophies, award shields, tankards, Zippo lighters, dancewear, gymnastic wear, masks and stage accessories and leather wallets and purses. Suppliers of many local dance and theatre schools with a variety of dancewear needs. Frangoulis 2 Windsor Arcade, Penarth, CF64 1JA 029 2070 0233 UNIQUE & BESPOKE SERVICE
Vale Veterinary Centre This local, independent, family run business offers continuity of care from their team of fully qualified vets and nursing staff in either their Barry or Pontcanna practices. This award-winning veterinary centre offers home visits, emergency service, a VIP scheme and specialist therapies including hydrotherapy, laser therapy and digital radiology.
“Fully qualified vets and nursing staff in either their Barry or Pontcanna practices.”
Nicole Griffiths Colour and Makeup Consultant 07957 965482 www.colourmebeautiful.co.uk
Vale Vet Centre 7.8 Ty Verlon Industrial Estate Barry CF63 2BE 01446 739739 233 Cathedral Road, Pontcanna Cardiff CF11 9PP 029 2000 4007 www.valevetcentre.co.uk 6
What does detox mean to you? Going on a crash diet? Avoiding alcohol for a couple of weeks? Cutting down on cigarettes? Being ‘good’ with your diet? Banishing sugar from your diet? Your answers would suggest that a detox means something very different to different people.
SUMMER DETOX Why does detox have to be a thing? Especially if we then go back to our old habits. Can helping our bodies to detox just be a part of our lifestyle? Despite it being an overly used term, regularly detoxing our bodies of toxins is associated with a raft of benefits, including improvement in immunity, general wellbeing and our ability to concentrate. So, with such extensive benefits, it could be time to incorporate a detox into our daily lives, and not just be a fad. Our liver, kidneys, skin, respiratory system and intestines are our detoxifying organs. With this in mind, we should focus on not overloading and stressing them, as this will hinder and not facilitate our body’s ability to detoxify. Take our skin for an example, fancy lotions and potions are often seen as a necessity for healthy glowing skin, but, are all these chemicals good for our skin to absorb? If we actually looked at the chemicals within a moisturiser, we are unlikely to eat them, so why do we expose our skin to these unknown toxins? Healthier, and often cheaper options include skin brushing, Epsom Salt baths and hot and cold showering. Often, it takes trying different approaches and finding the solution which works for you. Moving on from what we put on our body, it’s time to consider what we put inside our body. Many of you may have heard about ‘clean eating’, which basically means eliminating all processed foods from your diet. Such approaches are great as we are avoiding exposing our bodies to preservatives and chemicals from our food, and thus gives
our detoxifying organs a welcome break. A top tip is to look at the ingredients’ list on our foods - if the list is extremely long, it’s likely to include a whole host of chemicals, and should be put back on the shelf. Not only what we eat, but what we drink can aid our body’s ability to detoxify, and water is nature’s liquid gold for our body. If you find water a bit tasteless, try adding fruit/cucumber (we love lime or lemon), to give it a natural flavour. We should aim to drink around 1.2 litres of water a day, if this feels like a challenge, try carrying a water bottle with you, you’ll be surprised on how easy this becomes part of your daily routine. Detox isn’t limited to just what we physically expose our bodies to, it also extends to our physical and social environment. Consider adopting a digital detoxification, with our bodies 7
constantly harassed by messages, social media updates and emails, it’s a good to start with a 15 to 20 minutes period of silence, allowing your mind and body to fully embrace the silence before being bombarded by the digital world. Detox may sound like an archaic approach, bordering on fad, but, by taking detoxifying seriously and taking active steps, your body will reward you with a raft of benefits. Angharad Evans Therapïau Naturiol Angharad Natural Therapies by Angharad 07739210291 www.angharadevans.cymru @AngharadsNaturalTherapy @EvansAngharad @evans.angharad
Readers of City Life will know we love discovering Cardiff’s hidden gems and if you’re like me and enjoy the quirkier side of life you will really love this brilliant midweek and weekend market just up the road from Boulders Climbing Centre.
CARDIFF INDOOR FLEA M ARKET
ONE OF CARDIFF’S REAL HIDDEN GEMS
When I first found out about the market, I didn’t really know what to expect. Usually, in my experience, flea markets are pretty disappointing. Not so here. Tucked away in a little cut-de-sac in Tremorfa, this really is a cool place and is now officially one of City Life’s hidden gems. I remember walking through the door for the first time and seeing a coffee table made out of a bass drum. I’m a drummer, so they had me at hello. Inside there are over eighty stalls offering everything from a single cup and saucer, glass vase, vinyl LP or piece of jewellery, up to large antique dressers. There’s a healthy, eclectic mix of antique, vintage, retro, modern, crafts and collectables of all sorts. Lots of quirky and unique items and plenty of cool, upcycled products that by sheer creativity and cleverness have been given a new and wonderful life.
I get this kind of thing isn’t for everyone but, if you’re into browsing antique shops and flea markets, or remotely creative, you will fall in love with this place - I certainly have. Over a lovely cuppa (milky coffee, not latte!), in the appropriately named Nostalgia café (this place screams nostalgia), I got chatting to Kath, one of the stallholders – we hit it off instantly. She’s creative, like me, and has a real passion for the place. I asked her what she loved about it. Kath says, “They’re really lovely people here but what makes it special and come alive is when it’s buzzing with shoppers, browsers and buyers. At the end of the day, it is a fab venue with great stuff at great prices and the more people who know about us, the better. Everyone who comes here says what a fantastic place it is and they can’t wait to come back again!” 8
We sip at our coffees and talk about the environment, the planet, art, fashion, food and recycling - recycling is something that all the stallholders seem very concerned about. The reuse and recycle philosophy is practiced fully here. “We believe in recycling, reclaiming and re-using preloved and pre-owned ‘stuff’,” says Kath. “We offer quality, original, well-made items - ‘stuff’ that is built to last (not like this modern, throw away rubbish sold today). Aside from the genuine antiques and vintage items, brand new items are also available such as crafts, leatherwork, original artworks and unique up-cycled items. If we cannot save something by renovating it, we’ll likely do something interesting with it!” Kath adds, “Customer service is important to us. Stall holders are always available to help on their own, or neighbours stalls, and we are happy to share our expertise and knowledge.
CARDIFF INDOOR FLEA MARKET
There’s so much to see! The market has a wide selection of stalls all owned and managed by, I have to say, really lovely people. It’s a treasure trove. If you love mooching around for objects, art and collectables like me, you’ll love this place. There’s tons to look at. n Antiques n Vintage,
retro, steampunk glass, ceramics and mirrors n Paintings, prints and engravings n Homeware and lighting n Hand-made and vintage jewellery n Semi-precious stones and crystals n Vintage tools n Musical instruments n Shabby chic furniture n Furniture renovations n DVDs, CDs and vinyl n Original art and design, crafts and leatherwork n Vintage clothing and military uniforms n Collectables of all kinds n On-site Nostalgia café and so much more n China,
You will often see stallholders in the process of refurbishing or repurposing items. We really enjoy what we do, offering quality items at good prices. Some stall holders will undertake commissions and some also offer house or shed clearances.” Indeed, this side of things became useful straight away. I had three old bits of furniture I was going to take to the dump, but had been putting it off because they were quite large, and heavy. Once Kath knew, she introduced me to one of the stallholders. Within three days, he’d collected the furniture and I had some money in my pocket - sorted. I love this place, I can’t lie. But apart from the seriously cool items I’ve found there, I’ve found something else; a really lovely group of people that make you feel welcome and are just the salt of the earth. That’s what I love most of all about Cardiff Indoor Flea Market.
L O YA LT Y I S R E W A R D E D
Get 10% off! The team recently launched their Loyalty Card giving holders 10% off marked prices at participating stalls. These cards are available from the Flea Market so just pick one up when you enter and remember to present when you buy. Bit of a no-brainer really, and a nice surprise for ‘newbies’ as well as regulars to the market - plus a great incentive to keep coming back. So what are you waiting for? Get yourselves over to Cardiff Indoor Flea Market this Saturday, pick up a Loyalty Card and start shopping!
“It is a fab venue with great stuff at great prices.” 11
The market is all on one level, wheelchair friendly and allows dogs on leads. It has an on-site café (very good), toilets and good free parking with disabled spaces. And, it’s very easy to get to from the M4. Cardiff Indoor Flea Market Unit 2 Clydesmuir Industrial Estate Tremorfa, Cardiff CF24 2QS 029 2132 1083 www.cardiffindoorfleamarket.com Open every Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays Cardiff Indoor Flea Market buying and selling group
ATLANTIC OUTDOORS 10-DAY RESIDENTIAL ADVENTURE COURSE
14.08.19 - 23.08.19 // Designed for ages 14-16
Canoeing
Gorge Walking Climbing
Join us at UWC Atlantic, a remarkable campus based in the grounds of St Donat's Castle, South Wales for a 10 day action packed adventure activity course. This course will develop and enhance your self-confidence, problem solving abilities, leadership skills and teamwork. Start your digital detox with 10 days of empowering fun helping you to unlock your hidden potential, step outside of your comfort zone and learn to embrace the unfamiliar through powerful shared experiences.
challenge
experience
active
COURSE FEE:
EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT £1,795 per person if booked before 12th June 2019 £1,995 per person if booked after 12th June 2019
A JOURNEY OF GUIDED LEANING THROUGH ADVENTURE, PERSONAL CHALLENGE AND TEAMWORK
To find out more visit: www.stdonats.com UWC Atlantic, St Donat’s Castle, Llantwit Major. CF61 1WF
UWC Atlantic, a remarkable campus based in the grounds of St Donat's Castle, South Wales have designed a 10 day action packed adventure activity course led by their professional and experienced Atlantic Outdoors team.
ST DONAT’S CASTLE The Atlantic Outdoors 10-Day Residential Activity Course is designed to develop and enhance your self-confidence, problem solving abilities, leadership skills and teamwork through exposure to a series of challenging adventures in a relaxing and fun based environment. You will have the opportunity to experience activities such as gorge walking, caving, canoeing and climbing around the South Wales coastline and the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Empowering you to unlock your hidden potential, this course aims to help you step outside of your comfort zone and learn to embrace the unfamiliar through powerful shared experiences. You will start your digital detox with 10 days of interacting with the natural world around you and viewing nature and wild outdoor spaces from a fresh perspective. You will partake in new and unfamiliar challenges that will allow you to explore your potential through practical experience as well as personal and shared reflection. Unlike other summer courses, this unique programme by UWC Atlantic will not only develop and challenge you both physically and mentally, but give you the opportunity to share the experience with like-minded young people, creating powerful memories you'll never forget.
The Atlantic Outdoors team at UWC Atlantic are highly experienced, skilled and knowledgeable instructors who will guide and support you through your experiential learning journey. The Atlantic Outdoors team is registered and holds current licences for The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA). Adventure activity licensing ensures that activity providers follow good safety standards and management practices. All instructional staff are highly qualified in their field and experienced at managing safety and risk whilst maximising the opportunities for learning and personal development. Although the days will be challenging and long, you will have the opportunity to relax and socialise with other participants in the tranquil grounds of St Donat's Castle. This all-inclusive course includes: n 9 nights’ accommodation onsite n 10 full days of adventure packed activities n Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks n All activity and safety equipment n Collection from Llantwit Major and Bridgend rail stations n Insurance
“Experience activities such as gorge walking, caving, canoeing and climbing.” 13
For more information about this adventure packed 10-day experience at UWC Atlantic, visit www.stdonats.com 01446 799100 bookings@atlanticcollege.org
Watkin Davies, an insurance broker serving individuals and SMEs across South Wales, recently broadened its product offering to include Equipsme, a new kind of health insurance designed for the whole of the workforce.
HEALTHY STAFF
HEALTHY BUSINESS NEW HEALTH PLANS FOR THE WHOLE WORKFORCE With employment in Wales at a record high, there is healthy competition to attract and retain the best talent with measures that go above and beyond salary. A recent survey by HiBob showed that 41% of employees want private health care, a benefit second only to flexible working. Commercial benefits await the businesses that invest in staff health and wellbeing. According to the CBI, health-related absence costs SMEs £782 per person per year. Minor illnesses, such as colds are the biggest cause, totalling 34.5% of the working hours lost to illness in 2017, with a further 17.7% due to musculoskeletal (muscles, bones, and joints) issues, such as back problems, and 7.6% resulting from stress, depression or anxiety. Here, Watkin Davies managing director Gina Dixon tells us more about why SMEs, including her own company, are investing in the health and wellbeing of the staff. Gina, what’s different between Equipsme and traditional private health insurance? Equipsme is affordable and practical, focused on helping people to get well sooner and to stay well. It’s a standout benefit for SMEs to show they care about their staff. The plans are simple to understand and help staff from Day One. The entry-level product, at £7 per employee per month, includes an online health check, access to a GP by phone or video 24/7 and up to three physio sessions. Businesses pay the same for all members of staff on the plan, regardless of age, and there are no lengthy medical history questionnaires. Diagnosis and treatment can be added to plans, and staff can also choose to add family members.
Why would somebody buy health insurance when we have the NHS? The NHS offers a terrific service. However, there is always more we can do to help working people to access healthcare services in a more convenient and timely manner. It could be talking to a doctor at the weekend instead of waiting to try to get an appointment on Monday morning. It could be a shorter wait for physio treatment for a bad back. It could be a speedier diagnosis of cancer, which can speed up referral to the NHS for treatment. It all helps and alleviates the worry of waiting for an appointment and not knowing what’s wrong. That sort of practical support is something employees really value from their employers.
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What about mental health support? There’s been a cultural shift towards encouraging staff to talk about any mental health problems and for employers to support them. In my experience smaller business owners care about this as much as a large employer, but it can be harder for them to access the right support. Equipsme addresses this with a stress support line for £1.50 per employee per month, offering telephone appointments with trained counsellors and up to five face-to-face sessions. It isn’t restricted to work-related problems. It could be anything from depression following a relationship break up through to the stress of money worries. According to the Chartered Institute of Professional Development, 37% of
THE SMART WAY TO A HEALTHY BUSINESS
About Equipsme Equipsme is designed for businesses that want affordable health insurance for their whole workforce. Most of its customers are SMEs from across the country who recognise people as their most important asset, and health and wellbeing as one of the top benefits that people value. The NHS does things extremely well. Especially after patients have received a diagnosis or in an emergency. Where working people are most frustrated by its service is waiting times to see their GP, diagnosis referral and physiotherapy. Equipsme was set up to address this head on. Its health insurance and support plans are designed to provide value to businesses and their staff from the very beginning. The entry level plan, for £7 per person per month (PPPM), includes access to a remote GP service with NHS-registered doctors 24/7, private physiotherapy appointments via AXA PPP’s network, an online health check and access to AXA PPP’s nurse helpline. For £17 PPPM, private diagnosis is added, and for £29 PPPM so is private treatment. The price is the same for all employees aged 16 to 69. There are no long health history questionnaires to complete, just a simple exclusion of pre-existing medical conditions in the last three years.
This page images : www.bigstockphoto.com
Customer figures demonstrate that Equipsme meets a real need by providing fast and flexible access to healthcare. For example, nearly one third of employees with Equipsme cover used the remote GP service in the last year. Of those, 84% received a diagnosis or action (such as a referral) in the first appointment. 30% called in the evenings or at weekends. organisations say that they have seen an increase in workforce stress over the last twelve months and we’re certainly seeing a high interest from local businesses for the stress support line. Why did you buy Equipsme for the staff at Watkin Davies? We’re proud to be customers as well as distributors. This was the perfect product to support the wellbeing of our 48 members of staff and we can personally vouch for how well it works, both in terms of how easy it is for employers to implement, and then how easy it is for staff to access the healthcare benefits.
What feedback have you had from other SMEs in South Wales about health plans? It’s quite different to a standard Health insurance product and we’ve had a positive reaction. It’s part of our job as business advisers to understand the needs of our clients and think outside the box a little bit. In addition to their Business insurance we talk to clients all the time about other risks their businesses can face, for example, a piece of equipment or vehicle breaking down, a healthy and happy workforce is just as important to many clients.
“We’re proud to be customers as well as distributors.” 15
That beats waiting for a week to see your GP and is a tangible benefit that businesses of all sizes can use as a recruitment and retention tool.
Watkin Davies Insurance Consultants Commercial, personal, property 15 Penlline Road Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 2AA 029 2062 6226 www.watkindavies.com Watkin Davies Insurance Consultants are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
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‘Gin’gle Bell Ball
Festive PARTY NIGHTS
AT HENSOL CASTLE
2019
Absolute
Family Buffet
PARTY NIGHTS
SUNDAY LUNCH
Christmas Eve
G&Tea
AFTERNOON TEA AT HENSOL CASTLE
AFTERNOON TEA AT HENSOL CASTLE
Our 2019 Christmas celebrations will not disappoint, with the return of some old favourites including Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Nights and our Festive Party Nights. Plus, new for this year, Absolute Party Nights, ‘Gin’gle Bell Ball at Hensol Castle, plus much more.
Prices from £
43pp
Vale Resort, Hensol Park, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8JY *Terms and conditions apply.
VL.06.19
01443 665803 | sales@valeresort.com
Arthur the Labrador has a strong client following at Vale Solicitors. Directors Michael Morgan,Chris Evans and Jonathan Hewitson are now accustomed to the usual first question from regular clients: “How’s Arthur?” Arthur has noticed that more people are taking out Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and seeking advice on the possible cost of care in the future. If you become ill, Powers of Attorney will make sure that the right people, whom you trust and who know your wishes, can make decisions for you. This includes everything from running your business, selling your home, making decisions about care and life sustaining treatment and most importantly, as far as Arthur is concerned, who will look after your dog. A properly drafted Will makes sure that your wishes are followed after your death. Arthur was pleased that Karl Lagerfield left $200 million dollars to his cat. Arthur believes that everyone should make proper provision for their pets. At Vale Solicitors we don’t just fill in forms. We discuss your circumstances carefully, confidentially and sensitively and explain everything clearly. If it is difficult for you to attend our offices we can arrange to visit you at home ( at no extra charge). We often meet with family groups and are happy to arrange talks to larger groups or Societies. Our clients appreciate this : "Thank you so much for coming out to the house, and at such short notice, and for the lovely way that you explained everything to my parents. It is a relief for my mum that it is done" One final word of warning from Arthur. Beware of cold calling Will Writing Companies . We have seen examples of wholly inappropriate Trust and Will arrangements prepared by one of these companies at exhorbitant cost. These people make Arthur cross as they often are not professionally qualified, do not
T HE L AB REPORT $200 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE CAT! have indemnity insurance to protect their clients, are not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or answerable to the Legal Ombudsman. Arthur says : See a Solicitor First! To arrange a free no obligation review of your Will and Power of Attorney requirements please give Vale Solicitors a call. Appointments can be arranged at our offices or in your own home throughout the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff. 19
Vale Solicitors Advocates & Mediators 1 Boverton Road, Llantwit Major CF61 1XZ 102 High Street, Barry CF62 7DS 01446 792535 07771 803639 mail@valesolicitors.com www.valesolicitors.com
Happy Days Vintage is all about bringing the eclectic, the unusual, the up-cycled, the beautiful and the retro into people's homes. Take a look at what you can buy for under £10, £50 or £100 to bring a bit of vintage into your home. TESTIMONIALS
What customers say… “Great place and great people. Everything from furniture to all the accessories you could ever need. Homemade cakes are amazing too!”
Under £10...
Original vinyl records from
£5
Under £50...
Retro advertising milk bottles, price each
£5
“Happy Days was love at first shopping trip! This hidden treasure is sure to please if you love finding those perfect items to complete your home decor and furniture needs that can't be found in the big retail stores. Filled with the most talented collection of vintage furniture/decor enthusiasts all products are top quality! If you haven't been yet be sure to go asap!” “Love love love it here! Lush cafe too plus dog friendly as I only leant today.”
Locally crocheted shopping bag with matching detachable ponytail
£25
Under £100...
Ornate vintage mirror
£28
Happy Days Vintage Homestore Church Street, Cowbridge, CF71 7BB 01446 771191 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 10 - 5 Mon to Sat 11 - 4 Sundays cath@happydaysvintagehomestore.co.uk www.happydaysvintagehomestore.co.uk
Single bed sized tapestry Welsh blanket
£75
Pink pine plate rack
£75
Portmeirion Kellogg’s teacups and saucers, price each
Locally crafted scented tin candles 3 for
Whale by local potter, Victoria Gretchen Carter
Antique printer’s tray
Locally crafted zinc edged wooden letters made to order. Price for the set
Vintage wash bowl /jug and soap dish
1970’s Large Paddington Bear
1920s Philips school globe
High back Windsor fireside chair was £125, now...
£6
£45
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When Helen and her fiancé James were looking for a venue for their wedding in April this year, they chose Pencoed House. Here, we chat to Helen about how the couple met and what they love about this stunning venue.
PENCOED HOUSE ESTATE
How did you and James meet? We were both born in Pontypridd, turns out, we lived less than a mile from each other. We also went to the same school but didn’t meet properly until January 2016 following a night out with friends.
would remain etched in our memories for a lifetime. We of course had ideas of things that were important to us; we wanted to be married somewhere that was exclusively ours for the day, we wanted to be able to stay with our guests overnight at the venue etc.
When and where did James propose? On 7th October 2018, James, Bodhi (our son) and I were walking our dog Alfie along the beach at Ogmore-bysea. This is a very special place to us. One small bay means a lot to James and I, it’s where we first sat and talked about our future together. Anyway, James (with Bodhi in his arms) and I were walking along the beach and James asked me to reach into his pocket and get the poo bags out …. Instead I pulled out a ring box and he asked me there and then. Poo bags always bring a smile to my face these days!
It’s hard to put into words but the reason we chose Pencoed House is because of the magical feeling you get as you drive down the long stately driveway. You find yourself surrounded by magnificent woodland and breathtaking grounds and, suddenly, you feel like the outside world has disappeared and you are encased in a beautiful, tranquil haven. There is something innately romantic, almost fairy-tale, about this extraordinary place. We then met Judy and shortly after Jenna, Joanne and the rest of the Pencoed family. If the breath-taking venue wasn’t enough, the team’s warmth and welcoming manor certainly sealed the deal for us, we knew there was nowhere else in the world we wanted to be for our big day.
Why did you decide to choose Pencoed House as your wedding venue? For us the venue was the most important decision when it came to our wedding. We weren’t precious about cars, outfits etc but we knew that where we celebrated our special day
Did you look at other venues? We looked at several wedding venues in the area but as soon as we saw Pencoed House and met the team we knew there was nowhere else for us. Did you work with their planner? We didn’t employ a planner as such but in all honesty the team gave us all the help, support and guidance we needed to ensure the day was everything we dreamed it would be. Did you use their caterers? We did, Cresta caterers were phenomenal! We first experienced the food a few months prior at one of Cresta’s taster events hosted at Pencoed House. It was a lovely opportunity to meet with the catering staff, discuss an array of options for our wedding and sample the exquisite fresh food cooked on site!! When it came to the day, Cresta exceeded all expectations! We already knew that the food would be out of this world, but the service throughout the wedding breakfast and evening buffet was exceptional.
“There is something innately romantic, almost fairy-tale, about this extraordinary place.” 22
“What an amazing experience it was at Pencoed House.” How did the day go? I have no doubt all brides say this, but it quite simply was the best day of our lives (next to our beautiful son being born!). The run up to our wedding was a very stressful time, even days before the wedding we had close family members in hospital, our son had been very ill, even hurricane Hannah decided to rock up the night before the wedding! Everything that could go wrong, did, right up until our special day, but our wedding was perfect from start to finish. This was is no small way down to the team at Pencoed House who ensured that all aspects of the day were executed perfectly, down to every detail (even down to decorating the hall as I had requested). What was the most special part of the day? Tough question! There were so many truly memorable parts to the day but the speeches were very special to us. This part of the day felt a very intimate, personal time where we shared tears and laughter with family and friends.
Did you and your guests stay at Pencoed House? If so, what was that experience like? Yes, we did, and what an amazing experience it was to stay at Pencoed House. Everyone who stayed with us agreed that the five star accommodation is outstanding, and the breakfast was fantastic! Where else can you get Snowdonia cheeses, fresh fruits and warm pastries, freshly squeezed juice, not to mention the delicious cooked breakfast and even chilled bottles of Coca-Cola (for the hangover!) What was working with the team at Pencoed House like? We quite simply could not have planned this wedding without all the help support and guidance the Pencoed team offered us. Six months is an unbelievably short amount of time to plan a wedding (I now realise) when you have a job and a chaotic toddler to manage. The team took all the stress out of wedding plans. Their professionalism and experience was so helpful. They were able to guide us through all aspects of the day and even put us in touch with partner business’ including our photographer (Simon Gough) and the florist that created our table centrepieces (Sara 23
Caroline). Perhaps, more importantly, the team are so approachable and accommodating - nothing ever seemed too much trouble and I always felt I could ask even the most stupid questions! Would you recommend Pencoed House to friends/colleagues? In a heartbeat! And, so would all our guests. Everyone who celebrated with us, made a point of telling us what a truly amazing place Pencoed House is. How fantastic the staff were, and what a perfect place it is to get married. Where did you go on your honeymoon? Nowhere yet. We have booked a cruise on the Norwegian Fjords in August.
Pencoed House Estate Llantrisant Road Capel Llanilltern Cardiff CF5 6JR www.pencoedhouseestate.co.uk 029 2167 8090
Images courtesy of
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SIAN OWEN PHOTOGRAPHY Hazel and Michael O’Neil were married on 1st September, at Oldwalls, Gower. They planned their wedding in nine months so had to find a great photographer at short notice. Whenever they asked for recommendations, Sian Owen’s name came up. The rest, as they say, is history. What made you decide on Sian Owen Photography? It was through lots of recommendations and, looking through her portfolio of her amazing work on her website, we knew we wanted her to shoot our wedding and, luckily, Sian was available for our date. Why did you choose Oldwalls in the Gower? We didn’t intend on getting married over an hour away from where we live but after viewing various venues in our area nothing seemed to tick all the boxes. We decided to go to Oldwalls on one of their Open Days and we were blown away by their hospitality and attention to detail. Their canapes were delicious, staff were friendly and the
venue itself was clean, modern and built specifically to host weddings with the added bonus of on-site accommodation and glamping hut village. What did you like about Sian’s work? We liked the tone of her images and her eye to capture candid images as well as beautifully creative set-up shots. Her work doesn’t look forced and captures the day exactly how it was. We also saw that Sian does a lot of lovely child photography too and it was important for us that our Page boy nephews, were captured as they are a huge part of our lives.
“We were more than pleased with the photos.” 26
How did the day go? The day was exactly how we imagined it to be and more! It’s hard not to gush or sound soppy when we recall the day as it really was one of the best days of our lives. Everyone looked spectacular, the food tasted delicious and the entertainment (The Brotherhood) had everyone up on their feet dancing all night. We made sure that all our close family had a part to play in the wedding from Hazel’s nan doing a reading to her youngest nephew, Tommy, acting as ring bearer. What was the best part of the day? The best part of the day truly was that everyone we loved and cared about was there and all of those that couldn’t be there were remembered. It was a
celebration of not only our marriage but of two families coming together. If I had to pick a few highlights it would be having a dance-off with my nephew William - he won hands down by bringing out the floss dance! Did you enjoy working with Sian? Absolutely! It was like having a friend at our wedding as well as a photographer; a dress fixer, a coordinator, a councillor and more! Sian made everything seem effortless and relaxing on the day. We had spoken to Sian before the wedding about ideas we had and what/who was important for her to capture. We trusted that she would embrace our vision as well as using her talent to create something better than we could ever imagine. One of our favourite images was when Sian used a smoke bomb around us to create a cloudy, dreamy setting.
“It was like having a friend at our wedding as well as a photographer; a dress fixer, a coordinator, a councillor and more!” Were you pleased with the photographs? We were more than pleased with the photos and we have had so many nice compliments about them. It was emotional when we first looked through the wedding album as it brought the day back to life, and all the
happy memories with it. The photos arrived on a beautifully presented USB stick in a wooden keepsake box which we uploaded to social media to show our friends and family. We didn’t opt for a wedding album although that was an option and we would like to get one in the future. Sian also very kindly edited a few photos a couple of days after the wedding and uploaded them to her social media page for us to see. This was great as it satisfied us until the rest were edited – which, understandably, takes a few weeks as there were hundreds of photos taken. We were overwhelmed with how many photos we received in the end. Do you think Sian was value for money? You can’t put a price on memories to look back on and show future generations. It was so important that we captured the day to relive it again and again because not only do you spend a lot of money on one day which goes in a flash but memories fade. We savoured each second and tried to remember it as best we could but, after a few months, the photos really help piece it all together. It is worth spending the money for a good photographer that understands what you want, and Sian did just that.
“The photos arrived beautifully presented in a keepsake box.” 27
Would you recommend her to others? We would, and have, recommended Sian to others that are looking for wedding photographers. You won’t be disappointed if you hire Sian. You only have to look at her work, or meet with her to see that she is very talented and will take on board your needs and deliver fantastic results beyond expectation.
Sian Owen Photography info@sian-owen.co.uk 07587 049949 www.sian-owen.co.uk
Davies Motor Company is widely recognised as the premier body repair shop in south Wales. After seeing some of the Italian exotica on the company’s social media, we caught up with managing Director, Sean Davies, to find out more about this cool, Cardiff company.
ITALIAN JOBS
When was Davies Motor Company established? 1974. We are a long established, familyrun business with over forty-five years experience based just off Hadfield Road. Those of you who know Cardiff will know Hadfield Road as home to the majority of Cardiff’s car dealerships. You could say we’re perfectly positioned. You have an enviable reputation for high quality work, please tell us about that… Davies Motor Company have built an outstanding reputation within the body shop and repair industry. We have gained approval from manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Nissan and Nissan GTR. Due to our consistently high professional standard, and unique quality of workmanship, we are proud to be the only company to achieve this status.
We must confess we have been drooling over your Facebook page recently. Some beautiful Italian cars… Yes, we love the Italians but we also repair all types of vehicles, not just cars – vans, motorhomes, motorcycles, it’s surprising what turns up. Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati and Fiat - all years, you’d be amazed. But we do our fair share of other brands too. Aston Martin, Porsche, McLaren, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Mercedes, BMW, you name it, we’ve probably repaired and painted it. What services do you offer? Accident repairs - lots of those. Full resprays and restoration. What types of customer do you attract? Our customer base are insurance companies, local authorities, manufacturers and dealerships.
Private customers are very welcome we see a lot of high-end vehicles and plenty of classics, but don’t think that you can’t bring any brand or model here. They all look sorry for themselves when they arrive. Whatever the car or model, it’s our job to make them look as good as new. Do you provide free quotations? Yes, we do, but you always need to make an appointment. We’re constantly quoting so it gets pretty busy. What do you do to relax? I love being with my family, that’s when I’m happiest. And I do love golf. If I’m not at home or in work, I’m almost certainly playing golf.
“You name it, we’ve probably repaired and painted it.”
Davies Motor Company Hadfield Close (off Hadfield Road) Cardiff CF11 8BD 029 2039 4407 sean@daviesmotorcompany.co.uk www.daviesmotorcompany.co.uk
Let’s just start by saying we love Keyif! And not just because we love Turkish cuisine. We love the authenticity of Keyif. What you get with Keyif is the real thing. Authentic Turkish dishes, served by Turkish people using Turkish recipes and ingredients.
SPECIAL K
KEYIF - ENJOY THE MOMENT! This restaurant shouldn’t just be enjoyed for those special occasions. It has that type of vibe that you could just call in for a drink or a cocktail and catch up with friends, loved ones or business associates it’s a great place to meet. Turkish restaurants aren’t traditionally known for their extensive range of drink offerings but Keyif has a full bar and a mixologist on hand to concoct whichever cocktail takes your fancy. Don’t just take our word for how good this restaurant is. Just read the comments from just a few of its regulars. They’ve been coming here since it opened and each time, they say, is better than the last
“Keyif has a full bar and a mixologist on hand.” 30
TESTIMONIALS
What Keyif customers say… “We have been coming here since Keyif opened. We come here at least once a week and for special occasions. We come with other friends as well. The food and service are consistently good. The staff are friendly. The food is fab. It’s excellent value. It’s definitely up there with the top Turkish restaurants which ever visited. We are big foodies. There’s a great wine selection as well for a small restaurant and decent beers. We particularly like the Pickled Hen and Doombar. Fabulous!” Michael Wig, Michele Carter and Paul Clements from Penarth and Rumney “We’ve been coming here since it opened. We knew Mehmet from his previous restaurant Saray and have followed him to Penarth. We come here at least twice a month. We’re away a lot and would come here more! The staff are very professional and friendly, and the quality of food is excellent. Keyif is a hidden gem in Penarth!” Susan Donaldson, Michael Berntsen, Allan Davey from Cardiff
Keyif 21 Glebe Street, Penarth CF64 1EE 029 2070 2429 www.keyif.co.uk
31
Sleek, sexy and stylish with a menu bursting with Welsh regional produce and a drinks list that brings elegant martinis and classic G&T’s to the fore – welcome to Grey. This restaurant with its floor to ceiling windows overlooking Cardiff Castle continues to cause quite a stir in Wales’ capital city.
GREY WILL SEE YOU NOW
Head Chef Mark Freeman (previously of Laguna Kitchen & Bar) has created a menu that covers breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and everything in-between. Contemporary interiors and stunning cocktails complete the Grey picture. First things first… How do you like your eggs in the morning? Grey’s Hatch Menu offers eight different ways to enjoy this breakfast staple: from Instagram favourite crushed avocado and chilli on rye toast finished with a poached free range hen’s egg, to a three-egg omelette with smoked haddock and Caerphilly cheese and the corned beef hash with HP sauce, watercress and a poached hen’s egg or fried duck egg.
Homemade granola, wholesome porridge, and warm pastries fresh from the kitchen will keep you fuelled until lunch. Lunch and dinner Whether popping in for a business lunch or catching up with friends over dinner, there’s a dish to suit every taste. Keep things casual with the Grey Croque Monsieur wrapped in Carmarthen ham and oozing with Welsh rarebit; or choose the decadent ultimate lobster club sandwich. Other signature must-tries include the sesame seared tuna loin with oriental salad with wasabi and the Cefn Mawr steaks, all cooked and served on a Himalayan pink salt stone. 32
A special treat for tea There’s an array of indulgent afternoon teas at Grey. Dainty finger sandwiches are filled with all the classics including Severn & Wye smoked salmon; Caerphilly cheese; and ham with grain mustard. Move onto iconic Welsh cakes and warm buttermilk scones topped with sticky strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream, before diving into a selection of miniature cakes, pastries and desserts. Make it a real celebration with a glass of Heidseck Monopole Rośe Champagne or a cocktail. Something to sip Indulge your inner Bond with a bespoke martini or classic G&T crafted by Grey’s expert mixologists.
Using locally-sourced Eccentric Gin, based in the cellars of a building which has stood in Llantrisant for over 200 years, the gin is distilled with natural spring water that runs beneath the floors of the basement giving it a distinctive flavour. Choose from the Geneva with Madame Geneva Rouge, citrus and liquorice; the Cardiff Tea Party with Cardiff Dry Gin, rosemary and lemongrass; and the Oakccentric with Limbeck Gin. Grey’s extensive wine list features a beautiful selection of European, South American and New World sips alongside a selection of local craft beers.
“An array of indulgent afternoon teas.”
Modern Welsh cuisine matched with elegant cocktails in the heart of Cardiff may seem like a tall order, but let Grey lead the way. We know the perfect place.
Enjoy a two course Lunch in Grey for just £12.00 per person available 11.00am — 5.00pm Monday to Friday n Weekly changing Menu n Choice of five starters & five main courses only £12.00 Grey’s Restaurant Hilton Cardiff, Kingsway Cardiff, CF10 3HH 029 2064 6400 www.greyrestaurant.co.uk
@GREYrestaurant @GREYrestaurant /greycardiff
Mrs Marco’s was established in March this year following an 11 day ‘DIY SOS’ style refit. Now the baby of owner Ruth Zeraschi (with the help of her super supportive husband Marco). Regulars to the café will recall it café was previously owned by Ruth’s brother-in-law, Celestino Zeraschi.
MRS MARCO’S
What was your job before you took over Mrs Marco’s Cafe? My previous career was working in the Voluntary Sector working with young people who were homeless. My last organisation, that I was employed by, was Llamau, a fabulous Welsh charity. I worked for them for twelve years, in a variety of roles. Why the career change? Serendipity. I’ve always loved Porthkerry Park and visited the café when walking my dog. The opportunity arose for me to take the café over and I jumped at it. My previous colleagues reminded me when I left Llamau that I’ve always said this café would be the only reason I’d leave that charity, and here I am! What does Mrs Marco’s offer to its customers? The café has the most wonderful situation in the middle of our beautiful park. The views are stupendous. We’re surrounded by mature woodland and the wildlife that inhabits it. We have an ever-changing view of the coast, which is spectacular in all weathers and we’re
adjacent to the viaduct, which the younger children love when the trains go over. I’m aiming to enhance the natural attractions of Porthkerry by providing a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere, where visitors can escape the stresses and strains of everyday life. Where they can enjoy good, simple food in beautiful surroundings whether this Is on their own, or, with the family. What new offerings have you brought in from what was available before? The café itself is very different. I’ve introduced picnic tables, which I feel are more conducive to the park though have kept a few tables and chairs for visitors who would prefer a more formal seating. The interior is a light, modern, functional space, while keeping a warm atmosphere. One customer said it’s a little like coming into their kitchen... which describes my vision perfectly. My aim is to provide something for everyone, so if a family comes to eat, any special dietary requirements are
“I’ve introduced Bio-Degradable containers for take-away coffees, ice-cream and hot food.” 34
catered to. I’ve expanded the menu to include more healthy options, while still providing some old favourites, but, in a more quirky, stylish way. We now stock a large array of cakes too, catering for vegan customers and those with gluten intolerance. Naughty, but nice. Our breakfast menu continues to be popular. As well as the old Builder’s Best Breakfast I’ve introduced a Posh Nosh breakfast and a vegetarian or vegan breakfast. Then there’s the classic bacon sandwich, breakfast baguette and spicy vegan beans on toast, which are served throughout the day. We continue to offer a variety of sandwiches, baguettes and paninis, but have introduced new fillings. I’ve also kept the jacket potatoes on the menu but, now you’ll be able to try my homemade chilli on a cold day. The choice of ice-cream has also expanded as I can’t resist trying the new flavours Subzero are now offering. Lemon meringue, Cookie Dough, Birthday Cake, Jammie Dodger and, for the adults, Blueberry and Clotted Cream. They’re just some of my favourites... a perk of the job. And, there’s Afternoon Tea, which is very popular.
I’ve also installed a Free Little Library, a free book exchange, so customers can bring their old book and swap them for a new read whether it’s while they’re relaxing in the café or at home. Recycling and looking after our environment are extremely important to me, so, I’ve introduced BioDegradable containers for take-away coffees, ice-cream and hot food. We’re also home to Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun Y Nant’s collection box, where customers can put their used crisp and biscuit wrappers to be terra cycled. My aim is to limit the impact of our café on the environment and continue to look at options to maximise this. What are the most requested dishes? Goodness, that’s difficult. All the breakfasts continue to be popular. Some morning, our little café struggles to keep up with demand to be honest. Then my homemade spicy vegan beans have proved extremely popular with vegans and non-vegans alike. The soup of the day is also a popular choice and customers are keen to try the various options. We’ve become more adventurous in our soups recently and the customers have loved it. Who are your customers? We have a very diverse customer base,
as does the park itself. Our regular morning customers are all dog walkers, who’ve made friends over time and come every morning, rain or shine. Then we have families, friends meeting up, single people who want a bit of peace and quiet and couples who visit after a romantic walk. We also offer special deals to volunteers, schools who visit the park and walking groups. What are your plans for the future? I’m looking forward to building an extension, so, then we’ll have indoor seating, a meeting room, were groups can meet up and a larger kitchen so, we can expand our menu. The extension will have bi-folding doors so visitors can sit inside but still feel part of our beautiful surroundings, with a wood burning stove in the winter. My idea for the meeting room is so we can hold ‘Maker’s Mornings’ where people’s skills are shared, and people can just get together. I’m looking forward to offering salads, including super foods and edible flowers and there’ll also be a quiche of the day and Afternoon Tea. I can’t wait. My daughter, Charly is also keen to then start ‘Pop up’ nights, where her friends and her can showcase their 35
creativity and musical skills. She’d like to arrange a pop-up taster menu with performers acting as waitresses. They’re so talented but, need venues where they can show what they can do. What do you think makes Mrs Marco’s special? Obviously the park and the beautiful environment, but I can’t forget to mention the staff, who are all so supportive and have been involved in the changes at every stage. The café has always been loved, but, now, with extra promotion and adaptations to appeal to a wider audience, it is becoming a ‘Happy Place’ for more and more people. What do you love about Porthkerry? Everything. Every day brings changes. Every season changes the environment. I am so lucky to work here surrounded by nature and sharing my days with others who also appreciate what we have here. Mrs Marco’s Porthkerry Park, Barry Vale Of Glamorgan
We’d heard that Ryanair was going to be running regular flights from Cardiff so managed to book ourselves on to the inaugural flight for a little four-night cultural enrichment trip. Having never visited Malta before we were keen to find out more before our trip.
ISLAND L IFE
THE MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS OF MALTA, GOZO & COMINO Malta sits just 93km south of Sicily and is a group of three islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino (the smallest of the three). As the 737 flies, it’s roughly three hours and twenty minutes from Cardiff. As we were new to Malta, we thought it useful to employ the services of a local guide, Vince Debono, who was very knowledgeable and made sure that we didn’t miss anything. We landed on the Wednesday and headed for Mdina, Malta’s first capital city during the time of the Knights of Malta, and also a colonial settlement of Imperial Rome. Known as ‘The Silent City’, it’s a mix of medieval and baroque architecture; its fortification walls and location on high grounds make it one of the most enchanting places on the island. If you need a ‘tea break’ as one does in the UK, we can recommend afternoon tea at Fontanella Tea Garden. Another great place to take in the views is Tigne Point in Sliema. Here you’ll be treated to an amazing view of Valletta’s skyline across Marsaxett Harbour. After checking in to our hotel, and a welcome freshen up, in the evening we headed out for dinner, and met some friends at a great restaurant called Wigi’s. Excellent food but the star of the show was the tuna. I’m reliably informed the Japanese are enthusiastic importers of Maltese tuna and, after tasting it at, Wigi’s, we can understand why. The weather wasn’t brilliant at this point but given that we were in culture mode, it didn’t really matter. Generally, the Maltese weather is pretty consistent but, occasionally, it rains, and on these islands, if you’re a local, that can be most welcome.
“If art and sculpture is your thing, you will love it.”
After an excellent breakfast on Thursday morning, we bumped into Andrew Galea, Sales Manager for the Corinthia Hotel where we were staying. Andrew was a mine of information and we really liked his passion for photography and military history. We always talk to hotel staff - they are usually a really source of useful info and the Corinthia staff didn’t let us down. I was chatting to a young man from Eastern Europe and he explained that Malta was booming. It certainly looked that way with exciting new developments and hotels going up right across the island. By 10am we were walking through the City Gate Project in Valletta and the new Parliament Building. The Parliament House is the meeting place of the Parliament of Malta and, along with the City Gate Project, was constructed between 2011 and 2015 by renowned architect Renzo Piano. We also visited the Upper Barrakka Gardens which occupy the elevated space on the ramparts of St Peter’s and St Paul’s Bastion. The garden was established in the mid-17th century to provide a peaceful retreat for the Knights. 36
The Gardens command the best views of Malta’s Grand Harbour. Later that morning we visited St John’s Co-Cathedral and museum. The church was built between 1573 and 1577, during the reign of Gran Master Jean de la Cassiere. It’s architecture and sculptures reflect Baroque art, and the church boasts some of the most beautiful works of art by Mattia Preti and Caravaggio’s only signed painting. Honestly, the Cathedral blew us away. With its acres of gold leaf it is truly breath-taking inside, and one of Malta’s must-see buildings. We breezed through MUŻA (in the Auberge D’Italie on Merchant Street). MUŻA is the chosen name for Malta’s new Museum of Art and was the flagship project for Valletta’s European Capital City of Culture Title in 2018. MUZA is green-powered, generating its energy requirements through renewable sources, and represents best practice in renovating a historic Maltese building. There are beautiful works inside and, if art and sculpture is your thing, you will love it.
For lunch we visited Rubino Restaurant. The food was excellent and the superb service created the perfectly authentic ambience for enthusiastic discussions about what we’d seen in the morning. I had to try the local speciality, rabbit, and was not disappointed. It was divine. In the afternoon, we visited the recently opened Is-Suq Tal-Belt Food Market, with its Victorian iron works which have been beautifully restored. I was hoping for more traditional market stalls but, hey, even Malta isn’t immune from the ‘modern’ world. A stroll around the city in the afternoon found us exploring St Ursula Street, Victoria Gate and St Barbara Bastions. We ended the day at Valletta Waterfront and enjoyed a leisurely boat trip around the Harbour. On Friday, we decided that Gozo would be our destination but, on the way, we checked out Golden Sands Beach. Golden Sands is Malta’s most popular beach. Its large stretch of tawny sands makes it an ideal location for a beach wedding, so if you haven’t already popped the question!. On the way to the ferry, we stopped and enjoyed a view of the Popeye Village. Children would love this and it’s the actual movie set from the Popeye movie which starred the late, great Robin Williams. A relaxing twenty-five minute ferry crossing took us to Gozo. The charm of Gozo is immediately apparent; it’s greener, more rural and smaller than Malta. Life on Gozo moves at a very leisurely pace, while also offering historical sites, mythology, forts and amazing panoramas. Our first stop was the Ggantija Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ggantija Temples are the oldest freestanding structures in the world and, potentially, Gozo’s single most marketable landmark. Excavated from 1816 to 1820, the complex comprises of two Neolithic temples dating from the third millennium BC (3,500BC). Quite an eye opener. While on Gozo, you must visit Ramla Bay - it’s the largest sandy beach on Gozo and one of the most beautiful in the Maltese Islands - and is positioned below the traditional Calypso Cave. The name Ramla is Maltese for sandy beach. The water is shallow, blue and safe for bathing. On windy days the white surf rolling on the sand is an added attraction.
“Beautiful olives, meats and local fayre.”
We then headed to Victoria which is known to all as Rabat, which means suburb, and has been in existence well before the Citadel became the refuge for locals. It grew over centuries to become the town that was named Victoria 1887 in honour of Queen Victoria during her jubilee year. Besides being the administrative centre of the Island, it also holds the local law courts, hospital and school. The beautiful Basilica of St. George was rebuilt in 1693 following an earthquake. Market stalls are set-up daily in the main square of Victoria. Citadel - The Gran Castello. The old capital of Gozo was the centre of activity since Neolithic times. It has impressive battlements which offer a superb view around the Island with vistas over the fields dissected by rubble walls. At midday, we arrived at Ta Mena Estate. We met the owner and learned a great deal about local food, wines, olive oil and liqueurs. He was a real delight and we sampled some beautiful olives, meats and local fayre. For lunch, we all met at Kartell Restaurant in Marsalforn. An excellent establishment with great views watching the waves break while eating lunch was a real treat. 38
The food was excellent and must be on your restaurant hit list if you visit Gozo. After lunch, we stopped at the Qbajjar Salt Pans and Xwejni. The Qbajjar Salt Pans were painstakingly carved out from the natural limestone rock to make collection pits for salt water to evaporate, leaving behind it raw rock salt, rich in minerals. Dating back to the Roman times, the salt pans are still in use today. We headed for Dwejra which is widely recognised as Gozo’s most spectacular natural landmark. Here, geology, time and sea have worked together to produce some of the most remarkable scenery on the Islands - the Inland Sea, Fungus Rock, sheer cliffs and a rocky coastline. Fungus Rock - Atop this sixty metre monolith, also known as the General’s Rock, grows a rare tubular plant that was once believed to cure dysentery and many other illnesses. Later, we drove through Xlendi Bay, a small tourist resort located in the south-west of Gozo. Once a small fishing village, this bay, flanked by high cliffs attracts considerable crowds throughout the whole year. A 17th century tower rises on top of the high cliffs, adding to charm of the place.
So there it is. Four fabulous days in Malta. You may not wish to cram in as much as we did but however long you spend on these islands, if history, the arts and culture are your thing, you will not be disappointed. I’m not remotely religious but the visit to the Cathedral and several churches will stay with me forever. They are incredible and a real feast for the eyes and the soul. The richness and passion for the church out here is quite moving. And, last-butnot-least, a pat on the back for Ryanair. We’d never flown with them before and, if we’re honest, all we’d heard were moans and groans about poor service etc. Honestly, they were a delight to fly with. Staff were excellent and we would certainly fly with them again.
Then it’s back to Mgarr Harbour to catch the ferry back to Cirkewwa. After a mainly overcast week and ‘locally welcomed’ torrential rain on Friday afternoon, we woke on Saturday to the weather we’d hoped Malta would deliver. In brilliant sunshine under a turquoise sky, we headed out to Marsaxlokk Fishing Village. Marsaxlokk is Malta’s main fishing village and one of the most picturesque localities on the island. The small fishing boats, known as the Luzzu and Kajjik, are painted in vivid colours of red, yellow, green and blue, and float gracefully on the calm waters of the bay. We really enjoyed it here, sitting in the sun enjoying good coffee and local pastries set us up nicely for the day ahead. Our whistle-stop visit to Dingli Cliffs, the Island’s natural fortress, turned into a slightly longer stop. The views are incredible and there happened to be a chap there demonstrating his proficient handling of various birds of prey. I was absolutely smitten by one of his owls and he kindly let me hold her while he recorded her flight from my hand to his in super slow motion – a truly beautiful moment in our trip. The cliffs offer beautiful views, including a vantage point of the uninhabited isle of Filfla.
The tiny chapel of St Mary Madgalene is perched on the edge, and marks the highest point on the Maltese Islands, some 250 metres above sea level. Our last lunch of the trip at Diar Il Bniet Restaurant did not disappoint. Nestled in a shallow valley on the outskirts of the picturesque Maltese coastal village of Dingli, Diar il-Bniet is a family run farm that has remained true to the traditional values of its ancestral roots. The food here was unbelievably good and we all agreed that the quality of dining on Malta had surpassed our expectations.
Need more information? www.maltalife.com
In the afternoon, we visited The Three Cities. These small cities go by the names of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. They are popularly known as the Three Cities, a term that was first used during the French occupation, when Napoleon decreed that Malta was to be divided into a number of administrative unit.
Need a hotel? Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay, Malta 00356 2137 4114 www.corinthia.com/Stjulians
The most quaint part of Vittoriosa, the Collachio area is in the Old Quarter, where the Knights had their inns or auberges. The Couvre Porte was a complex system of historic gateways through which one could gain access into Vittoriosa. Beautiful architecture and a beautiful end to a great four-day-getaway. 39
Need a guide? We can recommend Vince Debono. Very knowledgeable and all-round nice guy. Yes, we like Vince. Look him up on Facebook. www.facebook.com/vincent.debono.7 00356 9947 5066
Need transport? ~ Zarb Coaches Ltd (Malta) 00356 2148 9991/2/3 www.zarbcoaches.com Also Franks Garage Gozo 00356 21 556814 Need to fly? Ryanair www.ryanair.com
We all need a break occasionally. Time out away from our familiar surroundings. Somewhere coastal with great accommodation, staff who make you feel at ease and really great food. Orestone Manor in south Devon is the ideal retreat which ticks all the boxes.
ORESTONE MANOR Orestone Manor is a family-run, luxurious country house hotel, set in landscaped gardens overlooking Lyme bay, and offers some of the most sumptuous accommodation and fine dining in south Devon. This magnificent Georgian manor house hotel, and award-winning hidden gem, is run by husband and wife chefs, Neil and Catherine D’Allen, son Craig and his wife Laura. It is nestled above the pretty South Devon coastal village of Maidencombe, just off the coast road between Teignmouth and Torquay. With spectacular sea views over Lyme Bay and beyond, this luxury hotel has an incredible history that fascinates and enthrals its guests and diners. Orestone Manor was the scene of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s National Portrait Gallery painting, created by his brother-in-law, Sir John Calcott Horsley on the Orestone Manor lawn. In the 1850’s, Orestone played host to many Brunel/Horsley family gatherings that took place at the venue, candlelit dinners, music in the parlour, children’s games and, perhaps, croquet on the lawn. 2019 is a significant year for the UK’s greatest engineer, coming 160 years since Kingdom Brunel lived. Interestingly the youngest living descendant of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, 12-year-old Zebedee Noble, visited Orestone Manor with his parents to retrace his family roots and saw the Brunel Lounge. Orestone Manor was also the birthplace of the Christmas Card, with Sir Horsley designing the card in 1843. Nowadays under 20 are in existence, one is in the V&A, another is owned by the Royal Mail. The cards fetch £20,000+ at auction. The fascinating connection with the past continues with neighbours being equally famous, Rudyard Kipling, during Sir Horsley’s tenure, lived in the property nearest.
Excellent location This wonderful Devon location has the absolute best from land and sea and the award-winning, highly skilled Orestone kitchen team excel at preparing mouth-watering dishes that tantalisingly linger in guests’ minds long after they have visited.
Orestone Manor’s passion for food is everything you’d expect in a hotel owned by husband and wife chefs. With an emphasis on modern European food, they source the finest fresh ingredients and are spoilt for choice from the abundance this idyllic part of South Devon provides.
This delightful country-house hotel also offers a less formal experience in their conservatory restaurant or out on the sunny terrace, offering entrancing alfresco dining.
The incredible local farming offers the very best from meats such as South Devon beef, Exmoor lamb, local estate wild game, an array of vegetables that accompany dishes and Orestone prides itself in offering a delectable separate vegetarian menu, to world famous sea food; Brixham Crab, hand-dived Torbay scallops and lobsters, Teign River Mussels and all the dayboat fish guests could want from the watery larder that sits on the doorstep.
The local area seems to have its own microclimate and Orestone Manor’s sun terrace, surrounded by palm trees and lush gardens, has to be one of the finest spots of the English Riviera. Fabulous food The recognition and praise for Orestone Manor is effusive - this country house hotel has won accolades from Condé Nast Johansens, double AA Rosettes for fine dining, as well as continual gold-wins in the renowned Taste of the West awards (the 2018 win has just been awarded), and is also a constant winner of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, listed in their Hall of Fame. 40
Both A-la-Carte and Table d’hôte menus are available for lunch or dinner, with an all-day lounge menu. In the afternoons, Devon Clotted Cream is centre stage for their famous afternoon teas. The hotel has have an extensive wine list, with a wide range of superb wines to complement the delicious food.
Reassuringly, the rest of the bar stock is sourced and selected with the same passion and flair as the wines. Beautiful bedrooms Each of Orestone Manor’s fourteen bedrooms are unique in character and ambience, varying in size, shape and style to suit all tastes. On this occasion, we stayed in the Horsley Suite. The rooms benefit from complimentary fluffy robes and slippers, Sky TV (including Sky Sports), telephone, ensuite bathrooms and hospitality trays. All apart from two classic rooms have stunning sea views. The delightful rooms match the food in excellence and three have simmering private hot-tubs, a delight for autumn evenings while sipping bubbly and resting-up.
up to the renowned engineer’s exacting standards. The vibe The hotel’s aim is to serve guests as they would wish to be served. Relaxation and enjoyment, not rules and regulations are the order of the day, so if guests want the full a-la-carte menu, but would rather sit outside in the evening sun, that’s absolutely fine. Whether it is a holiday for a week, a mouth-watering meal to sample the award-winning food or simply to come for tea and home-made scones on the terrace or on one of the many cosy sofas, every visitor simply melts into the Orestone experience.
Orestone Manor Maidencombe, Rock House Lane Devon TQ1 4SX 01803 897 511 info@orestonemanor.com www.orestonemanor.com Rooms from £110, for the best rate, call the hotel directly on 01803 897 511.
Meanwhile the swanky Brunel Bar & Lounge is an excellent place to enjoy a tipple, top tip: try the champagne cocktail of the week and as you do, cast your eye over the Bar & Lounge addition to see if the custom features modelled on Brunel’s famous Royal Albert Bridge, an impeccable landmark bridging Devon and Cornwall measure 41
CALL 029 2066 7787
VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.ALEXANDERBULLOCK.CO.UK
CORIAN APPROVED FABRICATORS
The Royal Mint Experience provides an amazing opportunity to go behind the scenes and discover stories from The Royal Mint’s 1,100 year history.
ROYAL MINT
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!
If you’ve never visited The Royal Mint, I can confirm you’re missing out on a wonderful insight into this incredible institution, which is steeped in history. I recently took the Gold VIP Tour and can tell you that it’s worth every penny. There were just eight people on our tour which meant there was plenty of opportunity to ask questions. I have to say our two guides, Alison and Beverly, were incredibly knowledgeable and the introductory talk we received from Gwyn was thoroughly enjoyable - learning about the beginnings in the Tower of London and subsequent moves which led the Mint coming to Wales at the instigation of James Callaghan. I was also surprised to hear how much currency The Royal Mint produces for the rest of the world (over 100 countries!) and there are some truly beautiful examples on display. The
Mint also produce medals and proudly created the medals for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. One of the highlights for me was seeing the design process and what goes into producing a coin. I’ve always been interested in design and engineering, so the manufacturing process honestly intrigued me. The die-making, the stamping, the polishing - it was utterly fascinating. Plus the opportunity to spend time on the factory floor was a real treat (not all tours are permitted to do this).We even had the opportunity to strike our very own £2 coin, and hold gold coins worth £50,000 and lift a gold ingot worth £400,000! We had earlier been allowed to visit one of the closed rooms where a huge selection of coins and medals dating back over a thousand years are stored. The history in this room is, quite frankly, astonishing and all our group 44
were delighted to have the opportunity to view something so special. Over a very pleasant buffet lunch I had the opportunity to chat with the other visitors; some were avid collectors, some had been gifted the experience, some were just interested in the history. One chap lived just two miles away and another couple had come from Essex specially. All agreed it was an excellent day and real value for money. If you haven’t visited, it certainly should be on your bucket list. Visit the website for more information or call 0333 241 2223 to book your visit. Royal Mint Experience Heol-Y-Sarn, Pontyclun CF72 8YT 0333 241 2223 www.royalmint.com/ the-royal-mint-experience
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HOWEVER YOU HOLIDAY, IT’s better from BRISTOL
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Hilton Cardiff recently celebrated the 100th birthday of Hilton Worldwide. To mark the occasion, the hotel hosted a birthday party where more than 100 special guests were able to sample a range of delicious street-food stalls at the hotel.
H ILTON CELEBRATES 100 YEARS Marie Fagan, Matt Appleby
Kate Millar, Simon Williams
Peter Goodwin, Zoe Jagoe-Williams, Liz Brookes
Karen Clatworthy, Andrea Price-Hopkins, Sandra Owen
Catherine King, Richard Jones, Kay Powell
The party celebrated key milestones for Hilton Worldwide such as being the first to create a number of worldfamous favourites. These included the delicious Waldorf Salad, the classic Eggs Benedict, the mouth-watering Red Velvet Cake, the delectable chocolate brownie and the thirst-quenching Pina Colada. At the event, the hotel also presented their new bespoke celebration packages for all occasions complete with their team of dedicated Moment Makers who will help deliver the ‘wow’ factor to any special celebration. From creating bespoke menus to serving up a street food festival to guests or having a mixologist, the new packages will help people make any occasion extra special.
Matt Appleby, Lizzie Roberts
Juliet Gamlin, Richard Field
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Hilton Kingsway, Greyfriars Road Cardiff CF10 3HH 029 2064 6300 www.hilton.com
Jasmine Villiers, Deborah Thompson
Julie Davies, Kevin Davies
Kathy Brown, Lynne Jones, Marie Fagan, Jason Edwards
Fernanda Devars, Paco Ale
Andrea Price-Hopkins
Barbara Chidgey, Lisa Armstrong, Helen Dowson
Ali Stewart, Julian Morin
Georgia Jones, Lazar Stupar
Ian Robinson
Jane Cook, Sheri Hall
Harry Griffiths (Cardiff Blues)
Lazar Stupar, Marie Fagan, Mark Freeman
Lewis Stone, Emily Harper
Leanne Munkley, Andrea Price, Samantha Emmott, Catherine King
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Welcome to Vale Life Magazine’s Social Life section, a veritable who’s who in and around the Vale.
SOCIAL L IFE CARDIFF
10 annual charity dinner for Lewis Ballard th
Lewis Ballard recently held their 10th annual charity dinner to raise money for Velindre Cancer Centre. The ‘Strictly’ themed night was a massive success and raised £17,513.46 for the charity. Velindre is a cause deep in the hearts of Neil and Jan, Lewis Ballard’s directors, and they were humbled by the support on the night and the amount raised which will make a huge difference to so many lives. Since Lewis Ballard’s first charity dinner, they have now raised £142,621.36 overall, and they don’t plan on stopping.
Their annual charity dinner consists of a wonderful three-course meal, a comedy act, games throughout the night, competitions, a raffle and an auction. This year they had a picture competition which had guests pulling their best salsa poses in every room of Holland House. Great fun was had by all and they’re all looking forward to next year!
Lewis Ballard Celtic House, Caxton Place, Pentwyn, Cardiff, CF23 8HA 029 2073 5502 info@lewisballard.co.uk www.lewisballard.co.uk
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THE BEAR, COWBRIDGE
Cost of Cancer's 5th Charity Ball This year saw Cost of Cancer celebrate their 5th charity ball in a new venue, the beautiful Bear Hotel in Cowbridge. It was a lovely evening which saw the VIP’s enjoy fizz and canapes on arrival. As usual, the band Omega Blend had people dancing the night away. The night was a huge success and raised £5,400 towards helping people who are struggling with their finances whilst going through treatment for Cancer. If you need help, please go to www.costofcancer.org.uk for more details. info@costofcancer.org.uk
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THANK YOU Thanks for taking the time to read this edition of City Life magazine. City Life is the City Of Cardiff ’s premier lifestyle magazine. We print 10,000 copies of each edition and cut no corners on design, production and the quality of our print. Talking about printing, we source pretty much everything locally, and over 95% of City Life’s turnover is reinvested back into the community of South Wales. If you have a business and are interested in promoting your goods or services to an aspirational audience in Cardiff then City Life is almost certainly right for you. Jennifer Hobbs-Roberts Editor jennifer@goodlifepublishing.co.uk
“Follow your heart, not your head.” Kevin Green, Wealth Coach www.kevingreen.com
P ROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS We value our advertisers. We appreciate the trust they place in us by promoting their businesses in our magazines. With our local partners, we currently publish a range of high quality quarterly titles across Wales. You can advertise your business from as little as £35 per season in this magazine. Pick-up-ability! Our magazines aren’t like other magazines. They have real pick-up appeal - in fact, they really do go like hot cakes. Quality comes first... along with the environment. We’re passionate about quality. The magazines are beautifully written and designed, and printed locally in South Wales on high quality paper (and no nasty varnishes or lamination we’re as green as green can be). Quality distribution to an affluent, aspirational audience... We distribute our magazines to over 1,000 carefully selected outlets across South Wales. We’d love to have your business on board. If you’d like to promote your business or service in our magazines, please get in touch, we’d love the opportunity to work with you.
OUR TITLES We proudly publish four Life-style magazines and one business to business title. Vale Life (our first magazine). This covers the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan - the most southerly county in Wales and deemed to be the most affluent. Vale Life was the first magazine we published. City Life The premier lifestyle magazine for Cardiff, Wales’ capital city. The magazine is delivered to all areas of Cardiff. Valleys Life At the heart of the South Wales Valleys. From the Neath Valley in the West to Blaenau Gwent and Pontypool in the East. West Life Covering Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and coastal Ceredigion, West Life is in touch with the relaxed lifestyle of this very special part of Wales. In Business Wales’ premier magazine for people in business. This is the kind of publication people in business want to read; interesting, inspirational and aspirational.
WHAT A DVERTISERS SAY “The best advertising we’ve ever done!” Andy Bradshaw, Partner, Hamptons, Penarth. “Honestly, the best response I’ve ever had.” Matt Mullooly, Owner, Northern Star, Penarth. “At last, advertising that really delivers.” Ann Bryl, Owner, Bryl’s Boutique, Barry. “A truly astonishing response.” Russell Scott-Lawson, Owner, Hawkes, Cardiff. “The experience I have had with this magazine has restored my faith in advertising. Gauci Organic Candles is a small business with an equally small advertising budget. We have to make every pound count and that’s what we get with Vale Life, City Life and Valleys Life. It’s refreshing to find a magazine that really understands my business. They are never short of ideas. I recommend them whenever I can.” Spiro Gauci, Owner, Gauci Organic Candles, Cardiff www.gaucicandles.co.uk “These are beautiful publications. We love working with people who are passionate about what they do.” Spiro Borg, Spiros Caterers, www.spiros.co.uk We’d love the opportunity to show you what a truly effective campaign in our publications can achieve.
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St P Peters eters H Hall, all, St Peters Peters Street, Street, Cardiff Cardifff CF24 3BA T el: 029 2049 4425 • www.spiros.co.uk www w..spiros.co.uk • info@spiros.co.uk inffo o@sp os.co.uk o@spir Tel: Find us o on nF Facebook acebook @SPIROSCATERERS @SP IROSCA AT TE TERERS