Cardiff Life - Issue 166

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property ISSUE 166 / SPRING 2017 / £3

CELEBRATING THE BEST IN THE CITY, PENARTH & THE VALE

BARD TIMES OMIDAZE DO

WHAM, GLAM! THE CARDIFF LIFE

AWARDS IN PICTURES

ROMEO & JULIET ISSUE 166 / SPRING 2017 / CARDIFF, WE LOVE YOU

50 REASONS TO LOVE THE ’DIFF

Y T I C E H T FOR SPRING STYLE FOR WEDDING BELLES

FUZZY LOGIC SUPER FURRY ANIMALS’ HUW BUNFORD

editor’s letter / Issue 166 / SPRING 2017

Reasons to be cheerful Everyone knows how buzzy, colourful and downright brilliant Cardiff is – heaven knows we bang on about it enough – but just what is it that makes the city so cool?

Fabulous food? Edgy arts? Independent shopping?

Creative culture? It’s all of those things, and more – and we’ve got 50 good reasons to prove it. Turn to page 26 for the skinny...

Also this issue, we reflect on the glitziest, most successful Cardiff Life Awards yet, with six pages of pics from the big night at City Hall – get the lowdown on which movers and shakers were there, who wore what and who got off with who (just kidding!) from page 16.

That’s not all: we also catch up with acclaimed Cardiff theatre company Omidaze, ahead of their contemporary take – we’re talking aerial circus – on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet at Wales Millennium Centre.

All that, plus the latest news, gossip, ideas for wedding guest attire, rainy day gifts (we are in April, after all) and Super Furry Animals guitarist Huw ‘Bunf’ Bunford on his latest venture – family raves. More than enough to keep you going until next month – enjoy!

Lle sy’n destun llawenydd

26

’DIFF-TASTIC! Cardiff, how do we love thee?

Let us count the ways...

Mae pawb yn gwybod bod Caerdydd yn lle gwych sy’n llawn cyffro a lliw – r’yn ni, heb os, yn dweud hynny’n ddigon aml – ond beth yn union sy’n gwneud y ddinas yn lle mor ddeniadol? Bwyd blasus? Blaengaredd ym maes y celfyddydau? Siopau annibynnol? Diwylliant creadigol?

Wel, yr holl bethau hyn a mwy – ac mae gennym 50 o resymau da i brofi hynny. Trowch i dudalen 26 i weld beth sydd ar y gweill...

Yn y rhifyn hwn hefyd, rydym yn bwrw golwg yn ôl ar y seremoni fwyaf llwyddiannus a chrand hyd yma yn hanes Gwobrau Cardiff Life, drwy gyfrwng chwe thudalen o luniau o’r noson fawr yn Neuadd y Ddinas – ewch i dudalen 16 i weld pa bwysigion oedd yno, pwy oedd yn gwisgo beth a phwy gusanodd pwy (jôc!).

At hynny, rydym yn mynd y tu ôl i’r llenni gydag Omidaze, y cwmni theatr adnabyddus o Gaerdydd, cyn fersiwn gyfoes y cwmni o Romeo & Juliet gan Shakespeare yng Nghanolfan y Mileniwm – fersiwn sy’n seiliedig ar syrcas yn yr awyr.

Yn ogystal, mae gennym y newyddion a’r straeon diweddaraf, syniadau ynghylch dillad ar gyfer gwesteion priodas ac anrhegion tywydd gwlyb (mae’n fis Ebrill, wedi’r cyfan) ac mae Huw ‘Bunf’ Bunford, gitarydd Super Furry Animals, yn sôn am ei fenter ddiweddaraf – rêfs i deuluoedd. Dyna fwy na digon i’ch cadw i fynd tan y mis nesaf – pob hwyl!

Velimir Ilic Editor vel.ilic@mediaclash.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @CardiffLifeMag

CONTENTS / ISSUE 166 / SPRING 2017

MAIN FEATURES 16 Cardiff Life Awards Six pages of glam party pics from our big night at City Hall

26 You’re The Best Thing 50 things to love about Cardiff right now

44

M EET T H E T EAM Editor Velimir Ilic vel.ilic@mediaclash.co.uk Managing editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors: Hugo Ball, Katie Kissoon, Nerys Lloyd-Pierce, Owen Davies, Rhys Williams, Andrea Callanan

OPINION

Advertising manager Mark George mark.george@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy advertising manager Claire Hawkins claire.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Ian Fernando ian.fernando@mediaclash.co.uk Commercial director Steve Hawkins steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk

13 A Man’s World Rhys’ inner carnivore is calling...

THE ARTS 39 Arts Intro Provocative art by Sue Williams

Production and distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager Christina West christina.west@mediaclash.co.uk Production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk

40 What’s On More cultural highlights

44 Romeo & Juliet

PHOTO BY KIRSTEN MCTERNAN

Cardiff theatre company Omidaze’s raw, energetic take on Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy

49 Film Preview It’s all about monochrome masterpieces at Chapter

SHOPPING 52 Ed’s Choice Wet weather essentials and goodies – it must be April...

54 Fashion Oh, what to wear for that friend’s upcoming wedding? Just channel your springtime fashionista

FOOD 57 Food News We’re talking cheese...

58 Restaurant The Old Swan Inn in Llantwit Major

BUSINESS

DEPARTMENTS

71 Business Insider

9 Spotlight

Cardiff’s new ‘21st century garden city’, golfing around, biz wisdom, and much more

Local good news stories

PROPERT Y

61 Snapped Our photographers have been out and about again – were you?

78 Property Showcase

82 Cardiff Lives

Katie Kissoon checks out a tastefully-modernised, eightbedroom property in Penarth

Super Furry Animals guitarist Huw Bunford on favourite floor-fillers and posh socks

Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Cardiff Life, MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW; 01225 475800, mediaclash.co.uk, @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

About MediaClash We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrate the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Salisbury. We also publish foodie mag Crumbs. (crumbsmag.com, @ CrumbsMag) and wedding title Vow (@VowMag).

Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help.

Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

On the cover Cardiff, illustrated

MICROSUCTION EAR WAX CLINIC AND INDEPENDENT FAMILY RUN HEARING CENTRE THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF SERVICE AND AFTERCARE.

Scott Wroe Hearing & Ear Care Clinic | 10 Royal Buildings, Penarth CF64 3ED | Telephone 02920 707760

C A R D I F F: I T S L I F E A N D T I M E S

Artist Karimah Hassan’s showstopping artwork is on show at Tabernacle Lane, in Cardiff’s Morgan Quarter

Singer Alys Williams is appearing at Tafwyl

ARTS & CULTURE

TAFWYL RETURNS! Cardiff’s Welsh arts and culture festival is back – this time to a temporary home in Llandaff Fields The line-up for this year’s event, which takes place on 1-2 July, has just been announced, with Geraint Jarman, The Gentle Good, Alys Williams, Kizzy Crawford, Meic Stevens, Y Niwl, Heather Jones, Candelas and Yws Gwynedd just a few of the many fantastic Welsh artists who’ll be performing over the weekend.

This year, there will also be a stage (Yurt T) dedicated to supporting new and young talent, and on Saturday afternoon the Big Fish Little Fish family rave – see our Cardiff Lives Q&A on page 82 with Super Furry Animals guitarist Huw Bunford, who runs BFLF with his wife Tabitha – will be at the event for the first time, entertaining kids and parents with music, big balloons, face painting and bubbles. And DJs Gareth Potter and Mark Lugg will resurrect their legendary club night, REU, celebrating Welsh electro and live music. As usual, the Tafwyl Fringe (24 June-2 July) will be held across the city – in museums, libraries, cafés and arts centres – before the main event.

“Tafwyl brings so many great artists together each year,” said BBC Radio 1 presenter and Tafwyl ambassador Huw Stephens. “This year’s line-up demonstrates how eclectic and interesting the scene is at the moment.

Yurt T will be a great addition, bringing fresh new talent to a new audience. I can’t wait!”

For more: tafwyl.org

EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT...

THE MORGAN QUARTER ART Striking new artwork has been unveiled at Tabernacle Lane in the Morgan Quarter The five pieces, by artist Karimah Hassan, were the chosen winning artworks from the Morgan Quarter’s inaugural Art Project, which invited talented Cardiff artists to design decorative panels to bring Tabernacle Lane, the walkway that joins the Morgan and Royal Arcades, to life. Karimah’s pieces, which were chosen for their elaborate detail and vivid colours, will be on display for at least a year.

The 24-year-old, an architect who grew up in Cardiff, was inspired by the centenary birth of famous Welsh author, Roald Dahl, when designing the series. “My drawings are based on the City Of The Unexpected event

that took place in Cardiff last year,” she said.

“The drawings are of real events showcasing Cardiff and its people in all their fun-loving glory. When you look closely, you see children chasing each other, families watching circus performers and friends lying under the trees in Bute Park.

“I wanted to draw people in and spark their imagination. With these pieces, the more you look, the more you see. I made the drawings very intricate, so that every time people stop and look at them, they will find more clues and hidden messages.”

For more: morganquarter.co.uk, karimahhassan.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 9

Sue Carter, Gareth Davies (both Loteri Cymru) and Marc Phillips (Hanfod Cymru)

C A R D I F F: I T S L I F E A N D T I M E S

© NIGEL FORSTER

(From top) Three Cliffs Bay and Llangorse Lake storm, both taken by photographer Nigel Forster

LOTTERY/CHARITY

KER-CHING! © NIGEL FORSTER

New televised lottery, Loteri Cymru, promises a ‘win-win’ for Wales

“The sheer diversity of the countryside, entwined with the deeply significant culture and built heritage, creates a palette of opportunities to delight the eye, exercise the body, stimulate the senses and invite further exploration and discovery,” said Professor Stevens.

“300 years ago, the mountains and upland areas of Wales were landscapes to be avoided at all costs. Today, these wild, majestic places are the reason why so many people travel to this country.”

Wales is to have its own weekly, televised lottery, Loteri Cymru, with the first draw set to take place on Friday 28 April (8pm, S4C), then every Friday at the same time after that. Tickets are already on sale, with each weekly ‘loto’ draw offering a guaranteed jackpot of £25,000. Each ticket – unless it has scooped the jackpot – will also be entered free into ‘loto+’, a monthly raffle offering ten guaranteed £1,000 prizes.

Local charities all over Wales will be invited to apply for support for community projects with educational, social and cultural benefits – a charitable arm, Hanfod Cymru, has been established to distribute a minimum of 20% of the proceeds from Loteri Cymru ticket sales to good causes.

“We are launching Loteri Cymru to create a ‘win-win’ for the people and communities of Wales, where individuals can afford to try their luck at winning a life-enhancing jackpot and their local communities benefit, too,” said Loteri Cymru chairman and former Wales rugby international, Gareth Davies. “We want Loteri Cymru to become a real part of life here, so that everyone in Wales will know someone who has won a prize or be aware of a good cause that has benefited.”

For more: graffeg.com

For more: loteri.cymru

BOOKS/PHOTOGRAPHY

NATURAL TREASURES A stunning new photographic book, Landscape Wales, celebrates the beauty of the Welsh outdoors Featuring over 60 stunning, doublepage photographs, the book (published

by Graffeg, £9.99) explores the different moods, seasons, topography and sheer breathtaking beauty of landscapes across Wales, including the mountains of Snowdonia, the lush, green rolling hills of the Welsh valleys, the iconic architecture of Portmeirion, and more.

Also included are 12 essays by international tourism consultant Professor Terry Stevens, focusing on a significant, special or historic place in Wales.

10 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

‘IT’S YOUR DECISION BUT OUR REPUTATION’

www.thepenarthmotorco.co.uk Windsor Road, Penarth, CF64 1JG | 029 2070 7090

A MAN’S WORLD

RHYS WILLIAMS

MEAT FEASTS Rhys’ inner carnivore is calling... ay Rayner may make a habit of criticising Cardiff’s food scene, but in my mind there are plenty of great options in and around the city – the latest being Asador 44.

I was lucky enough to be invited to have a table at the soft opening and it’s safe to say they had me at hello. I’m no stranger to Bar 44 (Asador 44’s sister restaurant), having known owners/brothers Owen and Tom Morgan for a long time from living and playing sport together in Cowbridge. In fact, their mother was my dentist until I was in my mid-20s, and Owen and I played rugby together at a young age.

Bar 44 has been a long-established favourite on the High Street back home, and I’ve followed their journey to Penarth and Cardiff, enjoying every bite along the way. As soon as I heard about the concept of Asador 44 – quality meats grilled over charcoal in a northern Spanish style – I knew it would be a culinary experience not to be missed.

The team at Bar 44 always shows tremendous passion, from taking time to advise you on what to order, to expertly pairing your food with sherry or wine.

Back to the soft opening: I had the chuletón steak, a thick-cut, bone-in rib steak,

aged over 40 days, taken straight from Spain and cooked rare. For me, there is nothing like a great-tasting piece of beef, and it’s safe to say it didn’t disappoint.

There was a first for me, however – our waiter was met with slight bemusement as he arrived with a fancy box and a selection of fine steak knives. Having never been given the option of selecting my cutlery, it just added to the whole experience and authenticity. I’m not sure if it was the steak

PERHAPS JAY RAYNER SHOULD EAT HIS WORDS... or the cutlery, but it cut beautifully, like a knife through butter. I haven’t had a steak like that since being in Biarritz, and I’m not ashamed to say I gnawed on the bone to pick off every last morsel. As a fully paid-up meat-eater, it ticked all the boxes.

It’s definitely one to add to my list of go-to ‘meat fix’ destinations, of which there are plenty: The Potted Pig for its whole suckling pig, which I had the night before a friend’s wedding. When it turned up, nobody had the

100l % food

hala

OPENING TAKEAWAY OFFER

Half Piri piri chicken with rice, salad and naan bread £7.95 The Home of fresh flame grilled chicken

Open 12-11pm | 68 Albany Road, Cardiff

courage to begin carving, but not even the cheeks were left!

For pure selection, it has to be Viva Brazil, but don’t be fooled into filling yourself up on the sides and sundries, or even the cheaper cuts of meat – save yourself for those Brazilian flanks of beef. Trust me, I’m an experienced carnivore.

Then, of course, there is the Cardiff institution that is Portuguese restaurant Madeira, and their sensational, buttery hanging skewers. And Barry’s Hang Fire Southern Kitchen is a total addiction.

In recent years, there have been lots of smokehouse-style restaurants but Hang Fire is the real deal. There is just something about American-style barbecue food – when I’m really hungry, it’s the only option.

So, perhaps Jay Rayner should eat his words. If he ever needs further convincing of Cardiff’s meaty credentials, the invite is there to come round mine and sample my famous slow-roast shoulder of pork...

Rhys Williams is an ex-Wales and Cardiff Blues rugby star, now commercial director at the club.

For more, see cardiffblues.com

Adventures in party-going #1

snapped!

Ac ros s Ca r d i ff, o n e s h i n d i g at a t i m e

So, that’s this year’s Cardiff Life Awards done and dusted, and it will certainly live long in the memory.

Hosted by rugby legend Nigel Owens at City Hall, it was a record-breaker in more ways than one – more nominations than ever, all tickets sold out (with over 50 people on the waiting list) and record sponsorship deals.

16 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

And as you can see from these pics, it was the best ever in terms of atmosphere, energy and community spirit – not to mention party spirit at the buzzing after-show at Laguna Bar, which carried on until the wee small hours.

Once again, hearty congrats to this year’s finalists and winners from all of us at Cardiff Life. See you next year!

with HUGE thanks to our SPONSORS, ASSOCIATES AND partners

• • • • • • • • • • •

Cardiff Airport Cardiff Blues Parkhouse Jewellers Capital FM Stills Chapel 1877 Park Plaza Martyn Prowel Vom Fass Genero WSET

• • • • • • • •

Slater & Gordon Vetro Leekes Real SFX Cardiff & Vale College Ashdown Phillips Orchard Goji Hair

CARDIFF LIFE AWA R D S Photos by EMINENT PHOTOGRAPHY (eminentphotography.com) & OWEN MATHIAS (owenmathias.com)

Gemma Davies, Rhys ap Gwent, Lorna Bolton, Matt Sutton and Elle McCook (Greenaway Scott)

Chloe Rossi and Dean Jones (Capital FM)

Clare Morgan (Marketing Clarity) with Alex Jenkins and Darren Morgan (both KIN+ILK)

Danny Hargreaves and Jack Taylor (Real SFX) The fizz flowed...

Jamie Baulch

Cassie Houghton, Rhiannon Jenkins, Debra Barber and the Cardiff Airport team

Ross Mullins and Dani Quaglietta

Hannah Fitt and team from the SAFE Foundation

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CARDIFF LIFE AWA R D S

Andy Aston and wife Joann Kendall-Aston (Longhouse)

Angelina Hall and Cathy O’Doherty (Glass By Design)

Steve Hawkins (MediaClash) and Laura Jayne (Chapel 1877) Carys Murphy, James Watkins and Louise Harris (all Slater & Gordon)

Gail De’Claire, Keir Olsen and Melanie Squire

18 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Esther Hitchcock (Jon Ian) and guests

Dorian Bowen (Project One)

CARDIFF LIFE AWA R D S Vel Ilic (editor, Cardiff Life) Event host Nigel Owens with Melissa Boothman and Owen Davies (Cheese Pantry)

Thomas Bentowski, Cindy Challoner and Geraint Evans (Cardiff & Vale College)

Spiro Borg (middle) with Mike and Jo Gauza (Extravagauza)

Scott and Lynsey Fisher, and Carmela Carrubba and Danny Hargreaves (Real SFX) Caroline Sims (Park Plaza) and Simon Dawes

Ross Mullins and Dani Quaglietta

Angharad Aspinall, Megan Dobbs, Lowri Gregory and Fiona Peet (Capital Law)

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CARDIFF LIFE AWA R D S

Liz Andrews and Katie Killoran (Cancer Research Wales)

Betina Skovbro (Brød Danish Bakery) Helena and Christian Amodeo (I Loves The ’Diff)

Nicola Lewis, Caitlin Anderson and Caroline Archer (Creo)

Lora Evans, Hannah Snape and Chloe Lewis

Adele Sweet (Madame Wax)

Lucy Dowley, Andrea Gardner (Waterstone Homes), Clare Brown and guests Clare Sturges (Brightest Films)

Simona Targaliauskyte (Brød Danish Bakery)

Johnny Quint, Simon Jones (both Saucony) Jessica Green and Richard Dukes (both Stills)

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CARDIFF LIFE AWA R D S

Zoe Westerman (Cyclone24), Steve Sulley (Stills) and guests

Sean O’Grady, Betina Skovbro and Simona Targaliauskyte (Brød Danish Bakery)

Lois Seco (Project One)

Jon Saunders (The Dead Canary)

Vicky Griffin and Greg James (Goji Hair)

Nathan Palmer with wife Jessica and Babette Bowen (Project One)

Jessica Morgan (Jessica Draws) and David Morgan

Mark George (Cardiff Life), Wendy Hobbs and Mark Hobbs (Howells Solicitors) 22 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Dreams & Wishes is a wonderful, 100% volunteer based non-profit charity dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families by making their dreams and wishes come true.

Since they began in 2011, they have been working with families across the UK, providing vital support throughout the child’s illness as well as helping to build happy memories by granting lifelong wishes.

The charity is hosting a Masquerade Ball at Cardiff City Hall on the 16th June 2017 with the amazing Peter Karrie, who played the lead role in The Phantom of the Opera, London.

Grand Launch!

Wendy was delighted to be invited to help launch St Athan Library on the 1st April with the Rt Hon Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales, and Lucy Owen, and Phil Carradice, BBC Presenters.

On the day, Wendy read “Claudia’s Special Wish” and “The Spell of Pencliff” to the children and young adults and she was thrilled that they enjoyed the magical adventures. The library is now stocking her books and she is pleased to have raised more funds at the event for the wonderful Dreams and Wishes Charity.

Magical

Adventures for all ages!

Wendy Hobbs is a lawyer and a children’s author of The Claudia Quash Series. Her debut novel, Claudia Quash: The Spell of Pencliff, is the first in a series that follows thirteen-year-old Claudia on a magical adventure through time. Wendy was thrilled that the book recently won an award. Wendy was invited by Mr Tony Curtis MBE, Dreams&Wishes, charity to write a book to inspire the children.

Wendy wrote ‘Claudia’s Special Wish’ a beautifully illustrated Christmas story and she has donated all of the profits to help grant wishes to seriously ill children and their families.

The book was launched, in November 2016, by The Rt Hon Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales and Wendy was honoured to be invited to read the book in the House of Commons on the 14th December 2016 in the presence of The Rt Hon John Bercow MP and Lord Hain.

Wendy has been thrilled with the support for the book from many local businesses that have ordered it and donated copies to the local schools in South Wales. Wendy’s wish is to raise as much money as she can for the charity and so far, the book has raised nearly £6,000 to help grant more special memories to the sick children and their families.

“One snowy night Claudia Quash makes a special wish on the biggest star in the sky sky. Later that evening, she is woken by a jingling sound and soon finds herself stepping into a frozen forest forest. Whisked away by an elf in a magical sleigh, she flies through the sky sky, and embarks on an unforgettable adventure...”

AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE NOW! Wendy wrote ‘Claudia’s Special Wish’ a beautifully illustrated Christmas story and she has donated all of the profits to help grant wishes to seriously ill children and their families. Claudia’s Special Wish and The Spell of Pencliff are available on Amazon.

For more information - wendyf.hobbs@btinternet.co.uk | www.wendyhobbs.com | Twitter @WendyfHobbs Or Dreams and Wishes - www.dreamsandwishescharity.org | Twitter @DreamsWishesOrg

ad v ertisi n g feat u re C H A R I T Y

Llamau Sleep Out Project

WE LOVES THE ’DIFF! St David’s shopping centre and cult Cardiff brand I Loves The ’Diff launch campaign to make a difference to lives in the city

T

hroughout April and May, St David’s Cardiff has partnered with Welsh homelessness charities and cult brand I Loves The ’Diff to launch We Loves The ’Diff, an appeal to support, raise awareness and collect funds for homeless and vulnerable people living in the city.

On each Saturday from 29 April – 27 May, St David’s will release five exclusive limited edition prints, all designed by I Loves The ’Diff.

People can head to the centre to claim one of the prints in return for a minimum donation of £3, with all proceeds going to three leading homelessness charities in Cardiff – Huggard, Llamau and The Wallich.

The prints will be strictly limited to 1,000 every Saturday, and with a new design release every weekend. From artwork that celebrates literary

The Wallich ensure that vulnerable people develop skills to improve their life

greats with a Welsh twist, to city landmarks such as the stone animals that guard Cardiff Castle, the prints have been specifically created for the campaign and will not be available anywhere else.

St David’s has also created a GoFundMe page to encourage the local community and businesses of Wales to pay it forward and help make a difference to lives in the capital city. Funds raised will ensure that those less fortunate are able to live safer, happier, more independent lives and to become an integral part of their communities.

Steven Madeley, general manager for St David’s Cardiff, said: “The generosity of the South Wales community has already vastly improved the lives of many in Cardiff – our Toy Appeal has previously seen customers come out in force. Homelessness is a real issue in the city and we’re thrilled to extend our partnership with I Loves The ’Diff to create an appeal that will make a real difference to lives in the community, and help three fantastic charities.”

Huggard, Llamau and The Wallich all focus on helping people in Cardiff and beyond out of the cycle of homelessness. For thousands of people in South Wales, becoming homeless is a frightening, but very real problem. The funds raised will ensure that all three charities can continue to carry out vital work, from the running of hostels, to day centres and support groups that aim to prevent homelessness before it happens, which can ultimately save lives.

Christian Amodeo, founder of I Loves The ’Diff, said: “Our previous partnership with St

David’s saw 4,000 limited edition prints fly off the shelves. We Loves The ’Diff will be incredibly special, as we’ve created artwork that will see real people in Cardiff getting the help they need to rebuild their lives.”

To participate, head to one of the two gallery zones located in St David’s Cardiff on your chosen Saturday from 29 April – 27 May, make a charitable donation of £3 (minimum), and enjoy your print, safe in the knowledge that you’ve made a difference to lives in the city. You can also donate via GoFundMe by searching for ‘We Loves The ’Diff’.

Keep up to date via the St David’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages using #WeLovesTheDiff

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 25

BEST OF CARDIFF

YOU’RE the BEST THING

Sport, culture, attractions, food, shopping, etc etc – from the established and much-loved to the new and rediscovered, here are 50 (count ’em!) of the best things making Cardiff great right now...

By V E L I M I R I L IĆ 26 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

BEST OF CARDIFF

4GWENNO SAUNDERS

The acclaimed Cardiff-based popstrel, winner of last year’s Welsh Music Prize for her widely lauded debut, Y Dydd Olaf, a concept album (sung mostly in Welsh) of blissfully woozy synth-pop, based on Welsh writer Owain Owain’s 1976 dystopian sci-fi novel of the same name. She even has her own giant street mural on the wall of Clwb Ifor Bach, painted by artist Mark James.

New material is promised soon, too... @gwennosaunders

5VINTAGE VIBES

The city’s vintage scene has never been stronger. Quirky vintage clothing and accessories at Sobey’s in Morgan Arcade; great quality menswear at Hatts Vintage Emporium (they can even design you a hand-tailored waistcoat) in Cardiff Market, and Princes and Paupers at Castle Arcade; quirky vintage/upcycled furniture and eclectic homeware at Beti Biggs in Pontcanna and Roath; and Jacobs Market, one of the city’s best-kept secrets, with rare finds, homeware, lighting and sought-after mid-century modern gems.

A

s one of the UK’s fastestgrowing cities, we all bang on about how vibrant, colourful and downright brilliant Cardiff is. But just what are the essential ingredients that make it such a cool, exciting place to be right now? We have 50 good reasons right here – Cardiff, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways...

1

NEIL WARNOCK

The colourful, outspoken Cardiff City manager has really turned the football club’s fortunes around since becoming manager in October last year, transforming them from relegation also-rans to genuine promotion contenders. With Championship status all but assured this season, Warnock already has one eye on the 2017/18 campaign – exciting times ahead for Bluebirds fans. cardiffcityfc.co.uk

2

ONE MILE BAKERY

Since founding micro-bakery OMB in 2012 – to deliver handmade artisan bread, soups and preserves within a one-mile radius of her Cardiff kitchen, and teach inspirational baking classes – journalist Elisabeth Mahoney has seen her business soar. Now she’s expanding the concept across the UK, including a new branch in Rhiwbina, helmed by rugby player-turned-baker Nick Macleod.

onemilebakery.com

3

THE COAL EXCHANGE

The first 40 rooms at the new, historic Coal Exchange – now lovingly restored as a luxury hotel – will open at the end of April, with rooms fit for royalty, a high-end restaurant, grand ballroom, spa and more. Watch this space!

hattsemporium.co.uk, princesandpaupers.uk, @SobeysVintage, @BetiBiggs, @Jacobsantique

FIRE 6HANG SOUTHERN KITCHEN (Top) One Mile Bakery’s Nick Macleod; (Above) Comedian Arthur Smith sings Leonard Cohen; (Below) Tapas treats at Curado

Now settled at their permanent home at the Grade II-listed Pumphouse in Barry, HFSK’s lip-smackingly good, Southern-style barbecue food, cooked ‘slow and low’, has become a Cardiff institution. As we went to press, founders Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn were due to give a talk (on 22 April) at this year’s TEDx Cardiff event at Tramshed – with any luck, it’ll be posted on the TEDx Cardiff website afterwards. hangfiresouthernkitchen.com, tedxcardiff.co.uk w

NEIL WARNOCK HAS TURNED CARDIFF CITY INTO GENUINE PROMOTION CONTENDERS

exchangehotelcardiff.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 27

BEST OF CARDIFF

7I LOVES THE ’DIFF

Not so much a cult brand as a Cardiff institution, ILTD makes wonderfully quirky t-shirts, hoodies, mugs and more, celebrating Cardiff and Wales. The Taffywood mugs – current fave is the ‘From By ’Ere To Eternity’ one – always makes us smile…

ilovesthediff.com

ROTTEN WORDS 8THESE AT CHAPTER

Chapter’s latest exhibition, commissioned to coincide with Experimentica, its annual festival of live arts, explores the physicality of communication via painting, sculpture, photography, sound and moving images. We particularly love the work of Devlin Shea – her Reclining Figure (oil on linen) is pictured below.

Until 11 June, chapter.org

DANCE 9NATIONAL COMPANY WALES

Presenting exciting work by celebrated international choreographers and new Walesbased talent, NDC is on the up and up. It has two international dance shows at Wales Millennium Centre this spring: The Request Show (6 May), performed by Cuban dancer and choreographer Maura Morales; and Lui & Artemis (20 May), a gloriously moving piece following an elderly couple who feel younger at heart in their now worn-out bodies. ndcwales.co.uk

10

WE MAKE GOOD HAPPEN

Cardiff-based filmmaker Matt Callanan’s ‘good deeds’ project – which he aims to leave as a legacy to his young son – has not only caught the imagination of his home city, but has also gone viral. His recent #Tenner4Good concept, where he left 20 £10 notes around Cardiff (each connected to a charity or good cause) for people to find and ‘do good with’, inspired many acts of kindness, and the ensuing publicity saw him appear on national telly and radio. Look forward to seeing what he comes up with next… wemakegoodhappen.com

11PONTCANNA

Just too many good things in Cardiff’s buzzy ’burb: spoilt-for-choice brunch at Café Brava; Kiti fashion boutique, a little treasure trove of cool European style; awesome coffee at Lufkin and Canna Deli; wide, tree-lined streets; lovely green spaces; all this, and it’s just a tenminute walk into the city centre. bravacardiff.co.uk, kiticymru.com, lufkincoffee.com, @CannaDeli

12

RESTAURANT JAMES SOMMERIN

Located on Penarth seafront, the Michelinstarred chef’s destination restaurant with rooms is an innovative fine dining experience you won’t forget in a hurry, with fantastic views over the 28 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

(Above) Café Brava in Pontcanna; (Below, top to bottom) Devlin Shea’s work features at These Rotten Words at Chapter; National Theatre/Bristol Old Vic collab Jane Eyre is at Wales Millennium Centre; Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale could be playing in the Champions League final in Cardiff on 3 June

Severn Estuary to boot. For real indulgence, try the nine-course bespoke tasting menu, created for each and every table. jamessommerinrestaurant.co.uk

13GREEN, GREEN GRASS

Roath Park, Bute Park, Pontcanna Fields, the Taff Trail, stretching from Cardiff to Brecon, the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, and more – outdoor spaces tailor-made for picnics, meandering or weekend runs, with glorious views to Instagram the hell out of.

CHAMPIONS 14UEFA LEAGUE FINAL

It’s not often you get to see the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid play in Cardiff, but this might be the year, as the city prepares to host the Champions League Final – the biggest club football match on the planet – on 3 June at the Principality Stadium. Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid won last year, and you wouldn’t bet against them going all the way again, hopefully with Cardiff’s prodigal son bagging the winner.

We can but dream... principalitystadium.wales

15DIFFUSION

The Cardiff International festival of Photography, Ffotogallery’s biennial citywide celebration of world-class international photography, returns with an extensive and exciting programme of exhibitions, events and activities themed around ‘revolution’, exploring technological, political, social and cultural changes to our way of life over the last 100 years.

1-31 May, diffusion festival.org

THOMAS 16MARK AT CHAPTER

Everyone’s favourite political activist is back with a new work-in-progress, Predictable, which sets out to create a snapshot of the future by asking the audience what their predictions are. Given the topsy-turvy world events of the last year, anything could happen...

13-14 June, chapter.org

BEST OF CARDIFF

17CRAFT BEER

Cardiff’s craft beer revolution is booming, with venues such as BrewDog, Tiny Rebel and most recently, Canton micropub St Canna’s Ale House, and Small Bar, which showcases small, independent microbreweries. And local craft brewers such as Roath Brewery, Pipes and Crafty Devil are making all manner of interesting ales and beers – try the latter’s Safe As Milk, an incredible coffee milk stout.

brewdog.com, craftydevilbrewing.co.uk, tinyrebel.co.uk, roathbrewery.co.uk, pipesbeer.co.uk, @StCannas, smallbar.co.uk

18CARDIFF DEVILS

It’s been an incredible season for the city’s ice hockey team, as they claimed an historic treble – becoming Elite League champions (their first league title for 20 years), beating Sheffield Steelers to win the 2017 Challenge Cup trophy, and winning the Erhardt Conference.

cardiffdevils.com

19JANE EYRE

An exciting collaboration between the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic, this looks to be a bold, innovative re-imagining of Charlotte Brontë’s trailblazing 1847 classic, as the eponymous, spirited heroine fights for freedom and fulfilment on her own terms, tackling poverty, injustice and the discovery of bitter betrayal along the way, before taking the ultimate decision to follow her heart.

27 June-1 July, Wales Millennium Centre; wmc.org.uk

CARDIFF’S

CRAFT BEER

REVOLUTION IS BOOMING, WITH COOL

MICRO-

BREWERIES SUCH AS PIPES AND

ROATH

BREWERY

Lock up your daughters – Australian vocal ensemble The Spooky Men’s Chorale are coming...

20FOR THE KIDS

Treetop Adventure Golf, Techniquest, Go Air, Cardiff History and Hauntings ghost tour, Cardiff Bay Barrage, with its refurbished play area, Red Dragon Centre... need we go on? adventuregolf.com, techniquest.org, goairtrampolinepark.co.uk, cardiffhistory.co.uk, cardiffbay.co.uk, thereddragoncentre.co.uk

21CURRYING FAVOUR

Indian food reinvented with a contemporary twist, from whizzy, Heston Blumenthal-ish experimentation at Moksh, to Anand George’s highly imaginative nouvelle Indian cuisine at the Purple Poppadom and the rich Keralan culinary philosophy at Mint & Mustard – the melt-in-the-mouth Bombay chaat and velvety fish mango curry are worth the trip on their own.

moksh.co.uk, purplepoppadom.com, mintandmustard.com

SPOOKY 22THE MEN’S CHORALE

Visigothic bravado, absurdist humour and eyemoistening tenderness – with five criticallyacclaimed albums under their belt, the revered Australian vocal ensemble are masters of their territory. Expect Georgian table songs, pin-drop ballads, highly inappropriate covers and um, grunting tribalism.

12 July, St David’s Hall; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

23THE COCKTAIL HOUR Cocktail time at The Dead Canary – bottoms up!

Quirky, speakeasy-style bar The Dead Canary, glam hangout Dirty Martini, and perennial favourites Laguna and Lab 22...

Cardiff’s cocktail scene has never been cooler.

thedeadcanary.co.uk, dirtymartini.uk.com, lagunakitchenandbar.com, lab22cardiff.com w www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 29

BEST OF CARDIFF

NATIONAL 27BBC ORCHESTRA OF WALES

Always on top form, with a terrific repertoire to match – catch their Rite Of Spring at St David’s Hall (8 June), where they’ll be performing key work by Stravinsky, Ravel and Prokofiev, conducted by Thomas Søndergård. bbc.co.uk/bbcnow

28FAUVETTE DELI

We all know about Wally’s Deli in Royal Arcade, Foxy’s in Penarth, Penylan Pantry, Snails in Rhiwbina etc etc, but Fauvette in Penarth, the new kid on the deli block, is seriously good too, specialising in handmade cheeses from the UK and beyond, plus natural wines, olives and artisan bread. Yum. @fauvettepenarth

29SCIENCE CREAM The BBC National Orchestra of Wales are at St David’s Hall on 8 June

sciencecream.co.uk

24

CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL WHITE WATER

On-demand white water rafting at the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay, suitable for thrill-seeking water adventurers of all levels. Serious adrenaline junkies should try the indoor simulated surf machine. ciww.com

25

ARTHUR SMITH SINGS LEONARD COHEN

The veteran comic, in the company of the glamorous Smithereens, reprises his acclaimed tribute to the much-missed Canadian troubadour, as reflections on dementia, enthusiasm, comedy and death are steeped in Cohen’s gorgeously sombre music.

17-18 June, Wales Millennium Centre; wmc.org.uk

26GO SPANISH!

Cardiff is really embracing Spanish cuisine, with handful of truly authentic restaurants and eateries: great pintxos, handcarved jamon and craft beers at new-ish deli/ bar Curado; exciting Catalunyan flavours at La Cuina; and, of course, phenomenal tapas at the hugely popular Bar 44 – check out the latter’s newly-opened Asador 44 restaurant on Quay Street, dishing up the finest charcoal-grilled steaks, fish and veg from the heart of northern Spain. There’s even a cheese cave, too. Stick that in yer pipe, Jay Rayner.

@CuradoBar, lacuina.co.uk, bar44.co.uk, asador44.co.uk

As the weather hots up, it gives us more of an excuse (not that we need one) to cool off at Wales’ only liquid nitrogen ice cream parlour.

Each portion of ice cream is frozen to order, and it’s unbeatably smooth. Our flavour of choice?

Roasted banana, peanut butter and chocolate.

Hello, sunshine!

30GOOD HAIR DAY THE NEWLY-

Need expertly coiffured, party-ready hair? You’re in luck – from Goji Hair in Pontcanna to the award-winning Ken Picton and Guy Christian in the Bay, Cardiff really punches above its weight for brilliant, in-demand hairdressers.

OPENED SIMPLE MINDS ASADOR 44 31 DISHES UP NORTHERN SPANISHSTYLE CHARCOALGRILLED AYRES AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM STEAKS, 32GILLIAN FISH AND VEG

kenpicton.com, guychristian.com, gojihair.com

Although way past their 80s pomp, Jim Kerr and co are still widely regarded as one of the best live bands around, and will be performing their era-defining rock and pop anthems acoustically for the very first time.

Support comes from fast-rising Welsh multiinstrumentalist and songwriter The Anchoress, whose debut album Confessions Of A Romance Novelist was recently nominated for the Welsh Music Prize.

30 May, St David’s Hall; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

The Museum’s current exhibition, celebrating the bold and colourful work of the Turner Prize-nominated abstract painter, is a real coup.

Featuring over 40 pieces made from the early 1950s to the 1980s, the exhibition – the largest showcase of Ayres’ work ever seen in the UK – offers a unique insight into the untold story of the influence of North Wales (where she lived in the 1980s) on her life and art.

Until 3 September; museum.wales/cardiff

w

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 31

T H E A L B A N Y G A L L E RY

DAVID TRESS 13th April – 6th May www.albanygallery.com David Tress is represented internationally by Messum’s Fine Art Ltd, London

74b Albany Road, Cardiff, CF24 3RS | T: 029 2048 7158 | E: info@albanygallery.com Gallery open: Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays 11am-4pm

BEST OF CARDIFF

36DEPOT

Cardiff’s permanent, indoor street food venue continues to evolve, cementing a reputation as the go-to place for an alternative night out. Its Saturday Street Food Social houses a host of street food traders, dishing up crispy fried chicken, juicy burgers, spicy noodles and more. depotcardiff.com

37NATA & CO

Snaffle the best custard tarts this side of Lisbon at Cardiff’s popular Portuguese bakery, another local institution. nataandco.co.uk

38LLANERCH VINEYARD Andy Aston (in trademark cap), chef/owner at awardwinning Culverhouse Cross gastropub, Longhouse

The luxury boutique B&B and vineyard in Hensol continues to thrive; its Cariad restaurant serves modern, locally-sourced fare, and if you need an excuse to stay over in one of its gorgeous rooms, you could always book into Angela Gray’s Cookery School, based on-site. We love the sound of her Byzantine Feast class (17 June), inspired

by Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Greek and Northern African cuisine – barbecued harissa ‘beer can’ chicken, anyone? llanerch-vineyard.co.uk, angelagray.co.uk

33THE CLASSROOM

Serving contemporary, European-style dishes cooked by trainee chefs, Cardiff & Vale College’s glitzy restaurant sets the bar really high – with incredible views right across the city, to boot. Elisabeth Mahoney, who reviewed it for us last year, described it as “a rather foxy, glamorous surprise of a place.” theclassroom.wales

34INDIES ROCK!

Cardiff’s Grade II-listed Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades, the outlying suburbs and the Vale are home to an eclectic mix of autonomous independent shops and boutiques, such as second-hand bookshop Troutmark, with arts and fiction titles, comics, cookbooks, children’s books and more; gift and homeware stores Home By Kirsty, Beti Biggs and Pad Deco; the inimitable Spillers Records (see below); and Anne Morgan’s highly unique, contemporary jewellery, made at her Penarth boutique. We could go on…

troutmarkbooks.com, homebykirsty.com, @BetiBiggs, paddeco.com, annemorgan.co.uk

35SPILLERS RECORDS

Spillers deserves its own special mention; the oldest record shop in the world has been going for over 120 years, and stocks a wonderfully eclectic selection of music (on vinyl and CD), plus merchandise and local gig tickets.

Its in-store performances are reliably good – coming up on 30 May are Moulettes, described as “a cross between Pentangle, Kate Bush and early Pink Floyd.”

spillersrecords.co.uk

39PENYLAN PANTRY

This wonderfully warm and homely café/ deli serves great coffee, amazing cheeses (check out their recently-opened Cheese Pantry at Cardiff Market – see below), and all manner of pastries and baked treats. They also deliver organic veg boxes to your door by bike. Good food and good service from good people, as they say.

SPILLERS’ IN-STORE FESTIVAL FUN 40 GIGS ARE RELIABLY GOOD – COMING UP ARE MOULETTES, GLORIOUS GASTROPUBS 41 A CROSS BETWEEN KATE BUSH AND PINK FLOYD penylanpantry.com

Sun cream and shades at the ready – with festival season almost upon us, there’s another feast of food and theatre happening in Cardiff and the Vale, from the Cowbridge Food Festival (28-29 May) to the Everyman Open Air Theatre Festival (22 June-29 July) and the Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival (14-16 July). Tuck in! cowbridgefoodanddrink.org; cardiffopenair theatrefestival.co.uk, cardiff-events.com

Alongside local heroes such as ale and food house The Hare & Hounds in Aberthin, and Knife & Fork’s various gastropubs (see our review of The Old Swan Inn on page 58), is relative newbie, Longhouse, a cosy 17th century watering hole located at Culverhouse Cross – chef/owner Andy Aston’s feasting food is prepared with heartfelt soul, imagination and flair. Add to that new independent free house The Grange in Grangetown – the latest acquisition from Potted Pig/Porro/ The Lansdowne executive chefs Tom Furlong and Gwyn Myring – and the gastropub scene looks to be in very rude health.

hareandhoundsaberthin.com, knifeandforkfood. co.uk, longhousewales.com, @PubGrange w www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 33

BEST OF CARDIFF

42CREATIVE CULTURE

A burgeoning creative hub, Cardiff houses a talented assortment of can-do, visionary creative businesses and individuals, from special effects company Real SFX (Doctor Who, Sherlock) and Penarth-based contemporary architects Loyn & Co, to dynamic theatre company Neontopia and digital/creative workspace Tramshed Tech, and beyond – more power to their elbows.

realsfx.com, loyn.co.uk, neontopia.co.uk, tramshedtech.net

43BREWING UP

You don’t need to look far for a decent cuppa, from award-winning artisan tea at Waterloo Tea (branches in Cardiff city centre, Penylan and Penarth), to a speciality brew at Barker Tea House in High Street Arcade, which serves more than 60 different blends. Coffee more your thing? Cardiff’s café culture has never looked perkier – amongst our current favourites are Brød Danish Bakery and KIN+ILK in Pontcanna, Little Man Coffee in the city centre, and Academy Espresso Bar in Barry. waterlootea.com, @BarkerTeaHouse, @ CoffeeBarker, @thedanishbakery, kinandilk.com, littlemancoffee.co.uk, @academyespresso

44THE UNTHANKS

The cherished Tyneside contemporary folk combo take their new album, Diversions Vol. 4: The Songs And Poems Of Molly Drake – yep, the mother of influential singer/songwriter Nick Drake, no less – out on the road. Arguably their best work yet, it features spoken word contributions from Molly’s daughter, actress Gabrielle Drake.

29 April, Tramshed; tramshedcardiff.com

45

WELSH PROMS 2017

It’s that time of year – the popular annual festival of classical, jazz and folk music features world-class orchestras, singers, performers, and homegrown musical talent.

The highlight, as ever, will undoubtedly be the rousing, time-honoured ‘Last Night of the Proms’, conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, featuring classics by the likes of Tchaikovsky, Wagner, Elgar and others. Don’t forget the flags and streamers...

22-29 July; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

46

CARDIFF MARKET

Trading since the 1700s, the city’s iconic indoor market looks to be evolving, with the recent addition of cheese specialists Cheese Pantry and cool vegan/veggie takeaway Milgi, alongside the likes of aforementioned gents’ outfitters Hatts Vintage Emporium and vinyl haven, Kelly’s Records. And a little Twitter birdie tells us that Cardiff Blues’ Rhys Williams gets his Welsh cake fix at Bakestones. Busted!

@CardiffMarket_ 34 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Carmela Carrubba and Danny Hargreaves, co-owners of go-to special effects guys Real SFX

THE TWEET GOES ON...

Favourite things about Cardiff, from the Twitterati @plums78 The fact that you are in a city but can be in beautiful countryside within 20 minutes.

Love that Cardiff also has everything but is compact @WritingForFun I love the food scene, especially indies such as @ dusty_knuckle etc @mttyrs The amazing culture – from epic shows @theCentre to intimate @ClwbIforBach gigs and weekly pop-up feasts @RCMAmarkets

47ESCAPE THE SCAFFOLD

The final part of visionary pub theatre company The Other Room’s current Outliers season, Titas Halder’s new play – his previous work, Run The Beast Down, got rave reviews from national press – is a dark, psychological thriller fused with pitch-black humour and magic realism, as a love triangle turns to betrayal.

Until 6 May, Porter’s, otherroomtheatre.com

48DYFFRYN GARDENS

The National Trust’s beautiful, Grade I-listed Edwardian botanical gardens – including formal lawns and an extensive arboretum – located in St Nicholas, in the Vale of Glamorgan.

With lots of unusual and interesting species of cacti, orchid and vine, it’s a real treasure trove for garden enthusiasts. There’s even a Tennis Taster Day coming up on Sunday 23 July – even racquets and balls are provided – as part of the UK’s Great British Tennis Weekend. nationaltrust.org.uk/dyffryn-gardens

@arobasecreative Wonderful creative school @CardiffMetCSAD, and the breathtaking brilliance of @NoFitState

49TAFWYL

@chaotickirstyy The match-day buzz, getting lost in the arcades, the Bay in the sun

1-2 July, Llandaff Fields, tafwyl.co.uk

@claireperrin7 Saying “Cheers, drive” without thinking when you get off the bus! @AnxiMusic Discovering something new in the city every weekend (cafés, shops, parks, food)... when it's not raining too much!

The annual Welsh music, arts and culture festival is back, this time at its temporary home in Llandaff Fields – see Spotlight news for the full story.

FARMERS’ 50RCMA MARKETS

At Riverside, Roath and Rhiwbina – great quality food and produce (fruit, veg, meat and more), sold directly by Welsh producers and growers local to the city. Doesn’t cost the earth, either…

They also run the sociable Riverside Community Allotment – what better place to have outdoor fun and learn to grow your own? riversidemarket.org.uk

Music/theatre/film/more

TAKE IT AS RED

I See Red, a solo exhibition of new work by award-winning artist Sue Williams at Cardiff’s gallery/ten, depicts the language of human relationships in characteristically bold and direct style.

Working predominantly with ink and watercolour/large scale charcoal drawings on paper, issues of sexual communication, dysfunction and human frailty are embedded in her work, explored and executed with truthfulness and raw honesty, exposing the vulnerability of relationships in the digital age.

Designed to challenge taboos and provoke responses, Williams’ work demands attention from the viewer – whether you’re dismissive of it, embarrassed, or, as we are, just hugely enthralled.

I See Red is on show until 23 April at gallery/ten’s viewing space in Roath (viewing by appointment only), with all artwork available to purchase online.

For more info, see gallery-ten.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 39

13 April – 14 May

Quirky Austrian septet Mnozil Brass and Canadian punmeister Stewart Francis, both at St David’s Hall; The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time is back at WMC

Plays/Shows/ Performance U N TI L 1 5 AP RI L

LOVE, CARDIFF – A CITY ROAD STORY The story of our city’s past, present and future, told through the accounts of Cardiff’s City Road communities.

Sherman Theatre; shermantheatre.co.uk 19 AP RI L-6 M AY

ESCAPE THE SCAFFOLD See main feature, page 26.

The Other Room at Porter’s; otherroomtheatre.com 25 -2 9 APRI L

NORTHERN BALLET: CASANOVA The notorious lover is brought to life by the Leeds-based company, a powerhouse of inventive dance.

New Theatre; newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

2 6 , 2 7 & 2 9 A PR IL

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH Be Aware’s gritty play/gig/ performance, relaying stories of sexual violence through song and dark humour.

Chapter; chapter.org 2 7 A PRI L- 1 4 M AY

ROMEO & JULIET See Arts feature, page 44.

Wales Millennium Centre; wmc.org.uk 2 8 - 2 9 A PRI L

THE GREEN HOUSE/ PROFUNDIS Evocative double bill of new contemporary work from National Dance Company Wales (see also main feature, page 26).

Sherman Theatre; shermantheatre.co.uk 2 - 6 MAY

MY COUNTRY Groundbreaking new play by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy,

40 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

capturing people’s views and testimonials on the country we call home, in the days following the Brexit vote.

Sherman Theatre; shermantheatre.co.uk

witness the “liberal female comedian’s exasperated and despairing meltdown.”

Sherman Theatre; shermantheatre.co.uk 27 AP R IL

2-6 MAY

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME National Theatre’s adaptation of Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel. 15-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain, but is ill-equipped to deal with everyday life; when he is suspected of killing Mrs Shears’ dog, it takes him on a journey that turns his world upside-down.

Wales Millennium Centre; wmc.org.uk

Comedy 25 AP R IL

BRIDGET CHRISTIE Brexit is the theme, naturally:

CHRIS RAMSEY Geordie stand-up heads out on his biggest tour to date.

St David’s Hall; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk 2 MAY

ALL-STAR STAND-UP TOUR With Canadian one-liner king Stewart Francis, Justin Moorhouse (Phoenix Nights), veteran stand-up Jim Tavare (The Sketch Show) and compere Jarred Christmas.

St David’s Hall; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk 11 MAY

OMID DJALILI More political satire and expertly-crafted cultural observations from the Brit-born

Iranian stand-up.

St David’s Hall; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

Music 1 4 -1 6 AP RI L

WALES GOES POP! All-ages pop weekender, with Honeyblood, Joanna Gruesome, Toy, BC Camplight and more.

The Gate; thegate.org.uk 1 5 APRI L

WILKO JOHNSON Former ‘duck-walking’ Dr Feelgood guitarist, enjoying a new lease of life after recovering from terminal cancer.

Tramshed; tramshedcardiff.com 1 8 APRI L

HAYSEED DIXIE Rock covers in a bluegrass style – Ace Of Spades, anyone?

The Globe; globecardiffmusic.com 2 0 APRI L

JULIAN COPE Former Teardrop Explodes frontman tours his new album, Drunken Songs.

Tramshed; tramshedcardiff.com 2 5 APRI L

NANCY KERR & THE SWEET VISITOR BAND 2015’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer Of The Year heads out on tour in support of new album, Instar.

St David’s Hall; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk 2 5 APRI L

PLASTIC MERMAIDS Experimental five-piece – “like Mercury Rev going on a road trip with The Flaming Lips,” says music bible Q. Buffalo Bar; buffalocardiff.co.uk 2 9 APRI L

THE UNTHANKS See main feature, page 26.

Tramshed; tramshedcardiff.com

Tyneside’s cherished folk combo The Unthanks perform the songs and poems of Molly Drake at Tramshed 3 MAY

MNOZIL BRASS Quirky Austrian brass septet, fusing jazz, pop, opera and bucketloads of humour.

St David’s Hall; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk 4 MAY

BBC NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF WALES Key pieces by Rachmaninov, Berlioz and contemporary Chinese composer, Tan Dun. St David’s Hall; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk 4 MAY

TALL SHIPS Anthemic rock from the highlytipped Brighton quartet.

Clwb Ifor Bach; clwb.net 5 MAY

IMELDA MAY The Irish chanteuse hits the road with a new look and sound, taking in blues, soul, gospel, folk and rock.

St David’s Hall; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

BOB DYLAN Sir Robert of Zimmerman, no less. Tickets, obviously, are like proverbial gold dust. You know the drill...

Motorpoint Arena; livenation.co.uk

C DUNCAN Mercury Prize-nominated singer and multi-instrumentalist tours his current album The Midnight Sun, which adds deft synthy flourishes to his signature pastoral sound.

Clwb Ifor Bach; clwb.net

WELSH NATIONAL OPERA: FAMILY CONCERT The WNO Orchestra plays popular favourites from the world of opera, film and TV. Hosted by BBC Radio Wales’ Wynne Evans.

St David’s Hall; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

UNTIL 2 8 AP RI L

TERRY SETCH Influential Welsh painter, working with industriallyproduced materials and environmental detritus.

BayArt; bayart.org.uk UNTIL 6 M AY

12 MAY

MAARJA NUUT Estonian fiddler/singer, combining traditional dance tunes, songs and stories with live electronics to create an intricate and layered soundscape.

Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama; rwcmd.ac.uk 13 MAY

CATTLE & CANE AKA siblings Joe and Helen Hammill – think shiny synth swells and breezy, Fleetwood Mac-style tunes.

Clwb Ifor Bach; clwb.net

Art UNTIL 23 AP R IL

7 MAY 3 M AY

9 MAY

NATURE’S SONG Traditional Chinese flower/bird paintings, spanning 600 years.

National Museum Cardiff; museumwales.ac.uk UNTIL 23 AP R IL

SUE WILLIAMS: I SEE RED See Arts intro, page 39. gallery/ten; gallery-ten.co.uk

DAVID TRESS Highly regarded British artist, noted for his inventive and expressive landscapes.

Albany Gallery; albanygallery.com UNTIL 1 1 J U NE

THESE ROTTEN WORDS Artists explore the physicality of communication via painting, sculpture, photography, sound and moving images.

Chapter; chapter.org UNTIL 1 7 J U NE

25TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION Major showcase of 20th century and contemporary Welsh art.

Martin Tinney Gallery; artwales.com UNTIL 3 S EP T EM B ER

GILLIAN AYRES Major exhibition celebrating the bold and colourful work of the Turner Prize-nominated painter, one of the leading abstract artists of her generation.

National Museum Cardiff; museumwales.ac.uk w

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 41

ARTS

W H AT ’ S O N

Be Aware’s play/gig/performance Enough Is Enough at Chapter

UNTI L 3 1 JANUARY 2 0 1 8

BACON TO DOIG: MODERN MASTERPIECES FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION Featuring work by prominent 20th-century British artists and sculptors, including Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Barbara Hepworth, David Hockney, Grayson Perry and more.

National Museum Cardiff; museumwales.ac.uk 1 -3 1 M AY

DIFFUSION Cardiff’s biennial celebration of world-class international photography returns, themed around ‘revolution’.

Various venues; diffusionfestival.org

Family ONGOING

DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE Experience mind-blowing special effects, face up to Who baddies and fly the TARDIS through time and space.

Porth Teigr, Cardiff Bay; doctorwhoexperience.com

Book Now 7 JUNE

CHAKA KHAN I’m Every Woman, I Feel For You, Ain’t Nobody. ’Nuff said.

Motorpoint Arena; livenation.co.uk

1 3 - 2 8 OCTOBER

THE CHERRY ORCHARD Chekhov’s classic, reimagined by Gary ‘Killology’ Owen. Buy now, before it inevitably sells out...

Sherman Theatre; shermantheatre.co.uk 1 8 N OV E MBER

ALISON MOYET The ex-Yazoo singer continues to shine, as forthcoming album Other – mixing up electro-pop, spoken word and haunting balladry – so brilliantly attests.

St David’s Hall; stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

Sport MON DAY 1 7 AP R IL

CARDIFF CITY v NOTTINGHAM FOREST Sky Bet Championship, kick-off 3pm.

Cardiff City Stadium; cardiffcityfc.co.uk FRI DAY 2 8 A PR IL

CARDIFF BLUES v ZEBRE RUGBY Guinness Pro12, kick-off 7.05pm.

Cardiff City Stadium; cardiffcityfc.co.uk SATU RDAY 2 9 AP R IL

CARDIFF CITY v NEWCASTLE UNITED Sky Bet Championship, kick-off 3pm.

Cardiff City Stadium; cardiffcityfc.co.uk

42 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

WANT MORE? Sign up now for the Cardiff Life newsletter As editor of this fine mag, there’s nothing I love more than drawing your attention to this great city’s choicest events, places and people.

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ARTS

T H E AT R E

SLEEPING with the ENEMY Politics, tragedy and aerial circus combine in a new, contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s ROMEO & JULIET – the eternal ‘star-cross’d lovers’ – presented by visionary Cardiff theatre company Omidaze

F

By H UG O BA L L Photo s by K I R ST E N MC T E R NA N

ollowing acclaimed all-female productions of Richard III and Henry VI (in 2015 and 2016 respectively), Omidaze’s new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet – set against a backdrop of conflict, civil disturbance and prejudice in present British society – tells a story of young people betrayed by a fractured society, leading, of course, to tragic consequences.

In keeping with the play’s central theme of overcoming societal barriers, this inclusive version will also employ unconventional staging, encouraging audiences to move and explore the set, allowing them to experience the drama up-close and be absorbed in the story. We caught up with Omidaze’s artistic director, Yvonne Murphy, for a chat...

You have Aamira Challenger (making her professional debut) as Juliet and Connor Allen as Romeo – why did you choose them in the main roles?

They are young. They spoke the text in the audition with a rawness and an energy that the production needs. I needed a Romeo and Juliet that non-traditional theatre-going audiences could relate to. Why is Juliet Omidaze’s Henry VI, from 2016 so often blond, petite and white? Why is Romeo seen as a white, chiselled youth?

They had no experience of playing Shakespeare, and we have taken a huge risk, but how else will we change things and develop a more diverse casting pool?

THERE NEEDS TO BE GENDER BALANCE AND DIVERSITY – MALE, PALE AND STALE CAN NO LONGER BE THE ACCEPTABLE FACE OF SHAKESPEARE

Romeo & Juliet is the third part of your Shakespeare trilogy – why choose this one from the canon?

I was looking for a text which would work as a gateway piece for those new to Shakespeare and theatre, and I needed to choose one which was relevant to now.

Last year, I felt a deep sense of loss as our country divided and the world fractured.

Romeo & Juliet is not just a love story, it’s a story of a broken society where two young people die needlessly.

They die because they make bad choices. They have grown up with a background of violence and conflict, and they die because they do not feel understood or able to influence their world.

What makes your version of Romeo & Juliet so powerful?

I gained people’s attention with two all-female Shakespeares and shone a small light on the gender inequality debate within the theatre industry and beyond. It is time now to walk the talk – a genderbalanced and diverse ensemble was the next step. Male, pale and stale can no longer be the acceptable face of Shakespeare and the arts generally.

44 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Visually, it promises to be quite a spectacle, with aerial circus and unconventional staging – why have you chosen to stage it this way?

Feedback from Richard III and Henry VI allowed us to understand that people found it thrilling to be so close to the actors and not know what was going to happen next. When I go and see NoFit State, I love being able to wander about and stand wherever I want. Why can’t theatre attract people in that way?

Why can’t Shakespeare? The Young Vic in London, the Royal Exchange in Manchester and the Dorfman at the National are three of my favourite theatres because they create dynamic spaces where anything is possible.

Ultimately, what’s the message that you want people to take away from this?

That it is time for us to discuss what kind of society we really want going forward – the responsibility lies with us all. My work is political because I fundamentally believe the personal is the political. I create work which I hope allows the audience to think about the world around them, and their place and actions in it.

Romeo & Juliet is at Wales Millennium Centre’s Weston Studio from 27 April-14 May. For more, see wmc.org.uk

ARTS

T H E AT R E

Aamira Challenger as Juliet and Connor Allen as Romeo

Richard III, from 2015

Ensemble member Hannah O’Leary in rehearsals for Romeo & Juliet

Kayed Mohamed-Mason and Gemma Creasey, members of the Romeo & Juliet company

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 45

M O T O R I N G a d v ertisi n g feature

HEMMELS

Manufacturing the world’s finest classic Mercedes-Benz right here in the nation’s capital

T

he more perceptive of our readers may have noticed the growing numbers of classic MercedesBenz evident around the streets of Cardiff of late and wondered what was going on. Well, we’re going to

reveal all.

Hemmels, the recognised leader in classic Mercedes-Benz restoration, have recently established their latest production facility right here in the capital city. This new location adds to their line-up in Wales, their Caerphillybased manufacturing plant and US facility in Palm Springs, California.

The new facility, featuring an integrated showroom, is based on Cardiff’s Penarth Road, the capital of Wales’ motor industry. It’s here that the company is producing its latest line of classic Mercedes-Benz, the W113 SL, commonly known as the Pagoda SL. The Mercedes-Benz W113 is a two-seat roadster/coupé, introduced at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show, and produced from 1963 through 1971. It replaced the legendary 300 SL Gullwing – another product in demand in Hemmels’ product range.

The company has built an enviable and unmatched reputation for quality and attention to detail, and is serving a rapidly growing international customer-base. Hemmels are currently producing their classic for export to a long list of countries that include the USA, Mexico, South Africa, China, Ireland, Scotland, England, France and Australia.

Company founders, Jon Curley and Joseph Sullivan, recently took some time to talk with us about the company, business model, their products and reasons for locating to Cardiff.

“Many in the classic car industry, a $7bn

46 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

global industry, are talking about Hemmels’ stellar growth, and there’s often a misguided perception that we’re an overnight success.” says Jon. But as is so often the case, the reality is a different story. “Joseph and I planned our product strategy, go-to-market model, financing and market positioning for a very long time,” continues Jon. “Since our inception, we have aimed far higher than anyone else in terms of product quality, customer care, use of technology and online, and end-to-end delivery. All of these facets, when taken together, become a very powerful differentiator, and these are the drivers behind our growing international reputation and client base.”

And what a phenomenal client base that is. Today, the company is proudly producing cars for some of the world’s leading names in business, industry leaders, sporting personalities, investment funds and stars of stage and screen.

“We would never name names, or draw attention to our clients,” says Joseph, also technical director at Hemmels, and the man responsible for leading a growing international team of craftsmen, suppliers and service partners. “Discretion is key – we respect each client’s privacy and the trust they have shown in us.”

Joseph is also responsible for international sourcing, travelling the world sourcing rare classic Mercedes-Benz to fulfil the company’s order book.

“This last month alone, I’ve been to the US twice – both coasts! – Hong Kong, France and Germany, either sourcing or establishing supplier relationships,” says Joseph. “We are constantly looking for better ways to serve our customers and build better products. I don’t see that slowing down with the opening of our latest US facility, also in California, and then we look eastwards for 2018, with plans for an Asian plant.”

Having established their 7,500 square foot facility late last year, one would expect that Hemmels is well-positioned to serve the growing demand, at least for the near future, but that’s not the case.

A combination of sales volumes exceeding expectation and a decision to extend the range of products being manufactured, means the company is already on the look-out for its next facility.

“Whether we continue to scale vertically here in Wales, or take a horizontal approach and look beyond, is something we’re actively discussing – it’s feasible we may well do both,” says Jon. “We’d originally planned 10-15 new jobs in Cardiff, but that figure has already doubled. And we certainly have no lack of ambition!”

Hemmels’ new facility is based on Freeman’s Parc, Penarth Road, Cardiff. Showroom visits are strictly by appointment only. For more info, see www.hemmels.com

a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e M O T O R I N G

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 47

DESIRE

def: DESIRE: a strong feeling of wanting to have something; to set one's heart on; to crave; to aspire to; to feel passion for..."

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FILM

ARTS

(Clockwise from left) A Canterbury Tale, The Gentle Sex and The Happiest Day In The Life Of Olli Mäki

IT’S ALL BLACK AND WHITE This month, Chapter presents three monochrome masterpieces, from the 1940s to the present day. Not everything in life is Ultra HD, y’know…

I

By JA M I E R E E S

n this age of 4K digital displays, Blu-ray and Ultra HD, there’s a danger that the classic old black and white movies will get ignored and left in the archives, lost to an age long ago. Not at Chapter, however! In the coming weeks, we will screen two black and white classics from the 1940s and one that was made a little closer to today.

Released last year, The Happiest Day In The Life Of Olli Mäki (12A, 21-27 April) is a Finnish film that tells the story of modest underdog Olli – ‘the Baker from Kokkola’ – as he prepares for a big boxing fight with the expectations of the Finnish nation on his shoulders. After falling in love, however, it becomes increasingly clear that boxing is no longer the most important thing in his world, in this resolutely low-key, romantic

tale, conjuring up a delightful mood of bittersweet melancholy.

The first of two old classics, The Gentle Sex (U, 23-25 April) is a British comedy drama

IN THIS DIGITAL AGE, THERE’S A DANGER THAT CLASSIC BLACK & WHITE MOVIES WILL BE IGNORED about seven new female recruits from vastly different backgrounds who find themselves together in the Auxiliary Territorial Services during World War II. We watch their progress as they undergo training and get

given their first assignments in this lively depiction of women in wartime. Featuring a fantastic cast, it was co-director Leslie Howard’s last film – he was killed a week after its release, when his plane was shot down during a secret mission to Portugal.

And in 1944’s A Canterbury Tale (U, 30 April-2 May), a land girl, an American GI and a British soldier find themselves together in a small Kent town, which is being plagued by a mysterious ‘glue-man’ who pours adhesive on the hair of girls dating soldiers after dark. Attempting to track him down, the trio begin to suspect the local magistrate, an eccentric figure with a strange, mystical vision of the history of England, in Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s sparky comedy drama.

For more: chapter.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 49

E D U C AT I O N a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e

It all adds up

By Dr Andrew Daniel, Headmaster of Monmouth School

A

s a mathematician myself, I believe that a solid understanding and appreciation of the subject has a phenomenally positive effect on many areas of children’s lives.

Perseverance, determination, self-confidence and intellectual rigour are just a few of the personality traits a mathematician will develop at Monmouth School.

The well-documented link between music and maths, for example, also highlights how the language of arithmetic and the rules of logic can propel creativity to new levels.

For these reasons, maths is the largest single subject department at the school, with eight specialist teachers who produce a significant part of its teaching materials. They also offer support in the form of maths surgeries most lunchtimes and before school for any pupils who would benefit from additional help in the subject.

In the last five years, over 70 per cent of pupils have achieved an A or A* in the subject at IGCSE and more than 99 per cent have gained A* to C.

Mathematically-minded boys at Monmouth are also given exciting opportunities to showcase their skills further afield.

On 10 March, our four-strong team from Years 8 and 9 performed fantastically at the regional round of the UK Mathematics Trust Team Challenge. Coming first out of 23 teams from as far away as Shrewsbury and Cheltenham, the fast-thinking quartet will now compete in the competition’s national final in London on 19 June.

It’s no coincidence that one of the winning team, 13-year-old Robin, has reached Grade 5 on the organ and plays the clarinet to Grade 8.

Taking part in extra-curricular events like this brings the subject to life for our pupils, and almost half of them continue their mathematical studies into the Sixth Form, when gifted pupils can also take on further maths.

The pass rate for these exams has been 100 per cent in the last five years, with almost 90 per cent of candidates achieving A* to B grades. A good proportion of pupils studying the subject at A level go on to university to

read physics, engineering or maths, including a number who are accepted into Oxford or Cambridge.

For more information, visit habs-monmouth.org, call 01600 710433 for Monmouth School or 01600 711104 for HMSG

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RIGHT as RAIN SHINY, NEW WET WEATHER MUST-HAVES – WELL, IT IS APRIL...

4 3

1. SEA THE LIGHT

2. UNDERCOVER AGENT

3. SLEEVE CAMPAIGN

4. THE EYES HAVE IT

5. SEEING RED

Whitby wallpaper by Mini Moderns, £45 It always rains in Whitby...

From Home By Kirsty, 16 Castle Arcade, Cardiff; homebykirsty.com

Protest long umbrella, £245 You definitely don’t want to leave this on the train...

From Vivienne Westwood, 55 The Hayes, Cardiff; viviennewestwood.com

Hatley girls’ waterproof splash jacket, £34-£36 One of several different cute ’n’ colourful designs From John Lewis, St David’s Dewi Sant, Cardiff; johnlewis.com

Diorshow waterproof mascara by Dior, £23.40 (11.5ml) A catwalk staple and ‘panda eye’ preventer From Central Pharmacy, 63-67 Wellfield Road, Roath; escentual.com

Carlton jacket, £125 Waterproof, with a foldaway hood – functional and cool From Pretty Green, 22-24 Morgan Arcade, Cardiff; prettygreen.com

52 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE

SHOPPING

7 5 6

8

10

9

6. THE DARK SIDE

7. TURN OVER A NEW LEAF

8. TOE THE LINE

9. PLUMP IT UP

10. TRUE COLOURS

La Prairie Midnight Rain eau de parfum, £85 (50ml) A “sexy, night-time fragrance for your wilder side”, it says here – Dirty Martini, here we come...

From John Lewis, St David’s Dewi Sant, Cardiff; johnlewis.com

Rain by Melissa Harrison, £12.99 Exquisitely-expressed thoughts on English weather by the brilliant nature writer From Waterstones, 2A The Hayes, Cardiff; waterstones.com

Black Blakely embossed leather and rubber rain boot by MICHAEL Michael Kors, £98 (was £195) How very Emma Peel (ask yer dad) From Michael Kors, The Hayes, Cardiff; michaelkors.co.uk

Cloud cushion, £22 Now every day can be a rainy one From Home By Kirsty, 16 Castle Arcade, Cardiff; homebykirsty.com

Rain Over The Preselis (oil on canvas) by Eloise Govier, £1,600 The young Welsh artist features in private collections around the world – buy now!

From Off The Wall, Cardiff Road, Llandaff; galleryoffthewall.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk II CLIFTON CARDIFF LIFE LIFE II 53 www.mediaclash.co.uk 69

SHOPPING

FA S H I O N

WEDDING BELLES With wedding season officially in full swing and the weather looking brighter, it’s the perfect time to channel your springtime fashionista

W

ith the need for a look to faultlessly transition from sunrise to sunset, dressing for a day of celebration can bring about fashion dilemmas, but the classic wedding look has to be a show-stopping one-piece. We adore Vivienne Westwood’s slinky Pink Virginia dress – pair it with Reiss’ Melissa coat and a pair of nude Michael Kors slingbacks and you’ll almost be giving the bride a run for her money!

If you’re feeling daring, try rocking a killer two-piece. For those that are really fashionforward, Westwood’s black and white suit combo – check out those dashes! – updates a classic look for the ultimate impact.

And accessories can always take an outfit from drab to fab – even more so when it comes to wedding attire. The key to accessorising for someone’s big day is to wear statement pieces in moderation.

Aspinal of London’s box poppy clutch bag, available at John Lewis, can instantly revitalise any outfit with its bold colours and classic shape – guaranteed to add glam to any apparel.

All items available at St David’s Dewi Sant in Cardiff at the time of writing. To keep up to date with the latest trends, news and offers, see St David’s on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (@StDavidsCardiff), or online at stdavidscardiff.com 54 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

White floral embellished flounce-sleeve dress, £450, and peanut skinny boyfriend belt, £80, both

by MICHAEL Michael Kors

2

1

4 3

5

6

8

9

10

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1. Pink Virginia dress, £295, Vivienne Westwood 2. Corin embroidered dress by L.K. Bennett, £495, John Lewis 3. Melissa belted coat, £265, Reiss 4. New Bag jacket, £530, and New Moki trousers, £310, Vivienne Westwood 5. Box poppy clutch bag by Aspinal of London, £595, John Lewis 6. Joan peacoat, £685, Vivienne Westwood 7. Ashby flex pointed toe court shoes, £130, MICHAEL Michael Kors 8. Rosaria print dress, £169, Coast 9. Nersi Blushing Bouquet Bardot dress by Ted Baker, £199, John Lewis 10. Alicia textured button-back tank top, £95, Reiss www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 55

Lurve the Lurvill’s!

FOOD & DRINK W H AT ’ S M A K I N G T H E G O U R M E T N E W S I N C A R D I F F

Cheese Pantry’s Owen Davies: “Cheese excites us!”

IT’S ONLY NATURAL ‘Lost’ Welsh soda Lurvill’s Delight is resurrected An all-natural botanical soda that was originally popular in Wales between 1896 and 1910, Lurvill’s Delight was created by twin brothers from the Rhondda Valley, but ceased production due to a shortage of dock leaves in the local area.

Now, the deliciously dry, low calorie drink is being made again in Wales by new owner Dave Steward. Containing only natural ingredients including rhubarb, nettle, dock leaves and juniper berry extract, Lurvill’s is free from artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, and is available at notable delis, bars, cafés and restaurants in and around Cardiff.

Said Dave: “Lurvill’s is really the only ‘grown-up’ soft drink out there – no added sugar and very little natural sugar; low in calories and not too fizzy. With a lovely dry ‘bite’, it doesn’t coat your teeth with sugar or have an artificial taste.”

For more: lurvillsdelight.com

Byron’s Korean-inspired ‘Kimcheese’ burger

MEATING PLACE Byron burger chain to open first Welsh restaurant at St David’s Dewi Sant later this year Founded by Tom Byng in 2007, with the mission of serving proper hamburgers like those he remembered fondly from his college days in the States, Byron’s burgers are made from “four cuts of properly sourced British beef, ground fresh, cooked medium, and served in a squishy bun with minimum fuss and fanfare.”

Sounds good – we’re looking forward to getting our teeth into their new ‘Kimcheese’ burger, which takes inspiration from the flavours of the Korean barbecue. They also do their own line of craft beers, plus an array of extra-thick milkshakes (‘Freakshakes’) and hard shakes (with a shot of booze).

For more: byronhamburgers.com

CHEESE, PLEASE!

SPRING FLAVOURS Say hello to our new food columnist OWEN DAVIES, from the Cardiff Life Award-winning Cheese Pantry – purveyors of fine, speciality cheeses Spring is in the air and with this comes new cheese to be enjoyed!

We love this time of year at Cheese Pantry, as spring milk brings with it an abundance of fresh ewes’ and goats’ milk cheeses.

The demand for these cheeses has grown massively in the last five years, and it’s a trend set to continue as more people become intolerant to cow’s milk. These milk varieties are a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals, too – cheese is good for us!

Spring is also when animals are let loose onto new outdoor pastures, with tender green grass shoots acting as a stimulant for milk production. Cheese made from this sweet spring milk is often high in moisture with delicate flavours – best eaten when fresh.

As we move into late spring/ early summer, with its lush wild flowers and clovers, the flavour of the milk (and cheese) changes again – just like wine, cheese also has ‘terroir’. This understanding of the land, what we feed our animals on and how this directly impacts the flavour and quality of our food, is something I hope we’ll see more awareness of.

We support British cheesemakers and farmers on a small

scale at Cheese Pantry, and we see lots of varying cheese flavours that excite us throughout the seasons – it’s what makes our work even more fascinating. It’s also the reason why our cheese chat on the stall will never be the same!

Cheese Pantry is at Cardiff Central Market. Twitter: @cheesepantry

FAB FIVE Owen’s current top seasonal cheeses ASHLYNN Goats’ cheese with a buttery texture and a citrussy tang WIGMORE A luscious, delicate ewe’s milk brie – almost floral when fresh WILD GARLIC YARG Made in Cornwall from local milk and wild garlic leaves HAFOD A traditional Welsh cheddar – great complexity and flavour MRS BELL’S BLUE A ewes’ milk blue – we often convert non-blue cheese eaters with this one!

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 57

58 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

R E S TA U R A N T

FOOD

The Old Swan Inn Contemporary fare and traditional pub classics at Knife & Fork Food’s revamped boozer in Llantwit Major

By N E RYS L LOY D -PI E RC E

W

IT’S A

hen I hear the words ‘historic pub’ and ‘makeover’, I want to run for the hills.

It usually means bland, corporate interfering with a decent old boozer, expunging its character along with the cobwebs. So, ahead of my visit to The Old Swan Inn in Llantwit Major, which has recently had a £40k facelift – owners Knife and Fork Food wanted to bring it in line with their other pubs, The Conway in Pontcanna, The Pilot in Penarth and The Discovery at Lakeside – I was feeling a little apprehensive, to say the least.

On walking into the pub, however, it’s a relief to see the 800-year-old main bar still busy with regulars nursing pints, its flagstones and beams intact, the home fires burning, and a fine collection of dogs accompanying their owners for an evening out.

The dining room appears to be the main recipient of said makeover. To be fair, it’s tasteful and well thought-out. But pub dining areas are the ‘magnolia’ of the dining world, and I find the spotless new dining area somewhat sterile for my tastes. I envy the revellers in the bar their comfortable babble of chatter and the atmosphere steeped in the building’s 12th century stone walls. That said, the dining room is still pleasantly relaxed, and the staff are helpful and friendly; we are shown a cosy, comfy alcove seat that offers a bird’s eye view of the dining area.

The menu, chalked on a blackboard, offers a simple range of reasonably priced starters, evenly shared between veggie and meat options. I opted for tomato and mozzarella arancini with tomato dressing, a sharp vinaigrette tang in the dressing providing a pleasing

RELIEF TO SEE THE 800 YEAR-OLD PUB BUSY WITH

REGULARS, ITS FLAGSTONES AND BEAMS

INTACT

contrast to the arancini’s rich, cheesy softness. My dining partner went for the cod bites, a simple and satisfying combo of tender fish encased in home-made batter, and given a life-enhancing lift with the addictive garlic turbocharge of good aioli.

Like The Conway et al, The Old Swan also does a good range of very reasonably priced pub classics, including ham hock, egg and chips; battered cod, chips, tartare sauce and pea puree; an 8oz rump steak with all the trimmings; and a veggie option of halloumi burger, sweet chilli, chips and salad.

For my own main course, I’m torn between the lamb rack, with potato rosti, seasonal vegetables and rich lamb jus, and the slow-braised belly pork with carrot and parsnip puree and balsamic red cabbage. After some soulsearching, I select the latter – a choice I am more than happy with. The belly is a slab of rich, moist meat, with a sweet crisp top. My dining partner’s grilled sea bass, green split peas – a tad on the hard side – with bacon and a honey mustard dressing is well-flavoured, but not so much that the fish is crowded out. We share a bowl of chunky, hand-made chips, the consumption of which is motivated by greed, not necessity, as the portions are plentiful.

A brief pause is necessary before delving into pud options, to finish our drinks and allow our first two courses to digest. Full we may be, but there’s always space for puds.

For me, it’s apple and rhubarb crumble and ice cream, and for him, strawberry parfait, berry coulis and brownie bites, which is the better choice of the two. My crumble is a little light on rhubarb – which I love – but has an excellent topping, full of flavour and bite. The berries, nicely sweet and sharp, are a great combo with the parfait, while the brownie bites add a little texture and contrast. A quick hit of coffee rounds things off.

So, would a return visit be on the cards? Certainly it would, combined next time with a stroll on Llantwit Major’s beach, and a table in the main bar or, given a warm and balmy evening, in the pub garden. Whichever way, I certainly won’t be running for the hills.

DINING DETAILS The Old Swan Inn, Church Street, Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan CF61 1SB; Tel: 01446 792230, knifeandforkfood.co.uk Opening times Mon-Sat noon11pm, Sunday noon-10.30pm Prices Starters from £5, mains from £10, puds from £5.50, cheeseboard £6.50 Vegetarian choice Veggies won’t go hungry, with at least five meat-free, savoury options to choose from Drinks list Small but well-chosen wine list at sensible prices, and excellent, well-kept draught beer Service/atmosphere Friendly, relaxed and helpful service, welcoming vibe

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 59

More adventures in party-going

SNAPPED! AC ROS S CA R D I FF, O N E S H I N D I G AT A T I M E

BE GRILL, MY BEATING HEART Local restaurant group Bar 44 celebrated the opening of its new Cardiff venture, Asador 44 – showcasing charcoal-grilled food from northern Spain – with a special launch for invited friends and guests.

For more: asador44.co.uk Photos by Esmé Charles Photography (esmecharles.com)

Adam Davies and Ian Fernando

Cathy Owen, Paula Morris, Vicki SpencerFrancis, Jackie Quantock Emily Hill and Emma Caddick

Paul Evans and Rachel James

Peter Reilly, Caroline Brownell and Vicki Spencer-Francis

Dale Williams, David Jenkins and Lloyd Morgan Asador 44 co-owners Owen and Tom Morgan

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 61

SOCIETY

BIZ WINNERS Guests gathered at National Museum Cardiff for a night of celebration with TV presenter Gethin Jones at the South and Mid Wales Chamber’s Welsh Business Awards. Of the 35 businesses nominated, a record 12 were based in Cardiff.

For more: southwaleschamber.co.uk

Angharad Hawkins, Joe Guishard and Holly Jones (Right at Home)

Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales

Event host Gethin Jones

Andrew Perrin, Michael Mcleod, Kayleigh Mcleod, Benjamin Glazier and Jane Mcleod-Glazier

Peter Wallbank and Dr Phil Caunt (Genesis Bioscience) David Deidun, Eleni Dowsell, Leah Summers, Carhian Welsh, Chris Heirene and Stuart Price (Quantum Advisory)

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 63

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SOCIETY

OUT TO LUNCH Cardiff’s Park Plaza hotel held a charity fundraising lunch in aid of cancer patient Chris James, with proceeds going to cancer charities Velindre and Sarcoma UK.

Rita Spernaes and Lucy Kennedy

For more: velindrefundraising.com, sarcoma.org.uk Photos by Laura Jayne Photography (laurajaynephotography.co.uk)

Caroline Sims, Katy James, Chris James and Susie Prothern

Karen Horner, Betty Cooksley, Lesley Murphy, Victoria Pathy, Ruth Mangion and guests

Gina Rees, Linda Akin, Kim Jennings, Jackie Dimmick, Lisa Simpson and guests Nicola Taaffe, Sandra Oakley, Kay Davey, Jane Keitch, Jess Yarrow and Lynn Wilson Kathryn Harris, Hazel Sievewright, Angela Maunder and Dee Strain

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SOCIETY

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Karen Birch, Joanna Adams (Darwin Gray), Jo Watson, Ita McNeil-Jones (Sitka Recruitment) and Jane Baker

Some of Wales’ top HR professionals and teams have been recognised at the first Wales HR Awards, held recently at Cardiff’s SSE SWALEC Stadium.

A total of 28 HR professionals and eight HR teams were recognised at the 12-category black tie event, where Lord Price, Minister of State at the Department for International Trade and former MD of Waitrose, was guest speaker.

For more: waleshrnetwork.cymru/awards

Sarah Howden, Yvonne Murray, Debra Barber and Huw Lewis (Cardiff Airport)

Sarah Jones (Acorn), Anna Sherer, Paula Morris (both Darwin Gray) and Danielle Mohammed (Acorn)

Cathy Jones, Melissa Hale, Sophie Cecil, Kelly Storer and Ruth Dalton

Lord Price, Fflur Jones (Darwin Gray), Sian Lloyd and Dan Langford (Acorn)

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P r o p e r t y advertisi n g feature

Meet the Property Agent Just what is it that makes a good property agent?

Some of Cardiff’s best tell us about what they do...

James Thomas

Savills; 02920 368919 www.savills.co.uk Can you tell us a bit about your background?

In a previous career, I was a professional golfer but always had an interest in property. I changed career and started with a popular Cardiff independent agent before joining Savills a few years ago.

What motivates you?

Doing a good job for my clients.

We are in a service industry and I love nothing more than achieving a successful outcome for everyone involved.

Where’s your favourite place in Cardiff?

Living in the Cyncoed area, I love being able to walk to Roath Park. It doesn’t matter if it’s a beautiful summer day or a crisp day in winter, it is always a beautiful place to enjoy.

What are the greatest opportunities in the Cardiff property market today?

Cardiff is changing an awful lot at the moment. The development in Central Square (with the relocation of the BBC), as well as numerous developments in the north of Cardiff and the Bay, will bring in a large amount of new housing.

My feeling is that the established areas of Cardiff close to the best schools will always be popular.

DAVID LOVITT PA Black; 0845 045 5550 www.pablack.co.uk

What sets you apart from other agents?

There are many marketing features we employ, the most effective being our bespoke high definition walk-through video films. This provides buyers with a clear vision of the property before a formal viewing is booked and can be especially helpful when dealing with purchasers who live a distance away. We have sold many houses to buyers from across Wales and England who were incentivised to make the special journey down to South Wales purely because the film provided them with such a good insight to the property.

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I have lived in Cardiff all my life and have worked in the industry for 35 years, concentrating mainly in north Cardiff and The Vale. I have always had a passion for estate agency and have worked with two priorities: customer satisfaction and quality innovative marketing. PA Black provided me with a wonderful opportunity to ensure these two elements were placed at the heart of our brand, and I am delighted to say that over the last six years, the brand has extended as far as Swansea and Monmouth, and is holding a significant share of the market.

68 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SAMANTHA JAMES

Savills; 02920 368924 www.savills.co.uk What sets you apart from other agents?

Me and the four other members of the team. We are local people supported by an international brand, which allows us to market our properties to a wider audience. Our clients mean a lot to us – it is important they receive personal service from individuals like myself.

What motivates you?

I’m really proud that people trust me to manage their prized possession, and more often than not, their largest asset! I’m particularly motivated by the buzz of working in a team, it’s rewarding working closely with others who share the same common goal.

What has been your biggest achievement to-date?

Rescuing my Staffy-cross Reg... and selling one of Cardiff’s finest, well-known homes.

Where’s your favourite place in Cardiff?

I love that there is so much going on in the city, but in just half an hour you can escape to the coastline or mountains.

My favourite place in Cardiff would have to be Roath Park Lake – there’s so much to see, and I find it calming.

Ross Hooper Nash Director, Jeffrey Ross 02920 397887 ross@JeffreyRoss.co.uk

What sets you apart from other agents?

We embrace change and new technologies in an everchanging market. Our staff are some of the most experienced in the marketplace – we genuinely believe you’re twice as likely to receive an offer from a locally-based firm with an experienced negotiator.

Describe the best project you ever had?

In 2016 we sold 14 houses in one transaction in Cardiff and Swansea, worth a total of £5.5 million.

Where do you see the business in five years?

I believe we are likely to see fewer branch agencies covering wider areas geographically in future, with online agents occupying up to 20% of the market. As market share increases, however, their fees are also likely to rise, with high street agents becoming increasingly more competitive as a result.

What has been your biggest achievement to-date?

Actively launching and growing an entirely new commercial venture in 20072008 – the toughest market the UK has seen for decades.

ad v er t i s i n g feat u re P R O P E R T Y

Kathy Challinor

Lettings Manager Chambers Estate Agents 02920 522106; kathy@ chambersestateagents.co.uk Where do you see the business in five years?

Cardiff is a vibrant city attracting young professionals looking for high-quality rented property. Demand is certainly outweighing supply and likely to continue to increase with changes to legislation, buy to let lending and landlord tax.

Unable to purchase their first property, tenants now stay for much longer, and look to make their rental property more of a home by buying furniture and adding personal touches. The thought of looking for alternative accommodation with stock levels so low, coupled with the costs incurred, makes staying long-term more desirable.

Tell us a bit about your background...

In 2001, I started working for the largest rental agent in Cardiff at the time, where I was promoted to lettings manager. Five years later, I was offered a chance with a small independent estate agent to grow the portfolio, which I did successfully within a couple of years, from just 60 properties to 280. And last year I joined Chambers Estate Agents to assist them in the growth of their substantial property portfolio. I love the rental industry as it is fast-moving and a new challenge every day – it certainly keeps you on your toes!

CAROLINE VANNER

Nick James

What sets you apart from other agents?

Our new homes team provides clients with specialist knowledge for consultancy, sales and marketing, supported by our international brand and national services.

We work closely with clients on what the market is demanding and really get involved from the ground up so that our new homes reflect our buyers’ requirements.

What sets you apart from other agents?

We have recently been nominated as number 1 in Cardiff and Wales, but even more impressive is that we have been voted 7th in the whole of the UK by Rater Agent (out of 11,000 estate agents). We are so proud of this because it’s actually our customers who voted for us.

Savills; 02920 368940 cardiffnewhomes@savills.com

What are the greatest opportunities in the Cardiff property market today?

The city is on the rise but in the interim, property prices and investment opportunities are competitive and attainable. Cardiff has something to offer everyone, from modern apartments and period conversions to premium family homes.

What motivates you?

I love nothing more than showcasing what a wonderful city we have to live or invest in; my prime focus and passion is to deliver fantastic schemes to our clients and end occupiers. With an everchanging market, we are constantly adapting to deliver unrivalled premium service.

Where do you see the business in five years?

We want to continue our success in Cardiff as the agent that developers and buyers come to for sound advice and expertise in the local market.

Moginie James 02920 730888 enquiries@moginiejames.co.uk

What motivates you?

Achieving exceptional results for our clients is ultimately what motivates us.

Moving home can be such a milestone in a lifetime, so it is also incredibly motivating to get to see the look in someone’s eyes when they find their dream home or pick up their keys after completion for the first time.

Where do you see the business in five years?

We recently celebrated our 15th birthday – 15 years of late nights, and dealing with whatever the property market throws at us, and emerging even stronger because of it. And, most importantly, it’s been 15 years of helping our sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants to make their dreams come true. So in five years, we see ourselves celebrating our 20th birthday and being able to say the same thing!

Marc Morrish

Seel and Co 02920 370100 www.seelandco.com What sets you apart from other firms?

Established in 1898, we are one of Wales’ largest independent property specialists and chartered surveyors. What sets us apart from other firms is our ability to offer a complete one-stop shop for all property services, surveys/valuations, lettings (management and tenant) block management, private treaty residential and commercial sales along with of course the very successful, highly respected auctions department, which has been in operation for more than 17 years. We have a lot of repeat business and recommendations from the independent personal service that we offer.

What are the greatest opportunities in the Cardiff property market today?

I find the greatest opportunities are conversion/redevelopment of former commercial buildings and sites for residential use.

With the influx of businesses looking to locate their offices within the numerous commercial districts in the city and the M4 corridor, the high demand for residential homes is still apparent and will only grow – a perfect example being the redevelopment of Dumballs Road.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

Last year I sold the highest value lot ever in a Welsh auction room – for £930,000 from a guide price of £350,000 – on behalf of Cardiff City Council.

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Shake-ups/launches/successes/promotions

CA R D I FF G E T S S ER I O US Leone Vuetivavalagi and Thomas Westgard (Bywyd Studios) and (centre) Mark White from Robert Owen Community Banking

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE

“IT RELIEVES STRESS, IMPROVES PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING, BOOSTS CONCENTRATION AND ENHANCES PROBLEMSOLVING…” Whatever it is, we want some – find out more on page 73…

THE BIG STORY

MUSIC MAKERS New Cardiff recording studio offers a boost to the Welsh music scene It isn’t the traditional recording studio with technicians behind a glass window, but Bywyd Studios in Cardiff Bay, founded by University of South Wales MSc students Leone Vuetivavalagi and Thomas Westgard, offers a different approach to making music.

The pair favour the ‘Open Studio’ approach – where technicians work silently in the same space as the artists, creating a different dynamic – to get the best from their artists.

“Artists seem to feel calmer working this way and I believe they produce better work, especially if they are new to the recording studio, which can be a daunting place,” said Leone. “When performing, people need to feel relaxed so they can give their best.

“We have tried to create a relaxed atmosphere to capture a vibrant,

natural performance while allowing artists to express themselves.”

The two first met at USW, where they both studied Masters degrees in Music Production. Realising they had similar philosophies of music and sound recording, they set up Bywyd Studios. The venture has been backed by Robert Owen Community Banking (ROCB) in Newtown, which provided a loan through the Start Up Loan Company (SULC).

As well as technical excellence in sound and production, the studio wants to help artists develop their performance skills. “We want Bywyd to offer an environment where artists can be creative and allow the personality of their music to come through,” said Thomas. “‘Bywyd’ means life or essence of life in Welsh, and it is this we want to

capture when we make recordings.”

The studio’s approach also ties in with the recent movement away from pure digital sound to analogue hybrids. “Digital can sound sterile and can benefit from a dash of analogue realism,” explained Thomas, “as in the move back to vinyl records.”

The studio already has an impressive list of artists on its books, and recently launched its own label to help promote its work worldwide.

“People often get to the mastering stage with their work, and then aren’t sure what to do after that – they struggle to market it and get it played,” said Thomas. “We have the contacts and knowledge to get music heard around the world, by both digital and physical means.”

For more: bywydstudio.com

45% THE BIG NUMBER

According to international real estate advisor Savills, overseas investors ploughed £5.8 billion into the UK’s regional commercial property market in 2016, including 45% of investment (share of total turnover) into Cardiff. “Cardiff’s popularity with overseas investors has been steadily increasing for the last three years,” said Ross Griffin, investment director at Savills, Cardiff. “We expect to see this continue as more stock comes to the market and new developments complete.”

For more: savills.co.uk

Got a business news story for us? Email vel.ilic@mediaclash.co.uk

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BUSINESS INSIDER

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS WINNER’S PROFILE

CITY OF THE UNEXPECTED Kully Thiarai, Artistic Director of National Theatre Wales – winner of the Event and Platinum Awards (for City Of The Unexpected) at the recent Cardiff Life Awards – talks cultural firsts and taking risks

Kully Thiarai and National Theatre Wales colleagues with one of their Cardiff Life Awards

So… how did it feel to win two Cardiff Life Awards?

We were absolutely delighted – and what a wonderful awards night!

City Of The Unexpected was such an extraordinary event, made possible because of the collective hard work of many, many people – talented artists, a vast army of hard-working crew members, and of course the incomparable community cast. Together, we made something very special happen that weekend, and to receive not one but two awards in recognition of that achievement means a great deal to everyone involved.

What was it about your year/nomination that clinched it, do you think?

I think two things; firstly, the scale and ambition of the event really was a first for Wales in terms of culture. It added to Cardiff’s image, international profile and growing confidence as a major European capital. Secondly, the opportunities it gave the community cast, and the incredible contribution they made to the weekend. It’s a big ask, calling on such a huge community of people to make such an innovative, risk-taking but potentially epic event with us (and to keep the details under wraps along the way!), but they all did it with their heart and soul. No-one will forget that Roald Dahl was a Cardiffian!

How’s business at the moment?

Hectic! Since the Awards ceremony, we’ve been busy making a show in Rhyl, which went very well, and we’ve had an exhibition in the shop window of our office, of images taken at We’re Here Because We’re Here, artist Jeremy Deller’s event to commemorate the centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

IN TERMS OF CULTURE, THE SCALE AND AMBITION OF THE EVENT REALLY WAS A FIRST FOR WALES

What did you enjoy most about Awards night?

I’ve only been living in Cardiff for a year, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and chatting with so many wonderful people, all of whom in their own way made a huge contribution to the city. It was a great combination of big name stars and unsung heroes of Cardiff. A very inspiring crowd.

Where are your Awards now?

[Event co-collaborators] Wales Millennium Centre took one, and ours is sitting proudly in our office – just as well we got two!

What’s new and exciting in the world of NTW? Funny you should ask! We’ll be announcing future projects very soon, so watch this space...

What have you found to be the best tools for success in the arts industry?

People, without a doubt. Working with talented artists and creators, 72 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

and with enthusiastic and committed communities who have stories to tell and real creative flair for telling them, is an alchemy of sorts.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

No two days are the same. Recently, I’ve really enjoyed travelling all over Wales, getting to know the diverse and beautiful landscapes, and of course, meeting new people. Working with artists to explore ideas, take risks and tell weird and wonderful stories, with the whole of Wales as our stage, is a great privilege, and tremendous fun.

As an organisation, what advantages does Cardiff offer you?

National Theatre Wales makes work all over Wales, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, but Cardiff is where our office is, and it’s our gateway to London, Bristol and the rest of the world. It’s also home to a brilliant community of artists, companies and venues; a real hot-bed of artistic activity. In terms of its artistic output, Cardiff really does punch above its weight, for what is really a small, young city.

Which other local businesses do you most admire?

I’m a sucker for tea and cake at Waterloo Tea, and I love Outpost on Womanby Street – great coffee, and you can buy some fantastic records while you’re there. As for the arts, I’ve seen some great work since I’ve been here. It was particularly brilliant to see how wonderful Artes Mundi was last year, and I went to see the artworks several times – a great thing to do when I had friends and family visiting.

Such a wonderful selection of extraordinary work.

Tell us a secret or little-known fact about yourself…

My first job was as a social worker.

For more: nationaltheatrewales.org

BUSINESS INSIDER

TRIPLE WHAMMY

Our pick of the most exciting, intriguing or important local business stories right now

1

BUSHTUCKER TRIALS Outdoor activities business Bushcraft Bash is breathing fresh life into team away days by getting staff to switch off their smart devices and embrace creative thinking in the stunning south Wales countryside.

Survival skills such as firelighting, shelter-building, wood whittling and cooking delicious campfire food are on the menu for corporate teams looking to get away from their desks and take on new challenges.

The business, big sister to Cardiff Life Awards-nominated outdoor children’s parties company Bushcraft Birthdays, encourages

2

staff to communicate, work together and think laterally to solve problems using natural outdoor materials.

The activities also give people the chance to recharge, develop a strong team spirit and bond with colleagues over a campfire cuppa.

“Participants don’t have to be very outdoorsy to enjoy the events as there’s no pressure for anyone to do any activity,” said owner and bushcraft instructor Steph Thompson. “We know that we feel better when we spend time outdoors in nature – various studies have demonstrated that it helps to Shirley Davis-Fox MBE, who represents Wales on the Hair Council

HAIR WE GO A businesswoman who represents Wales on the Hair Council is calling for improved careers advice in schools to reflect the opportunities available in hairdressing and barbering. Shirley Davis-Fox, MBE, the Hair Council’s political lobbyist, believes that school leavers are not always aware of the available routes into the hairdressing industry.

“Hairdressing and barbering are exciting and fulfilling careers, offering extensive opportunities and excellent salaries for skilled practitioners,” said Mrs Davis-Fox, chair of ISA Training in Bridgend, the largest independent hair and beauty training provider in Wales. “Careers advisors should understand the range of skills required of a practitioner and the substantial opportunities careers in hairdressing and barbering can offer.

“We strive to support and set the highest possible standards for the industry, and will support all educational reforms that will result in apprentices being ‘work ready’ upon completion of their training.”

Burning tinder...

relieve stress, improve physical and mental health and well-being, boost concentration, enhance problemsolving and even improve short-

term memory. It really is the best medicine available!”

For more: bushcraftbash.co.uk

IN THE SWING The Vale Resort in Hensol has invested more than £400,000 in stateof-the-art golf course and greens equipment as the new golf season gets off with a swing. The resort, home to two championship golf courses, has purchased 16 new high-tech John Deere cutters and mowers to enhance the condition of both the Wales National Golf Course and the Lake Golf Course. It is hoped the new equipment will give its 550-plus members and thousands of visitors an even better golfing experience.

“The preparation of the golf greens requires specialist cutting equipment to ensure they meet an exact height,” said John Borja, the resort’s head green-keeper. “We have set measurements for each aspect of the green, down to the nearest millimetre. Having the best machinery is key to making sure our team can prepare the course to its full potential for guests and members. Our aim, every day, is to ensure our golf courses are presented to the highest standards possible.”

Sounds good – quick round, anyone?

3

For more: vale-hotel.com

The Vale Resort’s green-keeping team with their new equipment

For more: haircouncil.org.uk

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BUSINESS INSIDER

Artist’s impression of Plasdwr High Street

BIZ WISDOM NOTHING VENTURED...

ANDREA CALLANAN, voice expert and founder of inspireMe, on the pros and pitfalls of ‘joint venturing’

COMMUNITY

CITY SLICKER Plasdwr, north-west Cardiff’s brand new 21st-century garden city, is finally taking shape City of Cardiff Council planning committee has approved plans for the remaining ˆ a “garden city for the 21st century” in north-west Cardiff, elements of Plasdwr, with lead developer Redrow due to work on the first homes this month. The first ˆ are expected to move in during the autumn. residents of Plasdwr Bordering Radyr, Danescourt, Fairwater, Pentrebane and St. Fagans, Redrow intends to create a “world-class, sustainable community” – the area will include four primary schools, a secondary school, health centres, shops, offices, pubs and restaurants, leisure centres, playing fields and parks, and preserved woodland. ˆ is expected to create over 30,000 jobs during its lifetime, many through Plasdwr the construction phase, but also permanent jobs through the education, health, leisure, office and retail space it will install. ˆ will deliver the homes and community our capital needs, helping “Plasdwr ˆ at Redrow. fuel economic growth,” said Wayne Rees, project director for Plasdwr “Integration with existing local communities and infrastructure is key to the ˆ helping it truly become a ‘place’. We are working closely with success of Plasdwr, stakeholders to bring both current and new residents together as neighbours.”

For more: plasdwr.co.uk

I’ve been asked recently about the best way to go about joint venturing, defined by Investopedia as ‘a business arrangement in which two or more parties agree to pool their resources for the purpose of accomplishing a specific task.’

So, when do you know if a JV is right? The simple answer is, you don’t.

You can, however, use a set of judgements which may help to make your decision. Why is the JV a good idea? Who propositioned who? What are the outcomes? Why is the pairing of two brands stronger than one? What do you, your JV partner and the customer get out of the arrangement? Are you aligned with the person/brand you’re thinking of working with? If there’s any doubt to any of the above questions, stop and rethink. And do make sure you have a contract or terms and conditions in place before you do any work. Make sure that intellectual property on both sides is safeguarded and that there is total clarity on what’s expected of each party financially and in working practice. Lack of clarity might not only cost you a lot of money but could also prove a painful learning curve.

Will your business grow faster, increase productivity and have more profit due to the partnership? Will you share risks, cost and workload equally? If so, it’s worth considering.

There could be great networking advantages, or it could be a worthwhile ‘heart’ project. You may be a start-up or changing your offering, so a JV could be a safe way for you to test the market. Just make sure you have your business head on when you make that decision. Your brand is unique and precious – you don’t want to dilute it or give away trade secrets just because someone wants you to. But if your collaboration is aligned, wonderful things can come of it.

Ultimately, if you’re congruent with the decision to share, get the legals in place, have the sticky conversations and go for it. If you’re not, move on and keep doing what you’re doing.

Above all, trust your instinct, weigh up the business decision in its entirety and do what feels right. inspireMe are a Cardiff-based engagement and selfdevelopment company that offer UK-wide team-building and training. For more, see andinspireme.com

Levante. The Maserati of SUVs. Starting at £54,335 OTR The road you choose to travel might not be a road at all. A quick trip might turn into the adventure of a lifetime, because there’s no reason to stay on the beaten track when you can create a path of your own. The Maserati Levante was designed with world-class engineering prowess and features Q4 intelligent all-wheel-drive and sophisticated air-suspension systems, which allow you to enjoy a fully capable SUV with outstanding Maserati driving dynamics.

Please call us to arrange your test drive.

MOTORLINE MASERATI CARDIFF 291 Penarth Road, Cardiff, Glamorgan, CF11 8TT Phone: 02920 666 472 | www.motorline.co.uk/maserati Official fuel consumption figures for the All New Maserati Levante Diesel in mpg (l/100km): Urban 34.4 (8.2), Extra Urban 42.8 (6.6), Combined 39.2 (7.2). CO2 emissions 189g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Model shown is a Maserati Levante Diesel MY17 at £66,640 On The Road including optional Luxury Pack at £5,950, 21 inch Anteo alloy wheels at £2,695, Driver Assistance Pack at £1,450, panoramic sunroof at £1,200, Rear laminated privacy glass at £350 and bi-xenon front headlamps at £660.

Maserati Levante

Maserati Levante [Luxury Pack]

On the Road Price Maserati Dealer Deposit Contribution Customer Deposit Amount of Credit Monthly Payment Optional Final Payment (incl. £10 fee) Total Amount Payable by Customer Duration of Contract (Months) Rate of Interest (Fixed) APR Annual Mileage Excess Mileage Charge

£56,250 £1,700 £9,999 £44,551 £599 £28,275 £59,838 37 4.79% 4.8% 10,000 12p per mile

Oaklands, Whitchurch A truly impressive semi-detached five bedroom Edwardian Gable fronted residence of character, beautifully improved and fully modernised to a high specification, and providing a capacious gracious family home. This stunning property occupies a delightful position, fronting a select and quiet courtyard close, within level walking distance to the popular and highly regarded Village of Whitchurch. Renovated and extended this substantial home includes luxury fittings with oak panelled contemporary doors, new gas heating with an UNDERFLOOR wet system to the ground floor and radiators to both the first and second floors, stylish new double glazed sash cord style windows, an intruder alarm and stunning chrome light switches, power points, TV areal points, telephone points and satellite connections throughout the entire accommodation. The bespoke open plan kitchen and dining room is a generous (22’0 x 13’3) equipped with superb floor and high level units with high gloss doors and drawers beneath granite work surfaces and boasting an extensive range of quality integrated appliances plus double glazed bi-folding doors which open onto the fully enclosed rear gardens. Other features include a most impressive entrance reception hall (20’10 x 19’0) L shaped and inset with an elegant wide solid oak spindle balustrade returning stair case, a useful utility, a down stairs cloak room with a stylish white suite and a separate formal sitting room inset with bi-folding doors. The spacious first floor includes three double sized bedrooms each with stunning ensuite bespoke shower rooms, two of which are triple in size, whilst the generous master bedroom is a spacious (19’5 x 15’11) into a wide splayed bay, and boasting a large ensuite dressing room (11’1 x 7’0), plus two walk on balconies each approached by double glazed French doors and both enjoying a pleasing view across the quiet court yard close. Very impressive. A stylish landing with an oak spindle balustrade staircase leads to the second floor landing with access to two further double sized bedrooms. Bedroom four is a generous (16’8 x 15’11), and a large bespoke family bathroom serves each of these two bedrooms, equipped with a stylish bath, a separate shower cubicle, a slim line wc and a contemporary shaped wash hand basin. Outside there is a level deep front garden, laid to lawn and edged with mature hedgerow, whilst the rear gardens are also level, enclosed by 8 FT high timber panel fencing and inset with a garden gate with front access. There is a private two car front drive; whilst to the rear of the property is a large garage.

For sale with PA Black Whitchurch Branch 2920 612328 £800,000

Ty Newydd Farm Capel Llaniltern Ty Newydd Farm is a distinctive house of character, built 1998 by the current owners on the site of an original period farm cottage which was reputed to date back to 1700 and occupied a an overall plot of 1.95 acres. This unique four bedroom family home enjoys the special benefits of ensuite shower rooms serving each of the double sized bedrooms plus a large period family bathroom equipped with a free standing roll top suite. Recently a stunning bespoke kitchen has been installed providing a wonderful social space (30’1 x 14’9), centred around a large island unit with Quartz granite work tops, stylish integrated appliances and inset with a charming stone Inglenook fireplace with contemporary log burner and a solid wood mantle. There are two utility rooms and two ground floor cloak rooms. The living space is truly impressive including five principle reception rooms plus a grand entrance reception hall inset with a wide staircase returning to the east and west first floors. All windows are double glazed with white PVC units, and there are two feature windows, both hexagon in design with coloured leaded glass. Central heating is oil fired with panel radiators and a modern tank installed also in 1998. Charming character features include exposed beamed ceilings and natural stone walls providing a Farm House theme, whilst the living space provides a contemporary style with both a large formal dining room for social meals, and a relaxing lounge with a stone Minster fireplace! With a family in mind the capacious cinema room (18’10 x 17’8) offers a wonderful entertainment centre, whilst both the sitting room (19’11 x 13’6) and the sun lounge (16’3 x 15’0) offer flexible living space with French doors that open onto the gardens. Each of the double bedrooms also include individual walk-in wardrobes, and the unique advantage with the living space on the first floor is the undoubtable fact that each bedroom is well proportioned with pleasing outlooks across the surrounding gardens and grounds. A truly impressive family house situated within only a short drive to Cardiff, and within easy access to an exit onto the M4, allowing fast travel to Newport, Swansea and Bristol.

For sale with PA Black Whitchurch Branch 2920 612328

£1,100,000

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

ARCHER ROAD This tastefully modernised, eight-bedroom property in sought-after Penarth just oozes charm and character. Fancy a nose? Be our guest…

By K AT I E K I SSO ON

78 112I I CARDIFF CLIFTONLIFE LIFE I I www.mediaclash.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk

SHOWCASE

PROPERTY

www.mediaclash.co.ukI I CLIFTON CARDIFFLIFE LIFE I I 113 79 www.mediaclash.co.uk

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

G

ood community spirit, great independent shops, delis and cafés, excellent schools, beautifully maintained parks, incredible tapas at Bar 44, etc etc... Penarth is often voted as one of the best places to live in Wales, with good reason – so it’s little wonder that properties here are so highly sought-after.

Located on Archer Road, this month’s showcase is a real gem – a brick-built, semi-detached Edwardian abode, tastefully modernised, and retaining many original features such as doors, picture rails, coving, flooring and fireplaces. It also has partial double glazing and is in good condition throughout.

The ground floor has three large reception rooms – morning room, lounge (both with feature fireplaces) and sitting room – while the spacious kitchen/dining room has a feature marble-tiled floor, quality fitted bespoke units (including a walnut-topped island), built-in range cooker, two electric ovens, a gas oven and a useful pantry cupboard. On the upper two floors are eight bedrooms, plus a handy shower room and family bathroom.

Outside, there’s a decent-sized front garden and a large one out back, the latter attractively laid to lawn with flower beds, mature trees and shrubs, and with double garage and rear lane access.

Centrally located near to schools, the lovely Esplanade, medical practices, Penarth train station and the bustling town centre, this charming home offers ideal family accommodation, with a wonderful abundance of space to call your own.

For more info, contact David Baker, 2-3 Station Approach, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan CF64 3EE; Tel: 02920 702622, davidbaker.co.uk 80 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

19 Archer Road: This spacious Edwardian abode retains many original features

HOUSE NUMBERS 19 Archer Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan

8

bedrooms

3

reception rooms

£935,000 guide price

2

bathrooms

1

kitchen/dining room

CARDIFF LIVES

Q&A

F

ormed in Cardiff in 1993, acclaimed Welsh psych-rock legends Super Furry Animals have built a huge fan base for their fusion of pop, punk, electronic experimentation and prog on key albums such as Fuzzy Logic and Radiator, which they toured to great acclaim at the end of last year. These days, lead guitarist Huw Bunford also runs (and DJs at) the Big Fish Little Fish family raves at Cardiff’s Tramshed – fun for kids and big kids alike...

Where’s home, and what makes it special?

Penarth. It feels like home, and you can see the weather rolling in.

We assume you’re taking a well-earned rest after SFA’s recent Fuzzy Logic/Radiator tour, but what are you up to at the moment?

Yes, that tour was great – our fans are the best!

I’ve just finished doing the music score for an animation film directed by Daisy Jacobs, a followup to the score I wrote for her previous film (The Bigger Picture), which won her a BAFTA and an Oscar nomination.

You run (and DJ at) Big Fish Little Fish family raves at Cardiff’s Tramshed with your wife, Tabitha – how did you get involved with that?

When we were in London, we would take our kids to a BFLF family rave in Balham, as we were friends with the organisers – when we moved to Cardiff, they asked us to run BFLF in Wales.

We run a massive family rave at Tramshed every two months – it’s brilliant to get babies and kids enjoying music and families dancing together.

What makes BFLF special?

You can just have a ball in a safe, familyorientated environment. There’s something for everyone – arts and crafts, a bar, soft-play, chillout areas, face painting, and more.

If you had to choose three floor-fillers from your playlist, what would they be?

At the moment, it’s anything by Todd Terje, The Way You Move by OutKast and Shoorah Shoorah

by Betty Wright.

HUW ‘BUNF’ BUNFORD The Super Furry Animals guitarist on family raves, favourite floor-fillers and buying posh socks Most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?

Too many! I’m very clumsy – showing off, falling flat on my face, that kind of thing.

If you could get up on your soapbox about a particular issue, what would it be?

Saving independent venues from ‘behemoths’ – i.e. Womanby Street vs Wetherspoons.

Karaoke choice?

She Bangs by Ricky Martin.

Must-watch television programme?

The Sky At Night.

When did you last cry?

When Wales beat Belgium.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Mr Able-To-Make-Perfect-Tea.

Dream dinner party guests?

Orson Welles, Eleanor Roosevelt.

Best thing about Cardiff?

The people keep it real.

If push came to shove, what would be your final meal of choice?

I’m not on death row, but I do like a pie.

Favourite shops in Cardiff?

I love the fish market.

Most famous person you follow on Twitter?

I’m not on Twitter. I’m barely on Facebook.

If your nearest and dearest had to describe you, what would they say?

Wot a hunk!

How do you relax?

Paragliding.

Who would play you in a film about your life?

That Trekkie guy? I can’t remember his name...

Proudest moment so far?

During a Wales international football game, we were the pre-match entertainment. The team were doing their warm-up on the pitch, and a ball came over to our stage, so I jumped off and chipped it back to Aaron Ramsey – very proud of that.

Guiltiest pleasure?

Buying posh socks.

What’s the most important lesson life has taught you?

Don’t skimp on sock quality.

What’s on your bookshelf at the moment?

Lots of books and vinyl, musical instruments and my wife’s dodgy taxidermy collection.

82 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Which piece of music always sends a shiver down your spine?

The Jaws theme or Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

Locally, where do you like to eat and drink?

The Pilot in Penarth is a real local – great food, drink and staff. Our dog has been known to slip out the house and make his way there!

Secret or favourite Cardiff spot?

Lavernock Point. The ions in the air are something else.

Finally, surprise us with a little-known fact about yourself…

I’ve got super-long arms.

The next Big Fish Little Fish family rave is on 18 June at Tramshed. For more info, see bigfishlittlefishevents.co.uk

www.icebodysculpting.co.uk - info@icebodysculpting.co.uk 02921 202 190. 122 Cowbridge Road West, Cardiff, CF5 5BT