Cardiff Life - Issue 200 by MediaClash

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Editor’s letter

A lot’s changed in Cardiff since our very first issue

easons to be cheerful? We’ve got two very big ones! Firstly, we’re celebrating being 200 issues old. It was more than 10 years ago – back in October 2007, in fact – that the very first issue burst on to the streets of Cardiff. To mark the anniversary we’ve been asking people in the city what they think has changed most about Cardiff since then, and what they’d like to see change by the time we’ve done another 200 issues. Find out what they all said on pages 16 – 23. And that second reason to be cheerful? The Cardiff Life Awards, of course, which took place at City Hall last week. And what a night it was! Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to everyone who came along and helped us celebrate all that makes Cardiff so special. You can find a full list of the winners on page 78, and all the pictures from the celebrations will be in the next issue. So ‘til then – keep smiling!

es gyda chi reswm i fod yn hapus? Mae gyda ni ddau reswm arbennig o dda! Yn gyntaf, rydym yn dathlu’r ffaith mai hwn yw ein deucanfed rhifyn. Cyrhaeddodd y rhifyn cyntaf erioed strydoedd Caerdydd dros 10 mlynedd yn ôl – ym mis Hydref 2007. I nodi’r achlysur rydym wedi bod yn holi pobl y ddinas beth, yn eu barn nhw, sydd wedi newid fwyaf yng Nghaerdydd ers hynny a beth yr hoffent ei weld yn newid erbyn y pedwarcanfed rhifyn. Gallwch weld yr hyn a oedd ganddynt i’w ddweud ar dudalen 16 – 23. A’r ail reswm i fod yn hapus? Seremoni wobrwyo Cardiff Life, wrth gwrs, a gynhaliwyd yn Neuadd y Ddinas yr wythnos diwethaf. Ac roedd hi’n noson a hanner! Llongyfarchiadau i bob un o’r enillwyr, a diolch i bawb a ymunodd â ni ac a’n helpodd i ddathlu popeth sy’n gwneud Caerdydd yn lle mor arbennig. Mae rhestr lawn o’r enillwyr i’w gweld ar dudalen 78, a bydd lluniau o’r dathliadau i’w gweld yn y rhifyn nesaf. Tan hynny, daliwch i wenu!

EMMA DANCE

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Issue 200/April 2019

Cover We’re 200 issues young!

featureS

16 200 A lot can happen in 200 issues...

the arts

28 WHAT’S ON Cardiff is a veritable smorgasbord of

entertainment this month

36 Motown the musical We catch up with

leading lady Karis Anderson

42 Susie blake The actress talks taking on the role of

Miss Marple in The Mirror Crack’d

46 Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival The book bonanza is back 50 RHS CARDIFF Expert advice on creating blooming

marvellous Easter floral decorations

shopping

64 Editor’s Choice Don’t get caught out when the

clocks change

68 FASHION It’s all about the season’s sunniest shade

food & DRINK

78 FOOD & Drink NEWS Tasty titbits and a cocktail

to create

80 RESTAURANT We’re still daydreaming about the

culinary creations at Heaney’s

Business

85 business SPecial Think of this as your little

black book of business

Property

118 showcase A period-style property to tug at your © RHS and Jason Ingr am

heart strings

Regulars

8 sPOTLIGHT The newsy bit 55 Wyburn & Wayne Do these two ever sleep? 58 sNAPPED The parties. The people. 73 Perfect fit Kev Foley on avoiding the perils of

late night snacking

122 CARDIFF lives Music man Patrick King

Editor Emma Dance emma.dance@mediaclash.co.uk Managing Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior Art Editor Andrew Richmond Graphic Design Megan Allison Cover Design Trevor Gilham Contributors Charlie Rose, Kevin Foley, Nathan Wyburn, Wayne Courtney, Sarah Moolla, Lucy Wilkinson Advertising manager Mark George mark.george@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy advertising manager Kate Butterfield kate.butterfield@mediaclash.co.uk Account Manager Claire Hawkins claire. hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk Production/Distribution Manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager/production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk 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 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash. We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Salisbury. We also publish foodie mag Crumbs (www.crumbsmag.com, @CrumbsMag). 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

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advertising feature

spotlight Everybody’s talking about…

No butts

A portrait of environmental campaigner Sir David Attenborough, made from cigarette butts collected from Welsh beaches, was created to mark No Smoking Day on 13 March Last year, discarded cigarette butts were found littering 80.3 per cent of streets in Wales. And around 122 tonnes of smoking related litter is dropped in the UK every year – making it the most common form of litter in the country. To highlight the impact of cigarette butts on the environment and the fact that they pollute oceans and waterways with plastic and toxins, and to mark No Smoking Day on 13 March tobacco control campaign group ASH Wales commissioned Welsh artist, Britain’s Got Talent star, and Cardiff Life columnist Nathan Wyburn, to create a portrait of environmental campaigner Sir David Attenborough made using cigarette butts collected by Keep Wales Tidy from Welsh beaches. Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Wales, says, “This year we wanted to use No Smoking Day as an opportunity to raise awareness of the environmental impact of cigarette butts and there is a very serious message behind Nathan Wyburn’s portrait. “Through the BBC series Blue Planet, Sir David Attenborough has shown the devastating impact plastic is having on our oceans. “Plastic filled cigarette butts are a part of that problem and play a big part in turning the seas into what Sir David has described as a ‘toxic soup’. “Protecting the environment is a major concern especially amongst young people. Many smokers do not know the damage cigarettes do to the planet and we hope that by making people more aware of the impact, it might give them an extra incentive to kick this highly addictive habit.” For more: www.ashwales.org.uk

Rubbish art...

Jacob Ifan, Chanae Curtis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Betty Jane Walsh and Luke McCall

Culture

Celebrity endorsement

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

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, the National Conservatoire of Wales, celebrated Wales’ National Day, and its own 70th birthday, with a gala dinner and performance to honour new Fellow, multi-award winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. The St David’s Day event celebrated the college, and raised money for new scholarships, creating opportunities for both US and Welsh students. The Catherine Zeta-Jones Scholarship was launched on the evening with a gift from Catherine herself, and will be awarded for the first time in September this year. Catherine was joined by guests including the college’s international chair in drama and RWCMD Fellow, Matthew Rhys, Fellow Kate Burton and her husband Michael Ritchie, alumnae and RWCMD Fellow singer Iris Williams as well as friends and supporters of the college. For more: www.rwcmd.ac.uk

Cardiff Life Awards

And the winners are… Businesses across Cardiff are celebrating after an incredible night at the Cardiff Life Awards. The full list of worthy winners at the 2019 Awards are unveiled on pages 76-77. Huge congratulations go to them, as well as all the talented finalists who attended Cardiff’s biggest-ever business awards. We’ll have bumper coverage of the über-glam event next issue – pages and pages and pages of glamour and excitement. The sell-out Awards were held at City Hall in an evening long on celebration and deep on emotion, as 20 worthy winners took to the stage – along with the winner-of-winners Platinum Award recipient at the end. The Awards were headline sponsored by Cardiff Airport. And once more there was a record number of nominations – up by almost 10 per cent year-on-year. Unprecedented support saw the following roster of sponsors joining Headline Sponsor Cardiff Airport and Platinum Sponsor Jelf: Cardiff Blues, Cardiff BID, Capital FM, Genero, Park Plaza Cardiff, Savills, Robertson Solicitors, Chapel 1877, WSET, Lexus Cardiff and Hotel Indigo. Silver Sponsors were Illustrate Digital and Cardiff & Vale Health Charity. Thanks also to our partners WOW Event Hire. And next year..? It’ll be happening all over again, in March 2020… For more:www.cardifflifeawards.co.uk Twitter: @CardiffLifeAwds

Congratulations to all the worthy winners at this year’s Awards!

Art

Fine art

Podcast

A life of crime

In the early hours of the 14 February 1988 a young woman was murdered in an unlit, empty flat above a betting shop at number 7 James Street in Cardiff’s docklands. Any murder is shocking but this one was particularly unsettling. Twenty-year-old Lynette White had been subjected to a vicious and frenzied knife attack. A team of 50 detectives set about the hunt for her killer. That investigation led not only to one of the UK’s most notorious miscarriages of justice but also the UK’s biggest-ever police corruption trial. For the first time the untold story of what really happened is laid bare in a new podcast series Shreds: Murder in the dock written and produced by BBC Wales journalist Ceri Jackson who grew up in the city in the 1980s. For more: www.bbc.co.uk

A new art gallery on a mission to present some of the world’s greatest artists to the Welsh art community is opening in Cardiff Bay. Blackwater, which opens on 1 April, is bringing together an eclectic mix of modern and contemporary art, from UK emerging talent, right through to critically acclaimed Royal Academy artists. Gallery director Ruth Jones says, “We have travelled all around the The new gallery will show a variety of work world sourcing our artists and we are so proud and privileged to share them with the people in Cardiff, Wales, throughout the UK, and internationally. “All of our incredibly talented artists have been chosen for their diversity, originality, and thought-provoking work, some of which will be showcased in the United Kingdom for the very first time.” Artists on show include Cathy Lewis, whose past sculpture work has been showcased at The Royal Academy; Dairo Vargos, a Colombian artist wellliked by the royal family; John Wragg, who has been exhibited at the TATE Gallery and is a member of The Royal Academy; Nico Klein Allerman, who uses the proceeds of his work to fund education for children in the Philippines; and Patricia Volk, whose artwork is being used for ITV’s indents throughout 2019. For more: www.facebook.com/blackwatergalleryuk

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

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The big 2-0-0

No, we can hardly believe it either. But there really has been 200 issues of Cardiff Life. To mark our big anniversary we thought we’d ask some of the businesses and people of the Cardiff how they think the city has changed since the very first issue back in 2007, and what they’d like to see happening by the time we’ve entertained you for another 200 issues…

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CARDIFF 200 Ceri Hill, designer at Chalkhouse Interiors; www.chalkhouseinteriors.co.uk

Is there anything you would like to change about Cardiff?

When the old bus station was knocked down I think the city lost part of its heart. Cardiff attracts lots of visitors and tourists, it’s a city with a rich cultural heritage, a great venue for hosting major sporting and music events, a compact, beautiful civic centre, great shopping and a real social buzz yet transport within the city is now fragmented. A central transport hub doesn’t sound very sexy but it would make all areas of the city and surrounding areas more easily accessible for both visitors and locals alike. Go on, indulge us – tell us what you like most about Cardiff Life?

Matt Downes, orchestra and concerts manager at Welsh National Opera; www.wno.org.uk

Can you describe Cardiff in three words?

Embracing. Confident. Community.

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about Cardiff, what would it be? I would ban all cars from the city

centre, turning Cardiff in to a Dutch-style cycling city – the CarFree Sundays and Geraint Thomas’ homecoming show how much potential and appetite there is in Cardiff to be a greener, cleaner and healthier place to be.

Tell us what you like most about Cardiff Life? I love its focus on the communities and neighbourhoods that make Cardiff great. The warmth that people have for their communities is palpable in each place, and Cardiff Life is the best showcase for that passion. What do you think has changed most about the city since issue 1 of Cardiff Life in October 2007? I love how the artisan

food side of Cardiff has really taken off over the last 10 years or so – from craft brewing in Canton and Pontcanna to the amazing Riverside Market on Sundays – Cardiff really has a huge amount to offer in terms of epicurean delights! What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400 in 2030? I would love for Cardiff to really

embrace its potential as a cultural tourist destination. Cardiff Music City is a great template for how we can showcase the best of Cardiff’s culture, from classical music and opera, to pop and the avant-garde – it needs support from Cardiff Council and Welsh Government to embed its ethos!

I love the fact that Cardiff Life is a class act, it’s a quality publication, it’s got a professional look and feel, great articles about the social side of Cardiff and it really reflects the modern, forward thinking, aspirational attitude of the city. What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400? Cardiff Bay is a real gem in the heart of the city,

people love being near the water and in the next 10 years I would like to see the once derelict areas of the old docks around it being developed. There are lots of beautiful, neglected buildings that would add real charm to a regenerated dockland area and give it a new lease of life.

What do you hope Chalkhouse will have achieved by 2030?

At Chalkhouse we have seen our brand grow from strength to strength since we started six years ago, at the height of the recession. The core values of the business have remained constant throughout this period and we have built a reputation to be proud of. At some stage in the future my partner Graham and I will be looking to take a step back from the business to enjoy our retirement so with this in mind we are looking to change Chalkhouse into a workers co-operative so that all our employees will be able to share in the benefits of a successful business and enable them to have a say in their own futures.

owner of Fitness Space Cardiff; www.fitnessspace.com/cardiff

Oli Ford,

What do you think has changed most about the city our first issue? An explosion of residential property in the city centre

What three words would you use to describe Cardiff? Vibrant. Energetic. Home.

What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400? No empty shops in the city centre and no homelessness.

Is there anything you would change about the city? I’d like there to be more help for the homeless so they don’t live on the streets.

What do you hope Fitness Space Cardiff will have achieved by 2030? I’d like Fitness Space to be recognised as the business that is the destination for those wanting to achieve results.

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xxxxx

Hywel Butcher, marketing manager at St David’s Cardiff; www.stdavidscardiff.com

What three words would you use to describe Cardiff? Vibrant. Diverse. Proud. You have magic powers and could change one thing about Cardiff. What would it be? Something that is incredibly

Dan Tyte, managing director of Working Word; www.workingword.co.uk What three words would you use to describe Cardiff?

Welcoming. Wild. Welsh.

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about Cardiff, what would it be? Fix the situations of people

experiencing homelessness. We can do so much better. What’s your favourite bit of Cardiff Life? Snooping for familiar faces in the

Snapped pages.

What do you think the magazine brings to the city?

It’s an important place for Cardiff people to tell their stories.

What do you think has changed most about the city since issue one?

The cloud skimming skyline skims (but let’s not forget our historic buildings).

It might seem a long way off, but what would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400? The space between town and the

docks merged to make the most of our waterfront. It’s happened in my second city home of Liverpool over a similar time.

And what do you hope Working Word will have achieved by 2030?

I hope we are still telling stories that change the world of worthwhile people and projects. And have opened our first intergalactic office (potentially).

Martin Rees, specialist orthodontist at embrace and crocodile orthodontics; www.embrace-orthodontics.co.uk and www.crocodile-orthodontics.co.uk

What three words would you use to describe Cardiff? Vibrant. Modern. Progressive. If you could change anything about Cardiff, what would it be? We need to find a real solution to homelessness. What do you think has changed most about the city since our first issue? The increase in multiculturalism. Cardiff’s identity has strengthened in a changing world. What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400? For Cardiff to have a higher worldwide identity to attract inward investment. What do you hope embrace and crocodile orthodontics will have achieved by 2030? To be the only go-to brand for orthodontic treatment.

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important to me and the St David’s team is supporting charities and organisations that undertake vital work in Cardiff and throughout South Wales. We are so proud of our initiatives, from our annual Christmas Toy Appeals that support children facing hardship, to our campaigns helping to combat homelessness in the city. I would love the business community of Cardiff to come together even more to create genuine change on such challenging issues. Tell us what you like most about Cardiff Life? I think it has a great overview of the

city, and it is my go-to lifestyle magazine for everything from events and arts, to retail and the latest business news. Like its name, it gives me the latest on life in Cardiff. The magazine has also brought the Cardiff Life Awards, which give businesses something to aspire to, recognises their success and creates more of a sense of community. I’ve also had the pleasure of being one of the judges!

What do you think the biggest change has been in Cardiff between the very first issue of Cardiff Life and now?

The city is completely unrecognisable since 2007. It’s not just the landscape of the city that has changed, but the entire proposition of Cardiff has too. The city centre has such a vibrant mix of retail, restaurants, and events that put us on the world stage, and the development isn’t slowing down – I’m really excited to see what’s next.

We’re pretty proud of reaching 200 issues. What have you achieved that you’re proud of since our very first issue?

Opening St David’s in October 2009 was a massive achievement for me. It completely transformed the city, not just visually but also giving Cardiff the retail credentials that continue to place us in retail ranking alongside the UK’s top destinations. Being part of the project and development and seeing the centre go from building site to shopping centre will always be one of my biggest highlights, and lots of those memories will be brought to life this year as the centre turns ten – so watch this space.

CARDIFF 200 Dr Gerard Griffiths,

principal of Westbourne School; www.westbourneschool.com What three words would you use to describe Cardiff? Diverse. Friendly. Modern. If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about Cardiff, what would it be?

Make it even bigger!

Tell us what you like most about Cardiff Life?

It seeks out the essence of Cardiff and embodies the culture of the city. What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400 in 2030? Regardless of

Brexit or No Brexit, I want to see Cardiff become one of the most popular capital cities Europeans want to visit.

Montserrat Prat, executive chef at La Cuina; www.lacuina.co.uk

What three words do you think best sum-up Cardiff? Slow-paced. Green. Friendly.

What has been your biggest achievement, personally, in the time since Cardiff Life first appeared and now? Becoming principal of

Westbourne School and the birth of my daughter were both brilliant, but to have the opportunity to enrol her in my school makes the two even more perfect.

Cardiff is ace. We know that. But if you could change one thing in the city, what would it be? I would love to see the sea come into the city, with historical wharfs, quays and docks, and integrating the waterways to make it a stunning urban landscape, instead of having them filled with concrete. What do you like most about Cardiff Life? The proximity it brings to businesses and their people. It’s not just about celebrity like most magazines, it’s about celebrating ordinary people. It’s a platform that unifies businesses and people alike, and it portrays independent businesses, giving much needed support. What do you think has changed most about the city since our first issue? It’s a more open city, a more international city, a more confident city. What do you think will have happened at La Cuina by issue 400 in 2030? Our team will be fluent in Welsh! (And Catalan food will be in the heart of each Welsh person!)

What three words would you use to describe Cardiff?

Dynamic. Cultured. Awesome

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about Cardiff, what would it be?

To clean up all the litter – it really is such a beautiful city.

Joanne Chinnock,

head of Westbourne Prep School; www.westbourne.com

Go on, tell us what you like most about Cardiff Life?

The variety of stories. I like how it champions Welsh talent in every area and showcases our beautiful city.

What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400 in 2030? Not a huge amount. I think what we

have is special. I do not want the city to lose the intimate feel it has. You know you are in a city, but it still feels safe and protected. Look forward to 2030 for a moment…

The last 18-months has been incredible for our school and it will be fascinating to see in 2030 the roles our current students have taken on. Our school aims to deliver academic excellence for the modern world so it will be fascinating to see just what that world is like in 2030!

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CARDIFF 200

Ryan Owen, managing director for Wales and

South West at Dragon Taxis; www.dragontaxis.com

Please pick three words that you think best describe Cardiff? Friendly. Fun. Vibrant. What do you enjoy about Cardiff Life? I think it highlights the best Cardiff has to offer and helps us broaden our experiences. What do you think has changed most about the city since our first issue in October 2007? Cardiff has firmly established itself on the global stage, with iconic structures like the Principality Stadium and the Wales Millennium Centre known throughout the world. The city has hosted all sorts of sporting events and every major superstar seems to want to play here. We well and truly punch above our weight! What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400 in 2030? Cardiff Blues Rugby to win the European Champions Cup, Cardiff City FC to win the Champions League, Cardiff Devils ice hockey team to win the Challenge Cup and for Glamorgan County Cricket Club to win the Specsavers County Championship. Can you tell I’m a sports enthusiast?! What do you hope Dragon Taxis will have achieved by 2030? We want to keep building and developing, becoming more cost effective, convenient and efficient, while maintaining a keen focus on professional standards and the passenger experience. Ideally, we want to be the only taxi company people want to travel with.

Jane Cook, freelance PR consultant; www. talktojanepr. com

What three words would you use to describe Cardiff? Small but mighty. Cardiff’s pretty perfect, but if you could change something about the city, what would it be? I’d give it a really good metro

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Andrea Cleaver, head of development at Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk What three words would you use to describe Cardiff?

Vibrant. Fun. Green.

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about Cardiff, what would it be? For more people to be

charitable/giving and want to improve the world we live in.

What do you think Cardiff Life adds to the city?

It helps to connect people with different tastes and styles. I particularly like getting a new issue and taking 10 minutes to read and unwind.

Looking forward, what would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400?

For Cardiff to be recognised as a creative capital.

What do you hope WMC will have achieved by 2030?

I’d like to see increased access to the arts for those that might otherwise not get the chance. We know that talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t, and our outreach projects will go some way to addressing this imbalance. What has been your biggest achievement since our first issue? Strengthening the Third Sector and supporting

charities in Wales – this makes me proud every day.

system, like London, and abolish the need for people to own a car. I love public transport but ours isn’t up to scratch. Tell us what you like most about Cardiff Life? It’s a great source of info about the city’s

flourishing independent scene. I love the in-depth restaurant reviews and the glossy photography. Oh, and scanning the ‘people and parties’ pages to see if I can spot any of my clients and friends!

How do you think the city has changed since issue one of Cardiff Life in October

2007? I left Cardiff for London in 2007 because I didn’t feel like there was enough here to keep me busy; now I can’t imagine being based anywhere else. There is so much going on in Cardiff now, you just have to know where to find it. What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400?

I’d love to see Cardiff’s independent food scene really thriving, to have an independent Vietnamese restaurant in the city, and for the cycling and public transport networks to be best in class.

Wyburn & Wayne (AKA Nathan Wyburn and Wayne Courtney); www.facebook. com/wyburnwayne

What three words would you use to describe Cardiff?

Creative. Vibrant. Accepting.

We know you love Cardiff Life (the feeling’s mutual by the way!), but tell us why you love us? We think its

diversity of content is key – it represents how diverse the city really is.

What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400 in 2030? Trams! And we’d

absolutely LOVE a Welsh walk of fame down Queen Street or maybe outside the train station. That would be epic – let’s celebrate each other! What do you hope you will have achieved by 2030?

To still be alive after all our partying....

Caroline Sims, director of sales and marketing at Park Plaza hotel; www.parkplazacardiff.com What three words would you use to describe Cardiff? Vibrant. Friendly. Leafy. If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about Cardiff, what would it be? The transport links – access via Brynglas tunnels, and traffic past the Castle are growing issues. Plus we need better taxi regulations. Go on, tell us what you like most about Cardiff Life? It’s a quality magazine with good reads – and yes I go straight to the party pages! It’s nice to read about independent retailers and restaurants in the city. What do you think has changed most about the city since issue one of Cardiff Life in October 2007? There has been an increase in independent, quirky food offerings outside the centre with a growing buzz in Roath and Wellfield Road, creating communities within the city. There are also more entertainment choices with the WMC and Stadium leading the way ensuring we are not viewed as a provincial destination. What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400 in 2030? A high speed tram link from the city centre to Cardiff Bay, more inward investment into the city and a convention centre built to help attract more international and national conferences.

What has been your biggest achievement since issue one? Bringing people together through fundraising. We’ve made so many amazing friends and are proud patrons of many charities. Being able to give back is crucial to who we are as humans. There’s no point in being successful if you have nobody to share it with.

Kayleigh Mcleod,

communications and engagement manager at Creative Cardiff and Clwstwr; www. creativecardiff.org and www.clwstwr.org.uk What three words would you use to describe Cardiff? Friendly.

Collaborative. Creative.

What one thing would you change about Cardiff? I

would want everyone to shout a little louder about all of the amazing things that happen in the city to let the rest of world know what a creative capital we are. What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we’ve done another 200 issues?

More cultural celebrations like the marvellous City of the Unexpected, protection for grassroots venues and workspaces as well as an increase in the volume, and prominence, of creative work made in – and about – Wales.

What has been your biggest achievement since our first issue 12 years ago? I usually note my biggest achievement as being told by Alvin Stardust,

during an interview, that ‘any fan of Elvis is a friend of mine.’ But, on this occasion, I’ll perhaps plump for moving here at a month’s notice three years ago knowing only one person in the city and now feeling entirely at home, which is testament to how welcoming the people of Cardiff are.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 21

cardiff 200 Jacqui Seal, senior partner at CJCH solicitors; www.cjchsolicitors.co.uk

What three words would you use to describe Cardiff? Camaraderie, Enthusiastic, Eclectic

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about Cardiff, what would it be? That we could find a way to help those of our community who find themselves in a situation where they are homeless and sleeping rough in the elements.

Tell us what you like most about Cardiff Life? It’s a fabulous lifestyle magazine. It truly captures the personality and essence of this amazing city. It has all the style of a glossy mag and all the relevance of a community publication.

What do you think has changed most about the city since issue one of Cardiff Life in October 2007? 12 years… a long time and so much has happened. I think the city has taken more of the limelight on the national and even international stage. Cardiff is more connected, more technologically advanced, and more dynamic with age.

What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400 in 2030? Over the next 10 to 11 years I would like to see Cardiff become the home of top-ranking educational facilities, a hub of innovation and start-ups, and be an aspirational location for people’s careers and lifestyles.

What has been CJCH’S biggest achievement since issue one? Collectively, the CJCH team as it stands today, has acquired a number of local (South Wales) firms, and expanded what we do and to whom we provide services. On behalf of all the CJCH senior partners, I think we’re proud to have created so many jobs (some of our staff have been with us for over 30 years and put Cardiff on the map in the fields of software anti-piracy services and cyber protection.

Greg James, creative director at Goji Hair, Barbering and Beauty; www.gojihair.com What three words would you use to describe Cardiff?

Multicultural. Vibrant. Beautiful

You’ve got the power to change one thing about Cardiff, what would it be? I’d like to see cheaper public transport similar to other

capital cities, so that it could be a viable alternative to having to use the car to get to work. Tell us what you like most about Cardiff Life? Cardiff Life always seems to have its finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the city so it’s great for finding out all the news. What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400 in 2030? I’d like to see further growth of the great

independent businesses that we have in the city.

What do you hope Goji will have achieved by 2030? All we want is to continue to deliver the best service that we can to our clients and for our team to be happy and fulfilled; we have also started a programme of recycling our organic products so we would like to be 100 per cent sustainable by 2030.

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

Steve Austins and Marina Lois, co-founders

of Bengo Media; www.bengomedia. com What three words would you use to describe Cardiff?

Vibrant. Fun. Relaxed. If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about Cardiff, what would it be?

Helping the homeless off the streets.

Penni Carr, stage door team leader at Wales

Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

Why do you like Cardiff Life? It’s a great way of keeping

across all the amazing things going on in our city, especially if you like shopping with and supporting independents.

What three words would you use to describe Cardiff?

Vibrant. Cultural. Fresh.

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about Cardiff, what would it be? It’s pretty perfect but maybe I would make

the beach a little closer so you could walk there.

What do you think Cardiff Life adds to the city?

It’s a real-life reflection of the huge variety of events that are happening right on our doorstep.

What do you think has changed most about the city since issue one of Cardiff Life in October 2007? The

city centre. It’s so different now, and it’s become a lovely destination for shopping and passing time.

What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400? It would be great to see better

links to and from the city from the Valleys.

What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400? I would like to see/ hear more use of the Welsh

And what do you hope Bengo Media will have achieved by then?

What has been your biggest achievement since issue one?

What has been your biggest achievement since our first issue? Starting and growing a business together as

language – not just on signs and adverts but also spoken in shops, cafés and by passers-by. I think it is such an important part of our culture that needs to be celebrated more.

I believe that the Stage Door of The WMC is one of the best regarded in Britain and we always receive glowing feedback from all our visiting companies. We are often told we are the friendliest and most helpful Stage Door team in the UK and we take great pride in giving all the visiting companies a warm Welsh welcome!

Lyndsey Jenkins, chief

jammer at jamjar; www.jamjar.agency

What three words would you use to describe Cardiff? Vibrant. Ever-changing. Home.

To be one of the UK’s most creative and original content providers. We only started our little podcast-making agency 18 months ago, so the only way is up!

a husband and wife team, whilst also not throttling each other...!

centre, but I’d love to see more independent restaurants open up. While there are a few gems like Asador 44 and Café Citta, it would be great if there were more.

Tell us what you like most about Cardiff Life? If you could wave a I look forward to reading magic wand and change Cardiff Life every new one thing about Cardiff, issue and love the fact what would it be? I’m that it champions the loving that there’s been a independents and successes of our city. splurge of independent It’s a great vehicle bars opening in the city

for celebrating local successes and showcasing different parts of the city that perhaps you haven’t visited despite living in the area.

What do you think has changed most about the city since our very first issue in 2007? Where to start?! I think it would be easier to answer what hasn’t changed. I love the fact that the city is constantly evolving.

What would you like to see happen in the city by the time we reach issue 400 in 2030? While it’s great that Cardiff is growing and that there is lots of development happening in the city centre, I don’t want this to happen at the expense of the city’s green spaces. I love the city’s parks but it would be great if Cardiff had it’s own version of New York’s High Line or the proposed Garden Bridge in London.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 23

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What’s on

29 March – 28 April

A good Hair day

PLAYS/SHOWS/ PERFORMANCES Until 30 March

COMPANY Enjoy an intimate studio version of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s legendary musical comedy featuring the award winning songs Company, You Could Drive a Person Crazy, The Ladies Who Lunch, Side by Side and Being Alive. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

Until 6 April

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Discover the story behind Motown – the personal relationships, the professional struggles, and the music that got the whole world moving to

the same beat. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

Until 6 April

THE MIRROR CRACK’D This thrilling new play, based on Agatha Christie’s novel, explores how we all colour our own memories, our own truths, to disguise the darkness that lies within. New Theatre; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

29 March

AN EVENING WITH MAL POPE BBC Radio Wales presenter, Mal Pope, returns to Wales Millennium Centre for an evening of stories and songs. From the early days spent recording with Elton John at Abbey Road to the creation of sell-out musicals Cappuccino Girls and Amazing

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

Grace, join Mal for an intimate evening of tales and tunes from the last 50 years. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

2 April

5 SOLDIERS A thrilling and humane portrait of army life, telling the stories of men and women serving on the front line. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

6 April

PAULUS: BETA A queer fairytale. A one-person musical. A personal story of showbiz, booze and leggings. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

9 – 13 April

OCTOPUS SOUP! Meet Seymour, the safest man in Britain. An insurance consultant who wears a belt and braces (and another belt, just to be sure). He’s in last chance saloon, and everything rests on this one important conference call. What could possibly go wrong? New Theatre; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

10 – 13 April

MERCHED CAERDYDD / NOS SADWRN O HYD Two contemporary plays by two distinct voices, based in the capital city of Wales. Weston Studio; www.wmc.org.uk

12 & 13 April PEPPERLAND

what’s on Choreographer Mark Morris, hailed as the “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical” (returns to Cardiff with Pepperland, a unique tribute to The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

to. Egg and Spoon is an interactive romp through the seasons where you come in and out of the magic circle and get to open all the gifts of nature. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

13 April

DAU Two people, man and wife, landlord and landlady. Serving drinks twoby-two to the twosomes in their pub. Each has a story to tell, sometimes quirky, sometimes sad but it's always a tale you identify with. Chapter; www.chapter.org

SÉayoncé Join this dragtastic seance, for those lonely souls in desperate need of the camp ecstasy of cabaret and character-comedy. Prepare yourself as Séayoncé summons tales of their sordid past and your bleak future and conjures up celebs from the spirit world. Ffresh Cabaret Bar; www.wmc.org.uk

15 – 17 April above:

Cardiff’s Noel Sullivan in his first solo cabaret show left: Alexandra Burke in The Bodyguard below: Merched Caerdydd / Nos Sadwrn O Hyd – two plays, one city

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: BRAND NEW BARMY BRITAIN It's the history of Britain with the nasty bits left in! Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

15 – 20 April

HAIR Welcome to the ‘Age of Aquarius’. It's 1967 and the hippie “tribe” youngsters in the East Village of New York are yearning to change the world, questioning authority and the American flag. Wild, colourful, sexually liberated and free, they are united in protest and song, under the shadow of the Vietnam War. New Theatre; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

16 – 20 April

You’ve Got Dragons A delightful tale of one child’s journey to come to terms with their dragons told in Taking Flight’s unique style. With live, original music, this highly visual, sensitive production is a humorous and touching exploration of the dragons we all face. Weston Studio; www.wmc.org.uk

16 – 27 April

THE BODYGUARD Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don't expect is to fall in love. Starring three-time Brit nominee and X-Factor winner, Alexandra Burke. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

17 April

EGG AND SPOON The very young won’t sit still to watch a show and they are not expected

19 April

20 April

DONNA MARIE: #MYGAGALIFE From Grangetown girl to a celebrity TV judge on BBC One’s All Together Now, as well as the world’s No1 Lady Gaga tribute – how did that happen? Watch Donna Marie transform as she takes you down memory lane; from her early years as an aspiring singer/dancer who loved The Muppets and wanted to be one of the kids from Fame, to the day she met Lady Gaga – dressed as Lady Gaga! Ffresh Cabaret Bar; www.wmc.org.uk

24 – 28 April

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY ON ICE Enter a dazzling world of adventure and join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on an inspiring walk down memory lane in celebration of magic and family fun. Dory is back with friends Nemo and Marlin from Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory. Motorpoint Arena; motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

25 – 27 April

CONNECTIONS Connections is the National Theatre’s annual festival of new plays for youth theatres and schools and is one of the most vibrant and important events in the youth theatre calendar. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

COMEDY 5 April

MACHYNLLETH COMEDY FESTIVAL A special showcase of comedy talent appearing at this year’s Machynlleth Comedy Festival. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 29

What’s on 6 April

HENNING WEHN You couldn’t make it up; surely the German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn hasn’t bosched out yet another new show? And what’s he still doing here anyway? Well, his lack of transferable skills is what keeps him here and his belief that practise makes perfect is what keeps him going. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

7 April

SHAPPI KHORSANDI Comedian, author, cultural icon and – most recently – idiot who agreed to be tortured on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, Shappi Khorsandi is a woman of many parts. But live comedy is where she’s in her element, and now – after her spell in the jungle – she sets out for the more welcoming destination of The Glee Club. Glee Club Cardiff; www.glee.co.uk

7 April

WILLNE AND STEPHEN TRIES For the first time ever, YouTube personalities and friends (sort of) WillNE and Stephen Tries are going on a tour of the UK. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

8 & 28 April

ADAM KAY: THIS IS GOING TO HURT Award-winning comedian Adam Kay shares entries from his diaries as a junior doctor in this ‘electrifying’ evening of stand-up and music. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

11 April

KIRI PRITCHARD-MCLEAN: VICTIM, COMPLEX You might have seen Kiri on Comedy Central at the Comedy Store, The Russell Howard Hour or heard her on The Now Show. You might have no idea who she is, that's fine too. What you should know is, she's very quietly been going mad for a few years and, to borrow a phrase from Uma Thurman, she's been 'waiting... to feel less angry'. So, it's time to talk about victims, love and lies. You might not believe her, but she’s used to that. Chapter; www.chapter.org

14 April

LEE NELSON You’ve seen him sneaking into places he shouldn’t be, now come and see him where he most definitely should be: live on stage for a special performance of his

sensational Serious Joker stand-up show. Glee Club Cardiff; www.glee.co.uk

18 April

ANGELA BARNES After a career in health and social care, Angela Barnes decided to realise a long held ambition and give comedy a go. Within a couple of years she had won the 2011 BBC New Comedy Award and became a finalist at the 2011 Latitude Festival New Act of the Year competition. Glee Club Cardiff; www.glee.co.uk

26 & 27 April

ED GAMBLE: BLIZZARD After a sellout national tour in 2017, Ed Gamble is back with another bracing flurry of idiocy. Chapter; www.chapter.org

Music 30 March

CANTALOOP They’ve been blending their brand of funk and soul that has been captivating audiences from Aberdeen to Zurich. The band’s live show perfectly showcases their unique style of raw throwback funk whilst avoiding that retro ‘funk by numbers’ tag that can be firmly pinned on so many. Acapela; www.acapela.co.uk

30 March

JEFF HOOPER: SWINGING WITH THE STARS Swinging with the Stars is a celebration of the greatest swing vocalists of the 20th century, including hits from Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and, of course, Frank Sinatra. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

1 April

Daoirí Farrell A former electrician, who decided to change profession after seeing Christy Moore perform on Irish TV, Dublin-born traditional singer and bouzouki player Daoirí (pronounced ‘Derry’) Farrell is being described by some of the biggest names in Irish folk music as one of most important singers to come out of Ireland in recent years. Acapela; www.acapela.co.uk

3 April

BOB REYNOLDS Bob Reynolds is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and Grammy Award-winning member of the band

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

above: Awardwinning comedian Adam Kay left: Funny woman Shappi Khorsandi below: Indie rockers Suede

what’s on Snarky Puppy. Widely known for his work with both Snarky and John Mayer, he is a prolific composer and recording artist with eight top-selling solo albums to his credit. Clwb Ifor Bach; www.clwb.net

4 April

MILES DAVIS: THE 1950S AND BEYOND Using the music of Miles Davis as a reference point, the Gethin Liddington/Ian Poole Quartet will explore the rich melting pot of styles and influences that came together to help create the sound of jazz in 1950’s and beyond. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

4 April

HANNAH GRACE Welsh singer-songwriter Hannah Grace has a deep sound running through jazz, soul and pop. Clwb Ifor Bach; www.clwb.net

5 April

UB40 FEATURING ALI CAMPBELL AND ASTRO With 2019 marking 40 years since UB40 first performed live, the legendary reggae band will be celebrating with a greatest hits set that features global smashes including Red Red Wine, Cherry Oh Baby and Kingston Town. Motorpoint Arena; motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

5 April

COLLABRO After the success of last year’s huge sell-out theatre tour, Collabro are back with the Road to the Royal Albert Hall! St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

5 April

BLOXX The fascinating, boundless fourpiece come to Cardiff as part of their biggest ever headline tour of the UK. Tiny Rebel; www.tinyrebel.co.uk

6 April

SOUTH WALES GAY MEN’S CHORUS Join the South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus for an evening of music associated with the Pride movement. They will take you on a journey through time from the Berlin Cabaret of the 1930s, to the protest songs of the 1970s and more recent pop hits. SWGMC are proud to be joined on the evening by the Songbirds Choir and the Cardiff Trans Singers.

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; www.rwcmd.ac.uk

6 April

TOM WILLIAMS Singer-songwriter Tom Williams returns to Clwb with a BBC6 Music Top 10 Album of the Year in his back pocket and a new album ready for 2019. Clwb Ifor Bach; www.clwb.net

6 April

LEGENDS LIVE Suzi Quatro, David Essex, Les Mckeown’s Bay City Rollers and Showaddywaddy all under one roof for one marvellous night of entertainment. Motorpoint Arena; motorpoinarenacardiff.co.uk

7 April

LUKE SITAL-SINGH Luke Sital-Singh has announced an extensive UK Tour in support of his upcoming new album, A Golden State. The Moon; www.themooncardiff.com

11 April

FEVER: JO HARROP Jo Harrop pays tribute to Peggy Lee, the sultry songstress who Duke Ellington called ‘the queen’. Ffresh Cabaret Bar; www.wmc.org.uk

12 April

above: Collabro visit Cardiff on the Road To The Albert Hall left: Cardiff songstress Aleighcia Scott below: The characters from Finding Nemo come to life in Disney on Ice

ART GARFUNKEL Legendary singer-songwriter Art Garfunkel returns to Cardiff with An Evening of Song & Stories from his remarkable five-decade career. St David’s Hall; www.stadvidshallcardiff.co.uk

14 April

DMA’S DMA’S are an Australian three-piece rock band formed in 2012 in Sydney. Their musical sound has led to comparisons to the bands Oasis and The Stone Roses. The Great Hall; www.cardiffstudents.com

14 April

THE TRIALS OF CATO The Trials Of Cato, a band that arrived fully formed and functioning from Beirut in the winter of 2016, have since torn a shape very much their own into the canvas of the UK folk scene. Acapela; www.acapela.co.uk

14 April

BAND OF SKULLS Since 2009, Band Of Skulls have released four acclaimed studio albums and have built a reputation as

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

What’s on a phenomenal live act, both at home and in the US. TramShed Cardiff; www.tramshedcardiff.com

18 April

EASTER ORATORIO BBC NOW is joined by two conductors: Jonathon Heyward conducts Rimsky-Korsakov’s Easter Festival Overture, Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs and Grainger’s Blithe Bells, whilst J S Bach’s Easter Oratorio is conducted by Jonathan Cohen with the BBC National Chorus of Wales. Hoddinott Hall; www.wmc.org.uk

19 April

IF YOU DON’T NOEL ME BY NOW If You Don’t Noel Me By Now is the first solo cabaret show of Cardiff-born singer and actor, Noel Sullivan. Accompanied and arranged by the renowned musical director, Nick Barstow, on piano, his new show will take a wander through the music that has inspired him, crossing genres of musical theatre, pop, and soul. Ffresh Cabaret Bar; www.wmc.org.uk

25 April

TINA MAY Since forming her first quartet in the early 1990s, Tina May’s astonishing vocal ability and hypnotic stage presence has won her worldwide acclaim. Ffresh Cabaret Bar; www.wmc.org.uk

26 April

SUEDE The Indie rock legends come to the ‘Diff. The Great Hall; www.cardiffstudents.com

26 April

ALEIGHCIA SCOTT Growing up in Cardiff with Jamaican roots, Aleighcia Scott’s voice has the soul of the finest reggae singers combined with the power of a 50-strong Welsh choir. Ffresh Cabaret Bar; www.wmc.org.uk

ART, CRAFT, PHOTOGRAPHY & EXHIBITIONS Until 31 March

PLACES An exhibition of lino cuts by Pete Nash. Kemis; www.kemis.co.uk

Until 6 May

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

LEONARDO DA VINCI To mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci, a collection of 12 of the Renaissance master’s greatest drawings from the Royal Collection are on display at National Museum Cardiff as part of a UK wide exhibition of drawings across a number of venues. National Museum Cardiff; www.museum.wales

Until 6 May

Molly Goldwater: Hard Ground A solo exhibition of new work by painter and printmaker, Molly Goldwater. Molly’s work is one of contrasts in both medium and method. The application of collage and loose mark-making celebrate the immediacy of her practice, while the timely construction of form through printed layers sit in-line with traditional printmaking. Ten; www.gallery-ten.co.uk

Until 6 April

GWYN ROBERTS A stunning new collection of dramatic Welsh mountains and landscapes created using Gwyn’s recognisable bold impasto paintingknife technique in oil, a medium which he feels best represents his feelings and emotions. Albany Gallery; www.albanygallery.com

SEVEN DEADLY SINS LEE NELSON bares his wicked soul LUST: Who or what do you find yourself lusting after today?

I’ve been on tour so long I’m up for anyone to be honest. I’m staying in hotel rooms night after night. They’re lonely places with a lot of pay-per-view channels.

GREED: What should you be cutting down on (nonfood and drink!) I started vaping to give up the ciggies but now I probably hit the vapes too hard – I’m a 20-vape-a-day man.

My answers to these questions, I’m hardly giving them a moment’s thought.

WRATH: What/who makes you angry? The people who

design mobile phone chargers. I’ve got 32 cables in my bag, none of them seem to fit my phone.

ENVY: Who are you jealous of ?

People without children. They’ve got more money, more free time and less names to remember.

GLUTTONY: What one thing could you happily eat or drink until you burst?

PRIDE: What’s your proudest achievement?

SLOTH: What should you be really putting your back into right now?

Lee Nelson: Serious Joker comes to Cardiff Glee Club on 14 April; www.glee.co.uk

Sambuca, the perfect drink for any time of day. Six litres is my personal best but I’d like to see how far I can push that.

I once lasted with a girl for an hour and three minutes. I was cheating a little bit, it was the night the clocks went forward.

Until 11 April

JOHN MACFARLANE – SWAN LAKE AND OTHER WORKS John Macfarlane was born in Glasgow in 1948, and has lived and worked in Wales since 1975. His most recent ballet designs were the sets and costumes of the 2018 Swan Lake (Royal Ballet) at the Royal Opera House, London and this exhibition consists of the drawings for that critically acclaimed production. Martin Tinney Gallery; www.artwales.com

3 – 5 April

JUNIPER Commissioned by Ffotogallery to premiere at Diffusion 2019 Cardiff International Festival of Photography, Juniper explores how sound and moving image merge within live performance. This unique show will see Slowly Rolling Camera perform their critically acclaimed third album in its entirety accompanied by an immersive visual score created by 4Pi. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

SPORT

Saturday 30 March

CARDIFF DEVILS V MK LIGHTNING League, Face Off 7pm Viola Arena; www.cardiffdevils.com

Saturday 30 March

2019 UNIBET PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS The Unibet Premier League will return to the Motorpoint Arena as the sport’s top stars continue their battle for the prestigious title. Motorpoint Arena; motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

CELTIC DRAGONS V SEVERN STARS Vitality Superleague, Centre Pass 4pm Sport Wales National Centre; www.celticdragonsnetball.com

Sunday 21 April

Sunday 31 March

Saturday 27 April

Saturday 13 April

Saturday April 27

CARDIFF CITY V CHELSEA Premier League, KO 2.05pm Cardiff City Stadium; www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk CELTIC DRAGONS V SIRENS Vitality Superleague, Centre Pass 4pm Sport Wales National Centre; www.celticdragonsnetball.com

Thursday 18 April

CARDIFF CITY V LIVERPOOL Premier League, KO 4pm Cardiff City Stadium; www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk CARDIFF BLUES V OSPREYS Pro 14, KO 5.15pm Principality Stadium; www.cardiffblues.com CELTIC DRAGONS V SURREY STORM Vitality Superleague, Centre Pass 4pm Sport Wales National Centre; www.celticdragonsnetball.com n

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

GWYN ROBERTS 14th March – 6th April View the exhibition on our website www.albanygallery.com

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

SOUL SISTER Emma Dance meets Karis Anderson, star of Motown the Musical, the show thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got audiences at Wales Millennium Centre dancing in the streets (or their seats, at least!)

Karis is a lady in red

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

THEATRE

“I feel like this role could have been made for me”

I The show tells the story of Diana Ross’ relationship with Berry Gordy

t was a sound that inspired, and deﬁned, a generation. More than just a record label, more than just a musical genre, Motown became a force for social and cultural change. Now, 60 years after Berry Gordy ﬁrst founded the label that went on to launch the careers of icons like Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations, the remarkable story of the music sensation that changed America – and the world beyond – is being told on stage at Wales Millennium Centre in the hit West End show, Motown the Musical.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 37

theatre

Karis (centre) as Diana Ross with her Supremes

Playing the role of the legendary Diana Ross is Karis Anderson. “I’m really grateful to be able to tell the story of Motown every single day,” she says. “Motown was fundamental to the progression and change in music, and the civil rights movement. Berry Gordy brought races together. “The musical is based on Berry’s memoirs, and you see everything. You see the rise and falls and you see his relationship with Diana Ross unfolding. “It really is his words and his stories and that’s why I think we all feel that it’s so important for us to tell the story authentically, every day. But it’s more than just a story to us. It’s a Motown family. I hope people can see that when they come to the show.” It’s a big role for Karis who initially auditioned for a part in the ensemble. “I was really happy with an ensemble part,” she says. “But then I got offered the role of Diana which was amazing. “I’ve only ever done one show before – All or Nothing – which just ran for a few months. So this is my first major production – certainly in terms of the length of the run – and my first lead role.” It’s not like Karis is any stranger to performing though. She was part of girl band

Stooshe who had a flurry of hit records and award nominations back in 2012/13. “Of course there’s a certain amount of pressure playing an icon like Diana Ross – especially because she’s still alive,” she says, “but I feel like this role could have been made for me. Stooshe was really influenced by the Supremes, and I can find lots of similarities between Diana and myself, especially in terms of being in a girl band and being the one who gets an opportunity to go it alone. “I studied Diana’s mannerisms, but for me it is about finding the Karis in her – finding the sweet spot where it just works, rather than simply trying to imitate her. I just find the best place to be Diana Ross. It’s a wonderful role, and it’s great to be able to get up on stage and perform songs that I love. “There’s a lovely bit where I bring an audience member up on stage to sing with me for Reach Out and Touch, and all the costumes are amazing. I have a fabulous red dress for Remember Me which is covered in sequins and I absolutely love it. “Some of the changes are really quick though, but there’s a wonderful team of dressers and people to help with my hair, and they work so hard.” The show is heavy on musical numbers

“It’s more than just a story to us. It’s a Motown family”

38 I cardiff LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Motown in numbers • Over 50 Motown hits in the show. • Number of dance routines: 50. • Number of wigs: 100 used during the show 160 onsite. • Number of costumes: 200 used during show over 500 onsite. • Quickest costume change: 24 seconds.

(there’s more than 50 Motown hits in it in all) which can take its toll on even the most experienced performer. “For some of us it’s quite vocally challenging,” admits Karis. “I just find things that work for me – I steam a lot and I have voice rest days if I need them. And I don’t go out every night. Some people are blessed and they can go out every single night and still sound amazing, but sadly I’m not one of the lucky ones!” Karis is hoping to get out and about exploring Cardiff while she’s here though. “I love Cardiff,” she says. “I’ve done gigs here before, but I’ve never really had the chance to explore properly so I’m excited to get out and see the city.” n Motown the Musical is at Wales Millennium Centre until 6 April. For more: www.wmc.org.uk

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Sense of wonder Find out more about the work of Touch Trust and how you can lend your support

ouch Trust is a registered charity based in Cardiff, at the iconic Wales Millennium Centre. It provides prescriptive, unique creative, touch-based art of movement and dance programmes for individuals with learning disabilities, those that are often profoundly disabled and affected by autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), complex needs, behaviour which challenges, and other vulnerable groups in the community. The charity has its own purpose-built multisensory suite located in Glanfa Foyer, achieved initially through the support of the National Assembly of Wales, The Millennium Centre Trust and the Arts Council for Wales.

The sessions are done on a one-to-one basis, with groups or with individuals from community and educational settings and include: l Relaxation with touch and massage l Creative movement l Music and dance with an emphasis on

enjoyment and fun for guests and their carers within a positive and nurturing environment l Individually tailored programmes based on a person-centred approach Touch Trust also provides After School provision and Sunday taster sessions for children which is funded by BBC Children in Need. It also provides support for family carers, through a Connected Carers project funded by Big Lottery Fund and managed by Glamorgan Voluntary Services. The programme literally puts the light back into their eyes and life and helps them to enjoy life and find ways of communicating with their loved ones and others and expressing themselves. This is life changing as it improves both health and wellbeing for the person and helps support the family and carers. Following the loss of Arts Council funding, the charity needs as much support as possible to raise awareness and visibility within Cardiff and

“Visit touchtrust. co.uk/donate/ to donate” South Wales and to encourage people to donate via Just Giving or text. Touch Trust is currently fundraising for a specialist projector which will project images throughout its sensory room which guests can interact with. For many of the charity’s guests, their severe impairments mean that they are limited in their opportunities to influence the world around them. This projector creates a safe interactive world within which they can explore their surroundings. On July 6, staff, supporters and volunteers are taking part in the Brecon Beacons Trek Fest to raise funds for the charity. Check out the Touch Trust Facebook page to find out how you can participate or give your support. n For more information about the work we do contact Bev Garside bev.garside@touchtrust. co.uk or call 02920 635663 b TouchTrust a @touchtrust www.touchtrust.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 41

Susie Blake and Julia Hills

Super sleuth Susie Blake takes on the role of Miss Marple in the first ever stage adaptation of The Mirror Crackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d Words by Charlie Rose Photos by Helen Murray 42 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ONE TO ONE

Susie performs with Simon Shepherd

or many Susie Blake will be best known for her portrayal of the judgemental TV announcer in Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV, as Coronation Street’s Bev Unwin, as Hilary Nicholson in the hit-BBC comedy Mrs Brown’s Boys and her appearances on Grumpy Old Women. But Susie’s stage career has been even more prolific with major roles in Wicked, Handbagged, and Boeing Boeing, and now she’s playing Miss Marple in a brand new production of The Mirror Crack’d which is at the New Theatre until 6 April. “Different people know me from different things,” says Susie. “The people who watched Victoria Wood don’t necessarily watch Coronation Street. And Corrie viewers don’t necessarily watch Mrs Brown’s Boys. And lots of people don’t go to the theatre at all. But actually, most of my career has been in the theatre.” And it’s the theatre where Susie’s heart really lies. “I think it’s because you’re telling the story from beginning to end, and you’ve got control of it,” she says. “It’s always a thrill when somebody says, ‘Oh, I enjoyed your performance in…’ and then they mention a play that you’ve done.” Now Susie’s enjoying the opportunity to bring the much-loved character of Miss Marple to life on stage. “She’s a character that I’ve always wanted to play,” she says. “I remember watching the Miss Marple films with Margaret Rutherford, when I was about 10 and absolutely loving them. And then, of course, through the years fashions change, and the Miss Marples change and had influences from America. Rachel Wagstaff, who has written the adaptation, has made this Miss Marple incredibly compassionate, and very fair. I see her as a combination of my mum and a very benign dictator – like a good headmistress. You also get glimpses that she may be a tiny bit lonely, and feeling out of touch.” While there might not be a lot of laughs when it comes to hunting down a murderer, Susie does enjoy the opportunity to bring some levity to her performances. “I’ve always loved making people laugh, even when I was little,”

she says. “My mum was bringing up two kids on her own, and quite harassed. So to make her laugh, and my brother who was always quite serious, I was always trying to make them laugh. Looking back I must have been bloody annoying. “Doing Grumpy Old Women was amazing. I’ve never done anything that could be remotely termed stand-up. It was terrifying – in front of a live audience like that, unscripted, and no character to hide behind – you can’t go wrong, it’s just not an option. Jenny Éclair told me to trust her and I did. “I realised the audience are just so lovely – it was like hanging out with some great friends and discussing everything under the sun from the menopause to twerking to female problems and relationships. It was a real breakthrough for me, actually. “Jenny has become a really good friend. She’s the sort of the person I would go to for advice on anything be it moral, spiritual, political or personal. I respect her opinions.” Given Susie’s family background (she’s the granddaughter of actress Annette Mills, the great-niece of actor Sir John Mills, and is related to Hayley and Juliet Mills) a career in showbiz was, perhaps, inevitable. “Coming from a background of actors, it was a sort of accepted that people could go into showbusiness for a living,” says Susie. “It was a natural thing to do and not considered extraordinary at all. It also meant I never had stars in my eyes. “My son has no interest in being an actor though – he’s an electronic engineer and teaches at a university. But my granddaughters, who are eight and six, love dancing and go to ballet classes. “Sometimes I think, ‘it’s time to sell-up and retire, and never work again.’ But then a lovely job like The Mirror Crack’d comes along, and I think ‘maybe later.’”

“I see Miss Marple as a combination of my mum and a very benign dictator”

The Mirror Crack’d is a Wales Millennium Centre and Wiltshire Creative Production. It will be at the New Theatre until 6 April. For more: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

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Read On

News reader Lucy Owen is an ambassador for the Cardiff Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Literature Festival which takes place from 30 March to 7 April. Here, she talks about the importance of getting children to read, and about her new book The Sea House By Lucy Wilkinson 46 I cardiff LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

literature

ocial media, gaming, box sets… in today’s digital age there are countless on-screen distractions for kids. But the Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival is encouraging the city’s youngsters to rediscover the joy of books. The festival, which runs over two weekends from 30 March to 7 April, will see authors and illustrators hosting a series of events including writing workshops, craft activities and other games all designed to immerse children in the world of literature. Among the authors taking part is BBC Wales Today presenter and author Lucy Owen who is also an ambassador for the Festival, and her enthusiasm for the event is clear. “I’ve been involved with the festival for a number of years now,” she says. “I’m really passionate about it, and about anything that can bring books to life. Particularly, physically bringing books to life. If children can get something extra from it then you can make it extra special. There is an amazing line up as well for this year. “I hope lots of people come to the events, because actually, it is brilliant that we have them – but unless they are supported, they’re not going to continue. So I hope that people really rally round, enjoy and come along. If we can inspire children in any way to pick up a book, and give them that little bit of ‘extra’ when it comes to reading, and inspire them to enjoy writing and a love of literacy then that’s what it’s all about.” Lucy launched her first book Boo-a-Bog in the Park as part of the festival in 2017 and this year, will be launching her new book, The Sea House. “It’s about a girl called Coral who is grieving for the loss of her parents and one night she cries so much she fills her room with tears,” says Lucy. “She creates this underwater sea world and she has this amazing adventure, meeting all of these lovely friends on the way. There is this cool turtle who is a bit of a rap dude who wears shell necklaces and a mussel shell on his head like a cap, but her favourite friend is Fabulous, a lovely sparkly fish. Basically, they represent all of the fun that she has inside of her. There is this sort of darkness around her though too, and there is this evil stingray called Stealth and he has an army of Urchins. Coral has to find her strength, with the help of her friends, to overcome this ‘dark force’ that wants to take away all of her happiness. “It’s a really personal book for me,” she

continues. “The idea came to me on holiday in Barbados. I had been swimming in the sea, and actually seen these creatures and fish and I was with my son Gabriel and it was really, really special. I actually saw a fish like Fabulous and I was amazed at how sparkly she was and I can literally remember hovering over her for ages. And Gabs was there too so we saw her together, and we swam with turtles – it was just amazing. “It is dedicated to my Dad as well, and it only struck me as I was writing that it all came from him. He drowned when I was 16, and he’s represented as a character called Uncle Jeff in the story. He died in the sea when I was quite young, and I think part of the book is about that internal struggle to find your happiness in difficult situations. For Coral, this is grief but it can be any sort of situation.” As a mother herself, Lucy is all too aware of the importance of encouraging children to read. “You know what, it is a battle,” she admits. “I have a daily battle; me and books vs the Xbox and I take it on, on a daily basis. But I try to balance that time so they get the best of both worlds. You want to make reading feel like a pleasure and something your child can get excited about, not a chore. I always make sure I read with Gabs at bed time. We read together and sometimes we do lines each, or we’ll take characters each. We try and make it as fun as possible, and as engaging as possible. Even though it can be a bit of a struggle, it’s always worth it. As soon as he does sit down, he absolutely loves it and it’s always like ‘can I have another chapter?’ It is worth persevering if you are having a little bit of a struggle.” It seems as if all the reading has really paid off too, since Gabs is now one of Lucy’s toughest critics. “I always run everything past him!” she says. “ If he doesn’t like something I’ve written he’ll

“You want to make reading something your child can get excited about ”

Author Lucy Owen will be talking about her new book The Sea House at this year’s Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival

just give me a look which means ‘no’, but also when he does like something I’m just like ‘Yes! Amazing! I passed the Gabs test!” And reading with Gabs has allowed Lucy to discover, and rediscover, many books. “I’m discovering all of the amazing children’s literature around at the moment,” she says. “Not even just Welsh authors, but authors like Catherine Fisher, and David Walliams and I’m enjoying the Roald Dahl stuff all over again.” Lucy will be joined by award-winning illustrator Rebecca Harry, who provided the illustrations for The Sea House, at an event at the Old Library Gallery on 7 April. They will be reading from the book, as well as sharing facts about the sea creatures which feature, and demonstrating how to draw them. For more on this, and all the events at the Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival visit www.cardiffkidslitfest.com

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

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flowers

Best buds Bring some flower power to your Easter table

Sharon also recommends creating a festive nest for a striking seasonal centrepiece. “Collect some bendy twigs like willow or vine – clematis, honeysuckle or ivy are ideal. Manipulate them in your hands, gently curving each piece but be careful to avoid branches that are brittle and will snap easily. Start making a circle with one or two pieces of vine and continue adding them to eventually make a nest of twigs. You can use a plate to place the circular frame onto, add a little wet moss into the circle and sit a few spring bulbs on top before adding some Easter decorations.” Alternatively, wreaths are the perfect way to welcome your guests this Easter. “You can get a floral foam base from the florist or garden centre, or even bind your own wreath from stems of dogwood, willow or hazel and decorate with dainty spring flowers” says Jonathan. “Coloured feathers and decorative painted eggs will create a real Easter sensation. If you fancy something a little more quirky, wire some succulents and flowering bulbs such as Narcissus (daffodil), iris or Muscari (grape hyacinth) into it.” For the pièce de résistance, Sharon gets her family together to create an Easter Tree. She says, “When my children were small this was a favourite with them. Go Florist extraordinaire for a walk and collect lots of twigs of Jonathan Moseley varying heights; catkins and pussy willow are available this time of year. When you get back, fill a container, recycled tin can or jam jar with wet sand to give you a solid base (pebbles, gravel or glass marbles will also work). “Place your twigs into your container, pushing them into the sand for stability, arrange them attractively and use either home-made or shop-bought decorations to decorate the tree. You can add as much as you like, perhaps some paper flowers or cut out Easter egg shapes from cardboard and finish with pretty fairy lights.” © RHS and Jason Ingr am

he RHS Flower Show Cardiff will see a floral extravaganza return to the Welsh capital from 12–14 April, bringing together some of the UK’s most talented growers with their finest plants in celebration of spring. This year will introduce for the first time the Floristry Tent featuring expert florists showcasing how to make the most of seasonal blooms with simple and easy-to-follow techniques. To celebrate and with Easter just around the corner, celebrity florist Jonathan Moseley and this year’s Floristry Tent curator Sharon Dower give their top tips and tricks for show-stopping creations. Jonathan Moseley chooses daffodils as the perfect spring flowers for your table. He says, “They are inexpensive and often fragrant. If you buy three or four bunches you can simply bind the stems together with raffia and secure into a rustic style flower pot.” Another cold snap can delay flowers, however pussy willow, forsythia, flowering currant, viburnums, apple and cherry blossom can all be forced into flower. “Why not gather some branches before Easter to bring them into the warmth and watch as the bare stems miraculously transform into beautiful flowers. For an extra seasonal twist, add some painted eggs or decorate with pretty fabric ribbons for a delightful and extremely inexpensive display!” adds Jonathan. Sharon Dower suggests a trio of jam jars to create a charming rustic look. “Using ribbons, beads, buttons, string, shop-bought decorations or anything else you can get your hands on to embellish old jam jars or milk bottles. Use strong glue to stick them to the bottles before filling them with flower heads and foliages. You could add fairy lights for extra sparkle,” she says. For those looking for some crafty fun, Jonathan adds, “You can smash eggs carefully prior to Easter and save the shells to glue onto a wood slice or piece of Welsh slate to fill with delicate dainty spring flowers – you will have an instant stunning table display.”

“Watch as the bare stems miraculously transform into beautiful flowers”

50 I cardiff LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

For more ideas, inspiration and tips, Sharon Dower and Jonathan Moseley will both be at the RHS Flower Show Cardiff (12 –14 April). More information and tickets to the show are available to buy via the RHS website www.rhs.org.uk/cardiff

An egg-shell-ent floral display

“Wreaths are the perfect way to welcome your guests”

Sharon Dower shares her expertise

Blooming lovely

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

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WYBURN & WAYNE Cardiff’s dazzling answer to Ant & Dec, Morecambe & Wise, or more accurately Edina and Patsy, giving you their take on what’s been HOT in and around our city

Glitz and glamour

ne of the highlights of the year has been and gone – the incredible Brit Awards. I’m sure you can all see by our photo (right) that we go all out with our fashion when the annual event comes around. We absolutely love it! We both took a little inspiration from punk rock this year, and Wayne added a touch of The Greatest Showman (how awesome was Hugh Jackman’s opening performance?) and Nathan... we aren’t quite sure.. Jedward maybe? It’s always great chatting to all the stars and everyone is just there for a party! Stand out performances for us were Jess Glynn and of course the iconic P!nk. Speaking of stand out performances, fellow Welsh Hearts patron Shakin’ Stevens came to town, and absolutely rocked St David’s Hall. That man isn’t showing any signs of slowing down,

and he’s such a supporter of the charity also allowing us and several other volunteers to bucket collect during the interval and after his sell out show. What a gentleman. While we’re talking gentlemen... Wales Millennium Centre was graced by the lads of The Full Monty stage show. It’s pure laugh out loud stuff and well worth a watch whenever and wherever you can. We got to chat to all the cast before hand and they were so excited to play Cardiff as our WMC is so grand and breathtaking. Kai Owen was chuffed to be home and Gary Lucy was gifted with a chocolate portrait from Nathan. He loved it and posted it all over social media afterwards. Cheers lads! Now over to the ladies and we had a gorgeous International Women’s Day lunch out on by the lovely Kim Pedlar at The Angel Hotel, all in aid of Velindre. The afternoon was full of stunning

At the Brits

food and inspirational women’s speeches. They raised a huge amount of money, so well done Kim and all. For IWD we also had the owner of Etc Penarth, Konsa on our Radio Cardiﬀ Show. Her restaurant looks insane – there’s a lamb meal called Meryl Sheep and a dessert that makes up the solar system. We attended the launch of Cardiﬀ In The Sky which is shaping up to be a thrilling event. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or cocktails 100ft in the air outside City Hall is going to be amazing so keep an eye out for that. The Kinetic School Of Performing Arts put on a great run of Camp Rock shows in the Atrium –

those kids really know how to do it. And we can’t not mention our continued fundraising for St Andrew’s Church in Roath, this time with a little help from West End and Broadway superstar Peter Karrie performing all the songs from his career, by candlelight at the church. It was a wonderful and magical evening. I wonder what the next few weeks will bring us...

To keep up to date with Wyburn & Wayne follow them on Facebook, Twitter @WyburnWayne and Instagram @wyburnandwayne

Fellow Welsh Hearts patron Shakin’ Stevens joins the boys and Sharon Owen from the charity to help raise money

With Gary Lucy (centre) – star of The Full Monty

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 55

SNAPPED AC ROSS C A R D I FF, O N E SH I N D I G AT A T I M E

Ceri Harding and Rebekah Lyons

Caron Rockey and Ann Tudball Betina Skovbro, Nia Jones, Rowenna Williams, Natalie Clements and Mariclare Carey-Jones

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Alexander Davies, Jenny Smith, Dan Head and Gareth Hobbs

YOU’RE ALL WINNERS

James English, Harriet Noble and Anthony Roch

They says there’s no such thing as strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet. We like to think the Cardiﬀ Life Awards Finalists’ & Sponsors’ Reception proved the same goes for supposed rivals. See, many a new friendship between shortlisted hopefuls was forged over wine and canapés at the KuKu Club on 26 February. Photos by Studio 87

Howard and Catherine Smith

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

Genevie Jones and Sian Gunney

Janine and Carroll Collins

SOCIETY

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Guests enjoying the launch

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

SOCIETY

Rugby star Sam Warburton with Ben and Carys Marshall and their daughter India Greg Bird getting his shirt signed

Jacqueline Callard getting her grogg signed

STAR APPEAL

David Bicker and his son Samual with Sam

Dozens of rugby fans jumped at the chance to meet one of Wales’ greatest ever players, when Wales and Lions legend Sam Warburton OBE posed for photographs and signed autographs at the Charles Church River Walk development in Cardiff on 3 March. Sam was making a special appearance as Charles Church and the company’s sister brand, Persimmon Homes, is an official partner of his testimonial year. Sam announced his retirement from rugby earlier this year after a glittering career which saw him captain Wales and British and Irish Lions, winning 79 Test caps. He also made 175 appearances for Cardiff Blues over a nine-year stint at Arms Park. Victoria Williams, sales director at Charles Church East Wales, says, “It was fantastic to have Sam Warburton in our River Walk showhome on Sunday and we thank him for coming. Dozens of rugby fans young and old visited the development to meet Sam, and I know he was delighted to see them as well. “Many went home with signed photos and shirts which I’m sure they will treasure forever.”

Sam poses with Adam Parsons and his son Harry

Paul and Laura White and their sons Sean and Joshua Xxx

Sam Warburton outside a show home

Sam Warburton with Kieth Hughes, Liz Hughes and Ryan Hughes www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 61

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Dr Zena Talks Smile Styling Dr Zena from THE PARADE SPECIALIST DENTAL CENTRE tells us how straighter teeth can leave you smiling with confidence!

s a general restorative dentist with a special interest in cosmetic orthodontic treatments, Dr Zena feels her passions lie in minimally smile enhancements and with the latest technology with Invisalign braces she can offer adults of all ages simple discreet teeth straightening in as little as 12 weeks. The Parade Specialist Dental Centre has recently introduced the iTERO dental scanner so patients no longer have to have big bulky moulds of their teeth taken. We understand how selfconscious crooked, spaced and misaligned-crowded teeth can make you feel and so Dr Zena’s goal here at the Parade Dental Centre is to make the journey to your straighter more confident smile as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Your Smile Styling ……… Dr Zena describes ‘smile styling’ as her way to get you to a more desirable smile. This usually starts with aligning or straightening the social teeth which Dr Aseeley describes as being the teeth that most adults are concerned with and wish to improve the appearance of. Following the aligning of the teeth a whitening therapy is tailored to your desire and finally any finishing touches including sculpting, contouring or composite bonding are used for the ‘final smile’ perfection. “We have to always remember that every smile is unique. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ option when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. We always recommend the best straightening options for you,” says Dr Zena. Why are you so excited about the new Invisalign treatments? Everyone’s talking about Invisalign Go…….. Invisalign Go is the latest clear aligner system that can straighten your teeth with less time (as little as 3-5 months compared to 1.5/2 years which is usually associated with full mouth Invisalign) and cost. Invisalign Go uses the aligners to gently shift your teeth into position and gradually straighten your teeth. ■

Below: A before and after simulation and results

DR ZENA’S 3 STEPS TO STRAIGHTER TEETH Step 1: The first step is to book your complimentary consultation* with Dr Zena at The parade Specialist Dental Centre. She will discuss all of your options, answer any of your questions and provide an initial case assessment. Using our amazing scanner you are able to have a quick comfortable scan of your teeth and see your simulated results in minutes! “Having just completed my masters degree research on intra oral scanning technologies, I absolutely love the itero element 2 scanner from Invisalign, it is the ultimate in digital scanning and I am positive that all of my patients will love the amazing features it has to offer.” Step 2: The next step is for Dr Zena to take all of the diagnostics, which include some x-rays and photographs and will work closely with Invisalign and Align’s 3-D treatment planning tool to develop your bespoke treatment plan**. “Using Invisaligns ClinCheck® software, I am able to develop a fully personalised treatment plan, allowing my patients to clearly visualise their treatment. It is so exciting that I can also share your treatment plan with you so that you can monitor your own teeth-straightening journey. I love building theses relationships with my patients and getting to know each other along the way.” Step 3: Once confirmed, and both Dr Zena and you are happy with the detailed treatment plan and you have a clear view of your treatment journey, your discreet clear aligners can be ordered and fitted within 2 weeks. “Our diaries are in high demand for this treatment so don’t miss out and contact us as soon as possible, here at The Parade Specialist Dental Centre we endeavour to fit your braces as soon as we can and tailor our appointments to your busy schedules. We know that most of our patients have a special event they are planning for and it means a lot to them to get their smiles ready for their upcoming events and deadlines. ”

“THE PARADE SPECIALIST DENTAL CENTRE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR 96 YEARS WHICH INCLUDES OVER 150 YEARS EXPERIENCE AMOUNTS OUR TEAM. WITH THE LATEST DENTAL TECHNOLOGY, WE OFFER IMPLANTS, WHITENING, FACIAL AESTHETICS, SMILE MAKEOVERS AND MUCH MORE.”

Dr Zena Aseeley 23 The Parade, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3AB 0292 048 1486; www.oasisdentalcare.co.uk *Free consultations until 18/04/2019 ** You will be assessed to be dentally fit and healthy for teeth straightening www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 63

PACIFIC LIFESTYLE ANTIQUE GOLD METAL WALL CLOCK £69.99, LEEKES The striking geometric design makes this clock a truly attractive wall adornment. From Leekes, Cowbridge Road, Pontyclun; www.leekes.co.uk

ISTANTE WALL CLOCK, £650 This clean, minimalist clock will bring instant style to any room. From Natuzzi, Havannah Street, Cardiﬀ; www.natuzzi.co.uk

CLOCKING ON To mark the clocks going forward and the extra hour of daylight we’ve found some terriﬁc timepieces

CLORK-CORK CLOCK, £48 Simple forms combined with natural material gives the clork it’s distinctly unique look and feel. From Home By Kirsty, 64a Glenroy Street, Roath; www.homebykirsty.com

ARABIC MANTEL CLOCK, £25.99 A classic clock that will tastefully add an accent of colour to any mantlepiece or shelf. From Nest, 2 Heol-Y-Deri, Rhiwbina; www.nestcardiﬀ.co.uk

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COLETTE ROSE GOLDTONE WATCH, £229 Polished with personality, this watch is designed in rose gold-tone stainless steel with sparkling time stops in shades of pink and red. From Michael Kors, 19 Grand Arcade, Cardiﬀ; www.michaelkors.co.uk

WHITE MARBLE DESK CLOCK, £40 Elevate your desk, dressing table or living space with the cool combination of marble and metallics. From Oliver Bonas, 37 The Hayes, Cardiﬀ; www.oliverbonas.com

ECO TIDE AND TIME CLOCK, £36.99 From sailing to sandcastles, we all need to know what the tide is doing. Synchronised to the moon’s daily cycle, this unique clock provides an innovative and convenient guide to the tides. Once set, the tide clock will give you the state of your local tide at a glance – perfect for avoiding soggy feet and wet jeans! From Shore, The Esplanade, Penarth; www.shorecoastal.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE

WRENDALE WALL CLOCK, £39.99 A beautifully illustrated hare on the clockface makes this piece cute but not kitsch. From West Hampton, Penny Lane, Cowbridge; www.westhampton.co.uk

JAEGER-LECOULTRE ATMOS CLASSIQUE PHASES DE LUNE, £7,750 The Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos clock is a unique piece of engineering, powered entirely by changes in atmospheric pressure. And it looks pretty awesome too! From Laings, 27 The Hayes, Cardiﬀ; www.laingsuk.com SOPHIE CONRAN GARDEN CLOCK, £29.99 It’s so easy to lose track of time when you’re in the garden – tempus fugit, as they say! But this beautiful frost-proof outdoor clock will help you keep an eye on the passing hours. From Hamptons, Ludlow Lane, Penarth; www.hamptonspenarth.co.uk

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Achieving more together contact@adopt4vvc.org 0800 023 4064 www.adopt4vvc.org

Thinking about starting or extending your family?

Meddwl am ddechrau neu ychwanegu at eich teulu?

Find out more about adopting with Vale, Valleys and Cardiff

Dysgwch fwy am fabwsyladu gydaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;r Fro, Y Cymoedd a Chaerdydd

advertising feature

Making babies The experts at BERRY SMITH LAWYERS can offer advice on all aspects of private client law

y partner and I are currently considering having a child through a surrogacy arrangement, as we are unable to have children ourselves. Fortunately, a friend of ours has agreed to act as a surrogate and we have started discussing what should happen. Do we need a contract? A: Surrogacy arrangements have been allowed in the UK since 1985 with the condition that it cannot be carried out as a commercial exercise by the surrogate who is therefore unable to charge, or take a fee, for their service. You can make arrangements to cover the surrogateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reasonable expenses and this, along with other important matters, should be discussed and agreed between you in advance to avoid any risk of their being a disagreement or falling out further down the line. The detail of the arrangement can then be set out in a written

agreement (often referred to as a surrogacy agreement). Whilst surrogacy agreements are not enforceable in the United Kingdom, given the often delicate nature of surrogacy arrangements, it is recommended that there is a written record of your agreements regardless. Following the birth of the child, your friend (and her partner, if she is married or in a civil partnership), will continue to be the parents of the child until you apply to the court for their parentage to be transferred to you and your partner. It is essential that, after the birth of the child, you and your partner, take the necessary steps to transfer parentage to yourselves. If you, or your partner, are the sperm or egg donor, you will need to apply for a Parental Order; if not, then you will need to apply to the court for Adoption. The application for a Parental Order must be made within six months of the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birth. n

Benjamin Delve

If you required any further information, or advice, in relation to surrogacy agreements and/or Parental Orders please free to contact our team by email at family@berrysmith.com or by telephone on 02920 345511.

MELLOW YELLOW New season? New you! Anyone following the spring 2019 trends will tell you that yellow is the colour of the moment. An eyecatcher, statement maker and absolute head turner – it’s no wonder the vibrant hue has dominated the Fashion Weeks. Here’s a few ideas on how to incorporate this exciting trend into your spring wardrobe Head to toe

Yellow has always been known as a feel-good colour, bringing a sense of positivity and warmth – and there’s no better way to show it off than wearing it head to toe. Brighten up your wardrobe by trying this luminous Karen Millen pencil dress (2) that is perfect for accentuating your curves. Alternatively, opt for this classy mustard Monsoon dress (8) to show off a different shade! On rainy days, stand out from the grey skies with this bright trench coat from M&S (1), that combines style and practicality.

Bits of yellow

There are tons of ways to incorporate a touch of yellow in your outfit. Grab a pair of these lovely check trousers from Reiss (7), perfect for a day at work and an evening out! Pair them up with this elegant silk vest (5), also available at Reiss, or this stunning silk mustard blouse from M&S (9). We are also absolutely lusting after this delicate Oliver Bonas skirt (3), ideal for adding a touch of warmth to any outfit.

It’s all in the detail

There’s no quicker way to add a touch of yellow to your wardrobe than with statement accessories. Try a pair of these stylish Vivienne Westwood neon and gold earrings (4) that will enhance every outfit you wear. Leave your backpacks and totes at home this spring and swap for this small Kurt Geiger leather saddle bag (10), which works for any occasion. We also adore this mustard Oliver Bonas purse (6) to polish off your look, a definite must-have for this season! 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

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Wrap front chunky jumper, £160, Karen Millen

FASHION 1

SHOPPING LIST 1. Yellow trenchcoa, £49, M&S 2. V-neck pencil dress, £180, Karen Millen 3. Line dot skirt, £49.50, Oliver Bonas 4. Neon pearl drop earrings, £165, Vivienne Westwood 5. Remey silk front vest top, £85, Reiss 6. Sophia purse, £29.50, Oliver Bonas 7. Joanne yellow check trousers, £125, Reiss 8. Sabrine cap sleeve shift dress, £99, Monsoon 9. Pure silk long sleeve shirt, £59, M&S 10. Emma small leather saddle bag, £149, Kurt Geiger

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PERFECT FIT KEV FOLEY

Snack Attack Succumbing to the urge to reach for that sweet/ salty/carby (delete as appropriate) snack to munch on during an evening box set binge can easily become a habit. But Kev Foley, owner of Cardiff’s B Fit personal training has some top advice to help you resist

“We make associations in our mind between two things when we repeatedly do them together”

ow often do you put your feet up after a long day at work, TV remote in one hand and late-night treats in the other? If the answer is “very” then you’re not alone. This is probably one of the most common things that I hear clients struggle with and we’ve all done it at some point, but for many people this is actually the norm. So, the question is, are you late night snacking because you’re hungry or just out of habit? I can tell you nine times out of 10 the reason is because it’s a bad habit. You see, we make associations in our mind between two things when we repeatedly do them together, this includes food and latenight activities. If you’re used to watching TV and mindlessly eating crisps at the same time, you’re likely going to crave crisps every time you sit on the sofa and put on a box set. So before going back into the kitchen, after your dinner ask yourself these questions: Am I snacking because I’m actually hungry or just out of pure habit? Try completing a food diary to identify what habits you’ve formed around snacking. By writing these things down you will become much more aware of your own pitfalls. You can then look at replacing your snacking with something else, like drinking tea while watching TV instead of eating. What else could be driving this habit? There may well be other factors that are driving this habit. You could be snacking out of boredom, stress or maybe even loneliness. Whatever the reason, if late night snacking is holding you back from achieving your health and ﬁtness goals then try some of the following tips.

7 TIPS TO CONTROL LATE NIGHT SNACKING TIP 1: Eat a balanced dinner: protein, wholegrain carbohydrates and vegetables. A balanced dinner will ensure you get all the nutrients your body requires. A good example would be a grilled fish, mixed vegetables and wholegrain rice. TIP 2: Don’t keep highly tempting snack foods at home Out of sight out of mind! If it’s not in the house, you’re far less likely to go out to the shops to get something to snack on. TIP 3: Change your after dinner activity Instead of watching TV, try going for a walk or maybe reading a book. TIP 4: Get a healthy snack Snack on some berries and Greek yogurt or try some frozen grapes with a handful of raw nuts. TIP 5: Have a cut off time for food For example, set yourself a rule of not eating after 9pm. TIP 6: Enjoy a cup of herbal tea while you relax A peppermint tea is great as the minty taste will put you off snacking. TIP 7: Brush your teeth You’ll be far less likely to reach for sweet or salty snacks after you brush your teeth. Introducing simple strategies like these can put you on the right path to beating your late-night snacking habit. Making small changes and developing a routine to avoid eating unnecessarily is the key to maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. For more: www.bfitcardiff.com

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Enjoy every moment to the fullest! Lunch Deal 3 COURSE MEAL 11.95 Tue-Fri, 12pm/4pm

@KeyifPenarth Drop by 21 Glebe Street at Penarth sometime if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for some lovely authentic treats from Turkish Mediterranean cuisine in a cozy environment. 21 Glebe Street, Penarth CF64 1EE Tel: 029 2070 2429 Email: info@keyif.co.uk Online: www.keyif.co.uk/contact

AFTER HOURS

A city centre venue is extending its opening hours to offer post-work dinner and drinks, on Friday and Saturday nights. From 30 March, Llaeth & Siwgr in the old library will play host to a weekly kitchen takeover named EMBER. EMBER will offer a fixed menu of four courses for £40pp. The menu will change every month to showcase the best of what’s in season and a separate vegetarian menu will be available for £30pp. Tables and menu options must be booked in advance. The concept is the brainchild of chef John Cook, previously head chef and owner of acclaimed Pontcanna restaurant Arbennig and the chef behind the veg-centric pop-up – DIRT. John says, “I have done pop-up events at Llaeth & Siwgr before and absolutely love the space, it’s a great place to cook. When owner Tim Corrigan approached me and asked me if I’d be interested in bringing an evening dining experience to the venue, I jumped at the chance. I hope that people will enjoy coming to eat my food, and spending the evening in such a beautiful venue.” For more: www.twitter.com/EMBERjohncook

Weekends are looking a bit tasty

THE MAGIC TOUCH

The Alchemist in Cardiff has been named the UK’s best new bar at the Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2019. The accolade was awarded to the site, in St Mary Street, for its innovation, design and unconventional approach which included marking its Welsh arrival with a 200ft-wide crop circle in a local wheat field. Simon Daish, general manager of The Alchemist Cardiff says, “The team and I are delighted to have been recognised by the Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2019. Our goal, when opening, was to create something memorable for the city and this award pays homage to the fact we have done just that. We have seen a great response since opening The Alchemist’s first Welsh site last year and are thrilled that the people of Cardiff love the site as much as we do. We look forward to celebrating this success with our guests.” For more: www.thealchemist.uk.com

Where the magic happens

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Corrie actor Luca Malacrino (right) is opening a Cardiff pasta house with his dad Gio

AN ITALIAN JOB Cardiff restaurant stalwart Giovanni Malacrino has opened a pasta house in Cardiff Bay with his Hollywood actor son, Luca. Piatto, which means plate in Italian, serves 10 different types of pasta – and you can even have yours served in a bowl made of cheese. When Giovanni, 59, bought the former Caffi Sïo site, he planned to turn it into a third Giovanni’s Italian restaurant, but LA-based Luca, currently starring as Andrea Abruzzi in Coronation Street, persuaded him to try something a bit different. Luca says, “I’d always had a dream with my sister Ileana to carry on with what my dad had started.”

Piatto has been designed around a ‘social dining’ concept – where diners are encouraged to stop scrolling through Instagram and talk to each other instead. “Food is an art, it’s a way of bringing people together and I’m fed up of going into a restaurant and seeing everyone on their phones,” continues Luca. “Growing up, eating meant lively conversation around a table, everyone chipping in with something to say. I think it’s so important that we don’t lose that. “So we’ve designed a menu and table plan to help people to get oﬀ their phones.” For more: www.pastapiatto.co.uk

food news Georgina Hefferman (The Potted Pig), David Watson (The Potted Pig), Bryony Fenton (The Potted Pig), Alex Mills (Lab 22), Pajtim Tani Hasa (Lab 22), Ava Plowright (Shelter Cymru), Catrin Enid (Bara Menyn), Alan Parry Tomos (Chapel 1877), Ryan Mitchel (Chapel 1877), Rhys Cobrun (The Clink), Jemma Smith (The Clink) and James Sommerin (Restaurant James Sommerin)

High hopes

Cardiff in the Sky will fly into the city in April, for five days of eating and drinking at altitude. From 10 – 14 April diners will be able to enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or cocktails while suspended in the skies in front of City Hall. The event, which was initially due to take place last September, will be raising funds for Shelter Cymru. Co-director of OOMFF, the company bringing Cardiff in the Sky to Wales, Gareth Lloyd Roberts says, “This is a first for Wales and we want it to have an impact on the city on many levels and beyond the time that it is here. We’re expecting thousands of visitors to attend the event be it in the air or staying firmly on the ground. As we look across the city it’s important to remember that homelessness is a huge issue on the ground below which is why we’ll be raising money for Shelter Cymru during the event.” For more: www.cardiffinthesky.wales

Recipe

Cymru Old Fashioned

ward-winning mixologist, Mark Holmes of The Dead Canary, has partnered with LABEL 5 Scotch Whisky to create a bespoke new cocktail recipe, inspired by Cardiff, as part of the brand’s City Cocktails campaign. The Cymru Old Fashioned cocktail is inspired by the iconic cocktail but brings flavours synonymous with Wales to the fore for a playful twist. The whisky is combined with dandelion and burdock bitters, with a burnt leek cordial that involves charring the leaves of the leek and using the ash to create a cocktail that’s proud to be Welsh. Mark says, “When creating the cocktail, I wanted to combine flavours that truly bring to life Welsh heritage, choosing our national emblem of leek as the key ingredient. As the legend goes, St David ordered his Welsh soldiers to wear the leek on their helmets in an ancient battle against the Saxons, and the Cymru Old Fashioned celebrates the legendary stories behind our culture. I can’t wait for locals to try it!”

Ingredients

50ml LABEL 5 Premium Black Scotch Whisky 1 shot of burnt leek cordial 3 dashes of dandelion and burdock bitters

Method For the cordial

• Char the outer leaves of a leek until it’s burnt and black • Blitz in a food processor • Add the ash to equal parts water and sugar, and heat until the sugar has dissolved

For the cocktail

• Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled • Strain into an Old Fashioned glass with ice and a leaf of leek.

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Heaney’s

The Pontcanna restaurant has been receiving rave reviews, but can it live up to the hype? (Clue: The answer is a very resounding “yes”) By Emma Dance

hen someone tells me there’s a book I just have to read, or a film I just have to see, I almost instinctively rail against it, and then actively avoid seeing or reading said thing – at least until all the fuss has died down. It’s not because I’m contrary (at least not entirely!) – it’s just that when something comes with a whole heap of glowing recommendations and reviews, expectations are invariably raised, and I don’t want to be disappointed. And that’s what how I felt about Heaney’s. As soon as I discovered last summer that Tommy Heaney was planning on opening a restaurant in Pontcanna I was dying to go. And then life got in the way, and everybody else went first and said how good it was and so, (particularly after meeting Tommy and consequently becoming a full paid up member of his fan club), I just couldn’t bear the heartache if it didn’t deliver everything that I wanted it too. I need not have worried though, because (as I discovered when I finally got over myself and did go

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along) what Tommy is doing is so seriously knock-out you can’t not be impressed. The concept at Heaney’s is sharing plates, which is a great idea as it means that a) you get to taste more of the menu and b) you don’t have to surreptitiously steal off someone else’s plate to get a taste of a different dish. We decide to have the 10-course tasting menu – mainly because the á la carte is so full of delicious sounding dishes that choosing between them is nigh-on impossible, and therefore letting Tommy make the selection for us seems like the most sensible option. The menu changes every day, depending on what’s in season, what’s been delivered etc, so you’re unlikely to get the same dishes twice – at least not in exactly the same incarnation, although there are a few staple dishes that are more-or-less permanent fixtures, with just the occasional tweak to the garnish. With that in mind then, it seems slightly unfair of me to rhapsodise over every mouthful of my Heaney’s experience, but indulge me while I relive a few of the highlights. I’ll begin, where the menu also begins, with the Marmite butter. Even if you think you don’t like Marmite

restaurant

I’d urge, no implore, you to slather Tommy’s intensely savoury and wonderfully creamy creation over the accompanying sourdough with abandon and at least give it a try. It might just be a life-changing moment. “Fish beignets” are, in fact, delicate fried oysters, encased in a crisp, more-ish coating and are so good that even weeks later I find myself daydreaming about them during idle moments. A dish of cured monkfish, cucumber, horseradish and mushroom dashi reads beautifully on the menu, and eats even better. The fish is spankingly fresh, and the horseradish is delivered as a sorbet which playfully flits between heat and coolness on the palate. It’s serious food, but it’s fun food. And I love it. Rich, unctuous oxtail is presented as a crisp bon bon, accompanied by a tangle of fennel and sweet little brown shrimps, and salty oyster emulsion. It’s surf and turf on a whole new level. When Tommy appeared on the Great British Menu last year his hake dish came in for some serious praise from the judges and fellow contestants, so it comes as no surprise, then, that the hake that here is absolutely bang on in every way. For me though, the stand out dish of the night is Welsh lamb with anchovy and sea vegetables. The lamb has been barbecued and there’s a gentle smokiness that permeates the naturally sweet meat. It’s almost impossibly tender, and the glistening silver anchovy adds a salty spike. Until this point we’ve been sharing nicely – just as you’re supposed to, but as the plate empties the evening threatens to derail and end in divorce as we battle over the final mouthfuls. Fortunately the swift arrival of dessert(s) diffuses the situation and we bond again over a shared appreciation of the sweeter side of the menu. Bold use of salt in the salted caramel, coupled with the tang of yoghurt and slight bitterness of honeycomb stops it from being overly sweet and makes it a proper grown-up dish, while rhubarb and custard is a vision in pink that packs punchier, more sophisticated flavours than it’s innocent appearance belies. There’s nothing quite like Heaney’s in Cardiff, and there’s no doubt that the arrival of Tommy Heaney is raising the culinary bar in the city. But don’t take my word for it. Go, try it, and please don’t let my effusiveness put you off. n

“They are so good I still find myself daydreaming about them”

Dining details Heaney’s, 6–10 Romilly Crescent, Pontcanna CF11 9NR; 029 2034 1264 www.heaneyscardiff.co.uk; Opening times Tues – Thurs 11.30am – 11pm; Fri & Sat 11.30am – 12am; Sun 11.30am – 6pm Prices Small plates from £9. Chef’s tasting menu £40pp Service and atmosphere Friendly staff who clearly know their stuff. Fun, chilled out vibes Vegetarian choice All dietary requirements are catered for. Just let them know in advance Drinks Decent cocktail list with bar staff who will happily go off piste and create something to your taste. Carefully curated selection of wine and a good beer selection

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We are a local, independent family run business where your pet is guaranteed continuity of care from our team of vets and nursing staff. Our aim is to provide a unique and bespoke service to deliver a standard of care and service we believe will allow us to stand apart in the care your pet may currently be receiving.

Services PRACTICE APPOINTMENTS See one of our highly trained veterinary staff at one of practices in Barry or Pontcanna. HOME VISITS Have your pet examined in the comfort of your own home. EMERGENCY SERVICE In an emergency, have your pet seen by one of our on call vets outside of our normal hours. VIP SCHEME Become a member of of VIP scheme and beneﬁt from a number of extra services. SPECIALIST THERAPIES Our specialist therapies include hydrotherapy, laser therapy and digital radiology.

Cardiff: 233 Cathedral Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9PP. E-mail: info@valevetcentre.co.uk | Phone: 02920 004007 Barry: 7/8 Ty Verlon Ind Est, Cardiff Rd, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, CF63 2BE. E-mail: info@valevetcentre.co.uk | Phone: 01446 739739 For more information please visit us online at:

www.valevetcentre.co.uk

Richard Williams BVSc BSc MRCVS

Opened Vale Veterinary Centre in 2014 after seeing a need for a local independent vets in the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff area. He went on to win the UK wide and highly prestigious Petplan ‘Vet of the Year’ 2016-17, thanks to all of his clients.

B U S I N E S S S E R V ICE S S P ECI A L

the city AT WORK WE MEET THE PROFESSIONALS MAKING THE CITY BUZZ

F I N A N CE / R EC R U IT M E N T / P R O P E R TY / L A W / B U S I N E S S S E R V ICE S

setting the agenda

Meet the shining stars of Cardiff’s business services’ community, from patent attorneys to financial experts who help your wealth grow, and a myriad of other professions in between

ADVERTISING FEATURE One Central Square

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

ardiff ’s an increasingly important player on the national business playing field. It’s a centre of innovation, acumen and excellence. Just to get a sample of this professional offering – from the legal eagles to the financial wizards, the property experts to the essential business service guys – we spoke to a wide cross-section of experts and asked: So, how’s business?

FINANCE

Mulberry Wealth Management Philip Payne

Tell us a little about your business

Mulberry Wealth Management provides financial advice, predominantly to private individuals, although we cover a range of client types from first time property buyers and investors through to company directors, business owners and high net worth individuals, with more complex circumstances. We cover a full spectrum of products from all life cover options, mortgages through to investments and pensions.

What areas do you specialise in?

We have advisers that specialise in just mortgages and life and serious illness cover, representing the whole of market and then a dedicated team that focus solely on investment and pensions advice. The pensions market has become particularly complex over the years but this is an area that Mulberry thrives in. We have half a dozen registered pension transfer specialists, with full permissions to advise on more complex final salary transfers, which continues to see strong demand.

Philip Payne

Describe your offices...

We completely renovated and extended our offices at the heart of Cyncoed in 2016. The result is a purpose-designed space, appropriate for client meetings and our growing team. We’ve been told we have probably the nicest toilets in Cardiff, both ladies and gents. We have a Mulberry colour theme running throughout with detail in the desks, chairs ordered bespoke from Orangebox, even down to the carpet! Did you know?

As well as a light, bright modern office space we have a growing collection of Welsh art on the walls, including five commission pieces from renowned artist Nick Holly. 029 2002 3333; www.mulberrywealth.co.uk

Uniq Family Wealth Marlene Outrim

Tell us a little about your business

UNIQ Family Wealth is true financial planning practice which helps individuals and families make the most of their assets and helping them to lead more fulfilling and financially secure lives. Our purpose is for a ‘Life Well Lived’ and everyone has their own personal plan to help them achieve the life they want to lead. The UNIQ Family Wealth programme ensures that there is a firm track to run on. What sets you apart from others in your sector?

We focus totally on the client and what he/she is trying to achieve and help them look at the bigger picture for themselves and their loved ones. Products are a means to an end and the last part of our programme that we consider, with the financial plan being the foundation

for all our recommendations. With us there are no nasty surprises in your life as we will help you plan for every eventuality. What challenges are your clients facing?

Our clients, and the rest of the UK, are facing uncertain times ahead, not just because of Brexit, but also due to world trade wars, economic and political issues in some countries and environmental change. Not only are these outcomes unpredictable, but we have little knowledge as to when these will complete or be finalised, if ever. Our advice is to sit tight, as usually, over time, the vagaries of stock market performance are overcome. Did You know?

Marlene Outrim the Managing Director published a book last year, Boomers: Redefining Retirement which considers the changing face of retirement and how we can plan for it. www.uniqfamilywealth.co,uk

Mulberry Wealth Management offices

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CJCH Solicitors is an award winning, top 20 Welsh Law practice offering personalised services for our clients. Our Welsh offices are in Cardiff, Bridgend, Barry and Blackwood offering services across a wide variety of needs you may have in your everyday life. Our qualified and dedicated professionals offer legal assistance with both personal and business-related matters, and we have one of the largest Legal Aid practices in Wales which includes Mental Health Law, Court of Protection and Deputyships, Criminal Law, Family and Childcare Law.

The CJCH Business Law services include: ■ Commercial Property ■ Litigation and Dispute Resolution ■ Debt Recovery ■ Intellectual Property ■ Compliance ■ Mergers and Acquisitions ■ Corporate and Contract Law ■ Employment Law and HR Services

CJCH Solicitors Offices: Cardiff (HQ), Barry, Bridgend, Blackwood, Bristol and London

Online: www.cjchsolicitors.co.uk Email: admin@cjch.co.uk Phone: 02920 483181 j www.linkedin.com/ company/10447472/admin b CJCH Solicitors a @cjch_solicitors

The CJCH Private Client services include: ■ Residential Conveyancing and Private Property ■ Landlord and Tenant matters ■ Dispute Resolution and Mediation ■ Wills, Probate and Estate Planning ■ Family and Matrimonial Law ■ Advising the elderly and vulnerable ■ Employment Law

CJCH has expanded rapidly with a core focus on providing customer service excellence across South Wales. We acquired one of the oldest legal practices in Wales, Gaskell and Walker Solicitors, which was established in 1878, and a leading Blackwood practice, Patchell Davies Solicitors, in 2017 which added to the growing CJCH network of offices and specialists to service our clients. In 2019, CJCH Solicitors is a thriving, innovative and welcoming legal practice committed to your needs. CJCH Solicitors – A legal advisory with global reach and local values. Dedicated to your needs.

The CJCH Executives

CJCH Consulting is a global best practice consulting firm which offers a world class business to business service to some of the world’s biggest software companies. Having been established in 2015, CJCH Consulting evolved from the Intellectual Property practice of CJCH Solicitors and now runs in partnership with its parent brand. We focus on the identification and investigation of incidents of software piracy where our client’s copyrights have been infringed through the illegal duplication, use and/or transfer of their software products. We then provide extensive and thorough licence compliance services which manage each case of infringement from identification through to recovery of the enforcement of licence for that product. CJCH Consulting is a truly Welsh run global company, with an extensive operating network across 42 countries in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, and partner firms in the United States, South America and AsiaPacific regions. Our team collectively speak over 22 languages which further enhances the quality and authenticity of the service we offer our clients as we have a unique understanding and perspective of each geographic location in which we operate. CJCH Consulting is proud to be a Cardiff based company, and in 2018 launched our bespoke graduate development program. We took on 6 top graduates from local universities, and trained them in various aspects of legal, consulting, and business acumen. Our vision is to create a workforce of thought leaders who not only bring leading thinking into the Welsh economy, but also to create a culture of knowledge transfer and innovation.. Our unique service offering is a world leader in Anti-Piracy and Licence Compliance services backed by a full-service law firm. We offer our clients in the software development and distribution industry the peace of mind of knowing their intellectual property is protected and secure.

Tim Hartland Managing Partner

CJCH CONSULTING OFFICES: CARDIFF (HQ), AND LONDON

Online: www.cjchconsulting.co.uk Email: consulting@cjch.co.uk Phone: 0333 231 6405 j www.linkedin.com/ company/cjchconsulting/ b CJCH Consulting a @cjchConsulting

OUR EXTENDED SERVICES INCLUDE: ■ Training and Development (We offer a university accredited commercial investigator training program) ■ Business Intelligence and Analysis

Stephen Clarke Senior Partner/CEO

architects BUSINESS SPECIAL recruitment

Bowen Eldridge recruitment David Bowen

Tell us a little about your company

Owned and operated by two directors, (David Bowen and Cheryl Eldridge) we worked together for seven years before setting up Bowen Eldridge Recruitment in 2016. We recruit for accountancy, human resources and marketing roles, across all sectors and at all levels. We are based in Cardiff and cover the South Wales region. What predictions do you have for the sector in 2019?

Record high employment levels has led to increasing salaries as employers look to retain their existing staff. I see this trend continuing and I also envisage an emphasis on internal training and “upskilling” to offer progression opportunities and apprenticeship schemes to ensure success for the future. To stay competitive whilst recruiting, I have already seen employers review and enhance their existing benefits package. However, I think the key trend will be accommodating flexible working. More frequently candidates are asking this question and it is becoming increasing important in their search criteria. In a job offer situation, I think flexibility would be more important than a higher salary. What makes working in Cardiff special?

There is an almost tangible buzz in the city. The work at Central Square has been particularly impressive with further development of the Brains Brewery site. The “tech” sector is thriving and gaining an excellent reputation both regionally and nationally. Did you know?

A percentage of our fees is donated to charity on behalf of our clients for all placements. 029 2002 6511; www.boweneldridge.co.uk David Bowen

The Focus Resourcing team

Natasha Di-Girolamo

Tell us about your business.

We are an independent agency, providing the best talent to our clients on the local and national markets. We are the best in recruitment, driven by passion and determination, offering a bespoke and personal approach, going above and beyond expectations. How have the last 12 months been for you?

After 10 successful years in Cardiff, 2018 brought about our ‘big move’ into our stylish, welcoming hub at Ty Glas Road. Offering a relaxing environment for not only our tireless staff, but for candidates and clients alike to come in and find either the job of their dreams, or their next team superstar. After a rigorous tender process, our friendly and professional approach led us to winning the contract for the Welsh Government. We were proud to deliver a recruitment package for them to supply the whole team, along with the senior management team of a brand new company. After the company’s successful launch in September, we continue to work with them closely as a partnership, to support their ongoing recruitment needs. In 2018 we placed more than 400 people into permanent jobs and 414 people into temporary assignments. What areas do you specialise in?

We specialise in you as a client. But for market sectors: finance and accountancy; IT and communications; HR, training and recruitment; marketing and PR; business support and admin; sales and customer services; engineering and technical. Did you know?

One of us is closely related to Noel Edmonds (and we don’t mean Mr Blobby). 029 2267 1222; www.focusresourcing.co.uk

4 90mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Helen Lacey, managing director

Focus Resourcing

Red berry recruitment Helen Lacey

Tell us a little about your business

Red Berry Recruitment offers a refreshingly different service to the more traditional high street agencies. With our specialist expertise and in-depth knowledge of the recruitment industry, we pride ourselves in supplying high calibre temporary and permanent staff to some of the South West’s leading organisations. We are also the number one award-winning recruitment agency in Somerset, an accolade that we are extremely proud of and helps demonstrate our commitment to excellence in everything that we do. Work/life balance- how you get it right for you and your staff?

We work hard to make sure that our staff have the right work/life balance. We offer benefits such as a day off on birthdays and a generous annual leave package so that team members get the down-time that they need. We also regularly get together for social events such as meals out and activities like

Business advisory and financial planning? We do more than keep just your aﬀairs in order.

Cardiﬀ Second Floor, 14 Cathedral Road Cardiﬀ, CF11 9LJ

London Floor 2, Room 211A, 24 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 1BS

Bromsgrove 12 The Croft, Buntsford Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 4JE

T_02920 104 111 E_enquiries@limeﬁnance.co.uk

www.limeﬁnance.co.uk

BUSINESS SPECIAL

We have three offices, Shepton Mallet, Yeovil and Bridgwater. Whilst each office has its own unique feel, we make sure that all three offices have a welcoming feel and a professional look. We like to display our awards and photographs around the offices as a reminder of all that we have achieved as a business and to give the offices a personal touch.

between them more than 60 years experience of recruitment in South Wales. We have long standing relationships with our existing clients, ranging from public to private sector, charitable organisations, law firms, financial companies and SMEs. Providing a comprehensive recruitment service, we supply permanent and temporary staff within all areas, from business support to executive and board level, and every specialism in-between. At St David Recruitment Services, we appreciate that everybody is different and treat our candidates and clients as individuals. We are often the first port of call for candidates who know we will treat them with respect and conduct a professional career search for them. We have a reputation for providing quality candidates and developing close ties with our clients so that we can truly understand and meet their business requirements when supporting them through the recruitment process. Working on a one to one basis with our clients, we can tailor our services to meet individual needs, providing high calibre staff with the skills required, whilst supplying people who will complement the existing team.

What challenges are your clients facing?

Describe your offices...

bowling to help the team bond and have time together away from the office. What areas do you specialise in?

As an agency Red Berry Recruitment works with a wide range of sectors including finance, legal, marketing, warehouse, construction and more. We have recently launched a new executive search and selection division as there is currently a gap in the market in this area, especially within Somerset. We have the skills and experience to provide an excellent service to clients and candidates who need help with senior level appointments and we are very excited to focus more on this area of recruitment. Describe your offices?

Shortage of candidate skill set. Our clients have fantastic opportunities within their business to offer but finding these skill sets can be particularly hard. Candidates aren’t looking to move as often as they have been in the past. And, due to a shortage of skill set, their current employers are doing all it takes to keep them! So, my advice would be, if you like a candidate please move as fast as you can through your interview process with them. 029 2105 1007; www.redberryrecruitment.co.uk

St David Recruitment Services Sarah Learney

Tell us a little about your business

St David Recruitment Services is an independent recruitment agency set up to offer a personalised yet professional service to all our customers. Established in February 2002, the team have

“We have recently celebrated our 17th anniversary and moved to new premises in Cardiff Gate, amalgamating the team which previously operated across two sites” 92 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

We have recently celebrated our 17th Anniversary and moved to new premises in Cardiff Gate, amalgamating the team which previously operated across 2 sites. This has invigorated the business and given us a renewed enthusiasm to drive the business forward, building upon the high standards upon which we were founded. The office has a unique sense of fun which is infectious and shared by everyone who visits our site. The team are a lively and vibrant collaboration of strong women; each one louder than the next though each one passionate about the service which they provide to colleagues, candidates and clients alike. What achievement as a firm are you most proud of proud of?

We are most proud of our staff retention in a market which is traditionally known to be somewhat transient. The team are long-standing, some of which have been with the business for 16 years or have left to see what other businesses have to offer, only to return again. We are proud to have offered internal opportunities for progression within the team, rewarding them with autonomy and a nurturing environment within which to share ideas. How have the last 12 months been for you?

Exciting! As a business we have had an incredibly successful year, nurturing relationships with our existing clients and also launching with success into the executive search market. We have had the pleasure of working with new organisations and pushing ourselves outside the boundaries of our comfort zone. What sets you apart from others in your sector?

As a forward thinking business in a sector which is

Daniel Mason is a non-practicing solicitor and senior recruiter in the key accounts team at TSR Legal

constantly evolving, we maintain a traditional and personal approach which is somewhat unique in modern recruitment. We endeavour at all times to meet with prospective candidates, building relationships with the very people upon whom our business focusses. Whilst we benefit from a strong IT infrastructure and the ability to proactively search passive and active job seekers, our ability to sell the person behind the CV is what we enjoy most. Did you know?

St David Recruitment Services actually opened on St David’s Day in 2002. This is a testament to our pride in our Welsh roots and accounts for both the name and logo for our business. 029 2079 7920; www.stdavid-recruitment.co.uk

TSR Legal Daniel Mason

What sets you apart from others in your sector

Having been established in 2004, we are now seen as the place to go for legal recruitment. I am part of a small team that has more than 50 years of legal recruitment experience, concentrating solely on legal – this really sets us apart from any other agency in the city. What plans do you have for 2019

With more firms coming to the area, and indeed more firms using our services exclusively, we are moving to larger premises during the latter part of the year. What achievement as a firm are you most proud of?

The people we work with and the people that work with us. Watching the candidates and clients we had in 2004 work with us now in 2019 and being part of their journey. Did you know?

TSR Legal was started in a back bedroom by one of our directors at age 22 and now has head offices in Cardiff city centre and operates in every part of the United Kingdom. 029 2038 8100; tsrlegal.co.uk

Speak To A Specialist Today:

029 2047 0909

enquiries@martynprowel.co.uk

ARCHITECTS BUSINESS SPECIAL LEGAL

Stephen Clarke

Our clients operate on a global scale and as such they face a wide variety of challenges. The nature of their international networks means they face supply chain, logistical and jurisdictional challenges in order to manage their business and distribute their products. Being software companies, they all face the intangible challenges of the cyber environment including cyber security, hacking, data privacy and intellectual property protection challenges. Our services are here to assist them in this latter issue and ease their concerns around product protection and lost revenue due to theft and misuse.

BERRY SMITH SOLICITORS Babs Anderson

Tell us a little about your business

An independent law firm, Berry Smith is primarily based in Cardiff but also has offices in Bridgend and London. We first opened our doors for business in 1986 and, since then, we have looked after the legal and business affairs of more than 20,000 clients. Our clients comprise start-up businesses, SMEs, PLCs, charities and public sector organisations and, of course, individuals. As well as serving our local communities, we work with clients throughout the UK and overseas. Berry Smith is an established and close knit family of talented individuals whose aim is to deliver an exceptional and value for money service. Tell us about your community/charity involvement…

Berry Smith has a thriving CSR (corporate social responsibility) committee whose remit it is to identify ways in which we can provide a healthy and happy work environment, support our local and global communities and fundraise for charity. In 2019, we are focusing on reducing our environmental footprint and our ﬁrst success has been to virtually eliminate the use of single use plastic from our business. We have recently donated gifts and clothing to a local homeless charity and our next event is a quiz night, the proceeds of which will be divided between this year’s chosen charities, Tenovus and Cancer Research Wales. We also act as legal advisors to a number of charities.

Did You Know?

Since opening our doors for business in 1986 Berry Smith has acted for more than 20,000 clients ranging from individuals to PLCs throughout Wales, England and internationally 029 2034 5511; www.berrysmith.com

• In 2017 CJCH was awarded a Welsh Government grant of almost half a million pounds to develop Cardiff as a hub for IP protection services and create more than71 jobs in the industry, in recognition of the innovative and world class work we were doing. • Although CJCH’s anti-piracy and licence compliance work is worldwide, we are proud to have Cardiff as our home and headquarters. • In 2018, CJCH collaborated with the International Intellectual Property Crime Investigators College to advise on the developing the ﬁrst global accredited program in combating illicit trade and copyright theft. 033 3231 6405; www.cjchconsulting.co.uk

CJCH CONSULTING

CJCH SOLICITORS

Tell us a little about your business

Tell us a little about your business:

Describe your offices...

Central, close to bus and rail links and with client parking available, and home to a team of dedicated and talented lawyers and support staff who provide a friendly and welcoming service. Did you know?

Stephen Clarke

CJCH Consulting is a Cardiff based organisation which has evolved from within the CJCH Solicitor ﬁrm. The consultancy offers bespoke research, compliance, and enforcement services for multi-national software conglomerates in order to assist them in curbing the detrimental impact imposed on them through the unauthorised and unlawful use of their software products. We have developed best practice techniques to provide a service which helps our clients maintain control of their copyrights and to enforce compliance against those who attempt to take unauthorised advantage of their products. What plans do you have for 2019?

Babs Anderson, Practice Director

“In 2019, we are focusing on reducing our environmental footprint” 6 94MEDIACLASH.CO.UK I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

What challenges are your clients facing?

2019 will be a busy year for CJCH Consulting. Our head ofﬁce in Cardiff is expanding and we are taking on new clients, and therefore growing our team. We have made a great investment in developing a bespoke internal software system to further improve on the service we provide our global clients through increased efﬁciencies and pin-point accuracy. Our Firm has committed to improving employee capability development having established a specialist internal training team to focus on continuous improvement and develop a culture of a learning organisation. Lastly, we will be reaching out to the world with extensive travel engagements as our team are set to visit the United States, Japan, Dubai, South Africa, France, Israel, Serbia, Shanghai and Spain this year, to name a few.

Jodi Winter

CJCH Solicitors is a leading Welsh legal practice dedicated to providing high quality, client-focused service. Strong expansion over the last six years has meant that CJCH is now a diverse ﬁrm with more than 130 total staff, which prides itself on offering a personalised service to meet our client’s needs. Jodi Winter, senior partner

Areas of Expertise: Serious Crime and White Collar Crime  Regulatory Work Sports Law  Environmental Law  Road Transport Health and Safety Law  Company Act Offences

Telephone: 02920 329 645 / 07753 116 615 Philip.williams@blackfords.com  www.blackfords.com Cardiff Office: 8 St Andrews Place, Cardiff CF10 3BE  London Office: 15 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7EF

architects in Wales with well-established childcare, mental health, court of protection and criminal law practice areas. 033 3231 6405; www.cjchsolicitors.co.uk

first line family law Richard Davies

Tell us a little about your business

Richard Davies, solicitor/owner

What areas do you specialise in?

CJCH specialises in a number of areas with qualified legal professionals boating decades of experiences. Our corporate law practice includes a world-leading software anti-piracy and compliance department as well as a range of commercial property, business and corporate support services. Our private and family law practice delivers high quality service across a wide range of areas including property and residential conveyancing, family and childcare law, mental health, and court of protection, criminal law, and wills and probate. What predictions do you have for your sector in 2019?

The legal profession has already experienced a notable period of change and growth. Technology and innovation are transforming not only the way we process legal matters, by the rate at which we can provide access to justice. CJCH has invested a significant amount of time and money into developing new systems and technology which will provide our clients with an enhanced and refined service. We foresee an industry which is set to experience a shift in mindset. We prefer to be a trailblazer in these shifts rather than a late adopter. Did you know?

• CJCH Acquired Gaskell & Walker Solicitors in 2014 which was founded in 1878. This means that CJCH has an extended history of 141 years. • CJCH employs people from all over the world, with more than 20 nationalities currently represented, 21 languages spoken, and delivering services to our clients in 42 countries. • CJCH has one of the largest legal aid practices

7 98mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

First Line Family Law is a specialist family law firm that provides practical and tailored family law advice. The ethos of the firm is to give a professional service that fits in with the lives and commitments of my clients. My firm has moved away from the traditional method of charging and offers fixed fees to ensure the client’s legal costs are manageable and affordable. I provide a progressive service that is “made to measure” whilst still maintaining the personal touch that is needed to ensure that all my clients are properly supported and guided exactly when they need it most. What areas do you specialise in?

I specialise in separation, divorce, children cases and financial settlements/ agreements. I am a resolution accredited specialist family lawyer, my specialisms being children law (private) and advanced financial provision. I have an interest in cases involving children and have worked on complicated cases including adoption and violence towards children. I have represented parents, grandparents and extended family. I also represent clients in complex financial matters involving property, on divorce, cohabitation disputes and cases that have included foreign assets. What sets you apart from others in your sector?

First Line Family Law provides a personal and tailored approach along with affordable fixed costs that makes no compromise on quality of service. Did you know?

My album Close Enough to Touch is on iTunes. 02920 660 163; www.firstlinefamilylaw.com

hcb solicitors Janine Edwards

Tell us a little about your business

HCB Cardiff provides legal advice in various areas of law whereby we can help both private individuals and corporate clients. Our focus is on developing lifelong partnerships with our clients so that we can provide timely, relevant advice as it is needed. What plans do you have for 2019

I have recently been employed as head of commercial property (Wales). Our plan is to

“Our focus is on developing lifelong partnerships with our clients so that we can provide timely, relevant advice as it is needed” grow this new arm of the property department in order that we can provide a full service to all our clients who require property advice, whether it be residential or commercial. Work / life balance – how do you get it right for you and your staff

The directors at HCB realise that in order to fully achieve the best outcome, staff should be valued and should also be encouraged to enjoy life outside the office walls. In our profession, it is easy to lose track of what is important because our day to day jobs are extremely demanding on our time and commitments. HCB value its staff by giving bonus days to all staff, irrespective of role and level if the targets are met each month. This has meant for the Cardiff office, each member of staff receiving an extra holiday day per month for the last two and half years - therefore increasing annual leave for staff by an extra 12 days per year. The day to day culture is 9 – 5pm. Can you tell us a surprising or little known fact about the firm

We have been in existence since 1859. 029 2029 1704; www.hcbgroup.com

Janine Edwards, assistant director head of commercial property

BUSINESS SPECIAL Loosemores’ Partners

when things are not going quite right for them. It is important that we are understanding and professional. Tell us about your community/ charity involvement

Is important for us to be involved in the community. We have close links with the charity Bullies Out and sponsor them whenever we have the opportunity, be it bake sales or quiz nights or something larger. For example, five of our staff undertook the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge and raised more than £2,000 for Bullies Out. Our most recent venture for them is a sky dive. Three of our intrepid staff are going to undertake a tandem skydive with all sponsorship monies being provided to Bullies Out. Please check out our Just Giving page. We are also involved with a number of other charities. The head of our family department, Luke Dixon, is on the committee of the Seren Trust and we regularly give advice at Dyfrig House. We undertake each year the Legal Walk.

loosemores solicitors Mark Loosemore

Tell us a little about your business

Loosemores is a boutique law firm, based in Cardiff and with a second office in central London. We have a strong heritage built up over more than 50 successful years. This is allied with a fresh and modern outlook, a commitment to bespoke personalised service and a determination to add real value for our clients. The firm provides a range of legal advisory services to both business and individual clients. Our services for business clients include advising on corporate, commercial, property, litigation and employment matters. Our specialist industry sectors are sport, media and entertainment, charities and technology. For individual clients, we focus on residential property together with probate, wills and trusts. Tell us about your community/charity involvement - Loosemores was established in

Cardiff city centre in the 1960s and our current team still enjoys being based there today. We are actively involved with numerous Cardiffbased organisations and networks. In addition, we provide some pro bono advice to charities and community interest companies. We also undertake fundraising activities for local charities

“The firm provides a range of legal advisory services to both business and individual clients”

and choose a local partner charity each year. Last year, we supported the Kaleidoscope Project, which provides help to people with alcohol or drug addiction. This year, we are supporting Llamau, whose mission is to end homelessness amongst young people and women.

Tell us something about you people might find surprising?

I was nominated for Woman Lawyer of the Year at the Law Society Excellence Awards in 2015. 029 2047 0909; www.martynprowel.co.uk www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-flying-prowelshannah-michelle-and-natalia

What sets you apart from others in the sector?

We try to focus less on what other law firms might be doing and instead more on making sure we create an environment in which our people flourish and our clients receive outstanding value. Did you know?

In the current edition of The Legal 500 UK directory, Loosemores is the only law firm in Wales which has both the team and leading individual lawyers ranked in tier 1 for both sport, and media and entertainment. 029 2022 4433; www.loosemores.co.uk

martyn prowell solicitors Caron Rockey

Tell us something about your business that you’re particularly proud of..

We are proud of the way that we deliver our service. We have been in business for some 22 years and feel that the service delivered to our customers is exceptional. Tell us a little about your business

We are a high street firm working out of the city centre. We moved to our new premises next to Queen Street Station on Queen Street some three years ago. We offer our clients a “cradle to grave” service with understanding and compassion. Often our clients come to us

Caron Rockey

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

“Out of the top 25 overseas rugby stars to grace the Welsh game Xavier Rush was listed as number one”

Claire Farren

We also want to override all competitors by making it affordable, offering celebrity-style hair transplants with various ﬁnance and payment options available. Did you know?

A fact that very few people know about me is that my sister Annaleah Rush and I both debuted for New Zealand Rugby on the same day. 0800 193 3888; www.hqhairtransplants.com

BUSINESS SERVICES FARRENS

Claire Farren

Tell us a little about your business

Farrens is a highly skilled team of outsourced assistants who offer executive business support with a difference. Being a team of highly specialised outsourced assistants, we can offer a bespoke package to any company to solve every pain point and problem they have. Each member of the Farrens team comes to the world of outsourced assistance from a very different background. Our combined skillset is impressive and vast. We are commercially aware, creative and strategic and we understand that every business is different, and every entrepreneur works differently. In fact, we ourselves all work differently, but that is what makes us unique. We offer 360-degree business support, from executive PA service, managing social media, HR systems, accounting processes, sales forecasts and strategies, event coordination and project management – the list is endless. We make a difference to every business we work with. Hire Farrens today, to grow your business tomorrow.

Work/life balance – how do you get it right for you and your staff?

That’s easy – there is one thing the Farrens team all have in common, we are all passionate about being organised! On a serious note there are a few things to ensure you get work/life balance right; have an optimistic attitude, take care of your wellbeing and nurture your relationships. As a team we ensure we do this, and we encourage our clients to do the same. What achievement as a firm are you most proud of?

We are incredibly proud to have built a great reputation and are known for delivering a high-

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

level service as this takes a lot of hard work and dedication. We are also proud to have made it as a ﬁnalist for the Cardiff Life Awards! We are a young business with drive and ambition to give all businesses the same level of executive service. Did you know

The meaning of the name Farren is Adventure. Our business owner is Claire Farren, the meaning of these two names are Bright Adventure, summing up the business and its journey perfectly! 07929 359781; www.farrens.co.uk

HEAD QUARTERS HAIR TRANSPLANT Xavier Rush

What plans do you have for 2019

The core project for 2019 is Head Quarters Hair Transplants clinic – a beautifully designed and built hair transplant clinic in the heart of Cardiff with a world-class hair transplant surgeon leading the project. We are aiming to restore men’s conﬁdence and deliver the platinum standard of transplant, patient experience and after care service. The brand name and image is about making hair transplants less “medical”– in the off-putting sense – to men, particularly those that rarely frequent doctors or hospitals, don’t talk about their health, avoid medical environments and don’t relate well to clinic terminology. Therefore we want to make hair transplants more accessible to men, making it more high street and like a “normal day at the ofﬁce” – hence the name “Head Quarters /HQ”.

Xavier Rush

THE MEDIA ANGEL Alison Debono

Tell us a little about your business

The Media Angel is an award-winning advertising agency based in Penarth. We help a variety of clients with their marketing campaigns across both the public and private sectors. Tell us about something exciting that has happened at The Media Angel this year

We’ve just found out we’re ﬁnalists in the National Marketing Awards alongside brands such as Vodaphone, Samsung and Sky. We are the only Welsh agency shortlisted in not one but two categories; media planning

Supporting you with your financial decisions, both now and in the future Discover the benefits of financial planning and how our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERâ&#x201E;˘ professionals can help you reach your goals. UNIQ Family Wealth can help you make the most of your assets, so you lead a more fulfilling & financially secure life: A Life Well Lived. Contact us now to work on yours. First meeting free E: theteam@uniqfamilywealth.co.uk T: 029 20782330 www.uniqfamilywealth.co.uk

BUSINESS SPECIAL Swansea University which utilised a broad range of media to engage with 18-21-year olds including; TV, digital and various outdoor platforms to name a few. The award ceremony will be held in London in April where the winners will be announced. 029 2132 0200; www.themediaangel.co.uk

sian gunney consulting Tell us a little bit about your business

13fields

Sian Gunney Consulting is a 1.1 digital marketing and PR consultancy service. I work with a small and expert selection of digital marketeers and together we form a powerhouse that helps my clients’ businesses achieve their goals. I work with start-ups, reputable well established SME’s and larger organisations.

and buying and advertising campaign both for our work with Swansea University for their June Open Day Campaign 2018. The campaign generated a 30% increase in open day registrations in 2018 exceeding the 10% target, over delivering by 200%. The Drum Marketing Awards celebrate the best marketers and campaigns both nationally and internationally. Open to advertising agencies, in-house marketing teams, design consultancies, digital agencies, PR companies and integrated agencies, The Media Angel is proud to represent Wales against some of the UK’s largest brands. The Drum Marketing Awards are one of the industry’s most sought after accolades and have many prestigious judges such as Sarah Kiefer (Director of Business Marketing at Spotify), Tatiana Piccolo (VP of global fragrance at Avon UK), Victoria Needs (director of international marketing at Sony) and Charles Allen (head of marketing at Arsenal Football Club). In the advertising category we are nominated alongside campaigns for Vodaphone, Swinton Insurance, Sky Betting & Gaming and Samsung. In the media planning or buying category we are nominated alongside Fox Sports for the FIFA World Cup 2018 and Volkswagen UK. We created a multi-faceted campaign for

Did you know?

I am listed as 48 in the top 100 influencers worldwide for Digital Marketing. www.instagram.com/siangunneyconsulting

Sian Gunney

Alison Debono

often get referred to me. I also guest lecture at Cardiff Business School and the University of South Wales on digital marketing and experiential marketing.

What sets you apart from other people in your sector?

I’m a very hands-on consultant, often working in client’s offices becoming part of their senior management team. I create a unified marketing and PR system that works like a well-oiled machine. I pride myself on helping make brands last. A lot of the brands I have worked with are still going strong 13 years later.

Jamie McCallion

Tell us a little about your business

We’re a new kid on the block, old heads on youngish shoulders, Splunk big data, security, and cloud consultancy – but we like to do things a little bit differently. We’re about time to value and return on investment – getting our clients visible results quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. We automate the basics to skip to the good bit, using the data to unleash insights into business performance. Our founders have more than 30 years of experience in the enterprise IT world across a diverse range of technologies.

What areas do you specialise in?

I work with a variety of industries from manufacturing, automotive, finance, government, sports, media, leisure and tourism, FMCG, food and drink, aesthetic medicine and beauty. What makes working in Cardiff special?

It’s the difference you can make to brands in a short space of time that excites me the most. I love transforming people’s lives and their business profitability. I always say if it doesn’t affect the bottom line positively then it’s not working. I understand the Cardiff market intrinsically and I know where social media community marketing can fly over traditional social media marketing. Every business needs social media marketing, but not every business understands why or how to optimise their strategy to cut through the noise and get traction and the best results. This is why a lot of big brands or celebrities and influencers looking to hit the Cardiff and Welsh market will

Sian Gunney

WE’LL FIND THE PERFECT MATCH PROFESSIONAL RECRUITMENT SERVICES FINANCE & ACCOUNTANCY • IT & COMMUNICATIONS HR, TRAINING & RECRUITMENT • MARKETING & PR SALES & CUSTOMER SERVICE • ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL BUSINESS SUPPORT & ADMIN

1 Ty Glas Road, Llanishen, Cardiff. CF14 5EB

Whether you’re a client looking for the best talent on the local market, or a candidate looking for the next exciting chapter in your career, our friendly team will be happy to help!

www.focusresourcing.co.uk

Telephone: 02922671222 fal

BUSINESS SPECIAL lime finance

Tom O’Brien

Tell us a little about your business

We offer business advisory and accountancy solutions. In addition to performing the traditional roles of an accountant we can also advise on the commercial viability of your business and offer support with preparing your business for investment, mergers and acquisitions. What achievement as a firm are you most proud of?

“We love it when clients consider us an extension of their team”

Our work with national brand, Fitness Space – we’ve worked closely with the directors to financially prepare the business for a roll out comprising more than 30 franchisees in the last 24 months. Many of the franchisees have since become clients which I believe is a testament to our good work! What predictions do you have for the sector in 2019?

The increased use of apps and automation will be adopted within the accountancy and finance sector. Lime is committed to staying abreast of innovations – we’d rather a computer do the compliance so we can focus on providing the insight and expertise. What areas do you specialise in?

Advisory – my highly experienced team is used to working with all types of businesses from SM’s to blue chips. Although we are all accountants by profession we consider ourselves business consultants more so. We can support with forecasting, planning, budgeting and fundraising while ensuring the client ticks all the compliance boxes too. We love it when clients consider us an extension of their team.

What makes working in Cardiff special?

Our clients are based across the U.K mainly in London and Ascot, but for me Cardiff stands out for its “scratch back” values, which you usually find in small towns not in a vibrant city like Cardiff. So many businesses are happy to support each other to ensure growth and achieve goals. Did You Know?

We invested in leading digital agency 11:59 meaning we not only offer accountancy but we can now recommend digital strategy and plans. 029 2010 4111; www.limefinance.co.uk

BUSINESS SUPPORT

FINANCE AND INSURANCE

INDUSTRIAL

LEGAL

SALES AND MARKETING

EXECUTIVE

ST DAVID RECRUITMENT SERVICES A PROFESSIONAL RECRUITMENT CONSULTANCY A PERSONAL, BESPOKE SERVICE TO RECRUITMENT CANDIDATES AND CLIENTS Since 2002, St David Recruitment Services Ltd has grown from strength to strength to become one of the most reputable independent recruitment agencies in Wales. Due to consistent growth, St David Recruitment Services Ltd continue in an exciting phase of expansion. We are proud to have achieved success within our business which has extended its reach across Wales, valuing opportunities to work with new clients and candidates in the Bridgend, Neath, Port Talbot and West Wales area, as well as Cardiff, Newport, Cwmbran and the East. Having recently relocated to new offices in Cardiff Gate, our expanding team of experienced consultants are on hand to assist with your recruitment needs.

Our recruitment professionals provide a first-class service to clients and candidates alike, with customers who appreciate our honesty, integrity and commitment to matching the right candidate to the right role. Our consultative approach, on a one to one basis, provides our clients with a tailored service to supply new personnel who complement their existing culture. All candidates are thoroughly interviewed and assessed prior to commencing employment, ensuring we consistently supply staff who enhance our established reputation, and that of our clients. Similarly, our candidates appreciate that we listen to their individual recruitment needs, maintain regular contact, and treat them with the respect which they deserve.

St David Recruitment Services specialise in the following areas: Administration/Data entry l Call Centre l Customer Service l Sales & Marketing l Secretaries & PAs l Switchboard Operators l Receptionist l Medical Secretaries l Welsh Speakers l Housing Officers & Advisors l PR & Communications l Senior Managers l Project Managers l Human Resources l Trainers l Accounts & Finance l IFAs l IT Specialists l Solicitors l Conveyancers l Legal Assistants/Paralegals l Underwriters l Industrial l Manufacturing & Production l Warehouse & Distribution l Freight & Logistics l Transport l Drivers l Health & Safety l Technical & Engineering l Security l Housekeepers & Cleaners

WE ARE UNIQUELY PLACED TO BE ABLE TO PUT OUR EXPERIENCE TO WORK FOR YOU IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS PROFESSIONAL, FRIENDLY AND FASTING-MOVING. CARDIFF OFFICE 1st Floor, Seven Oak Tree Court, Mulberry Drive, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff CF23 8RS. Tel: 02920 797920 info@stdavid-recruitment.co.uk

Visit us online: www.stdavid-recruitment.co.uk ba

BUSINESS SPECIAL Jamie McCallion

What sets you apart from others in your sector?

Our focus is firmly B2B and more specifically in the construction, engineering, manufacturing and technology sectors. This specialism enables us to provide expert guidance to our clients using the benefit of experience when it comes to what works best (or not) in relation to communications campaigns. What challenges are your clients facing?

Like most companies, Brexit is a general major challenge – particularly for our manufacturing clients. Across the board, GDPR has had a noticeable impact on marketing strategies, with many now turning to more traditional techniques such as PR in a bid to raise brand awareness and generate in-bound enquiries. How have the last 12 months been for you? What challenges are you clients facing?

Our clients have oodles of data – from computers, devices, tills, cameras, the cloud and more. We help them get business value from the data, re-using it in multiple contexts. Door entry data juxtaposed with HR holiday schedules for example, is someone entering the building when they’re meant to be at the rugby? Is the CFO accessing the company bank accounts from a computer in North Korea? They’re probably security incidents. What areas do you specialise in?

IT monitoring, machine learning, and cyber security, using Splunk as the tool, on-prem or in the cloud. We automate everything it makes sense to automate, so we can spend more time doing the things that add value to our clients’ businesses.

It’s been a phenomenal year for us. We’ve relocated to new offices in Penarth, welcomed new team members, significantly grown our client base and were named as finalists in the CIPR Cymru awards for Outstanding Small Consultancy of the Year. We’re going from strength to strength, with all of our new business coming from referrals. Did You Know?

We don’t just work locally… we deliver PR campaigns internationally with a team member on the ground to service Australia and New Zealand. 029 2166 0639; www.technicalmarketing-pr.com

Did you know...?

We own a woods near Pontypridd for community benefit. Community engagement is really important to all of us at 13Fields. We also support young people and women in technology events, and we’ve spoken in schools, donated IT equipment, and sponsored events. www.13fields.co.uk

Technical Marketing & PR Louise Matthews, Managing Director Tell us a little about your business

We’re a boutique PR and marketing agency based in Penarth offering marketing and PR services to clients of all shapes and sizes – from start-ups through to FTSE 250 and global companies.

“Community engagement is really important to all of us at 13Fields” 112 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Technical Marketing & PR

Ubiquity

Tell us a little about your business

With firm, established Welsh roots, we have recently moved to a new office in Cardiff and opened an office in Liverpool to reflect our continued expansion. Offering digital creative, media and PR services nationally and internationally, here at Ubiquity we continue to win contracts and develop our diverse client base. In 2019, we are aiming to make a difference in many ways … What makes Ubiquity proud to make a difference?

Over the past 12 months, there are many things that we, as an agency, are extremely proud of. From winning new work, to maintaining fantastic relationships with our clients, and most recently, the expansion into Liverpool. However, other work with local colleges and universities has made the past year, a year to remember. As well as offering student placements, members of the agency have actively been working with students across South Wales through lectures, portfolio reviews and end of year projects. Ubiquity is proud to say that 30% of our new recruits this year have been from our work-based placements – this a real way in which we have made a difference. Have you made a difference through any charity work?

Ubiquity’s charity of choice for 2019 is Stroke of Luck. This charity was started by Craig

architects BUSINESS SPECIAL Ubiquity’s chairman, Ian Ayre

many changes to itself and its surroundings over the years, but still stands proud in the heart of Cardiff as its oldest hotel. Styling ourselves as a four star boutique hotel, we offer an informal, relaxed and comfortable night’s stay, ideally situated just minutes walk away from the Principality Stadium and the shopping and nightlife centres of Cardiff.

our underground car park was also sold off. Despite these challenges, the hotel has continued evolving and innovating and we have consistently excellent reviews for our customer service and offerings – regularly challenging big brand rival hotels. 029 2055 0755; www.royalhotelcardiff.com

Did you know?

Alison Whistance

In 2013, the hotel installed two rooftop beehives – the honey harvested can be bought (and tasted) at the hotel and the beeswax is used to make natural soaps and candles. In 2018, we managed to harvest a crop of 130 jars of honey! Pankhurst, a stroke survivor who is not only passionate about supporting fellow stroke survivors but also about offering help and support to the survivors’ nearest and dearest. The charity believes that the journey to a fuller life after a stroke is born out of positive communities. Introducing physical activity into a survivor’s daily life increases the sense of wellbeing and by connecting stroke survivors and personal trainers, Stroke of Luck promotes working together to developing a healthier body and mind. Ubiquity has made the difference to Stroke of Luck and the people this charity supports, by developing a free of charge website and social media plan. We’ve heard you are also making a difference in America? Can you tell us a bit about that?

Ubiquity’s chairman, Ian Ayre is currently making a difference to American sport. Currently residing in the vibrant and inclusive city of Nashville, Ian’s responsibility is for the creation of the MLS league in Nashville from the ground up. It’s certainly a challenge, but one Ian is fully ready to take in order to launch the league in March 2020. It will be a massive year stateside for Ian, who now has the opportunity to sit on both sides of the marketing table but remains fully committed to Ubiquity Group. 029 2043 6573; www.ubiquitygroup.co.uk

The Royal Hotel Cardiff Scott Frankton

Tell us about your business

Built in 1866, the Royal Hotel Cardiff has seen

12 mediaclash.co.uk

Tell us about your community/charity involvement?

Several years ago, the Hotel partnered with Tros Gynnal Plant (TGP), a local charity which provides an advocacy service for vulnerable children and young people. We regularly hold curry and quiz nights, raising money for a worthy cause (and everyone has a great time too)! We also donate all lost property left in the hotel to their Swansea-based charity shop. What achievements are you most proud of?

The hotel has changed guise many times over the years, with the original downstairs buildings being sold to private bars. Not only that, but

Alison Whistance

Thincats

Tell us a little bit about your business

ThinCats is an established fintech lender dedicated to funding SMEs with business loans up to £15million using pioneering data, personal relationships and a pragmatic lending process enabled through proprietary technology. What challenges are your clients facing?

Some 46% of SMEs have experienced barriers in accessing finance; with reasons given including that lenders either do not understand the sector (12%) or do not understand the borrower’s individual needs (10%), according to research from Close Brothers. The main reasons SMEs have their applications rejected include: cash flow not considered strong enough, business wasn’t considered to have enough capital, or simply that their banks were not lending to SMEs at the time. What areas do you specialise in?

ThinCats provides UK SMEs with funding up to £15million through senior secured loan facilities. Our entire ethos is based around providing our clients with certainty of deal execution. Our through-the-lifecycle funding experience enables us to fund a variety of scenarios; from organic growth to acquisitions, management buy-outs and buy ins, refinancing and restructures. What sets you apart from other in your sector?

ThinCats’ progressive approach has already enabled UK SMEs to borrow more than £400million. We care about the success of the businesses we fund. We take the time to listen, to gain a close understanding of the business strategy, the challenges and opportunities. Our ability to access multiple sources of patient capital allows us to do the deals that others can’t. 07814 139523; www.thincats.com

property

SantY-Nyll House

Charlie Rose discovers a dreamy period-style property 118 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ant-Y-Nyll house is the kind of place you could imagine a Jane Austen heroine residing. Emma Woodhouse would not be out of place hosting a dinner party in the elegant dining hall, nor Marianne Dashwood penning correspondence in the library – and it’s easy to imagine Elizabeth Bennett riding side saddle around the 12 acre estate… True, the fact that highly regarded architect Sir Percy Thomas didn’t design the place until 1924 puts it more than slightly out of era, but the Georgian style and elegance of the place is such that we’re not going to let a few facts get in the way of a good daydream. But back to reality. All literary fantasties aside, Sant-Y-Nyll House is more than equipped for modern family life. The ground floor boasts no less than three principal living spaces – all enjoying beautiful views across the estate and surrounding countryside – including the elegant dining hall with doors leading to the garden, the attractive sitting room with feature fire and marble

hearth, and the charming library with wood flooring and panelled sash windows. In addition, there’s a breakfast room, a downstairs bathroom complete with roll top bath and walk-in shower, and an exquisite orangery with vaulted glass roof which commands views of the gardens from every angle. A study provides further space – ideal as a homework room for teenagers perhaps – and there’s a useful utility room too. The large kitchen/breakfast room has been kitted out to a high standard with solid wood storage units, granite work surfaces, and a plethora of integrated appliances including two ovens, two induction hobs and plate heater, a Neff coffee maker, double fridge and wine cooler. And speaking of wine, there’s a wine cellar in the basement too – perfect for a burgeoning wine collection. On the first floor you’ll find five of the six bedrooms. The main bedroom is a wonderfully light and airy room with an exceptionally spacious dressing area and a large en suite bathroom. The southerly aspect ensures it makes the most of the natural light and there are wonderful views over the grounds. The other four

bedrooms on this floor are all well proportioned – especially bedroom two which is also south facing. Also on this floor is a contemporary family bathroom. On the second floor is the sixth and final bedroom with velux windows to allow light to flood in, a walk-in wardrobe and plenty of storage built into the eaves. It’s a large and versatile space, offering a wealth of possibilities if you don’t need the space for sleeping. If you’ve been entranced by the interiors, just wait until you step outside and see the delights that are waiting for you there. The expansive grounds include sweeping lawns, mature trees, well-tended ornamental beds, pathways, terraces galore, a children’s playground area, pond, and plenty of space for al fresco dining and entertaining. And equestrian enthusiasts will be utterly delighted by the stable block with four large stables and tack room, and ménage. With its bright spacious rooms, beautiful gardens and coveted location a stone’s throw from the peaceful village of Peterson Super Ely just a short drive from the bustling centre of Cardiff, Sant-Y-Nyll House has a plethora of charms, which are sure to stand the test of time. n

House numbers Sant-Y-Nyll House, St Brides Super Ely , CF5 6EZ

Bedrooms 6 Reception rooms

Bathrooms

Orangery

Stables

Ménage Guide price

1 £2.8m

For more: Savills, 5th Floor, 2 Kingsway, Cardiff CF10 3FD; www.savills.co.uk

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www.pablack.co.uk Prestige homes from Peter Alan

Jade Close, Lisvane ÂŁ525,000 EPC = D pa black Llanishen 02920 618552

Detached five bedroom house, PVC double glazing, gas chr, 16ft sitting room, 18ft lounge, downstairs cloak room, fitted kitchen, utility room. Separate snug, separate dining room, three bathrooms. South facing rear gardens, detached workshop, in and out drive. Quiet select close. Ideal family home with versatile living space ideal for a growing family or two generation living.

www.pablack.co.uk Prestige homes from Peter Alan

Ridgeway, Lisvane ÂŁ499,500 EPC = D pa black Llanishen 02920 618552

Detached larger style four bedroom family house, impressive landscaped corner gardens with room to extend, downstairs cloak room, fitted kitchen, formal dining room, 22ft lounge, large conservatory. Two bathrooms, triple entrance drive, detached double garage, gas chr, lovely quiet location fronting a quiet and select. Close no chain.

CARDIFF LIVES

“I’m proud to be an honorary Welshman” amazing conductors, soloists and directors. It’s hard to pick out one moment, but perhaps Wagner’s Die Meistersinger to a packed Royal Albert Hall with Bryn Terfel singing was the standout. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you? Too many things to mention. Perhaps musically, at WNO coming in in the wrong place is very embarrassing on timpani because everyone notices. It’s a bit like a goalkeeper dropping the ball.

Patrick King The Welsh National Opera timpanist shares his secrets Hi Patrick! Tell us a bit about yourself… I’m Patrick King, originally from Norfolk I’ve lived in Wales since 2008. My wife’s family are all Welsh and our children have all been born in Cardiff. I’m proud to be an honorary Welshman! What is your job? How long have you been doing it? I’m section principal timpani of the orchestra of Welsh National Opera... essentially the noisy one at the back! I’ve held this position since 2008. In addition to this I was appointed head of percussion performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in January. How do you like to spend your free time? My wife Hannah and I have four young children (aged five, three, two and five months) so that keeps us busy! I’m passionate about surfing, and live in Llantwit Major so when I get a moment I’ll be in the sea down the road from my house with ‘Llantwit locals’ from the Channel Coast Surf Club.

What do you love about where you work? WNO is based at Wales Millennium Centre which is a truly iconic building, set in a wonderful part of Cardiff. When the sun is shining, there’s culturally no better place in the UK. I feel passionately that WNO makes opera accessible to everyone – for less than the price of a round of coffee or a cinema ticket you can come and watch world class opera in a world class venue. The RWCMD with the back drop of Bute Park and Cardiff Castle is such a fantastic place for people to come and study music it’s the National Conservatoire of Wales offering amazing tuition in such a wonderful city. What has been the highlight of your career so far? Getting the job with WNO. Having studied in London at the Royal College of Music, I was freelancing in London, then I was offered the job at WNO and the chance for a work life balance was amazing. At WNO we have worked with the most

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

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? Kelly Slater, best surfer of all time. I don’t like the idea of serious dinner parties so let’s go with a comedian – maybe Rhod Gilbert. Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock talks so much sense and I’d love Cardiff City to stay up, (fingers crossed Norwich City will join them) so he can come too. And then Delia Smith, Norwich City majority shareholder, master chef and friends with Neil! When did you last cry, and why? Probably at the birth of my son Noah, five months ago. Who would play you in a film about your life? Ha ... I’m not sure it would make the best film! My wife loves Matt Damon, maybe him? What job would you be terrible at? I’m terrible at DIY so a builder, carpenter, plumber or anything like that. The garden gate fell off last week, and there is still blood on one of the shelves I put up. What’s on your bookshelf at the moment? Surf For Your Life by Mick Fanning. He was attacked by a great white live on TV at a surf contest in South Africa, and he won. Who’s your celebrity crush? CBeebies presenter Maddie... fellow dads with young children will understand.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Leaving my wife with the children to go for a surf. Which piece of music would you put on at the end of a trying day? Anything by James Taylor What’s your favourite piece of clothing? My wetsuit! No Limit wetsuits in Porthcawl, custom made by local legend Greg Owen are brilliant. If you have a spare five minutes in the day, what are you likely to fill it with? Checking the surf report or the Norwich City FC latest news, checking work emails and keeping up with the diary. What’s your earliest childhood memory? Playing football with my dad. What are your favourite places to eat/drink and shop in Cardiff? I love Quantum coffee shop in Cardiff Bay. Jamie’s Italian has always been a family favourite and Brød the Danish bakery in Pontcanna is fantastic. Tell us about a secret/ underrated Cardiff spot we might not be aware of… Brodie’s coffee shop in the gardens opposite the museum is brilliant. Hopbunker for a quiet proper real ale is a hidden classic. We’d better let you get on…. What are you doing as soon as you’ve done this? I’m on lunch break at the moment, leading percussion/ samba workshops at a school for my wife’s company, Children’s Musical Adventures, hopefully inspiring some young children to get into music. n

www.wno.org.uk www.rwcmd.ac.uk www.childrensmusicaladventures.com