Cardiff Life - Issue 254

CELEBRATING THE BEST IN THE CITY, PENARTH & THE VALE

@CardiffLifeMag

ISSUE 254 / MAY 2022 / £3

THE CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS ’22

TA ILS

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT EPIC NIGHT

ISSUE 254 / MAY 2022 / DOG DAYS

OF THE CITY

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE SNOOPY SCULPTURES THAT HAVE TAKEN OVER THE CITY

WE WANT SCANDI

INTERIORS WITH REENA SIMON, EXPERT IN HYGGE

NEW BUSINESS FOCUS

SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION YELLOW TSE HAS LAUNCHED

COSTUME DRAMA

VINTAGE VERVE WITH TV AND FILM STYLIST CHESELLE BRIERTON

THAI AND STOP ME

OUR REVIEW OF ONE OF THE CITY’S NEWEST RESTAURANTS, ROSA’S

NEW PROJECTS ON OUR WEBSITE

www.chalkhousekitchens.co.uk

EDITOR’S LETTER

H

ere it is, our Cardiff Life Awards issue – and we’re so excited to share it with you!

It feels like just yesterday we were listening to the roar of the crowd at City Hall – the Principality on match day had nothing on us! The jubilation and joy were overwhelming in the best of ways, and many a tear was shed. It was a night of pure celebration, love and support as hundreds of businesses cheered each other on, springing to their feet in applause and air-punching pride.

The Cardiff Life Awards is the annual business highlight of the city; it is the most prestigious, tightly contested Awards ceremony in Cardiff, with the greatest number of local companies involved, and is without a doubt the glitziest night of the year.

This year’s red-carpet event bowled us over; it was the most wholesome night of togetherness and generous celebration and we couldn’t have wished for a more memorable evening. Turn to page 11 for the highlights of the epic event.

Over the next few months, we’ll be bringing you exclusive interviews with all of the winners to help tell the story of Cardiff’s thriving indie scene, impressive big-business successes and entrepreneurial spirit.

As ever, there’s plenty more in this issue; as featured on our front cover, we get up close and personal with the giant Snoopy sculptures that make up A Dog’s Trail arts festival (page 28); we chat interiors with the Cardiff queen of hygge herself Reena Simon (page 48); and we bring you highlights of the top events coming up in the city (page 30). #CardiffTogether, always

D

yma fe, ein rhifyn am Wobrau Cardiff Life – ac rydym mor falch o allu ei rannu â chi!

Megis ddoe roeddem yn gwrando ar fonllefau’r dorf yn Neuadd y Ddinas – doedd Stadiwm Principality ar ddiwrnod gêm ddim ynddi! Roedd y llawenydd a’r gorfoledd yn eich cyffwrdd yn y ffordd orau posibl, ac roedd nifer yn eu dagrau. Roedd yn noson o ddathlu, cefnogi a dangos cariad wrth i gannoedd o fusnesau annog ei gilydd a chodi ar eu traed i gymeradwyo ac i ymfalchïo yn llwyddiant pawb.

Gwobrau Cardiff Life yw uchafbwynt y flwyddyn i fusnesau’r ddinas; does yr un seremoni arall yng Nghaerdydd yn cynnig cymaint o fri nac yn ennyn cymaint o frwdfrydedd â hon. Dyma noson fwyaf crand y flwyddyn, heb os, ac mae cynifer o gwmnïau lleol yn cymryd rhan ynddi.

Cawsom ein rhyfeddu gan y digwyddiad carped coch hwn eleni; roedd yn noson lle gwelsom bawb yn dod ynghyd i ddathlu llwyddiannau ei gilydd, ac roedd yn noson fythgofiadwy na allem fod wedi gofyn am ei gwell.

Trowch i dudalen 11 i weld uchafbwyntiau’r digwyddiad epig hwn.

Dros yr ychydig fisoedd nesaf, byddwn yn cynnwys cyfweliadau unigryw â’r holl fuddugwyr er mwyn helpu i adrodd hanes mentrau annibynnol llewyrchus Caerdydd a sôn am lwyddiannau busnesau mawr ac am ysbryd entrepreneuraidd y ddinas.

Ac fel arfer, mae yna ddigon o bethau eraill i’ch difyrru yn y rhifyn hwn; fel y gwelwch o’r clawr rydym yn cael cyfle i fwrw golwg ar y cerfluniau Snoopy enfawr sy’n rhan o’r ŵyl gelfyddydol A Dog’s Trail (ar dudalen 28); rydym yn sgwrsio am addurno cartrefi â Reena Simon, brenhines hygge Caerdydd (ar dudalen 48); ac rydym yn rhoi sylw i rai o’r prif ddigwyddiadau a fydd yn cael eu cynnal yn fuan yn y ddinas (ar dudalen 30). #CaerdyddYnghyd, bob amser

© OWEN MATHIAS PHOTOGR APHY

© OWEN MATHIAS PHOTOGR APHY

The Cardiff Life Awards 2022: official coverage starting on page 11

LISA EVANS

Follow us on Twitter @CardiffLifeMag Instagram @cardifflifemag

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 3

Issue 254 / May 2022 ON THE COVER ‘Pow-Wow!’ giant Snoopy sculpture, designed

by Jenny Leonard, part of A Dog’s Trail arts festival around Cardiff and South Wales, running until 5 June.

Turn to page 28 and 55 for more.

FEATURES

11 CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS 2022 Reliving that epic night at City Hall

where we crowned our winners, got emotional, and danced all night

33 ONE-TO-ONE Alexandra Burke is at the New Theatre in Joseph

and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

40 MEET THE MAKER Talking bespoke bridal creations with

Cardiff’s E&W Couture

ARTS

27 ARTS INTRO Get to know Rich at Baldhead Designs 28 TAILS OF THE CITY Sniffing out the giant Snoopys around the

44

28

city, who have now been relocated

EVENTS

30 WHAT’S ON Arts, shows and events, it’s all going on in Cardiff 35 MUSIC Announcing Tafwyl festival’s line-up 55 SCENE The launch of A Dog’s Trail arts festival

SHOPPING

38 CULTURAL HUB Inside The Talking Shop – a small space for

big questions

FOOD & DRINK

43 TASTY Q&A Get to know Thai chef Saiphin Moore 44 RESTAURANT REVIEW Finding it hard to share at Rosa’s

Thai Cafe

47 JANE COOK Our foodie columnist gives us the low down on outdoor

drinking and dining

INTERIORS

48 WE WANT SCANDI Cardiff’s queen of hygge Reena Simon has

joined forces with John Lewis & Partners

BUSINESS

59 CARDIFF WORKS News and views and brilliant businesses 63 CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS WINNER’S PAGE Congratulations,

The Goodwash Company!

9 SPOTLIGHT Just a handful of feel-good stories 37 WYBURN AND WAYNE Our columnists have been out and

about again

53 GETTING SCHOOLED Victoria Bond talks education 66 CARDIFF LIVES Cheselle Brierton on vintage style

33

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, Victoria Bond and Megan Gaen Commercial manager Mark George mark. george@mediaclash.co.uk Business development 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, Carriage Court, 22 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

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

© TRISTR AM KENTON

REGULARS

SPONSORED CONTENT

National minimum wage changes Have you had your say? Sarah Alford of BERRY SMITH LAWYERS tells us more about upcoming changes

T

he Low Pay Commission (LPC) has opened a consultation seeking views on existing national minimum wage (NMW) and national living wage (NLW) rates and the rates that should apply from April 2023.

The consultation will close on 20 June 2022.

The LPC's main concern is to gather evidence on the effects on employers and workers of the recent increases in the NMW and NLW. It is seeking views on business conditions and the economic outlook in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the support measures the government has implemented in response to it.

This year, the LPC is particularly interested in: • The affordability and effects of increasing the NLW from April 2023 to a rate of £10.32 (within a range of £10.14 to £10.50).

• Views on the NLW pathway to 2024, by which time the age threshold for the NLW is due to come down to 21. Based on forecasts, the LPC's current central projection for the April 2024 NLW rate is £10.95 (within a range of £10.58 to £11.33).

• The effects of recent increases in the NLW and other rates and their impacts in particular on employment and hours, pay and benefits, productivity, prices and profits.

In terms of the current rates, the NLW and NMW rates from 1 April 2022 are: Rate from April 2022

Rate from April 2021 to March 2022

Increase

National Living Wage

£9.50

£8.91

6.6%

21-22 Year Old Rate

£9.18

£8.36

9.8%

18-20 Year Old Rate

£6.83

£6.56

4.1%

16-17 Year Old Rate

£4.81

£4.62

4.1%

Apprentice Rate

£4.81

£4.30

11.9%

Accommodation Offset

£8.70

£8.36

4.1%

Sarah Alford

Be sure to have your say as the government normally increases the NMW and NLW in line with the LPC's recommendations. Responses are to be submitted by email to lpc@lowpay.gov.uk n

If you would like more information on the topics addressed in this article or any other aspect of employment law, please contact us on 02920 345511 or at salford@berrysmith.com

THE ALBANY GALLERY DAVID TRESS 6 May - 28 May 2022 Ceramics by Hilary LaForce David Tress is represented internationally by David Messum Fine Art Ltd, London

View images on our website www.albanygallery.com 74b Albany Road, Cardiff, CF24 3RS | T: 029 2048 7158 | E: info@albanygallery.com Gallery open: Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm

SPOTLIGHT JUST A HANDFUL OF FEEL- GOOD STORIES

© PHOTOGR APH COURTESY OF ROSALEEN MORIART Y-SIMMONDS OBE

Rosaleen Moriarty-Simmonds OBE is the first Welsh disabled High Sheriff for South Glamorgan

Appointments

HIGH TIME The first Welsh disabled High Sheriff has been announced for South Glamorgan. Rosaleen Moriarty-Simmonds OBE was installed as the new High Sheriff on 5 April at a ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel, Cardiff.

Businesswoman, artist, and equality campaigner Rosaleen, known as Rosie, took office from Peter Dewey by making her Declaration before more than 150 guests, comprising members of the Judiciary, former High Sheriffs and other invited guests.

This Declaration marks the installation of Rosaleen as the first person born disabled to the role of High Sheriff, and the second only wheelchair user to hold office in England and Wales.

Commenting on her appointment to the oldest secular office in England and Wales, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Rosie says, “As a wheelchair user, I hope to make a positive impact by attending as many Ceremonial, Judicial, Charitable, Faith and Community functions as I possibly can. I look upon the role as a wonderful opportunity to promote equality and diversity.

Until fairly recently, the role has been largely male dominated. In fact, I am only the 10th Lady High Sheriff of South Glamorgan.”

For more: www.highsheriffs.com

Arts

Wag This Way has raised thousands for City Hospice

FEST ASSURED

Hijinx’s Unity Festival – one of Europe’s largest inclusive and disability arts festivals and the only one of its kind in Wales – has announced it’s making its long-awaited return with a packed programme of over 100 events across 17 days that will span Cardiff, Bangor, Llanelli, as well as online, from 16 June to 2 July.

As well as showcasing Welsh talent, there will be a big line-up of international artists as well as a chance to see Hijinx’s brandnew hybrid theatre experience, the_crash.test, which premieres at Wales Millennium Centre on 13 May. Its long-awaited return marks its 10th edition, and, to celebrate, a bumper programme is set to delight audiences across Wales and beyond. Expect street theatre acts, comedy performances, pioneering Hijinx’s Unity Festival has theatre, dance, cabaret, film pop-ups announced its return for and more.

16 June – 2 July “We are thrilled to be re-launching the Unity Festival in Wales this year, and after a five-year hiatus we are going to be back better than ever!” says Hijinx’s artistic director and curator of the Unity Festival Ben Pettitt-Wade. “It will be a spectacular showcase of outstanding art in all forms by performers who are learning disabled and/or autistic.”

For more: www.hijinx.org.uk

Charity

FURRY SUCCESSFUL The return of leading Cardiff charity City Hospice’s Wag This Way event was a big success, raising over £8,000.

The 5km dog walk had hundreds of owners and dogs alike taking part, walking through Bute Park on a sunny Sunday morning in mid-March, before visiting stalls offering treats and accessories and watching Dog Furiendly’s Dog Show.

With over 200 people registered before the event, and more choosing to join in on the day, the money raised at the event will offer support for City Hospice to continue their vital work in the local area. The charity provides care to people with terminal or life-limiting illnesses, as well as essential counselling and support services for the families of their patients. The only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in the capital, City Hospice tends to 550 patients at any one time.

Register your interest for next year’s Wag This Way by emailing fundraising@cityhospice.org.uk.

For more: www.cityhospice.org.uk

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

COOL KIDS Global men’s clothing retailer JACK & JONES is launching its junior range exclusively in Cardiff City Centre

T

he St David’s Dewi Sant store will be the first city in the UK to get a real taste of the collection, allowing shoppers to physically browse and buy. Avoid disappointing online orders, and kit your little one out in the best of mens highstreet fashion from JACK & JONES Cardiff.

Having launched Easter weekend, the junior range comprises stylish yet practical and affordable boys clothing available in ages 5-16. JACK & JONES have understood men's clothing since 1990 and have extended their brotherhood, with their junior collection. Your younger ones might be more concerned with sports and games than their clothing, but now you can combine effortless style with clothes designed for their lifestyles.

The St David’s Dewi Sant store is the first in the UK to stock this range, after a trial launch in Manchester. To be able to offer its customers

a physical shopping experience of the range is highly desired after Covid-19 restrictions hit the high-street two years ago.

Created with passion and craftsmanship, the youngest consumers will see a collection that echoes the coolest looks of the JACK & JONES adult styles.

“In JACK & JONES we are denim addicts and we put tons of energy and dedication into every collection and every pair of jeans," sas sales director at JACK & JONES, Dennis Birk Jørgensen. "In our company, we set high standards for everything we do, and these values will naturally be reflected in each junior collection." The collections will focus on casual jeans-wear with a quality, design and fitting that will appeal to the younger target group.

Get geared up for the summer with JACK & JONES and shop the range in Cardiff City Centre today. ■

Opening & closing times: Monday - Friday: 9:30 - 8:00 Saturday: 9:30 - 7:00 Sunday: 11:00 - 5:00 Dewi Sant / St David's Centre, Bridge St, Cardiff, CF10 2EF; www.jackjones.com  jackandjonescardiff

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

© OWEN MATHIAS

THE CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS 2022 Joy and jubilation reigned supreme at this year’s Cardiff Life Awards. Here are the highlights of the glamorous, emotional, extra-special evening

Photos by Aga hosking and Owen Mathias www.agahoskingphotography.com www.owenmathias.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 11

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

W

ithout a doubt the most glamorous of events in the city’s annual calendar, the Cardiff Life Awards is always a night to remember. It sells out every year and sees around 500 people – from local businesses, organisations, charities and projects – coming together to celebrate each other’s successes. It’s one of the biggest networking events in the capital too, with unlimited potential connections and relationships to be gained – major mingling!

This year, back at City Hall once again, on 31 March, it was a night filled with extra-special moments – made all the more precious because of the continued uncertainty and difficulty the world is experiencing right now.

There were more Award entries than ever before, with 350 nominations this year, and our winners – who you’ll see on the following pages – were chosen by our independent panel of judges which we selected from a medley of sectors across the city.

Every year, the team at Cardiff Life hands this mighty responsibility over to a newly chosen array of judges and we step back and watch the fierce debates commence. We certainly don’t envy their mammoth task.

It was an extraordinary night; there were tears, cheers and a roll call of hugely inspiring runners-up, special mentions and winners – from the touching and empowering speech from the Creative winner, artist Nathan Wyburn, to the flabbergasted Platinum Award ‘winner of winners’ of the night, Menter Caerdydd.

Ukraine was on everybody’s minds, and at the beginning of the ceremony we spoke emotionally about some of the incredible fundraising and heartfelt efforts from local businesses.

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

The hundreds of attendees enjoyed a three-course meal

by City Hall, the smooth and slick AV was by Genero, and the proceedings were introduced by Lisa Evans, the editor of Cardiff Life, with the rest of the evening presented by Nigel Owens MBE, the most-capped referee in world rugby and the first openly gay man to referee at the highest level, alongside MediaClash (our publishers) chief exec and jazzy dresser* Greg Ingham.

Our wonderful Awards themselves were made by Llynfi Art/ Designs’ Mark Cooke and came with a bottle of gin provided by Hensol Castle Distillery.

Later, we all made the short trip down the road to Kuku at Park Plaza for the afterparty where we danced the rest of the night away into the wee hours. You will soon be able to find a film of the whole event on our YouTube channel, shot by Christianstonesc.

Thank you to our sponsors, our photographers, our independent panel of judges, our behind-the-scenesers, and all who attended and got involved. It was a moving, thrilling, aweinspiring affair filled with all the very best of the city has to offer.

The evening was about honouring the great and good of the city – the remarkable businesses, the creative entrepreneurs, the inventive retailers, the civic minded, the founders, the leaders, the grafters – who help shape Cardiff into an epic place to live, work and play.

We can’t wait to do it all again next year. #CardiffTogether, always For more: www.cardifflifeawards.co.uk

*As dressed by Nathan Palmer Bespoke Tailors, Penarth

© OWEN MATHIAS PHOTOGR APHY

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

MEDIACLASH.CO.UK 37

ALL PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE BY AGA HOSKING We brought a gigantic see-through Cardiff Life magazine ‘front cover’ with us to the Cardiff Life Awards and our glamorous guests posed inside it and became instant cover stars. Thank you to Bupa Dental Care for sponsoring this. www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 13

CATEGORY WINNERS

ALL PHOTOS BY AGA HOSKING

ARTS

Sponsored by

WINNER:

KATHERINE JONES ARTIST BAR

BUSINESS SERVICES Sponsored by

CHARITY

WINNER:

ABSOLUTE PERFORMANCE

WINNER:

CITY HOSPICE

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

WINNER:

LAB 22

CAFÉ

Sponsored by

CIVIC

Sponsored by

WINNER:

ST ANDREW’S COFFEE COURT

WINNER:

FOR CARDIFF

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

CREATIVE

WINNER:

ARTIST NATHAN WYBURN

Sponsored by

EVENT

EDUCATION

WINNER:

DRAGGED TO CHURCH

JOINT WINNERS:

CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY, AND LITTLE LEARNING BEARS

HAIR & BEAUTY

WINNER:

SIMON CONSTANTINOU

© PAUL HINDMARSH PHOTOGR APHY

HOMES & INTERIORS WINNER:

LOUISE MISELL INTERIORS HEALTH & WELLBEING

Sponsored by

WINNER:

THE HAPPY HIVE www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 15

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

LEGAL & FINANCIAL Sponsored by CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS

WINNER:

SANCTUARY FINANCIAL PLANNING

LEISURE & TOURISM

WINNER:

HENSOL CASTLE DISTILLERY

NEW BUSINESS

Sponsored by

WINNER:

BLOOMFULL PEOPLE SERVICES

WINNER:

REVISED RECRUITMENT

RESTAURANT WINNER:

THE DOUGH THROWER PROPERTY

Sponsored by

WINNER:

TROJAN GROUP

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

RETAILER WINNER:

THE GOODWASH COMPANY SUSTAINABILITY

WINNER:

KINDLE CARDIFF

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION Sponsored by

WINNER:

STRATIGENS FROM TALENT INTUITION WELSH LANGUAGE Sponsored by

WINNER:

MENTER CAERDYDD

PLATINUM AWARD WINNER:

MENTER CAERDYDD

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 17

AWARDS 2022

Carmella Searle and Adam Lloyd-Binding

PHOTOS BY AGA HOSKING AND OWEN MATHIAS W W W.AGAHOSKINGPHOTOGRAPHY.COM W W W.OWENMATHIAS.COM

Julia Sepp and Naomi Cowley

Emma McNamara, Kimberley Lewis, Jamie Aherne and Sam Tulloch

Binki Rees, Jane Cook and Cerys Furlong

Our host Greg Ingham, and Mark George

The Jonathan David Jewellers team

Dean Euden and Jo Euden Amelia Mansell, Darren Crockett, Hywel Glynn-Jones and Shannon Matthews

Kelly Reardon-Brown, Carys Rees, Jay Page and Cardiff Life editor Lisa Evans

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 19

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

Cheers for Absolute Performance’s win

Lucy Darbyshire, Kat Cotterrall and Ffion Williams Nick Byrne

Tegan Aspden Hannah Livesey-Ingham

Nathan Palmer and Emma Hares

Andrew Chongsathien

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

Mumtaz Meghjee, Ana Riola, Katy Tennant, Naomi McLennan, Emma Layton and Simon Mason

Ian Johnson and Chris Worwood

Aled Williams and Liz Williams

Chloe Babel

Sophie Puet, Gemma Aitken, Myky Webb and John Sartain

Smiles all round

Emily de Beaux and Will Rees-Hole

Some of the MediaClash team with our photographers – Owen Mathias and Aga Hosking – and our videographer Christianstonesc Wayne Courtney

Tim Price and Darryl Evans

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

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

Nyree Myers, Rachel Evans and Helen James

Mike Oswald, Ashley Jose, Kevin Jose, Martyn Lewis, Jaime McCallion and Diane Nettleton Helen Rouse

Menna Rees, Rhian Reynolds, Emma O’Donnell and Emily Cotterill

Margaret Waters and Wendy Hobbs

Daniel Slocombe, Glenys Jewell, Ben Evans, Louisa Evans, Robert Harry and Aimee Roberts Agi Grzegorzek, Michael Bateman, Martin Rees, Rachel Rees, Abbie Waters, Richard Rees, Jon Rees, Abbie Davies and Wendy Vickers

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

Dino Hodzovic and Bethan Keeble

Naomi McLennan and Emma Layton

Paul Christopher, Ellie Richardson, Dan Lea and Alex James

Our host Nigel Owens

Tomos Methven Sarah King and Louise Gibson

Cicelie Vobe and Manon Houston

Cardiff Life editor Lisa Evans

Jessica Doolan and Katie Carlisle

Lisa Newberry and Alex Brown

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CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

Jack Trischler and Rhodri Theaker

Alison Spiers-Jones Binki Rees

Beatrice Perks and Holly Hardy Lisa Evans and Greg Ingham welcoming guests

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The Portal Training team

Tom Griffiths

Gemma Robertson

Annie Kelly and Jemma Ajax

The Otium Concierge team

Kelly Reardon-Brown Gwawr Booth

Rhys Dunn and Adam Wade

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

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

FACE TO FACE Pontcanna-based illustration artist Rich Appleby – AKA Baldhead Designs – has been a doodler since he could hold a pen. When his sister, Lois, opened a shop – Annie & Lolo at Goodsheds, in Barry – he created a range of cards to sell on opening, and his brand has been growing ever since.

“It was the push I needed, and Baldhead designs was born,” says Rich, who also works as a graphic designer for River Island. “I’ve since developed an ever-growing range of cards and illustrations, and, more recently after moving back to Cardiff from London and learning Welsh, I started to grow the Welsh language offering.

“Commissions are my most popular line – either couples, families or pet pawtraits. I am holding an exhibition at The Heathcock in Llandaff in the next week or so, as they look to promote local artists, and I have work to order on display in Canna Deli in Pontcanna.

“Personalisation has always been my favourite form of

gift. My drawing style, although not caricature, lends itself so well to capturing likeness. I have created wedding stationery, plus gifts for celebrations, anniversaries, engagements and hundreds of birthdays. I’ve even created family portraits to include loved ones no longer with us and recently created a card to be used as a way to pop the question! The reaction to seeing something of yourself in a drawing done by a stranger, is why I love to do what I do.”

See Rich’s work at Annie & Lolo in the Goodsheds Barry, Apothecary 64 in Penarth, Canna Deli in Pontcanna, and, date TBC, at The Heathcock in Llandaff.

Instagram: @baldhead_designs / www.baldheaddesigns.com

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

TAILS OF THE CITY

ART

If you haven’t yet spotted a giant Snoopy in your path while wandering around Cardiff lately, where have you been?

I Pow-Wow! Snoopy, by artist Jenny Leonard, as featured on our front cover

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

Hiraeth & Heritage Snoopy, by artists Ceri Carlyon and Chloe Hall

n April, a 115-strong pack of supersized Snoopy sculptures were unleashed in the city for A Dog’s Trail with Snoopy, an eight-week, free-to-see public art trail to celebrate and raise funds for Dogs Trust’s new centre, in Cardiff.

In a sudden switch-up, the team has now made the decision to rehome the colourful pups, giving them different locations to ensure they can still be enjoyed after a bout of damage occurred.

“The people of South Wales and beyond have come out in their thousands to enjoy this super-special trail, but sadly some of the beautiful sculptures, which have brought joy to so many, have been vandalised,” says Rebecca Staden, project manager for A Dog’s Trail. “Therefore, we are moving the sculptures based in Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Parks to new locations where they will be more secure. People that have already visited may even want to see them again in their new ‘forever homes’.”

Nineteen sculptures are being relocated to Roath Park, the Capitol Centre and Queens Arcade as well as Cardiff Castle. The A Dog’s Trail app has all the details of the new locations, and the updated map is opposite.

At the time of writing, the Snoopys have been spotted nearly 150,000 times by those who have em-bark-ed on the trail, and that is just the number recorded via the app, so there will be many thousands more who have admired the figures in passing without logging their sighting.

Among the devoted Snoopy fans that have Bore Da Snoopy, by artist Emma Everitt

Y Ci Gwarchod Snoopy, by artist Louise Jones Art; RIGHT: Cymro Snoopy, by artist Rhiannon Roberts; BOTTOM: Gwlad Gwlad Snoopy, by artist Kayleigh Ashman

pawed their way across South Wales just to complete the open-air trail – which runs through Cardiff, Caerphilly and Porthcawl – are groups from Dundee and Cornwall as well as enthusiastic international visitors from America.

Each sculpture has been sponsored by a business or individual and has its own tale to tell, many showcasing South Wales’ wealth of artistic talent while celebrating the vibrance, culture and creativity that the region has to offer. “It’s amazing to see so many people exploring the trail and reconnecting with friends and family,” says Rebecca. “The support from the public has been overwhelming and we’re so grateful to the artists, schools and sponsors for making this collaborative project happen.

“We love seeing all the selfies with the sculptures – there are some brilliant snaps of people meeting our pack, please keep them coming!

“We are urging the public to look after our Snoopy sculptures, take pride in the artwork and not climb or hang on them, and keep them looking their best so we can raise as much money as possible at the auction in June to help Dogs Trust continue to care for thousands of dogs across Wales.” ■

PHOTO BY @AMELIAB7

The Dog’s Trail app is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

The trail will run until 5 June; www.adogstrail.org.uk Once the trail comes to an end, there will be a final chance to see all the Snoopy sculptures together at a farewell event at Cardiff City Hall Lawn from 17–19 June. The sculptures will then be auctioned at the Coal Exchange on 21 June.

TICKETS FOR THE FAREWELL EVENT CAN BE PURCHASED AT: WWW.ADOGSTRAIL.ORG.UK

This map is a guide and all locations are correct at the time of print. Visit www.adogstrail.org.uk for more The black numbers locate the giant Snoopy sculptures and the yellow ones locate the minis. Find the giant Snoopys here: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Queens Arcade Cardiff Castle Queens Arcade Cardiff Castle Cardiff Castle Capitol Centre Cardiff Castle Capitol Centre Capitol Centre Capitol Centre Queens Arcade Roath Park – Promenade Roath Park – Rose Gardens Roath Park – Rose Gardens Roath Park – Promenade Roath Park – Promenade Roath Park – Promenade Roath Park – Promenade Roath Park – Rose Gardens Roath Park – Promenade Roath Park – Rose Gardens The Red Dragon Centre Oval Basin – Water Fountain Pierhead Building Cardiff Bay Barrage walkway Cardiff Bay Barrage play area Mermaid Quay Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve

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

WHAT’S ON From 6 May onwards

PLAYS / SHOWS

13 – 14 May, continuing in June and July

THE_CRASH.TEST Hijinx delivers a darkly playful Frankenstein tale for our age, incorporating motion capture puppetry, large-scale projection and original composition.

Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

17 – 21 May

ROCK OF AGES The smash-hit musical comedy is lavished with classic rock anthems, including Don’t Stop Believin’ and The Final Countdown. New Theatre; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

26 May

DIRTY DANCING IN CONCERT The classic film’s first live concert experience. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

30 May

RUPAUL’S DAG RACE: WERQ THE WORLD TOUR An experiment gone wrong has sent Michelle Visage spiralling through time with no way of returning home.

Motorpoint Arena; www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

20 – 25 June

CHICAGO TV’s Gemma ‘The GC’ Collins will star as Mama Morton in the acclaimed tour of Chicago.

New Theatre,Cardiff; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

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

24 June – 30 July

A SUMMER CELEBRATION A Summer Celebration includes UpRoar Festival, showcasing the work of the Sherman’s Introduction to Playwriting participants: Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood, and Treasure Island are brought to life

by Sherman Youth Theatre and Sherbets. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

COMEDY

Every Friday and Saturday COMEDY NIGHTS Treat yourself to an evening of award-winning comedy.

The Glee Club; www.glee.co.uk

MUSIC 13 May

BACK TO THE 80S The ultimate 80s extravaganza dedicated to the soundtrack of your youth.

Clwb Ifor Bach; www.clwb.net

23 May

MILES KANE UK TOUR Miles is known for his energetic performances and blistering live shows. Tramshed; www.tramshedcardiff.com

26 – 28 May

ED SHEERAN Ed returns to Principality Stadium for three gigs as part of his + – = ÷ x tour. Principality Stadium; www.principalitystadium.wales

Butetown Carnival is on the way

1 June

MADNESS AT CARDIFF CASTLE British pop giants Madness will headline the Welsh capital this summer. Cardiff Castle; www.madness.co.uk

17 June

STEREOPHONICS They’ll play in Cardiff, supported

by Tom Jones, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard.

Principality Stadium; www.principalitystadium.wales

FOOD

Until 8 May

FOREST FEASTIVAL Celebrating the best of Wales’ street food.

Merthyr Mawr; www.streetfoodcircus.co.uk

Until the end of May

MAD HATTER’S AFTERNOON TEA ‘Don’t be late’ to this Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, featuring Queen of Hearts tarts, clockface macarons and Drink Me treats, which will keep you guessing all afternoon.

The Angel Hotel Cardiff; www.angelhotelcardiffcity.co.uk

8 May

CLUB BRUNCH This rooftop brunch features 90 minutes of bottomless prosecco,

a two- or three-course brunch and live music.

The Botanist Cardiff; www.clubbrunch.co.uk

13 May – 6 June

ROATH YARD Expect delicious weekends of flavours from around the world. The street food court and night market features food trucks, dining areas, a cocktail bus and busking bands.

Roath; www.streetfoodcircus.co.uk

FAMILY 7 – 10 May

OI FROG & FRIENDS It’s a new day at Sittingbottom school and Frog is looking for a place to sit, but Cat has other ideas and Dog is doing as he’s told.

Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

Ongoing

THE MEADOWS This farm village retreat offers an interactive animal experince with pygmy goats, micro pigs, alpacas, meerkats, emus, reindeers and more.

Caerphilly; www.pwthemeadows.co.uk

ART/ EXHIBITIONS Until 13 May

SPRING SENSATIONS Focusing on artwork inspired by spring, with themes such as renewal, transformation and fresh beginnings.

Adamo Gallery; www.adamogallery.co.uk

left: David Tress’s work is at Albany Gallery; above: The UK’s largest touring outdoor cinema is coming to Bute Park

Until 28 May

DAVID TRESS, CERAMICS BY HILARY LAFORCE David Tress is fascinated with the varying qualities of landscapes across Britain, and Hilary LaForce bings mainly porcelain pieces to this exhibition.The Albany Gallery; www.albanygallery.com

Until 5 June

A DOG’S TRAIL Super-sized Snoopy sculptures have been unleashed across the streets See page 28 for more.

Across Cardiff; www.adogstrail.org.uk

Until 3 July

JOY LABINJO: ODE TO OLAUDAH EQUIANO This is British artist Joy Labinjo’s first institutional exhibition in Wales. Chapter Arts; www.chapter.org

Until 29 August

DAVID HURN: SWAPS Throughout his career as a documentary photographer, Hurn has amassed his private collection by swapping works with other photographers. Contains images of a sexual nature. National Museum Cardiff; www.museum.wales

12 May – 18 June

DREAMACHINE Inspired by a 1959 creation by Brion Gysin who used flickering light to create vivid illusions, kaleidoscopic patterns and explosions of colour in the mind of the viewer. The 21st Century equivalent is a seated experience, up to 90 minutes long, designed to be ‘seen’ with your eyes closed. Temple of Peace, Cathays Park; www.dreamachine.world

14 – 15 May

STORIES IN STITCH WITH JESSIE CHORLEY

A workshop focusing on handembroidered illustration.

Beth Morris Workshops; www.bethmorrisworkshops.co.uk

OTHER

7 May, monthly

GREEN LIFE EVENTS FAIR Get ready for Canton’s first major monthly wellbeing fair.

The Bone Yard; Instagram: @green_life_events

2 July

SHANGRI-LA Shangri-La festival returns with house brand Defected, and special guests Gorgon City.

Cardiff Castle; Instagram: @shangagram

Year round

PWER FESTIVAL This all-dayer across three venues sees headliners Orchards and Dream Nails as well as Cardiff’s own Stay Voiceless.

The Moon, Fuel and Tiny Rebel; Instagram: @pwerfestival

9 July

COIN, COAL AND CHEERS Hensol Castle Distillery, the Royal Mint Experience and A Welsh Coal Mining Experience at Rhondda Heritage Park have joined forces to create a new package which provides an action-packed day out for tour planners. www.visitthevale.com

2 June – 3 July

30 – 31 July

COMING UP (TICKETS NOW ON SALE)

FESTIVALS 7 May

QUEER FRINGE FESTIVAL Venues and artists across Cardiff will collaborate for the first LGBTQ+ Fringe Festival in Wales. Headed up by the team behind The Queer Emporium, it’s set to have events – from comedy to live music – hosted at more than 40 venues across the city. Across the city; Instagram: @thequeeremporium

18 – 19 June

TAFWYL This annual festival celebrates the Welsh language, arts and culture.

See page 35 for more. Cardiff Castle; www.tafwyl.org

From 23 June

CARDIFF PSYCH & NOISE FEST A celebration of psychedelia, noise, weirdness and experimentalism.

Venues on Womanby Street; www.themooncardiff.com

1 July

CARDIFF FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL Cardiff’s original celebration of home-grown produce and street food. Roald Dahl Plass; www.cardifffoodanddrinkfestival.com

DEPOT IN THE CASTLE Rag ’n’ Bone Man will headline, joined by established favourites Faithless, Melanie C and Toploader.

Cardiff Castle; www.depotcardiff.com GLASTONBARRY FESTIVAL Expect 21 tribute acts – from Queen and Stevie Wonder to Blur – over one weekend. Romilly Park, Barry; www.glastonbarry.com

6 August

FEELS LIKE SUMMER A festival featuring music from Billy Ocean, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bloco B Sama, Mr Motivator and more.

Bute Park; Instagram: @flsummeruk

7 August

WELSH VEGAN FESTIVAL In aid of Farplace Animal Rescue, expect all-vegan stalls.

Tramshed, Cardiff; www.vegansociety.com

27 – 28 August

GREEN MAN FESTIVAL Wales’ biggest festival celebrates its 20th year. The Black Mountains; www.greenman.net

THE LION KING A worldwide theatrical phenomenon which is in its 20th year. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

8 July

IBIZA CLASSICS Global dance music legend Pete Tong brings Ibiza Classics to Cardiff Castle. Cardiff Castle; www.petetong.com

29 – 31 July

PRIDE CYMRU Wales’s biggest celebration of equality and diversity. There will be three stages, a mile-long parade and family fun. City Hall Lawns; www.pridecymru.com

18 – 21 August

7 July – 27 August

ADVENTURE CINEMA The UK’s largest touring outdoor cinema is back. Expect classics, musicals, big blockbusters and family films. Bute Park and Arboretum; www.bute-park.com

29 August

BUTETOWN CARNIVAL The carnival parade will make its way along the waterfront of Cardiff Bay with various performance stops along the way, before arriving back at the Centre ready for outdoor live music.

Outside Wales Millennium Centre ww.wmc.org.uk

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ONE TO ONE

WHAT ELSE IS COMING TO THE NEW THEATRE... © TRISTR AM KENTON

• Al Murray, Gig for Victory, 15 May • Rock of Ages, 17–21 May • Beautiful, The Carole King Musical, 24–28 May • Footloose, 30 May–4 June • The Great Gatsby, Northern Ballet, 7–11 June • Chicago, 20–25 June

ANY DREAM WILL DO

We catch up with Alexandra Burke, who stars as The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at Cardiff’s New Theatre

T

he smash-hit London Palladium production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is at the New Theatre, Cardiff, in May. The multi-award-winning show has been performed in over 80 countries worldwide and has become one of the world’s most beloved family musicals.

Here we grab five minutes with Alexandra Burke who stars as The Narrator…

We’re looking forward to seeing the show at the New Theatre, Cardiff. Does it have any significance for you?

I have family in Cardiff. I’ve got my godson and my nephew there so they’ll be coming to see the show.

Are you excited to be returning to the role of The Narrator?

The Narrator is such fun. It’s an important role because she’s telling the story, along with Joseph and Pharaoh and the rest of the cast, but I’m quite giddy when I play her. It’s the only role I’ve done so far where I’ve felt I can just be myself. What people are seeing on

stage is really just me – my personality shining through because I’m quite a goofy person and I play her in a goofy way. What you see is me having a laugh on stage, telling a beautiful story and singing some lovely tunes.

“I’m quite a goofy person and I play her in a goofy way” How is it working with the team of kids in the show?

I had a really special connection with the kids at The Palladium and I have another special connection with the kids on this tour. I sit and talk with them because I want them to feel like they’re my friends and we’ve all bonded. It’s funny because unlike a lot of people I didn’t grow up knowing Joseph at school but I wish I had. My mum worked very hard to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table and theatre was not something that we had the opportunity to enjoy.

Had you seen the show as an adult?

No, I hadn’t, and when they offered to show me some of the archive footage I chose not to watch it because I wanted to learn it from scratch and bring my own interpretation to it.

I decided not to watch what Sheridan Smith had done in the role, or anyone previously, simply because I wanted to put my own spin on it all.

How is it working with Jac Yarrow [who is from Cardiff] as Joseph?

If anyone asked me if there’s a perfect Joseph out there I’d say ‘Yes there is, and it’s Jac Yarrow’. He’s a beautiful human being with a great spirit, a great singer and a wonderful performer. He’s a very talented young man who is going to go very far.

What have been your other favourite roles on stage?

I’m sorry but there hasn’t been one I haven’t liked. I’ve been lucky enough to do Sister Act, Chess, Chicago, The Bodyguard – and all of them have been the most amazing experiences.

I’m not a trained actor or theatre performer, yet I’ve been blessed to have been given such fantastic opportunities.

You came to fame on The X Factor but was theatre always part of the plan?

It’s been more of a nice, happy accident if I’m honest with you. I never, ever thought about doing theatre after X Factor because my mind was so set on music. I was only meant to do three months in The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre and that turned into five years of non-stop theatre work. And gosh, it’s been wonderful! n Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs at the New Theatre until 7 May;

www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

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MUSIC

“For the first time, BBC Radio Cymru will be broadcasting live”

Tafwyl is back at Cardiff Castle on 18 and 19 June

TAFWYL 2022 The annual festival celebrating all things Welsh is back!

T

afwyl has announced the bands and artists who will be playing at its always-epic festival this year.

The performers you can expect to see at Cardiff Castle on 18 and 19 June include: Gwilym, Breichiau Hir, N’Famady Kouyate, Hana Lili, Mellt, Mei Gwynedd, Ciwb, Morgan Elwy, Cerddorfa Ukulele, Bwncath, Meinir Gwilym, Burum, Lily Beau, Parisa Fouladi, Blodau Papur, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, Thallo, Avanc, Eve Goodman and Mari Mathias.

These join the artists already announced: Swnami, Yws Gwynedd, Adwaith, Eädyth + Asha Jane, Glain Rhys, Tara Bandito, Ynys, Gareth Bonello and Kizzy Crawford.

Tafwyl is being organised by

Menter Caerdydd, who are looking forward to welcoming an audience back to the Castle without restrictions this year.

The festival has been held for the past two years with a limited audience due to Covid restrictions. The festival, as always, is free for everyone.

There will also be a Tafwyl Fringe week 11 – 17 June, with details to be announced soon.

There will be music throughout the festival, but the main focus will be in two locations: The Main Stage and Y Sgubor (The Barn). For the first time, BBC Radio Cymru will be broadcasting live from the Main Stage on Saturday, and Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach has curated the music stages.

Tafwyl will return to Cardiff Castle 18 and 19 June; www.tafwyl.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 35

WYBURN & WAYNE

“How often does a performer get a whole-house standing ovation at the end of the first act?!”

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

T

heatre in Cardiff is absolutely booming! We’ve been invited along to so many shows lately it’s been almost impossible to fit them all in – but of course, we did! Here’s a

little rundown…

Kinetic School of Performing Arts, of which we are patrons, put on a spectacular version of Godspell at The Royal Welsh College of Music And Drama (RWCMD). The company and its performers are going from strength to strength, and a little birdy tells us there’s some exciting Christmas panto news coming soon from them too… watch this space!

Also Orbit’s production of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, at the New Theatre was

spellbindingly magical. Our lovely friend Sophie Baker was the lead role of Dorothy, and beautifully took us all to Oz and back – she was made for the role and we are certain we’ll see her in those Ruby slippers again very soon.

Also down at the New Theatre we witnessed the 25th anniversary show of Michael Flatley’s Lord Of The Dance. It’s clear to see why it’s had such a huge global success; it’s not just Irish dance, it’s live vocals, violinists, and even a bit of panto thrown in too – lavish and sexy and 100 per cent worth a watch if you ever get the chance. Not to forget Dreamboats and Petticoats was pure joy. Massive hits brought to life on stage by incredible and enthusiastic performances.

On our Radio Cardiff show, we had super special guest Oti Mabuse who’s bringing her dance show to the New Theatre. She seems a hoot and we can’t wait to meet her.

Over at Wales Millennium Centre we got

to see Dreamgirls; Nathan knew he’d love it as he likes a massive diva, but Wayne wasn’t sure after seeing the film – however it’s now one of his favourites of all time. The talent in that shows is phenomenal and how often does a performer get a whole-house standing ovation at the end of the first act?! Yup, and we are telling you (see what we did there) to Listen (and again) to us, and book a ticket whenever you can to see that one!

Also Luke Hereford starred in Grandmother’s Closet, an autobiographical stage play of how he discovered his love for the icons and “playing dress up” in the security of his gran’s home. That was a huge joy.

On the food front in Cardiff, Côte Brasserie has a whole new selection of goodies on the menu – we popped in to try it out and wow, just wow! It’s always top-notch dining there; head down to Mill Lane and let us know what you think.

The summer is just around the corner and we can’t wait for the good weather to be with us – we’ve loads of exciting things in the pipeline so be sure to check back with us next time for all the stories and antics.

About our columnists: Nathan Wyburn is a pop culture artist who uses non-traditional mediums such as Marmite, 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 they run St Andrew’s Coffee Court in Cardiff. Follow them on social: @wyburnandwayne / @wyburnwayne

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

SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

WHO’S BEHIND IT? It’s been created by Omidaze Productions and delivered in partnership with: The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, Youth Cymru, Sophie Howe the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and the Electoral Commission, in collaboration with multiple other organisations including Cardiff City Council, Senedd Cymru and National Theatre Wales.

THE TALKING SHOP If you’re shopping for groceries, fashion, homeware or anything else for that matter, you won’t find it at The Talking Shop. What you will find there is a space to, well, talk.

Described as a cultural centre, The Talking Shop opened in April in Castle Arcade, Cardiff, and will stick around until at least July.

Created by Omidaze Productions and delivered in partnership with multiple local organisations, the free public space for all, which encourages and promotes cultural discussion, is a place for likeminded individuals, artists and creatives to come together, collide, converse, connect, collude and create. Just pop in and sit on the sofa, have a cup of tea, share ideas, and be inspired and informed.

It’s also a ‘what’s on’ space where you can find out what theatre, music, art exhibitions or live events are happening in your local community.

And lastly, and probably most importantly, 38 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

it’s a ‘democratic information centre’ where you will find The Democracy Box (www.thedemocracybox.co.uk). This is not about party politics, it’s about making sure everyone has the opportunity to understand the basics of our UK democracy, creatively informing and engaging all generations.

It is a place for debate, discussion and conversation – big topics inside a little shop.

“I wanted to learn more about democracy and politics, but I could never find a clear explanation in a way I could understand until I joined this project,” says Emily Mae Jones, The Democracy Box co-creator. “As well as developing my own knowledge, I have the amazing pleasure of educating other people about UK Democracy and highlighting that there is absolutely no shame in not knowing – because I didn’t either. My outlook has completely changed on UK Democracy.

“I finally feel confident instigating conversations about democracy and also just

being involved in discussions.”

“It’s vital that young people have an opportunity to shape their future and that politicians listen to them,” says Sophie Howe, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales. “The Talking Shop is a brilliant initiative that I hope will encourage even more young people to feel comfortable using their democratic right to demand more from those running the country – for a greener and more equal Wales for now and in the future.”

“The Talking Shop is a wonderful model for direct engagement with the possibilities that collective thinking and action provide,” adds Lorne Campbell, artistic director of National Theatre Wales. “Now, more than ever it is crucial that we listen to each other; The Talking Shop is a brilliant way of making this happen.”

Find The Talking Shop at 18 Castle Arcade, opposite the entrance to Cardiff Castle; www.omidaze.co.uk

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MEET THE MAKER

COUTURE, DARLING Meet the maker: Sophie Creed, creative director of E&W Couture bridal boutique, Cardiff, where daring to be different is the norm

By Lisa Evans

O

n Castle Street, right opposite the clocktower of Cardiff Castle sits E&W Couture, a brand that’s been breaking bridal stereotypes since 2014. The small indie label, which designs and makes all of its own styles in store, aims to question the traditional and encourage a bridal evolution. “We don’t think bridal should be uncomfortable or kept in a box,” says its founder, Sophie Creed. “We don’t think you should be pressured into not feeling like yourself. Our dresses are unusual.

They are made to stand out and to make your guests salute you for being you.”

Here we chat….

Hi Sophie! Firstly, we have to ask, what does ‘E&W’ stand for?

It is actually from Alice in Wonderland and was previously called Ears & Whiskers – now shortened to E&W. When did you start E&W Couture and what’s its story?

The bridal business came to light in 2014. We offer a range of non-traditional bridal wear, from dresses to jumpsuits to separates. We like to question conventional styles and add our own take to traditional outfits.

The Cardiff-based indie boutique has an interior inspired by Sophie’s travels to Bali

All of E&W’s creations are made in house – from design to manufacturing and everything in between

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What else sets the business apart?

We make all of our pieces in house, from design to manufacturing and everything in between. Our styles are different, and our practices are sustainable. We offer a bespoke made-to-measure service as standard.

Is your shop and design space in the same building?

Yes, we have our main show room at the front of our studio and the workspace in the back.

We have dedicated pattern-cutting and sewing rooms that we’re super happy to take our brides on a little tour of.

The interior of the space is gorgeous!

It was based on my love of travel, particularly to Bali. The studio has a calming, natural vibe with a limited colour palette which I love. It’s not very often you get to walk from a show room into a manufacturing space! Our sewing rooms offer amazing views over Cardiff Castle.

Sophie’s pup Fritz loves meeting all the brides and has his own Instagram, @fritz_furter

Hand-applied appliqués are on many brides’ want list

What’s the process of designing/making…

Everything is done by myself and my pattern cutter, Rose. I start by finding the newest offerings of fabric available as we’re not yet in a position to have our own fabrics produced.

We have some amazing suppliers both locally in Europe.

I’ll then develop a mood board and start sketching the designs; we’ll discuss our favourites and then we start developing our patterns and toiles. Our toiles are made from similar cheaper fabrics in order to see shape, fit and drape before making from our final fabrics. It’s a long process but so worth it for the final outcome.

“We offer nontraditional bridal wear, from jumpsuits to separates”

I owned a vintage store in Cardiff (Hubbards Cupboard). The co-owner was a friend who made wedding stationery, so she always had half a window and I’d make a wedding dress to go in there. I made a few bespoke ones over the years and the more I made, the more I got asked, so I thought I’d develop a small capsule collection.

Tell us about the environmentally friendly side…

We also offer sample sales, although this doesn’t happen very often as we have very limited overstock.

After making everything from recycled fabrics, I soon realised the brand was too big to continue to do so. I wanted to keep our environmental impact as low as possible so we source the majority of our fabrics from UK-based suppliers, lowering our direct carbon footprint. As everything is made in store, and we can minimise our fabric waste and we donate what we can’t help.

We have our ‘Purpose’ range too, which is a small collection of dresses and separates made in UK-produced fabrics and bamboo silk as well as recycled satin (made from recycled plastic bottles). This is our fully eco collection and we plant trees for each sale of this collection.

What’s the price range?

What’s popular at the moment?

Who would you most like to design a dress for?

Surprise us…

And you don’t offer anything offer ‘off the rack’?

Our ‘off the rack’ isn’t your average definition.

All of our pieces are made completely to order, even though we have ‘off the rack’ dresses to choose from, they are still made for each individual bride which means they are able to customise to themselves. We then offer a completely bespoke service if a bride is set on something custom; we design a range of dresses for them to choose from and offer a fabric service and then make our patterns from scratch for each design.

What made you take the plunge up set up E&W?

Generally, a good price point for our outfits is between £1,750 – £2,750. Our dresses go up to around £4,500. We have made some appliquéd dresses in the past where we individually sewed on over 100 appliqués which take up to 60 minutes each.

My ideal client is Jennifer Lawrence – aim high! I love her style and how down to earth she is.

What’s your background?

It’s in fashion design. My grandmother taught me a lot of what I know, she was a dressmaker in her younger years.

We try and make our pieces as timeless as possible. At the moment, our brides are loving long sleeves and our glitter pieces, as well as our separates. The thought of being able to wear pieces again after the wedding is always on trend for us!

We’ll be launching a non-bridal brand very soon! @sevenstori will be our new sustainable and vegan brand starting with a capsule of dresses, jumpsuits and separates all made from digitally printed certified vegan fabrics that are to die for.

For more: 17-21 Castle Street, Cardiff www.eandwcouture.co.uk

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Reach the best in the west Affluent, active and influential and just a call away

Cardiff Life team 01225 475800

FOOD & DRINK SNAPSHOTS OF CARDIFF’S FOOD SCENE Saiphin saw Cardiff as a great fit for her restaurant

Hi Saiphin, why did you decide to bring your restaurant to Cardiff?

I’ve always loved visiting Cardiff; it’s such a vibrant and multicultural city. It is definitely a great fit for Rosa’s as our company is full of fun multi-national team members.

What makes the food and experience stand out among the many other Thai restaurants in the city?

We serve recipes that are close to my heart. They’re all based on family recipes passed down from my nan, my mum and all the aunties and uncles. Our chefs cook them according to my recipes, using ingredients from Thailand.

It’s all about the experience of sharing a Thai meal in a casual environment rather than a formal setting which is what most Thai restaurants tend to do in the UK. When did you leave Thailand?

THAI ME OVER One of the many much-

I left when I was 18. That was the first time I’ve ever stepped foot outside of my village and onto an aeroplane! I always have such fond memories of growing up on the family farm, every morning helping my parents harvest fresh fruits and vegetables. We always cooked them straight away so I grew up eating the best produce. Even though I’ve been living overseas longer than in Thailand, I always make time to go back home, especially around Thai New Year in April.

Did your upbringing inspire your love of food?

My family didn’t have much – they’re farmers – but we’ve been fortunate to always have good food. I thought why not set up my own business using these amazing ingredients. So, when I was 14 years old, I started a noodle stall in front of my parents’ house (it’s like having a lemonade stand). I was the first person in my family to leave for a new life abroad, so I guess you could say that I have built my own success, but not completely from scratch. Without the knowledge and support my family has given me about food and how to be self-sufficient, I wouldn’t have such a successful restaurant business today.

What is one dish you could eat every day for the rest of your life?

Oh, that’s a tough one. Either noodle soup or papaya salad.

What job did you do before you became a chef?

I was a nanny in Hong Kong. Then I eventually became a home cook too, making food for the family I was working with, and selling to the neighbours. That gave me the opportunity to open my own Thai grocery store with a little takeaway shop attached to it.

Who is the head chef in Cardiff?

Mui; even though he’s in his early 20s, he’s very talented and has helped us open a couple of successful restaurants in Leeds and Birmingham. www.rosasthaicafe.com

anticipated new openings in Cardiff has been Rosa’s Thai Cafe on Church Street, its first site in Wales. Here we speak to its co-founder, celebrated Thai chef Saiphin Moore, who launched the first Rosa’s in London’s Spitalfields in 2008

By Lisa Evans www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 43

ROSA’S THAI CAFE

Lisa Evans tried out the newly opened Rosa’s Thai Cafe – its first site in Wales – and courageously conquered the sharing menu

P

eople tell me I’m not very good at sharing food because I’m an only child. On the contrary, I believe I’m a great sharer – the best, in fact – I’m just not very good at accepting the way other people ‘think’ sharing is supposed to go.

See, to me, it’s about having equal amounts everything – so I will divvy up and portion out accordingly. But the rest of humanity, it seems, believes that sharing food is about sitting jovially around a table, just getting stuck in and taking whatever they want. Oh how convivial.

I can only really be my true micro-managing self around my husband – apparently it’s a mood killer at a group occasion to count out the individual patatas bravas so that we all get six each.

When a sharing dish arrives to our table in a restaurant, my bloke doesn’t even make a move towards it; he sits patiently as I part it like the Red Sea. Do I care that he’s 6ft4 and I’m 5ft2? Absolutely not; we get exactly half each,

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

regardless of the fact he needs double my calorie count.

Anyway, when I visited Rosa’s Thai Cafe recently, which opened its doors on Church Street in March, I was not accompanied by my long-suffering partner; I brought my parents. It’s not that they judge me for my exacting ways; it’s just that, over the years, I’ve learned that being my true control-freak self can spoil an atmosphere. And it was Mother’s Day, too, so it was time to put the freak to bed and prioritise the people that gave me life.

To start, we went for the veggie sharing platter featuring homemade spring rolls, fresh summer rolls, sweetcorn cakes, salt and pepper tofu and pumpkin crackers. I somehow kept my composure when the plate arrived with just two of everything (between three of us). I coolly suggested that we chop everything into segments so we could each have our fair share, which they accepted as a lovely idea.

On the main menu – home to the usual favourites:

“We get exactly half each, regardless of the fact he needs double my calorie count”

DINING DETAILS Rosa’s Thai Cafe, 5-10 Church Street, CF10 1BG, 02922 499994; www.rosasthaicafe.com Food An authentic, tasty Thai sharingstyle menu Vibe A lively, busy, welcoming space Prices Starters £3.25 – £7.80; mains £6.5 – £13 © CHARLIEMCK AY

stir fry, green curry, and tom yum soup (hey, if it ain’t broken) – there’s plenty of signature Rosa’s flair. The gaeng supparod (red pineapple curry), for example, is one of their prized dishes; spicy and ever so slightly sweet, with tangy fruit, fragrant basil and tender chicken. It’s a flavourbursting winner along with the mellow gaeng massaman (massaman curry) – which we teamed with tofu as our protein of choice – aromatic with Silk Road spices and made hearty and substantial with potatoes, cashews and crispy fried shallots.

We also went for the king prawn pad Thai in tamarind sauce with coconut sugar and crushed peanuts, and more sharing dishes of egg fried rice, prawn crackers with peanut dipping sauce, and plamuek tod (calamari) which was the most difficult thing for me to lawlessly share.

I had to order the som tum (papaya salad) too because, the day before the meal, I had been hanging out with local food royalty Sam and Shauna of the Hang Fire Southern Kitchen revolution, who demanded I try it. If that specific salad isn’t on the menu at a Thai restaurant, they won’t even enter.

I can confirm, it was sweet, sour, salty, spicy, juicy and dangerously addictive – a vibrantly fresh medley of finely slied Thai green papaya with chillies, green beans, tomatoes and cashews. We could have ‘made it a meal’, as the menu suggested, and added chicken satay and sticky rice, but it was plenty filling on its own.

One dish that we didn’t have room to try was the interestingly named ‘drunken noodles’ which, the waiter explained, is traditionally eaten at the end of a big night out. There’s no booze in the dish itself but it is, he said, the best hangover cure in the world. Good to know.

Something else Rosa’s food seems to cure is fatigue; we were surrounded by red-faced racers who were refuelling after completing the Cardiff Half Marathon that morning.

They all proudly wore their medals around their necks as they slurped their noodles and recovered in front of our very eyes. They clearly knew something we didn’t about the food’s restorative properties.

Whether you’ve been exerting yourself physically or not, you now have proof that Rosa’s offers not just an exceptionally tasty menu, but one that’s actually good for you. Tempura squid in the name of wellness? Don’t mind if I do. But I won’t be sharing next time. n

© CHARLIEMCK AY

RESTAURANT

Did you know… The only reason Rosa’s is called Rosa’s is because their first restaurant opened in London on the site of a former East End ‘caff’ called Rosa’s, and they chose to keep the signs as they didn’t have the money for new ones.

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FOOD

THREE THINGS I LOVED SIPPING THIS MONTH

1

A crisp pint of Freedom lager (in a reusable cup – yay) at Street Food Circus’s magical Forest Feastival.

2

A refreshing vermouth spritz outside Vermut on a sunny spring day.

3

And a thick and creamy Vietnamese egg coffee from Hanoi 1991 – like a custard tart in a cup!

clockwise from top left: Freedom lager at Forest Feastival; Vienamese egg coffee at Hanoi 1991; Oasis Cardiff’s street food trailer; vermouth spritz at Vermut; Nook by the River is coming back; Riverside Farmers’ Market

THE OUTSIDERS

I

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…

can smell the faint scent of summer in the air already, and with it the promise of lots of lovely outdoor, open-air events to look forward to… whatever the Welsh weather has in store!

Roath Yard Market – a street food frenzy from the folk at Street Food Circus – will run every weekend from 13 May until 6 June.

Just like last year, the event will also play host to the Welsh heats of the British Street Food Awards, with public voting taking place over the whole weekend of 21 – 22 May (@streetfoodcircusuk).

The Riverside Night Market will return to the Taff Embankment on the last Wednesday of the month (25 May) giving city centre workers a chance to stock up on great local food, local crafts and more, between 5pm – 8pm (@riversiderealfood).

And though I’m under strict instructions to keep the date under wraps for now, I can share that the wildly popular Nook by the River restaurant pop up – which sold out in MINUTES last spring – will return to Llandaff Rowing Club very soon.

Keep an eye on @nookcdf for dates and details on how to book.

For more: www.janechicomendes.co.uk | @janechicomendes| www.hungrycityhippy.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW…

Oasis Cardiff, a local charity for refugees and asylum seekers, recently started running a ‘street food lunch service’ from their purpose-made trailer in Splott.

Serving up a selection of lunches from around the globe, including original, scratch-made falafels and eclectic salads. The trailer operates every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12–3pm at 69B Splott Road (@oasiscardiff).

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INTERIORS

WE WANT

SCANDI

R

Cardiff’s queen of the Scandi home aesthetic REENA SIMON is part of an exciting collaboration offering the city a slice of the hygge lifestyle

hiwbina-based awardwinning interiors blogger and best-selling author Reena Simon has teamed up with John Lewis & Partners to release a curated capsule of homeware – all influenced

by Scandinavian design.

The edit spans living, dining and bedroom, all aligning with Reena’s own slow-interiors and minimalist aesthetic. The timeless Scandi scheme has been around for what seems like an eternity now, but, surprisingly, searches for the trend are up 40 per cent compared to this time last year. We asked Reena about its enduring allure.

Amber glassware is part of the collection

What are the sustainable stories within the items you’ve selected?

Hi Reena, we’re obsessed with your interiors-focused Instagram page, @hygge_for_home. Have you always been a lover of the minimalist, neutral aesthetic?

I remember yearning for a space that nurtured comfort, warmth and cosiness when my daughters were young. I spent many hours cocooned in our four walls and became fascinated by interiors that could enrich wellbeing. I was renovating our first home at the time and my passion for Scandinavian design was born. Through the Scandi aesthetic, I have been able to find calm among the chaos of busy family life.

Tell us about your new home edit available in Cardiff – what can people expect?

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I have collaborated with John Lewis on a Scandi Edit for spring/summer. I worked closely with the John Lewis in-house design team to curate an edit of products inspired by the Scandi trend. I truly believe there is something for everyone with the products being timeless and adaptable, complementing a traditional or contemporary home in equal measure.

“Through the Scandi aesthetic, I have been able to find calm among the chaos of busy family life”

Sustainability and circular design is at the forefront for both myself and John Lewis, so naturally the edit includes products that deliver on these messages.

One of the stand-out products for me is the Packington Side Table, made from Ash and sustainably sourced from British woodlands. Pale wood is favoured in Scandinavian interiors and this piece of furniture is particularly interesting with its dark streaks known as Olive Ash. It brings out the grain in the wood making each table unique.

What are ‘slow interiors’ and why do you advocate them?

I believe in investing in interiors that can last a lifetime and promote timeless trends that work well in both modern and more traditional homes. The pieces I have chosen for my edit will effortlessly fit into a number of different interior schemes and this was important to me when curating it.

Reena at her home in Rhiwbina with some of the pieces from the collection

The Scandi aesthetic is more popular than ever

INTERIORS

Reena’s home is a soothing and cosy space

Tableware of dreams

We all know what a capsule wardrobe is, but do you have tips on how to put together a capsule home décor scheme?

I’m a firm believer that neutral is a colour, and pared-back shades are the building blocks to any scheme.

What’s your favourite room in your house and why?

I love our open-plan living space as we can all be together in the same part of the house doing different things and enjoying our surroundings.

Your must-have home accessories if you could only keep three?

1. A cosy armchair situated near a window so you can watch the world go by, whether that’s people or nature. 2. Candles! I have candles everywhere and light them whether it’s day or night, not just for the aroma but to watch the flickering light is calming and soothing.

3. Books. I love to have books on display. A Scandinavian interior can often be minimalist by default, I am actually personally drawn to a cosier version. So much so that I co-wrote a best-selling interior design book all about this, titled Scandi Rustic.

What’s an addition you think every home can benefit from?

Access to natural daylight. If you are renovating or have an opportunity to add any windows, perhaps a roof light, views to the outdoors can enrich our day-to-day wellbeing.

What’s new with you?

Our trio of little ladies are getting older, now aged 10, 7 and 6, so being able to travel and also the ability to live life a little more spontaneously is back again! We have lots of trips planned this year to make up for lost Covid time.

Surprise us…

I am a bit embarrassed to admit that my two current favourite TV shows are Selling Sunset and Below Deck. n www.johnlewis.com / www.hyggeforhome.com

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SCHOOL GUIDE VICTORIA BOND Fun holiday activities can help a university application hit its target

Proactive parenting

A

How to help boost your child’s CV this summer rming your child with a flourishing CV is becoming increasingly important, and school holidays are perfect for upping the extracurricular oomph. If termtime over-scheduling fills you with dread, the idea of booking an activity holiday with a bunch of overachievers in Lycra may not sound much like a break. There’s also the challenge of getting surly children on board with the idea.

My older son was 13 when we first sampled a week away with an all-inclusive activity timetable. His reaction, “I’m not doing things.

I’m definitely not doing things with other kids.”

We switched over to a different kind of family break a few years ago and the result was the best kind of switching off. Choose a resort with an accredited kids’ club – usually wrongly named as they go right up to age 17 – and instructors who will introduce them to sailing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, tennis or mountain biking, and there’s a high probability that they will give a new skill a go. Why? Because

there are other kids there, and they are all in the same boat – often quite literally. Mark Warner resorts are brilliant at offering these options.

There are also re-wilding resorts such as Camp Wilderness that offer the opportunity to learn bushcraft skills with safari-style accommodation, and even good old PGL – now classified as a veteran outdoor activity provider – can teach whole families to fence.

For my boys, messing about with mates on the beach turned into CV-worthy RYA sailing qualifications.

I can’t imagine spending weeks by a muddy grey lake in Britain to get them to do the same level.

They swapped a few hours on the Aegean for a few less hours on a sun lounger listening to Spotify.

Total result.

Summertime CVs don’t just sparkle with ‘posh’ sports either.

In fact, it doesn’t have to be any sport. I spoke to one parent who decided to use the six-week break to enrol her son on an art course to make sure he had a portfolio ready for an art scholarship interview in the autumn. “Better than a tutor,” she said when he gained a sought-after place over peers who’d focused purely on academics.

Nor do you have to jump on a plane to find a brilliant activity centre. Trying something like dry-slope tobogganing or archery might just turn into something that becomes a stand-out extra line on a job application in years to come.

Any activity outside the classroom will help build what psychologists call self-concept. It enables us to recognise ourselves as a good team player, punctual, adaptable, or resilient. These may be soft skills but they are as valuable to future employers

“Any activity outside the classroom will help build what psychologists call self-concept”

as being good at maths. Plus, in an educational world that is increasingly super focused on assessments, self-assessment is an important skill in itself. It’s the difference between ‘do this’ and ‘how am I doing?’.

If your child is thinking about a university application, there’s also plenty of personal statement summer lovin’ to be had. UCAS forms are centred on the super-curricular rather than the extracurricular (sorry, Duke of Edinburgh die-hards): enrichment activities that show you have taken the subject that you want to study, further than what you have learnt in school.

Podcasts, documentaries, and online competitions all add value, and again, no travel required.

Victoria Bond is founder and CEO of School Guide, an easy-to-use website that helps parents discover exam results, catchment maps and parent reviews for all their local schools.

For more: www.schoolguide.co.uk

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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 Snoopy artist Farah Saffari and her guest

The core project team, as well as the rehoming centre staff

A DOG’S TRAIL LAUNCH The much-awaited public art trail featuring over 100 Snoopy sculptures designed by Welsh artists, local schools and community groups, was launched in April at Cardiff’s branch of Dogs Trust – the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, which the event will be supporting throughout.

A Dog’s Trail with Snoopy, which will finish on 5 June, sees intricately decorated pups on show through our local streets and open spaces, forming a route

approximately 23km long.

At the exclusive preview evening, all the complete Snoopys were showcased at the Cardiff rehoming centre before they embarked on their adventure across South Wales. The event was a chance to see the works up close and meet with the artists who created them.

For more, see page 28. www.adogstrail.org.uk Photos by Paul Fears Photography

Joe Simpson and one of the artists, Emily Hilditch

The Wild in Art team

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Cardiff: 233 Cathedral Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9PP. E-mail: cardiff@valevetcentre.co.uk Phone: 02920 004007

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

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

GROOMING SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE | EMAIL: GROOMERS@VALEVETCENTRE.CO.UK

SOCIETY

A DOG’S TRAIL L AUNCH, CONTINUED

Second from left, artist Layla Holzer, and artist Matt Joyce (right) Studying the Snoopy Trail map

Megan Gaen and guest

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It’s the city’s business

CARDIFFWORKS Yellow TSE’s founder Tams (left), with creative director Tanya Lynch

Yellow TSE uses state-of-the-art QR technology, never before been seen in Wales, to offer an easy shopping experience

You had me at Yellow

W

Wales’s first sustainable department store has launched in Cardiff

ales’ first sustainable department store, Yellow TSE, has launched in Cardiff city centre.

It held its exclusive unveiling party on Earth Day, 22 April, and is set to open to shoppers at some point in May or June. Kind, conscious, and visionary, Yellow TSE is a plastic-free, zero-waste store and paperless shopping experience based in Morgan Quarter.

Using state-of-the-art QR technology, never before been seen in Wales, you can browse and buy your refillable goods with ease. Whether you choose to shop from the comfort of your own home and collect in your lunch break, or go and enjoy

the collaborative work space and café as you shop sustainably, the choice is yours.

Founder and CEO Tamsin Ford has planned, plotted, lived and breathed Yellow TSE for the

“IT’S A PLASTICFREE, ZERO-WASTE STORE AND PAPERLESS SHOPPING EXPERIENCE” past three years. When Covid hit, she wasn’t sure it would ever be a reality. But, after battling all the hurdles in her way, it’s full steam ahead for this inspirational business venture.

Tamsin is well-known for sustainable retail

through her business born in Pontcanna, Blossom & Nectar. The former Blossom & Nectar is now home to the second location for Yellow TSE (already open for business). Blossom & Nectar fuelled her passion for sustainable business and inspired her to encourage wider change in retail.

Following the Yellow TSE launch event, the Barry Lane venue is now undergoing sustainable construction work from Sampson Carpentry & Build, who have worked with businesses such as Kin + Ilk to deliver stylish and sustainable fittings.

Featuring local sustainable businesses as concessions – such as art from Katherine Jones, and accessories from Eliza Eliza – Yellow TSE aims to be a one-stop sustainable department store. The trendiest place to catch up on some emails, grab a coffee, and shop plastic-free, is coming very soon.

For more: www.yellow.wales

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cardiffnorth@bluebirdcare.co.uk

CARDIFFWORKS

UNIVERSITY OF SANCTUARY Cardiff Met’s vice-chancellor, professor Cara Aitchison speaking at the ‘Cardiff Met Supporting Ukraine’ event on the university’s Llandaff campus

© MAT T HORWOOD

Cardiff Metropolitan University has pledged £400,000 to support the role of education in peace-building in Ukraine. The support includes Fellowships and Scholarships, as well as accommodation for those fleeing Ukraine.

Working with the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) and Universities of Sanctuary, the money will fund CARA Fellowships and Cardiff Met Sanctuary Studentships for academics, students and sports people displaced by the war in Ukraine.

Cardiff Met is a global community attended by students from 140 countries, including Ukraine and Russia. It is also a designated University of Sanctuary with a values-driven culture, as reflected in it being awarded the title of Times Higher Education University of the Year 2021 for UK and Ireland.

For more: www.cardiffmet.ac.uk

PRETTY FLY ENTRECONF Returning on 30 June is the dynamic virtual event for entrepreneurs, EntreConf.

After last year’s success, we are running EntreConf to help entrepreneurs with practical advice – financial, legal, marketing, management – and to broker valuable new relationships.

To increase our reach and make the greatest impact, EntreConf will once again be run as a virtual event, with a number of networking dinners in the spring and autumn.

We seek to bring together some of the most exciting companies of this time who will be among the most valuable businesses in the future.

Content and sponsorship opportunities are now available.

Email annie.kelly@mediaclash. co.uk for more. www.entreconf.com

The Summer 2022 Season has taken flight at Cardiff Airport. With the busiest summer since 2019 expected at the Welsh capital city gateway, the summer schedule, which runs until the end of October, will see Cardiff offer more than 25 routes to popular destinations as the airport continues to rebuild its connectivity post pandemic.

The airport received a major boost on 8 April when ultra-low-cost airline Wizz Air UK launched its base operation to nine holiday destinations in Cyprus, Greece, Portugal and Spain. The airport’s newcomer adds to the existing comprehensive leisure route network offered by TUI, which will fly to over 20 destinations across the traditional Mediterranean hotspots as well as to the Canary Islands, Croatia, Tunisia and Turkey.

Improved global links will be available from 24 May when KLM increases flights to its Amsterdam hub from Cardiff, making it easier for passengers to connect to far-flung points like Las Vegas, New York, Toronto, Bangkok, Dubai and Aruba as well as city break destinations across Europe like Athens, Budapest and Venice. For anyone looking for a city break closer to home, Loganair’s service

The busiest summer for three years is expected at Cardiff Airport

to Edinburgh could fit the bill. Ryanair and Vueling are offering flights to six European destinations too.

“The airport and its partner organisations have been busy hiring staff again in readiness for our busiest summer for three years,” says Spencer Birns, CEO at Cardiff Airport.

“There is a huge pent-up demand for air travel which has built up over the past two years during the pandemic and we’re very pleased to be able to help people living in Wales take their much-needed overseas trips.”

For more: www.cardiff-airport.com

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CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

Mandy worked for Pfizer before starting Goodwash

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS 2022 THE GOODWASH COMPANY

Luxury skincare brand The Goodwash Company, based in Barry, won Best Retailer at The Cardiff Life Awards 2022.

Here we chat with Mandy Powell, its CEO and founder…

Tell us the story behind The Goodwash Company…

We wanted to create a simple solution to things that were going wrong in society; we wanted to help improve the lives of animals and people in local communities, and create luxury Welsh products that would shout about the proudness of our Welsh culture and language.

How did you go about setting up such an undertaking?

There were so many obstacles. No one believed it could work; people said, “You can’t have a luxury wash company with a social conscious” and they said no one outside of Wales would buy it if it had Welsh language on it.

Good on you for proving them wrong, then! What positives have you experienced recently?

Well, we won a Cardiff Life Award against some outstanding local

RETAILER WINNER businesses! Also, customer feedback has been exceptional and we have a loyal customer group. Also, we are growing despite not employing any marketing companies – it’s all organic at Goodwash.

Tell us more about your business’s unique bits...

The ingredients are locally sourced and the products are locally made

“THE PRODUCTS ARE OUTSTANDING AND CAN HELP ANIMALS AND PEOPLE WITH THEIR SKIN ISSUES”

– even the labels we designed ourselves on Post-it Notes. They are also the only wash products of their kind. The products are outstanding and can help animals and people with their skin issues.

What are you proud of?

We donated over 25,000 wash products to the NHS during Covid and we support local projects in local communities.

How else do you contribute to and benefit the local area?

We use the business model and profits to improve lives; for example, from the sales of our Garnant Calde, we donated £1,300 of profits to support 37 days of childcare for lowincome families in Brynamman, South Wales. And our Conwy candle supports a local young persons charity, Challenge Wales, which helps develop life and employability skills.

Any collaborations with other local businesses?

We collaborated with the awardwinning Gower Gin company to make a hand sanitiser with Welsh lavender. We also teamed up with Elvis & Kresse to make fire hose wash bags, saving one tonne of South Wales fire hose from going to landfill.

What jobs were you doing before you got into this role?

I was a phys ed teacher for six years then worked for Pfizer pharmaceutical for 11 years as head of business UK. Who are some local people or businesses that inspire you?

All of the businesses at Goodsheds: Craft Republic, Matthew Jones Ceramics, Annie & Lolo etc. The amazing local restaurateurs in Cardiff and the Vale are inspiring, as is Vicky at Cocoa Therapy, Barry.

For more: www.goodwash.co.uk

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CARDIFF LIVES

“I worked with Steve Speirs on my first costume designer job for the film Concrete Plans” A Million Days) worked on two seasons of BBC The Tuckers, and, commercial wise, I’ve done Clogau Gold, Rutherford, and Foster Wales.

What are you concentrating on at the moment?

CHESELLE BRIERTON Here we chat with Cardiff-based TV and film costume designer, stylist and vintage clothing studio owner Cheselle Brierton Cheselle, who lives in St Mellons, is one of those million-things-a-minute types of people – buying and selling vintage for her studio, designing costumes for film and TV, personal styling, and project-managing a local hair salon. She relishes the challenges though…

Tell us about your ultra-stylish working life…

I buy and sell vintage clothing – predominantly womenswear from the 50s to the 70s, via Coco’s Vintage Studio. It’s all online, but we ship all over the world and we do vintage fairs.

I also work within the TV and film industry as a costume

designer, and also a stylist for commercials and brand shoots.

Tell us about your career and its highlights…

I have only been working in TV and film for the last four years, but I’ve learnt so much and I love it. I worked with Steve Speirs on my first costume designer job for the film Concrete Plans (filmed in Wales) and then worked with him again within a costume department on The Tuckers (also filmed in Wales), and since then a group of us meet up to go to Cardiff’s Beefy’s Comedy Club every other month.

I’ve designed three films (Concrete Plans, Protein, and

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

I am someone whose mind doesn’t function unless it has a lot going on. At the moment I have a couple of commercials, four vintage fairs for Coco’s, and my partner and I have just taken over a hair salon in St Mellons which we are project managing for a renovation.

Who would you most like to dress, and whose style most inspires you?

As a stylist, I would love to dress Alexa Chung as she’s a childhood favourite of mine, but within TV and film it’s difficult as it depends on the personality of the character they are playing.

My style-spo is Linda Rodin or Diane Keaton in Annie Hall.

Tell us more about your own style…

I’ve always been into pre-loved stuff; I used to love rummaging in charity shops with my grandma and nanny when I was a child. I love things with history and knowing that they have been on a journey.

Where are you based?

In St Mellons at the moment; I have lived in Cardiff for nine years, mainly in Roath.

What are the pleasures of living/ working in Cardiff?

Cardiff, especially more so recently, is quite diverse for what is really quite a small city. I also love that the different areas help give the city depth. I love Pontcanna – Tom Simmons is one of my favourite places to go, be it for Sunday lunch or their late-night suppers.

What would you say is your most treasured possession?

My jewellery. I don’t own a lot, but most of it has been passed down through the family.

What’s something not many people know about you?

I can’t swim. Recently I have been learning how; it’s mainly the embarrassment of not knowing that’s stopped me before.

What topic could you talk about for hours?

Sustainability. The negative impact we have had on this planet so far needs to be worked on and if we don’t all start learning to consume less, the planet is going to be a pretty tough place for our children to live.

Surprise us…

When I was 17, I entered The X Factor – thankfully I didn’t get too far as I look back now and I cringe. I was also first reserve on Big Brother. n

Instagram: @cocosvintagestudio / @the_sustainable_stylist20