Cardiff Life - Issue 227 by MediaClash

ISSUE 227 / OCTOBER 2020 / Â£3

@CardiffLifeMag

Conscious CELEBRATING THE BEST IN THE CITY, PENARTH & THE VALE

ISSUE 227 / OCTOBER 2020 / INDIE CITY

ati ty creativi ARTISTIC INDIVIDUALITY AT BETH MORRIS WORKSHOPS

ALL FRIGHT GREAT BRIDE NOW AND SMALL YOUR TIME Halloweenthemed accessories

Punchy little dishes at the Heathcock

Looking ahead to weddings in 2021

EDITOR’S LETTER

here is creativity in all of us, but it can easily be buried beneath heaps of everyday tasks and routines. If you’ve lost your mojo or just need your spark relit, Beth Morris, a local community art school founder and this issue’s smiley cover star, may well be able to offer you some reinvigoration nd out on page . Talking of raw, imaginative talent, we’ve got bundles of it featured in this issue. On page you’ll nd wedding creatives whose work literally wows – from cake architects and couture gown designers to floral stylists and jewellery creators. Turn to page 3 for our ‘meet the maker’ section, in which we chat to the founders of The Blackened Teeth about their intricately macabre interior design it is alloween month, after all . And on page 3 meet an artist who creates alternate worlds with just a ballpoint pen and paper. Elsewhere, we’ve got a review of the new small plates offering at the eathcock in Llandaff page 6 an insight into how local schools are spreading positivity in their classrooms page and we ask The arrior omen Collective ho run the world Is it, in fact, girls ’ on page . Until next time… CardiffTogether

This Forbesfield edible bouquet is just one of the creative offerings you’ll find in our weddings feature on page 12

ae rhywfaint o greadigrwydd yn perthyn i bob un ohonom ond mae’n hawdd iddo fynd ar goll ynghanol llwyth o dasgau pob dydd a threfn arferol bywyd. Os ydych wedi colli eich creadigrwydd chi neu os oes angen ei ddeffro, tybed all eth orris sylfaenydd ysgol gelf gymunedol leol a seren clawr y rhifyn hwn gynnig rhywfaint o ysbrydoliaeth i chi Ewch i dudalen i gael gwybod mwy. Ac o s n am ddawn naturiol, ddychmygus, mae’r rhifyn hwn yn orlawn ohoni. Ar dudalen , mae gwaith rhyfeddol y sawl sy’n creu campweithiau ar gyfer priodasau o’r sawl sy’n cynllunio cacennau ac yn dylunio ffrogiau i’r sawl sy’n trefnu blodau ac yn creu gemwaith. na, trowch i’n hadran cwrdd ’r crefftwyr’ ar dudalen 3 lle’r ydym yn sgwrsio sylfaenwyr The lackened Teeth’ am eu syniadau hynod o facabr ar gyfer ystafelloedd mae’n s Calan aeaf, wedi’r cyfan . Ac ar dudalen 3 , rydym yn cwrdd ag artist sy’n creu bydoedd amgen gan ddefnyddio dim byd ond papur a beiro. ng ngweddill y rhifyn hwn, rydym yn adolygu’r arlwy newydd o brydau bach yn yr eathcock yn Llandaf ar dudalen 6 rydym yn bwrw golwg ar sut mae ysgolion lleol yn hybu positifrwydd yn eu hystafelloedd dosbarth ar dudalen ac ar dudalen xx rydym yn gofyn i’r arrior omen Collective ai merched sy’n rhedeg y byd mewn gwirionedd Tan y tro nesaf… Caerdyddynghyd

LISA EVANS Follow us on Twitter @CardiffLifeMag Instagram @cardifflifemag

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Issue 227/October 2020 COVER Beth Morris Workshops, see page 28. Photo by Clare Harding Photography

FEATURES

12 PUT A RING ON IT Weddings may be on hold but

we’re still looking forward

28 CONSCIOUS CREATIVITY Beth Morris

Workshops inspire us

40 LEARN BY HEART Local schools have us in tears

with their lockdown stories

THE ARTS

23 INTRO Red alert for the events industry 24 WHAT’S ON Arts, shows and activities, it’s all going

on in Cardiff

32 RISING STAR João Saramago’s work captivates us

SHOPPING

36 EDITOR’S CHOICE A spot of spooky, edgy

Halloween inspiration

38 MEET THE MAKER Macabre masters at The © CL ARE HARDING PHOTOGR APHY

Blackened Teeth

FOOD & DRINK

45 TASTY BITES A few newsy morsels for you to

chew on

46 RESTAURANT Sublime small plates at the

Heathcock pub and restaurant

BUSINESS

51 CARDIFFWORKS News, views and inspiring

interviews with the region’s professionals

PROPERTY

59 PROPERTY NEWS Our pick of the most interesting

stories on the scene

60 SHOWCASE Fancy living in a church tower? Take a

look inside Windsor Lofts

LIFESTYLE

10 MY CARDIFF Photographer Phil Lewis’s snaps of

Penarth are turned into a calendar

64 TRAVEL A pre-lockdown adventure to the Maldives

REGULARS 8

SPOTLIGHT ews on Creative Cardiff, lack

istory

onth and Cardiff

35 WYBURN & WAYNE Plenty of local love from

our amazing columnists

42 SCENE Carnival commotion and an elegant

club lunch

66 CARDIFF LIVES Blues singer Laura Evans talks

Hollywood, new music and Basil Brush

Editor Lisa Evans lisa.evans@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 Nathan Wyburn, Wayne Courtney and Evelyn Green Advertising manager Mark George mark.george@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 Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Production designer Gemma Scrine gemma.scrine@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 and Exeter. 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

Take control Benjamin Delve of BERRY SMITH LAWYERS tells us about finanical arrangements on retirement plans

ne of the most valuable assets that individuals will accumulate during their working lives is their savings for retirement. It is not uncommon, therefore, that when a marriage, or civil partnership, comes to an end, parties will be concerned about the impact of any financial arrangements on their retirement plan. Historically, the courts have been willing to give credit for contributions made towards a pension scheme prior to the relationship – particularly where the contributions are significant. Whilst contributions are still relevant, the courts have become increasingly willing to share pension funds on the breakdown of a relationship, including contributions that may have been made prior to a marriage/civil partnership. Giving weight to the approach being adopted by the court, a report published by the Pension Advisory Group in July 2019, stated that, “In a needs case, the court can resort to

any assets to meet the parties' needs; in such cases it is rarely appropriate to apportion the pension based on the length of the marriage and existence of the pension.” Whilst this report is not binding upon the court, and a judge must still consider the contributions made by the parties to the marriage, contributions made towards pensions prior to a marriage/civil-partnership are increasingly being sought on the breakdown of a relationship. It is increasingly important, where an individual will be bringing investments into a marriage (including pensions), to consider how these will be dealt with in the event that the relationship comes to an end. For many people there remains a stigma attached to the notion of ‘nuptial agreements’, however, they are becoming increasingly important for couples who wish to take control, of their future financial arrangements, into their own hands. n

Benjamin Delve

If you would like any further information or advice on nuptial agreements, or pension sharing on relationship breakdown, please contact our Family Team on 02920 345511 or 01656 645525.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

SPOTLIGHT Arts

C EATI E CA

Beth Blandford’s digital illustrations depict prominent Welsh women enjoying Cardiff-based hubs

A digital storywall has been launched to showcase what is special about the elsh capital and its creative individuals. The city-based creatives selected by Creative Cardiff a network which connects people working in the creative sector were commissioned to make work which explores what is special about this city in . The pieces included digital illustration, a love letter to Cardiff, a comedy sketch and music, and the new work has been collated on the Creative Cardiff website. One of the artists was eth landford, whose digital illustrations pictured right showcase prominent elsh women enjoying Cardiff venues. I created four images that depict prominent elsh women enjoying well-known Cardiff-based hubs, she says. The illustrations feature venues Clwb Ifor ach, Chapter, Wales Millennium Centre and Roath Lock, and the women include uth ones as essa, of course , hirley assey, Cerys atthews and more. or more creati ecardiff or k

Standing proud on King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff

Education

TOP O T E CLA

Black History Month

PAINT IT BLACK

Cardiff etropolitan niversity has been named elsh niversity of the Year 2021 by The Times and he nday imes ood ni ersity ide. The et leapt 33 places in the league table, the institution’s highest ever jump in this guide. The award acknowledges the niversity’s progress in delivering on its ambitious strategy and associated range of developments as well as its supportive, inclusive and welcoming work and study environment. Cardiff et’s performance in this year’s academic ranking is exceptional,” says Alastair McCall, editor of he nday imes ood ni ersity ide. It is the biggest riser in ales, and the third biggest in the . or more cardiffmet ac k

As October is Black History Month, the Royal Mail has unveiled four special-edition postboxes in each UK nation, including one in Cardiff, on ing Edward II Avenue. The code-activated postboxes are painted black with a gold trim, and each features a gure of signi cance to the ritish black community, who has also appeared on a pecial tamp. Cardiff’s postbox features ary eacole, who nursed wounded British soldiers back to health during the Crimean War and built a dedicated place for them to recuperate known as the ritish otel. “Black History Month is a great opportunity to celebrate the contributions that black people have made to this country over many generations,” says Peter De Norville, head of diversity and inclusion at oyal ail. e are also using it as an opportunity to celebrate the vital work that our black employees do throughout the nation. For more: www.royalmail.com Cardiff Met has aced it and is now Welsh University of the Year 8 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Recycling

TRASH TALK Cardiff’s Rugby Codebreakers campaign projected onto Cardiff Castle

Sport

GO TEAM GO

City

STREET SMARTS

LISTEN UP

herman Theatre has announced the eart of Cardiff audio drama series, which pays tribute to the meetings, encounters, and transformative impact of community connection in our extraordinary city. The writers, who are all Cardiff based, highlight the richly diverse perspectives and stories of the city for example, Emma Cooney pictured has written one of the audio dramas, called Goodbye Memory Lane. Her audio can be experienced anywhere, but is also designed as a guided walk through the eath. “It is a privilege to be sharing with our audiences such a diverse range of stories, says oe urphy, artistic director of herman Theatre. rom panthers in airwater, to the true story of a erchant navy seaman from Tiger ay, to the struggles of integrating lack and elsh identities, there is an amazing breadth of Cardiff communities and individuals represented in this season. At the heart of each story is a life-changing encounter that moment when we connect with someone, or something, that in a tiny or massive way has a profound effect on the course of our lives. For more: www.shermantheatre.co.uk

An open call has been put out for artists based in Cardiff to create a unique road crossing for Canton. It’s a partnership between multiartform venue Chapter and Cardiff Council, who are looking to commission a local artist to create a unique road crossing for Cowbridge Road East in Canton. The project is part of a range of improvements being undertaken by the Council, and the commissioned artwork is intended to be both a bold and vibrant addition to the location, and to provide a safe place for people to cross the busy area of Cowbridge oad East. The designs by three shortlisted artists will be presented for consultation with the local community who, in ecember, will select the nal artwork to be taken forward to completion in early . For more: www.chapter.org

One for the road: A colourful design like this would brighten Canton

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U KNOW

Getting wasted: former Dirty Sanchez star Matt Pritchard is all for recycling

Emma Cooney is one of the Heart of Cardiff writers

Theatre

Recycling two banana peels generates enough electricity to charge one iPad

ome of the country’s greatest sporting heroes are to be immortalised in a permanent artwork. One Team One ace, onouring the Cardiff ay ugby Codebreakers’ launched on porting eritage ay 3 eptember . The project will raise money to create three statues chosen from sports stars who made contributions playing in ugby League over the past years. All 3 nominees including the likes of illy oston and oe Corsi grew up within a three-mile radius of Cardiff ay and many battled prejudice and racism before leaving ales to nd fame as ugby League superstars in the orth of England. The public can take part by voting for their top three. For more: www.rugbycodebreakers.co.uk

Vegan chef and former Dirty Sanchez star att Pritchard is backing a campaign to e ighty, ecycle’. The elsh overnment is spearheading a new drive to get people in ales to recycle more in a bid to be the world leader in recycling. The campaign asks us all to make small changes in how we recycle and push ales towards the number one spot. att Pritchard says, oining the collection workers on their round has been a real eye opener. I can see for myself the colossal amount of food waste already being collected from people’s homes, and all this food waste gives us power when it’s converted into electricity for our homes. DI D For more: www.walesrecycles.org.uk

MY CARDIFF

PICTURE-PERFECT PENARTH Award-winning photographer PHIL LEWIS, who lives in Penarth, has created a calendar to showcase his hometown, and it’s already selling out. Here he tells us about the local project… I’m quite proud of my achievements so far…

My photos have been published in Amateur Photographer magazine and Practical Photography magazine and I also won a photo contest which was run to celebrate World Art Nouveau Day 2020. I focus a lot on landscape and architectural photography, and prints of my photos have been sold to people all over the world – from Australia to Texas. Travel and photography are my twin passions…

and they go very well together, but the majority of my most ‘successful’ photos have been taken here in Wales; many of them in my hometown of Penarth. After the initial phase of lockdown had finished…

and people were allowed outside of their houses for more than one

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hour a day, I decided to go out every morning for the ‘blue hour’ – a period of time when the sun is below the horizon and the indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue shade. There were still very few cars on the road, and so the air was crystal clear. Penarth is a town made for photography but going out in the blue hour lent a different view to the familiar. I ended up with a portfolio of Penarth images…

and was thinking about what to do with them. Then I saw a news article about the link between Alzheimer’s and coronavirus; my father died with Alzheimer’s, and The Alzheimer’s Society provided great support, so I decided to turn my images into a calendar, Penarth Through a Lens, to raise money for the charity.

“It’s a town made for photography” I announced I was doing a calendar on 30 August, and by 7 September I’d sold out...

So now I’ve got another run of 250 calendars printed. The pandemic has led to a sharp decline in donations to many charities, so I now, more than ever, want to try to contribute what I can. n

Penarth Through a Lens calendars are available at Snells, Foxy’s Deli and Bee Happy – all in Penarth Town Centre – and they can also be purchased through Phil on Instagram @artnouveauman, or on email philip.lewis100@live.com

TOP 5

Phil’s favourite bits of Penarth • The Pier It’s an iconic Art Deco building which now houses an exhibition space, a cinema and a café, and it’s a lovely place for a stroll almost any time of the year. • The Custom House It’s my favourite place to eat in Penarth. It always feels like a real treat whenever I go. • The Cliff Tops A high vantage point overlooking the Bristol Channel; in summer it’s a great place to meet up with friends and relax in the sunshine. • Penarth Library Because who doesn’t love a book? I’ve spent weeks in there over the years I’m sure. • Locally-run cafés and coffee shops Penarth has its chains, but the local shops are where the real magic of Penarth can be found. Foxy’s Deli, Willmore’s and Waterloo Tea (located in the Washington, a magnificent building), are three of my personal favourites.

WEDDINGS © WHOISBENJAMIN PHOTOGR APHY

E&W Couture is known for breaking stereotypes

BETTER OFF WED Weddings are being entirely rethought right now, so we’re looking towards 2021 and beyond for inspiration… By Lisa Evans

he rules are ever-changing when it comes to weddings this year – they were even banned when lockdown began – and it’s led many couples to postpone their dates until next year or even until 2022, so we’re looking ahead and focusing on the positives by chatting with a plethora of pros and gazing longingly at their incredible creations and collaborations to think about what’s to come and to remind us not to lose inspiration, hope, joy or vision.

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“We believe in a bridal revolution”

GIRL ABOUT GOWN

Let’s be honest, the dress is important, isn’t it? We want to look like the best version of ourselves, and sometimes that means eschewing the traditional because it just doesn’t feel right. Here’s a mood board of dresses we love right now…

E&W Couture

reaking bridal stereotypes since , this Cardiff-based brand is, says its creative director Sophie Creed, for badass babes who want to do it differently. ere she tells us more Tell us about your designs… © THROUGH THE WOODS WE R AN PHOTOGR APHY

e believe in a bridal revolution we don’t think bridal should be kept in a box, and we don’t think you should be pressured into not feeling like yourself. Our dresses are unusual, gure flattering and comfortable. And we make each dress for you according to measurements so no more buying in between’ sizes. What’s in the range?

e’ve got sparkle, lace, simplicity in dress form or in separates for all you alternative gals. e’ve got a range of skirts, tops and trousers for you to mix it up. e like questioning the conventional styles and adding our own take on traditional. orn and made in Cardiff, all of our pieces are designed, developed and manufactured at our city centre workspace. www.eandwcouture.co.uk

All of these outfits are by E&W Couture – there are dresses, separates and even trouser/top co-ords. Bridal shouldn’t be kept in a box, says creative director Sophie Creed

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Docs and dresses - coolest combo ever? Another E&W Couture number

Autumn vibes Couple: The Protheros Location: Court Coleman Makeup/ hair/ photography: Yolanda Kingdon Flowers: Jan Lima Flowers Dress: E&W Couture Jacket: Mermaid Effect

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DRESS IS MORE

Here are some other dress shops we covet… One1 Bridal, Cathays; www.one1bridal.com Lauram May Bridal Boutique, Royal Arcade; www.lauramaybridal.co.uk Perfection Bridal Cardiff, High Street Arcade; www.perfectionbridalcardiff.co.uk CocoMio, Cathays; www.cocomiobridal.com Castle Bridal, High Street; www.castlebridal.co.uk Leigh Alexandra, Llantrisant; www.leighalexandra.com

Simple and sleek: the Leigh Alexandra debut bridal collection, Bloom, is a perfect balance of modern and romantic

WEDDINGS I believe in Pink Couple: Jade Wortley and Cara Blue Morgan Location: The Giraffe Shed Cake: Miss Havisham Cakes Hair and makeup: Rebel Rock Hair and Makeup Photography: Esme Whiteside Photography Flowers: Emma Cox Floristry Pink dress and bow: Claire Mischevani Dress: E&W Couture Veils: W Collective Stylist: Luna and the lane Stationary: Sundown Paper Jewellery: Babes and bad Examples Filmed by: Leesha Williams Photo Created by: The Giraffe Shed and Esme Whiteside, for their photography workshop

SNAP DECISION

Meet our pick of local photographers…

a alie one o Fo

o o ra

ardi

How would you describe your style?

Some things shouldn’t ever be faked; real emotions always win for me, so I try and capture everything exactly as it happens naturally. What shots do you LOVE to get?

Laughter or tears (happy ones); a picture that makes you feel something when looking at it is the best type. How should we find a wedding photographer?

Think about style and editing (do you like dark and moody or light and airy?) and then stalk the photographers’ Instagram pages. Best moment you’ve had as a wedding photographer?

Halfway through the vows, a drag queen ran down the aisle singing ‘it should have been me’ while hitting the groom with his handbag. o hoto ra hycardiff com

Natasha Ford of Honeydew Moments What’s your photography approach?

Special shots?

I’m known for my golden hour photographs and have even been dubbed ‘the queen of sunsets’ by a few of my brides! I’m giddy for pretty light. Top tips to those looking for a photographer?

Look at portfolio over price – fall in love with their work and their style before anything else. And make sure you like the photographer as a person, their personality has to click with you.

Heartfelt photography for modern romantics. I love to let the day unfold without interfering too much.

Best moment you’ve had as a wedding photographer?

Capturing my rst micro wedding’ after coronavirus hit. It felt incredible to be back doing what I love. honeyde moments co k

Xena and Akis of Bull & Archer Photography © ESME WHITESIDE PHOTOGR APHY

What’s your style?

Romantic documentary, with a passion for adding a touch of fantasy. What are your favourite shots to capture?

The morning prep, and the rst moment you get to shoot the couple together; there is an energy surrounding them, a cocktail of emotions and it’s exhilarating to be part of. Top tips to anyone who’s looking for a wedding photographer but can’t decide?

See if you have chemistry. Don’t settle for a photographer that you don’t vibe with. llandarcher com

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WEDDINGS FLORAL INTENTS AND PURPOSES Here we speak to two florists renowned for their off-beat approach…

Forbesfield

This business is run out of a two-story coach house in Barry, nestled between High Street and The Goodsheds development. Owner Beth Forbes-Simpson tells us more. Your specialty?

e love spontaneous floral design and have always worked instinctively despite formal training at horticultural college. e love mixing flowers that lots of other designers would shy away from using together. othing is off limits. What do you predict the trends will be next year and beyond?

ried and preserved flowers will continue to thrive, and pampas grass is still getting love coupled with that wild, bohemian style. e wanted to make a bouquet that was good enough to eat, so we called upon the skills of chocolatiers Cocoa Therapy, and bakers ale Cake outique. The result was slabs of high-quality chocolate and buttery blocks of shortbread with our floral designs embedded into them. We’ve also just designed and created a range of preserved floral wearables from cuffs to hair accessories for brides, which are retailing exclusively through achel urgess ridal outique. or es eld co k

Jan Lima Flowers

an, whose business is based in her home studio in Cyncoed, says she tries not to have a signature look, as that can stifle creativity.

Field of dreams Flowers: Jan Lima Flowers Location: Rosedew Farm Photography: Yolanda Kingdon Dress: High Society Bridal Boutique Hair and makeup: Janet White-Ashby & Co.

Tell us something unusual…

Give us a taste of what you offer…

Being given creative freedom or a new challenge results in me being able to achieve so much from a project, I feel less restricted which then evolves into something more original. I’m also known for my love of flower crowns and headpieces lockdown has given me the chance to explore original ideas, making installations, painting designs on leaves, floral jewellery, and dried flower accessories for men such as bow ties and pocket squares.

Spontaneous floral design where nothing is off limits is what you’ll find at Forbesfield

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What floral trends are on the horizon?

With the uncertainty of current times, many are scaling down their requirements. The trend for dried flowers and grasses continues to grow, as do hints of metallics amongst natural, textural arrangements. We are also seeing all-white bouquets where even the foliage is bleached white. And potted plants and succulents are being used to decorate the venue. Tell us something unusual…

I think differently to many classically trained florists, probably due to my design background. We incorporate many of my vintage, rustic or quirky props into our displays and we also forage in woodlands to combine an interesting range of flowers, foliage, twigs and branches. anlimaflo ers co k

Sitting pretty Flowers: Jan Lima Flowers Location: Rosedew Farm Photography: Yolanda Kingdon Dress: High Society Bridal Boutique Hair and makeup: Janet White-Ashby & Co.

Go bold Model: Abigail Bullen Location: Rosedew Farm Photography: Fox Photography Cardiff Flowers: Jan Lima Flowers Venue styling: Flossie and Blossom Events Makeup: Katy Jones Makeup Dress: Laura May Bridal

“I think differently to many classically trained florists”

We asked the team at The ME Clinic what treatments they’d recommend for both bride and groom

The trend for dried and preserved flowers will continue to thrive in 2021 and beyond says the team at Forbesfield

HEY, GOOD LOOKING

“Our most popular treatment is the Lipofirm Pro,” says Douglas Sykes, managing director. “It’s perfect for inch loss, skin tightening and body contouring. We also offer GeneO facials, ideal for nourishing the skin deep down, and we offer the NOON Aesthetics range of in-clinic and home care products for use in the lead-up to the big day. “Close to the wedding, we suggest avoiding any invasive treatment whatsoever, or any treatment that could cause edema (swelling) or that requires any downtime, such as traditional chemical peels.” Churchill Way, Cardiff; www.themeclinic.co.uk

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“Modern abstract designs are the most popular request”

Miss Havisham’s Cakes blends art and baking

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WEDDINGS

Forbesfield florist teamed up with local chocolatiers and bakers to create edible bouquets BELOW: More of Miss Havisham’s Cakes’ show-stopping designs

Intricate details are key at The Sweet Cake Kitchen

YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME?

Just like so many elements of weddings, cakes are a chance to inject a little fun and personality into your day. Here, two local cake creators tell us about their incr-edible constructions.

Joanne Towers, Miss Havisham’s Cakes Based in Pontyclun Tell us about your creations…

When I’m designing a cake, the last thing that I want to see is a photograph of another cake. I’d far rather know the flower choices and what song the couple have chosen for their rst dance, to give me a sense of who they are. You blend art and baking, tell us more…

Edible images have been around for decades but they’re often used for novelty cakes. The images that I use are usually intended for things like textiles, graphic design and other craft projects. Last month we launched a second business, Satis Designs, selling edible art sheets to other cake artists. What are the biggest trends on the horizon?

odern abstract designs are my most popular request. There’s recently been a return of Lambeth-style cakes and retro piping, with modern twists. How will the pandemic sway future cake choices?

DRINK IT IN THE GIN TIN BARS Cardiff-based mobile bars that travel to you to offer a variety of drinks (especially gin, obviously). The bars can be dressed to suit a particular style or colour, and a customised cocktail menu is offered for the big day. www.thegintinbar.co.uk

THE COCK & PANSY This is the events arm of Gays Who Wine; it’s a queer pop-up pub that you can hire anywhere in the UK. Whether you’re stout fans or it’s a tequila slammers kind of party, their mobile pub will be fully stocked with all of your favourite drinks. They offer food too, and they don’t bat an eye at wacky styling requests – not even that time someone wanted snow in August. www.gayswhowine.com

tyling and detail will be far more important than size. There will probably be a bigger emphasis on cake stands, displays, cake separators, props and flowers to create something spectacular. A small cake, that serves 3 can still be as impressive as a ve-tier cake in my opinion. @misshavishamscakes

Claire Bevington, of The Sweet Cake Kitchen Based in St Fagans What makes your cakes unique?

I love colour trends and incorporating them into my designs for me, the intricate details are very important. y passion is working with dried and fresh flowers, creating a fusion of preserved and new. Biggest cake trends coming up?

ried flowers give a modern, luxurious look to a cake, and are really versatile too. Another on-trend technique is textured buttercream, which provides a bespoke cake as you’ll never get two that are the same. oing forward to , go bold and choose colours that suit your palette. @thesweetcakekitchen

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WHERE O WHERE?

When it comes to deciding on the magical location, here are just a few of our choices…

Hensol Castle

With its majestic turrets, gothic towers and picturesque landscape, the castle is an idyllic wedding venue all year round. Set in 650 acres of beautiful welsh countryside and accompanied by a 15-acre serpentine lake, the 17th-century castle in the Vale of Glamorgan has been sympathetically renovated and offers an endless choice of backdrops for your photographs. Interesting fact: There is a gin distillery located in the cellars of the castle which will soon be opening to the public for gin tours and experiences. www.hensolcastle.com Fairyhill by Oldwalls is a grade-two listed Georgian house set in 24 acres of glorious gardens. In 2017, the grand property reopened its old doors to unveil its extension and renovation, adding the ultimate pinch of 21st-century cool to the celebrated Gower landmark. It’s based in ritain’s rst designated area of outstanding natural beauty, and awardwinning beaches are at the ready for your photographs. Outstanding feature: The K Room is a contemporary glass space, licenced for civil ceremonies, with panoramic views of the venue’s listed heritage grounds. www.oldwallscollection.com

Mr and Mrs O’Hara’s Canada Lodge and Lake wedding Dress: Eva Ashley Bridal Shoes: Jenny Packham Florist: Natasha at Ivy B Photography: Honeydew Moments

Fairyhill

PUT A RING ON IT Art Deco diamond (1908-1935) ring set in platinum, £4,800 From Alicat,, just outside Cowbridge; www.alicatjewellery.co.uk

Bespoke precious metal wedding bands rings, est. £500 From Duxford Studios, Llandaff; www.duxfordstudios.com Kunzite and 18ct rose gold ring, handmade to order, starting at £5,500 From Neil Rayment, Bute Street; www.neilrayment.co.uk Rose-cut grey diamond in 9ct white and rose gold, £1,540 From Anne Morgan, Penarth; www.annemorganjewellery.com

TOP: A magical sunset at Fairyhill; ABOVE: Pencoed House Estate

WEDDINGS

Mr and Mrs Davy’s wedding at Hensol Castle Dress: One Bridal Suit: Dyfed Menswear Hair and makeup: Jenna McDonnell Florist: Hilary’s Floral Design Photography: Honeydew Moments Video: Steve Ratcliffe Shoes: Ted Baker

“It has majestic turrets, gothic towers and picturesque landscape” Canada Lodge and Lake

It’s a rural idyll, just a bouquet’s throw away from Cardiff city centre, which offers luxury venues and accommodation, nestled in the lush green landscape of the countryside. The views across its shimmering blue lake create a gorgeous photographic backdrop. www.canadalodgeandlake.com

Pencoed House Estate

Offering an idyllic and serene setting in the heart of the countryside in Capel Llanilltern, the estate and its 36 acres of peaceful grounds afford wonderful photographic opportunities. As an independent family-run venue, they have flexibility in abundance, too, and so can create quirky additions to your day, whether that be afternoon croquet on the lawns or a full evening casino in the marquee. www.pencoedhouseestate.co.uk

De Courceys Manor

Everything here is family owned and family run, with a passion for delivering personal and bespoke service. The enchanting manor, located in Pentyrch, has been refurbished and repositioned as a key destination for luxury weddings, and bespoke venue hire for events of all sizes. www.decourceys.co.uk

FINISHING TOUCHES

Just a few more weddingthemed creative businesses we want to share with you… Cinnamon Pig A family-run venue and event stylist company based in the Vale of Glamorgan. www.cinnamonpig.com Enchanting Chalkboards Cardiff-based Suzy Walters creates hand-drawn chalkboards. @enchantingchalkboards Ameow Designs This Roath-based business creates bespoke botanical jewellery (pictured), so that, postbig-day, your wedding bouquet can live forever inside resin accessories. www.ameow.co.uk

brimming with bespoke ideas for weddings. @pinkpeonyweddingsandevents Balloons, Glitter & Glitz A small, local business, based in Rumney, providing bespoke balloon set-ups with flare. @balloonsglitterandglitz Emily Evans Luxury Travel Counsellor Emily, based in St. Mellons, is part of the global network that is Travel Counsellors, and she specialises in bespoke honeymoons. www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/ emily.evans

Pink Peony Weddings and Events Design This Vale of Glamorgan-based independent business is

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

THE ALB ANY GALLERY HARRY BRIOCHE, GERALD GREEN, JOHN LINES 29 October â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 21 November 2020 View images on our website www.albanygallery.com 74b Albany Road, Cardiff, CF24 3RS | T: 029 2048 7158 | E: info@albanygallery.com Gallery open: Monday - Wednesday by appointment only, Thursday - Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm

THE ARTS

S N A P S H O T S O F C A R D I F F ’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

E ALE T

Over venues and locations across ales including Cardiff’s City all, ales illennium Centre, Chapter Arts, omanby treet and so many more were lit up on 3 eptember as part of the e akeEvents lobal ay of Action for the live events industry. Event industry professionals staged one of the brightest light shows seen in the country by lighting up theatres, music venues, arts centres, iconic venues, castles, conference centres and even churches to draw attention to the catastrophe the sector is facing as a result of the covid- pandemic, and to highlight the urgent need for support from the government. For more and to help the campaign, visit www.wemakeevents.com

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

cto er on ards

rom

AT’S

Artworks that feature in Tales from the Cutting Room Floor were produced largely during lockdown

Always check Covid-19 restrictions and instructions with venues before your visit

PLAYS/ SHOWS / PERFORMANCES

comedians and a great range of tasty food offerings. lee l ardiff lee co k

of the 1970s, or before. Or after. l I or ach l net

12 YEARS: SARAH NICOLLS Acclaimed pianist and composer Sarah Nicolls’ new Inside-Out Piano project 12 Years was inspired by the 2018 IPCC Special Report saying we had just 12 years to radically change our behaviour to save the planet. The online performances started on the second anniversary of the report, 8 October, and will continue for 12 nights. www.rwcmd.ac.uk

25 October

BAFTA CYMRU This will be a virtual event for the rst time ever, so glad rags and champagne in your living room are perfectly acceptable. The ceremony will honour excellence in broadcasting and production within lm and television in ales and will be hosted by he ne ho ’s Alex Jones. a ta or ales

THE HARA The high-energy three-piece alternative rock band’s stage presence is likened to that of legendary classics Queen and AC/ DC with an amped up sound taking influences from a wide range of popular artists such as Bring Me the Horizon, Royal Blood and Arctic Monkeys. he lo e lo ecardiffm sic com

Until 19 October

23 October

FRIDAY NIGHT COMEDY The perfect way to end the working week. Four superb stand-up

29 October

HANNAH GRACE The 24-year-old is in possession of a voice that sounds like it comes from history, from one of the great records

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

8 November

TALKS AND AUDIO SERIES

Until the end of December

THE OASIS CARDIFF PODCAST The podcast explores stories and pursuits of refugees and asylum seekers in Cardiff, with opinions around the topic from dedicated experts and conversations with supporters from the local community. Each episode will be released at the end of each month, and listeners are invited to ask questions via a Facebook Live Q&A with the guests following each episode. oasiscardiff or

22 October, weekly

HEART OF CARDIFF The Sherman Theatre has announced its new audio series eart of Cardiff, inspired by the people and communities of the city. ollowing a search across Cardiff for writers with stories to tell about their

WHAT’S ON air street gallery display on City Road so as to present the works to a wider audience in a safe and distanced way. www.jackarts.co.uk

Until 24 October

TIM FUDGE Tim’s wonderfully vibrant semiabstract landscape paintings, mainly of Pembrokeshire, are lling The Albany Gallery with colour this month. The Albany Gallery; www.albanygallery.com

Until 30 October

ABOVE: Adrian Thompson Boyce’s portraits are drawn directly onto original NME paper LEFT: Jack art’s street gallery can be found on City Road BELOW: Acclaimed pianist Sarah Nicholls will put on 12 nights of online performances

MEIRION GINSBERG Welsh painter Meirion Ginsberg, who trained at Cardiff College of Art, is currently exhibiting his dynamic, enigmatic, colourful and painterly work which fuses a range of influences from rancis acon to Norman Rockwell. Martin Tinney Gallery; www.artwales.com

community, pitches were selected to be developed into original audio theatre experiences, which will be made available on the website on a weekly basis. www.shermantheatre.co.uk

Until the end of October

UNKNOWN WALES 2020 The annual Unknown Wales event has gone digital. In partnership with the Wildlife Trust for South and West Wales, they bring you the 10th anniversary Unknown Wales event. Join virtually for an evening of talks about Welsh nature, especially some of the lesser known and hidden bits. www.museum.wales

ADRIAN THOMPSON BOYCE lackwater allery’s current exhibition features the work of Adrian Thompson oyce, an awardwinning artist with collectors across the globe. The link between his love of music and drawing triggered an instinctive journey for his latest collection, which features charcoal and graphite portraits drawn directly on to original NME paper. www.blackwatergallery.co.uk

3 and 24 November

Until 7 November

ART/ PHOTOGRAPHY/ EXHIBITIONS

7 November – 11 April, 2021

29 October

SINFONIA Sinfonia Cymru will return to live performances in 2021 with 25 free performances across Wales to celebrate their 25th year, but, for now, they’re presenting an online series called In Conversation a rsthand insight into Sinfonia Cymru’s musicians, artists and friends, which orchestra leader Caroline Pether will host. www.sinfonia.cymru

Until mid October

OPEN-AIR GALLERY Jack Arts, which specialises in the art and culture space in Cardiff and beyond, is showcasing Cardiff MADE’s ‘From Home’ / ‘O Adre’ lockdown exhibition with an open-

TALES FROM THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR A new body of work by the MADE Summer Art Prize winner Lucia Jones, produced largely during lockdown, is being showcased currently. Cardiff-based Lucia’s paintings draw from the cinematic imagery of s romantic comedies and cult classics. Part scrapbook, part collage, these elements sit together having visibly but subtly shifted context. ardiff allery cardiffmade com

BECOMING RICHARD BURTON This exhibition follows the remarkable story of how Richard enkins became ichard urton, the international star of stage and screen. It will feature urton’s diaries, papers and personal objects displayed for the rst time from

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

WHAT’S ON the Richard Burton Archives held at Swansea University. ational se m ardiff m se m ales

FOOD & DRINK

Until the end of October

STREET FOOD CINEMA Cardiff’s rst dedicated drive-in movie and street-food experience has released a new run of movies, including a alloween horror lm festival. Expect to watch movies from the comfort of your car while food and drink is delivered to your window. lott arket dri e in street oodcinema co k

Until the end of November

HOME SUPPER CLUB haring global culinary delights from the comfort of your own home, each week Oasis Cardiff gives you the opportunity to sample some of the nest traditional dishes from around the world. Each dish is freshly prepared by their chefs and is ready to be collected from the centre every aturday until the end of ovember. Order lines open every onday at am until Thursday pm via their acebook page. asis ardiff oasiscardiff or

17 October

OKTOBERFEST EPOT will be bringing you the avarian eer estival, Oktoberfest, in their fully authentic beer hall. illiams ay de otcardiff com

WHITE WATER Cardiff International hite ater has reopened for pre-booked visitors to enjoy activities such as white water rafting, canoeing, P and gorge walking. Customers are asked to arrive dressed paddle ready’ swimwear worn underneath clothing , so that they can quickly and easily change into the wetsuits provided. atkiss ay ardiff ay ci com

Selected dates up to 31 October

PUMPKIN PICKING ind pick-your-own fun for all the family at Cardiff’s Pumpkin Picking Patch where , pumpkins in every shape and size grow across a huge 3-acre site. ou’ll also nd crafts and activities as well as seasonal food and drink. m kin ickin atch l erho se ross ickin atch com

23 October

WEAR IT PINK reast Cancer ow’s biggest fundraising event ear it Pink will see people across Cardiff dressing in pink and raising funds for breast cancer research and support. reastcancerno or

12 November – 23 December

CARDIFF CHRISTMAS MARKET The market has con rmed its glittering, magical return but it’s subject to change due to possible covid- restrictions. ity centre cardiffchristmasmarket com

ABOVE: Coffi Gwael, by Meirion Ginsberg, whose work is being exhibited at Martin Tinney Gallery BELOW: Drive-in pantomimes are coming to Cardiff

25 October

FRESH & WILD FOOD MARKET A local produce market bringing together quality local artisan food producers who are passionate about their products from bread and brownies to veg and coffee. he one ard shi in containerst dios co k

7 November

CLUB LUNCH The Peninsula’s Club Lunches include free-flowing spirits and wines and champagne for four hours, along with a striking menu, live music, and a three-hour after party. e onde the enins lacl co k

OTHER

Various dates

CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL

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

WHAT’S ON now back for its third year. This year, due to covid restrictions, the show will be pre-recorded and streamed on YouTube. k o ndme com dra ed to ch rch

9 December

The Santa Dash will be keeping spirits high

COMING SOON 3 December

DRAGGED TO CHURCH Winner of the event of the year at 2019’s ardiff i e Awards, and currently being made into a feature lm by ee in aith star Eve Myles,

Dragged to Church – an annual Christmas fundraiser like no other – is back! Three years ago, St Andrews Church in Roath needed restoration work, so Dragged to Church was put together and the rst ever drag show in a Welsh church was held. The event was a massive success and it’s

KATE RUSBY AT CHRISTMAS Kate’s Christmas Tour has, for many, become as much a part of the festivities as Christmas pudding itself. Warm and inviting, spicy and sparkly she and her band embody the sounds and joyous spirit of the best Christmases ever. t a id s all stda idshallcardiff co k

9 – 13 December, and 20 December DRIVE-IN PANTO

Lots of pantomimes may be cancelled, but there’s a new way of enjoying that traditional festive pastime: from your own car. There are two drive-in style theatres: The Parking Lot Social’s Winter Festival will show, inderella, from December 9 to 13 December at the Sully Sports and Social Club, and Car Park Panto will perform orri le hristmas on 20 ecember at Cardiff Airport. the arkin lotsocial co k car ark arty com

13 December

THE SANTA DASH The annual event will be going ahead as normal but there are additional measures in place to ensure safety, including a staggered start to the race to ensure no one is running too close to each other. oald ahl lass santadash ales

27 December

MARTIN KEMP`S XMAS PARTY The Spandau Ballet star returns with a back-to-the-80s DJ set. Grab your dancing shoes and prepare to enjoy a night of pure Gold at one of the best 80s nights in the UK. Fancy dress is very much encouraged. tramshedcardiff com n

2021 TICKETS ON SALE NOW 14 March, 2021

ANTON AND ERIN – SHOWTIME Join the nation’s favourite ballroom couple, Anton Du Beke and Erin Boa, on their new tour coming for 2021. Showtime is a glittering celebration that pays tribute to some of the world's greatest icons of entertainment. Expect stunning costumes, fabulous live vocals and a highenergy West End dance ensemble. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

10 July, 2021

DEPOT IN THE CASTLE After an incredible 2019, the event returns to Cardiff for its fourth year, and 2021 will see some of the biggest acts in the world headline that phenomenal castle stage. The headliner has been announced as Kaiser Chiefs. Cardiff Castle; www.depotcardiff.com

17 – 21 August, 2021

ROCK OF AGES The award-winning smash-hit musical comedy is back. It’s an LA love story lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems. New Theatre; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

3 October, 2021

LEO SAYER Introducing his The Show Must Go On 50th Anniversary Tour. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

We have faith that Paloma’s Cardiff show will be incredible

18 October, 2021

PALOMA FAITH The singer has announced her fifth studio album, Infinite Things, and a huge 26-date UK tour. Motorpoint Arena; www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

23 October, 2021

BELINDA CARLISLE The Decades Tour: Celebrating 35 years of her solo career. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

29 November, 2021

STEPS COMEBACK TOUR Three years after they staged the UK’s most successful comeback of the decade, pop legends Steps are back, with Sophie EllisBextor as special guest. www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

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

ARTS

“I wanted to create a real community, where people felt a part of something”

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

Beth Morris has always been determined to do more than just ‘teach’

CONSCIOUS CREATIVITY We speak to the founder of Beth Morris Workshops about her community art school which seeks to combine creativity with genuine friendships

By Lisa Evans and colours; I wanted her to realise that through drawing we really learn to see. The gorgeous picture she created is framed in our living room, it acts as a reminder of the lightbulb moment when I realised I needed to get back to teaching and start my own business.” And so Beth Morris Workshops – a community art school based in a converted dairy on the heritage site of Insole Court – was born. Here, Beth tells us more. Talk us through the moment you won your award…

ell it wasn’t the usual build-up as this year saw the rst ever ardiff i e virtual awards ceremony. Originally, I had shopped for a dress and bought the most sparkly gold shoes. I got my hair done and I was super excited for a night out with my husband, friends and the many faces of Cardiff business. Then lockdown happened, and those plans changed. The ardiff i e team were very quick to react setting a new date but then decided to adapt like the rest of the world and embrace zoom.

f you watched the live and virtual ardiff i e Awards this year, you would have seen the gloriously emotional moment that Beth Morris Workshops won. So beautiful it will be permanently etched in our brains, for that moment, when Beth’s three daughters went wild on hearing the news that their lovely mum was a winner, not only got us right in the feels, but it made us realise that doing the awards on a screen, virtually, for the rst time ever cough, pandemic was just as celebratory as they have been in real life. If not more so, because having the event live in people’s living rooms meant entire families could join in the merriments, which has never before been the case. This moment made it all make sense for us. Just google “Beth Morris Workshops Twitter” and hit play, and play it loud – there’s been over 10k views, too. Beth’s kids have been involved since the outset of their mum’s business, as Beth tells us. “Three years ago, one of my daughters asked me to help her draw a hydrangea flower, she says. Together we studied the shapes

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

“ y ashion ill stration ooks ere lished orld ide”

For my family, this was the ultimate in excitement. They planned all day as it meant they could watch the awards too. They created ardiff Life banners and took my photo. y husband lled the wine glasses and set the T to record. The creative category winner was announced rst and I heard my daughters cheering before I heard my name There was a slight delay on my zoom call so they were jumping around the living room in delight as I sat in shock. y husband recorded their lovely reaction and it has been viewed over 10,000 times on Twitter. To know my girls are so proud of their mum is so heart-warming. They would never have been able to be part of the experience had the awards not been virtual. I am so grateful I was able to share it with them. e celebrated with pizza from The ough Thrower. Tell us more about your business…

It began in with a couple of workshops running from rooms rented by the hour at Insole Court in Cardiff. The rst sessions only had two students but I was determined to grow the business idea. y I persuaded Insole Court to allow me to rent a studio on a more permanent basis. y creating a base for the workshops, word of an independent art school started to spread. The growth over the last three years has been achieved by increasing the volume and range of workshops on offer. In , we were known as a community art school and we now have over students attending weekly workshops every term. There are waiting lists for every single workshop. ome students have been with us since the early days and are now on their tenth term attending. What’s the ethos?

The inspiration was to create a place where adults and children can come to learn new skills but also to meet new people. Even in a busy city like Cardiff, people can still feel isolated. hen I started the business, I was determined to do more than just teach. I wanted to create a real community, where people felt a part of something. Combining creativity with genuine friendships is so important to improving mental wellbeing and reducing loneliness. e offer affordable workshops but also embrace the need for a balance of chat, relaxation and enjoyment in the sessions. There are no exams, moderators or homework that you will encounter in an academic situation, so stress levels are non-existent.

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

ARTS One of the passions is to make sure children of all ages foster a love of art. It’s amazing to see so many young Picassos taking part in the art clubs after school or in the holidays. It’s especially rewarding to see the teens committed to drawing, fashion, textiles and journaling. es, I know maths and science are important, but hats off to these kids engaging in their own time. I truly believe that you can make anything happen if you try hard enough. So, winning the creative ardiff i e award shows that you should believe that even little people can do great things! (Those that know me will smile at this because I am only ve foot tall . What do you love about working in Cardiff?

I’m a Cardiff girl through and through. aving a business based in my hometown is pretty damn perfect. My children’s schools are close to the studio and I live just a bike ride away. I pinch myself every time I unlock the door to my studio.

What were you doing before you opened the workshops?

OPPOSITE PAGE: Iris Apfel collages, inspired by artist Melvin G, created at the workshops ABOVE: Our Community is our Strength atrwork, by Rebecca Strickson LEFT: Beth thinks it’s art that heals the heart

I took years off work to be a stay-at-home mum. efore this I was a senior fashion lecturer and successful author of two fashion illustration books published worldwide. When the girls started school, I found it di cult to nd employment as I’d been off work for so long. It was a low time for me I lost con dence and self-belief but I still had the same skills if not more , so deciding to create my own job was a big thing. I thank my lucky stars for every job interview that didn’t go my way. Is there someone in business that you admire and try learn from?

This is easy olly Tucker. he is one of the co-founders of ot on The igh treet, and now runs olly Co a business supporting independent makers, artists and entrepreneurs. olly runs the best podcast called ‘Conversations of Inspiration’ with guests from the creative business world. Your proudest moment in business?

eaturing on C’s he ne ho is di cult to top. They featured a short lm about us and how we bene t the local community. It shows the Silver Sketchers in a workshop at my studio. Two of the brain injury survivors are interviewed about the bene ts of art and the community that they have joined. It’s a wonderful, heart-warming lm where the interviewer sketches the survivors and then reveals how he sees them. e says, It’s art that heals the heart that happens here, and T AT is exactly what happens at eth orris orkshops. n or more eth orris orksho s Insole o rt ethmorris orksho s co k

LOCAL LOVE

10 of Beth’s favourite local, indie businesses in Cardiff… 1. BLASUS SUCCULENT EMPORIUM I love visiting The Bone Yard to see my plant-loving pal. I have become a crazy plant lady. 2. THE DOUGH THROWER It’s the best pizza place ever, and it’s thankfully on my doorstep. 3. BETI BIGGS Whenever I need a gift or something for my home, I know Jan will have the perfect item.

4. LIZ MOSLEY Teaming up with this business wonder woman and graphic designer has been the making of Beth Morris Workshops in recent months. 5. WARRIOR WOMEN COLLECTIVE Amy and Charlotte’s female networking events are always earmarked in my calendar. 6. BUTTER AND SUGAR CAKES Bespoke couture-style cakes created by Megan from her kitchen. 7. CREATIVE MORNINGS/CARDIFF Amazing creative breakfast lecture events. I

ardiff

have learnt so much from the creatives that these guys have organised to speak. 8. HYGGE FOR HOME This is my wonderful friend who is building a house and influencing the world! 9. RIPPLE LIVING My children love to embrace sustainability; we never leave without dried mango, raw chocolate buttons and recycled pencils. 10. INSOLE COURT Cardiff’s hidden treasure in the heart of Llandaff is an absolute dream. I love this heritage site and all it offers the community.

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

“I realised I’d created several universes and countless possibilities”

DRAWING ATTENTION Using just a ballpoint pen and paper, Pontcanna-based artist João Saramago creates twirling, entangled universes

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

RISING STAR

LOCAL LOVE

“I love living in Cardiff,” says João. “It’s so welcoming – the parks, the nature, the culture, the people. I feel at home here and feel I want to give something back; I want to play my part in creating a city that’s even more vibrant and creative. I’m looking to collaborate with other artists to create events and exhibitions that engage with and promote the city’s art scene.

João draws on shredded pieces of paper to create large-scale artworks

e spotted João Saramago’s work as part of the mbrella Cardiff art collective, and we were immediately sucked into the alternate realities that he creates, with just a ballpoint pen on paper. “I really don’t like giving a name to what I do,” says the artist who lives in Pontcanna. “I used to draw to escape the world around me, creating new ones with my own rules. I would doodle for hours, and working with a

ballpoint pen became my chosen medium, which it still is today. “I never knew what I was really doing, until I started to collect tons of drawings and then I stepped back and realised I’d created several universes and countless possibilities.” João – who will be an artist in residence in Reykjavik during October, where he’ll be working towards a group show with other artists from all around the world – cuts and rips paper to draw on it, blending the drawing and shredded pieces to create large-scale artworks, including sculpture. The compositions are organic and visceral, comprised of twirling and entangled

lines. His main subjects are related to the human condition, and he plays with ideas of vulnerability, loneliness, endurance and transformation on paper. “I attempt to reinvent drawing and its expression, its form and meaning in order to reinvent myself as well,” he says. “Personally, I come from a place where emotions rule, and I project that into my practice; I like to leave any interpretation to the viewer. “Producing the work is time-consuming and uncomfortable at times, but basically it’s about the process and the experience.” For more: @saramago.joao

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 33

WYBURN & WAYNE Move over Ant & Dec. Make way Edina & Patsy. Stand aside Batman & Robin. Our dynamic duo are in town and they’re here to give us the low down on the Cardiff high life

e are so thrilled ardiff i e magazine is back up and running, and that we can share our antics with you all here Although it’s a little unbelievable that it’s already quite a way into October, we are staying optimistic that we can all end this year positively. As best mates, we are obviously often talking about the current situation of the world, and Cardiff particularly we are worried for our friends’ businesses, we are concerned for the health of our loved ones and unsure of what the new normal’ will become. However, we cannot stop. e love spreading love and good energy wherever we can, in whatever way we can. e’ve continued throughout lockdown no matter what, raising funds for

charities and hosting things online for entertainment. e recently even walked miles in one day the virtual Three Peaks challenge for Rookwood Hospital. ow things are slightly eased under restriction guidelines, we have managed to get out and see some of the food venues that we love. Our friends at araztro on ell eld oad have been especially kind and thoughtful throughout and have been offering a scaled-back, simpler menu for their customers. We also got to recently pop along to the extremely photogenic The otanist to sample their bottomless brunch. That was a delight. The staff there are so attentive and their menu has some great options. owever, we must admit having only had a handful of drinks over

Nathan’s collage is made up of 500 faces of people working in the events industry in Wales

the past few months, we can’t quite do it like we used to. We have a reputation to uphold as the Cardiff party boys, it’s quite funny actually. athan recently fronted the Cardiff leg of the e akeEvents campaign by collaging together a elsh flag using images of people who work in events. This was to highlight the urgent need for support from the government for the crisis the entertainment sector is facing during covid. The image was lit up with an impactful red light show in Cardiff ay on 3 eptember as part of the lobal ay Of Action. It’s extremely emotional to think that people sent in images for the collage, and that’s not even one per cent of the people affected by the industry in ales alone. ayne has always wanted to check out the Everyman Cinema,

so as we were lling some time in the bay that day, we popped in to watch a movie. It’s the perfect cinema experience comfortable sofa seats, with tables attached for your food which is brought into you from their menu we had chicken burgers, popcorn and a little glass of wine. Everywhere is noticeably trying their best, adhering to restrictions and doing what they can to get by. e empathise with so many businesses in the city right now and we just wish everyone well. Cardiff, we love you ntil next time. For more, and to support the campaign, visit www.wemakeevents.com To keep up to date with the Radio ardiff s y rn ayne ollo them on ace ook itter y rn ayne and Insta ram y rnand ayne

A bottomless brunch at The Botanist and a trip to Everyman Cinema, these boys know how to have fun www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 35

XL HALLOWEEN COOKIE, £26 Trick or treat, give me something good to eat. This huge, shareable cookie, made by local baker Amy Davies from Riverside, is topped with gooey Halloween sweets and a choice of four plaques. From Heavy Hand Bakes; www.instagram.com/heavyhandbakes PUMPKIN NECKLACE, £28 Natalie Gonthier, from Ely, makes handembroidered jewellery, such as this antique bronze creation, using repurposed fabrics. From The Mistress of Making; nd it on tsy

DARK SIDE

Just because it’s October (AKA Halloween month), here’s our pick of edgy buys from the local indies

GOLD LEAF SKULL PRINT, FROM £21 This limited-edition gothic piece is by Cardiff artist . Takel whose work is inspired by rock, horror and the dark side of life. rom ill eath s do rt nd it on tsy

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

ASGWRN EARRINGS, £225 These bone earrings Asgwrn is the elsh word for bone are a perfect example of bold anatomical jewellery, handcrafted in Llandaff by Esme ogers-Evans and made from ethically recycled silver. From Duxford Studios; www.duxfordstudios.com

HELIWR (HUNTER) T SHIRT, £22 Rhinwedd focuses on organic, ethical clothing made to show off the elsh language in a modern tattoo style. e want to shine on a light on the elsh language and elsh culture while still creating amazing products,” says owner Benjamin Sheppard. From Rhinwedd, based in Bute Street; www.rhinwedd.cymru

ED’S CHOICE

SKULL SCISSORS, £10 These dead sharp scissors, with eye sockets for nger holes, are only for very skullful cutters. rom he allery and ho he astle m ori m oman y treet thesho co k

JOKER PAINTING, £230 The Darkside Gallery – one of a collaboration of 58 local artists currently at the Cardiff Creative hop has released an acrylic on canvas of Cesar omero as the rst on-screen oker. rom ardiff reati e ho eens rcade cardiffcreati e odaddysites com

THE FALL OF THE DAMNED PRINT, FROM £6.50 Cardiff-based uote Artisan specialises in ne art prints like this vivid reproduction of Peter Paul ubens beautiful 6 painting. rom ote rtisan nd it on tsy VINTAGE SAUCER, £12.99 At Cardiff-based online business Polly Pug esigns, you’ll nd rare items and oddities from antique poison bottles to ictorian stoneware pots. rom olly esi ns nd it on tsy

TEETH TRINKET TRAY, £15 Tooth be told, these macabre and baby pink gnashers handmade by local couple ebecca and Lee, whose story you can nd on page 3 would be the perfect little holder for your bling. rom he lackened eeth the lackenedteeth com

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MACABRE MASTERS

A fascination for the morbid and bizarre led a local couple to create The Blackened Teeth, which started in a garden shed and has been outgrowing workspaces ever since

By Lisa Evans

ebecca McDonald’s exploration into the world of death-orientated décor began because her grandmother was an avid collector of urns, and she remembers seeing these beautiful objects housing entities now passed, and appreciating them. “I admired how the precious remnants were rehoused in a symbolic beauteous ornament,” says Cardiff-born-and-raised ebecca. “Death’s remains had been adorned in these urns and served a powerful, reminiscent sight while embellishing my grandmother’s mantle. An exquisite reminder that death can have a resplendent, halcyon presence in one’s home.”

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

The mission of Rebecca’s business, The Blackened Teeth, which she set up two years ago and runs with her partner Lee Arnett, is to replicate that notion and shed a beautiful light on objects and subject matter often deemed as ‘morbid’. In 2018 Rebecca’s grandmother gave her a cheque and told her to spend it on something ‘practical’, so she bought a shed – what’s more practical than a shed? From there, Rebecca and Lee began experimenting with materials and it became a small hub for the messy things that couldn’t be made in their house. “The idea hub soon became too small (and cold), so we moved in to a small unit,” says Rebecca. “Within the next year we upscaled to a workshop six times the size. During lockdown we outgrew our Cardiff-based workshop and

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Owners Rebecca

and Lee; teeth trinket holders in the making; dolls’ head candles BELOW: Lee creates these skeleton lamps from start to finish

MEET THE MAKERS

“Our products are handmade by the quirky, for the quirky”

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Hand-poured candles; ring holder; bookends; handmade skull and serpant lamp

had to move the business to an even bigger premises in Mountain Ash.” They attribute the business’s success to the bringing together of Lee’s knowledge of materials with Rebecca’s creative thinking, combined with the love for all things unusual and unique. Our products are handmade by the quirky, for the quirky, she says. e make our products in-house. e’re a team of three and we work a lot of hours e’re very fortunate that our team has a very broad skillset that allows us to take our products through the whole process from design to production and has the passion and stamina to keep up with the pace). “We start at the ideas board with hand drawings and computer-aided design. rom

there, our initial concepts are sculpted by hand in clay or printed with the 3D printer or CNC machine. Once we are happy with the concept, we start the moulding process and then we do the production and dispatching.” Their candles which range in styles from dolls’ heads to ink-bleed pillars are handpoured in house by Rebecca using soy wax blends, and Lee makes all of the statement piece lamps such as a resin life-size skeleton replica with a lampshade in place of a head from start to nish. Although The lackened Teeth is an online business, they wholesale to retailers around the world in both the virtual space and bricks-and-mortar stores, and they attend several UK trade shows each year to showcase their products.

“We’ve always been curious about what people choose to display in their homes, the home being a true reflection of the individual that inhabits it, says ebecca. e’re off the beaten path when it comes to the products we make, and that’s down to my love for the macabre and bizarre. The majority of our lamp ideas stemmed from not being able to nd high-quality lamps on the market that catered to the darker, alternative individuals of this world. ones and skulls have such beautiful form and intricacy and that often gets overlooked, maybe because we don’t get to spend that long looking at them… until they’re made in to décor.” n For more: www.theblackenedteeth.com

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LEARN BY HEART Get ready to sob happy tears at these emotional and incredibly heart-warming stories of students and staff at local schools whose compassion, love and care shone during the Great Pause

WESTBOURNE SCHOOL, PENARTH

Dr. Gerard Griﬃths, principal Tell us some optimistic stories that came out of the Great Pause…

Our boarding house kept going throughout lockdown and some students still have not seen their families since last Christmas as, during the initial lockdown, they could not leave the boarding house, so staff and local parents started to send them packages. It started with homemade baking, pizza deliveries, food parcels, drive-by waves, games to play, and outdoor equipment to exercise with in the garden. One family identi ed the different nationalities in the boarding house and started dropping off ingredients to make traditional meals from China, Vietnam, Russia and Hong Kong, and this led to students cooking national dishes every week to share with the other boarders to remind them of home.

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

“International boarding students still haven’t seen their families, so local parents started dropping off national dishes to remind them of home” TOP: Community values are stronger than ever at The Cathedral School

ABOVE: Dr. Gerard Griffiths, principal of Westbourne School, says there are plenty of reasons to smile

EDUCATION concerns and stresses. Children could see their friends and nd out news from not merely Penarth, but from all over the world, as our international students, at home in Europe and Asia, could also share their experiences too. www.westbourneschool.com

HOWELL’S SCHOOL, LLANDAFF Sally Davis, principal

What stories came out of the lockdown period?

I was so proud of our Year 13 students, who were busy preparing for their A-levels this summer when the rug was suddenly pulled from under them. Within a week of learning that their exams had been cancelled, one student became the volunteer coordinator for the covid-19 support group in her area, arranging shopping deliveries and the collection of prescriptions for the vulnerable people in her community, while another, an aspiring medic, put on PPE to work as part of the housekeeping team at University Hospital Wales.

Students have adapted so well to the new procedures at Howell’s School

As well as that, students helped create virtual links to each other online, flying paper airplanes around the world, passing rugby balls around the Vale and sending videos of support to each other. And older students used their saved money to supply food banks. So silver linings emerged from this surreal time, then?

Yes, our students showed a resilience and independence that was unprecedented. Residents at the boarding house had to help clean, cook and become reliant on each other to complete their chores but for emotional support, too. One of the pastoral successes was that even though we were miles apart – thousands in some cases – everyone still felt a part of the community. How did lessons change?

Online education was implemented, including PE where children were encouraged to actively take part in exercise, and PSHE lessons made more speci c to the current climate allowed the pupils to be more con dent in discussing their

ON THE RUN

What educational positives do you think have emerged?

A summer of guided home learning gave students the opportunity to develop as independent learners. It has equipped them with skills of organisation, time management and self-discipline that will stand them in good stead. How is the new term going so far?

We may be wearing masks, but we’re all smiling underneath them. The students have adapted so well to the new procedures, following the one-way system, remembering to regularly wash

When St. Mellons’ Bishop Childs Church in Wales Primary School needed thousands of pounds to make sure it was covid-19-ready to welcome back pupils, its chair of governors stepped up to the mark. Oliver Lancaster, who has served as the chairman for over three years, decided to don his daps in a bid to raise the money. “There was a £2,390 gap in funding,” he says. “So I decided to try and raise it by running 23.9km. Bearing in mind I hadn’t even run 1km for a while, I knew this was ambitious!” He successfully raised most of the money, with his employer donating £300 through its match-funding scheme. www.bishopchildsprm.co.uk

their hands and using an adjusted timetable to stagger their movement around the school building. Things may be a little different, but students are still able to take part in choir and orchestra, join sports clubs and enjoy downtime with their friends in designated bubble spaces. What mental safeguarding is in place?

We are very aware that for both students and staff the return to a school full of new rules and regulations could be a source of anxiety. With that in mind, the wellbeing team – including our school counsellor, Graeme – are available at all times to assist with any worries. ho ells cardiff dst net

THE CATHEDRAL SCHOOL, LLANDAFF Clare Sherwood, head

Any student stories that came from the pandemic that you’re particularly proud of?

At CSL, we encourage a climate of care for one another, focusing on kindness, thoughtfulness and respect, and this didn’t stop during lockdown. Head girl, Saiba A, chair of Wales’ Youth Advisory Panel, was heavily involved in the Welsh Government’s Coronavirus and Me survey. ore than pupils, parents, staff and alumni joined the CSL Strava Club, raising money for 2 Wish Upon A Star. Year 8’s Ansh A submitted a question to the Minister of Education on BBC Wales News. Year 5’s Poppy R and her family cycled 100 miles, raising money for Ty Hafan. And Year 13’s Heath W developed a bilingual chatbot to help those with concerns. And it wasn’t just the pupils, our staff made sets of scrubs, visors and donated protective eyewear to staff, and one of our reception teachers even ‘braved the shave’, raising £2,450 for charity. How does it feel to be back to school?

We are stronger than ever. The last six months have taught us all to be thankful and to appreciate the value of school and community. We are a family and we are so glad to be back together. www.cathedral-school.co.uk

On your marks! Headteacher Nicola Price made sure Oliver was fighting fit

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SCENE

AC ROSS C A R D I FF, O N E SH I N D I G AT A T I M E Leaf is owl you need: Is there a better spirit-lifter than this guy? We think not

Ffion Campbell Davies Oasis Choir

Winds of Change Billy Ma

CARNIVAL COMMOTION

On 20 September, Wales Millennium Centre organised the Butetown Carnival Community Picnic, which was coordinated during lockdown with their partners at Butetown Arts and Culture Association as well as community members. upported by ood ood Cardiff, the chefs created a Caribbean experience with salted sh, jerk chicken, rice and more. ome incredible local talent was shown outside the front of Wales Millennium Centre too, including: Domestic Violins, soul and reggae sensation Aleighcia Scott, and Nimba Dance and The uccessors of the andingue, who had everyone smiling with their est African drumming and acrobatics. There was also street dance, saxophone solos, and Butetown Carnival organiser Keith Murrellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soul show to nish off the proceedings in style. Photos by Dan Green

CMW Project from Oasis

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Aleighcia Scott

Winds of Change

Keith Murrell

SOCIETY

Delicious delights featured on the menu

Sweet dreams are made of cheese (cake)

Becci Williams Emily Davies

THANKS A BRUNCH

On 19 September, The Peninsula Club put on one of their glamorous club lunches at Le onde, Cardiff. The only way to describe it is to think along the lines of a Dubai brunch,” says Abbie yan who runs The Peninsula Club along with Elinor artinez. There’s free-flowing champagne, canapés, beautiful food and a sax player. In a nutshell, it’s a very classy affair with impeccable food, drinks and atmosphere. Photos by Dave James

Kyle Fahiyab and Nicola Fahiyab Jessica Venn

James Campbell

Xxxx

Canapés all round

Kieron Davies

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FOOD & DRINK SNAPSHOTS OF CARDIFF’S FOOD SCENE

SHAKING THINGS UP

We were invited to the epic debut collaboration between Pontcanna’s ne dining restaurant Thomas by Tom Simmons, run by a former MasterChef: The Professionals contestant, and one of Cardiff city centre’s hippest cocktail bars, Lab . The exclusive cocktail and culinary event took place on 20 September and featured ve courses of top-notch posh nibbles and liquid libations, such as crispy short rib of beef, and sh and chips with caviar, married with drinks such as Toasted Plantain Old ash and This is not a Pina Colada. Coming up on re night event at Thomas by Tom immons on ovember. or more thomas ontcanna co k la cardiff com

A PROPER BUZZ Tams ord, a beekeeper we know, what a cool job), created Blossom & Nectar, a business in Pontcanna Mews which focuses on nature and sustainability, and at the end of September she added a new string to her bow elsh honey gin.

“Gower Gin reached out with an offer to create a gin, and I jumped at the chance, says Tams. They suggested something locally sourced, with pollinator-friendly ingredients, and the flavour is beautiful. The taste of blackberry and orange leaves really come through with floral undertones of heather and gorse flowers, and nectar from our own raw elsh honey. “The artwork on the label is a painting created especially by local illustrator Rebecca Harry, and we used Beacon Printers in Penarth and a plastic-free compostable vinyl. This project has helped ve independent Welsh businesses and that’s really nice to know that reinvesting my money locally really makes a difference. For more: www.blossomandnectar.co.uk

BAKE IT HAPPEN The Heathcock in Llandaff has just opened a bakery/ coffee shop in the old skittles alley at the premises where they’ll sell breads, sandwiches and pastries, as well as coffee. Their sister restaurant the Hare & Hounds bakery is hopefully opening in Cowbridge over the next few months, too. or more heathcockcardiff com

WHERE IN THE WORLD If global culinary delights from the comfort of your own home sound good, then you’ll want to know about Oasis Cardiff’s supper club. Each week, the chefs at Oasis a non-pro t charity that aims to help refugees and asylum seekers in Cardiff prepare traditional dishes from around the world and they can be collected from the centre, on Splott Road, every aturday until the end of ovember. Order lines open from onday Thursday via acebook. or more oasiscardiff or

EAT FOR WALES Street Food Circus brought the Welsh Street Food Awards to the city. During the weekend of 26 and 27 September, chefs from across Wales had a cook-off against each other in Talbot Gardens. Their food was judged by Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn, the duo behind Hangfire in Barry, and every guest that booked a table was also able to cast their votes. Makasih become the 2020 Champions of Wales, with Bao Selecta taking home the People’s Choice. For more: www.streetfoodcircus.co.uk

TWO TO TRY… • Steak house Pasture has opened on igh treet. It’s the second venture for the group, which has its flagship in ristol. www.pasturerestaurant.com • Dusty Knuckle Pizza has opened its fourth site, at oodsheds arry. The chicken tikka and fun guy pizzas have our name on them. www.dustyknuckle.co.uk

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HEATHCOCK

Lisa Evans delves into the small plates offering at this local Llandaff favourite, the sister pub of the are ounds in Aberthin

hen is a Sunday lunch not a Sunday lunch? When you forgo the beef and tatties and order rotolo and gnocchi. And I don’t regret it either. Normally lashings of gravy and all the traditional trimmings are my jam, but when I saw the incredible offering on the eathcock’s menu, out of my comfort zone I scampered. Since they’ve reopened post pandemic, the thriving watering hole has switched to a more casual ‘small plates’ setup instead of à la carte. There’s Porthilly oyster with fermented chilli, cucumber and mint braised duck leg pappardelle; crispy lamb shoulder with roast tomato and green sauce, and the list continues. You can either order an assortment to share, one as a starter, or you can even request that a smally be made into a biggy so you can enjoy it as a main.

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

But of course you can also have a big roast, too, which my husband did, with his choice of pink-as-can-be, melty Welsh roast Angus sirloin – complete with its amber ribbon of fat and duck-fat potatoes, orkshire pudding and veggies loaded on the plate with heft and generosity. Depending on how much you trust your dining partner to be fair and equal, there’s a ‘for two’ section on the menu, too, featuring extra-large dishes ready to be split lovingly between you from a chicken, leek and bacon pie to sevenhour braised venison shoulder – romantic or a recipe for disaster I’ll let you decide, but, for me, just looking at that option on the menu gave me palpitations. e were recommended to visit the eathcock by a born-and-bred Cardi an who knows the food scene inside out and who has declared the pub as her favourite in the whole of the city. That’s saying something. It opened nearly two years ago as the sister pub of the are ounds in Aberthin the are has a ichelin

RESTAURANT

bib, and the aim was for the Heathcock to transfer the same concept of quality food and drinks in a relaxed and informal pub setting. Everything’s made from scratch in the kitchen, from sourdough bread and cultured butter, to pasta and charcuterie; the menu changes daily, and all of the produce is from local suppliers. As I mentioned, my choice was the fantastically fresh Hafod and potato gnocchi with a sweet, verdant pea purée and broad beans. And I followed that with a slow-roast tomato, ricotta and basil rotolo, which positively zinged. How can a course be hearty yet light in equal measure? Who knows, but this Tuscan pasta dish was taut and silky, lling and dainty with a joyous thwack of flavour. Chef ’s not shy with herbs, either, he doesn’t do nely chopped’, he lets the whole leaves dance on the tongue. I haven’t stopped thinking about these colourful, sparkling dishes since they set my taste buds alight. Every night when my husband asks what I fancy for dinner, they’re all that springs to mind. e nished with a thick-set lemon tart full of zest and a satisfyingly crunchy burnished glaze, and a comforting buttermilk pudding with strawberries and moreish honeycomb pieces. If you too would like to be flavour-punched in the mouth by locally produced, lovingly prepared food, get yourself over to the Heathcock, stat. I can’t keep on recreating mediocre versions in my own kitchen, so I’ll see you there soon. n

“I haven’t stopped thinking about these colourful, sparkling dishes” DINING DETAILS Heathcock, 58-60 Bridge Street, Cardiff, CF5 2EN; 029 2115 2290; www.heathcockcardiff.com We ate Welsh roast Angus sirloin with duck-fat potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and veggies; Hafod and potato gnocchi; tomato, ricotta and basil rotolo; lemon tart; and buttermilk pudding with strawberries and honeycomb Drinks They source as much local beer and ale as possible, and the wine list is purely old world Vibe It has an air of unhurried calm and is evidently a favourite spot for locals Head chef Dave Killick, who spent three and a half years at the Hare & Hounds as sous chef What’s new They’ve opened a bakery and coffee shop on the premises. Open from 9am – 4pm, Tue – Sat.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Have a finance issue to resolve, or just need some great advice? Here are the numbers experts . . .

KELLY EAST

PHILIP PAYNE

LUNA FINANCIAL PLANNING 07957 555006; https://lunafinancial.co.uk

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What areas do you specialise in? We provide holistic financial advice - Investments, Pensions, Pension Sharing Orders on divorce, Mortgages, Business and Personal Protection, Tax and Estate Planning, and Financial Wellbeing. What are your core values? LUNA was founded on core values of integrity, transparency, and trust. I believe that all financial advice should be clear, affordable, and always add real value not only to a client’s bank balance, but perhaps more importantly, to their financial wellbeing too.

What are your top tips for our readers regarding financial advice? Take time to prepare a summary of your financial position. Ideally one page that covers the key details on your life assurance, mortgage, savings and investments and pensions. This is a great starting point for a conversation with a financial adviser. It will help focus on the core areas of financial advice and how these compare with your circumstances and objectives. Typically, a financial adviser firm will offer an initial consultation meeting at no charge, so put it to good use and be prepared with a clear bullet point summary.

Kelly East

Who is your ideal client? We don’t have an ‘ideal’ client as we view all of our clients as unique individuals. Each client we advise is afforded the same exceptional high-quality, costeffective advice, care, integrity, and respect they deserve. Top tips for readers: • Protect your greatest asset – you! • Teach children and teenagers to budget • Review your finances regularly • Start saving for retirement as early as possible • Never be afraid to ask for help

During these strange times, why is it more important than ever to plan for your future? With so much uncertainty at present, it’s good to prepare and plan for ‘change’. It’s great to have a financial strategy i.e. retirement goal or house purchase but build in flexibility and give yourself options. You can better achieve this if you clearly appraise where you are now with your financial position, set sensible time scales and always plan to check back in regularly and review. Philip Payne

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It’s the city’s business

CARDIFFWORKS ZERO OR HERO

For Alfie, it’s come to light that something needs to be done about fuel poverty

Savills and Cooke and Arkwright, on behalf of Kames Capital, have completed the letting of the third floor at omanby treet, Cardiff, to ero the zero-carbon homebuilder and sustainable energy service provider who have agreed a ve-year lease. omanby treet, previously known as estgate ouse, has been signi cantly refurbished to provide contemporary, high-quality o ces to suit modern day working practices and provides occupiers with space that inspires. “Our business is growing fast as people are recognising the increasing importance of zero-carbon housing and sustainable energy in our lives, says Andy utton, co-founder of ero. omanby is a great refurbished, recycled space that gives us room to develop and it reflects our own values. It has great transport links allowing for an active, low-carbon route to work and it’s within easy reach of the park for our teams to get some well-earned headspace or we can visit our neighboour Tiny ebel rewing. For more: www.savills.co.uk

ormer ales rugby captain Gareth Thomas helps People’s Energy launch a new campaign to end fuel poverty. An estimated four million UK homes are currently living in fuel poverty, and with the full nancial fallout of covid- not yet known, this gure is undoubtably set to rise as households face soaring energy use and severe job losses. It is this worrying outlook that has prompted People’s Energy, the ’s rst Community Interest Company CIC energy supplier, to launch its end fuel poverty’ campaign starting with its rst ever national T advert, fronted

by the talent we know as Al e. hen I was rst approached by People’s Energy, I admit I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of the fuel poverty problem in the , he says. ow that I know more, I can honestly say I’m horri ed by the scale of the issue. ore than per cent of all homes are in fuel poverty. That’s a shocking statistic and one we must all work together to reduce. hether that’s by raising awareness or donating to a fuel poverty charity, we can make it happen. I was honoured to be part of the new campaign and admire the work People’s Energy are doing to help end fuel poverty. For more: www.peoplesenergy.co.uk

I’ve got the power

WINNER WINNER ponsors bene t from an unrivalled long-term marketing campaign, which peaks in the spring. The event’s organisers are also keen to hear from companies who may have creative ways to partner with the Awards, such as through an interesting product or service. To join the bill of our sponsors and to ene t rom the ards contact Mark George; mark.george@ mediaclash.co.uk cardi i ea ards co k

Get ready for another cracking Cardiff celebration

Momentum is building for next spring’s ardiff Life Awards, the uberglam business event for all Cardiff businesses and organisations. Local companies are encouraged to get involved and there is a wide variety of ways to do so. ust one of the ways to get on board with Cardiff’s biggest business event is through sponsorship, explains Annie Miekus, events organiser at MediaClash, ardiff i e’s publisher.

JOIN THE CLUB Our most recent Cardiff Life Business Club, which took place on Zoom, was a Professional Services special featuring disparate tales from companies – Marsh Commercial, NatWest and Howells Solicitors – navigating this new world. Tune into our next one, which is a NightTime Economy Special, on 28 October. For more, see www.linkedin.com/ company/mediaclash

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CARDIFFWORKS

A new 33m, -bed facility is to be built next to niversity ospital ales in Cardiff to help cope with a potential increase in coronavirus cases this winter. The site is being built to replace the ragon’s eart ospital a , -bed eld hospital that was built at the start of the pandemic at The Principality tadium. The ragon’s eart had a maximum of 6 patients being cared for at one time and it was decommissioned, but now tens of millions of funding for the new inpatient facility has been allocated. For more: www.cavuhb.nhs.wales

A NEW CHAPTER Chapter Arts in Canton has unveiled a new artwork on the front of its building after a national call-out to artists. Selected from nearly 150 applications from Welsh and Wales-based artists, ‘Y Canu Chalkydri’ – a commission by collaborative duo Malaphors was chosen to be displayed on the building. The team at Chapter says the artwork embraces the imminent reopening of Chapter; it’s a greeting and invitation for the people of Cardiff and ales to cross the threshold of the venue once more. Chalkydri are angelic creatures who intone messages to the birds, signalling the beginning of the dawn chorus. The tableaux summons a rich world of magic-infused symbolism that references a new chapter in the way that we communicate and see our world, and others beyond; a focus on the hope of new beginnings. The artwork is on display at the entrance to Chapter, and it will remain in place until January 2021. For more: www.chapter.org

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BEST OF THE QUEST Techniquest’s ‘Science Capital’ project has been four years in planning and development, and its opening has been hugely anticipated promising new offerings and to engage with new audiences. The Science Capital includes an extension to the existing building – which is already Wales’s largest science and discovery centre adding 6 per cent more floor space and 3 brand-new, custom-made exhibits that span across ve key themes space, environment, biomedical science, chemistry and world issues. A rescheduled opening date is now in place for 14 November. For more: www.techniquest.org

HEART AND COAL Cardiff’s Coal Exchange otel in utetown is to reopen in October under new management. The iconic hotel was originally built in 3 and was once where the world price of coal was set and where the rst m cheque was signed. It closed in arch this year before the parent company, ignature Living, went into administration. Eden rove Properties Ltd has now acquired the operating management contract saving a number of jobs in the process. or more e chan ehotelcardiff co k

TOP THE BILL Dealing with covid-19 has cost Cardiff Council £39m in the first four months of the financial year. The costs are revealed in a report to the Council’s Cabinet which will also hear projections for next year’s budget, which could see the council having to find ways to bridge a £25.5m budget gap in 2021/22 in order to balance the books. “Cardiff Council has reacted quickly to the crisis, changing the way we work, putting clear focus on maintaining essential services which deliver for our most vulnerable residents,” says cabinet member for finance, modernisation and performance, cllr Chris Weaver. “Welsh Government has also stepped up to the plate and is helping to cover these huge costs to the council. If Welsh Government didn’t step in I’d hate to think of the financial black hole we could be facing.” www.cardiff.gov.uk

IT’S ONLY NATURAL Sites at Forest Farm, Pontcanna Fields and eath Park are bene tting from a bloomin’ great new approach to mowing. eah yeah, we know grass-cutting sounds a bit dull, bit read on Cardiff has introduced more cutand-lift mowing to support biodiversity, and the technique is being rolled out across more areas of wildflower and grassland in and around the city. ew machinery recently purchased by the council means that cuttings from more areas of grassland can be collected and baled up to form hay bales. emoving grass cuttings reduces nutrient levels in the soil, allowing a much wider range of plant species to grow, which in turn can support an increased range of pollinators. aled grass can then be used to form grass piles which can provide

important habitats for invertebrates and other wildlife. A beautful idea. e already look after 33. hectares of pollinator-friendly and informal grasslands, says cabinet member for culture and leisure, cllr Peter radbury. Investing in this new machinery means that at some of the sites we are able to make life even easier for nature and maximise our positive impact on biodiversity. or more cardiff o k

JUST BREATHE Counselling and wellbeing centre reathe in oath is offering free counselling to people anywhere in ales who have been affected by covid- . A number of fully-funded counselling sessions, up to eight per person, are available online or over the phone, as well as limited face-to-face sessions for people in Cardiff.

e’re thrilled to have received funding which allows us to help even more people who are facing challenges, says the counselling manager at reathe. e continue to work with people to overcome the issues they face, from managing stress and anxiety to developing con dence. or more reathe k com

CARDIFFWORKS

FIND ME IN THE HUB Whitchurch Library has now reopened as a wellbeing hub. With funding secured from the elsh overnment, Cardiff Council embarked upon a major project to refurbish and extend the library to introduce a range of new services, including a community room, to meet the needs of the communities it serves and secure the ongoing sustainability of this valuable facility. Activities and events planned with local groups are in the making at the hub. or more cardiff o k

ARTS AND MINDS Recently published book rt or ales, he e acy o erek illiams explores the extraordinary bequest to Wales made by chartered surveyor and art collector erek illiams. e collected a remarkable body of work, including pieces by Lucian Freud, Joseph Herman, Augustus ohn, avid ones, en Nicholson, John Piper, Graham Sutherland, and y n illiams. Founded in 1992 to advance public education in the arts, and enhance the public’s appreciation of artworks in general, the erek illiams Trust now works in close co-operation with ational useum ales, collecting post- th century ne and applied art. In the book, published by Cardiff ay-based raffeg, avid oore surveys how erek’s bequest has acted as a catalyst in the display of modern art in Wales, and has enabled the funding and development of a collection of real signi cance for residents and visitors to appreciate. or more raffe com

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BITESIZE BITS Of law firms recognised as ‘Top Tier’ in The Legal 500, 2021 edition, Loosemores Solicitors and Blake Morgan, both in Cardiff, have been named. www.legal500.com Thornhill, in Cardiff, has been named Cemetery of the Year for the second year running in UK-wide awards which are organised and promoted by the Memorial Awareness Board. www.cardiffbereavement.co.uk

Championing Art for Wales: author David Moore with supporters of the book

FOR RENT ugh ames, a law rm with o ces in Cardiff, has assisted the elsh overnment in developing an innovative new loan scheme to prevent homelessness. Head of the Hugh James banking and nance team ominic arshall advised the Welsh Government on the provision of nance for the scheme, which launched on October, which will ensure that nancial support is given to tenants struggling with rent payments due to coronavirus, by providing funds directly to their landlord. “We’re genuinely delighted to work with the

Solicitor Rebecca McCarthy at Loosemores

Welsh Government’s housing policy division to help get this innovative scheme off the ground, he says. “It demonstrates the Government’s practical commitment to helping those who are at greatest need at such a critical time. A lot of people will be made homeless unless they get urgent help with their rent. Through this loan scheme, effective safeguards are put in place so that the money ends up in the right destination to ensure that it makes a real difference to people’s lives. or more h h ames com

Pretty scenes at Thornhill

A new chief executive has taken the helm at Cardiff-based financial services company Hodge Congratulations to David Landen, one of Hodge’s longest serving staff members, having joined the bank in 2002. www.hodgebank.co.uk NHS Wales Informatics Service has signed a £13m contract with ASCOM, a global healthcare business. The contract award follows a pledge by health minister Vaughan Gething to accelerate digital improvements for critical care. www.ascom.com

CARDIFFWORKS

“OUR MISSION WAS TO CREATE A STRONG, UNITED TRIBE OF WOMEN”

Spill the tea: Charlie and Amy love a good, juicy, feminist chat

Warrior Women Collective

Charlie Morgan and Amy Holland are transforming Cardiff’s female networking scene one event at a time

ardiff-based Charlie and Amy have set out to transform the standard women’s networking event to make them more engaging, empowering, and inspiring for real women across the country. espite being busy mothers with full time jobs, the duo, who rst met while studying at university, dedicated their free time to researching and organising their events, and arrior omen began to take shape in . The events are all focused around a panel of inspirational female speakers who share their knowledge and journeys around a chosen subject. ere, the friends tell us more

Tell us about the Warrior Women Collective… Charlie: Traditional networking

events didn’t really bene t either of us, and certainly didn’t delve into issues that impact women, so we thought what if we could do things differently hat we kept nding was that traditional networking events are often suitable for one type of person and role.

What sort of issues did you want to hear/talk about? Charlie: enuine issues which

impact women, such as gender equality, gender pay gap, climbing the career ladder, juggling childcare, maternity leave, imposter syndrome, post-natal depression and more. e were coming across incredible women, who all had their own experiences, and we thought, wouldn’t it be incredible if we got these women in a room, with a whole load of other women

So where did you go from there? Charlie: Our mission was to

overhaul the traditional women’s networking model, and create a strong, united tribe of women who celebrated their achievements. e devoted ourselves to establishing a series of thought-provoking, engaging, positive, femalefocused networking events, which incorporated some of ales’s most talented female leaders.

You’re both mums, yes? Amy: e are. e juggled setting

up the events alongside our fulltime jobs Charlie was pregnant, and I had two young boys. It was

a challenging time, but we knew this was totally worth the time and effort, and we really wanted to make a difference. Why did you launch the networking sessions in Cardiff? Amy: This is where we both grew

up the talent on our door step here in ales is incredible.

Tell us about the most recent event... Charlie: omen isrupting, in

October. The event explored women who are disrupting in their respective elds from being the rst female to commentate on men’s football for C adio ales, to climbing the ranks of the re service, to shaking up the music industry.

Warrior Women Events, now known as Warrior Women Collective, has evolved significantly, hasn’t it? Amy: es, and it attracts over

women to its online events every month. The events have featured over female speakers including some of ales’s leading businesswomen and entrepreneurs, including ophie owe, uture

enerations Commissioner for ales, and annah Pycroft, co-founder of pectrum Collections, while also shining a light on thriving female-run businesses and advertising their products during a marketplace at the events. Charlie: Our events have evolved in lots of ways over the years, and we’re really proud of how far we’ve come. ut our purpose is the same. e think our blend of honest stories and experiences from our panel allow women to relate to them, and leave you feeling inspired, empowered, and really connected to others. Have you had to re-evaluate your event offering due to the pandemic? Charlie: It led us to diversify the

events overnight, and we launched online events for women across the country. espite worries the format wouldn’t translate over oom, the online events have exceeded expectations, and they not only attract a wider audience from across the , but also cater to women who may have not been able to attend before. Amy: e were determined to keep reaching out to and supporting our community of women who needed each other now more than ever. e’ve seen up to women dialling in, and these will de nitely be a part of our offering going forward. What’s new and coming up? Charlie: eyond the events, we’ve

also launched our website, podcast, newsletter and developed our blog. Through these we provide relevant and useful content to educate and champion women. e have such exciting plans for arrior omen Collective in the future we are launching our Crowdfunding campaign so that we can grow and expand our offering, such as hosting our events in more locations, grow our online event programme with more events and more topics, and even host workshops. www.warriorwomencollective.co.uk

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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE AT: WWW.VALEVETCENTRE.CO.UK Cardiff: 233 Cathedral Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9PP. E-mail: cardiff@valevetcentre.co.uk | Phone: 02920 004007

Barry: 7/8 Ty Verlon Ind Est, Cardiff Rd, Vale of Glamorgan, CF63 2BE. E-mail: info@valevetcentre.co.uk | Phone: 01446 739739

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Fancy a quick insight into the property market during a pandemic? Here, a couple of local experts give us their views... CHRIS J BIRCH

CLAIRE TURNER

Tell us about the company in a nutshell? Haus looks after and grows a landlord’s portfolio of properties, maximising their rental yield through rental, sale or holiday home management.

Tell us about the company in a nutshell? Since opening in 2007, Savills Cardiff has built a strong local reputation for providing full, integrated property services to local businesses and individuals. The Cardiff office has the largest property services team in South Wales, with over 50 experts on hand.

HAUS ESTATE AGENCY 02920 100742 www.agency.haus

What is the property market like at the moment during these strange times? It’s a mixed bag. One moment, we’re inundated with viewing requests for homes to be sold and the next, it’s incredibly quiet. Thankfully the silence doesn’t last too long! It’s offset by an incredible surge in rental requests. Rentals have seen a larger than average growth period with us, especially over the last three months. We’re attributing that to post-graduate students not wanting to be in traditional student accommodation with lots of other students and potentially being in quarantine for an extended period. How has the pandemic changed people’s outlook when it comes to what they want from a property? Searching for a space that includes a home office or a workspace is the top of everyone’s priorities right now. Initially, we were asked for properties with outdoor spaces or near outdoor spaces, and that trend is still strong. What’s the biggest positive that is coming out of the property sector right now? There’s been a surge in our holiday homes across South and West Wales. People just want to get away and have a break. We’re seeing an upturn of more than 60 per cent in some properties compared to 2019. Independent holiday homes seem to be doing better than traditional holiday parks too as people want to be distant from others but see new places at the same time. That’s translating into great figures for our home owners who’ve taken a hit during the lockdown. It’s really positive to see!

SAVILLS 02920 368923 www.savills.com

What is the property market like at the moment during these strange times? We experienced a huge surge in activity post-lockdown which intensified over the summer with our busiest June and July on record in New Homes. The level of activity was pleasantly surprising and continues to be driven by people reviewing their housing needs after the experience of lockdown. How has the pandemic changed people’s outlook when it comes to what they want from a property? We have certainly seen a shift in priorities on buyer wish lists, with desire for an additional room, or simply an area that offers the ability to create a home office now a major factor as people expect to work from home for at least part of the week on an ongoing basis. This also means I now know far more than I used to about broadband speeds! Virtual connectivity has become as important, if not more so, than transport links with the reduction of the daily commute. The appeal of more rural and lifestyle driven locations has risen and the requirement for a garden or access to outside space continues to grow in Cardiff. What tips can you give our readers about buying/selling right now? Pent up demand is strong and that is driving values upward, but keeping buyer and seller expectations on pricing aligned will be key to maintaining the summer momentum through the autumn and beyond.

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PROPERTY P L A C E S T O L I V E , W O R K A N D P L AY

WHO NEW?

or more

Dumballs Road regeneration scheme has now been approved by Cardiff Council’s ruling body and will see the redevelopment of a large strategic brown eld city centre site and more than , new homes built in the heart of Cardiff. The scheme aims to deliver these thousands of residential properties alongside commercial and retail space on a 40-acre site in Butetown which will strengthen connections between the city centre and the bay along the banks of the river Taff. The Cabinet decided to sell the 8.5 acres of to the developer – Vastint – in a land deal which will enable the full vision for the development to be delivered. This scheme is a signi cant investment in the city which will not

only provide affordable housing, but a long-awaited connection between the city centre and Cardiff ay, says cllr ussell oodway, cabinet member for investment and development. iven its industrial past, the land has proven di cult and expensive to develop. This, along with complex land-ownership issues, has led to a number of failed attempts at redevelopment. The land has remained undeveloped and partially derelict for the last 30 years. The Council decided to get involved, and working alongside the private sector has been able to deliver much-needed investment that will deliver homes, jobs and a new vibrant community in an area that’s been run down for far too long. This is a real breakthrough and will deliver a quality scheme in the heart of the city.

A long-awaited connection between the city centre and Cardiff Bay is coming

ALL AFFORD Construction of 16 new homes to boost the city’s supply of affordable housing is about to get underway. Cardiff Council has appointed Encon Construction to develop the site of the former ATC cadet centre on Caldicot Road in Caerau. The site will consist of six one-bedroom flats, seven two-bedroom houses, two three-bedroom houses and one four-bedroom house. The scheme is part of the Council’s housing development programme, which aims to deliver more than 1,000 new council homes in the city by 2022, and a total of 2,000 new homes in the coming years.

“Caldicot Road will provide a good mix of new council homes helping to increase the supply of affordable housing in the city, says cabinet member for housing and communities, cllr Lynda Thorne. “The houses will be built to high standards of sustainability and energy e ciency in an area where we need more social housing. There are around 7,700 people on the housing waiting list at the moment. or more cardiff o k Build it and they will come, to Caldicot Road

ardi i e ards

WHY NOT GIVE IT A GO?

Get ready to enter. You could be a winner!

Nominations are now open for the second Cardiff Property Awards. Organisers are urging local companies to put their best case forward for a trophy. The Awards are open to all local companies and organisations with connections to the property world. They are free to enter, with nominations via the Awards site with winners chosen by a panel of independent judges. or more information, and to nd out more about sponsorship, contact annie.miekus@mediaclash.co.uk cardiff ro ertya ards co k

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

Construction

PROPERTY A PL ACE TO C ALL HOME

WINDSOR LOFTS

Incredible character and an unrivalled vantage point awaits at this unique penthouse apartment By Evelyn Green

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

“Well, call me Hozier and take me to church”

ell, call me ozier and take me to church, how beautiful is this penthouse apartment inside the tower of a former ictorian place of worship It’s summin’ else,

wouldn’t you say ormally, the word penthouse’ gets me thinking of some swanky, open-plan cooler-than-cool pad from the movies, but this one, in arry, is anything but typical. It’s full of divine historic charm, impressive character and retained original features, yet it still cuts a modern edge and doesn’t have a trace of old-fashioned dust about it. Called indsor Lofts, the site has been restored and repurposed to create this incredibly versatile threebedroom contemporary home. It’s a uniquely shaped multi-storey apartment, and the rst level is located on the second floor on the rst floor sits a neighbour

apartment, with converted o ce and retail space to the ground floor which is made up of an entrance stair hall and two double bedrooms. The smaller of the two has an en suite, while the larger nestles under the remarkable beamed semi-octagonal roof with arched windows. Ample storage has been built in to the walls at every available space and a full family bathroom lies alongside. On the second level there are even more sensible storage solutions every single square inch of this place, even its jaunty angles, seems to be put to good use, there’s even a hatch in the roof offering yet more hidden space. There’s also a C on this floor and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area. There is an astonishing amount of character in this inviting space, from the vaulted ceiling and carved beams, to the ocular windows that look right across arry to the ristol Channel. The fully integrated owdens kitchen is a deep navy, sleek, handleless design with integrated appliances, including a wine cooler an essential in any house, of course, darling. Entering into the tower, you nd a cosy snug with yet more arched windows and exposed stone. tairs ascend

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PROPERTY

to a bathroom and built-in storage, and again to a bijou bedroom before arriving at the top floor where an ideal study or home o ce awaits, perfect for these unusual times. eighty oak steps takes you further upward to a crowning roof terrace atop the tower with heavenly 36 -degree views across to the omerset coast. It’s without a doubt my favourite bit of the entire place and I didn’t think anything would top the fa ade that can be admired from the pavement below. Imagine climbing your private tower’s spiral staircase then

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

taking in the dizzying panoramic views while holding a chilled glass of vino that you’ve just poured from your wine cooler. ho would you even think you are un fact which no one asked for apunzel from isney’s Tangled spends her days locked away in a tower from the rest of the world, and guess where that tower is The kingdom of Corona’, no less. If I had to choose a place to self-isolate during lockdown though, a rooftop tower would be my holy grail. Hashtag blessed. n

HOUSE NUMBERS Where Windsor Lofts, Windsor Road, Barry Guide price Square footage Views Bedrooms

£465,0000 1,011 Endless 3

For more: Savills, 2 Kingsway, Cardiff; 02920 368 900; www.savills.co.uk

IF LUXE COULD KILL We went on a luxury adventure to Maldives resort Huvafen Fushi, which, this month, has reopened its doors By Karen Hockney

GREAT ESCAPES

L GETTING THERE

Qatar Airways, the World’s Best Airline as voted by Skytrax 2019, offers flights from the UK to Doha with onward connections to destinations including the Maldives. Return flights from the UK to Doha start from £469 per person and return flights from the UK to the Maldives start from £606 per person. Book at www.qatarairways.com * Flights and departure airports may have changed due to covid-19. Check the travel alerts section of the website before travelling.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 With two stadiums finished and six still under construction, Doha is well ahead in preparations for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Four new metro lines connect the stadiums and purposebuilt Lusail village will have a residential capacity of 200,000. THINGS TO KNOW/CUSTOMS IN QATAR Shoulders should be covered and men are requested to wear at least knee-length shorts. Qatar is very safe, with crime virtually non-existent. Doha is dry and alcohol is only available in hotels restaurants and bars. Friday is holy day with most shops closed during morning prayer until 1pm. For more information, check out www.visitqatar.qa MALDIVES Stays at Huvafen Fushi start from £1,312 per night in a Beach Bungalow with pool based on two adults sharing on a bed and breakfast basis, excluding service and tax. The resort reopened on October 1. Book through www.huvafenfushi.com

ittle did I know as I headed off to the Maldives in March just before lockdown that this would be the last overseas travel I’d enjoy for many months. But oh, what a trip to make if it has to be your nal foreign fling for a while. And while my head was lled with dreamy thoughts of powdery white sand beaches and thatched overwater suites, in truth, this hedonistic escape to paradise began as soon as I stepped onboard the Qatar Airways service to al via oha at Cardiff Airport. oted the world’s best airline for a fth time, atar Airways is having a moment, and it’s not di cult to see why. The aircraft possesses a box-fresh vibe that is hard to equal; no frayed carpet edges, tired seats or faded d cor in need of a revamp here. Their economy service offers discreet but classy cut-above touches such as real cutlery and a menu card with two meal choices plus cocktails, wines and soft drinks included. owever, if you’re lucky enough to be travelling business class, you’ll be struck by the feeling of space, the flat-bed seat, touch-screen entertainment system, White Company pyjamas and luxe amenities. Arriving in oha for a 36-hour stopover, I check into the Dusit Doha Hotel and head out for a whistle-stop tour of the city, taking in atara illage, which hosts lm and jazz festivals, The Pearl marina and the authentic Souq Waqif, a bustling reminder of times gone by, with baskets of fragrant spices, dried herbs and candied fruits on every corner. y personal highlight is a visit to the National Museum of Qatar, which will turn on its head any museum visit you have ever experienced. Onwards to Malé and after a four and a half flight, I’m ushered onto a waiting dhoni for the 90-minute sail to Huvafen Fushi. I defy you to make a more glamorous entrance than rocking up on this magni cent craft while qua ng champagne, coconut water, ietnamese spring rolls and sushi as dolphins and flying sh skim through the aquamarine ocean alongside you. On arrival, it’s shoe free from now on and a waiting buggy transports me to my overwater thatched lagoon bungalow. The check in scenario is smooth and angst free, having been completed at the airport, which is just the way it should be after a long journey other hotels, please take note.) One of just island residences comprising beach and overwater villas, it’s beautifully appointed with a contemporary four poster, ottega eneta toiletries, crisp rette linens and eco-friendly re llable glass water bottles they distil their own drinking water here . A bathing platform with daybed and plunge pool provides the perfect spot to take stock with a

T mixed at your own maxi bar, stocked with Nespresso, herbal tea and copious quantities of wine, champagne and spirits. ou even have your own thakuru/butler on call. Island life is everything I hoped it would be and a helluva lot more sunrise yoga with ay on the breezy overwater yoga shala before breakfast, which offers everything from eggs benedict, omelettes and smoked salmon through to muesli, chia pots, pastries and breads which would give a Parisian boulangerie a run for its money glutenand dairy-free choices abound). ust m by 3 m in size it takes minutes to walk around the island), Huvafen Fushi is small but perfectly formed. A huge T-shaped in nity pool overlooks the ocean where cooling water atomisers, iced water, sorbet shots and nuts are seamlessly delivered to your lounger on a regular basis. A saltwater flotation pool offers the chance for some natural thalassotherapy while the more active will enjoy PA I registered dive expeditions, kayaking and snorkelling. At teatime, resident marine biologists Alex and aamid feed the local stingrays and watching these playful, highly sociable creatures leap out of the water to kiss aamid and flap their sides against outstretched hands is a sight to behold, the best part being that they can come and go at will. A guided snorkel along the house reef to plant coral fragments as part of uvafen ushi’s ongoing reef protection programme while swimming alongside lacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, clown sh and snappers is quite simply one of the most magical hours you will ever spend. And then there’s the underwater spa…the rst and only of its kind anywhere in the world. With six overwater treatment rooms and two which are 9m below sea level, you can enjoy a relaxing massage while watching marine life swim by oblivious to your presence. And for those who don’t want to ruin their blowdry, the Spaquarium experience – where you can watch marine life at night is every bit as fascinating as an underwater dive. Gastronomes are well looked after at Huvafen ushi. alt serves apanese fusion cuisine on an idyllic overwater deck, while casual Italian-style beach lunches and pizzas are served at orno, and aw does a roaring trade in sushi, gazpacho and pineapple carpaccio. Themed lobster and champagne parties, Indian thalis and private beach dining mix it up a little and an Instaworthy floating breakfast can be delivered to your pool villa. The only downside is saying goodbye to this lush slice of paradise, where the staff genuinely seem to want you to stay but come and wave you off from the jetty just to make sure you really have left!)

“The underwater s a is the rst and only of its kind in the world”

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CARDIFF LIVES

“I was a film actress and went to work in Hollywood” events in Cardiff, including their Christmas concert at Cardiff City Hall. It was such a beautiful venue and it was amazing to perform alongside some great Welsh patrons, such as Sian Lloyd and Max Boyce. I’m so excited to share my new work… Running Back to You is my ve-track EP. I wrote most of the songs last year when I spent some time in Nashville, and I recorded it just before lockdown. I’m super proud of these songs and how they turned out. It was important for me to show all my country and blues influences as well as tell some stories.

LAURA EVANS The Welsh-rooted, Nashville-loving, soul-fuelled singer on her UK Number One, her Hollywood film acting past, and the release of her new music Cardiff was where she got her first big break as a youngster when she was chosen to train at Cardiff Bay-based drama group The Workshop, and Laura still loves the city she spent years of her childhood in. The Welsh singer – whose new single, Solo, will be released in late October – is part of the new wave of British countryblues and soul music singersongwriters. Her EP’s debut title track Running Back to You went straight to Number One in the UK iTunes Blues chart, but she only chased her music passion after realising her Hollywood acting career wasn’t for her.

I love Cardiff… I’m from the valleys originally so I travel home every month, and I always visit Cardiff. I have so many amazing Cardiff memories… When I was about 11, I auditioned to train at the junior ITV drama workshop in the city, and then trained there every week for two years it was when I rst had opportunities to act in lms and commercials. I had the pleasure of performing at Cardiff City Hall… I became a liated with the Kidney Wales Foundation in 2015 and I performed at several of their

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

I would have loved to tour this year… but unfortunately, due to all the restrictions, I can’t, so I’ll be planning a tour for next summer and I’ll de nitely be playing a home show in Cardiff My biggest musical inspirations are… Lucie Silvas, India Arie, Stevie Nicks and Dolly Parton. I was a film actress and went to work in Hollywood… [She appeared alongside Rob Schneider, Lindsay Lohan, Michelle Rodriguez and Adrien rody in satirical lm InAPPropriate Comedy.] Before that, I’d been working in an off-licence and doing promotional work leafleting on the streets, so when the opportunity of Hollywood came up, I trusted my feelings and left the UK. By then, I was travelling regularly to Nashville to sing and record… Nashville felt magical. Los Angeles is for actors, but Nashville is for songbirds. Singers and songwriters gravitate to Nashville because it’s kinder and because it is the focal

point of music. I knew in my heart it was where I belonged. There is a small-town community feel to ‘Music City’ that reminded me of the Welsh valleys. I also knew that I wanted to belong to a community of like-minded and inspiring people that would make music with me. My proudest career moment was… when I was invited to perform at the famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Playing an original song to an American audience alongside some Nashville hit songwriters in such an iconic place was just amazing it was pinch me’ stuff. Something people may not know about me is… I worked on children’s television with puppet fox Basil Brush and played the role of an American ditsy blonde character called Madison. Best four years ever. I’m obsessed with… Mocha Frappuccinos from Starbucks, and Diptique scented candles. My desert island items would be… A record player with lots of records to play, and meditation books by Louise Hay. The most sentimental item I own is… My late Nana’s vintage gold locket. My favourite parts of Cardiff are… Cardiff ay, ales illennium Centre, the Morgan Quarter and The Royal Arcade for quirky its shopping. And the best Cardiff view… Has to be from the top of the Park Plaza hotel. n www.thelauraevans.com

ADD YOUR HOLIDAY HOME TO OUR BOOKING PLATFORM

Cardiff Life - Issue 227

Articles inside

CARDIFF LIVES Blues singer Laura Evans talks Hollywood, new music and Basil Brush

CARDIFFWORKS News, views and inspiring interviews with the region’s professionals

TRAVEL A pre-lockdown adventure to the Maldives

PROPERTY NEWS Our pick of the most interesting stories on the scene

SHOWCASE Fancy living in a church tower? Take a look inside Windsor Lofts

RESTAURANT Sublime small plates at the Heathcock pub and restaurant

TASTY BITES A few newsy morsels for you to chew on

LEARN BY HEART Local schools have us in tears with their lockdown stories

MEET THE MAKER Macabre masters at The Blackened Teeth

RISING STAR João Saramago’s work captivates us

EDITOR’S CHOICE A spot of spooky, edgy Halloween inspiration

CONSCIOUS CREATIVITY Beth Morris Workshops inspire us

WHAT’S ON Arts, shows and activities, it’s all going on in Cardiff

MY CARDIFF Photographer Phil Lewis’s snaps of Penarth are turned into a calendar

PUT A RING ON IT Weddings may be on hold but we’re still looking forward

SPOTLIGHT ews on Creative Cardiff, lack istory onth and Cardiff et