Cardiff Life - Issue 246 by MediaClash

@CardiffLifeMag

CELEBRATING THE BEST IN THE CITY, PENARTH & THE VALE

ISSUE 246 / DECEMBER 2021 / £3

THE CARDIFF

PROPERTY AWARDS 2021 ARE COMING

SLADE AT TRAMSHED

SO HERE IT IS MERRY CHRISTMAS ISSUE 246 / DECEMBER 2021 / EASY BEING GREEN

DECKED OUT

FESTIVE HOME DÉCOR

ALL WRAPPED UP OUR ALL-LOCAL CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

REIKI RULES

HOLISTIC HEALING AT YURT IN THE CITY

GREEN SCENES INSIDE THE ECO-CONSCIOUS BUSINESSES OF CARDIFF THAT KEEP SUSTAINABILITY AT THE CORE

PHOTO BY MANON HOUSTON

EDITOR’S LETTER

e’re in the thick of the festive season now; by the time you’re reading this, the Christmas Market indie shopping extravaganza will have launched, Winter Wonderland – with its ice rink, funfair and two-story ski-lodge – will be in full swing, the light switch-on will have taken place, and plenty of grottos will already be spreading magic around the city. It feels as if Christmas came around ever so quickly this year, we don’t feel prepared! If, like us, you haven’t started your shopping yet, don’t fret as we have an all-local gift guide for you, starting on page 25, or if you fancy shaking up your festive decorating game, head to page 32. And is there a more festive band to interview in our Christmas issue than Slade? On page 66 we chat to the rocker that is founding member Dave Hill. This late-year issue isn’t all tinsel and festivities, though; we also, as you might have seen on our front cover, have a focus on green heroes for you. Sustainability has never been as big of a buzzword as it is right now, especially in the wake of COP26, and everybody is being slapped with the realisation that we need to act fast to change the world. On page 11 you’ll find our pick of the local businesses who are going above and beyond to be kinder to the planet, and whose innovate ideas and ambitions are making us even prouder to be a part of Cardiff. We also have more very cool stuff for you: from a one-to-one with Josh Llewellyn-Jones OBE, the ‘million kilo’ man whose ultra-endurance determination knows no bounds (page 36), to our surreal and rather surprising reiki experience at Yurt in the City (page 34). Enjoy! #CardiffTogether, always

Inside the urban jungle that is Eartha. See more eco-conscious stores on page 11

ae’r Nadolig yn nesáu o ddifrif yn awr. Erbyn i chi ddarllen hwn bydd y Farchnad Nadolig sy’n cynnwys cymaint o fusnesau annibynnol wedi cychwyn; bydd Gŵyl y Gaeaf – a’i llawr iâ, ei ffair a’i chaban sgïo deulawr – wedi hen ddechrau; a bydd sawl groto Siôn Corn yn hudo plant ledled y ddinas. Mae’r Nadolig fel pe bai wedi cyrraedd yn anarferol o sydyn eleni, a d’yn ni ddim yn teimlo’n hanner parod ar ei gyfer! Os nad ydych chithau fel ninnau wedi dechrau siopa eto, peidiwch â gofidio oherwydd mae gennym ganllaw i anrhegion lleol ar eich cyfer, o dudalen 25 ymlaen. Neu os oes awydd arnoch wella eich sgiliau addurno ar gyfer yr ŵyl, ewch i dudalen 32. A does yna’r un band mwy addas ar gyfer cyfweliad yn ein rhifyn Nadoligaidd na Slade! Ar dudalen 66, rydym yn sgwrsio â’r rociwr ei hun a sylfaenydd y band, Dave Hill. Ond wrth i’r flwyddyn dynnu at ei therfyn, mae’r rhifyn hwn hefyd yn rhoi sylw i bethau eraill heblaw tinsel a hwyl yr ŵyl. Hwyrach i chi weld ar glawr y cylchgrawn ein bod yn rhoi sylw i arwyr gwyrdd ar eich cyfer. Mae cynaliadwyedd yn air sy’n cael ei ddefnyddio’n awr yn fwy nag erioed, yn enwedig yn dilyn COP26, ac mae pawb wedi sylweddoli’n sydyn bod angen i ni weithredu’n gyflym i newid y byd. Ar dudalen 11, fe welwch ein detholiad ni o fusnesau lleol sy’n gwneud mwy na’r disgwyl i fod yn fwy caredig i’r blaned ac y mae eu syniadau arloesol a’u huchelgeisiau yn golygu ein bod yn falchach fyth o fod yn perthyn i Gaerdydd. Mae gennym ragor o erthyglau difyr ar eich cyfer hefyd: o sgwrs un i un â Josh Llewellyn-Jones OBE, y dyn ‘miliwn cilo’ y mae ei agwedd benderfynol a’i allu i’w wthio ei hun i’r eithaf yn ddiderfyn (ar dudalen 36); i’n profiad swreal a syfrdanol braidd o gael triniaeth reiki yng nghanolfan Yurt in the City (ar dudalen 34). Mwynhewch! #CaerdyddYnghyd, bob amser

LISA EVANS Follow us on Twitter @CardiffLifeMag Instagram @cardifflifemag Instagram @lisaevs89

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SPONSORED CONTENT

Wyndham Cafeteria has opened

Issue 246 / December 2021 © PHOTO BY ANDREA MEDGYESI

COVER Stephen Peckham inside Eartha plant shop and café. Photo by Manon Houston. Turn to page 11 to read about how Eartha, and many other local businesses, are putting sustainability at the heart of what they do

FEATURES

11 ECO HEROES The greenest local business in the city

and beyond

36 ONE TO ONE Josh Llewellyn-Jones OBE, the ‘million

kilo’ man

ARTS AND EVENTS

19 WEARABLE ART Lil & Co’s eco-conscious creations 20 WHAT’S ON Arts, shows and events, it’s all going on

in Cardiff

45 AND SCENE Snapping two of the latest local

hip happenings

SHOPPING

25 PRESENT AND CORRECT Our all-local Christmas

gifting ideas

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

34 REIKI RULES Our surreal holistic healing experience

Christmas at Bute Park is the biggest Christmas lights trail Wales has ever seen

FOOD & DRINK

39 CAFÉ CULTURE Jane Cook talks new and tasty offerings 40 RESTAURANT REVIEW We visit the newest Waterloo

Tea branch in Cardiff

HOME AND PROPERTY

51 PROPERTY NEWS Our pick of the new stories on

the scene

53 CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS They’re almost

upon us!

BUSINESS

61 CARDIFF WORKS News and views and

brilliant businesses

63 CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS Getting ready for another

huge celebration

REGULARS

9 SPOTLIGHT Just a handful of feel-good stories 23 WYBURN AND WAYNE Our columnists have been out

and about again

66 CARDIFF LIVES Slade is on the way to Tramshed Fizz Goes Pop jewellery, plus loads more local gifting ideas

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, Jane Cook 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 Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Cardiff Life MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash. We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff 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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VIEW OUR BROCHURE ON OUR WEBSITE

www.chalkhousekitchens.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT LGBTQ+

QUEER BEER

Hospitality

MILL LANE MASSIVE Mill Lane is arguably one of Cardiff’s most famous streets and has reigned supreme in the world of nightlife and hospitality for decades. At the end of October, the many bars and restaurants in the area joined forces to celebrate 25 years as Britain’s first designated Café Quarter, with an ‘ultimate street party’ of special events, entertainment and exclusive offers. “When I opened my first restaurant, The Continental, in the 1980s, Mill Lane was one of the most run-down places in town,” says Giovanni Malacrino, owner of the longest standing Italian restaurant in Wales, Giovanni’s on The Hayes. “It was heavily congested, with a three-lane road, and the area hadn’t been invested in for years. One afternoon I stood at the end of the street and thought, why isn’t al fresco dining more popular in the UK?’ “I gathered support from other business

people and we approached the council. We had plans and models drawn up and eventually the council listened; as a result, Mill Lane become one of the most loved and thriving areas in Cardiﬀ. “The recent celebration was a poignant occasion for the businesses that have survived the past 18 months on Mill Lane. Our 25th Anniversary would have actually been in 2020, but most of the businesses were shut at that point. “I have lived, worked and played on Mill Lane since 1983, so seeing my beloved restaurant and the entire city centre like a ghost town was especially tough. Our birthday celebrations are more important than ever as we make up for lost time and inject some much-needed sparkle back into people’s lives.” For more: www.giovanniscardiﬀ.co.uk Bad Wolf in Cardiff is behind the likes of His Dark Materials (pictured), A Discovery of Witches, and Doctor Who

Ty Cerdd’s new album was led by award-winning electronic composer Jo Thomas

Britain’s first café quarter celebrates 25 years, albeit belatedly. PICTURED L-R: Michael Eddershaw, Lisa Marie Brown, Giovanni Malacrino, Cllr Michael Michael, Nigel Roberts, Neil Hanratty, Jonathan Saunders and Francesca Buchanan

The Glory Stores, based in Roath, have launched Wales’s first queer beer, Butch, with the goal of creating more visibility for queer communities. The LGBTQ+ owned provisions store and dining room’s new product launch has been supported by the Cardiff Lions, Wales’s first inclusive rugby team. “It is hardly breaking news, but rugby lad culture is still prevalent, and as part of our mission as an inclusive rugby team we are working hard to challenge this. Our queer community should be allowed to enjoy any drink they want,” says Cardiff Lions chair, Gareth Waters. “A large part of our focus is visibility and representation,” adds Shaun Houcke, owner of The Glory Stores. “There are Butch is Wales’ first stereotypes associated with those LGBTQ+ beer who drink beer, and we are keen to tackle this stigma. Butch demonstrates that you don’t have to be ‘laddie’ to enjoy a beer, it is all the taste without the culture.” Having supported leading LGBTQ+ charities such as Stonewall Cymru, Mind and Shelter Cymru, The Glory Stores will continue to do so, with 10 per cent of all profits of Butch being donated. For more: www.glory-stores.com

Music

WELL VERSED Film & TV

HOWL YOU DOING? Bad Wolf, one of the UK’s biggest film and television companies, based in Cardiff, has announced scholarship support of three students training at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Postgraduate students Sanjana Nagesh Doddamani, Hollie Morrison and Luis Yacto have all benefitted from support towards the cost of their studies, thanks to scholarship

funding, with match-funding provided by Arts & Business Cymru. The funding shows Bad Wolf ’s ongoing commitment to nurturing young, diverse talent and opening up opportunities to access the world-class training provided by the Royal Welsh College. For more: www.bad-wolf.com

Cardiff-based Tŷ Cerdd Records has announced the release of a new album entitled Cynefin (a Welsh word meaning ‘habitat’). Through the project, music and sound installations were made for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s new Grange University Hospital in Llanfrechfa. Tŷ Cerdd, in collaboration with Studio Response and health board staff, commissioned artists from a range of genres to create the music especially for the multi-faith chapel space in the hospital. The works, led by award-winning electronic composer Jo Thomas, were designed to improve the well-being and experience of hospital patients and visitors as well as the NHS staff that works there each day. For more: www.tycerdd.org

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SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES

EASY BEING GREEN The local businesses committed to doing their bit to make the world a greener, more sustainable and happier place to live By Lisa Evans

ith COP26 fresh in our minds, it’s clear that a profound behavioural and cultural change is needed, and needed quickly, to tackle the climate crisis. Here, local businesses share with us their eco-friendly approaches and tactics – from a hair salon which helps create pollution-absorbing hair booms for our oceans, to a wine merchant planting their own acre of vines to adopt a grape-to-glass model.

Stephen Peckham of Eartha – plant shop, café and vegetarian eatery

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FOOD AND DRINK EARTHA

What is it?

It’s a plant shop, café and vegetarian eatery, creating green spaces for the community, indoor and out. Green initiatives

“We support Cardiff Council nurseries in Bute Park by purchasing plants from them in order for us to reduce our carbon footprint and support this amazing feature of Cardiff,” says Stephen Peckham, director. “Our space is also used to feature local makers’ wares, and we try to purchase exclusively from Cardiff businesses – these include Waterloo Tea, Hard Lines Coffee, Heist Chocolate, Riverside Sourdough, Cardiff Salad Garden, and soap makers Cole & Co.” Sustainable neighbours

KINDLE

What is it?

A ‘fire food’ restaurant – from husband and wife Deb and Phill Lewis, the duo behind Dusty’s pizzerias and small plates eatery Nook. Green credentials

“We want to challenge restaurant habits and behaviours with an aim of changing the system for the better,” says Deb. “Our menu has a 70 per cent focus on vegetables, ensuring that any meat and fish products are sourced responsibly, from local suppliers. It has always been our goal to create a truly sustainable restaurant from the ground up – a platform to really push the boundaries of what it means to actually be sustainable, from the building design to sourcing and provenance, and to do it with integrity.” Did you know

It’s an exclusively outdoor dining experience underneath covered pergolas, set within a sensory garden – featuring own-grown produce. Sophia Gardens; www.kindlecardiff.co.uk FOOD CARDIFF What is it?

The city’s rapidly growing food partnership, which has evolved into an

“Going green is important because… our lives depend on it” Kindle is an exclusively outdoor dining experience within a sensory garden

inclusive network of good food activists. Its strategy board includes Cardiff Council, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, and Public Health Wales.

What’s coming up?

SOL MATE

At Techniquest, Wales’ largest science discovery centre, among 50 new exhibits is Sonnedix SolQuest, which was introduced to coincide with the COP26 conference. It’s a virtual learning experience that takes the visitor on a journey through the Sonnedix Atacama solar plant in Chile, one of the largest solar photovoltaic plants, to find out how energy from the sun is harnessed and transformed into clean electricity to power the nearby communities. Cardiff Bay; www.techniquest.org

“We’re really excited that the next step on Food Cardiff’s journey – the Good Food Strategy 2021-24 – has been co-designed by thousands of people in the city,” says Pearl Costello, Food Cardiff’s co-ordinator. “This city-wide plan has already been recognised as the widest and most inclusive strategy in terms of its engagement across the whole of the UK.” Did you know

Earlier this year, Cardiff was awarded a Silver Sustainable Food Places status, becoming the first place in Wales, and one of six places in the UK, to achieve the accolade, recognising the city’s pioneering work in promoting healthy and sustainable food. The work is co-ordinated by Food Cardiff. Cardiff; www.foodcardiff.co.uk CHILLED & TANNIN What is it?

It’s a wine merchant with a conscience. They sell organic, ethical, biodynamic and authentic bottles. “All of this means promoting the eco system and avoiding chemicals,” say founding partners Rob, Dom and Alex, the three ‘Muscat-eers’ who are striving to be carbon neutral vintners. What’s new?

They are reaching for a grape-to-glass approach in the future and are planting their own acre of vines in the Vale of Glamorgan in 2022. Special delivery Earth-friendly indie Tabitha Eve specialises in reusable lifestyle products

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Cardiff deliveries are made in their zero-emissions electric van. And

“Other local eco businesses that impress us are: Ripple, and Wild Thing.” City Road; www.earthastore.com

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES

Sustainable neighbours

“Locally, we admire Little Man Coffee, which hosts our pop-up wine shop on Bridge Street. They love to repurpose things and reduce waste.” Bridge street; www.chilledandtannin.com

GROWBROS

Ricky and Chris started their Growbros business journey as intrepid travellers, and they understand the beneficial importance flora has to our health. Their naturally derived soothing and healing apothecary products are balanced with a blend of botanical fragrances. From the beginning, they ensured their products to be 100 per cent natural, cruelty-free, and ethically sourced. Cardiff; www.growbros.uk

FASHION AND BEAUTY CREATE SALON What is it?

A hair salon which recycles up to 95 per cent of its waste. Green initiatives

“Our colour waste doesn’t go down the drain polluting waterways,” says Kasey Perks, who co-founded the salon with Danielle Vinson. “Instead, it’s sent to a specialist company that extracts the water from the colour to purify it. Also, hair cuttings are collected and are sent off to be made into hair booms which are used to clean up oil and pollution from rivers, lakes and oceans. We also offer a discount on any refill shampoo and conditioner – just bring in any old bottle.” Pure projects

“In November and December we plant trees through the charity The Size of Wales for each client. We also hosted a litter picking event recently.” Sustainable neighbours

“Other local eco-friendly businesses that impress us are: Blossom & Nectar, and Lil & Collective.” Pontcanna; www.createsalon.co.uk below: Elizabeth Rees of sustainable accessories brand Eliza Eliza; right: Sey Cosmetics is a beauty brand with a conscience

SEY COSMETICS

What is it?

An eco-friendly skincare and makeup business. Green goals

“When a beauty product, especially skincare, is being advertised, what we normally see are the benefits of what the products provide for the customers – such as wrinkle prevention and youthful skin etc,” says Meghan Gane, founder. “The issue with that is, it has created an ‘I don’t care about what impact it has on the environment’ mentality. Vanity comes first. We try to do things differently. There is a refill subscription on our website; the idea is to inspire reuse rather than disposal. “Our ingredients are all vegan, ethically sourced, and environmentally friendly – which is important because anything that we wash off afterwards goes down our drains and ends up in our water. “We help plant a tree with each order, through Tree-Nation, and we offer carbon-offset shipping options. My mini lab is open for people to stop by, browse the products or ask me any questions.” The background

“I’m originally from Seychelles. Environmental protection forms a big part of my culture; we depend heavily upon the country’s pristine scenery and its ecosystem to survive. As islanders, we understand the importance of a healthy symbiotic relationship between us and mother nature.”

nationwide deliveries are made via a courier with a lifetime carbon offset as Chilled & Tannin plant a tree for every wine order received. You can even choose to offset more carbon against the production of the wine by using their EcoCart function – this lets you opt into a calculated amount and goes to projects they have selected around the world.

Sustainable neighbours

“Other local eco-conscious businesses I love are: Matico Studio, Etoeto, Lil & Collective, Dati Clothing and Workshy.” The Sustainable Studio, Cardiff; www.seycosmetics.co.uk ELIZA ELIZA What is it?

A sustainable accessories brand.

Green credentials

“We use eco-friendly hemp woven in the UK,” says Elizabeth Rees, founder. “Hemp is efficient in removing CO2, taking in four times the amount than trees. One hectare of hemp can offset a year’s carbon from two cars. Hemp produces double the amount of fibre to cotton on the same size land and needs half the amount of water than cotton does to grow.”

Pure projects

“The recently launched RE-Store section of our website accommodates bags made using deadstock fabric and materials. £87 billion of unused textiles are thrown into landfill, burned or left in warehouses every year. The RE-Store aims to save waste by using this to produce one-off pieces.” Pentyrch; www.elizaelizauk.com

LIFESTYLE TABITHA EVE What is it?

A specialist in earth-friendly, reusable lifestyle products. Green items

“We offer vegan and cruelty-free homeware and beauty products, with reusable items for your kitchen through to your skincare routine,” says Lizzie Linney, office manager. “Items are made with care from natural materials and are proof that eco-friendly can also be beautiful.”

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SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES The process

“We air-dry the coffee grounds. This is a manual ‘green’ process and therefore time consuming – we could have purchased ovens to dry these more quickly. Our aim is to make Wales a country that reuses ALL its coffee grounds.” Did you know

Inside The Sustainable Studio in the Bay you’ll find more than 20 small businesses

In the making

“Most items are made by hand by our team of sewers, based in Pontypridd, who ensure minimal waste. Any ‘imperfect products’ are offered at a discount in regular sales rather than being sent to landfill.” The ‘why’

“Going green is important because… our lives depend on it. It sounds dramatic but it’s true – just listen to some of what was said at the COP26 conference. The good news is that some changes can be small and even enjoyable. That’s where we come in; switching out disposables reduces over-consumption and, as a result, the carbon emissions associated with production. And the vast majority of our products are plastic-free and biodegradable, avoiding the damage caused by plastic pollution.” Sustainable neighbours

“We’re currently working alongside Old Faithful, an amazing South Wales-based skincare and wellbeing brand just down the road from us.” Pontypridd; www.tabithaeve.co.uk SIMPLELIFECO UK What is it?

A Cardiff-founded business specialising in ecofriendly mailing bags. Green initiatives

RIPPLE

The Sustainable Studio is set within an industrial warehouse which has been repurposed to include an immersive space for performance, exhibitions, photo shoots, more than 20 affordable studios, a community swap shop, a refill station and communal space. All the studios are made from reclaimed materials and the furniture, fixtures and fittings have had a previous life somewhere else. Curran Road, Cardiff; www.thesustainablestudio.com

“In the UK alone, it’s estimated that we generate around a quarter of a million tonnes of wet coffee grounds a year. The most typical outcome is that it goes to landfill. Under these conditions, it gives off methane gas. This is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and ultimately is contributing to global warming.” Penarth; www.groundsforgood.co.uk AUTHENTIC HOUSE What it is?

An eco-friendly shop and subscription box aiming to help people start protecting the planet through everyday changes they can make at home. Green ethos

“Lots of us care about the planet, but that doesn’t always translate into our everyday choices,” says Alice Ojeda, who runs the business with her partner Daniel. “When I began our eco-friendly subscription box in 2018, my idea was to swap out the self-care most of us need with a parcel of sustainable alternatives to try. Our offering includes skincare, beauty, cleaning and kitchenware. We’ve grown the shop now to offer lots of products that are plastic-free and we support other small businesses. I also share lots of free sustainable EFFECT living ideas in our email newsletter.”

Cardiff first ethical lifestyle and zerowaste store, Ripple, has a good-for-theplanet offering – from peanut butter, ground before your very eyes, to an eco-soap pick ‘n’ mix. Going packagingfree has never been this sleek. Albany Road, @ripple_living

“Our story is about how we found the answer to our single-use plastic problem, and now we want to share it with the world ,” says Bethan Keeble, who co-owns the business with Dino Hodzovic. “When we started trading two years ago, we realised just how much single-use plastic we needed in order fulfil orders for customers (mailing bags, poly bags, tape etc). If we, as a new and tiny business were using this much plastic, then other businesses had to be in the same position, but using a lot more. We have launched our own range of compostable mail bags, which can be popped in your food waste collection bin after use. We also plant trees for every order and offset our carbon with the help of Ecologi.” Abercarn; www.simplelifeco.uk

THE SUSTAINABLE STUDIO

Did you know

They plant a tree for every order, that’s 3,199 trees and counting. Sustainable neighbours

“Other local eco businesses that impress us are: Green Squirrel, Rose & Dragon Tea, and Eartha.” Splott; www.authentichouse.co.uk

GROUNDS FOR GOOD What is it?

A social enterprise which collects used coffee grounds from local cafés and repurposes them into products such as candles, gin and body scrubs. Hard truth

“Many businesses will say they are ‘sustainable’ – but do we really know what that means?” says Dr Rosie Oretti, founder. “The true definition means to avoid depleting a natural resource for future generations. There are many examples of how detrimental it can be to the planet when we overuse a natural resource. Just look at the story of palm oil. We focus on using a ‘waste’ product and, in so doing, create a circular economy.”

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Yellow The Social Enterprise is an indie eco department store, featuring everything from homeware to clothing, coming to the city centre soon

“We understand the importance of a symbiotic relationship between us and mother nature”

The Tree House is an eco project by Penylan’s Glen Thomas Architecture

ECOSLURPS What is it?

A retailer and wholesaler of sustainable items, from bamboo toothbrushes and washable cotton buds to collapsible travel straws – their very first product; their motto was to ‘save the planet one slurp at a time’. Green goals

“We provide eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastic products,” says director Gerwyn Holmes. “We plant trees around the world to offset our carbon footprint and to support global reforestation efforts.” Did you know

“I used to work in the waste recycling industry where I witnessed just how much plastic people disposed of every day. It’s estimated that every year in the UK we throw away over 295 billion pieces of single-use plastic which has led to countries banning many of these products. This inspired me to create a business solely focused on bringing to market affordable products that were reusable or biodegradable.” Sustainable neighbours

“We are proud to supply some fantastic zero-waste stores in South Wales, including Iechyd Da in Whitchurch and Sero Zero-Waste in Newport.” Whitchurch; www.ecoslurps.com YELLOW THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE What is it?

A non-profit eco department store, coming to the city centre next February. What to expect

“I decided to create a retail experience that gives its profits to local schemes and environmental projects, while also being an eco-department store with refill stations and independent traders – from a flower stall to an eco-home brand,” says founder Tams Ford who is known for her sustainabilityfocused shop in Pontcanna Mews, Blossom & Nectar, and also for being a beekeeper and an environmentalist. “We have a café concession going upstairs and a co-working space too. This is a permanent store and we have plans to roll out the concept over the next few years in different cities.” Get involved

“We are currently looking for traders who have a strong customer base, already have sustainable policies and can show their green values. We’re looking for kindness in their whole circle economy.” The Hayes; www.yellow.wales

HOMES, INTERIORS AND ARCHITECTURE IBI GROUP What is it?

It’s a design firm with global architecture, engineering, planning, and technology expertise. Their focus is on helping clients create liveable, sustainable and advanced urban environments. The details

“Our commitment to the resilient design of built

environments is entrenched in our business culture,” says Richard Golledge, studio director. “We are currently working on approval for the largest solar farm in Canada, expected to power over 25,000 homes. Closer to home, our Cardiff studio is leading on major low-carbon projects across Wales.” Pure projects

“We designed the new Grange Pavilion in Cardiff with a focus on biodiversity and sustainability,” says Andrew Street, studio director. “Rain gardens link to the ‘Greener Grangetown’ sustainable urban drainage scheme and pollinator gardens were incorporated as part of Cardiff’s ‘Bee Superhighway’.” Morgan Arcade; www.ibigroup.com GLEN THOMAS ARCHITECTURE What is it?

A architectural firm which strives to build beautiful spaces in a poetic and considered manner that respects their individual environments. Green goals

“Each project has environmental considerations influencing its concept from the start,” says Glen Thomas, director, “such as our development of eco houses buried into the slope of the land overlooking the Severn Estuary. We view sustainable design as not simply producing low energy buildings but approaching the design process in a way that creates and embraces emotion and a sense of place.” Pure projects

A recent favourite project of theirs is The Tree House in Wales – it has a structure designed to absorb and trap heat; the green roof encourages biodiversity; and the solar thermal panels feed the heating, allowing the building to aim at a zero-energy target. Penylan; www.glenthomasarchitecture.co.uk KHAYA

What is it?

An interior design and project management studio, with a passion for biophilic design. Green goals

“In all of the projects we work on, we aim to keep as much of what already exists as possible,” says Kate Fryer, founder. “We avoid the use of plastics and synthetics as well as trendy mass-produced furniture, and instead promote investing in pieces that will last. We incorporate vintage furniture and antiques into our designs and advocate working with local craftsmen ELECTRIC LOVE and artisans. And when I’m adding the finishing Pop into Lexus Cardiff and you’ll find touches to a project, I use locally foraged dry flowers the UX 300e, Lexus’s first all-electric rather than fresh – as fresh flowers have a much bigger vehicle, combining quietness and carbon footprint than you think.” refinement with an electrified driving experience. It has become the bestselling Lexus in Europe. Lexus Cardiff; www.lexus.co.uk

Sustainable neighbours

“I love the work that Cardiff Made is doing to showcase the work of local artists.” n Morlais Street; www.khayastudio.co.uk

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THE ALB ANY GALLERY

WINTER SHOW

featuring work by more than 30 artists

12 November 2021 - 8 January 2022 74b Albany Road, Cardiff, CF24 3RS | T: 029 2048 7158 | E: info@albanygallery.com Gallery open: Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm | www.albanygallery.com

THE ARTS © CARL A ANNE PHOTOGR APHY

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

WEARABLE ART Lil & Co is a collective of Wales-based makers who create eco clothing using natural dyes and solar and wind power. Their wearable art – from T shirts and handbags to scrunchies and underwear – is coloured using natural dyes that are grown in their own dye garden. “Natural dyes have been around for thousands of years but only more recently have they had a resurgence as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes as they are non-toxic, renewable and natural sources of colour,” says founder Sara Bower. “The process is a slow and mindful one. Fabric is washed,

pre-treated and then dyed over a series of hours, days and sometimes weeks. Time is very much a key ingredient with natural dyes, so we tend to allow as much time as possible to create the optimum results. Nature can’t be rushed! By the end of the creative process, each piece is so unique that it becomes its own work of art.” Lil & Co is based at The Sustainable Studio in Butetown; Catch Lil & Co at the Cardiﬀ Indie Collective Christmas Market at bigmoose Coﬀee Co on 2 December, and at Pontcanna Christmas Market at Kings Road Courtyard on 5 and 19 December; www.lilco.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 19

WHAT’S ON

Christmas at Bute Park will be the biggest festive lights trail Wales has ever seen

From 20 November onwards

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

PLAYS / SHOWS / PERFORMANCES Continuing until January 2022

WEST END’S BEST SHOWS IN CARDIFF A dazzling array of West End musicals are coming to Cardiff. They include: Grease (22 – 27 November); Heathers (30 November – 4 December); Beauty and the Beast (9 December – 15 January); and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (18 – 22 January). Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

24 November

THE DEARS Returning for their first shows in over five years, the cult Canadian band will be bringing their distinctive orchestral pop noir back to the UK. Clwb Ifor Bach; www.clwb.net

4 December

THE PROMISE OF CHRISTMAS The show wends its musical way through the Christmas story with carols and songs old and new.

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

St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

4 December

PANTOMIME: THE WIZARD OF OZ Starring The One Show’s Matt Baker as Wizard, and ITV The Chase’s Jenny ‘The Vixen’ Ryan as the good witch Glinda, this new production of The Wizard of Oz will be visiting arenas across the UK including Cardiff. Motorpoint Arena; www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

4 December 2021 – 2 January 2022

PANTOMIME: ALADDIN This Christmas, Paul Chuckle, Gareth Gates, Gareth Thomas and Mike Doyle head to the New Theatre for a magical season. Follow Aladdin, his brother Wishee Washee, and of course his mother Widow Twankey, on a spectacular adventure. Expect flying carpets, a wish-granting genie, an evil sorcerer and a lamp-

9 December

ART/ PHOTOGRAPHY/ EXHIBITIONS

18 December

THE FUTURE HAS A PAST This multidisciplinary exhibition has been co-curated with Amgueddfa Cymru Producers and artist Henry Alles, and explores the past as a means of discovering the future. St Fagans National Museum of History; www.museum.wales

full of laughs. New Theatre; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk THE SNOWMAN TOUR The enchanting, animated film of The Snowman will be accompanied by a Carrot Productions live orchestra bringing the charttopping music to life. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk STEREOPHONICS The Phonics are back in Cardiff, supported by Tom Jones, and Catfish and the Bottlemen. Principality Stadium; www.principalitystadium.wales

20 – 24 December

THE NUTCRACKER The most famous of fantasy ballets; you can even watch it as night falls on Christmas Eve. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

Continuing until January 2022

Continuing until 13 February 2022

HUMAN CONDITIONS OF CLAY This exhibition explores how humanity is expressed through the material use of clay artworks that carry a human trace and presence. Chapter Arts; www.chapter.org

Continuing until 8 January 2022

WINTER EXHIBITION

WHAT’S ON

NIGHT MARKET Local businesses will come together for an indoor Christmas market. Expect independent gifts, mulled wine, festive treats and live music from the Dail Trio. Big Moose Café; www.cardiffindiecollective.co.uk

4 and 11 December

top left:

Winter Wonderland is bigger and better than ever this year; above: The Snowman film will be accompanied by a live orchestra at St David’s Hall; right: The Ice Rink and Ice Walk are in the grounds of Cardiff Castle

An exhibition of over 50 artists. The gallery will also be featuring a collection from Cardiff-based artist Adrian Green with his humorous and captivating illustrations of immediately recognisable city scenes such as Cardiff Bay, Roath Park, Penarth and Cowbridge. The Albany Gallery; www.albanygallery.com

Ongoing

HEAR WE ARE This project will focus on further developing a culture within Wales that encompasses the voices of deaf artists, their work, performances and productions. It’s a two-year Wales-wide project with Chapter as lead venue partner, with a number of arts venue partners supporting it. It will be led by Jonny Cotsen, deaf actor/artist. Chapter Arts; www.chapter.org

CHRISTMAS TREATS Continuing until 23 December

CARDIFF CHRISTMAS MARKET The traditional wooden market stalls are centrally located near Cardiff Castle and the main shopping streets, and they will be complemented with a variety of seasonal food and drink. Central Cardiff; www.visitcardiff.com

Continuing until 2 January WINTER WONDERLAND Bigger and better than ever, Winter Wonderland now occupies two sites. The Ice Rink and Ice Walk are in the grounds of Cardiff Castle, and at City Hall lawn is the funfair and festive food and drink. The Sur la Piste skilodge is back, alongside a new Ice Bar – the coolest spot in town. Cardiff Castle and City Hall; www.visitcardiff.com

25 November – 31 December

CHRISTMAS AT BUTE PARK The new Christmas experience will take visitors on a breath-taking tour of festive delights through the biggest Christmas lights trail Wales has ever seen. The park will be taken over by laser shows, an enchanting fairy tree avenue, flickering fire sculptures, spectacular mirror ball displays, illuminated trees and much more. Bute Park; www.visitcardiff.com

Various dates

SANTA CLAUS IN CARDIFF He’ll be at the likes of Cardiff Castle, The Royal Mint, Queen Street, St David’s Centre and Future Inn. Various locations in Cardiff; www.visitcardiff.com

2 December

CARDIFF INDIE CHRISTMAS

BONE YARD CHRISTMAS MARKET A big bonanza of a Christmas market, with loads of hand crafted loveliness, stocking fillers, unique and unusual gifts and all the Christmas feels. Let’s support local this Christmas, especially after the rollercoaster few years we’ve all had! The Bone Yard; www.shippingcontainerstudios.co.uk

7 December

DRAGGED TO CHURCH Our Cardiff Life columnists Wyburn & Wayne present Dragged to Church, an award-winning annual Christmas fundraiser in which drag queens and kings perform inside a church. For more, see page 23. St Andrew’s URC Church, Cardiff; www.facebook.com/DraggedToChurch

26 November

CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS Anticipation is building for the third Cardiff Property Awards. For more, see page 53. Coal Exchange Hotel; www.cardiffpropertyawards.co.uk

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

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

ardiff Cardiff Cardiff, you’re looking so beautiful with all the yellows and reds of the leaves falling; it is, however, very difficult to believe the last month of 2021 is almost upon us. Things seem to have really stepped up in recent weeks around the city, our ‘Wyburn & Wayne’ lifestyle (AKA attending events left right and centre) appears to be in full swing again – so much so, we’ve got our young volunteers from our St Andrew’s Coffee Court to stand in for us at some awesome things when we can’t attend. As they’re media and theatre students, it’s wonderful to be able to hand them such prime opportunities to see and review shows, and experience so much at such a critical time in their lives. One example of this is, we sent them to the New Theatre to see X Factor star Diana Vickers in Dial M For Murder, a modern twist on an Alfred Hitchcock classic, which they loved, of course, and couldn’t be more grateful. The New Theatre is now under new management and it’s doing so well; it’s a joy to see. We did manage to get along to see Death Drop there, which was an experience and a half ! Drag and murder mysteries don’t usually mix, but this was simply genius. Two of the stars of the show – from RuPaul’s Drag Race US, Willam and Raj’Jah O’Hara – met us after the show and Nathan presented them with portraits

made, by him, from lipstick kisses. On the note of theatre, many may already know we’ve been cast as the evil (how dare you say ‘ugly’) stepsisters in Kinetic Theatre’s Christmas panto, Cinderella! Rehearsals have been going well and it’s quite the challenge, playing two best friends who take the mick out of each other and enjoy a drink; it’s a far stretch and not at all like us… ahem. The four shows will be over 18 – 19 Dec at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. You should come and see us, OH YES you should! Blackwater Gallery also launched its latest exhibit recently, a collection of 2020 works by artist Keith Maiden. It was our first time at the gallery, which is based on the waterfront overlooking Cardiff Bay, at the back of Prospect Place. Who knows, maybe Nath’s work will pop up there soon? Wayne’s had a few great interviews on our Radio Cardiff show too, including Shôn Dale, who brings his show Impossible to the Sherman Theatre, plus the boys from FIVE, The Chase star Jenny Ryan and Welsh West End icon Lucie Jones, who all have upcoming shows in our fabulous city. Talking of what’s coming to the city, we can’t end our column without telling you about Dragged to Church on 7 December. It’s an award-winning annual Christmas fundraiser no other, which we started back in 2018, in which

“Two very different communities – one of drag, one of religion – come together”

Us at Panto rehearsal

Presenting Nath’s artworks to RuPaul’s Drag Race stars

drag queens and kings perform at St Andrew’s United Reformed Church. The previous wonderful events have raised tens of thousands, marking Christmas in the most fabulous way imaginable. BBC’s The One Show will be in attendance this year to raise the profile even further. Dragged to Church has done so well that it’s inspired a film, currently in the making by Keeping Faith star Eve Myles’ production company, Empty Room. It tells the true story of how two very different communities – one of drag, one of religion – came together to help save their beloved local church in dire need of repair. We can’t wait to see how the movie turns out. Bring on the festive season! About our columnists: Nathan Wyburn is a pop culture artist who uses nontraditional mediums such as Marmite,

Dragged To Church is back

beans, soil and fake tan; and Wayne Courtney is a healthcare support worker at University Hospital of Wales. They are also Radio Cardiff DJs with their own show, and basically know everything and everyone in the city. Follow them on social: @wyburnandwayne / @wyburnwayne

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

“ABSOLUTELY STUNNING BESPOKE JEWELLERY FROM A TALENTED YOUNG WELSH DESIGNER. WE LOVE HER GORGEOUS ITEMS AND ARE SURE YOU WILL TOO” - WYBURN & WAYNE WWW.ROSEDROPJEWELLERY.COM

GIFT GUIDE

ALL WRAPPED UP How fast has Christmas come around this year? Here’s our all-local gift guide. Let’s hope you’re on Santa’s nice list…

TREE DECORATIONS, £14 From Fizz Goes Pop, Roath; www.ﬁzzgoespop.com

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

CARTHEN JUMPER, £175 From Mabli, Newport Road; www.mabli.co.uk

BUCKLE BAG, FROM £45 From Illustrate, Morgan Arcade, Cardiﬀ; www.illustrate.co.uk

HANDMADE JEWELLERY, FROM £29 From Fizz Goes Pop, Roath; www.ﬁzzgoespop.com

HIRAETH SWEATERS, £34 From Clecs, St Fagans; www.clecs.co.uk

FASHION AND ACCESSORIES PERVERSE DEMAND SPRAYED DENIM JACKET, £360 From Nathan Palmer Bespoke Tailoring, Penarth; www.nathanpalmer.co.uk

VACUUM WATER BOTTLE, £20 From Illustrate, Morgan Arcade, Cardiﬀ; www.illustrate.co.uk

MEN’S OUTFIT, STARTING FROM £35 From Unit 17 Menswear, Goodsheds, Barry; www.unit17menswear.com MABEL SHEPPARD CANDY CUFF GLOVES, £49 From Kiti, Pontcanna; www.kiticymru.com

18CT GOLD VERMEIL HUGGIES, £100 From Alicat, based just outside Cowbridge; www.alicatjewellery.com

MOON DOT PEARL DROP EARRINGS, £110 From Anne Morgan Jewellery, Penarth; www.annemorganjewellery.com

RAD DAD SOCKS, £18 From Black and Beech, Heath; www.blackandbeech.com

WINTER KNITS, FROM £30 From Black and Beech, Heath; www.blackandbeech.com 26 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

FABERGÉ EMOTION GEMSTONE EGG PENDANT, £10,560 From Laings, St David’s, Cardiﬀ; www.laingsuk.com

SUDAN COAT, £90 From Box Edit Boutique, Goodsheds, Barry; www.boxeditboutique.co.uk

NIGHTWEAR, £45 From Box Edit Boutique, Goodsheds, Barry; www.boxeditboutique.co.uk

GIFT GUIDE

ECO BATHROOM STOCKING FILLERS, VARIOUS PRICES From Tabitha Eve, Pontypridd; www.tabithaeve.co.uk

KINGS EVOLUTION EAU DE TOILETTE, £44.99 From Illustrate, Morgan Arcade, Cardiﬀ; www.illustrate.co.uk

SOAP BARS, £5.50 EACH From Authentic House, Splott; www.authentichouse.co.uk

‘ME TIME’ BATH AND BODY PRODUCTS, VARIOUS PRICES From Miss Patisserie, The Maltings, Cardiﬀ; www.miss-patisserie.com

SCENTED CANDLES, £15 EACH From Sadler Jones, Barry; www.sadlerjones.com

CLUTCH / MAKE UP BAG, £37 From Eliza Eliza, Pentyrch; www.elizaelizauk.com

PAMPER TIME FOURFACE: SHAVE, FROM £63.99 From Mesoa for men, Cardiﬀ; www.mesoa.men

HANDMADE BEARD BAR, £6.50 From The Goodwash Company, Goodsheds, Barry; www.goodwash.co.uk

SHELL MIRROR, FROM £9.50 From Sprinkle Club, Ely Bridge; www.sprinkleclub.com MR PERFECT SOAP, £5.50 From Stwff-Stuff, Cowbridge; www.stwff-stuff.co.uk

BEAUTY ESSENTIALS GIFT BOX, £14.95 From Tabitha Eve, Pontypridd; www.tabithaeve.co.uk

DARTH VADER BATH FIZZER PACK, £7.99 From Stwff-Stuff, Cowbridge; www.stwff-stuff.co.uk

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LITTLE LEADERS: VISIONARY WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD BOOK, £8 From Black and Beech, Heath; www.blackandbeech.com

WELSH ALPHABET ABACUS, £28 From Mwnci, Llandaﬀ North; www.mwnci.co FOREST STACKING TOY, £18.99 From Eco Toy, Riverside, Cardiﬀ; www.ecotoyco.com

ENDANGERED ANIMALS BAMBOO KIDS TABLEWARE SET, £15 From Sadler Jones, Barry; www.sadlerjones.com

WOLF SWEATER, FROM £18 From Illustrate, Morgan Arcade, Cardiﬀ; www.illustrate.co.uk

LITTLE ONES

ZERO-WASTE BABY GIFT SET, £16.95 From Tabitha Eve, Pontypridd; www.tabithaeve.co.uk

GRUFFALO WELLIES, £24.95 From Joules, Morgan Quarter; www.joules.com

WELSH SHAPE SORTER, £24 From Mwnci, Llandaﬀ North; www.mwnci.co

MINI COLOURING BOOK STOCKING FILLER, £1 From Flying Tiger Copenhagen, St David’s www.flyingtiger.com SHEEP FAMILY BINGO GAME, £8.50 From Stwff-Stuff, Cowbridge; www.stwff-stuff.co.uk CUTE RIDER, £64.99 From The Honeycomb Toys and Books, Grangetown, Cardiff; www.thehoneycombtoys.com

WOODEN TRAIN SET, £60 From John Lewis & Partners, St David’s, The Hayes, Cardiﬀ; www.johnlewis.com

SNUGGLE HUNNY BIBS, £14 From Tiny Little Roar, Pontyclun; www.tinylittleroar.com

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

BUILD A GIANT DINOSAUR, £14.95 From Little People Store, Rhiwbina Village, Cardiﬀ; www.littlepeoplestore.co.uk

HANNAH TURNER SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS, £22 Available from Cooper’s, Beulah Road, Cardiﬀ; www.hannahturner.co.uk

ARTISAN CIDERS, FROM £3.50 From Austringer Cider, at Charles Street Market, Cardiﬀ; @austringercider on Instagram

GIFT GUIDE THE WATERLOO TEA CHRISTMAS COLLECTION, £24 From Waterloo Tea houses in Cardiﬀ; www.waterlootea.com

ULTIMATE WELSH CHRISTMAS HAMPER, £35 From Tŷ Caws, based at Bridge Studios on Western Avenue; www.tycaws.com

REFILLABLE GROWLER BEER CONTAINER, £24.99 From, and ﬁllable at, Craft Republic, Goodsheds, Barry; www. wearecraftrepublic.co.uk

ARTISAN HONEY SET, £12 From The Queen Bee Honey Company at Charles Street Market, Cardiﬀ; @queenbeehoneycoltd on Instagram

CHOCOLATE TREE BARS, WREATHS, FILLED BAUBLES AND BONBONS, FROM £1.95 From Cocoa Therapy, High Street, Barry; www.cocoatherapy.co.uk

FOODIE FANATICS

MARSHMALLOW-FILLED CHOCOLATE PENGUIN WITH SKIS, £15 From Cocoa Therapy, High Street, Barry; www.cocoatherapy.co.uk/shop

KENWOOD KMIX STAND MIXER, £269.99 From John Lewis & Partners, St David’s, The Hayes, Cardiﬀ; www.johnlewis.com QUEEN BEE COFFEE SPOONS, £29.99 From West Hampton, Penny Lane, Cowbridge; www.westhampton.co.uk

WELSH PANTRY HAMPER, £95 From Penylan Pantry, Kimberley Road; www.penylanpantry.com

HENSOL CASTLE WELSH DRY GIN, £30 From Hensol Castle Distillery, Hensol; www. hensolcastledistillery. com

FRESHLY MADE SICILIAN PRODUCE, FROM £3.95 From Khione, The Coorp, Cowbridge Road East; www. vegatoshop.com

LOOSE LEAF TEA RELAXATION BOX, £20 From Rose & Dragon, Penarth; www.roseanddragon.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 29

SPONSORED CONTENT

FIRST CLASS LUXURY

Cardiff has a spectacular new luxury destination with the opening of the THE PARKGATE HOTEL in the city centre

ollowing a two-year redevelopment, the 170-bedroom hotel combines stylish innovation with the elegance of yesteryear as it breathes new life into two of the city centre’s most historic buildings – the former Head Post Office and the old County Court. Located within a stone’s throw of Principality Stadium on Westgate Street, The Parkgate Hotel is a pioneering collaboration between the Welsh Rugby Union, property developer Rightacres, and The Celtic Collection, the group behind the iconic Celtic Manor Resort. Period features of the heritage properties have been brought out to create exceptional facilities which include the chic Sorting Room restaurant and bar, elegant tea lounges, and a rooftop spa with infinity pool views over the city skyline.

As well as appealing to all types of overnight hotel guest, The Parkgate is the perfect place to enjoy a spa day, meet up with friends or family for dinner or afternoon tea, or enjoy a cocktail in the bar, set to be the latest Cardiff hotspot.

THE SORTING ROOM Adding a touch of glamour to Cardiff’s culinary scene, the elegant Sorting Room is a fantastic place to meet and dine set within the city’s most luxurious new destination. In the grand rooms of the old Post Office, once filled with hand-written letters and brown-paper packages, now there are marble-topped tables and plush leather benches, conjuring an ambience of bygone glamour. With a sophisticated British brasserie menu, The Sorting Room is somewhere special to enjoy a leisurely lunch or sumptuous dinner. Another occasion to savour is afternoon tea, a tradition that perfectly befits The Parkgate’s elegant lobby lounges with their high ceilings and glittering chandeliers.

THE SPA AT THE PARKGATE HOTEL One of the city’s most exclusive wellness destinations, The Spa at The Parkgate Hotel provides an escape from the world, in a stunning boutique setting filled with opportunities to relax and unwind. Enjoy the finest luxury treatments from Elemis and immerse yourself in a range of spa experiences designed to release the pressures of everyday life. Take a soothing dip in the Thermal Suite’s stunning hydrotherapy infinity pool with its bubbling spa bath, heated volcanic zones and massaging water showers, all while soaking up the breathtaking views over the city rooftops.

ROOMS & SUITES Beautiful spacious bedrooms are as unique and individual as The Parkgate Hotel itself. No two rooms are quite the same, each styled around its own features in-keeping with the hotel’s historic architecture. A range of suites offer added luxury touches and echo the hotel’s historic grandeur, including The Tower Suite nestled beneath the impressive original bell tower which graced the roofline of the former Head Post Office.

MEETING SPACES The Parkgate Hotel houses some of Cardiff’s largest and most versatile event spaces including the Postmaster Suite, holding up to 432 people but divisible into smaller spaces and boasting its own private entrance and bar area. The more intimate Telegraph Room is an elegant private dining or meeting space for up to 50 people, featuring exposed brick, dark wood floors and an open view to the theatre kitchen. n

More information or to book: theparkgatehotel.wales www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 31

CHRISTMAS DINING SET UP Floral display by Jan Lima, with tableware by @luxetouchevents. Jan oﬀers a bespoke at-home or venue décor service at Christmas. From www.janlimaﬂowers.co.uk

MAKING MERRY It just doesn’t feel like Christmas until you start decorating, so whether you prefer pared-back or all-out, here are our bedecking picks. Let the merriment commence... BRASS SNOWDOME, £55 From Buddug, Warwick Studios, Cardiﬀ; www.buddug.com

GLASS BAUBLES, SET OF SIX, £25 From Athena Interiors, Cwmbran; www.athenainteriors.co.uk

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PLANT TEACUP, STARTING AT £15 From The Little Green Corner, Penarth; www.instagram.com/the.littlegreencorner

DECORATIONS

FIREPLACE DECORATION IDEA The backdrop of Farrow & Ball’s Chinese Blue paint makes the decorations pop. Available at Rabart Decorators Merchants, Crwys Road, Cardiﬀ; www.rabart.co.uk

COPPER RIVER GARLAND, £35 From John Lewis & Partners, St David’s, The Hayes, Cardiﬀ; www.johnlewis.com

WOODEN TREE DECORATION, £8 From In Rainbows, Barry; www.inrainbows.co.uk

WHALE IN SANTA HAT TREE DECORATIONS, £4.99 EACH From Shore Penarth, Penarth; www.shorecoastal.co.uk

HANNAH TURNER FLAMINGO DECORATION, £14 Available from Cooper’s, Beulah Road, Cardiﬀ; www.hannahturner.co.uk

SET OF THREE WOODBRIDGE STARS, £25 From Lisa Valentine Home, Penylan; www.lisavalentinehome.co.uk GLASS TRACTOR TREE DECORATION, £9.99 From West Hampton, Cowbridge; www.westhampton.co.uk

FEMINIST ICONS DECORATIONS, STARTING AT £8 From Black and Beech, Heath; www.blackandbeech.com

DINING ROOM SET UP A playful décor idea, from Graham & Brown’s latest paint and wallpaper collections. Available at W J Gardner, Cardiﬀ; www.grahambrown.com

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

Inside Yurt in the City

REIKI RULES Alternative therapy sceptic Lisa Evans was blown away by her firstever reiki session, at Cardiff’s Yurt in the City, which has changed her outlook forever

’ve never been a total sceptic when it comes to alternative therapies, but I’ve also never tried a single one. It has always felt too ‘other’, or ‘woowoo’ as a friend describes it, so I’ve stuck with what I know. For every person who says holistic treatments can be life altering, there’s another who thinks they’re nonsense. I’m a firm believer that if something brings you joy, and it’s not hurting anyone, then do it. Simple. I visited Cardiff’s Yurt in the City for a session of reiki – a Japanese energy healing technique – with an open mind, but also with lingering doubt as to what impact it would actually have, if any. After all, if you’re paying £50 for a treatment, you want a guaranteed outcome – like the muscular release a massage offers, or a glowing visage from a facial – but with reiki and the like, I could never quite help but wonder if it would be money down the drain. What if I came out feeling just the same as before? What if it was a waste of precious time? But, like when I order the same dish time and time again from a restaurant because I know I’ll like it, what if something more awaits me – something even better than the play-it-safe choices I’ve been selecting? To be clear, this review is not an advert, and I’m not obligated to sugar-coat my opinions. What I will say is my reiki treatment was, quite honestly, epic. I feel emotional while writing this, actually. So, let’s go back to the beginning. I showed up at the Yurt in the City, which is an actual Mongolian yurt – a giant, colourful one – inside Meanwhile House; it’s serene as can be, aromatherapy floods your nostrils, music chants in the background, lights are dimmed, and the whole space is booked just for you, so it feels very private and secure. The reiki practitioner, Gemma Murphy, talked me through what she was going to do, and explained what the healing experience would entail. She told me it could help with stress, anxiety and mental clarity, and it could improve sleep and physical pain. On a deeper level, it could allow me to connect with myself to better understand my emotions and behaviours; ultimately, it’s meant to rebalance and realign the flow of energy through the body.

YURT IN THE CITY

Along with reiki, you’ll find a whole host of self-care treatments at this wellbeing centre in the heart of Cardiff. There’s: aromatherapy, reflexology, holistic facials, nutritional therapy as well as plenty of different types of massage, including: deep tissue, bamboo, couple’s, and pregnancy massage. And classes include meditation, sound journeys, yoga, gong baths and shamanic workshops.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

The space feels relaxed, wholesome and safe

Gemma asked if I would prefer her to hover her hands over my body or to receive gentle pressure; I chose the latter because I felt as if that might ‘do more’, though Gemma said that both techniques would give the same result. She told me it’s common to envisage colours, see dreamlike pictures, to experience bouts of hot and cold, and get a feeling akin to pins and needles; some of her clients have even said they feel the presence of loved ones enter the space. I became nervous at this, but Gemma reassured me to embrace it, fully relax into it, and reminded me I was safe and could stop at any time. I laid on the comfy bed, face up, fully clothed, eyes closed, and Gemma began.

“I began to see the most unusual sights behind my eyelids, an awake dream of sorts” She held her hands on different areas of my body for several minutes at a time. The sensations were powerful. I assumed Gemma had been heating her hands between touches, because, even through my blazer and jeans, I could feel soaring heat from her gently positioned palms. The most impactful of the feelings was when she placed her hand on my left ear, barely touching me; it felt as if her hand was a magnet repelling energy out through my other ear – it flooded out, hot like lava, whooshing out the negativity. I felt as if I had to resist her to keep my head from pushing to the right. It also felt as if the room had turned 45 degrees, and I began to see the most unusual sights behind my eyelids – a kaleidoscope of jewel colours melting into each other, doors unlocking with giant keys, bird’s-eye views of gorgeous make-believe worlds, all accompanied by the feeling of floating like a feather down an

Alice-style rabbit hole – all very peaceful, safe and amazing. An awake dream of sorts. For me, the most important part of the session was when Gemma and I sat back down together afterwards to talk through my experience so that she could help interpret it for me. My main question was why had she focused so much on my right side? Her answer was that her intuition guided her to that side; she explained that everyone has a feminine (left) and masculine (right) side. She said that my masculine side – the one that tries to protect you – was in overdrive, so much so that her hands shook when she laid them on that side. I started to cry – something Gemma says is extremely common post treatment – and felt as if I could identify and decipher the personal meaning behind what Gemma was saying, and it helped me let go of much of the baggage I was unknowingly carrying. At most, I thought I’d be leaving the yurt with a placebo effect, but I left with mascara streaks down my cheeks, and several realisations about my life – as if I’d just finished up an intensely revealing course of counselling. The most well-documented benefit of reiki revolves around the relaxation response, which practitioners say invokes the body’s natural healing process. I hadn’t told Gemma this prior to the treatment, but I often experience incredible discomfort on the right side of my body; so it occurred to me that the ‘overdrive’ of energy I hold on that side may well have manifested itself into pain. Something to think about. It’s one week later when I’m writing this review and I haven’t felt a single ache – which is probably the first time in 10 years that has happened. The thought that this might spell the end of a decade of discomfort feels mind-blowing to me. Let’s hope it’s not a coincidence. If your mind is open, even just a crack, take this as a sign to book your first reiki session. It may well surprise you. n Reiki sessions at Yurt in the City start at £40; for more, see www.yurtinthecity.co.uk or Gemma’s website www.healm.co.uk

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FIGHT FOR LIFE Cardiff-born record-breaking ultra-athlete Josh Llewellyn-Jones OBE on life with cystic fibrosis, pushing his body to breaking point, lifting one million kilos in a single day, and his recent 24-hourlong fitness challenge in the city By Lisa Evans Photos by Paul Fears Photography

orn with cystic fibrosis (CF), and expected not to survive past his first night, Josh Llewellyn-Jones has not only defied all odds but has smashed world records with his extreme-endurance fitness challenges. He has used his passion for exercise not only to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for his children’s charity CF Warriors, but, in short, to stay alive. From lifting a million kilos in one day, to becoming one of only five people to complete the World’s Fittest Man Challenge, Josh’s stamina and determination know no bounds. We caught up with him after his latest challenge – taking on a 24-hour run in Cardiff Bay – to chat. How do you feel after that epic run, Josh?

Mentally, I feel fantastic. It was incredible to see so many people come out through the night and even in the horrendous weather and run with me. Physically, I’m a very broken man. I started off with stress fractures in both legs, so running for 24 hours certainly didn’t help

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them! I’m struggling to walk five metres. I have a torn quad, I have ligament damage, and there’s three months of rehab ahead. Gosh, was it all worth it?

Yes. I’m really happy as I managed to cover 69.2 miles. It was never about the distance, though; it was always about raising awareness for children with CF and showing that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

“The harder I train, the longer I live” Talk us through the events of those 24 hours…

I started off with one of my best friends, Rhys Jenkins, who is an ultra runner; we set a decent pace for the first few laps of Cardiff Bay. After four hours, my leg started to really feel the pain, so we started walking the slight uphill sections to ease it. After a few more hours I was reduced to just walking, and the tear in my quad became pretty serious. I ate whatever was

Josh training on Garth Hill near Pentyrch

put in my mouth – sweets, sausage rolls, ham rolls, fruit and plenty of fluid. Tell us more about why you wanted to do this challenge…

To raise money for my children’s charity CF Warriors. We’re dedicated to getting children with CF into sport and exercise to help them live healthier, happier and longer lives. The run was part of a series of 24-hour challenges; can you tell us more?

The run was the second 24-hour challenge in the Triad24 series I came up with. I started with 24 hours of squats at the end of October, then this run was four weeks after, and I have 24 hours of burpees at the end of November – though, with my muscle tear and ligament damage, I’ll have to see how my recovery goes. How much has the run raised so far?

Roughly £6,500 so far, but I’m really hoping to get to £10k. We’ve managed to raise just over £800k to date through challenges and events, so there’s an obvious target on my mind over the next few years!

ONE TO ONE

Sheer exhaustion after lifting one million kilos in a a single day

It can be very isolating. Not many people know, but we’re not strangers to social distancing. Because we carry different bugs in our lungs, we can’t come too close to others with CF due to the risk of cross infection. I personally take 60 tablets a day and a lot of those are to digest my food as my pancreas doesn’t make enzymes.

After the surgery, I was handed back to my parents and they were told I had 10 per cent chance of surviving the night. Growing up, the average CF life expectancy was very low – late teens at best. I was always told I probably wouldn’t survive past 30. I turned 21 and I was rushed into bowel surgery again only for my family to hear the very same words as when I was born.

And doctors predicted you wouldn’t survive the night when you were born…

What do you do to keep on top of your health?

What is life with CF like?

I was born in 1987 and not much was known about the disease back then. I had a distended bowel and had to have surgery straight away.

The 24-hour run in Cardiff Bay started smoothly but ended painfully

I love exercise, which makes my life easier. I train every day; the harder I train, the longer I live. If that’s not motivation I don’t know what is. What was the first ever challenge you set yourself?

I’ve done fundraising events pretty much all my life since I was a child. I decided to do the World’s Fittest Man, which was to exercise non-stop for 24 hours – 100-mile cycle, lift 100 tonnes, run 10 miles, row 10 miles, cross train 10 miles, swim two miles, 3,000 sit-ups, 1,000 press ups and 1,000 squats. After becoming the fifth person in the world to complete it, I decided to go for a World Record, so in 2018 I lifted a million kilos in 24 hours. I didn’t want to see a gym for a while after that one. Do you believe that you can live a long and healthy life if you continue to fight the way you do?

Absolutely! For me it’s mind over matter, and I know that’s a cliché but it’s worked for me so far so I won’t change. Do you worry that you do too much, in a way that could be detrimental to your health?

Being completely honest, my body is breaking in every challenge I complete. It’s becoming harder to put myself through these events but I’ll make sure that when I do stop, I focus my

Josh’s motto is “impossible isn’t a fact, it’s just an opinion”

efforts on fundraising in a different way. I want to enjoy my hobbies for a long time to come. Tell us about your OBE…

That was a bit of a crazy day when I received a letter in the post; it was completely out of the blue. I don’t do these things for medals or a pat on the back; I have to say, though, it was a pretty incredible experience to take my family to Buckingham Palace, and that’s certainly a day we’ll never forget. Tell us about some of your other stand-out life moments…

One moment that springs to mind was climbing Kilimanjaro with my dad when I was 17 (he was 60). To experience that with him was pretty special. Every time I do a challenge, the people I get to meet are incredible. The biggest thing I’ll always remember is when one of our mini CF Warrior ambassadors, Enzo, turned up to surprise me in the early hours of my run. It’s pretty amazing to see kids like that exercising because of what we’re achieving with the charity. You’re also a coach?

I’m a mindset performance coach and work with business owners and individuals on removing limiting beliefs and helping them reach their goals inside and outside of work. I love that job as it’s given me another purpose for when I hang my trainers up as an athlete. What are your words of motivation to anyone reading this who feels a drive to push themselves?

‘Impossible’ isn’t a fact, it’s just an opinion. While you shouldn’t listen to anyone who says that word, you also shouldn’t listen when that little voice in your head creeps in and you start doubting yourself ! For more: www.joshlj24.com

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La Cuina Restaurant, a window to the depth of Catalunya, its food and its traditions. Closed Christmas Eve and Day. Open on New Year’s Eve (A la Carte Menu). 11 Kings Road, Cardiff CF11 9BZ Tel: 029 20190265 Book on www.lacuina.co.uk

WWW.LACUINA.CO.UK

FOOD © ANDREA MEDGYESI

ROOMS WITH A BREW

Congrats to Neighbourhood Kitchen in Riverside and The Heathcock in Llandaff, who have both opened up their guest bedrooms this month; meaning not only can you pop in for a drink and a bite to eat, you can grab yourself a good night’s kip, too.

clockwise from top left: Treat yourself

to a relaxing soak at The Heathcock’s new guest rooms; Coffi Lab is opening a new dog-friendly site on Llandaff High Street; new all-day breakfast spot Wyndham Cafeteria; Wyndham Cafeteria aims to serve up the best of Cardiff Market; Neighbourhood Kitchen has launched new guestrooms; Mrs Potts Chocolate House is coming to St Mary’s Street; centre: Quantum Coffee in the Bay

CARDIFF CAFÉ CULTURE

Our columnist, good food fanatic, local blogger and indie foodie PR guru JANE COOK has her finger on the pulse when it comes to what’s new and tasty in the city…

’ve worked for myself for over three years now, and one of my favourite ways to spend the working day is to café hop with my laptop; I get to feel warm and fuzzy about doing my bit to support local businesses, the coffee is always miles better than the stuff I make at home, and the change of scenery never fails to provide a welcome creativity boost. Over the last few weeks it has been lovely to watch this ‘café culture’ make its return to our high streets – and with it, welcome a new crowd of locationindependent workers following the post-pandemic change in work patterns. In Cardiff, we really are spoiled for choice. From the city centre spots in the Victorian Arcades (I love grabbing a window seat at Common Ground), to bagging a cosy corner in Cardiff Bay’s Quantum Coffee, to the uber-instagrammable Blanche Bakery in Roath, and the ever-popular Chapter Arts Centre in Canton, there are plenty of places to pitch up for a few hours of escapism from the kitchen table. Newcomers to the line-up include Blend in Grangetown, a new coffee shop dedicated to bringing different people and communities together; new all-day breakfast spot

Wyndham Cafeteria, which aims to serve up the best of Cardiff Market; and, for those with a sweet tooth, Mrs Potts Chocolate House (which is planned for St Mary Street). And with Coffi Lab opening a new dogfriendly site on Llandaff High Street later this month, you can even bring your pooch along to enjoy a puppacino while you work. But there are a few things you should try to consider when working from a local café: try to avoid taking a up a table during the lunchtime rush; if going to work, early mornings or late afternoons are better times. Make sure you’re paying your way; ordering one cup of coffee and staying for five hours is rarely ok. I try to order something for every hour that I’m camped out. Don’t hog a huge table to yourself; try to take the smallest table or be prepared to share your space for other paying customers at busy times. Apart from that, enjoy the chance to people-watch for a few hours while you clear that inbox! For more: www.janechicomendes.co.uk | @janechicomendes www.hungrycityhippy.co.uk

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WATERLOO TEA

Lisa Evans tries out the all-day brunch at Waterloo Tea’s newest branch, on Whitchurch Road Photos by Andrea Medgyesi

ll-day brunching menus suit me just fine; breakfast food in the afternoon feels playful and cheeky, like you’re breaking some sensible adult rule. Berry porridge stains around my mouth at 3pm? Bring it on. From the brunch menu at Waterloo Tea, I opted for a classic: hollandaise sauce-smothered poached eggs on toast with smashed avocado. When it arrived at my table, so too did an extra tasting plate of Welsh rarebit which the server enthusiastically recommended. I doubt I would have ever ordered it myself – cheese on toast is a bit plain, and something I could easily make at home – but I shall be heading back to the chef-led tea house specifically for that dish at every chance I get, because, in my best M&S advert voice, that wasn’t just cheese on toast, that was pure bliss.

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The soft, pillowy, creamy topping was a mixture of silky leeks, oozy smoked cheese and a secret ingredient which you’ll find out about when you read on, which had bubbled and crackled under heat, and sizzled like culinary fireworks in front of me. The wonderfully tattooed and pierced waiter also brought over a surprise side of beans on toast – again not what you’d expect; the beans were gigantic and the sauce tangy, chunky and clearly homemade with love. All three of my mains – oh the gluttony – were served on crunchycrusted, airy-middled sourdough to die for. The menu is entirely vegetarian, save for an un-brunch-like panko chicken burger with drip-downthe-sides siracha mayo and slaw, which my feasting partner ordered. When I asked the staff why the menu is as so, I was told customers weren’t ever ordering meat, and thus the assortment of flesh on offer was removed, swapped out for the likes of sautéed wild mushrooms,

RESTAURANT

and miso aubergine brioche. What is ordered plentifully, though, is, rather obviously, tea. Now, I’m very much an English breakfast tea kinda gal, I don’t swing too much outside of that – though if there’s a chai latte on the menu, I’ll bite your hand off – and it makes me think, how adventurous are the tea drinkers of Cardiff? Are there really lemon verbena kinda gals out there? Or jasmine pearl kinda guys? Well, it stands to reason that if the meat was done away with due to lack of uptake, then, by logic, they’d have pared back the 50 teas if those weren’t popular, too. They probably wouldn’t have opened a fifth tea house either. The new branch, which opened on Whitchurch Road at the end of September, adds to the award-winning portfolio of Waterloo Teas, all of which are dotted around Cardiff and the Vale. So it would seem locals can’t get enough of speciality tea, and there’s demand for yet more. Having told the lovely server I’d recently battled a cold, she brought me an ‘immune boost’ ginger and liquorice brew (blends with benefits). She also gave us a pots of subtle black chocolate tea, and an aromatic ‘Russian caravan’, and we simply had to taste the ‘iron goddess of mercy’ oolong, because it sounded the most fun – though the ‘ding dong’ came a close second. And we were free to add a CBD shot to anything we fancied. The teas didn’t stop at the pouring kind, mind you. Remember that secret ingredient in the Welsh rarebit? That was Yunnan tea, giving an added pizazz that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. And the baked beans were infused with smoked tea, while the wintery salad had a hibiscus tea vinaigrette. It’s not surprising that everything here is tea-themed, because WT has grown to become the largest independent specialist tea importer in the UK. By working directly with growers in India, China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Taiwan, it has built strong connections with small farms, which share the same attention to detail, while supporting communities with fair prices and ethical trade. And it not only supplies its own venues with the freshest, finest blends, including some that you won’t find anywhere else, but also has a growing wholesale operation that extends through Europe. Impressive stuff. Safe to say the contribution of Waterloo Tea to the evolution of Cardiff’s café scene shouldn’t be underestimated. Now excuse me while I go get my remarkable rarebit and Russian caravan fix once more. n

“It crackled and sizzled like culinary fireworks in front of me” DINING DETAILS Waterloo Tea, 190-192 Whitchurch Road, CF15 3NB, 02920 624 778; www.waterlootea.com Food Mainly brunching options, heavily vegetarian, with tea-infusions adding an extra layer of gorgeously surprising flavour Drinks They’re committed to an ongoing exploration of the world’s finest teas. But there are also coffees, iced brews and smoothies Vibe A calm, welcoming space to meet up and relax The look The new space has been restored and renovated with a view to maintain the history of the building, so that the character of both the external and internal design reflects the locality The area Whitchurch Road is a bright, eclectic high street with a mix of independent businesses Prices Brunch: £2 – £8

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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

Jo Wilder and guest browse the collections

Blessed Ngoni Liam Williams and Sophie Harries

Isabella Vidal and Anthony ConnorsRoberts

Jay Page and Kellie Williams

SPARKLING SUCCESS

The eight-foot diamond sculpture outside the showroom Asha Jane, Aicha Sumare, Dilan Jones, Nelson Abur, Georgia Monaghan, Maciej Drosio, Joel Garcia and Eryn Gibbs

Luxury jeweller Laings hosted a VIP evening on 15 October to unveil the expansion of its Cardiff showroom. Celebrating the transformation, guests were given a first look at the expanded showroom at St David’s, ahead of the official relaunch weekend. Laings showcased its unrivalled selection of fine jewellery and luxury watches, and introduced attendees to esteemed brands including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Fabergé. Guests, which included members of the media, influencers and clientele, were treated to a series of immersion sessions with the expert team and given the opportunity to try on exquisite diamond pieces from Laings’ own Jolyon Roderick

collection, alongside the latest models in the world of haute horology. After raising a toast to the expansion with official refreshment partner Lanson, Laings also revealed an eight-foot diamond sculpture outside the showroom. Situated at The Hayes, the extraordinary geometric faceted mirror and floral installation, created by visual artist Larry Walshe, captured the attention of passers-by while reflecting elements of the vibrant city. www.laingsuk.com Photography by Richard Williams

Gareth Anscombe, Milica Anscombe and Katie Keefe

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SOCIETY

Admiring local artists' work Duo Afbob

CHANGE OF ART

Dan’s People band

Pallet – an organisation which strives to provide an inclusive and equal platform for local artistic talents, amplifying Cardiﬀ’s creative voices – hosted Pallet 005, an informal art and live music night, at Porter’s Bar in mid-October. Every artist received equal pallet space to display their work however they liked; it was theirs to make their own, and every display was unique. Pallet believes anyone can enjoy art, and they feel that it’s important for it to be accessible for everyone. www.instagram.com/pallet.cardiﬀ Photography by James Rogers

Elliot and Izzy who run Pallet

Artist Kamila (Pigeon) mounting her work Plenty of laughs

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SPONSORED CONTENT

THINK ‘GREEN’ FINANCE CORNERSTONE FINANCE advise on three ways to decrease your carbon footprint

he global response to climate change means that we’re becoming increasingly aware of what we purchase and how it’s funded. Green finance, the financial sector’s answer to reducing CO2 emissions, brings together the financial services sector and the protection of the environment, while still focusing on economic growth. The UK and Welsh Government are making significant progress in the green finance space but, we also have a very important part to play as individuals. Here are some steps to consider:

GREEN HOME IMPROVEMENTS The first steps to living greener often start at home. Not only do eco-friendly home improvements help your green credentials, but they can save you money long-term too. Many lenders fund green home improvements but identifying what works best for you is key. If you’re looking to generate a percentage of your electricity, installing solar panels may be a good investment. When compared to their oldschool counterparts, they are more attractive and more efficient. Additionally, they can increase the value of your home if you decide to sell. Alternatively, you may want to upgrade your home after the Government recently pledged to phase out gas boilers by installing 600,000 new heat pumps each year by 2028. Heat pumps use electricity to provide homes with heating and hot water and are considered a low-carbon alternative to traditional gas boilers. With gas prices on the rise, retro-fitting a heat pump into your home may be a viable option. The Government has just announced a scheme which will see £5,000 grants available to households in England and Wales, as part of the UK-wide heat and buildings strategy. The grants will be available from next April and will mean people installing a heat pump will pay a similar amount to the installation of traditional gas boilers, according to the plans.

ELECTRIC CARS The UK Government’s ban on new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars has been brought forward to 2035, making it a good time to evaluate your current car and how your next purchase may look. When purchasing a new or second-hand car, its longevity and value for money are likely to be your top priorities for personal or business use. Collectively, we know our cars have a heavy impact on the environment, and petrol and diesel can be costly. Although the purchase price of electric cars is generally higher than alternatives, their environmental benefits and lower running costs can make them a good long-term investment. Depending on your requirements, you may want to purchase an electric car yourself or use a 48 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

form of finance, such as a hire purchase, leasing agreement or secured loan. With a wide range of finance options available, electric cars are now more accessible than they once were. However, if you are considering financing an electric car, make sure it is right for you and you are aware of all the costs involved before you decide to go ahead.

GREEN PENSIONS Whether you’re employed or self-employed, most of us will contribute towards our pension throughout our working life. However, many of us still remain unsure where our money is invested and its impact. Pensions hold a huge proportion of investments, meaning your contributions may be invested in companies failing to take action against climate change. By taking control of your pension, you can have a greater positive impact on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. To find out where your pension is being invested, contact your provider. Alternatively, there are a number of providers that offer green, ethical pension funds that carefully select ethically conscious companies and sectors to invest your money in. Your pension is one of the largest investments you may make in your lifetime, so it’s really important to make sure it works for you and your future. Need help? Our team of independent experts are here to provide you with tailored financial advice. Come and speak to us for financial expertise you can trust, with solutions built around you. ■

To ﬁnd out more, get in touch. Telephone: 029 2166 0550 Email: info@cornerstoneﬁnance.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT

DO DIGITAL AGENCY Welsh company changing the game of digital promotion one pixel at a time

ardiff-based Do Digital Agency is a well-established digital agency that provides four key services and content: CGI, Interactive, Creative and 3D online. All four services complement each other and offer businesses the perfect digital solution for any situation across a broad spectrum of sectors. Founder Darren Crockett started the business 15 years ago. Through hard work, constant dedication and persistence, he grew the business to what it is today. The company is now made up of 25 staff ranging from digital artists to account directors and boasts incredible projects. Do Digital has not only grown as a business but as a business that is well respected by its customers and clients across the country. Darren explains, “Every business has been affected in some shape or form over the last 18 months. Do Digital’s resilience during this period rested firmly within our digital core, allowing us to maintain our working practices and desire to deliver quality projects, where other businesses could not.”

Due to the growth and success of the company, Do Digital was able to purchase Rock + Beau, a successful graphics agency based within South Wales. This has allowed the business to diversify its services even more and address a wider scope of works. Liam the ex-founder of Rock + Beau brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record within the creative industry. Liam says, “I really love what these guys do. It made sense working with Do Digital Agency. I get to grow as a designer and work with creative and passionate people.” Darren also adds, “The acquisition of Rock + Beau has cemented Do Digital’s aspiration to be a true digital consultancy and we’re looking forward to our next chapter.”

As a business, Do Digital Agency is always finding more exciting alternatives to help other businesses better promote their work and reach larger audiences. A recent development is SoDA.suite.

SoDA.suite is the ultimate digital marketing tool combining a combination of digital services, including realtime interactive technology, to allow businesses to promote their own projects from a purpose-built concession. Three great examples of projects worked on within Cardiff are: The Rise, The Hamilton, and Cathedral Gardens. All situated on Cathedral Road and aptly named the ‘Cathedral Mile’. Each project took advantage of Do Digital’s suite of services to deliver fantastic results with unparalleled digital access and content. For their work on building such a great business, Do Digital has been finalised for Cardiff Property Awards in two different categories: Consultancy and Suppliers & Services. ■

For more information on Do Digital Agency and to browse their services, visit dodigitalagency.com

Project: Love Investments - Cathedral Gardens

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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

St Line House in Cardiff Bay has been acquired for residential development; Savills completed the acquisition from the Welsh Government for £710,000

The Grade-II listed property is a grand historical building that occupies a prominent position on the northern side of Mount Stuart Square – an area originally formed as a residential square with a central garden, constructed in 1855 for merchants and sea captains. As the docks rose in prominence, wealthy residents moved out and it became a commercial centre with many of the existing properties being converted or redeveloped for office use. The construction of the Coal Exchange building in 1888 solidified the change in focus to commercial, and it became central to the coal trade activity in Cardiff docks for much of the early part of the 20th century. The Coal Exchange closure in 1958 significantly reduced the demand for commercial premises on the square and the last two decades in particular have seen a significant transformation back to the square’s traditional residential use. www.savills.co.uk

TOTAL TRANSFORMATION

The boutique Neighbourhood Bedrooms have launched

HI, NEIGHBOUR! Cardiff’s newest accommodation, Neighbourhood Bedrooms, has officially opened its doors. Located on Tudor Street, above Neighbourhood Kitchen – a rotating street food and cocktail bar – it aims to bring relaxation and style together, for a unique, boutique stay in the capital. “It started as a business plan during lockdown, and after 19 months we have finally done it,” says Tudor Barber, co-owner of Neighbourhood Kitchen & Bedrooms. “Neighbourhood Bedrooms are now live! A trio of spacious, stylish boutique bedrooms in our little corner of Riverside. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us in making this a reality and to my wife, Caroline, the next Alex Polizzi!” For more: Tudor Street, www.neighbourhoodkitchen.co.uk

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CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS

IF WE BUILD IT…

The returning edition of the CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS takes place on 26 November at The Coal Exchange Hotel. In this special preview, we explain why the awards are vitally important in the current climate and highlight the leading property companies in Cardiff SPONSORS & TICKETS Thank you to all our Sponsors, including: Marsh Commercial, MDA Consulting, Sanctuary Financial Planning, Savills, The Coal Exchange Hotel, Willmott Dixon and Cardiff Life. Tickets are now on open sale and tables are available. Please check on the website or CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS social media channels for the very latest updates.

“A stunning, vibrant sector that impacts the whole community”

roperty matters. And it matters more in Cardiff than in most other places. It matters professionally in financial terms – how we live, how we work and experience Cardiff daily, and how exactly we navigate the city from our base. It matters practically – where our companies are based, what retail and office space there is, how the city houses and encourages clever expanding enterprises. And it matters aesthetically. We are all the beneficiaries of extraordinary creativity that has bequeathed a visual legacy that enriches all our lives, daily. This is a stunning, vibrant sector that impacts the whole community and deserves to have its monumental achievements recognised. It is for all those reasons and more that the Cardiff Property Awards are returning after unprecedented enthusiasm last time round, to champion the best of property business and to highlight the centrality of property to us all. Just think of the connectedness of the world of property: landowners, planners, visionaries, entrepreneurs, deal-makers, architects, engineers, consultants, developers, builders, suppliers, designers,

The CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS have been created, designed, promoted, sold and organised by MediaClash, the South West’s leading events company. It also produces client events, from parties to launches, talks, receptions to conferences. Please contact annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk

lawyers, accountants, conveyancers, financiers, mortgagers, underwriters, marketers, all manner of specialists – and agents: for lettings, for resi, for commercial. And then, once built, once transformed, once sold, it all starts over again… Consider this. The tectonic plates in Cardiff are shifting. They will transform huge swathes of our city right through the centre to the benefit of us all. Tectonic plates take time to shift. But shift they do. With all the clever companies, all the energy, all the opportunities, no wonder the Cardiff Property Awards have always exceeded even our huge expectations. For more: cardiffpropertyawards.co.uk

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THE SERVICE YOU EXPECT 02921 153307 property@cf24.co.uk

CF24 are proud to be finalists in this year’s Cardiff Property Awards. To celebrate we are offering Cardiff Life Readers the following special rates; - Sell your property for 0.5% - Have your property for only 6% 158 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff CF14 3NA. www.cf24.co.uk

CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS PREVIEW

HERE COME THE JUDGES… A panel of independent judges, drawn from all areas of the property sector, will decide the winners of the third prestigious CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS GARY CARVER, DIRECTOR, SAVILLS Gary has over 24 years’ experience of the Cardiff office market. During this time, he has built up a strong reputation as a market leader, dealing with business space agency and development across South Wales. CHARLOTTE WHITEHEAD, LEGAL DIRECTOR, BLAKE MORGAN Charlotte has over 12 years’ experience in the property market. She has significant expertise in advising on a variety of real estate matters and is an active member of the South Wales branch of Women in Property.

SHERI HALL, FORMER HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING, CASTLEOAK Sheri has been a communications professional for nine years, with her career taking her from Golley Slater, to Confused.com and most recently Castleoak. She is also the marketing lead for CMI Wales and sits on the CIPR Cymru committee.

SARAH EVANS, GENERAL MANAGER, SERAPH GROUP Sarah is the general manager for the Seraph Group, including Seraph Property Management, James Douglas Sales & Lettings, and Nuttall Parker Estate Agents. She has is at the forefront of strategy, business change and acquisitions.

WYN WILLIAMS, PARTNER AND HEAD OF RESIDENTIAL CONVEYANCING, HARDING EVANS Wyn rose quickly through the ranks to become the youngest ever equity partner (at just 37) in 2016. He has experience in a range of property matters including sales, purchases, remortages, agricultural property and auction sales.

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CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS

Joanne Bainton and Chris Charlton

THROWING IT BACK TO 2019 – THE LAST TIME WE HELD THE AWARDS IN PERSON. BRING ON THIS YEAR’S EVENT

Shaun Pritchard

SarahConsulting Ellen-Stacey MDA

Alice Bradshaw-Smith Louise Attwood, Kathryn Williams and Gemma Clissett

John Ryder, Dominic Letts and Carys Richards Mark Summers and Damien Cann

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

Graham Screen and Ceri Hill

CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS

PHOTOS BY NICK FOWLER

Tudor Butler, Michael Chichester and Robert Chichester

Cem Kosaner and Neil Buckman

Leanne Rudman, Aled Thomas, Tom Young, David Loosemore and Peter Reilly

Eloise Hamer, Joe Catris and Rhys Perkins Owen Griffiths

Emma Gilroy and Sarah Davies

Cllr Peter Wong

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

CLEANING UP AND WINNING BIG Local business E CLEAN COMMERCIAL wins British Cleaners Association award for innovation

Clean Commercial have enjoyed huge success in gaining a sixfigure cleaning contract for one of South Wales biggest film studios last December, covering both Covid and core cleaning across the vast site. After five years in the residential sphere, directors Kate and Ceri started E Clean Commercial Itd three years ago and quickly realised it would be the preferred direction for the business. Now concentrating solely on commercial and industrial cleaning, they celebrate success at being the main provider of cleaning services to the vibrant Welsh TV and Film industry covering film studios, location and exit cleans, Covid high touch point cleaning and fogging and high rise office and apartment blocks. As a proud Real Living Wage employer and with a team of 21 they celebrate their success and put it all down to having amazing staff who

are the lynch pins of the business. In November, E Clean won an award for innovation from the British Cleaners Association. Previously celebrated as Wales online top 35 business women under 35 Kate and Ceri are proof that both women and businesses can thrive in Wales even in the midst of a pandemic. E Clean Commercial Itd is forecast to turnover 500k next year. ■

For more information visit: www.ECleanCommercial.com or email: info@ecleancommercial.com Telephone: 08448 040 624

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

Newport: Unit 1 & 2 East Market Street, Newport, NP20 2AY E-mail: newport@valevetcentre.co.uk Phone: 01633 927927

It’s the city’s business

CARDIFFWORKS JUST ADD SPRINKLES

INDIE CITY

Retail giant John Lewis Cardiff has been opening its door to small independent businesses in their Welsh Indie pop-up Programme. The rota changes weekly, with small businesses at the in-store pop-up via John Lewis’s relationship with The Great British Exchange. This initiative empowers independent brands and makers to experience the retail high street from the inside, and enables them to take the next step in their business development. Several of the brands showcased in this way at the city centre store have gone on to set up their own shops within the St. David’s Shopping Centre and elsewhere across South Wales. Others have experienced huge increases to their online sales too, as the pop-ups enabled them to further raise awareness of their businesses via both local PR and across their social platforms. “Our sell-out pop-up store was such a fantastic opportunity which had a hugely positive impact on our new small business,” says Sarah King, who founded Bloomfull, a dried flower diffuser business based in Rhiwbina, with Louise Gibson. “We’ve gained a large number of new customers and it was so successful that we have been invited back to John Lewis in November.” For more: www.johnlewis.com

Local independents that will be hosting pop-ups at John Lewis Cardiff include, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT, Bloomfull, Tabitha Eve, and Lush Blooms (pictured is founder Anita Mattson-Hesketh)

BUSINESS CLUB

Holly’s business has seen 1,000 per cent growth in sales

John Lewis Cardiff has so far welcomed 15 Independent Welsh brands to do pop-ups – including Mallows Beauty and Floris, both now trading in St. David’s – with additional brands still to join them in the run up to Christmas, as follows: • Until 21 November, baby gifts from Shnwcs • Until 21 November, Welsh educational toy company Mwnci • Until 28 November, dried flower diffuser specialists Bloomfull • Until 5 December, homeware and stationery from Max Rocks • Until 5 December, bespoke floristry from Lush Blooms • Until 12 December, beauty brand Trigwell Cosmetics • Until 12 December, zero-waste brand Tabitha Eve • Until 19 December game specialists Confident Games • Until 24 December, alcohol brand Mallows Distillery

We love shining a spotlight on local indies, and this month we’re turning our attention to rising star Sprinkle Club, based in Ely Bridge. The female-run business, which oﬀers gifts and quirky stationary with a bright and bold aesthetic, has been picking up some serious speed lately. Since the start of the pandemic, the ecoconscious business has seen well over 1,000 per cent growth in sales. “Social media is such a powerful tool for building our tribe and nurturing our audience,” says founder Holly Morgan who creates all the designs. “It’s a must if you want to grow a sustainable business.” She adds, “being an adult can be quite mundane, therefore I want to add some vibrancy into grown ups’ lives with my designs.” www.sprinkleclub.com

ALL NEW

Congratulations to The Cosmetic Hub, which officially opened on 14 November on Clarendon Road, Cardiff. www.cosmeticsdoc.co.uk

Virtual one hour sessions, all free to attend Search Cardiff Life on LinkedIn for upcoming dates and registration If you would like to get involved, please email events@mediaclash.co.uk

cardiffnorth@bluebirdcare.co.uk

OWEN MATHIAS PHOTOGRAPHY

CARDIFFWORKS

This year’s Cardiff Life Awards was a special one

Capturing the moment Techniquest was announced a winner

The Cardiff Life Awards celebrates the best of Cardiff’s businesses, from professional services to cafés, retail to charity

TESTIMONIAL

“We were thrilled to have been part of Cardiff Life Awards, let alone win two categories – Education and Platinum! Huge thanks to Cardiff Life for putting together such a fantastic event, in what has been a challenging year for all.” The team at Techniquest

What a feeling We’re already getting excited for the Cardiff Life Awards 2022

ne of the best feelings has to be seeing a business that you love do well. It’s the opposite of schadenfreude – do the Germans have a word for that? The sell-out Cardiff Life Awards, which took place on 30 September at City Hall, was a night entirely dedicated to that feeling. For all of our winners, it was an evening of mutual celebration, surrounded by hundreds of well-wishers and local business people. Even in the midst of a pandemic, we’re still making the best of things, and whether you went home with an award or not, that fact alone was well worth celebrating. We can’t wait to do it all again next year on 31 March – nominations open on 22 November 2021, so start reflecting on all your award-winning qualities now – we know you have plenty. There are a whole lot of Cardiff-centric categories on offer, including the all-new

Sustainability Award to be associated with next year, too. There are sponsorship opportunities available up for grabs also. The Awards are a great chance to get glammed up and have fun, but also provide invaluable networking for business from all the diverse sectors of the city. To find out more about sponsorships contact: mark.george@mediaclash.co.uk or annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk. Sponsors on board for 2022 so far are: 13 Fields, Cardiff Life, Lexus Cardiff, Genero, Park Plaza and Regus. When it comes to sponsorship, business is done from, at and around the Awards. Countless conversations are triggered by deep association with the city’s leading business marketing activity. It’s efficient, too, as one deal reaches many thousands of companies. We support your business promotion through our magazines, social media, email, networking events, website, the programme and review, and of course, on the night itself. For more: www.cardifflifeawards.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 63

SPONSORED CONTENT

MENTAL HEALTH AT WORK

Mental health in the workplace – time for change? By Sarah Alford of BERRY SMITH LAWYERS

orld Mental Health Day was on 10 October. This year’s theme was “mental health in an unequal world”. Research undertaken by the Mental Health Foundation has shown that those who appear to be struggling the most are those who were already facing considerable challenges – people with long-term health conditions, people facing discrimination and single parents. We have set out below a few key pointers that may help employers move towards a more open, supportive workplace culture. Whether you are an employer or a line manager who is in charge of looking after a team, the below points may prove useful. Alternatively, if you are an employee and believe your employer can do more in creating a supportive workplace culture, it may help to bear the below in mind and put forward suggestions for improvement to your line manager. The importance of talking to an employee A line manager who believes that a member of staff may be experiencing mental ill health

should take the lead and attempt to speak to the staff member in private. As well as remaining supportive throughout the meeting, the line manager should also: • Ensure that they are not distracted (e.g. computers and phones should be turned off); • Listen actively and be sympathetic and understanding; • Reassure the individual that they are there to help them and offer support; and • Remain open minded Although an employer cannot force an employee to share details of their health, it may be helpful for an employer to explain that without a clear understanding, the opportunity to provide support may be missed. Does your organisation/employer have a mental health policy? A consistent approach towards mental health issues is imperative. A mental health policy will go some way to achieving this. A policy also helps communicate the organisation’s commitment to

promoting positive mental health in the work place. Employers should not underestimate the importance of line managers Line mangers play an important role in promoting good health in the workplace. They are usually the ones responsible for dealing with mental health in the workforce day to day. However, many can lack the confidence or experience to manage this alone. Therefore employers should consider putting in place support and training to help them recognise the early signs of a mental health condition. Employers should make it clear that line managers are not expected to become experts in mental health – instead they are there to flag problems and signpost the support available. ■

Please feel free to contact the employment department at Berry Smith on 029 20 345 511 or employment@berrysmith.com.

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CARDIFF LIVES

“Cardiff’s such a great crowd”

SLADE Ahead of their performance at Tramshed Cardiff, Slade’s founding member Dave Hill talks regrets, council houses and Elvis Slade are bringing their pop-rock’n’roll, outrageous flamboyance to Tramshed Cardiff on 3 December. With 23 top 20 singles, six of which were number ones, plus six smash-hit albums, Slade are known across the world. Their chart career has spanned six decades and there’s no sign of them slowing down; they’re still touring every year, and they’re still adoring every minute of it. Here we chat to the band’s founding member Dave Hill... We’re excited to see you in Cardiff again; what are your thoughts on the city?

We’ve always had a great reaction when we play in Cardiff; such a great crowd. We’re really looking forward to seeing you all

again after such a long time. Let’s have a great night together. Keep on Rockin’. We have to ask, do you ever get bored of performing Merry Christmas Everybody every December?

No, I don’t ever get bored playing a song that is well written and part of so many people’s lives; it’s popular because it means so much to people across the world; look to the future it will still always be here in the hearts of people. Why do you think many of the old tracks still make the charts today?

That’s simple, the songs of that time had great melodies. Music was everything when we were young, you fell in love, danced to it, there were no computers

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

or mobile phones but a lot of imagination, and the TV to look at. The Christmas song belongs to that time and is a reminder of a great time in music. Tell us, can you still rock a pair of platforms?

I still wear great costumes today; it’s still about dressing up for a show for me, and to make people smile. No platforms, mind you, as I broke my ankle in the seventies, but I still rock out for sure – you can’t hold Dave Superyob Hill down. You tour every year, what’s life like now compared to the 70s?

I didn’t think we would be still doing it, but for me it was never a job, it was my life; when you do something you love, people recognise that and see me having a great time on stage, so they join in for the party. You’ve released an autobiography; what are the most poignant things you talk about in the book?

The reason I wrote my book was for my family, fans and memories. I cover postwar Britain growing up in

council houses, going to youth centres, cinema on a Saturday morning, Flash Gordon and Superman. In our area, we had bombed-out houses to play in, we felt very safe being out in the woods and fields – a different time to now. There wasn’t much money but there were nice people; Christmas was simple, life was simple too… but then rock‘n’roll arrived – my world and purpose in life. The guitar was new then, I just wanted to play it because stars like Elvis, Duane Eddy, Hank Marvin, Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry played one. I grew my hair, formed a band called the Young Ones and I never looked back. Looking back, what, out of everything, are you most proud of in your career?

I’m most proud to be still in this business. I’ve always liked to travel, meet new people and hear the fans’ stories and memories. Life is for living and having something you love. Any regrets?

The problem with regrets is there are things that can bother you; it doesn’t help you in the end. I am where I am because of the things that have happened in my life and I like where I am, there is joy out there. Be happy, we are all special and greater than we know. n See Slade on 3 December at Tramshed Cardiff; www.tramshedcardiff.com

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