Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property Issue 187/July 2018/£3
CELEBRATING THE BEST IN THE CITY, PENARTH & THE VALE
FEST UP!
@CardiffLifeMag
INNER BEAUTY
GIVE YOUR HOME A SUMMER REVAMP
YOUR FESTIVAL GUIDE
ISSUE 187/JULY 2018/INSIDE INFORMATION
NATURAL
TALENT
THE RISING STAR OF INTERIOR DESIGN
PARK LIFE
FINE DINING AT PARK HOUSE
editor’s letter / Issue 187 / JULY 2018
32
home life The up-and-coming homeware designer who’s bringing the outdoors indoors
Home truths The sheer breadth of talent in this glorious city never fails to astound me. Every issue I find myself slightly overwhelmed by just how much is happening, and what amazing things people are achieving right on the doorstep. This time it’s a young homeware designer called Jenny Evans who is really blowing my mind. She’s just graduated from university, last year she won a prestigious student entrepreneurship award, her business, Jenny Kate designs, is going from strength to strength and now some serious big names are interested in stocking her collection. And she’s just about one of the loveliest people you could ever meet too. When she’s a household name, remember, you heard it here first! Also in this issue I chatted to another graduate from Cardiff, Andrew Hodge who’s returning to the city performing in War Horse, take a look at ways to refresh your home for summer and we’ve got the lowdown on some of the best fests coming up. Plenty to keep you inspired then!
Cartref cysurus Mae’r holl ddoniau amrywiol sydd i’w cael yn y ddinas fendigedig hon bob amser yn fy syfrdanu. Wrth baratoi pob rhifyn, byddaf yn rhyfeddu’n gyson at holl weithgarwch y ddinas ac at yr holl bethau gwych y mae pobl yn eu cyflawni ar stepen ein drws. Dylunydd ifanc o’r enw Jenny Evans, sy’n creu nwyddau ar gyfer y cartref, sydd wedi mynd â’m bryd y tro hwn. Mae newydd raddio o’r brifysgol, a’r llynedd enillodd wobr o fri sy’n cydnabod entrepreneuriaeth ymhlith myfyrwyr. Mae ei busnes dylunio, Jenny Kate, yn mynd o nerth i nerth ac mae rhai cwmnïau amlwg wedi dangos diddordeb mewn gwerthu ei chasgliad o nwyddau. Mae hi hefyd yn berson hyfryd. Pan fydd hi’n enwog, cofiwch mai yma y clywsoch chi amdani gyntaf! Yn y rhifyn hwn hefyd rwy’n sgwrsio ag un arall o raddedigion Caerdydd, sef Andrew Hodge sy’n dychwelyd i’r ddinas i berfformio yn War Horse, rydym yn edrych ar ffyrdd newydd o ailwampio eich cartref ar gyfer yr haf, ac rydym yn rhoi sylw i rai o’r gwyliau gorau sydd ar ddod. Mae yma ddigon o syniadau unwaith eto i’ch ysbrydoli! EMMA DANCE Editor emma.dance@mediaclash.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @CardiffLifeMag
CONTENTS / ISSUE 187 / JULY 2018
FEATURES
M EET T H E T EAM
18 Feel at home
Editor Emma Dance emma.dance@mediaclash.co.uk
Expert advice on summer styling for your home
Managing editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors: Stacey Owen, Charlie Rose, Megan Price, Sarah Moolla Advertising manager Mark George mark.george@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy advertising manager Kate Butterfield kate.butterfield@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Lorena Cussens lorena.cussens@mediaclash.co.uk Advertising executive Louis Grey louis.grey@mediaclash.co.uk
32 A creative spark Jenny Evans is creating gorgeous homeware you’ll covet
THE ARTS 41 Arts Intro A new exhibition celebrating the land of the rising sun at National Museum Wales
42 What’s On
Production and distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager and production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk
That’s your month ahead sorted
48 War Horse We talk to the former Cardiff student who’s returning to the city to perform in the show
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54 Green Man Festival organiser Fiona Stewart tells all
62 Festival fever The lowdown on some of this summer’s finest festivals
68 Film Chapter’s Anim18 festival continues
FOOD
DEPARTMENTS
88 Restaurant
10 Spotlight
SHOPPING
Delicious dining at Park House Restaurant
News to peruse
Your festival shopping list
BUSINESS
78 Fashion
105 Business Insider
Party pics from hot happenings around the city
Some ideas to make sure you’re the best-dressed festival goer!
News, views and interviews from the city’s professionals
HEALTH & BEAUT Y
PROPERT Y
83 Cutting Edge
114 Property Showcase
Getting a summer restyle at Bouvardia
A modern architect-designed home to swoon over
72 Editor’s Choice
54
92 Snapped!
122 Cardiff Lives
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
Artist Nathan Wyburn shares his secrets
On the cover Rise and shine with Jenny Kate designs!
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a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e E D U C AT I O N
H O M E S A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E
A DIFFERENT WINDOW AND DOOR COMPANY Nicky and John Spragg of CARDIFF WINDOWS AND DOORS, tell you a little bit about themselves and their business.
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he couple first met in 1989 and married in 1999 so next year is their 20th wedding anniversary! John was in the double glazing industry for more than 30 years, manufacturing, installing and surveying, whilst Nicky was in the financial services and utilities industry working in customer services and HR for most of her career. Work situations changed for both of them and in 2011 Cardiff Windows and Doors Ltd was created. They wanted to put their our own spin on double glazing, keeping the things they liked and changing the things they didn’t. They started the business at home but in 2015 acquired their business premises in Heath in Cardiff. After extensive renovation and investment by them, they finally opened their office and showroom. They wanted any potential customers to be able to view their range of products before placing an order. They felt that it was important for customers to be able to see first hand the quality of the products before making any outlay. Both of them were extremely passionate about offering their customers something a bit different to their competitors. They don’t employ any sales people, just offering their customers an advisory service and consultation. This is the reason they have
become so successful in the last seven years They have even written their business values to reflect this; Open and Honest, Simplicity, Quality Comes First and finally Our Price is Our Price. At their showroom they have bi-folding doors, sliding doors, composite doors, french doors, casement windows and box sash in a number of different materials including aluminum, uPVC and timber. They offer a relaxed service at your pace. It’s so important that a customer gets what they truly want and if that means waiting a bit longer, they'll still be there.
CASE STUDY
Ann gave us a call as she wanted to talk about a potential project, knocking down a kitchen wall and opening up the space in a more social way for her friends and family. After setting up an appointment, we sat with an in her home for an hour or so. We usually only stay 30 minutes unless the consultation is to be longer at the customer's request. We spoke with our builder and made Ann feel at ease with the project. We talked her through every step of the way. We could order and deliver the bi-folds within three working days so Ann was very pleased not to be left with a gaping hole at the side of her house for several weeks. Working closely with the builder we had the doors on standby. The next thing the doors were in. Ann was so pleased she also ordered box sash windows, casement windows and a new front door! 8 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
"If you are thinking of having your windows or doors replaced then I would highly recommend Nicky and John at Cardiff Windows and Doors. The service they provide is second to none, their attention to detail impressive and all at a reasonable cost. The boys doing the installation are some of the most polite and courteous I have encountered and their workmanship is faultless. They arrived promptly and got on with the job and always made sure they cleaned up after themselves. We are absolutely thrilled with our windows and doors - thank you!" Ann Jones Cardiff.
LOGO Cardiff Windows and Doors, Unit 8, Fieldway, Heath, Cardiff, CF14 4HY Tel: 02920 692690 Email: info@cardiffwindows.com www.cardiffwindows.com
CURTAINS l BLINDS WALLPAPER l PAINT HOME ACCESSORIES Haus Contemporary Furnishings 6C Heol-y-Deri Rhiwbina Cardiff CF14 6HF Tel: 02920 611 372 Email: info@haus-cardiff.co.uk www.haus-cardiff.co.uk
ft
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PERSONALITY No matter what your budget or requirements may be, MWH Heating & Plumbing are dedicated to providing you with the best quality service. Our fully accredited and insured team offers work of the highest standard for all services including HEATING, PLUMBING and BATHROOMS
HIGHLY REPUTABLE PLUMBERS COVERING CARDIFF & SOUTH WALES - GET IN TOUCH NOW
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Take a seat
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT
CROWNING GLORIES Cardiff National Eisteddfodd’s crown and chair, which will be awarded to the writers of the best poems in free verse and in a traditional form of Welsh verse during the festival this August, have been presented to the festival’s executive committee in a special ceremony. The crown was designed and created by Laura Thomas from Neath. Following a competition led by Cardiff University (which donated the crown), Laura was chosen ahead of several highquality designers. Her inspiration for the design was derived from her signature technique, parquetry, where she inlays wood veneer into sterling silver and the crown features more than 600 hexagonal inlays, all added by hand and parts of the geometrical pattern were specially created within the university.
The chair is sponsored by Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of St Fagans National Museum of History. The museum was keen to see a connection with St Fagans in the design, and this was the challenge for sculptor Chris Williams, who lives in Pentre and works in Ynyshir, Rhondda. He was inspired by the form of the stick chairs in the museum collection, in particular one chair that was made in Trealaw, only a few miles from his workshop. The Crowning ceremony takes place on 6 August at 4.30pm, and Chairing ceremony on 10 August at 4.30pm. Both the chair and the crown will be exhibited at National Museum Cardiff until 2 August. For more: www.eisteddfod.wales
On your head be it
Turner House
CULTURE
BIG PLANS Penarth’s Turner House could be transformed into a new multi-purpose cultural venue. As the trustee of Turner House, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales – has been keen to secure the future of the building and has been in discussion with Penarth Town Council, who wish to use the building to promote the culture and heritage of the area. Councillor Rhiannon Birch, leader of Penarth Town Council, said, “Penarth Town Council is looking forward to working with Amgueddfa Cymru in the development of a Partnership Agreement for the ongoing management of Turner House that will ensure a sustainable future for the building as a key community asset for the town.” For more: www.museum.wales
10 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
C A R D I F F: I T S L I F E A N D T I M E S The need for speed
DAYS OUT
A NEED FOR SPEED The Speedway Grand Prix is marking 18 years of racing in Cardiff this year. In honour of the occasion, on 21 July there will be a day full of high speed fun at the Principality Stadium as The Adrian Flux British FIM Speedway Grand Prix returns to the city. Crowds will be able to watch 16 riders compete over 23 heats, with no brakes! Multiple World Champions will be going up against each other this year, including Great Britain’s double series winner, Tai Woffinden. There will also be a fanzone with live music and stunt performances, parkour/ free running demonstrations, face painting and rider autograph sessions. The event will end with a firework display. For more: www.speedwaygp.com
Phill Lewis
FOOD
TAKE A BITE! Phill Lewis, chef and co-owner of award-winning restaurant Dusty Knuckle, has teamed up with Simon Thomas (previously of Street Food Circus) to create BITE – a new kind of food festival. There will be no fast food on offer, no food trucks and no entrance fee, but what there will be, is a real focus on provenance and quality with some fantastic local chefs and food producers. So far, Tom Furlong of Milkwood restaurant in Pontcanna, award-winning producer of Charcutier LTD Illtud Dunsford and Tommy Heaney of The Great House in Laleston (who also recently announced plans to open a restaurant in Pontcanna later this year) have all confirmed that they will be taking part.
Every chef and producer has been tasked to come up with a dish that is completely unique to the festival, and each will cost no more than £3. Phill also wants to make the BITE festival as eco-friendly as possible. “There will be no plastic packaging at BITE; every chef taking part has agreed to use eco-friendly and sustainable packaging instead. We’re also going to have staff sorting the recycling on-site, so that nothing will go to landfill. It’s something we really want to champion, and hopefully set an example of how an event like this can be done as sustainably as possible.” BITE will take place in the gardens of Insole Court mansion in Llandaff on 14 July. For more: www.insolecourt.org.uk
EDUCATION
BRIGHT SPARK A Cardiff four-year-old has become Wales’ youngest member of MENSA, the high IQ society. Georgia Grace, who attends the nursery at Howell’s School in Llandaff is one of just six pre-school MENSA members across the UK and Ireland. Georgia’s mother, Helen, noticed her daughter had a natural aptitude for learning numbers and letters as soon as she began to speak. She said: “When she was just a few months past her first birthday, we were walking in Cardiff Bay and she sounded out the letters on the BBC sign. She seems to have a really strong memory, and has always been incredibly focused, whatever she is doing. Since she started
attending the nursery at Howell’s, it’s been clear she has a real hunger for learning, always asking lots of questions with a voracious appetite for knowledge, and I had an idea that there might be something unique about her. I’m a MENSA member myself, so I knew there were tests that we could try.” After assessments last month, which lasted a total of five hours, and tested Georgia’s aptitude for English and mathematics, the results confirmed that Georgia’s IQ meant that she was eligible for MENSA membership—putting her in the top two per cent in the country.
Mini Mensa member
For more: www.howells-cardiff.gdst.net
www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 11
Rugs | Kilims | Furniture | Furnishings | Clothing | Accessories | Cleaning | Repairs | Valuation
At Bookbarn International, BS39 6EX | 01761 451764 | www.orientalrugsofbath.com
A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E I N T E R I O R S
FEEL AT HOME Let ATHENA INTERIORS help yout transform your house into a dream home
A
Interior Design for Showhomes, Private Clients and Commercial Properties. Established over twenty years ago SUNRISE INTERIORS has an impressive portfolio of national house builder clients including Waterstone Homes, Bellway Homes, Lovell Homes and many private speculative builders for whom we design and fit stunning showhomes, returning time and again for our wealth of knowledge and experience. We also work with individual home owners. Employing an interior designer has never been more accessible or affordable. Ultimately, we save you time and money, avoiding expensive mistakes. We offer a complete interior design service supplying and fitting bespoke curtains and blinds, wallpapers, furniture and floor coverings. For those special finishing touches that turn a house into a home we also source mirrors, pictures, lighting and accessories often not found on the high street. We see your project as a partnership between ourselves and you, the customer. One of our friendly approachable team in consultation with you will explore ideas to achieve beautiful results in your home. We then manage the project carefully and professionally to create your perfect interior to meet your aspirations. Please look at our inspirational website and call us for an informal chat to find out more.
tel: 01656 746 777 | email: sales@sunriseinteriors.co.uk
www.sunriseinteriors.co.uk
thena Interiors is a new interior design company recently launched in April by 22-year-old Sarah Jeffs – a qualified interior designer. Athena Interiors is situated in our home office north of Caerleon, in the heart of the Monmouthshire countryside. At Athena Interiors we offer a comprehensive interior design service throughout South Wales and surrounding areas. Whether you’re looking to update just one room or a whole house, our talented team are ready to help. We provide a range of bespoke services which are both approachable and flexible. We specialise in colour scheming, spacial planning, lighting plans, bespoke headboards, bespoke furniture, fitted wardrobes, blinds and curtains, paint, wallpaper, fabrics and more! Anything interior-related, we’ve got it covered! We love to make homes beautiful and we hope to share this passion with you. As freelance interior designers we believe it’s important to be able to offer affordable interior design packages to suit your requirements. Our design fees start from as little as £50. (Fees are refunded against a minimum spend*.)
HOW IT WORKS:
1. Free initial consultation We offer a FREE meet and greet with all prospective clients. It’s essential for us to get to know our clients and this gives us an opportunity for us to discuss in some detail the project and for us to gain an understanding of what is required. 2. The design process Following an on-site visit, we will draw up a spacial plan, create a visual presentation accompanied by sample presentation boards and shopping list. 3. Delivery and installation We will be on hand to assist with the organisation of delivery and have a comprehensive list of recommended installers. We have the option of a ‘white glove’ delivery service which ensures all items are unpacked and placed with the utmost attention. Please get in touch! We are a bubbly, friendly team and are more than happy to discuss your project (no matter how small) We are happy to answer any questions you may have! Follow our social media pages to keep up to date with current design projects as well as new and exciting products!
Socia Media: @athenainteriors www.athenainteriors.co.uk Email: athena.interiors@outlook.com Tel: 07513912043 *Please see further t&c's
Home life
From on-trend accessories to house-changing renovations, we’ve enlisted the advice of a team of experts to help you get your home ready for summer ď ˇ By C h a r l i e Rose
18 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
INTERIORS
WHEN THE SUN POURS IN THROUGH THE
WINDOWS LIFE FEELS SO MUCH BETTER
Ceri Hill from Chalkhouse Interiors recommends letting light flood in for a feel good factor
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INTERIORS
Fringe benefits from Oliver Bonas
THINK BIG
“The long summer days and great weather make it the ideal time of year to take care of those large renovation projects. Bring together kitchen, dining and living, using clever design to create a more sociable atmosphere, your family and friends can enjoy. All my customers say what a vast improvement it makes on their health, habits and lifestyle. As part of the world’s largest kitchen manufacturer, we always reinvest and innovate. From self opening doors, invisible wireless chargers to concealed lighting options, at Kutchenhaus we believe in fair pricing and renowned German quality.” Shahab Bari – director, Kutchenhaus
ON THE FRINGES
“An interior trend that is gaining momentum this year is heavily embellished accessories. This comes in a range of forms, from tassels and feathers to macramé and fringing – something that is particularly popular with the likes of Oliver Bonas and French Connection. This particular emphasis on handmade qualities adds texture and interest to interiors, something that can be added with the use of rugs, cushions and wall hangings. Oliver Bonas is currently on trend with their ‘Nappa’ fringed table lamp and matching mirror, simple accessories that can become key items of interest in a simple living room interior.” Leanne Rudman – interior architect, Portabellla
CEILING THE DEAL
“Once ignored or worse, thickly Artexed, the home’s topmost surface is now making a major statement. Ceilings are the next hot trend but only if they are decorated with a difference. Consider painting in a bold colour but better still in a fabulous patterned or textured wallpaper. Ceilings are becoming prime eye-catchers in every room so be brave and go one step further and add a fabulous mural. Choosing to include a mural within your interiors is a great way to add some real identity to a space but applying it to your ceiling will transform your room into something spectacular!” Gail Jones – co-owner, Haus Contemporary Furnishings
DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX METALS
ON TAP
“When it comes to bathrooms we try and discourage clients from going all out on a trend, because we believe fixed products in kitchens and bathrooms should be more timeless than trendy. Introduce on-trend touches here in small doses! However, we are currently obsessed with special finishes on brassware. Rose gold and polished brass look amazing with neutral tiles, don’t be afraid to mix metals; for example you can have a chrome shower enclosure with a rose gold shower providing you have enough of the rose gold to make an impact. Be mindful of lead times on special finish products though as sometimes they take longer than standard finishes.” Justine Bullock – director, The Tap End w 20 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Style on tap at The Tap End
INTO THE FOLD
“Enjoy open plan outdoor living with bi-fold doors – the ultimate trend for those wanting to connect with nature and create a new outdoor lounge area for their home. Perfect for barbecues, outdoor entertaining or simply lazy Sunday nights, bi-fold doors are a practical statement piece that invite natural light into the home, all year round. Origin Bi-fold Doors are industryleading, made with premium grade aluminium for ultimate strength, security and style, and come with a guarantee of up to 20 years.” Nicola Spragg – owner, Cardiff Windows and Doors
SHORE THING
“Nautical is a big trend this summer, perfectly showcased through our brand new Oceanographer Collection by Marcel Wanders. Marcel Wanders’ iconic collection takes the colours of the Puglia sea which accompanies the path of the sun, its shades from turquoise to cobalt. It is composed of padded furniture of various dimensions in woven leather with
Sian Elin’s latest collection is full of folk influences
high, cocooning backrests cushions in shades of violet blue (Cape sofa). The collection is further enriched with large armchairs with shells made from metal wire, similar to fishing nets, furnished with soft blue cushions (Lave chair). The slender tables (Deck table) have nimble wood legs and wood tops with rounded corners, with inlays reminiscent of the planking on boats. The hanging, floor and table lamps are shaped like bellflowers with saddle stitching (Ding Dong Lamps).” Pasquale Junior Natuzzi – chief marketing and communications officer, Natuzzi
NATURAL SELECTION
“Travel and folk influences are a key summer interiors trend this year. A desire to get closer to the wilder and rougher side of nature inspire folk prints, layered textures, rattan, natural woods, and cactus plants while folk art inspires stylised flora, fauna, and birds combined with folkloric geometric motifs.” Sian Elin – owner and designer, Sian Elin
LIGHTEN UP
“The essence of summer - glorious weather (fingers crossed), outdoor living and long evenings. We all feel energised when the sun pours in through the windows in the morning, life feels so much better. But how can we keep that summery feeling when it’s miserable outside? Even the tiniest of spaces looks better filled with light so think about putting in wide glass doors that flood the room with sunshine on even the gloomiest of days, glass rooflights so you can watch the sky in all it’s moods and decorative pendant lamps to add a touch of warmth and cosiness when dusk falls.” Ceri Hill – designer, Chalkhouse Interiors Above; This collection from Natuzzi is inspired by the sea. Below; Boho Boutique bed from Trendy Products Top right; sunshine shades from Wren Kitchens Below right; Haus Contemporary is looking ceiling-ward
OUT OF AFRICA
“Inspired by the warmer climates of Morocco, dark wood with a sculptured texture is right on trend for summer 2018. Pair the look with pale neutral décor and textiles to create a modern and sophisticated look with a difference. This interior trend adds depth and warmth whilst still being contemporary. The Boho Boutique bed by Gallery Direct available at Trendy Products is the perfect choice to add this look in your home, with subtle sculptured details and dark stained wood. Also available from the range are bedside cabinets, chests of drawers and living room storage.” Abigail Johns – team manager, Trendy Products
COLOUR POP
“Bold, vibrant colours are all on trend. Gelato pastels or rich indigo blues and emerald greens all pair well with grey which is still a popular neutral choice. Add some metallic shimmer for extra texture.” Jan Bezant – founder, Curtain Raisers 22 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
INTERIORS
HELLO SUNSHINE
DIRECTORY Cardiff Windows and Doors, Unit 8 Fieldway, Heath Cardiff; www.cardiffwindows.com Chalkhouse Interiors, 3 Bessemer Close, Cardiff; www.chalkhouseinteriors.co.uk Curtain Raisers, 2 Kelston Road, Cardiff; www.curtain-raisers.co.uk Haus Contemporary Furnishings, 6c Heol Y Deri, Rhiwbina; www.haus-cardiff.co.uk Kutchenhaus Cardiff, 10d Queens Arcade, Cardiff; www.kutchenhaus.co.uk MWH Heating and Plumbing, www. mwhplumbing.co.uk Natuzzi, Havannah St, Cardiff; www.natuzzi.co.uk Portabella, 1 Pontcanna Street, Cardiff; www.portabella.co.uk Sian Elin; www.sianelin.com The Tap End, 57 Llantrisant Road, Pontyclun; www.thetapend.design Trendy Products, Unit 4, Havannah Street, Cardiff; www.trendy-products.co.uk Wren Kitchens, Cardiff Gate Retail Park, Dering Road, Pontprennau, Cardiff; www.wrenkitchens.com
IF YOU CAN TRAP SOME SEASONAL
“Rich gold, soft pastel or zesty lemon. Whatever shade lights you up, yellow is undeniably the colour of summer and if you can trap some seasonal sunshine in your kitchen, you’ll be smiling all year round. To help you, Wren Kitchens has expanded its colour range to add three delicious shades of yellow so you can find the perfect one to complement your home - from tropical to mediterranean.” Wren Kitchens
SUNSHINE IN YOUR KITCHEN YOU’LL BE SMILING ALL YEAR ROUND
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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..."
Beautiful handmade kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and more... 3 Bessemer Close Workshops, Cardiff CF11 8DL telephone: 029 2023 3308 | www.chalkhouseinteriors.co.uk
P R O P E R T Y adve r tisi n g f eat u r e
Elevate your living space Based in the Vale of Glamorgan, Vale Orangeries specialise in designing and building bespoke living spaces, tailor-made to their clients’ specifications
W
hat is home to you? Somewhere to relax, indulge in comforts and spend quality time with family and friends? At Vale Orangeries, husband and wife team Dean and Leanne Edmonds are committed to helping you get the most out of your home. They specialise in designing and building bespoke extensions that create the space you’ve always longed for. “An orangery or glazed extension is a great way to extend and create a seriously stylish addition to your home," says Leanne. "There are various design packages available including bi-folding doors, recessed lighting, underfloor heating, home entertainment solutions and an interior design service for those all-important finishing touches."
28 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
“If you’re not exactly sure what you want, we can help," adds Dean. "We offer a free design consultation service, and have numerous orangery show-homes throughout South Wales for inspiration and ideas. “Having a living space built to your specification is a dream for many – and a reality for our clients. "There is no need to concern yourself with architects, planning or building control, as this is all part of the package we provide. The only planning we want you to worry about is where to put your sofa – but we can even help with that, too!” If you're thinking of an extension, but want something different or need inspiration, call Dean or Leanne on 01446 746353 to discuss how Vale Orangeries can work for the way you live.
Vale Orangeries founders, Dean and Leanne Edmonds
New collection of bay window poles now available
Curtains . Poles & Tracks. Blinds. Wallpaper. Carpets Call us on 02920 614966 or visit us online www.curtain-raisers.co.uk 2 Kelston Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff cf14 2aj
At Rosehip Upholstery we create bespoke, hand-crafted items for your home. With an eye for period styles and aesthetics, we carefully combine the traditional with the contemporary. All our pieces are restored using highly skilled, traditional upholstery techniques and materials. The fabrics we use are carefully selected for each piece of furniture, to ensure a truly unique piece to add to your collection. Whether it’s a treasured family heirloom, antique fair find, charity shop bargain or your contemporary sofa, we can restore, renew and re-imagine.
Contact Details:
Tel: 07454 838 233 | info@rosehip-upholstery.com Web: www.rosehip-upholstery.com
ONE TO ONE
HOME GIRL Meet Jenny Evans, the Cardiff Met graduate who’s about to take the world of interior design by storm By E M M A DA NC E
T
here’s a lot of stereotypes about Millennials. Just try typing “Millennials are….” into Google and see what pops up. I’ll tell you now, most of it isn’t especially flattering with words like “lazy”, “entitled” and “narcissistic” frequently bandied around. Jenny Evans, however, is categorically none of these things. If anyone should be a poster girl for what anyone from this so-called “Snowflake Generation” can achieve if they put their mind to it, it’s her. She’s just completed her degree in textiles at Cardiff Metropolitan University which, by the way, she studied for while running her business; last year she won the Santander Universities Student Entrepreneurship Award and she’s already had interest from the likes of Liberty and John Lewis who are interested in stocking her homeware collections. And she’s only 23. Yep, this girl is more sorted than most people I know, Millennial or otherwise. There’s no doubt that Jenny’s rocking some serious talent in the design department, but it’s her dedication, determination and hard work have that have driven her success. “For the last three years I have been running my business as well as studying,” she tells me when we meet for coffee at Insole Court (which, incidentally, was the setting for her photo shoot of her products for one of her final pieces of degree work). “And because I’ve been doing both I have had to make a lot of compromises and sacrifices. In a normal week I’ll work 90 hours, in a busy week it could be 150 hours. “I’ve had to throw myself into business and education and sacrifice my social life - I haven’t seen my boyfriend in two months. I’m just really lucky that I have got someone who’s really patient and supportive!” There’s no hint that Jenny’s complaining though, she’s simply telling it like it is. Now though, with her studies out of the way, surely she’s got time to kick back and relax a little more? 32 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
“I’ve just a weekend off for the first time in years, and it was amazing,” she admits. For most students, studying for a degree is enough of a challenge in itself, which begs the question why Jenny decided to run a business alongside her academic work. “I started it by accident really,” she says. “But the story goes back to when I was 16. My dad passed away, and he was really young. As a 15/16-year-old, watching someone be very self-reflective, and seeing what they were really proud of, and what they wished they had done differently, it gave me a real sense of clarity of what I wanted, and the importance of grabbing life by the horns. “I had a three year modelling career in London which taught me a lot of skills. I learned not to care what people thought about me because in that industry you have to face rejection all the time, and when you go to castings you only have 30 seconds to sell yourself and make a lasting impact, which is pretty similar in business a lot of the time. “I really enjoyed working with creative people at the top of their industry, but I didn’t enjoy having success from something that I had no control over. “It was all just because of how I looked, and there just wasn’t the same sense of achievement as when you’ve made something with your hands and really honed your craft.” So Jenny ditched the modelling and instead, decided to spend a year travelling abroad, a choice which among other places, took her to Oman on a British Explorers’ expedition to save the Arabian leopard. “Everyone thought I was insane,” she says. “I’m not at all sporty – I’m like Bambi on ice, and it was very difficult. I was pushing my body and my mind to absolute extremes, but it gave me a real sense of belief in myself and showed me that even if I think I can’t do something, I can.” With her wanderlust at least semisatisfied, Jenny returned home and enrolled on the textile design degree course at Cardiff Met. w
Now I’m out in the big wide world and it’s All very real but I’m up for the challenge
Jenny’s collection celebrates the unsung heroes of British nature
ONE TO ONE “I had an interview and I got an unconditional offer the same day,” says Jenny, “but on the way home it occurred to me that I’d just signed up for a textiles degree and I didn’t know how to sew! “I bought myself a sewing machine, and taught myself how to use it. Then I made my first piece of textile art which I gave to my mum as a present. We took it into a gallery in Plymouth (where I am from) to be framed and the gallery owner loved it and asked who the artist was and when I said it was me he said he’d like to see more of my work – and that’s where it all began!” During her time studying, Jenny became involved in the university entrepreneurship team and she started exploring ways in which she could develop her artwork, and she started designing and creating homeware. Now, she’s rebranded her business as Jenny Kate and is launching her debut collection, Binding Roots, inspired by her time spent outdoors as a child. “Being out in nature is where I feel most free, happy and myself,” she says. “I have so many amazing memories with my family and my childminder, spent outside. I would spend hours catching frogs in my garden at home, on nature walks and drawing. “I’m really proud of this collection, especially since at the start of the year none of it existed. “I did something like 50 drawings in one month, which was insane. “But it’s been amazing to see all my crazy ideas come to life, and I was able to work with some other artisan designers on some of the items, like lighting, furniture and ceramics. “To see it all come together is a really proud moment for me.” Although undoubedly pretty, Jenny’s collection is far from simply just birds and butterflies. Instead, she’s chosen to focus on some, perhaps, lesser-loved creatures. “I don’t like things too girly,” she says, “I like things to have a bit of an edge to them and I wanted to celebrate some of the unsung British heroes. “I’ve included things like greater crested newts – a protected species – and stag beetles, a rare British beetle that spends up to seven years underground. I wanted the collection to celebrate British wildlife but to hopefully also show how much we need to protect the amazing creatures we have living within it.” I ask if she’s got a particular favourite item from the collection. “I couldn’t pick just one thing,” she says. “But I do really love the yellow colour I’ve used. It’s just so sunny and happy and it really warms up a room. Because it was all so expensive to produce I can’t be too sentimental and keep it all, I’ll have to sell it. Some of the ceramics we tested were not quite perfect so I’ll probably keep them, and a cushion – a yellow one!” While you might be forgiven for thinking that being so young and attractive might make Jenny’s life easier, it’s not always the case. “I’ve found that it’s very easy for people not to take me seriously,” she says. “I tell people what I do and they say ‘That’s nice. So what do you sell on Etsy?’ And at networking events I have had people hand me their coats. “It means that I have got to be that bit more professional in the way that I present in everything that I do and I feel that I constantly have to prove myself. But, I enjoy the challenge, and because I am so young, people do seem to want me to succeed so I suppose it is a blessing and a curse. And the people that do help you are incredible.
Light up, light up
I LIKE THINGS TO HAVE A BIT OF AN EDGE!
34 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Sitting pretty
ONE TO ONE “The people here in Wales are so generous with their time. I’ve just joined an entrepreneur hub and everyone is so lovely and so willing to help and share their contacts. It’s really nice to be a part of that because being an entrepreneur can be quite lonely. “I am very lucky though because the Santander award suddenly gave me a huge network of people who knew about me and my work, and supported me.” So what’s next for Jenny? “It’s going to be a very interesting year,” she says. “It will be make or break. I’ll probably need to find an investor because even though I have an overdraft and trade financing, I need to grow my team. I need someone to do logistics and operations. And I need to spend time getting my name out there, selling my collection, and eventually coming up with a new one. When I started by business I wanted to be an artist, purely because I didn’t know I could achieve more. Jenny Kate is about much more though, it’s about building a global brand that celebrates quality, craftsmanship and nature. So far, in some ways, it hasn’t mattered if I have been successful because I was doing my degree. Now I’m out in the big wide world and it’s all very real, but I’m up for the challenge!” For more www.jennykate.co.uk
Jenny Evans is one to watch!
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utchenhaus is the UK’s fastest growing German kitchen company, and a retail arm of Nobilia, the world’s largest kitchen manufacturer which produces more than 3,000 kitchens a day. To this day it is still family owned with no shareholders. In Europe, German branded kitchens have been dominating the market for decades, outselling other contenders, even expanding their reach in to Asia and the US, and more recently making a serious impression here in the UK. But what makes a German kitchen so popular? A quick internet search will tell you why; German kitchens have a strong history within manufacture and engineering, dating back to the late 1800s. Over time, we have
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Music/theatre/film/more
EASTERN PROMISE
For centuries, Japan has had one of the world’s most exciting and refined design cultures. From cars and cameras to household items and animation, Japanese design has changed our world and is now part of our everyday lives. The National Museum of Wales is celebrating this with a special exhibition – Kizuna – which demonstrates how Japanese culture and design has captivated the rest of the world, as well as showing how Wales has played its own distinctive part in this fascinating story of international exchange. In Japanese, “Kizuna” means the bonds of friendship, and it is this sentiment which has inspired the exhibition. For more: www.museum.wales
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29 June – 29 July
War Horse returns to the Wales Millennium Centre; Omar Hamdi is playing the Sherman Thetare; Chris Ramsey will be entertaining audeinces at St David’s Hall
Plays/Shows/ Performance 30 JUNE – 4 J ULY
FEAST A Faustian tale of fine dining and foolish choices, performed and created by the Royal Welsh College puppeteers. Witness the troubled rise and terrible demise of one of the greatest chefs in the world, in a cautionary tale of greed, pride and devilishly good food! Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; www.rwcmd.ac.uk 2 – 4 JULY
THE MAGIC FLUTE Mozart’s famous fantasy follows Prince Tamino and bird-catcher Papageno on a quest to rescue the Queen of the Night’s daughter, Pamina. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk
4 – 2 8 JU LY
WAR HORSE Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized horses by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company. For more, turn to page 48. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk 8 JU LY
KEVIN AND KAREN DANCE Following their sell-out debut tour last year, Kevin and Karen Clifton are back with a brand new show. It’s a hip-swinging journey with heart-pounding choreography filled with cha cha, salsa, tango and paso doble. Backed by a supporting cast of sensational dancers, vocalists and a live
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12-piece show band, expect edgeof-your-seat routines that are sassy, sharp and sultry – packing more than a hint of Latino vibe. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
less than upstanding, his wounded pride leads him towards a monumental and very public flop. But can a cast of total idiots save a show about a flop… from being one? Chapter; www.chapter.org
10 – 15 J ULY
18 – 21 J U LY
CIRQUE BESERK! Showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills, Cirque Berserk! celebrates the 250th anniversary of the invention of Circus by bringing this treasured form of live entertainment bang up-to-date in a jaw-dropping spectacular created especially for the theatre. New Theatre; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk 12 – 14 J ULY
THE FLOP Paris. 1657ish. Impotence is illegal. When a member of the aristocracy is accused of being
FLOURS In a bakery, two women create for every seemingly important milestone in a woman’s life: weddings, christenings and (hen-do special order) giant phallic cookies all pass through the shop reminding them constantly of what they have escaped or indeed are seen to be missing out on. Chapter; www.chapter.org 18 – 22 J U LY
MISCHIEF MOVIE NIGHT You suggest a genre, location and title and Mischief Theatre’s improvisers bring the show to
life, complete with rewinds, fast forwards and a tailor-played live score. New Theatre; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk 1 9 J ULY
MARK THOMAS: CHECK UP Mark Thomas is 54, the NHS is 70, UK national average life expectancy is 84. If Mark makes it to 84 the NHS will be 100, what will they both look like? Chapter; www.chapter.org 2 3 – 2 8 JULY
THRILLER LIVE A spectacular concert created to celebrate the career of the world’s greatest entertainer.theatre. New Theatre; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
Comedy 3 0 J UNE
STUART GOLDSMITH: LIKE I MEAN IT Comedian’s Comedian Podcast host and ‘expert stand-up’ Goldsmith comes to Cardiff with his new show which, in his words, is “stupider and less clever-clogs and just the funniest stuff I’ve ever created.” Chapter; www.chapter.org 4 JULY
WILSON DIXON: FOR THE FIRST TIME AGAIN The cowboy philosopher is back in town! Hailing from Cripple Creek Colorado, the award-winning Wilson Dixon brings his unique brand of laconic storytelling and hilarious songs to Cardiff. Chapter; www.chapter.org 7 JULY
ROBIN INCE: PRAGMATIC INSANITY Robin’s first new stand up show in three years is a clash of the two cultures, a joyous romp through his favourite artists and strangest scientific ideas. From the work of Stanley Spencer to Niels Bohr, it is 90 minutes fizzing with ideas about creativity in science and art, as well as asking why we believe we see what we see and why we believe what we believe. Chapter; www.chapter.org 1 0 J ULY
AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS
The hugely popular host of BBC Radio 4 series Meet David Sedaris is guaranteed to riff on a range of subjects in his inimitable way. Don’t miss this special chance to share an evening in his company! St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk 1 2 JU LY
CHRIS RAMSEY LIVE 2018 Critically acclaimed and award winning stand up comedian, host of his own TV shows, Celebrity Juice regular and the only person to ever put Katie Hopkins in her place; Chris Ramsey brings his brand new 2018 live tour to St David’s Hall. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk 2 6 JU LY
STUART GOLDSMITH Stu’s back with some thoughts on how it all works out in the end, and whether anyone cares. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk 2 6 JU LY
OMAR HAMDI The Welsh-Egyptian satirist takes aim at prejudice, racism, Islamophobia, and social and political misdeeds wherever he finds them. Equal parts smart and silly, his free-wheeling new one hour show about culture, conflict and dreams will be unlike anything you’ve seen before. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk 2 7 JU LY
MATT PRICE Friendly Cornish Giant Matt Price was going out with a woman. The only problem, is that she wasn’t going out with him, so Matt spent a year or of his life looking like the world’s worst stalker. The experience triggered a memory from his childhood. Find out why he pretended to like Death Metal, why he loves bad performance poetry and how a five foot one Glaswegian woman saved his life. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk 2 7 JU LY
LARRY DEAN Following hot on the heels of Larry’s UK wide tour of his Edinburgh Fringe 2017 success, Fandan, and his Live at the Apollo debut, this is an hour of new material from an ‘unexpected and excellent’ (The Sunday Times)
Above, Pink Tower, Cardiff Bay by Euan McGregor at the Albany Gallery Summer Show. Below; Folk Prom with Calan - part of the Welsh Proms
rising star. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk
Music 30 J UNE
THE DANBERRYS One of the hottest acts to emerge from Nashville’s music scene, the soulful pairing of Ben DeBerry and Dorothy Daniel have been building a sizeable fan base on both sides of the Atlantic. The Danberrys have won various awards and nominations for Best Americana Album and are headlining this year’s Maverick Americana Festival. Chapter; www.chapter.org.uk
instrumentalist, Emily Maguire is truly “a talent to be reckoned with” with her strong, thoughtprovoking lyrics, supremely expressive vocals and stunning live performances winning her fans across the globe. Acapela; www.acapela.co.uk 7 J ULY
SOUTH WALES GAY MEN’S CHORUS: 10TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus celebrate their 10th anniversary with favourite pieces from their hugely varied repertoire. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk 10 J ULY
6 J ULY
EMILY MAGUIRE A classically-trained multi-
IL DIVO: CASTLES AND COUNTRY TOUR Il Divo are a global phenomenon w www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 43
ARTS
W H AT ’ S O N
achieving more than 30 million album sales worldwide, more than 50 number one records, 160 Gold and Platinum sales awards and four ground-breaking world tours. Motorpoint Arena; motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk 2 0 J ULY
PRINCIPALITY ONLY BOYS ALOUD ACADEMI 2018 Only Boys Aloud uses choral singing as a catalyst to effect positive change amongst teenage boys across Wales. The Academi comprises of 32 of the older OBA boys who show particular musical promise: this performance is the result of an intensive residential summer school where the boys are challenged, encouraged and supported to do more and better. Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; www.rwcmd.ac.uk 2 1 J ULY
SIR KARL JENKINS - THE ARMED MAN: WELSH NATIONAL OPERA ORCHESTRA & SHÂN COTHI The 2018 Welsh Proms opens with a World War One centenary tribute featuring music by Walton, Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Sir Karl Jenkins. Experience the thrilling grandiose of the Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, the spectacular Finale from Enigma Variations, together with the shimmering beauty of The Lark Ascending and the awesome and inspirational Armed Man. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk 2 2 J ULY
FAMILY PROM A spectacular performance of Saint-Saëns’ famous Carnival of the Animals forms the centrepiece to this wonderful orchestral celebration of our friends feathered or furry. Tails, scales, paws or claws – this concert is a perfect introduction to the orchestra and its instruments! St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk 2 3 J ULY
FOLK PROM: CALAN This international award winning band from Wales are back on the road with their infectious rhythms and high energy routines to celebrate the release of their latest album – Solomon. They come with accordion, harp, guitar, fiddles and Welsh bagpipes along with a virtuoso
performance from a champion step dancer. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk 2 6 JU LY
JAZZ PROM: MATT FORD AND THE CAPITAL CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA Join Cardiff’s own Capital City Jazz Orchestra and the magnificent Matthew Ford for an evening celebrating the great Frank Sinatra and the Kings of Swing.St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk 2 7 JU LY
STEVE NORMAN AND BAND The renowned saxophonist, guitarist, percussionist and songwriter Steve Norman is an iconic figure in Spandau Ballet. Steve, accompanied by his five-piece band, will perform brand-new solo material, classic Spandau Ballet tracks as well as material from the acts that have influenced his path to stardom. There will also be a Q&A session with Steve, allowing fans to ask their questions about his life and career. Acapela; www.acapela.co.uk
Art 7 JU LY – 1 8 AUG UST
SUMMER SHOW A changing exhibition of more than 50 established and emerging artists in a variety of media, including sculpture and ceramics. The Albany Gallery; www.albanygallery.com 7 & 1 2 – 1 4 JULY
HARD EDGED This exhibition brings together five established graphic artists that have utilised the hard painted edge extensively in their work. Though they all share this common thread, their work is vastly different. The eclectic nature of the work of these artists, despite the potential narrowness of these painting parameters, is testament to the breadth of possibilities within drawing with a graphic edge alone. Jacob’s Market; www.jacobsmarket.co.uk 9 – 2 6 JU LY
SUMMER SHOW This year’s Summer Show features specially selected works by Wales’ leading artists past and
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Above, Claudia Williams’ Running Back at Martin Tinney Gallery Summer Show; Below; Cirque Beserk comes to the New Theatre
present, including Gwen John, Augustus John, David Jones, Ceri Richards, Joseph Herman, Sir Kyffin Williams, Gwilym Prichard, Claudia Williams, Mary Lloyd Jones, Kevin Sinnott, Shani Rhys James, and many others. Martin Tinney Gallery; www.artwales.com
Book now
Sport SUNDAY 8 J U LY
GLAMORGAN V SUSSEX Vitality Blast; 2.30pm. Sophia Gardens Wales; www.glamorgancricket.co.uk F R IDAY 2 0 J U LY
GLAMORGAN V SOMERSET Vitality Blast; 6.30pm. Sophia Gardens Wales; www.glamorgancricket.co.uk
15 O C TO BER
ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN The tour celebrates their brand new studio album The Stars, The Oceans & The Moon, which sees The Bunnymen, still lead by the indominable Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant, revisit some of their greatest songs to rearrange and transform them with co-producer Andy Wright and …strings and things. Expect a couple of brand new tracks to accompany the classics. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
SATURDAY 2 1 J U LY
2018 ADRIAN FLUX BRITISH FIM SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX 23 races, 16 riders, only one winner...see the best riders in the world battle it out on bikes with no brakes! Principality Stadium; www. principalitystadium.wales SUNDAY 2 9 J U LY
GLAMORGAN V KENT Vitality Blast; 2.30pm. Sophia Gardens Wales; www.glamorgancricket.co.uk
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T H E AT R E
ARTS
HORSE PLAY Former Cardiff University and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama student, Andrew Hodge, tells us what it’s like to be part of the cast of the recordbreaking War Horse By E M M A DA NC E
I IT’S AN
ENORMOUS PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF
SOMETHING THAT SEEMS SO IMPORTANT
t was 10 years ago that Michael Morpurgo’s heart-wrenching World War One tale of a boy and his horse was brought to life on the stage. And over the past decade the show has played in 11 countries and delighted more than 7 million people with it’s blend of moving and imaginative drama, stirring music and songs and astonishing
puppetry. Now, it’s returning to Cardiff on 4 July, and among the cast is Andrew Hodge who spent his student days in the city, first at the University of Cardiff and then at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. “I was lucky enough to see War Horse at the National Theatre back in around 2008/9,” he says, “and back then the idea of being able to be in something like that seemed so distant. “It really is an incredible show to be part of, and I’m very aware that I’m part of this big 10 year thing. This year is a landmark too, because not only is it the anniversary of the show, but come November it’s the 100 year anniversary of the Armistice. “It sounds like a cliché, but it really is an enormous privilege to be part of something that seems so important.” Does he feel added pressure, then, being part of such a big show at such an important time? “Of course there’s huge expectations,” says Andrew. “But I like that. And actually, as a cast we are quite spoilt. I’ve been doing this acting thing for a while now and I’ve done various shows where you go out and there’s hardly anyone in the audience. “With War Horse we’re playing in venues that can hold maybe 2,000 people. Now, if we go out and w www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 49
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PHOTO BY BRINKHOFF&MÖGENBURG
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there’s only 1,200 we think ‘where’s the rest of them?’ “On a long tour you can get tired, both physically and mentally, but when I feel that way I just remind myself actually how lucky I am.” In the show, Andrew plays the role of burly army chief Sergeant Thunder. “I love the part,” he says. “When I read the play it just jumped off the page at me. “It’s a very classic sergeant major role, a very recognisable type of character with the twirly moustache and everything. “He’s very gruff and grumpy, especially at the start, and I think of him as old-school military – he wants things done properly and he’s the boss, but there’s still that sense that he cares greatly, and one of the things I like about playing him is that, without giving anything away, there’s a definite story arc. “It’s nice to be able to do something that allows the audience to know exactly who you are, but although it’s a familiar sort of character I have never struggled to make it mine and right from the start it was very clear to me what I wanted to do with it.” War Horse is no ordinary show however, not least because all the cast have to either operate the amazing puppets, or interact with them, or both. “I don’t work with the puppets a huge amount,” says Andrew. “But I love it when I do. One of the great things about the show is that you can’t say, ‘I’m in a play’ or ‘I’m in a musical’ or whatever, because it incorporates so many things. There’s songs in the show as well and we have an incredible folk musician, and there’s physical theatre elements as well. It involves everyone having a bit of flexibility and I love that. It’s wonderful being able to try new things.” 50 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Andrew Hodge (centre) as Sgt Thunder in War Horse
I LOVE
CARDIFF AND I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING BACK TO OLD HAUNTS
Although Andrew is clearly loving his acting career, it wasn’t a path he had originally intended to take. In fact, he completed a degree in biology in Cardiff before life events prompted him to change trajectory. “Various things happened,” says Andrew. “My dad very sadly passed away when I was at university and it made me stop and think and I decided I wanted to do something that really mattered to me. “I happened to be involved in the university drama society which was very strong. I began talking to people and they suggested that I should think about going to acting school. “I tried for a few places, including the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and I got in there, and I loved it straight away. I did a one year diploma and I have nothing but fond memories of my time there. In 2015 I had the privilege of going back and performing in their new space which was fantastic. “I love Cardiff. My dad was from the city, and my grandmother lived there so we used to visit a lot. Then I lived there for six years. “I’m really looking forward to going back to some of my old haunts while I’m back and I’m actually staying with a friend in Cathays about 200 yards from where my old student house was. He’s got a nice house, but where I lived back then was awful! We’ve all moved on! “How much the city has changed since then is incredible. There’s so much happening all the time. “I’ve never performed in the Wales Millennium Centre either so I’m really looking forward to that.” For more: War Horse is at Wales Millennium Centre from 4 – 28 July. For tickets: www.wmc.org
T r AV E L a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e
Hide at St Donats A unique, peaceful, luxururious sanctuary on Glamorgan’s Heritage Coastline
E
scape to a hidden oasis of calm in the Vale of Glamorgan, a world away, yet on your doorstep. Hide overlooks the striking jurassic coastline from carefully crafted accommodation, with an infectious appreciation of local culture, history and art creating a perfect retreat for relaxation. Hide has three romantic, snug Cabans, a Bugail (shepherd’s) hut and Walden Lodge tucked between trees, bushes and wildflowers offering views of the wild seas. The owners wish is for you to see, feel and be surrounded by nature, with visible reminders of myths, history, poetry and art. Tresilian Wood is the name of Hide’s site with its small arboretum occupying seven and a half acres adjacent to St. Donats Castle. St Donats is a tiny village in the Vale of Glamorgan, an area steeped in history.
WALDEN LODGE
A journey of discovery that began in America has come full circle and found fruition on the Welsh Coastline. Walden Lodge is a hub of influences and inspiration from one continent to another, with art and craftwork whose subjects include Welsh migration, religion and poetry. The spirit of the American transcendental movement and Thoreau’s classic book Walden, that reflects on simple living close to nature, inspires the name and spirit of our lodge. Walden sleeps five, with two double bedrooms, one with an extra single bunk. The bright studio kitchen has dining for five and is fully equipped. There is a cosy space to ‘cwtch up’ beside the wood burner in the colder weather. A spacious bathroom has a large
Cabans Interior
walk-in shower. Guests enjoy sea views over to the Quantock Hills from their terrace. This hand-crafted lodge offers a unique stay with notes of WelshAmerican connections. The Quantock hills were the home and inspiration for Samuel Taylor Coleridge over many years. Henry David Thoreau was a significant poet and philosopher in the American Transcendental movement.
This movement found inspiration in the works of European Romanticism and Coleridge in particular. Thoreau spent two years living in a cabin on the shores of Walden Pond, Massachusetts. This experience provided the foundation for his most famous work Walden or Life in the Woods – a book that reflects upon simple living in natural surroundings. From £150 per night.
BUGAIL HUT (Shepherds Hut) Walden Lodge veranda
52 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
The Bugail Hut is nestled into the secluded arboretum and sheltered below a plane tree. Snuggle up in bed with views of nature all around; you can see out but no one can see in. Unlike the traditional shepherd’s hut, the Bugail has large windows enabling you to be surrounded by nature with the comforts of luxury and warmth. Bugail has its own little kitchen annexe and charming bathroom, terrace and wood burner. You can dine beside the wood burner or on your terrace with views across the meadow. A brief history of shepherd’s huts: ‘The first evidence of a wheeled shepherds hut is 1596. The shepherd’s hut were widely used throughout Wales and introduced so that shepherds could live in the pasture for extended periods of time with a haven of warmth and comparative comfort’. From £90 per night.
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.” Henry David Thoreaux
Walden Lodge interior
CABANS
The Cabans were designed and made in Wales by Jonathan Cooke and the co- owner of Hide, Toms Parker. The name ‘Caban’ refers to Welsh mining cabins. It seems well suited, reflecting a cultural link to the region where these small buildings provided shelter, often in remote but charming locations. Now silent, the value of such places lies in their vernacular appeal as part of the recreational enjoyment of the countryside Tucked between trees, bushes and wildflowers, each sleep two guests, have plenty of space with their own terrace, and a separate private bathroom and kitchenette. Cwtch up beside your Chilli Penguin wood burning stove, sleep in a double bed with cotton sheets, duvet and Melin Tregwynt blankets, and wake with the most beautiful views across the meadow towards the sea. From £90 a night.
Bugail Hut
THE OWNERS
Tom Parker and Paula Warren discovered Tresilian Wood in 2014 and created hide over the last 3 years. The combination of Tom’s talents and expertise and Paula’s interest in the arts has created a unique Welsh retreat, but most of all, they want their guests to feel at home. Every aspect of the site has a little story to tell, from the tulip tree in the wood, the beautiful works from
“Unique, exquisitely appointed peaceful luxury in the heart of wild countryside” Hide is a brand new gem of a place on the stunning Glamorgan coastline, nestled in an area of ancient towns, castles and churches. It brings together beautiful design, innovative buildings (each hand- made, from shepherd’s hut to tiny house to caban) and eco-consciousness with an infectious appreciation of local culture, history and art. It is simply beautiful. We stayed in one of the spacious cabans, with our lovely warm bathroom in a shepherd’s hut and our kitchen in a summer house. Over a tasty breakfast in the exquisitely appointed pavillion, I counted 18 different species of bird before going off to explore the area. Heaven. Hosts are delightful, and passionate about the place. We will definitely be back. - Lindsey Colbourne. Bermondsey, London
Coastline from St Donats to Tresilian Bay
local artisans and poets through to each Caban. These buildings embody ‘cwtch’, the lovely Welsh word for an affectionate hug. There’s no literal English translation, but its nearest equivalent is safe place.
Paula Warren Hide at St Donats, Tresilian Wood St Donats, Vale of Glamorgan Tel: 07766726317/ 01446 794362 www.hide.wales
www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 53
Green Man’s managing director Fiona Stewart is a former punk rocker who has DJ’d in Japan, organised the Big Chill, oh, and she’s helped generate £28 million for the Welsh economy By SA R A H MOOL L A
54 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
F E S T I VA L S SPECIAL
WHENEVER WE WIN ANYTHING, I FEEL THAT
WALES DOES TOO
T
he Green Man festival held in the heart of the Brecon Beacons started life as a small, indie, folk music and arts event with a capacity of just 800. Now in its 15th year, the August event is acclaimed as one of the leading festivals in Europe and sells out its 20,000 capacity in record time each year. It has won major national UK festival awards; has an international media brand reach of over a billion; and it generates millions for Welsh economy. It has also played host to an incredible array of artists including Mumford and Sons, Van Morrison, Patti Smith, The Flaming Lips, Super Furry Animals, Billy Bragg, and Sleaford Mods. The woman credited for Green Man’s phenomenal success, and ensuring the non-corporate and ethical edge of the festival is retained, is Fiona Stewart, who received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the UK Festival Awards in 2013 – not bad for a former penniless punk rocker... How did you become involved in the world of music? I started helping out at gigs and events as it was fun, or because I had a crush on a band member who didn’t know I existed. I tried to be useful and eventually got paid. That led to more paid work and more responsibility. I never went for an interview it was always a job here or there. You had a very political past as a member of the Anti Nazi League, as well as being a punk. Have you mellowed, or do you really never stop being a punk? I suppose not, but with age and experience comes different ways of dealing with things. I might not have a mohican anymore, but put a great punk track on from bands like The Clash, Dead Kennedys, Siouxsie Sioux, Poly Styrene or the Damned, and I will still rock out.
When did the festival side of things start to happen in your work? During the 80s and 90s, festivals started popping up all over the place. I worked at Glastonbury for a while, and on other large music festivals and events. I then became the festival manager of a festival called the Big Chill in 2000 and ran lots of festivals, tours, club nights and concerts in the UK, as well as music events in Naxos in Greece, a DJ tour in Japan and Egypt, and another festival in Goa. It was full on, but an amazing experience, and I met many of the people I still work with today. How did you become involved with Green Man? In 2005, I was the organising the Big Chill festival and was contacted by the then owners of Green Man as it was experiencing difficulties. I helped out as much as I could and then was asked to take it over and develop it. I found a new site, moved it and changed a lot of it – that was 12 years ago. Time has flown, but although it’s changed a great deal over that time, I think the heart of the Green Man is the same as when it started. Green Man grew from 800 to a 6,000 capacity event in that first year which is amazing, while you were also running Big Chill at the same time. How did you handle the pressure? I had been running a number of festivals and events every year and was able to put together a skilled team and reliable contractors. I have a really great relationship with the owners of the estates I had developed into event sites for the Big Chill, and they kindly offered to help me find a new venue. To turn an estate into a festival site requires a lot of planning, as well as negotiating a licence, which can be tricky. w
A representation of the Green Man appears every year
www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 55
F E S T I VA L S SPECIAL And what about costings..? I used my savings, re-mortgaged my flat and asked for favours like anyone does who starts a business. There were two weeks between Big Chill and Green Man and going between the sites was not too difficult as Big Chill was in Hereford and so I ran both events with a small team from a bedroom in my flat. I was really tired afterwards but the excitement of seeing Green Man blossom, the team coming together and most of all, people really enjoying the event is a fantastic memory I will cherish forever. Your son Ben works closely with you. Did he ever think about doing something else? Ben grew up in festivals and has always been passionate about music. I tried to deter him from the business to be honest, as it can be very hard, but he would have none of it. He would be the first person to say that being my son helped, as like any business it’s easier to get into it if you know people. However anyone who has a senior role in the music industry has to then work very hard to gain the skills, relationships and respect needed to make that happen. Ben achieved that on his own and I am very proud of him. Is your working life easier now that Green Man has gained such accolades and international success? I would never take the festival’s success for granted and neither would the many people who work with me to create Green Man. The commercial music and events industry festival is brutal, incredibly competitive and is as difficult as winning the lottery. Once success is achieved, you need to keep that going and that takes a lot of time, research and a hard working creative team. It also helps to be bonkersly passionate about it all too.
This brand reach of Green Man has Wales embedded in it and that has a massive impact on Wales, as the cost of similar international promotion would cost a great deal of money. There are 25,000 people visiting Green Man every day for four days and 8,000 people for three days, many of whom stay in accommodation or leave the site to go on shopping trips or head to the pub, and that creates an impact. The owner of Cashells, the butcher in Crickhowell, told me that it’s Christmas every day for his business when Green Man arrives. There’s the purchase of goods, services as well as the creation of jobs or work experience and land hire. This is also created indirectly through the large number of businesses the festival impacts on as they need to take on more staff or order more goods. By not giving a brand pouring rights, you are also able to directly promote around 42 independent Welsh brewers. How else do you work to help the local independents? We do lots at Green Man to support local businesses. Such as the rental of local accommodation, purchase of infrastructure for building, tons of fresh Welsh produce, hire of land, taxis and coach services, local restaurants and bars, waste management, the purchase of camping equipment, clothing and gifts.
In press, you always speak very warmly and positively about Wales and dedicate all the accolades Green Man has received to the ‘People of Wales’. Do you see Wales as your home now? Green Man is a Welsh event and contemporary brand and that is how it is perceived and referred to. Whenever we win anything, I feel that Wales does too. When Green Man won the Best UK Festival, we put the award in the Bear Hotel in Crickhowell as local people wanted to see it, and to see people take pride in the win was amazing. Wales, and particularly the Brecon Beacons, is where I feel really centred and happy. That feeling you get when you drive over the bridge always makes me smile. Green Man has generated £28million into the Welsh economy since 2006, and now generates £8million annually. Where does that get spent and do the surrounding areas see direct benefits by being hosts? Green Man was described by UK Music as “wish you were here” and a music tourism report as “an excellent example of a wealth creating festival”. 56 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Fiona with Walter
I MIGHT NOT HAVE A
MOHICAN ANYMORE, BUT PUT A GREAT
PUNK
TRACK ON…. AND I WILL STILL ROCK OUT
F E S T I VA L S SPECIAL The Settlement has been designed to generate tourism. Can you explain a little about how that works? People can purchase a Settler’s Pass, which extends their festival experience into a seven-day camping holiday in Wales. The cost is subsidised to attract people and also offer a value for money experience to people on low incomes. The Settlement has all the services of a normal camping pass, hot showers and a couple of food traders and some outdoor toys for children, but the idea is to encourage people to use the site as a base to explore Wales. Lots of families or students come each year to use the extensive rural pursuits, pony trekking, caving or canoeing, visiting tourism locations or exploring the countryside, not just locally, but much further afield such as surfing or sailing at the Gower.
The burning of the Green Man should not be missed
The crowds grow every year but the vibe stays chilled
GIVING BACK The Green Man Trust is the charitable arm of the festival. Fiona explains the work it does... “We have always done projects that supported disadvantaged people, opportunities for emerging artists or encouraged a better understanding of the environment and science. But the work got to the point where it needed its own space and the opportunity for other people to get involved, so in 2013 I set up the Green Man Trust as a registered charity. The festival still supports the training projects with
Merthyr College, Salvation Army and Oasis refugee centre, but the charity supports emerging artists, such as the Green Man Rising competition and stage, art installations and emerging Welsh theatre producers. We are lucky that a lot of press and music and culture professionals attend Green Man each year and we use this to showcase emerging artists and new innovations and research organisations in the Einstein’s Garden science area. Producers such as Citrus Arts, National Theatre Wales, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, National Dance Company Wales, Ballet
Cymru, Circomedia, Salon Mirela, Flossy and Boo as well as many others have found this useful. Iwan Rheon the actor and musician became an ambassador last year and has been very supportive, as have musicians such as Ryan Adams, labels and music management. Since 2014, 1,324 artists have benefitted from the charity, as well as lot of local community projects, sports and youth teams. Green Man is the main supporter of the Trust, but it has also received funding from Arts Council Wales, as well as donations.” For more: www. greenmantrust.org.uk
You’ve said you can imagine exporting the Green Man to China, India or Brazil. How do imagine this Welsh festival would translate into other countries and cultures? Green Man already has an international brand and is attended by people from many countries. Knowing there is an interest and what is possible legally and technically makes it more feasible. I would like to take Green Man abroad, as well as doing other projects. We do get offers from time to time, but the ones I consider balance the success of the creative, business and ethical strands which make up the Green Man and is why it works. Do you see a lot of the regular festival goers popping up at the London King’s Cross event hosted by the GM team Plant Pot? We have picked up the Courtyard Welsh beer festival from the Brecon Beacons and dropped it two minutes from the Eurostar in King’s Cross. Yes, Courtyard@KingsCross is a Green Man music event, but it’s also a Welsh beer and cider festival and a Welsh business promotion and networking experience. The business networking doesn’t take place in a corporate conference hall that you could be attending in any city anywhere in the world, it takes place in a giant Welsh pub serving 200 Welsh ales, ciders, lagers and a cocktail bar which only uses Welsh spirits. What are the benefits of hosting such events? Business support may seem a long way from the Green Man, but it’s not. We are using the brand like we always do to promote music, theatre, arts installations, film, science research and tourism. It’s a way that a small business can reach out to bigger or different businesses in a unique, relaxed Welsh space, which has situated right at the gate of Britain to Europe. For those who have never been, how would you describe Green Man? There is so much on offer enabling people of all ages to choose their own festival experience. So, you can dance all night and watch comedy or latenight films, or sit in a hot tub drinking prosecco, then have a massage and then listen to a talk, drink w www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 57
F E S T I VA L S SPECIAL a craft Welsh ale and eat your head off, or discover a new band, then go and see an international headliner. Children and teenagers both have their own areas, there’s Little Folk for 12 and under, and Somewhere for those aged between 13 and 17, so there really is something for everyone. Music-wise, who are you looking forward to seeing this year? Australian band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard will have their first headline slot and are definitely one to watch, also Goat Girl which is an all-girl four-piece indie punk band from South London, US singer song writer Haley Hendrix, and Green Man favourite, the wonderful Cate Le Bon is returning once again this year. Also, there’s Boy Azooga from Cardiff who will definitely get you up on your feet, and on the Green Man Rising Stage there will be Perfect Bodies also from Cardiff. And where might we find you just chilling? Einstein’s Garden was the first science engagement area at a festival and this year celebrates its 10th birthday. The science community has really championed this area as we’ve partnered with the like of Wellcome Trust, Oxford, Abergavenny, Cardiff, Swansea Universities, Cancer Research, Met Office and the Crick Institute to name but a few, so I can’t wait to see the fascinating delights of Einstein’s Garden.
WALES, AND PARTICULARLY THE BRECON BEACONS, IS WHERE I FEEL
REALLY CENTRED AND HAPPY
What has been your favourite GM moment? My favourite Green Man moment is always just before the festival starts – everything is empty but ready and you know that when the gates open this magical little world is going to come alive. It’s like the world is holding its breath. Green Man Festival 2018 will begin on Thursday 16 August and ends on Sunday 19 August. The headliners include John Grant, The War on Drugs, Fleet Foxes and Teenage Fanclub. There are ten areas which offer, along with the music, laughs, literature, art, science, mischief, delicious eats, and dancing. For more: www.greenman.net
FIONA’S LUCKY 13 FESTIVAL TIPS FOR THE GREEN MAN NOVICE
1
Use the directions on your tickets rather than the postcode – the journey has been designed to ease traffic jams and you will get there quicker.
2
There are free park and ride buses from Abergavenny station, so why not take a train? Also there is a park and ride car park with free buses – if you park here you will miss the Monday morning traffic jams and the parking fee is cheaper.
Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods played in 2017
3
of glamping options which you can check out on the website.
We put the music line-up on the website with the day splits, so check that out in advance to make sure you see all your favourite bands. Or, get a programme from the box office or the information tent near the Mountain Stage to see the full offer and timetable.
7
4
8
5
9
Many people with disabilities come to Green Man each year and the festival has the top Silver Award from Access All Areas.
There are taps all over the site, so bring a water bottle and save money and plastic.
6
If you want peace and quiet in the camping areas, then Quiet Camping is for you. Family Camping is ideally located near Little Folk children’s area. Also there are loads
58 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Powys and Monmouthshire are well known tourist destinations and there are hundreds of places to stay. Many people who do not fancy camping can take up that option. Book massages, yoga sessions, hot tubs as soon as you get on site. The Nature and Nurture Wellness Area is very popular and gets booked up quickly.
Bring waterproof footwear and clothing, something warm and something cool, but not too much as less is more when you have to pack and carry it back.
10
Meet up in the Walled Garden Pub or Courtyard Welsh
Beer Festival which both have a lot of seating. Otherwise there is the information tent in Mountains Foot or End Up Bar in the Far Out Field, which is a convenient meeting point.
11
You can recharge phones and keep laptops or cameras safe in the CND lockup.
12
The Far Out Area has three dance music venues: Far Out After Dark, Round the Twist and Chai Wallahs. You can also watch films in the Cinedrome or go see a bit of comedy in Last Laugh – all go on till 3am and there is a bonfire from dusk till dawn.
13
Very importantly, the Green Man Burn takes place around midnight on Sunday night and should not be missed.
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F E S T I VA L S SPECIAL
BEST of the FEST There’s a heap of great festivals going on in and around Cardiff (and beyond!) this summer. We’ve got the what, when, where, who and why, thanks to our team of in-the-field experts By STAC E Y OW E N TAFWYL
When: 30 June – 1 July Where: Cardiff Castle Who: Some of the best Welsh Talent and Welsh language bands, headliners include the legendary Meic Stevens, the post-rock Carmarthenshire band- Adwaith, along with music from Omaloma, Cadno and more. Why: To celebrate all things Welsh, of course! Enjoy an array of Welsh music, art, culture, food and sports all thrown in for good measure. WHAT THEY SAY Llinos Williams, Festival Organiser Last year’s highlight: I loved being on stage with the headliner Yws Gwynedd watching the crowd go crazy. Will be eating and drinking: Keralan Fried Chicken by Tukka Tuk. An addition to Tafwyl 2018 is a new street food venture from Anand George, the chef from the restaurant Purple Poppadom. Will be visiting: I’ll be chilling out at the wellbeing yurt which is full of talks, demos and taster sessions. We might need to join in with the Hangover Yoga session Sunday morning after being in the Clwb Ifor gig on Saturday night. Festival top tip: Keep an eye on our social media accounts over the weekend for a few surprises. www.tafwyl.org
CARDIFF FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
When: 6 – 8 July Where: Cardiff Bay Who: More than 100 stalls of local, national and international producers, visitors are spoilt for choice. From home grown produce, street food vendors and a farmers market, there is bound to be something on offer to tempt the taste buds. Why: One for the foodies who want to taste a variety of fresh made local produce- there’s even a champagne bar overlooking the Bay to help wash down all that delicious food. WHAT THEY SAY Heather Brown, festival organiser Last year’s highlight: The finest street food from the likes of 62 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Hang Fire Southern Kitchen and Meat and Greek went down a treat, we were also so lucky last year because of the amazing weather we had. Will be eating and drinking: Dusty Knuckle Pizza, Hang Fire Southern Kitchen, Meat and Greek at the Street Food Piazza Ridiculously Rich by Alana, Subzero Ice Cream, Crafty Devil Brewing Co at the Producers Fair, Jethro’s Marinades & Sauces, Doughnutterie Eccentric Gin, Carnedward Meats at the Farmers Market, just to name a few. Will be visiting: The Eco Lounge returns with some new updated pieces and the waterside Champagne Bar is always worth a visit. Festival top tip Don’t miss out on the live music entertainment that will be going on from the day right through to the evening. www.mermaidquay.co.uk
WELSHFEST
When: 27 –29 July Where: Vale of Glamorgan (Coedarhydyglyn Park, St Nicholls, Cardiff ) Who: Look out for Welsh legends Goldie Lookin’ Chain who will be headlining on the Sunday and Sian Evans of Kosheen. You can expect music, funfairs and a foam party as Wales’ largest outdoor inflatable pool foam party is coming to town. Why: Brand new to the festival scene, WelshFest is hosting three days of non-stop live music with genres from rock, indie, ska, pop, blues, folk, classical, house and techno. WHAT THEY SAY Simon Griffiths, festival organiser Last year’s highlight: This is actually the first ever WelshFest so we’re super excited to celebrate both old and new talent and to see what the future holds for this newcomer festival. w
Clockwise from top left; Put your hands up if you like the sound of WelshFest; Chilling out at the Cardiff Rum Festival; Living the good life at the Good Life Experience; Mermaid Quay gets tasty; The Eisteddfodd is a celebration of all things Welsh; Last year’s Festival No6 celebrating Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I xx
F E S T I VA L S SPECIAL Will be eating and drinking: We have a number of hot food outlets including Thai, Italian, Gourmet, macaroni cheese, traditional fish and chips, barbecue, crepes, churros, ice cream, sweets, candy floss and donuts. Most excited about: I’m looking forward to Sian Evans headlining the Saturday night and she’ll also be performing some of her old tracks from Kosheen along with some of her new material. Festival top tip Immerse yourself into everything WelshFest has to offer, we want it to be enjoyed by all the family. Keep an eye out for our Talent Cymru contest where hand-picked talent from across Wales will be performing alongside headlining acts over the weekend. www.welshfest.com
CARDIFF RUM FESTIVAL
When: 28 July Where: The SSE SWALEC, Cardiff Who: Live music, street food, private tasting session, and did we mention rum? Why: Love rum? Love cocktails? Then be sure to head to the Cardiff Rum Festival as it celebrates its 5th anniversary. This is a rum lover’s delight and you’ll be able to sample all of the rums on display with your entry ticket.
Rum, rum and more rum
WHAT THEY SAY Husband and wife, Jon and Debbie Rees are the festival organisers and they share their highlights and expectations for Cardiff Rum Festival 2018. Last year’s highlight The chill out area was a success allowing people to eat and drink cocktails away from the hustle and bustle of the tasting floor. Will be drinking Obviously we’ll be sampling loads of rum and delicious cocktails from our cocktail bars. Will be eating: Barbecue and Caribbean food – they’re the ideal match for rum! What you’re looking forward to Sound tracked with live steel pan music and the smells of Caribbean and barbecue we’ll be experiencing a vibrant and fun atmosphere. Visitors can try rums that they won’t find in their local pubs/bars or shops. Festival top tip Check out this year’s VIP Tiki Bar for more surprises.
dancing and singing along to Yws Gwynedd! Will be eating and drinking: A little bit of everything – from wood fired pizzas and gourmet burgers to Mexican street food and veggie fritters. I’m very pleased about the addition of the new gin bar for 2018. Ale drinkers should head over to Bar Syched to sample some of Wales’ finest brewers. Will be visiting: I’m looking forward for the programme of evening concert, from Sir Bryn Terfel’s Hwn yw Fy Mrawd to the electric reaction to tradition that is Pendevig. The ceremonies are led by the Archdruid and honour some of Wales’ leading literary talents. We have more than 1,150 events and activities this year so there’s something for everyone. Festival top tip: Visit with an open mind as there’s so much to do and see. Oh, and if you’re heading to the Eisteddfod with children – don’t forget to visit all the different stalls to grab some freebies.
www.cardiffrumfestival.co.uk
www.eisteddfodd.wales
EISTEDDFODD
GREEN MAN FESTIVAL
WHAT THEY SAY Elen Ellis, the National Eisteddfod’s Organiser and Artistic Director shares her tips for this year’s festival. Last year’s highlight: The opening concert, A Oes Heddwch? was a definite highlight for me last year. The Gig y Pafiliwn concert was another favourite – it was wonderful to see everyone on their feet
WHAT THEY SAY Festival Owner, Fiona Stewart tells us why Green Man should be on our ‘must see’ list this summer. Last year’s highlight: It was Green Man’s 15th birthday jamboree so it really was a magical year. PJ Harvey on the Mountain Stage,
When: 3 – 11 August Where: Cardiff Bay Who: Concerts from Hwn Yw fy Mrawd, Gig Y Pafiliwn, Pendevig and more. Visit the Maes and explore the food village, drama village and literature village. Why: A spectacular celebration of Wales and its culture for the whole family. You don’t have to be a Welsh speaker to enjoy the Eisteddfod. If you’ve always wanted to try a bit of Welsh, but unsure of where to begin, why not pop down to Shw’mae Caerdydd at the Pierhead to learn a phrase or two over a nice cuppa!
64 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
When: 16 – 19 August Where: Brecon Beacons Who: Indie folk vibes from Fleet Foxes, psychedelic rock band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Cate Le Bon, Boy Azooga and Huw Stephens just to name a few. With more than just music, the weekend consists of art, comedy and a special scientific world of weirdness in Einstein’s Garden. Why: Nestled away in the stunning Brecon Beacons Green Man has become one of Wales’ biggest music events and extravaganzas. Known for its unique atmosphere and eclectic music, it’s a must do for those seeking an intimate party with friends and family.
F E S T I VA L S SPECIAL with the backdrop of the Black Mountains and mist descending was also mesmerising. Will be eating and drinking: The Courtyard area has more than 100 independently brewed Welsh beers and ciders on offer. There are all kinds of gastronomic delights, from Baos to Goan curries – there’s a huge selection to tuck into. Most looking forward to this year: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard headlining on the Saturday will be spectacularly energetic. We’ll also be heading to Einstein’s Garden, which is celebrating its 10th year at Green Man, to see the all the weird and wonderful scientific things goings on. Festival top tip: Soak in everything on offer. As well as the enormous music line up, there’s so much else to explore - be it comedy at the Last Laugh, debates and discussions at Talking Shop, films, arts installations, or workshops - it’s just the place to try out something new.
Full of joy at Green Man
www.greenman.net
PRIDE CYMRU
When: 24 – 26 August Where: Cardiff City Hall Lawns What: Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend will provide three days of pure party atmosphere and extravagant entertainment in the heart of the capital. Why: Join together in an immersive and spectacular colourful parade to celebrate the LGBT+ wider community in Wales. With four stages, a roller disco, street food stalls and funfair rides, it’s a joyous weekend in the capital. WHAT THEY SAY Gian Molinu, Pride Cymru co-chair Last year’s highlight: The spirit and diversity of those who visit really make the festival, and last year it exceeded 10,000 people during the parade and there was a real sense of community. Charlotte Church headlining on the Saturday was also a highlight. What you’ll be eating and drinking: There is a full range of street food stalls set up with favourites such as Macho Macho and Kati Wok. What you’ll be visiting: Roller disco, the beach party and Glee Club comedy acts are not to be missed. There’s also a cabaret stage which turns into karaoke on the Saturday.
Feeling Pride
Festival top tip: This is a community and family event celebrating LGBT+ and we want people to really enjoy themselves, so get ready to have loads of fun. Explore the hashtag #ProudToBeMe and share your pictures and stories on social media as part of the Proud To Be Me campaign. www.pridecymru.co.uk
FESTIVAL NO 6
When: 6 – 9 September Where: Portmeirion Who: Friendly Fires, Franz Ferdinand, THE THE, Hurts, The Charlatans, The Horrors, Hot Chip Mega mix, Everything Everything, Tom Walker, Horse Meat Disco… and the list goes on. Why: There’s a reason why Festival No.6 is a multiaward-winning music, arts and cultural festival. Step outside onto the unique magical coastline of Portmeirion and discover hidden gems in the woods, participate in activities and workshops, and become a part of the surreal surroundings. WHAT THEY SAY Luke Huxham, festival director Last year’s highlight: Last year we celebrated 50 Years of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club with loads of fantastic content based around this. The 60-strong Brythoniaid Male Welsh Voice Choir on Saturday evening at the Central Piazza was also a highlight. What you’ll be eating and drinking: 2018 will see three of the world’s leading chefs hosting dinner w www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 65
F E S T I VA L S SPECIAL at Clough’s banquets in Hotel Portmeirion. As well as that, there’s a new concept bar from House of Peron and more than 50 of the nation’s finest street food traders. What you’ll be visiting: The mighty Brythoniaid are always a highlight and this year you can expect a special performance. Also keep an eye out for the Town Hall Sessions with composerin-residence Joe Duddell, performing one-off intimate sets with Everything Everything, The Charlatans and more. THE THE’s headline performance will also be one to remember. Festival top tip: There is so much to see and do at Festival No.6, everything has been carefully curated and people are encouraged to get involved as much as possible. www.festivalnumber6.com
ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL
When: 14 – 16 September Where: Abergavenny Who: Described as the Spanish Godfather of cooking in the UKJose Pizarro will be discussing his life in food on Friday, Chef and director of the Rick Stein Group Jack Stein, Anna Jones the bestselling author of A Modern Way to Eat, restaurant critic Grace Dent, are just a few of the speakers taking part in this year’s festival. Why: A foodie’s paradise and a delicious opportunity for people from all walks of life to explore and learn about food.
The stunning setting for Festival No6
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WHAT THEY SAY Aine Morris, Chief Executive Abergavenny Food Festival Last year’s highlight: The return of the Community Feast was an absolute joy, having Darina Allen in town to talk about intergenerational cookery skills was such an honour and Tom Kerridge was a star. I’m really pleased with last year’s introduction of the feasts and being able to welcome Edinburgh Food Studio and Olia Hercules to cook for guests at the festival too. What you’ll be eating and drinking: There’s some incredibly exciting and innovative new Welsh food producers coming to this year’s festival including Rogue Preserves, Brybeque Sauce, and Rhondda Rarebit. Make sure you catch: I will not be missing the 100 years of Women in Food panel or the discussion looking back at 20 editions of the Abergavenny Food Festival, both of which are being held at the Borough Theatre in town. We’ve got a natural wines bar and Kombucha bar for the first time, as well as creating new spaces for iconic Welsh drinks producers including Hallets Cider and Tiny Rebel Brewery. Festival top tip: We have introduced a new programme of vertical tastings where farmers and chefs come together to talk about how the way we produce food makes a difference to the flavour. The Dim Sum masterclass is one to look out for too. www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com
Tafwyl showcases Welsh talent
The Good Life Experience
When: 14 – 16 September Where: Hawarden Estate Farm, Flintshire Who: With live music from the likes of DJ Trevor Nelson to The Go! Team, stories with adventurer Ben Fogle, and poetry reading from Mike Garry, there’s something for the whole family to get stuck into. Why: Founded by Cerys Matthews, Steve ABBO Abbott, and Charlie and Caroline Gladstone, this festival combines food, music, nature and adventure for a weekend of family fun and discovery in the great outdoors.
So much to eat, so little time at Abergavenny Food Festival
WHAT THEY SAY Charlie Gladstone, festival organiser and founder tells us what we can look forward to at this year’s festival. Last year’s highlight: Feasts cooked by celebrity chefs which sold out in 48 hours. This year there will be more feasts and a number of food workshops too. Will be eating and drinking: The festival caters for every taste bud with an array of food trucks to choose from. There is also a full line-up of chefs cooking over the campfire all weekend long. After dark, I’d recommend heading to Kansas Smitty’s for jazz and julep cocktails. Most looking forward to: Saturday night headliners The Go! Team are not to be missed. This year will also see the opening up the brand new lake area, with wild swimming, canoeing, fire walking, stand up paddle boarding and more. Festival top tip: Keep your eyes peeled for your favourite performers and speakers enjoying the festival with the crowds. There’s no VIP or back stage area. www.thegoodlifeexperience.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 67
ARTS
FILM
(Clockwise from left) Howl’s Moving Castle, Sing and Yellow Submarine
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD Anim18: A Celebration of British Animation continues at Chapter By M EGA N PR IC E
H
ere at Chapter, Anim18: A Celebration of British Animation, continues, and there is no shortage of fantastic animated films to choose from over the next few weeks. On 8 July, there is the rare opportunity to see Yellow Submarine (PG) on the big screen. This exhilarating and joyful icon of psychedelia takes a deep dive into Pepperland where music reigns supreme. On 18 July, Cardiff Animation Festival present Speechless, a carefully selected collection of animated short films which are masterpieces of visual storytelling, to enchant and immerse, delight and enlighten, all without saying a word. On 22 July, we present a collecton of films from the award-winning husband and wife animation team Joy Batchelor and John Halas. This collection’s subject is music, and includes an early 68 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Kraftwerk film. There are films on offer that will be a treat for the whole family, including: Howl’s Moving Castle (U) which is voiced by Emily Mortimer and Christian Bale, based on Diana Wynne Jones’ novel and tells the story of Sophie who has been cursed by a witch; Arrietty (U) which is voiced by Saoirse Ronan and Tom Holland and is based on Mary Norton’s classic story of Arrietty and her tiny Borrower family; the beautiful new animated adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit (PG) (7 July – 2 August); and Sing (U), voiced by Reese Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey, when a singing competition takes over a city of animals and their lives will never be the same again.
For more information and a full schedule, visit www.chapter.org/season/anim18
F ILM OF THE MONTH
DEADPOOL 2 (15) (13–15 July) Ryan Reynolds stars in this blockbuster in which the foulmouthed mutant brings together a team of fellow rogues to protect a teenager with supernatural abilities from the brutal, timetraveling cyborg, Cable.
T H E A L B A N Y G A L L E RY
SUMMER EXHIBITION 5th July - 18th August 2018 A changing exhibition of work by more than 50 artists
View the exhibition on our website www.albanygallery.co.uk 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
is now available to download. www.mediaclash.co.uk
A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E S H O P P I N G
CITY OF ARCADES When did you last explore Cardiff’s best kept secret? We’re talking about the beautiful Victorian and Edwardian Arcades that set Cardiff apart from other cities.
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ith seven unique Arcades and more than 100 independent stores, eateries and bars, they have been attracting shoppers for more than a century and we’re backing FOR Cardiff’s campaign, to position Cardiff as the City of Arcades. FOR Cardiff want you to share your memories and stories of the arcades, as well as voting for your favourite business. Here’s a snapshot of what makes each arcade so unique to help you decide:
HIGH STREET ARCADE
Castle Arcade
Jacques, Front of House, Hotel Indigo in Dominions Arcade
Rhain, Manager, Garlands in Duke Street Arcade
High Street Arcade
Originally home to the city’s fortune tellers and apothecaries when it was built in 1885, it now houses many of the city’s most popular lunchtime spots, including the New York Deli, alongside an eclectic mix of clothing stores and barbers, such as Sleep When You’re Dead.
DUKE STREET ARCADE
Built in 1902, Duke Street Arcade joins with High Street to form part of the Castle Quarter. Known for its stunning gothic architecture and hand-painted floor, it is home to several cafes, including plant-based Ruin Café, and provides a space for Cardiff’s creatives on the first floor.
CASTLE ARCADE
Sitting on the opposite side of High Street, Castle Arcade, the third arcade in the Castle Quarter was built between 1882-1889 and is as famous for its balcony areas as its businesses. It is home to some of the city’s unique independent retailers such as board game store Rules of Play, licensed Harry Potter store Magic and Mayhem, and vintage clothing store Prince and Pauper.
MORGAN ARCADE
Morgan Arcade mixes well known brands, such as Pretty Green and Fred Perry, with independent shopping, including the oldest record store in the world, Spillers Records, and creative stylists, Slunks Hair Club. Built in 1896, it links The Hayes with St Mary Street and leads through to Royal Arcade making up the Morgan Quarter.
DOMINIONS ARCADE
The youngest of the Cardiff Arcades, constructed in 1921, lies just off of Cardiff’s busy Queen Street. A stunning art deco mural featuring local landmarks and famous faces such as Shirley Bassey decorates this attractive arcade. The arcade is home to independent retailers alongside Hotel Indigo and Marco Pierre White’s steak house.
ROYAL ARCADE
The oldest of the city’s arcades, built in 1858, Royal Arcade is home to Wally’s Delicatessan and Uncommon Ground Coffee as well as independent clothing stores and jewellers such as Sobeys and Willows Jewellery and Craft.
WYNDHAM ARCADE
Morgan Arcade
Built in 1887, and running from St Mary Street to Mill Lane, Wyndham Arcade is now home to businesses such as music store PMT, salon Hair by Cat, Cuban cigar shop Havana House and several independent cafes such as Waterloo Tea.
Still need help choosing which business to vote for? Visit www.thecityofarcades.com to find out more and join the conversation on social media using #cityofarcades
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FEST UP! HEADING TO A FESTIVAL THIS SUMMER? YOU’LL WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU’VE GOT THESE BEAUTIES PACKED….
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1. WRAP UP
2. DRYING OUT
3. PROTECT YOURSELF
4. BOTTLE IT
5. SHADES ON
St David’s cross grey throw, £149 Keep yourself snug on a chilly night under the stars with this cosy Welsh-made throw. (And it will look super stylish in your home when festival season is over too!). From Home by Kirsty, 64a Glenroy Street, Roath; www.homebykirsty.com
Aveda Shampure dry shampoo, £23.50 A blow-dry ain’t exactly practical when you’re living in a tent so keep your tresses at their best with this dry shampoo. From Sands Hairdressing, 7 Waterloo Gardens, Penylan; www.aveda.co.uk
NeoStrata Sheer Physical Protection SPF50, £34 You really don’t want to spend a whole weekend looking like a lobster (not to mention the fact that burning does some serious damage to your skin), so be smart and slather on some sun cream. From You Can Clinic, Cardiff Medicentre; www.youcanclinic.com
Happy Jackson flip top water bottle, £12.99 There’s no excuse not to stay hydrated with this fun reuseable bottle. From Hamptons, 10 Ludlow Lane, Penarth; www.hamptonspenarth. co.uk
Adele sunglasses, £27.99 A cool pair of sunnies is pretty much essential festival packing we reckon! From Hamptons, 10 Ludlow Lane, Penarth; www.hamptonspenarth. co.uk
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ED’S CHOICE
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SHOPPING
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6. CUTTING EDGE
7. THIRSTY WORK
8. WIPE OUT
9. BEST FOOT FORWARD
10. USE YOUR HEAD
Tropical fiesta wooden cutlery, £5.50 It may be a festival but that doesn’t mean you should totally forget your table manners! From Kitchens Cookshop, 14 High Street; www.steamer.co.uk
Equinox Kombucha, £1.80 These soft sparkling drinks have a tangy fruit flavour and are filled with friendly fermented bacteria, meaning even if you wake up with a fuzzy head you’ll have a happy gut! From Beanfreaks, St Mary’s Street; www.beanfreaks.com
Shiseido Pureness refreshing cleansing sheets, £17 Stay fresh faced all festival long with these refreshing cleansing wipes. From Central Pharmacy, 63-67 Wellfield Road; www.escentual.com
Cool grey poppy wellies, £49.95 Stay dry and look stylish simultaneously. Winning. From Joules, 14a The Hayes, Morgan Arcade; www.joules.com
Rainbow fascinator hat, £41.17 Swansea-based GG’s pin up couture makes all kinds of fabulously floral head attire. We’re especially smitten with this colourful creation, ideal for the festival fashion vibe. From www.etsy.com
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ad v ertisin g feat u re fa s h i o n
She shall go to the ball! Let the team at NEW STITCHES work their magic to have your dress fitting like a dream
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ith a social calendar full of parties, proms and weddings, 'tis very much the season for posh frocks and fascinators. And of course, everyone wants to look as good as possible, especially with the inevitable deluge of photography that takes place at these kinds of events. The team at New Stitches in High Street Arcade can use their tailoring skills to help you achieve that perfect look. Kasim and Murat have years of experience, and can perform just about any alteration you might need to make it seem as if your dress has been made to measure. Perhaps it's an old dress that needs a tweak here or there, or even something new that needs the expert touch to get it fitting like a glove but whatever you bring them, they'll take a look and give an honest appraisal of just what can be done to help you look and feel a million bucks. If you have a last minute dress emergency and you take your dress to them in the morning, they can often even get the work done the same day. And if you're a bride who needs their wedding dress altered, they'll be happy to help out with that too. If you want something truly bespoke, then the New Stitches team can help you out there too. If you can provide the material, then they'll be able to work with you to create the dress of your dreams!
4-6, High Street Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1BB. Tel: 29 2022 7784 www.newstitchescardiff-clothingalterationservice.business.site
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SHOPPING
FA S H I O N
FESTIVAL FEELING Festival season is well and truly upon us and we couldn’t be happier! Whether you’re braving the unpredictable British weather to let your hair down or setting off to a warmer climate to listen to your favourite artists, we’ve got you covered with this summer’s festival must-haves
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s it your mission to stand out from the crowd this year? Try bright colours with this print number from Oliver Bonas (1) or this statement wrap dress from Whistles at John Lewis (3), both totally perfect for dancing the day (and night!) away and grab a cross body bag, like this one from All Saints (11), to keep all your party essentials safe! We love the mix of blues and lilacs in this loose floral playsuit from Reiss (6), bang on for this season’s colour trend! When the cool evening air sets in, throw on this vintage style denim jacket from Karen Millen (4) and a cute silk neckerchief, like this one from Reiss (2), for added edge. Now we all know going to a UK festival might not be all blue skies and sunshine, so a pair of boots is a total must! As an alternative to wellies, we say opt for some chic biker boots, like this pair from All Saints (9), which will really have you, and your feet, covered! An easy way to jazz up any outfit is with the accessories. Obviously a bag is a must, and we’re loving this rainbow number from Kurt Geiger (7), available at John Lewis. When you’re lucky and the sun does come out, you’ll be needing your sunnies. We totally adore these feline Vivienne Westwood beauties that’ll be sure to keep you on top style form (10). Finally, to achieve the ultimate festival look, you’ll be needing some boho jewellery and we are totally obsessed with these M&S Collection earrings (5 & 8)!
All items available at St David’s Dewi Sant in Cardiff or online at the time of writing. To keep up to date with the latest trends, news and offers, see St David’s on Instgram, Facebook and Twitter (@StDavidsCardiff) or at www.stdavidscardiff.com 78 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Deema statement circle earrings, £22, Oliver Bonas
FA S H I O N
SHOPPING
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1. Dress, £65, Oliver Bonas 2. Poppy floral printed silk scarf, £80, Reiss 3. Daisy spot wrap midi dress, £159, Whistles @ John Lewis 4. Frayed denim jacket, £145, Karen Millen 5. Collection earrings, £15, M&S 6. Loreta Floral Ditsy Playsuit, Blue, £165, Reiss 7. Saffiano Richmond leather cross body bag, £99, Kurt Geiger @ John Lewis 8. Collection earrings, £12.50, M&S 9. Dakota military boot, £228, All Saints 10. Cat eye sunglasses, £195, Vivienne Westwood 11. Cross body bag, £148, All Saints www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 79
VALE AESTHETICS COWBRIDGE’S ONLY GP LED COSMETIC ENHANCEMENT CLINIC
YOUR SKIN IS IN SAFE HANDS
THE
PUMPING STATION A N T I Q U E S
&
I N T E R I O R S
Vale Aesthetics was established in 2017 as a Doctor-led facial aesthetics and hyperhidrosis service led by Dr Kate Evans and Dr Sophy Neill. We offer the very best in cosmetic enhancement and beauty treatments for men and women of all ages and skin types. Visit Cowbridge’s only GP led clinic, prescribers and users of botulinum toxin for wrinkle reduction or for the treatment of excessive under arm sweating.
Vale Aesthetics will offer honest advice about the best way to achieve your desired results during an initial face-face no obligation consultation.
Based at The Cowbridge & Vale Medical Practice, The Health Centre, The Broad Shoard, Cowbridge, CF717DA. info@valeaesthetics.co.uk T: 01446781332 M: 07840342860
The Whites Dental Centre Tell us your story. Dr Pamela White BDS GDC 52754 Dr Matthew White BDS GDC 52753 Ian Seddon BDS GDC 64868 (Practice Limited to Dental Implants) The Whites Dental Centre in association with Seddon Dental Implant Practice Ltd. 3 Station Road Radyr, Cardiff CF15 8AA
Tel 02920843658 info@white-smile.net www.white-smile.net
Limited to private practice.
ANTIQUES / INTERIORS / HOBBIES / COLLECTABLES Penarth Road, Cardiff CF11 8TT Open 7 Days a Week 9.30am – 5.30pm Including Bank Holidays | Free car parking
TEL: 02920 221085 WWW.THEPUMPINGSTATION-CARDIFF.CO.UK
H E A LT H A N D BEAUTY
Before (left) and after (right)
CUTTING IT FINE EMMA DANCE goes to the dark side at Bouvardia hair salon
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hen the seasons change, we change our wardrobe, so why should it be any different for our hair? Since the last time my barnet had had any attention (of the professional variety) the city was bracing itself for snowmaggeddon, it was more than due for a bit of TLC, and given that the seasons have very much changed ‘twixt then and now, it was probably time for a fresh new look as well. The thing is, though, that it’s all a bit easier when it comes to clothes, isn’t it? You can try them, and if the look’s not right, you just taken them off and move on, nothing lost. Not quite so simple with hair though since any mistake in that department is something you’re destined to live with for weeks, if not months.
IT FELT MORE LIKE SPENDING TIME WITH FRIENDS
Which is why you need a stylist who knows their stuff, and during my visit to Bouvardia I had two of them – salon creative director Jessica who would be wealding the scissors, and colour director Georgia, who was in charge of administering just the right hue. The appointment began with a consultation, during which we talked about whether I was keen to keep all the length (I wasn’t fussed), if I had any ideas about the sort of colour I wanted (maybe a bit darker? I wasn’t too sure) and how much time I spend styling my hair on an average day (almost none. A blast with a hairdryer and I’m out the door). Based on my answers we decided that we’d lose a few inches of length, put in some layers to take out some of the heaviness (I have vast amounts of hair!) and make it all more manageable, add some extra shaping around the face, and lose the faded gold tones and replace them with something far warmer and richer. Throughout my appointment Georgia and Jess were superfriendly and really chatty, and they let me know what was going on all the time so there were none of those freak-out moments when you see a bizarre-coloured dye being slathered on, or what looks like half your head of hair falling to the floor after a seemingly frenzied attack with a pair of scissors. I was completely relaxed throughout the whole appointment, and it actually felt
more like spending time with friends. Much of the Bouvardia team came from the former Sassoon salon in the city, and they still use the Sassoon products. It’s not a range I’m especially familiar with, but I adored how soft and silky my hair felt afterwards (and it still feels that way a few weeks down the line BTW) and the shine was just insane! The colour is really rich and deep and showing no signs of fading, and Georgia gauged the shade just right to suit my colouring. I am genuinely absolutely thrilled with the result and even in my inexpert hands and with minimal styling I’m still getting compliments. Bring on the summer! CL Emma’s cut cost £80, colour £68 and treatment £12. For more: Bouvardia, 20-24 Castle Arcade; www.bouvardia.salon
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HIGHGROVE HOUSEKEEPING
“THE 5 STAR SERVICE FOR HOME OWNERS... FOR A PERFECT HOME EVERYDAY” Highgrove Housekeeping is an executive housekeeping service tailoring bespoke housekeeping packages to suit you, your family, your lifestyle and your environment, providing you with a well-managed home with professional care and attention.
If you require a deep clean to get your home summer ready or if you would like Highgrove Home Chef to take the stress out of home dining then please contact us today. We have packages to suit everyone
A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E B E A U T Y
DR ZENA TALKS TEETH WHITENING Dr Aseeley during a consultation
DR ZENA ASEELEY is a dental surgeon in Cardiff. She has a special interest in safe, minimally invasive restorative and cosmetic dentistry and loves the confidence boost that simple teeth whitening can give her patients. Here she reveals the most innovative whitening systems on the market and shares some tips for safe whitening.
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abrade the enamel surface over the long term, which in turn can end up yellowing the teeth as once enamel is worn away the layer underneath, which is called dentine, becomes exposed, and dentine is darker and yellower in colour than the outer enamel. Professional tooth whitening aims to safely and gently whiten the enamel of the teeth without wearing it away.
Do over the counter whitening toothpastes actually work? A lot of the supposed whitening toothpastes such as activated charcoal etc have very abrasive substances added to them which may remove some surface stains but can actually
Can I just use at-home whitening? It is acceptable to use at-home treatments as long as a dentist who prescribes you the appropriate trays and whitening gel oversees the process. These can be very effective and convenient if used properly. The most important factor for take home treatment is the fit and quality of the custom made whitening trays you
he General Dental Council in the UK has deemed that tooth whitening is the "practice of dentistry" and therefore it should only be carried out by appropriately trained and registered dental professionals – anything else is illegal. So tip number one from me is when it comes to whitening your teeth always start with a consultation with your dentist!
What are the whitening systems you recommend? I am an accredited Enlighten Smiles® and Phillips Zoom® Whitening Provider: - Enlighten Smiles Evolution 3 Enlighten Smiles® is my personal favourite as it is a very comprehensive system and every patient is guaranteed a long-lasting B1 shade on the Vita Shade Guide. I have consistent, delightful results with Enlighten, as well as the least amount of sensitivity reported as the gels have anti-sensitivity and mineralising components incorporated. It comes with a range of professional toothpastes to use to prepare your teeth before and after your whitening treatment.
- Phillips Zoom Another great system, which I use, is Phillips Zoom® in-clinic and at-home whitening. This system includes in-office chairside power whitening using the Philips Zoom ‘WhiteSpeed’ advanced LED light-activated technology. Combining the Philips Zoom ‘WhiteSpeed’ chairside whitening and Philips Zoom ‘NiteWhite’ take-home treatment produces maximum whitening results with an average improvement of eight shades* lighter.
are provided with by your dentist. I have tried and tested many and only use two laboratories in the UK for my patients bespoke trays and always fit the trays and check them myself. So tip number two from me is to ensure your dentist checks that your whitening trays are excellent quality and fitting. Is teeth whitening safe? In 2012, a change in EU regulations made sure that the maximum concentration of hydrogen peroxide allowed in whitening gel is six per cent or equivalent value of carbamide peroxide. At this levels whitening is deemed very safe, but I would recommend that you always have a thorough dental check-up to ensure the teeth and gums are healthy first.
Right: The Enlighten Smiles System
Left: The Enlighten Smiles Whitening Trays
*shade varies between individuals. Below: Before and after Enlighten Whitening by Dr Zena
If you would like to see Dr Zena for a free whitening consultation and receive 10% off a whitening treatment this summer you can find her at Bupa Dental Care: THE PARADE SPECIALIST CENTRE, 02920 481486 BUPA DENTAL CARE, CARDIFF BAY, 02920 481212 BUPA DENTAL CARE, BASSALEG, NEWPORT 01633 893451 www.drzena.com | Info@drzena.com *offer valid until August 31st 2018 *please quote "Cardiff Life"
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R E S TA U R A N T
FOOD
Park it EMMA DANCE enjoys some seriously fine dining at the Park House Restaurant
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don’t like the phrase “fine dining.” It’s that word “fine” I think. I mean, what does it even mean? It can cover the whole spectrum from the passive aggressive “I’m fine” meaning not-in-the-least-bit OK, to that kind of US street slang “fiiiiiiiiine” when referring to someone very attractive, and somewhere in the middle is the something that equates to merely satisfactory. Put the word in front of “dining” however and you instantly get connotations of pompous waiters, stuffy service, tiny portions of overpriced food on enormous fancy plates and wall to wall starched white tablecloths - not necessarily everyone’s (if anyone’s) idea of an enjoyable dining experience. The Park House restaurant and bar describes what it does as “fine dining”, and true, it does deliver on the white tablecloths and fancy plates side of things. But, in pretty much every other way it’s playing against stereotype. So let’s start with the food. Chef patron Andrew Frost hails from Wales, but having spent many years working in France he’s brought a lot of crosschannel influence to the menu. Think top quality Welsh produce presented with French flair. We’re dining from the à la carte menu, but three courses actually turns out to me rather more than that thanks to some lovely little bonuses from the kitchen. Before our starters even arrive we’ve consumed some gorgeous canapés (little crispy cones filled with cream cheese, soft, salty cured sea trout and caviar, and cubes of deep, rich slow-braised beef ), and a wonderfully light and fresh gazpacho, which, when accompanied by a glass of sherry, brought memories of holidays in Spain flooding back. A starter of Pembrokeshire crab is presented in an eminently Instagrammable fashion, with the sweet white meat of the crustacean wrapped cannelloni-style in slices of avocado. A bouillabaisse made with crab (instead of the
THINK TOP
QUALITY WELSH PRODUCE
PRESENTED WITH
FRENCH FLAIR
usual fish) has been turned into little garnishes, including a crisp, which add a lovely sea-saltiness. I’ve no idea how a soup becomes a crisp, but if I’m honest, I’m not sure I care. Is it something I’ll ever attempt at home? No. Will I return and reorder it at the Park House? Almost certainly. Across the table is a terrine of foie gras and black-legged chicken. It’s unbelievably rich (as is the way with foie gras) but a pineapple salsa proves the perfect platefellow - both sweet and sharp enough to cut through the fattiness. My main course puts pay to any preconceptions of meagre portions with the piece of lamb leg on my plate pretty sizeable by anyone’s standards. The meat is soft and pink – perhaps a little too pink for some, but since I’ve been known to chow down on cuts that a good vet might have been able to resuscitate, I’m more than fine with it. The star of the dish however, was the slow cooked meat. Wrapped in a chequerboard effect of interwoven strands of green and yellow courgette (the attention to detail here is incredible) it looks striking, and tastes sublime. Husband is in raptures over his grey mullet with caviar tortellini and champagne velouté. It’s simultaneously delicate and luxurious, with the chef’s lightness of touch apparent in every mouthful. There’s something about a pud that demands a bit of theatre, and my chocolate orange does not disappoint. As a warm sauce is poured over the crisp chocolate dome, it melts away to reveal ice cream and a cloud-like chocolate mousse. There’s always a danger that a chocolate dessert can be too much at the end of a big meal, but this was perfectly judged – not too sweet and not too heavy. Meanwhile, a Paris Brest – the classic French dessert of choux pastry filled with praline-infused cream – was everything it promised and so much more. The Park House is famed for its wine list, and each of our dishes was expertly matched with just the right glassful to enhance the flavours. All the staff are absolutely delightful – very friendly and knowledgeable, and willing to chat and answer all of our questions – which made the evening even more enjoyable. It’s fair to say, that the Park House isn’t just fine. It’s fiiiiiiiiine!
DINING DETAILS Park House Restaurant, 20 Park Place CF10 3DQ; Tel: 029 2022 4343; www.parkhouserestaurant.co.uk Opening hours Tues – Sat 11am-midnight. Lunch 12pm-3.30pm, dinner 5pm-11pm Prices Starters from £12, main courses from £24, desserts from £12. Set lunch. Bar and tasting menus also available Vegetarian choice Limited á la carte selection, but vegetarian and vegan tasting menus are available Service/atmosphere Impeccable service, and the ambiance is less formal than you might expect
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f o o d & d r i n k a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e
Become a wine expert Expand your wine knowledge with a wine & spirit education trust (WSET) Level 1 course
T
he Wine & Spirits Education Trust qualifications are globally recognised as the international standard in wine and spirit knowledge. Renowned Cardiff wine merchants Fine Wines Direct are offering an exclusive discount to all Cardiff Readers to attend the level 1 WSET course at their WSET Approved Wine School. By quoting the offer code FWDCL1 you will receive 20% off the WSET Level 1 Award in wines. The course is usually £125 per person but by quoting the offer code you c an book the course for £100 per person.
On the level 1 course you will learn: • The main types and styles of wine • Common wine grapes and their characteristics
• How to store and serve wine • The principles of food and wine pairing • How to describe wine using the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT) For individuals new to wine study, this qualification provides a hands-on introduction to the world of wine. You’ll explore the main types and styles of wine through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the basic skills to describe wines accurately, and make food and wine pairings. Upon successful completion you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin. This is a one day course and you will sit a multiple choice examination at the end of the course. No previous wine knowledge is needed, just bring an open mind and a palate ready for action. This offer will be available until 30 November 2018.
Contact Fine Wines Direct for more information: Call 029 2078 7500 or e-mail enquiries@finewinesdirectuk.com www.wsetglobal.com
More adventures in party-going
Fern Morgan (Genero), Gethin Jones and Nicola Jenkins (Create Communication)
SNAPPED!
Ross Hooper Nash (Jeffrey Ross Estate Agents)
AC ROS S CA R D I FF, O N E S H I N D I G AT A T I M E
HAVING A BALL A charity ball hosted by Circle IT has raised more than £36,000 which will now fund a new outdoor gym at a special needs school in Cardiff. Cardiff-headquartered Circle IT held the event to raise money for Princes Gate Trust which will now fund the gym to benefit 175 special needs pupils at Ty Gwyn School in Ely. It was hoped the event, which was held at Cardiff Bay’s Exchange Hotel, would raise the necessary £29,000 but with more than 300 guests digging deep to support such a worthwhile cause, the target was exceeded and now Princes Gate Trust will put the additional funding into other worthy projects across Wales. The gym, which is hoped to be installed in readiness for the next school year, will provide an area for physical activity to help pupils socially, mentally and physically. With many pupils attending Ty Gwyn coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, the facility will enable all pupils to reap the benefits of being outdoors and participating in physical activity.
Ex Wales & Cardiff Blues Jamie Robinson, Nicola Jenkins - Create Communication, Donna Robinson, Jonathan & Kelly Pritchard and Shelley and Tom Shanklin (Genero) Vicky and Roger Harry (Circle IT)
Kev Orkian entertains the guests
For more: www.circleit.co.uk
Andrew Nicholson (TWL Voice & Data)
Dai & Jackie Jones and family (Princes Gate Trust)
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Jon and Anne Marie Saunders (The Dead Canary)
SOCIETY
PERFECT PARTNERS
Lesley Kirkpatrick, Agnes Xavier-Phillips, Angela Morris Parry and Jonathan Cave
Techniquest, the educational charity in Cardiff Bay, launched its partnership with extreme environment athlete former rugby player Richard Parks in aid of its Individual Giving campaign on 24 May. The Techniquest team was joined by its new ambassador, along with its supporter Lee Wakemans, and guests such as Sony UK Technology Centre and Lloyds Bank. Guests were treated to a drinks reception, canapĂŠs and an inspiring presentation from Richard. For more: www.techniquest.org
Clare James and Richard Parks Carys Strong and Caitlin Rees
Gareth McTiffin, Clare James and Abe Sampson of Techniquest
Richard Parks at Techniquest Individual Giving launch event
Nigel Phillips and Steve Bowden
Simon Williams, Dan Beynon and Gareth Woodfin
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SOCIETY
TALKING BUSINESS
Leah Rhydderch, Kim Richards, Lowri Kenny and Caryl Jones
Welsh language business group Cwlwm Busnes held its annual dinner at St David’s Hotel on 17 May with around 150 attendees. The group gives business people from all sectors, in Cardiff and beyond, the opportunity to meet, network and discuss business matters through the medium of Welsh. For more: www.cwlwmbusnescaerdydd.com
Joanna Adams and Sara Robinson
Dafydd Hampson-Jones and Ceri Preece
Gwenllian Griffiths, Bethan Griffiths and Sian Gwynedd
Betsan Powys, Sian Gwynedd and Alan Davies
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SOCIETY
RISING STARS Rising stars of magazine journalism were honoured at a glittering ceremony at the Cardiff Student Media Awards on 5 May. Judges included Cardiff Life editor Emma Dance, online food editor of Good Housekeeping Vicky Chandler, David Hicks – head of design of Salmon Ltd and former art director of GQ and Nigel Parkinson, Beano comic artist and Dennis the Menace artist.
Rowan Lees
For more: www.cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk Photography by Takura Aldridge
Lisa Doran
Molly Jackson
Andrea Gaini
Xxxxxx Charlotte Clark
The Quench magazine team
Rachel Jefferies
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SOCIETY Alex Cuthbert and Gareth Edwards The evening’s host, Tom Shanklin
GOT THE BLUES It was a memorable night to cap off a memorable season for European Challenge Cup champions, Cardiff Blues on 24 May. The end of season awards ceremony was held at Stratstone Land Rover’s new showroom on Hadfield Road, with Nick Williams, Jarrod Evans and Tomos Williams among the main award winners of the evening. For more: www.cardiffblues.com Photos by Two Cats In The Yard Photography
Josh Turnbull
Stratstone Land Rover Showroom Cardiff Blues Chairman, Peter Thomas
Tom Shanklin interviews internationals Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams and Ellis Jenkins
Gethin Jenkins
Josh Navidi
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Cardiff Blues Women U18 Player of the Year Manon Johnes with Mark George of Cardiff Life
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Meet the WILLS AND PROBATE EXPERT Our team of experts explains the ins and outs of wills and probate
Chris Beames
Berry Smith LLP 02920 345 511 www.berrysmith.com
What is a Will? A Will is a legal document which expresses what you would like to happen to your possessions and assets (commonly known as your estate) on your death. In addition to dealing with what you would like to happen to your estate, it will also enable you to appoint those people you want to look after your affairs following your death and ensure that the wishes as contained in your Will are carried out. Why do I need a Will? You need a Will to ensure that your estate passes to those that you want to receive it and in order to appoint those persons you trust to carry out your wishes. Do I need to change my Will if I marry or get divorced? Once you get married your existing Will is automatically revoked, unless you have made express provision that any impending marriage will not revoke the Will. If such a provision is not included, you will have to make another Will. If you divorce, your Will takes effect as if your former spouse had died before you, unless you express a contrary intention in the Will. You may
therefore need to make a new Will to provide what you wish to happen to your estate.
to concentrate on whom you would wish to benefit from your death.
What will happen if I die without a Will? If you die without leaving a Will, you are deemed to have died intestate. This means that your estate will be distributed in accordance with statutory rules; these determine who inherits your estate, which may not be those that you intended. In addition, the rules dictate who will act as the administrator (which is the same role as executor).
What should I do if I need to challenge a will of someone who has died? I think that the most important advice is to take specific legal advice as soon as you feel that there is a need to challenge a Will. There are very restrictive time limits with some claims and, therefore, time is of the essence.
What is probate? Probate is an order of the court authorising a person or persons to deal with the estate and confirming the appointment of those people named in the Will as executors. In the absence of a Will a grant of letters of administration is issued. Both documents are commonly known as grants of representation. How long does it take? The time frame for dealing with a person’s estate varies according to the size and number of assets. Once we have submitted an application to the Probate Registry a grant is generally returned within three weeks. Do I need to use a solicitor for probate? You do not need to use a solicitor to make an application to the Probate Registry. You can do this yourself and there are specific forms for people who wish to apply themselves, but many people find this complicated and often turn to solicitors for assistance.
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Helen Laura Wishart Martyn Prowel Solicitors 029 2047 0909 www.martynprowel.co.uk
What is a will? A will is a legal document in which you can name whom you wish to benefit from your money, possessions and property (your estate) upon death. It also enables you to name those whom you wish to organise your affairs after your death and appoint guardians for any infant children. At what age should I make a will? Really, the earliest age at which you can make a will is 18 (unless you are a member of the Armed Forces, when you can make a will at any age) but perhaps the most important time to make a will is when you hold assets, particularly a property, or certainly if you have a child or children for whom you wish to appoint a legal guardian. What should be included in a will? Is there anything specific that should be focused on? You can make a will as general or specific as you wish. We would generally recommend that you do not refer specifically to assets but the most important thing is
What is probate? A will is evidence of whom you wish to benefit but it is not, in itself, enough to achieve that. A Grant of Probate is the official document that will enable the executor to gather in the assets of the estate so that they can be paid to the beneficiaries. How long does it take? This is quite a difficult question to answer as it may be like “the length of a piece of string?” It could take a number of months to obtain a grant of probate or it may just take a number of weeks. It really depends upon the estate and the assets involved. Do I need to use a solicitor for probate? It is not essential but it can be a difficult process with complex tax issues where it is vitally important to use a solicitor. How do I know if I have to get a Grant of Probate? The basic rule of thumb is that if an estate contains a property or has assets in excess of £15,000, a Grant of Probate will be necessary.
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Claire Johnson
Susanne Hamilton
When should people make a will? Wills are a must have for everyone, whatever their stage in life, who have assets and loved ones they want to provide for when they are not around. Having an appropriate will in place should be one of life’s essentials and should be reviewed every few years if circumstances change significantly.
What is a will? A will is a legal document which sets out a person’s wishes regarding the distribution of their estate (a term which includes house, money, car and all personal possessions).
Geldards LLP 029 2039 1728 www.geldards.com
Why should people make a will? Having a will in place is the only way to make sure those close to you are provided for in the way you would want. As well as giving all concerned peace of mind, it also reduces the risk of a family dispute and may help avoid an inheritance tax bill or significantly reduce it. What common mistakes do you see from your clients? People sometimes think their affairs are too simple to need a will. They assume their spouse will automatically inherit everything which isn’t necessarily true, or that their long-term partner will have an automatic right to a share of their estate. Others think their family circumstances are too complicated and planning a will would be too tricky but that needn’t be the case. A will is one of the most important and powerful documents you will ever sign, so having some professional help makes good sense!
Bowden Jones Solicitors 02920 484550 www.bowdenjones.co.uk
Why do I need a will? By making a will, a testator has control of his or her assets after their death. If a person dies without making a will, they are said to die ‘intestate’. A will can also include directions as to funeral arrangements. At what age should I make a will? A will should be made at any age – we have no control over our destiny! It is not set in stone and a new will can be made as circumstances change so long as the testator has mental capacity. What is probate? Probate is the legal process of dealing with the estate of a deceased person. If you are the executor of a will you will usually have to obtain a grant of probate if the estate is valued at over £15,000. Do I need to use a solicitor for probate? If the estate is relatively small and does not include, for example, a house, then the process can be straightforward. However, probate can be a lengthy and time consuming process and you may be legally or personally financially liable should you make a mistake.
Francesca Schubert
Lisa Davies
Blake Morgan LLP 02920 686172 www.blakemorgan.co.uk At what age should I make a will? You can generally make a will at any age over 18, but there is little need to do so if as a young person you have nothing to leave and no dependants. The necessity increases as you acquire assets and assume responsibility for others throughout your lifetime. Do I need to change my will if I marry or get divorced? Almost without exception, the answer is yes! You can make a will “in expectation of marriage” if certain conditions are met; otherwise, any existing will you have is automatically revoked on marriage. On divorce your existing will remains in force, but your now former-spouse is treated as if they had died at the date of the decree absolute. How long does it take to get probate? Unfortunately, the answer is often “longer than you think”. We typically quote 3-4 months for a simple estate and longer where business, farming or overseas assets are involved, or where there are other complicating factors. How do I know if I have to get probate? A solicitor will be able to advise you on this. It is not as straightforward as simply looking at the size of the estate and what the banks’ requirements may be.
Hek Jones Solicitors 02920349820 www.hekjones.com
What is a will? Put simply, a will is a document that states what you want to happen to your estate i.e. what you own, when you die. It also says who should be in charge of making sure these things happen. What will happen if I die without a will? If you die without a will then your estate will pass via the intestacy rules, this sets out the order in which family will inherit if you don’t have a will. If there is no family found then it can go back to the State. The person inheriting will ordinarily be the person who will administer the estate in this scenario too as opposed to an executor in a will. What is probate? Probate tends to be the general term that people use for the administration of an estate which means gathering in all assets, paying tax and debts and distributing the remainder in accordance with the Will or intestacy. The probate document or grant of probate however is the document granted by the court showing that the executor has authority to deal with an estate. How do I know if I have to get probate? If there is a solely owned property as part of the estate then you will need a grant of probate to transfer or sell it. Also, if there are large amounts of money held in a bank account you will need it.
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John Moore
SIAN Mills
Why do I need a will? A will lets you ensure that your property and assets go to the people you want them to go to. If you don’t make a will you have no control over what will happen.
Do I need to change my will if I marry or get divorced? Yes. A marriage will void an existing Will as the law assumes you would wish to benefit your new spouse and makes provision for this. It is particularly important if there are children from a previous relationship. A divorce has the reverse effect so excludes former spouses from benefitting. It will not void your Will entirely, just the gifts to your former spouse will not take effect. Therefore, if there are other people that you wish to benefit or you wish to choose who should deal with your affairs following your death it is vital that you make a new Will.
CJCH Solicitors 02920 483181 www.cjchsolicitors.co.uk
At what age should I make a will? A will should be made as early as possible just in case the unexpected happens. A lot of people make wills after they have bought a house or acquired savings. Do I need to change my will if I marry or get divorced? Yes, getting married will usually revoke previous will but both marriage and divorce will have an impact on your assets and relationships so it is a good idea to consider your will on either of these events.
Rebecca May
LG Williams & Prichard 02920 229716 www.cardiff-law.co.uk
What will happen if I die without a will? The rules of intestacy will apply. These are rules set in law that state how a person’s assets are distributed. The rules set out who would benefit from a person’s estate depending on the family members they have. The rules can be quite complex to apply in some situations.
What is probate? Probate is the legal process following someone’s death, which involves an application to the court for authority to deal with a deceased’s estate. This process is normally needed if the deceased held assets in their sole name, but it does depend on individual circumstances. Most companies will ask for an official copy of the Probate to release money. Whether there is a Will or not Probate may still be required.
What should I do if I need to challenge a will of someone who has died? You should speak to a specialist solicitor as they will be able to review your situation and advise you as to whether you have any legal grounds to challenge the will.
How should I choose the executor of my will? Executors are responsible for managing your affairs after your death and distributing your estate to those that inherit. You should choose someone you trust and who is good with paperwork. It can be
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CJCH Solicitors 02920 483181 www.cjchsolicitors.co.uk one person or more, but we recommend no more than four as it tends to over complicate matters. It can be your spouse/ partner, a family member, friend or a professional, such as a solicitor. A beneficiary can be an Executor. You should consider having a substitute Executors, just in case your first choice cannot do it. Do I need to use a solicitor for probate? No. It is possible for you to have a personal interview direct with the Probate Registry to apply for probate, but you will not receive assistance in dealing with the estate. A solicitor can apply for probate and advise on administering the estate to ensure everything is done correctly. An Executor is held personally liable if the Estate is distributed incorrectly or if they make errors dealing with the administration of the Estate, therefore it is important to have advice. What makes your company an ideal choice for wills or probate planning? My firm has a wealth of experience in Wills & Probate having specialised in this for many years. We treat each client as an individual and advise them on options available to them according to their circumstances. I am a member of Solicitors for the Elderly, which recognises solicitors with expertise in this area.
What is probate? For estates which include property or certain assets and accounts an application needs to be made to the probate registry. This process involves the executor of an estate telling the probate registry what the assets in an estate are, filing a tax return and swearing an oath to properly administer the estate. The grant of probate (also known as a grant of representation) is then issued which allows the executor to legally sell a property and deal with the assets for which the grant was needed. Sometimes probate is not needed and simply producing the will is enough. This is usually the case in smaller estates and often depends on the differing policies of the various banks. Do I need to use a solicitor for probate? Not necessarily however it is always wise to seek legal advice as there are many pitfalls in dealing with estates that people often fall in to. A solicitor will be able to advise you on what is needed and ensure that everything is dealt with properly. CJCH offer bespoke probate services in which we can assist you as much or as little as you require depending on the circumstances so as to avoid you running into problems without incurring a large legal bill.
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Hayley Rees-Jones Howells Solicitors 02920 404020 www.howellslegal.com
What is a will? A will is a legal document that indicates how you want your assets to be distributed upon death. A will can also indicate your wishes with regard to funeral arrangements and who you wish to care for any minor children. What will happen if I die without a will? If you die with no valid will the law will decide who gets what (“the intestacy rules”). What is an executor of a will? An executor is someone who has responsibility for administering an estate of someone who has died. They will have to collect together the assets of the estate and pay all debts, taxes and funeral costs out of the money in the estate. What is probate? Probate is the legal process involved in dealing with the property, money and possessions of someone who has died. Do I need to use a solicitor for probate? Being an executor is no easy task. In some cases it is perfectly possible to handle it yourself. However it may benefit you to enlist the services of a solicitor as they handle cases like this everyday and can deal with the legalities with a clear mind, sound judgement and legal experience.
Duncan Kennedy
QualitySolicitors J A Hughes 029 2061 9700 www.qualitysolicitors.com/ jahughes What is a will? A will is a legal document, which sets out how you want your estate to be divided on your death, and who you wish to deal with the sometimes complex matter of the administration of your estate. Why make a will? When you make a will you (and not the law) can say what will happen to your possessions and assets when you die. You can specify how your funeral should be dealt with. You can state who you wish to look after the administration of your estate and carry out the terms of your will and also appoint guardians for infant children. What happens if I die without a will? The law sets out who is to benefit and this very much depends on the relatives that survive you. It is not always the case that a surviving spouse (or civil partner) gets everything. Indeed, in these days of ever increasing property prices it is quite likely that the surviving spouse (or civil partner) will not get everything and will have to share the estate with others. It is vitally important for unmarried couples to make wills as the law does not automatically recognise partners as having the same rights as spouses or civil partners.
Maria Cosslett
Nia Edwards
Neil Foley & Co 02920 230440 www.neilfoleyandco.co.uk
Loosemores Solicitors 029 2080 3116 www.loosemores.co.uk What do you specialise in? I am a partner and head of our wills and probate department at Loosemores. I provide specialist advice in relation to wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney and court of protection matters. I am a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and I am an accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly. What is a will? A will is a legal document in which you can express your wishes as to how your estate is to be distributed after your days. What will happen if I die without a will? Without a valid will you will have died “Intestate” and the intestacy rules determine which family members will inherit. Would you really want a distant relative living on the other side of the world inheriting your assets? Do I need to use a solicitor for probate? You do not have to use a solicitor to obtain a grant of probate but to ensure that an estate is being administered correctly and that an executor does not face any future liabilities it is always best to seek advice from a suitably qualified and experienced lawyer in the first instance.
Why do I need a will? By making a valid will, you will ensure your assets pass to the people you choose in the way you wish. Making a will can help avoid uncertainty for those closest to you at what will be a difficult time. It is particularly important to make a will if you have property or valuable assets that need dealing with, or if you have dependants such as children who need taking care of. Do I need to change my will if I marry or get divorced? When you marry, your existing will will automatically be made invalid and you should consider making a new will. If you get divorced, we recommend updating your will as your assets and personal preference may well have changed since your existing will was made. What is probate? Probate is the term used for the process of sorting our someone’s estate when they have died. If you have made a will, this will specify who is responsible for this and they may require formal authorisation from the court to carry out this role. This is called a grant of probate. Do I need a solicitor for probate? Whilst there is no legal requirement to use a solicitor for probate, a solicitor’s expertise and knowledge is invaluable in what can be a complicated and time-consuming process.
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Afonwy HowellPryce
Robertsons Solicitors 029 2023 7777 www.robsols.co.uk Why do I need a will? A will tells everyone what you would like to happen to your assets and personal possessions when you die. Without one, you cannot be sure that these will go to the people you would like them to. At what age should I make a will? If you haven’t got one – now! A will should be made as soon as you can, and certainly when you begin to acquire assets, including property. It’s also important to keep your will updated. If a benefactor dies, or your family situation changes, you need to amend your will accordingly. What will happen if I die without a will? If you die intestate (without a will), distribution of your estate is governed by law. Your spouse or civil partner may inherit according to law, but your children and other family members may be excluded. What is probate? Probate or Letters of Administration if there is no will, is the legal process that ensures that the correct taxes are paid against your assets on your death, and that the remaining estate is distributed in accordance with your will, or under the intestacy laws if there is no will.
evelyn James
Damian Clode
Loran Beynon
Do I need to change my will if I marry or get divorced? Yes, you need to change and execute a new will as marriage invalidates a will unless the will was made in contemplation of marriage. If you divorce, it does not automatically invalidate your will but your ex-spouse will be treated as having died as at the date of your divorce. So, if you have left everything to your ex-spouse there is potential intestacy.
Clodes Solicitors is a family run firm of solicitors who have been providing contentious advice for 35 years.
At what age should I make a will? There is no wrong age to make a will. A lot of people associate wills with the elderly, but this should not be the case. Unfortunately, the only certainty we have in life is death, so a will is for everyone. If you want to make sure your wishes are followed on your death, then you should make a will.
JNP Legal 02920 763211 jnplegal.org
What should I do if I need to challenge a will of someone who has died? You can enter a caveat to prevent the grant being issued by the probate registry provided you have reasonable grounds to challenge the will itself or you could also bring a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 if you were financially dependent on the deceased and you fall into certain classes of claimants (wives, children and cohabitees, for example). There are a number of options and time limits and you should take legal advice. How should I choose the executor of my Will? Wisely. Family, Friends or Professionals can be appointed. It is best to choose more than one and make sure they get on and do not disagree after your death. It is best to discuss it with them first.
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Clodes Solicitors 02920 765050 www.clodes-solicitors.com
Can I remove an executor? Executors appointed by a will can renounce before they have accepted their appointment. Once an executor has accepted, whether that by intermeddling or otherwise, an order from the court for their executorship to be terminated will be required. Can I challenge a will? In short yes, there are many ways a will can be challenged. A summary of the most common grounds are listed below: • The deceased did not have capacity to make a will • The will is invalid • Undue influence • Claim for financial provision (Under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975) • Promissory Estoppel – Estoppel in short would stop the deceased via their will circumventing the promise the deceased made to the promisee. Promissory Estoppel requires a clear promise to the claimant that the claimant relied upon to his or her detriment. It is important that any person considering challenging the validity of a will seeks legal advice promptly.
JNP Legal 01443 450561 jnplegal.org
What is probate? Probate is the name given to the process of dealing with a person’s estate when they have passed away. A grant of probate shows your legal entitlement to be able to collect in and distribute the estate in accordance with the will. How long does it take? The timescales would vary according to the size of the estate. We estimate three months to obtain all the relevant documents, complete the IHT forms, oath and estate accounts, and three months thereafter to obtain the grant, collect in the estate and distribute accordingly. However, this can vary somewhat depending on what is involved in any particular situation. Do I need to use a solicitor for probate? You do not have to use a solicitor, however, this can sometimes be a difficult time, and we here at JNP Legal are more than happy to assist you during this process, and can offer competitive fixed fees.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT EXPERIENCE OF BEING IN BUSINESS? Are you tired? Stressed? Pressured for time? Juggling? Financially stretched? Frustrated?
WHAT IS THE BUSINESS SECRET? The Business Secret provides a step by step explanation of the key actions required to bring together the business and personal goals, to link the financial to the structural and to show how it is possible to be both free and totally in control.
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PLAN Clear actionable goals to make your business a success. How to balance your financial and lifestyle wellbeing.
PERFORM Avoid failure by futureproofing your business and evolving for change.
PROTECT Your business and legacy with critical decision making.
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Shake-ups/launches/successes/promotions
CA R D I FF G E T S S ER I O US THE BIG STORY
QUOTE OF THE ISSUE
#CARDIFF4ALL
“DON’T SELL YOUR MORALS FOR A QUICK INVOICE”
Cardiff is in the running to become home to Channel 4’s new headquarters Cardiff has been named as one of seven cities which have been shortlisted as possible locations for Channel 4’s new headquarters. The broadcaster has announced that next year three new regional bases will be created – a national headquarters and two creative hubs. More than 30 cities threw their hat into the ring, and, along with Cardiff, Bristol, Glasgow, Greater Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and the West Midlands all made the cut to be considered for the national headquarters or a creative hub, while Belfast, Brighton, NewcastleGateshead, Nottingham, Sheffield and Stoke-on-Trent could house a creative hub. There’s been plenty of support for the proposal in Cardiff, with many people taking to Twitter to encourage Channel 4 to choose their
city, using the campaign hashtag #Cardiff4All. Leader of Cardiff Council, and chairman of the Cardiff BID, Cllr Huw Thomas, said, “I am delighted with the announcement by Channel 4 that Cardiff has progressed to the next stage in our bid to secure their new National Headquarters and Digital Production Unit. “The competition is fierce, but we have an extremely strong bid in place, developed in collaboration with our local creative industry. Culture, creativity and innovation are all at the heart of the city’s development, establishing Cardiff as one of the UK’s creative powerhouses, and developing one of the largest creative sectors outside London. “As well as being home to the nation’s biggest broadcasters,
Got a business news story for us? Email emma.dance@mediaclash.co.uk
Find out who said this on page 107 Leader of Cardiff Council Huw Thomas (right) with MPs Jo Stevens and Anna McMorrin
the Welsh Capital has a strong independent scene that delivers for the UK. Our bid is more than a relocation proposal, it’s an offer of a lasting partnership with a city whose creative ambitions and values match those of Channel 4.“ A team from Channel 4 will now visit each of the shortlisted cities for a presentation and Q&A. The final decision will be revealed in October. For more: www.channel4.com
400 THE BIG NUMBER
The number of medical students who have had their training enhanced by working with learning-disabled actors from Hijinx theatre company. Turn over to find out more
BETTER BUGGIES
Dimitri Metsios and Katia Fotiadis with Donna Strohmeyer of the Development Bank of Wales
A REAL ROASTING Coffee lovers Katia Fotiadis and Dimitri Metsios have opened their own roastery in Cardiff Bay. Quantum Coffee Roasters is run by architect Katia and her partner Dimitri who had previously enjoyed a career roasting coffee beans in Greece. The couple also run a popular coffee shop on Bute Street. A £10,000 fast track micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales has now enabled the pair to relocate their roastery from London to Cardiff. Katia explained, “We are passionate about the whole process and the journey the coffee bean takes. If you choose the best green coffee beans, it is vital that the roasting process respects the hard work of the farmers – you want the subtleties of each bean to shine. Roasting can destroy those flavours before it even gets anywhere near the brewing. This is where we bring craftsmanship and science together. “But like most new businesses, we
have struggled with cash flow. That and being able to keep up the energy levels and the passion going as running a business can definitely take its toll. We knew we wanted to have our own dedicated roastery in Cardiff but lacked the funds to make it happen. “Our adviser at Business Wales told us about the fast track process available from the development bank. Their support has made a huge difference and enabled us to move forward quickly and easily with the next stage of our business growth. Organically growing is great but sometimes, an injection of finance and energy is needed to get to the next stage. We are proof that a solid business plan, determination, hard work, passion and patience will pay off in the end and that is something we both truly believe in but it wouldn’t have happened without the help of the development bank.”
The Vale Resort has tee’d up a £250,000 investment to upgrade its golf buggy equipment. The resort, home to two championship golf courses, has purchased 50 new high-tech Club Car UK GPS buggies to give its members and thousands of visitors, an even better golfing experience. The new £4,000 buggies are installed with a state-of-the-art tablet-style device that can track a golfer’s progress on the course, tell them how far from the hole they are, as well as recommending which club to use. “The GPS in our buggies will help to improve the game of many golfers visiting the courses,” said Clive Coombs, the Vale Resort’s golf manager. “The real ‘hole in one’ feature though is the device’s ability to judge the distance between the golfer and the hole – something which can transform someone’s experience. “The WiFi structured system also allows players to see the course from a birds-eye view perspective, as well as warning them of any approaching obstacles or hazards.” For more: www.valeresort.com
Vale Resort golf manager, Clive Coombs, using the new equipment
For more: www.quantumroasters.co.uk
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BUSINESS INSIDER
BIZ Q&A
HENRY FIELD Henry is senior recruitment and business development consultant at Atlantic Resource What were you doing before this job? Prior to joining Atlantic Resource in August 2017, I worked for several recruitment consultancies in the south east of England. Before recruitment I spent four-and-a-half years working in customer service in the banking sector. What drew you to this career? Several things. Helping people, solving problems for businesses, the fact I’m nosey and get paid to get to know people, and of course – the financial rewards when recruitment is done properly. Any regrets? What would you have done differently? If I hadn’t left the roles I left, taken the opportunities I took, failed where I did and succeeded where I could – I wouldn’t be where I am now. I’ve made mistakes, but I don’t have regrets in life or my professional career. Cheesy? Yes, but also true. If I had to pick something to regret, it would have to be some of my hair styles in my teens. Any tips for others starting out? Don’t sell your morals for a quick invoice. If you find management are telling you to do things that you are professionally uncomfortable with you are probably not with the right company. There is NO reason to lie to a candidate or client or withhold information that could influence someone’s decision to take a role/hire someone. Treat every candidate as you would hope to be treated yourself and treat every client like you are a part of their internal team. Recruitment doesn’t have to be ‘sales’. So, are you someone that switches off the emails evenings and weekends? Absolutely not! One of my favourite clients is very busy in the day, so most of our conversations happen in the evening. If my clients are working, I am working.
I am also the volunteers recruitment manager for Pride Cymru. Recruitment to me is a lifestyle – it’s my career and my hobby. Is there someone in business that you admire and try learning from? Everyone. We are a very comfortable and friendly office. We all learn from each other. I have learned from colleagues who have been in recruitment less than six months, I have learned from our operations manager who has been in recruitment for 18 years, and they have all learned from me at one point or another. Recruitment is forever evolving – anyone who says they know everything and cannot learn from people is lying.
PEOPLE WORK WITH ME ONCE AND REALISE I AM A MAN OF MY WORD What’s the best thing about your job? Three years ago, I answered my phone to a 10-year-old child crying. He went on to thank me for helping his mum get a new job after losing her old one (she was made redundant) and thanks to my help, they didn’t have to move back into nan’s house. A down-on-his-luck 18 year old man who had never had a job, who was struggling to find work due to lack of confidence was introduced to me by a contact I had within the job centre – I am now connected with him on LinkedIn and keep seeing his career progress within the company I originally placed him. A 62-year-old lady told me that she couldn’t find a job because everyone took one look at her and thought she was too old. Two weeks later I placed her into
a temporary role that evolved into a permanent position. She brought me a cake into the office to thank me. These moments, knowing that you have changed someone’s life, are the best things by far. What’s the biggest challenge in your job? Gaining people’s trust. There’s a perception that because I’m a ‘recruiter’ I can’t be trusted. Actually, I am very honest, very transparent and very ethical. Sadly, the industry has such a bad reputation so I am not always believed! Luckily, people work with me once and realise I am a man of my word. Tell us the best thing about working at Atlantic Resource. The autonomy that you get working with Atlantic is becoming increasingly difficult to find in the industry, so many agencies have KPIs upon KPIs. Atlantic doesn’t work in that way – they would rather see a client be offered the best service than see X number of calls made just to fill a quota. How do you want a client to feel when they come to you? Safe, like they are working with an extension of their existing team and that they can trust us to look after them. Finding the right people to join an organisation should not be a transactional process. We want clients to feel that they are working with us, and vice versa. What do you like best about working in Cardiff? What’s not to love? You have a beautiful city on your doorstep, it’s not too expensive (I am from Essex and spent time living in London – Cardiff is much more affordable!) and everyone here is very friendly. For more: www.atlanticresource.co.uk
www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 107
B U S I N E S S A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E
BE IN IT TO WIN IT Cardiff design agency DESIGNDOUGH invests £10,000 in start-up business
d
esigndough, a progressive brand design agency based in Cardiff Bay has launched Brand Labs for the second year running Following last year's success story featuring winning business, Odddot, the competition will run again this year and give new businesses the chance to win a full brand package worth £10,000, including strategy, visual identity, brand guidelines and fully responsive website to help them further their entrepreneurial dreams. designdough was started from a small back bedroom in Grangetown with just hopes, dreams and a relentless need for 'something' better to power it. designdough's managing director, Joe Brown says, "We know that starting a business is hard, and we admire each and every person that puts themselves out there in order to sculpt their own path to success – whatever shape that success may take!" This is why designdough have launched Brand Labs; a competition that gives startups (set-up within the past 24 months) the chance to win a beautifully designed and considered brand and website to help them present their amazing ideas with even more clout. "We're not doing this to be condescending, but because we've been there and know that with a little encouragement or a push in the right direction, any business can be a success.
The designdough team
We do this everyday with our clients and so thought it was time to give a little something back to the Welsh economy that we've grown from", says Joe. Last year's winners, Mags Gesta and Paul Adams from furniture company Odddot, were gifted with a new brand and website after wowing the designdough team with their vision and passion for their business. Mags commented, “ The support has been great after every meeting we were really encouraged and passionate to keep pushing. Our new
“WITH A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT OR A PUSH IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ANY BUSINESS CAN BE A SUCCESS ” brand makes a massive impact because it's made us look so much more professional. Our clients see that we’ve really achieved something as we don’t look like a start-up anymore. Now we’ve got our brand in place, it’s really about moving forward. We don't have any excuses now, we just have to push it. We’d definitely recommend Brand Labs. It’s such a massive help. If you’re thinking of entering, just do it.” You can apply through the designdough website or by visiting www.ddbrandlabs.co.uk. Applications close on Friday 13 July at 5pm. A shortlist will then be picked and invited to the designdough studio to present why they should win.
More information and an application form can be found at www.ddbrandlabs.co.uk Tel: 02920 00 88 34 Email: joe@designdough.co.uk
108 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
www.pablack.co.uk Prestige homes from Peter Alan
Cilwendeg, Gwaelod Y Garth Offers in the region of ÂŁ550,000 EPC = C pa black Whitchurch 02920 612328
Detached five bedroom modern residence offering 2500 square feet. 28 FT x 22 FT L shaped new kitchen dining room, stylish new downstairs cloak room, 21 FT lounge, sitting room/snug. Two luxury new bathrooms. New white PVC windows and french doors, new gas heating, new intruder alarm, landscaped gardens (ÂŁ20,000).
www.pablack.co.uk Prestige homes from Peter Alan
Southfields, Old St Mellons ÂŁ625,000 EPC = E pa black Rumney 02920 782888
Detached 1930's four bedroom house of character. 100 FT long private gardens. 21 FT x 19 FT kitchen & dining room with bi-folding doors, 26 FT lounge. Downstairs cloak room, two further living rooms, two bathrooms, private entrance drive, secure outside store room, balcony with stunning country views.
PROPERTY
SHOWCASE
DESIGN FOR LIFE Sleek lines and spacious rooms abound at Maes y Crochan By C H A R L I E ROSE
114 112 II CARDIFF CLIFTON LIFE LIFE II www.mediaclash.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk
SHOWCASE
PROPERTY
www.mediaclash.co.uk II CLIFTON CARDIFF LIFE LIFE II 113 xxx www.mediaclash.co.uk
PROPERTY
SHOWCASE
F
ans of modern styling will be in raptures over this architect-designed home that wouldn’t be out of place in an episode of Grand Designs. Everything has been thought of to create a truly luxurious abode. Take, for example, the kitchen. It’s of the bespoke, fitted variety, as you’d expect, with Corian and granite work surfaces and there’s an abundance of Miele integrated appliances, including a fan oven, a steam oven, microwave, American-style fridge freezer, induction hob and dishwasher. But that’s not all. There’s also a Quooker hot water tap, coffee machine, wine cooler, and a separate temperature-controlled wine cabinet – the perfect excuse to begin a wine collection if you haven’t already. Little touches like intergrated surround sound and underfloor heating run throughout the home, and it’s details like these that elevate the property to something truly exceptional. Even the entrance hall is impressive with its double height ceilings and bespoke staircase with glass balustrades. There’s a seemingly endless amount of space on the ground floor, with not one, but two reception rooms designed for chilling out and relaxing, a dining room and a guest bedroom with en suite bathroom. The feature that’s sure to make your new home the preferred hang-out location however is a games room, complete with bar area. Upstairs, the sense of space continues. There’s four double bedrooms, three of which come with an en suite bathroom. They’re all stunning, and two of them have 116 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Clockwise from top left, the impressive master bedroom; space to chill out; cool and contemporary styling; bespoke fitted kitchen with wine storage
HOUSE NUMBERS Maes y Crochan, Druidstone Road, Old St Mellons, CF3 6XD
6
bedrooms
5
bathrooms
£2.2M guide price
4
direct access to a large balcony area. It’s the master suite which has the real wow-factor though. Dual aspect windows allow the room to be flooded with light, and there’s a large dressing room which has been kitted out with cupboards and hanging space. The en suite here is particularly note worthy due to its large spa bath, set in granite, with rainfall shower over. There’s a study on this floor too (also boasting balcony access) with floor to ceiling windows and a spiral staircase leading to a storage area. This room would make a lovely bedroom too, if you needed the extra space. Also on this floor is a room that’s currently being used as a gym, with carpeted flooring and mirrored walls, but if you’re not of the energetic persuasion it could easily be repurposed with just a few minor tweaks. True to form, there’s a plethora of outdoor space too, with swathes of well-tended lawns which are just crying out play host to al fresco gatherings. On the practical side of things, there’s a triple garage too, with electric up and over doors, as well as plenty of driveway parking. Should you wish to enhance the facilities even further, there is lapsed planning permission for an extensive extension including an enclosed swimming pool. There’s certainly no shortage of impressive features in this home that is the epitome of contemporary cool.
receptions
1
gym
For more: Jeffrey Ross, 233 Cathedral Road, CF11 9PP; www.jeffreyross.co.uk
CARDIFF LIVES
Q&A
N
athan is pop culture portrait artist who specialises in using everyday items (such as foodstuff and cosmetics) and unusual techniques (such as painting with his tongue or feet) to make art. He’s also a radio host at Radio Cardiff and writes a showbiz column for a magazine as one half of Wyburn & Wayne. If you recognise him, it also might be because he reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2011 after creating a portrait of judge Michael McIntrye out of Marmite on toast. Where in Cardiff do you live and what makes it special? I live in Roath. I love being so close to the lake and all its beauty. Also we have a great community feel here on Wellfield Road where everyone says hi to each other. The local shops and restaurants are brilliant and it reminds me of growing up in Ebbw Vale. What has been the highlight of your career so far? That’s a tough one for me. Obviously reaching the semi final of Britain’s Got Talent was incredible, the platform was brilliant but I also reached top 15 in a very similar Austrian TV show two years later in 2013. I’d grown up a lot in that time and got to enjoy it a little more. I once walked into a newsagents to see my portrait of Rupert Murdoch full front page of The Guardian, that was a shock and Prince Charles was presented with a portrait of mine... Also getting to meet people I admire like Anastacia, Joanna Lumley and The Jacksons is pretty overwhelming.
NATHAN WYBURN He’s ginger, tattooed and proud of it! Who’s your celebrity crush? Ahh Darren Criss! I loved him in Glee, but even more in the The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. I got to meet him recently in London and it was quite the moment – obviously I gave him a portrait, made with fake blood because of that character. I promise it wasn’t mine and I’m not a weird, obsessed stalker, haha.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Andy Warhol, without a doubt my number one inspiration in art! All the Spice Girls if we could pin them down... Also Anastacia and Sarah Michelle Gellar (you have to have Buffy there right?)
What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Far too many things... although I love them all so they aren’t guilty to me! I could eat Chinese food every night whilst singing along to Steps. There’s no shame here, and I love karaoke so much I even host it every Wednesday down at The Golden Cross with my best mate Wayne!
When did you last cry, and why? Ah I’m actually really sappy, I cry at anything so easily. I watched that new British film Finding Your Feet on the plane back from America a few weeks ago... that broke me. Also songs that mean a lot always trigger deep emotions.
Which piece of music would you put on at the end of a trying day? Probably something by Anastacia. Her music has been the biggest inspiration to me and she has something for every mood.
What job would you be terrible at? Lifeguard. I can’t swim. I was a pizza delivery boy once when I was 18 for about 20 mins... I got stressed out when I couldn’t find the house because it was a new build, not on the map they gave me... far too much pressure on keeping that pizza warm. Now I just make faces on them. 122 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
What’s your favourite piece of clothing? James Bay, another musician I love, released a line with Topman last year and I bought the black sequin jacket – it’s epic! Also my Vivienne Westwood earrings, I hardly ever don’t have them in.
If you have a spare five minutes in the day, what are you likely to fill it with? Eating. I’m always eating. What’s your earliest childhood memory? I’m a little blank when it comes to my childhood, but something that really sticks out in my mind is sitting and drawing with my dad. He’d draw and cut out the Power Rangers And I’d have to colour them all in. He recently did it again and I can tell you he wasn’t as good as I thought he was when I was eight years old! I’ve thought of getting one tattooed though to add my collection of body art! Tell us about a secret/underrated Cardiff spot we might not be aware of… Honestly is not secret because it’s one of the oldest venues in Cardiff, but The Golden Cross is simply amazing. It has something for everyone every night of the week and has a real family, safe feeling about it. It’s where I enjoy spending my nights off the most without a doubt. We’d better let you get on…. What are you doing as soon as you’ve done this? I’m actually planning a few new projects, I currently have a glittery Tina Turner drying on the studio floor and need to arrange dropping off a Lord Alan Sugar portrait made of sweets to London... never a dull moment! www.nathanwyburn.co.uk