North Wales Magazine – December 2017

DECEMBER 2017

MAGAZINE

What’s on?

Your monthl y guide to local even ts

TOP 10 Festive day’s out Eat, drink...

And be merry!

The Gift Guide

SHOP LOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS

INSIDE J Homes & Interiors J Win a spa day for two!

J Town in Focus

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MAGAZINE

LET THE MAGIC BEGIN...

Snowdonia Nurseries & Garden Centre, Glan Conwy 01492 580703 www.snowdonianurseries.co.uk MondaySaturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10.30am-4.30pm Page 4 NWM 2017

MAGAZINE

Dear Reader It’s Christmas!! I love Christmas but, since

crowd. The paper quality, the independent

we have a slight tendency to get rather

editorial (you won’t find any sly “advertorial”

carried away, I also love New Year when we

or “promotional features” in North Wales

can put all of the festivities behind us and

Mag!!) and the relevant geographical area

get back into that all-important routine.

is what makes us great – and we want to expand on those fundamental principles.

But 2018 promises change as well as routine – especially for us here at North

But, in order to do so, we need to charge

Wales Magazine. Since we launched in April

a small fee. So, from the New Year, North

we have gone from strength to strength,

Wales Magazine will be available from a

and the New Year will provide us with the

range of independent retailers for just £2 –

opportunity to go that extra mile.

or the price of a cup of coffee. To find your nearest stockist please email subscribe@

So, while we will be taking a short break

northwalesmagazine.co.uk and we’ll be sure

over Christmas, we are going to come back

to point you in the right direction.

with a vengeance with a combined January/ February issue. The biggest change however

In the meantime, we wish you a Merry

is that, from then on, North Wales Magazine

Christmas – and a very happy New Year.

will be a paid-for publication.

The main feedback that we have had over the past nine months is that the quality of the magazine is what sets it apart from the

Kate Hamilton Founding Editor

We want to hear from you!

J Are you organising or taking part in an event that should be covered in our what’s-on listings? Then make sure you tell us!

If you’ve got something to shout about then let’s shout louder, together. whatson@ northwalesmagazine.co.uk J Keep in touch. North Wales Magazine might be a new publication, but we want you to see it as your publication. So send in your contributions, letters, photos and short stories (not forgetting your contact details!) and become part of the North Wales Magazine family. editorial@ northwalesmagazine.co.uk

In this issue...

J Subscribe. If you want to ensure that you receive each and every copy of North Wales Magazine then why not subscribe? All you pay for is the post and packaging.

The perfect present is a local one

J

J

subscribe@ northwalesmagazine.co.uk

The latest from the North Wales food & drink scene

Advertise. If you own a business and want to get your message in front of 20,000 local people every month then drop us a line. Prices start from just £75 for a quarter page. sales@ northwalesmagazine.co.uk

NWM 2017 Page 5

MAGAZINE

S TAY I N S T Y L E O N T H E L L Ŷ N

Abersoch Holiday Homes has the ultimate collection of coastal chic selfcatering properties in Abersoch and the Llyˆn Peninsula. Our high quality, specially selected properties range from large renovated farmhouses and boutique luxury homes, to pretty picturesque cottages. We have something for everyone.

Take a look at our full collection online www.abersochholidayhomes.co.uk

Hafan Dawel ABERSOCH

SANDALS, ABERSOCH This incredible property sits in the most spectacular location on the edge of the water in Abersoch.

Boasting private beach access, breathtaking views and outstanding accommodation including a fabulous master suite, it is truly exceptional.

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8 TAI DYFFRYN, ABERSOCH Set over four floors, this high quality house with stylish interior is not to be missed. Close to Abersoch's Harbour beach and with 2 balconies and large rear patio it is hard to S TAY I N S T Y L E O N T H E L L Ŷ N decide whether to stay in or go out!

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M23, THE WARREN, ABERSOCH

Oozing luxury and sophistication throughout, this high quality house boasts stylish design, six bedrooms, five exquisite bathrooms and a dream kitchen for keen cooks, all within a short walk of the centre of Abersoch.

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Located on the exclusive Warren holiday park, this cool and contemporary chalet offers a real family beach retreat close to the renowned, long sandy Warren beach and with access to the luxury leisure facilities.

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info@abersochholidayhomes.co.uk www.abersochholidayhomes.co.uk Page 6 NWM 2017

1

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3 GLYN Y MARIAN, LLANBEDROG Contemporary two storey house with stunning open plan living area and large balcony. Just a short walk from the village amenities and Llanbedrog's fabulous sandy National Trust beach, this is an excellent choice for families seeking a memorable seaside holiday.

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Call: 01758 740992

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Contents

09 What’s On?

Your guide to all of the best events, shows and days out taking place this festive season

Sales Director Grant Hamilton

Where the snow falls…

19 Christmas Gift Guide

27 Interview with Jade Paveley

Editor Kate Hamilton Art Director Simon Marriott

16 The Big Picture

Make sure that your presents are sourced locally this Christmas

MAGAZINE

19

Meet the woman taking the rallying circuit by storm

31 Perception

40

A Christmas ghost story – or is it?

35 Top 10…

Contributors Dave Rothnie Stephen Gregory Alison Hough Tim Watson Cai Ross Julian Hughes Simon Smith Steve Goodier Nick Embrey Contact Us editorial @northwalesmagazine.co.uk sales @northwalesmagazine.co.uk subscribe@ northwalesmagazine.co.uk

Festive Days Out

40 Go North Wales!

Reporting from the region’s glamorous tourism and hospitality awards

43 Town in Focus

Exploring Menai Bridge – the gateway to Anglesey

North Wales Magazine is an independent, regional magazine produced by KSG Publishing. It is available to pick up from all of the major supermarkets in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham, Gwynedd and the Isle of Anglesey.

51 Food & Drink

The latest from our local food heroes, and the area’s wining, dining and culinary scene

69 Homes and Interiors

Peruse our property of the month and get inspired by our interiors pages

51

85 Community news

A roundup of regional happenings

97 Competition!

Win afternoon tea for two at Llandudno Bay Hotel

95 Crossword

Get to grips with our brain teasing puzzle

98 Horoscopes

See what the future holds with Portmeirion resident Russell Grant

69

Disclaimer: All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part (electronically or in print) without written permission is strictly prohibited. Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of published content, and any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of North Wales Magazine.

The publishers assume no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from participation in, or as a result of, any offer, competition, information or advertisement contained within the magazine. North Wales Magazine does not endorse any of the advertisements featured. All words and images remain the property of their respective owners and all copyrights are observed. North Wales Magazine is not associated with any newspaper group.

NWM 2017 Page 7

Ffilmiau Ionawr January Films

Swyddfa Docynnau/Box Office

01286 685 222 galericaernarfon.com @_galeri_

15

15

Blade Runner 2049 Sêl mis Ionawr £4 y tocyn January sale £4 a ticket

U

The Florida Project

Mercher/Wednesday | 03.01.18 | 19:30

GaleriCaernarfon

Paddington 2

Iau/Thursday | 04.01.18 | 14:00, 19:30

Gwener/Friday | Sadwrn/Saturday | Sul/Sunday |

163m

05.01.18 06.01.18 07.01.18

| 10:00, 14:00 | 11:00 | 14:00

111m

12A

103m

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Gwener/Friday Sadwrn/Saturday Sul/Sunday Llun/Monday Mawrth/Tuesday Iau/Thursday

| | | | | |

05.01.18 06.01.18 07.01.18 08.01.18 09.01.18 11.01.18

| | | | | |

19:30 14:00, 19:30 11:00 19:00 19:30 18:30

150m

15

Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

Call Me by Your Name

Llun/Monday | 08.01.18 | 14:00

Mercher/Wednesday | 17.01.18 | 14:00, 19:30

106m

132m

121m

U

15

15

Singin’ in the Rain

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Killing of a Sacred Deer Mercher/Wednesday | 24.01.18 | 14:00, 19:30

Mawrth/Tuesday | 23.01.18 | 19:30

Mawrth/Tuesday | 23.01.18 | 14:00 Yn cynnwys paned/including a cup of tea* *Gofalwyr am ddim/Carers free

12A

Battle of the Sexes

Mercher/Wednesday | 10.01.18 | 14:00, 19:30

Dangosiad hamddenol (dementia gyfeillgar) Relaxed (dementia friendly) screening

£4

15

103m

£1

ar y diwrrnod / on the day: £2.50

100m

109m

Tocynnau / Tickets ymlaen llaw | in advance: £5.50 - £4.50 (aelodau PRIMA members: £3.50) ar y diwrnod | on the day: £7 - £6 (aelodau PRIMA members: £3.50)

Cefnogir y rhaglen sinema gan Ffilm Cymru Wales / Our cinema programme is supported by Ffilm Cymru Wales

1st – 18th February

Miles of Creativity

Running until 18th February 2018 at Oriel Mostyn Gallery, Vaughan Street in Llandudno, this eclectic exhibition offers a snapshot of work made by artists and by creative people working in trades not traditionally shown in an art gallery. Pictured, the work of Emrys Williams

What’s on this...

December

2nd – 23rd

Santa’s Grotto Let the children experience a magical visit to Santa’s Grotto at Greenwood Forest Park every weekend this month where they will enjoy a chat with the special man himself. The price also includes a gift and playtime in the WoodBarn

2nd & 3rd, 9th & 10th, 16th & 17th and 23rd & 24th

Reverse grotto

Enjoy the gift of giving by 1st – 31st

Christmas Trail Santa’s spare clothes have blown off the washing line! Thank-

leaving a donation for the Wrexham foodbank at Erddig each weekend until Christmas

fully Santa’s spare clothes have landed at RSPB Conwy and nature is saving them for you to find. Find all 10 items so we can let Santa know where they are!

2nd & 3rd, 9th & 10th, 16th & 17th and 23rd

Christmas Grotto at Gwrych Castle

Whether ou are marking a child’s first Christmas or 2nd & 3rd, 9th & 10th and 16th & 17th

Christmas through the ages

Chirk Castle’s courtyard will come to life on the first three

honouring an age-old family tradition, a visit to the Victorian Christmas Grotto at Gwrych Castle is the perfect way to start the festive season

weekends in December with a medieval feast for the senses, showing you some of the smells, sounds, sights and tastes of

3rd – 22nd

traditional festivities. This year meet medieval characters in

The Christmas Mixed Exhibition

the courtyard, with activities, crafts, including table centres,

The Christmas Mixed Exhibition (with all works under

medieval food and drink, music, a jester and circus entertain-

£750) and new works by Welsh artist Mike Jones, will be on

ments, falconry, archery, and storytelling.

from 3rd until 22nd December at Ffin y Parc Gallery

NWM 2017 Page 9

MAGAZINE

December 4th, 11th & 18th Come along to “CrafTeaNooners” craft fair at St Johns Methodist Church, 53 Mostyn Street in Llandudno between 1:30 and 4:30pm. Local hand crafted gifts, jewellery and cards will all be available to buy and refreshments will also available – including local home baked bara brith

8th – 7th January

Ice Rink @ Theatr Clwyd With real ice, magical glorious

7t h

surroundings, great food and drink, special events and much more – book early to avoid missing your pre or post panto skate at Theatr Clwyd

8th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th & 17th

Gypsy Wood

Gypsy Wood will be open this Christmas. So all aboard for a magical train ride to Santa’s magical Grotto!

The park will be open as normal

Christmas Wreath Making Workshops

(other than the top half due to animals

Create your own beautiful Christmas Wreath to take home

in wintering), but don’t forget to wrap

in The Imperial Hotel’s fun and festive workshop between 2

up warm and wear your wellies

and 4pm today. £20 including expert tuition, a mossed ring, greenery, some festive decorations, tea and mince pies 9th 7th

In Conversation with Philip Pullman

Choral Society Isle of Anglesey Choral Society presents An

Taking the author’s latest book La Belle Sauvage, Volume

Evening of Carols and Christmas Songs at

1 of The Book of Dust published this autumn as the point

7.30pm tonight at the Ucheldre Centre

of departure, join Pontio Bangor to explore the magic of storytelling with Philip Pullman. Author and Former BBC Wales arts correspondent Jon Gower leads the discussion

9th

Indoor Christmas Market Come to Tivoli in Buckley between 11am and 5pm today and see what’s on offer at 40 different stalls

8th Phill Jupitus Join stand-up comedian, poet,

9th

improviser, and TV stalwart

Conwy Winterfest

Phill Jupitus for over an hour of

Get into the real spirit of Christmas in Conwy town today

tales, laughs and diversions at

between 4 and 7pm. A parade will take place –led by a Jester

William Aston Hall tonight

and followed by numerous armoured knights carrying blazing torches. There will be roast chestnuts and other suitable attractions.

Page 10 NWM 2017

9th Real Ale Train Step onboard Llangollen Railway and soak up the atmosphere while enjoying the real ales on offer at the well stocked bar

9th & 10th

A Penrhyn Christmas Join Penrhyn Castle this weekend for a Christmas filled with 9th – 31st

music, traditional wreath making workshops (£3.50), Christmas cooking in the Victorian Kitchens and even an appearance

Peter Pan

from the big man in red!

Former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas comes to Venue Cymru as Peter Pan this year.

9th & 10th

Surf Snowdonia Christmas Market

9th – 31st

Expect high-quality stalls

Yet another Panto, this one is at

to get your Christmas gifts,

Wrexham’s Stiwt Theatre this

festive grub, live music,

Christmas

Snow White

Christmas bouncy castle, a visit from Father Christmas, Christmas arts and crafts.

10th

In addition, Surf Snowdonia

Llwyfan Cerdd

will have a drive-in cinema both days playing some of the very

Listen to students from Canolfan

best Christmas films

Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre perform a varied programme at Galeri Caernarfon at

9th & 10th and 16th & 17th

An Anglesey child’s Christmas...

3pm today

Find out how the Anglesey children would have celebrated Christmas and learn about the traditions of the family that

12th – 17th

made Plas Newydd their home. This Christmas you can

Conwy Christmas Market

visit Plas Newydd, stroll around the gardens and explore

This year a Christmas market is coming to the quay in Conwy.

a selection of family rooms dressed simply as the family

You can’t get a more magical setting and as well as stalls and

would have done in the 1960s.

street food there will also be an ice rink and Santa’s grotto

NWM 2017 Page 11

MAGAZINE

December 13th – 6th January

Sleeping Beauty

Rhyl Pavilion proudly presents another pantomime jam-packed with smashhit songs, stunning sets, spectacular costumes and an all-star cast which includes Coronation Street’s ‘Janice Battersby’ Vicky Entswistle as the Bad Fairy and Channel 5’s Milkshake Presenter Amy Thompson as Sleeping Beauty

15th

Festive dessert tasting evening An evening of indulgence in Bodnant Garden’s Pavilion Tea Room. Enjoy a main course followed by six desserts. The favourite dessert will be added to the main menu. Booking is essential

15th & 16th

Santa’s Magical Farm Father Christmas’s own magical farm opens its doors this weekend only. Why not join Father Christmas and his elves at Greenacres Animal Park one evening, to see the most magi-

14 th

cal farm in North Wales. See all the elves at the Christmas

Happy Mondays

village full of wrapping paper, ribbons and lights – it’s not to be missed. And remember to go through the 40ft ice tunnel to find his front door too!

Manchester’s legendary Happy Mondays will be

15th – 6th January

at Venue Cymru tonight.

The Snow Queen

The ‘Twenty Four Hour

When a mysterious mirror is uncovered within

Party People – Greatest

Theatr Clwyd’s walls, it opens a portal into an idyllic

Hits Tour’ announcement

alternative world. But as cracks begin to appear in the Christ-

coincided with the 30th

mas bliss, will you brave the ice to help solve the Snow Queen’s

anniversary of the Happy

impossible puzzle? With riddles, games and illusions, this

Mondays’ debut album

story of friendship is perfect for under 11s and their families.

‘Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out)’ 16th 14th

Artisan Christmas Market night

Voice Workshop with Marian Bryfdir and Kiefer Jones Aimed at developing your voice whether your interest lies in

Come along to Providero Tea

jazz, folk, opera or choral music. Come along to the Ucheldre

and Coffee House in Llandudno

Centre between 10am and 4pm today and try it. All ages and

tonight to visit a range of

levels of experience and interest are welcome

local artisan food and drinks producers who will be selling their products and also doing

16th

tastings and demonstrations.

Family festive fun

Any items bought from any of

Plenty to do for all the family at Bodafon Farm Park today,

the stalls can be made into gift

including Santa’s grotto, kids craft activities, and the chance to

hampers on the night too

win some chocolates if you can complete the treasure hunt!

Page 12 NWM 2017

16th

SLADE

17th

RSPCA BIG Walkies

SLADE’S chart career has spanned three decades – and what better time to see them than at Christmas? They will be performing at William Aston Hall this evening 16th

Christmas Comedy Special + Pop-up Vietnamese Street Food Come along to 3RD SPACE at The Great Orme Brewery in Llandudno tonight for a Christmas Comedy Special with a twist.

Vietnamese street food anyone?

16th & 17th

Santa at Rhug Estate Santa’s grotto at Rhug Estate this year will be a scene

This Christmas the RSPCA in Connah’s Quay is getting dog

straight from a fairytale, with a log-burner to keep warm

owners and dog lovers alike out for a festive Big Walkies.

and magical decorations. And you certainly won’t miss the

It’s a «pawfect» opportunity to celebrate the festive season

huge inflatable snowman at the gates!

with the whole family. Registration is free, and you will receive a secret goody bag at the finish line. Registration will start at 10.30 with the walk beginning at 11.00. Please

16th & 30th

be aware that dogs must be kept on leads at all times

Come and enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivities with a visit to The Vintage & Antiques Fair at Llandudno Town Hall.

These two friendly fairs will have lots of fantastic stalls selling

18th

a variety of items. The Town Hall is located in the heart of

Clwb Jazz Ucheldre Jazz Club

Llandudno, with plenty of parking available including a pay and

The Ucheldre Jazz Club meets monthly on Mondays at

display at the rear of the building

the Ucheldre Centre. Non-members welcome. 7.30 start for 8pm on the stage

20th

Festive Feast Come to Chirk Castle at 5.30pm tonight to meet Father Christmas and enjoy a festive meal with him in the castle after hours. Each child receives a child’s meal and a small present, each adult receives an adults Christmas meal

17th

Jazz@Plas Back by popular demand, Plas Newydd Hosts it’s second Jazz@ Plas Christmas; an evening of sultry jazz standards in the beautiful grounds of one of North Wales most treasured heritage

20th – 30th

sites performed by local musicians Grace Williams (vocals)

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Pete Beresford (piano) David Alexander (guitar) and Jamie

Anvil Productions brings us a panto to the Ucheldre Centre

Brownfield (trumpet). The performance will begin at 7pm, but

for Christmas 2017. Visit the land of Oz with Dorothy and

arrive at 6.30pm for mulled wine and a mince pie (included in

her friends as they go in search of The Wonderful Wizard

the £12 ticket price).

of Oz…

NWM 2017 Page 13

MAGAZINE

December 21st

Cabarela Following the success of the inaugural Cabarela at the Eisteddfod in Anglesey earlier this year, there was little choice but to put on a Cabarela Christmas special in Galeri Caernarfon!

8pm tonight 26th – 29th

Mince Pie Specials 22nd

Christmas Opera An evening of grand opera. Staged scenes from Aida,

All aboard Llangollen Railway! Sit back and relax in comfort as you admire the beautiful Dee Valley in specially decorated carriages

Carmen, Traviata, Magic Flute, Macbeth and more. St Giles Church, Wrexham 30th

Saturday Wildlife walk 23rd – 6th January

Beauty and the Beast

Join volunteer wildlife guides at RSPB Conwy for a friendly and informative two-hour walk around the reserve. Find out what

Magic Light Productions returns to Theatr Colwyn for

makes RSPB Conwy so special and discover some of its birds

Christmas 2017 with its magical pantomime Beauty and the

and other wildlife. No experience necessary, all are welcome!

Beast

30th & 31st

Winter Warmer Get back on board Llangollen Railway for its winter warmer, and take a ride through the Dee Valley

26th

Boxing Day dip There are a range of Boxing Day dips taking place throughout the region today. If you dare to dip in this weather, have a look on Facebook to find your nearest splash point

Page 14 NWM 2017

Are you organising or taking part in an event that should be covered in our what’s on listings? Then get in touch! whatson@northwalesmagazine.co.uk

Ho Ho Ho!

GYPSY WOOD PARK IS OPEN THIS CHRISTMAS...

ALL ABOARD FOR A MAGICAL TRAIN RIDE. Santa’s taking some time out from his busy schedule to make an extra special visit to Gypsy Wood, so why not take a ride on Woody’s Train and then head to our magical grotto and meet Santa himself.

8TH, 9TH 10, 15TH, 16TH AND 17TH DECEMBER 2017 • 3.30PM UNTIL 7.30PM BOOKING IS NOT REQUIRED For more information please see our website www.gypsywood.co.uk Tel: 01286 673133 Bontnewydd, near Caernarfon

The big picture Is anyone else dreaming of a white Christmas? Well your best chance of finding snow in North Wales is, funnily enough, on the peak of Mount Snowdon. So put the mince pies down, stick your walking boots on and get out in the fresh air in a bid to find the perfect winters day. Just make sure that you are prepared for the hike both up and down the mountain, as the railway doesn’t open again until May!

Bespoke Butchers, Bakers and Grocers Blocks

Hand-made and hand-painted with pride and passion in North Wales QP

wmill

HR.pdf

1

30/11/2017

08:33

01352 740675 ceginfach.co.uk

Santa’s Grotto and Play £8.50 Brunch with Santa and Play £9.95 Afternoon Tea with Santa and Play £9.95

*

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH A DIFFERENCE

*

Visit our shop for cosy woollens woven on site plus quality accessories and knitwear in pure wool, sheepskin slippers and gloves, unusual Christmas decorations and gift ideas.

Shop open: Monday – Saturday Weaving: Mon – Fri until Dec 22

Trefriw Woollen Mills, Main Road Trefriw, Conwy Valley LL27 0NQ T: 01492 640462. W. www.t-w-m.co.uk

Booking Line: 01248 671493 *advance booking required

The Enchanted WoodBarn is open daily 10am-5:30pm until February half term 2018 (closed 24th, 25th, 26th Dec & 1st Jan) FIND US Off the B4366 Bethel Road, between Bangor and Caernarfon (Junction 11 off the A55) SAT NAV Use LL55 3AD then follow brown signs

Xmas gift guide For her

For him Patrick Joseph is an artisan tailor that has settled in Llandudno after a career in fashion. Having dressed stars such as Robbie Williams, David Wallliams and Cheryl Cole (as she was known then!) he now specialises in bespoke shirts. Made to measure out of the fabric of your choice, these shirts are perfect for any occasion as they promise to stand the test of time. Patrick is now offering gift vouchers which offer the receiver a bespoke, tailor made shirt – perfect for the man in your life. Vouchers are priced from £150 and are available from Patrick’s Llandudno studio. www.patrickjoseph.co.uk

For over 25 years Clogau has been chosen to mark life’s special occasions, acting as beautiful and lasting reminders of the precious moments that touch our lives.

Christmas, of course, is no exception so surprise your loved one this festive season with a beautiful piece of Clogau jewellery containing rare Welsh gold – the world’s rarest and most sought-after gold. This festive season, receive your free Snowflake pendant or Past, Present, Future, The Spirit of Christmas bracelet worth £139, when you spend £229 or more online, in Clogau stores and participating retail partners. A beautiful gift of Clogau is the perfect way to ensure Christmas memories will last forever. www.clogau.co.uk

For the chocolate lover So, that’s for everyone then?! When buying a box of chocolates for a friend or family member this Christmas, make it something a little bit special with the “12 days of Christmas” selection from artisan chocolate manufacturer Baravelli’s.

The 12 flavours include: Christmas pudding, Spiced orange and cranberry, Pear and Calvados, Rudolph’s sloe gin tipple, Apricot brandy, Penderyn peated whisky, Capezzoli di Venere, Vintage port, Mulled wine, Gingerbread, Egg nog and Date with pistachio and marzipan. Conwy based Emma and Mark Baravelli have been hand crafting delicious chocolate for nine years and have quickly been recognised as creating something very special with a tally of over 30 prestigious food awards to date. The 12 days of Christmas selection box is available in an assortment of sizes. baravellis.com

NWM 2017 Page 19

MAGAZINE

For a little bit of luxury

For something unique

The Quay Hotel & Spa gift vouchers make the perfect gift for anybody who appreciates a little bit of luxury. This four star hotel is situated on the Conwy estuary in Deganwy with magnificent views of the estuary itself and Conwy Castle. The hotel offers a wide range of experience vouchers, or monetary gift vouchers should you prefer, with prices starting from just £10. From overnight stays, lunch or dinner, to afternoon tea, not to mention a wide range of ESPA spa treatments, there is plenty to choose from – so, why not treat your loved ones to an incredible experience they’ll never forget? All are bookable online, or you could just pop down to the hotel reception and treat yourself while you’re ordering! www.quayhotel.co.uk

Afonwen Craft & Antique Centre is a hidden treasure to find, with an amazing combination of antiques and vintage stock, furniture both old and new, home accessories and gifts for all tastes. With Christmas fast approaching, it is an excellent place to find that something special which simply won’t be found on the high street. Owners Janet and Adrian have worked very hard to find exciting gifts and accessories to sell, and ensure a good balance of prices for all. All of the antique and vintage stock is hand picked giving you an incredible selection of individual gifts, and the centre is delighted to be supporting local talent, with visiting crafts people and artists coming to the centre daily throughout the festive season. www.afonwen.co.uk

For the beer enthusiast

For the kids Local author, Natalie Pritchard, has created two books: A Dog Lover’s Dream and A Dog Lover’s Nightmare at Christmas.

Some of you may already know Natalie from her family motorcycle dealership, in Colwyn Bay, where her inspiration Alfie Doodle is the ‘shop dog’. In her first book, A Dog Lover’s Dream, Natalie decided to write about the special relationship between man and dog. She explores the notion that life would be different if dogs could talk. Her second book, A Dog Lover’s Nightmare at Christmas is based on real-life events and the mischief Alfie caused during his first Christmas! The beautiful illustrations that accompany each story are based on Alfie who is a phantom-coloured Labradoodle. It’s safe to say that Alfie’s adventures make the perfect stocking filler. www.adogloversdream.com

Page 20 NWM 2017

Whether you are after a stocking filler for a beer lover or the perfect secret Santa present, this pack of three Great Orme Brewery beers is bound to go down a treat. For just £9 this selection pack offers he perfect Christmas gift for the beer lover in your life – pop in to the Brewery on Builder Street, Llandudno, and grab yours now! www.greatormebrewery.co.uk

For the warm at heart You know what they say – cold hands, warm heart. Just Liv Rose cashmere garments are all brought to life by Anna Moloney in her workshop in the beautiful town of Llandudno.

Anna hand selects pre-loved 100% pure cashmere garments, which are then re-loved into reversible wrist-warmers, neck warmers and scarves. Anna will be displaying and selling at the Trearddur Bay Hotel Christmas Fair on 10th December but, if you can’t make that event, be sure to drop her a line on Facebook. @justlivrose

For the art lover The shop at MOSTYN gallery in Llandudno has been recently expanded to include retail galleries dedicated to showing the very best in contemporary craft and printmaking. The current ‘Winter Presents’ maker showcase presents 20 artists producing wonderful gift ideas for Christmas.

For baby’s first Christmas Y Seren Swynol is the world’s first singing welsh toy. Featuring five classic nursery rhymes from the Cwm-Rhyd-Y-Rhosyn album for children to sing along to with their parents, and for babies to listen to and play with. Si-lwli Cymru Cyf is owned by Anglesey residents Awena and Baron Walkden who created Y Seren Swynol for their daughter Cari Mon following her birth in 2015, as they felt that there was a real lack of interactive Welsh toys on the market to assist Cari with her linguistic development. Cari’s Seren Swynol was created from a star shaped cloth and five sound modules from birthday cards.

Immediately it was a huge hit with Cari, and Awena and Baron instantly saw the connection she made with the toy as she recognised the songs. And now, for just £26.00, you can give the gift of Welsh this Christmas. www.silwlicymru.co.uk

Almost half of the makers stocked at MOSTYN shop are based in Wales, and all are talented artisans producing unique and beautiful pieces at surprisingly affordable prices. The pictured Grey Wagtail wood sculpture was designed by Prestatyn based artists John and Marilyn Davies, and is available for £275. www.mostyn.org

For the sweet tooth Christmas is a time for pure indulgence, and what could be more indulgent than a feast of sweet treats delivered directly to your door. That’s exactly what “Ridiculously Rich by Alana” is now offering in North Wales. You might recognise the handmade cakes from BBC One’s The Apprentice, where head cake-maker Alana Spencer won a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar – who obviously knows a good cake when he sees one!

The mouth-watering collection of hand crafted cakes are made using the finest of ingredients

including dark Belgian chocolate and traditional Welsh butter, and are available to buy at a range of Christmas fairs as well as via email. The “Marvellous Mixed Box” makes the ideal gift as these luxury cakes have a long shelf life and don’t need to be refrigerated. For a gift wrapped Christmas delivery of Ridiculously Rich creations direct to your door contact Laura, the North Wales based regional ambassador for the brand. laura@ridiculouslyrichbyalana.co.uk

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For the nature lover Bring nature indoors this Christmas with the Pebble Stack Candle from The Candle Alchemist. Reflecting the calming nature of rock worn smooth by tide and time, each candle is individually created stone by stone, moulded from pebbles collected on Llanddwyn Beach. Wax is hand-poured in varying tones of grey, then combined so that no two candles are ever the same. Christmas has always been a favourite time of year for Anglesey candle maker Anita Sumner, and it offers a special opportunity to provide unique handcrafted gifts which delight her customers. The unscented Pebble Stack Candle is available for £26. www.thecandlealchemist.co.uk

For the grandchildren Little Lily & Co is an independent children’s boutique based in Rhos-onSea stocking a range of unique clothing and footwear for boys and girls, from newborn to 16 years. Offering customers a relaxed, inviting shopping experience, this child friendly shop is the ideal place for finding the perfect Christmas gift. The boutique stocks a range of traditional presents, including Peter Rabbit, and clothing labels Sarah Louise, Mayoral, Joules and Le Chic. Little Lily & Co also has beautiful handmade bow sets in stock – perfect for any little girl to model on Christmas Day! www.little-lilys.co.uk

For yourself!

Many couples today forgo getting each other Christmas presents and, instead, buy an investment piece for the house that they can enjoy together, day after day. Ceginfach butchers, bakers and grocers blocks are made with pride and passion by a team of two, Jon and Sonia, who work from a small workshop in rural North East Wales – using beautiful Welsh wood wherever possible. Each individual piece of Ceginfach furniture is made individually, and is hand crafted and handpainted with painstaking care and with close attention to detail. Nothing is rushed, and each piece is finished by hand and checked over thoroughly before leaving the workshop, fire branded with its distinctive Ceginfach logo. While beautiful, each piece of Ceginfach furniture offers great functionality and promises to become a modern heirloom. ceginfach.co.uk

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For sending your love Of course you don’t need to buy everyone a present – sending a Christmas card is a tradition in itself. And what could be better than some festive designs inspired by our beautiful Welsh countryside and wildlife?

Send some North Wales love to all four corners of the globe this year with some locally inspired, created and produced Christmas cards by Puffin Prints, a small illustration company of just two, Rachel and Deborah Bennett. Rachel is an artist and illustrator based on the beautiful Isle of Anglesey, and she draws inspiration from the stunning mountain and seascapes that surround the area, focusing on the unique creatures and inhabitants that reside on or near the island. As well as a variety of puffin character cards, Rachel has also brought out a range of Christmas cards which are ideal for containing your Christmas greetings. www.puffinprints.co.uk

For the traditionalist Nothing says North Wales more than a beautiful piece of Welsh slate. Inigo Jones Slate Works offers a wide range of original Welsh slate craft products this Christmas, which are available online or in it’s Caernarfon gift shop. The best thing about slate products from Inigo Jones however is that they can be engraved with something personal – and it’s not too late to get your order in either with its last dates for ordering nameplates being 10th December. The company is doing its utmost to help the last-minute shopper though and will try to accommodate you if you have missed the deadline. And its gift shop is also open until 3pm on Christmas Eve if you’re still not sorted by then! www.inigojones.co.uk

For Grandma Trefriw Woollen Mills in the beautiful Conwy Valley has been weaving this particular pattern since the 1960s.

This Christmas it is available in a range of bags and purses, ranging from £10 to £70, although postage and packing is extra. You can order online or visit its shop in Trefriw to see the wide range of gifts on offer, including tea cosies, dinner sets, cushion covers and throws. www.t-w-m.co.uk

For the Prosecco lover Know someone who loves Prosecco? Then why don’t you treat them to one of Bella’s Prosecco filled hampers? Each hamper is expertly wrapped in a beautiful black hamper box with matching ribbon and gift tag and contains a 75cl bottle of Prosecco 1754, Strawberry ‘Pop a Ball’ bursting juicy bubbles, ‘The Naked Marshmallow Co.’ Raspberry & Prosecco marshmallows, delicious mini Chambord Black Raspberry liqueur, SugarSin Prosecco Gummies and exclusive handmade Bella Prosecco truffles. For £39.99 per hamper, it’s bound to put the fizz into Christmas… bella@eventsbycarolinelouise.com

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For the thrill seeker Do something extraordinary this Christmas and give your friends and loved ones the experience of a lifetime with Zip World adventure gift vouchers. Set in the spectacular North Wales mountains of Snowdonia, Zip World is the ultimate adventure playground for all ages. With ten amazing experiences at three stunning locations, adventures include Velocity, the world’s fastest zip line, and the Fforest Coaster, the UK’s only Alpine Coaster of its kind. www.zipworld.co.uk

For the history buff An Aberffraw biscuit isn’t just a biscuit, it’s a little bit of history. Said to originate from 13th Century Anglesey, the Aberffraw biscuit is a basic shortbread that comes in the shape of a scallop shell. Legend has it that a Welsh king was holding court in Aberffraw – his wife was walking on the beach there and, spotting a pretty scallop shell, asked for a cake to be baked in the same form. And so the Aberffraw biscuit was born. However, a far more realistic source for the biscuit was the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. This pilgrimage to the church of St James in Galicia, North Western Spain, began in about the 8th Century with pilgrims wearing badges on their hat in the shape of a scallop shell. Either way they taste pretty good with a Christmas cuppa… www.aberffrawbiscuits.com

For everyone!

For the sentimental Welsh Lovespoons were traditionally carved in the 17th Century by the men of Wales. They are are now used for any occasion, and make the perfect Christmas gift. Each spoon has it own meaning, and this featured spoon is very relevant to this time of year. The bowl of the spoon means “The Pledge of Love, Support and Friendship”, while the handle design means “The Stars in the Sky will always guide you back to each other”. Engraving is available to make this gift even more personal, and the Nadolig LLawen ribbon comes free with the spoon. lovespooncentre@gmail.com

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From 2018 North Wales Magazine will be a paid-for publication. The independent content of what’s on listings, food & drink, homes & interiors, columns, days out and family attractions make a great present for everyone –whether they live in the region or just like coming to visit. We will be putting 11 issues of the magazine out next year, at subscription cost of £2.99 each but, if you think that it makes the perfect Christmas present for someone (or for yourself!) then email subscribe@northwalesmagazine.co.uk with the offer code xmas17, and we’ll send you all 11 copies for just £29. We’ll even send you a voucher so that they have something to open on the big day.

For something a little different this Christmas...

Give the

EXPERIENCE OF ADVENTURE with a Zip World voucher To book yours visit zipworld.co.uk or call 01248 601 444 #ExperienceAdventure

Our exquisite National Treasures collection celebrates the strongest emerging female sporting talent in Wales, including professional golfer Amy Boulden, under 18s rising tennis star Morgan Cross and rally driver Jade Paveley.

Made with Swarovski Genuine White Topaz www.cl oga u.co.uk

Paving the way A rally stage is the last place that you’d expect to find Jade Paveley but, as Kate Hamilton found out, it’s where she is happiest.

When you find out a little bit about Jade Paveley’s background, it’s perhaps inevitable that she ended up as a rally driver. As daughter to former World Rally Championship competitor and Monte Carlo Rally class winner Dave Paveley, Jade was dragged around rally stages as a toddler.

“I used to watch Dad compete from a very early age,” she explains. “We travelled all over the country to watch him but, it was when we came up to North Wales to see Wales Rally GB when I was about 11 that I thought wow, I could do this.”

When she was 15, Dave took Jade and her younger brother Matthew to a karting circuit.

“I think that Dad thought Matthew would love it,” says Jade. “But it was me that took to it like a duck to water!”

So Jade started racing go karts, usually around twice a month, at the same circuit where Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button cut their teeth.

“It was perfect training,” explains Jade. “I learnt how to stay out of trouble and how to push past my comfort zone at the track. But Dad was always keen for me to keep working hard at school during this time – he wanted me to have a back-up plan.”

But it soon became clear that driving was in Jade’s blood, and she quickly moved up from the junior race circuit to the seniors.

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MAGAZINE

“I was driving karts with a six speed gear box that went from 0-60 in under four seconds. I had to become really conscious of my fitness at this point which was hard – it’s tough training and being a teenager at the same time.”

And when she was just 17, Jade took part in the British Championships.

“I was really thrown in the deep end at this point,” explains Jade. “But it opened the doors for me to go racing – I was now able to race as a manufacturer driver. My first race actually took place in the same week as my driving test!”

Jade began endurance racing for Mazda, which is rather like a relay with the drivers swapping after stints of four hours. She then did a stint at Silverstone on a 24-hour race.

“I was the youngest driver at the time,” adds Jade. “I was

decided to up sticks and move to North Wales.

driving the graveyard shift in terrible conditions. It was very character building as I had to keep a professional

“We took over North Wales Honda in Llandudno as a family

demeanour during the event despite it being so hard.”

business,” explains Jade. “Honda has such a brilliant heritage and its cars are so reliable – and we could see the

Afterwards Jade was able to begin instructing for Mazda’s

potential that this dealership had to offer.”

sponsors. Aged just 18 she was teaching people the correct way to drive around a race circuit. But that didn’t last long,

Once the new business was on its feet, Jade began to

because it was at this point in her career that her family

compete again.

Page 28 NWM 2017

“Rallying is a sport, so I need to be fit,” she says. “If I’m not fit then I’m not competitive, so I spend a lot of time training – running, weights and core exercises are all part of my routine.”

But no matter how fit she is, surely rallying is a nerve racking sport?

“I always have a few nerves at the beginning of a race, but they help to keep you focussed. Once the green light goes then nothing else matters apart from you, your co driver and the car. It’s a great buzz when you see the finish line!”

And Jade’s co driver is another talented young woman with “My first rally in North Wales was at Harlech, and then at the

a penchant for excitement.

Anglesey Circuit where I was first in the four wheel drive class.

I then started doing championship racing all over the UK.”

“I met Sarah at a rally. We were both competing and I always make a point of talking to other female competitors.

Jade’s rally car is now in the process of being rebuilt ready

When I found out that she’s 25 and from Pwllheli, I asked

for the 2018 season, when she will be competing in the Welsh

her if she’d like to come to Harlech with me as my co

Championship.

driver – and we just clicked. She used to horse ride so has stamina, and she doesn’t flinch at anything the stages

“There are ten races in total, taking place from February to

throw at her!”

September – but you only have to take part in seven,” explains Jade, who still works at North Wales Honda. “But it’s hard

Such teamwork, says Jade, is just as vital to success as

juggling the day job and the rallying. My dream is to take part

training – and that’s how she’ll be spending her winter.

in the World Rally Championship – an annual race that has 13 rounds, each one taking place in a different country every

“I’m really looking forward to driving my new rally car too,”

couple of weeks.”

adds Jade. “I’ll be testing it over the next couple of months to make sure everything is working like it’s supposed to

But such a dream comes at a cost. “Rallying is expensive, so

at Anglesey and Trawsfynydd. I’ll also instruct at Anglesey

we need sponsors,” adds Jade. “I’m thrilled that Clogau Gold

Circuit when I can, as all of my spare cash goes into the

has just come on board as a sponsor – I’m now part of its

rally car.”

National Treasures campaign.”

Jade might also find time to do the odd thing that normal 24 And as well as the iconic jewellery brand recognising her

year olds do during the Christmas break, such as hanging

talent, the BBC has recently been following Jade on her

out with friends and watching Game of Thrones – but you

rally journey as part of its “Young, Welsh and Pretty Minted”

can be sure that her mind will never be far from the track.

documentary which is due to be aired on 20th December.

“My aim is to make rallying my full time career,” concludes So just how does Jade stay on top of her game? Well, in

Jade. And with such spirit and determination we’re sure

nutshell, she works hard.

that aim will come to fruition. Watch this space…

NWM 2017 Page 29

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The ghost of Christmas past The spirit of a loved one is always with you, as Stephen Gregory reminisces.

The beginning of December, 1959. No snow, not yet.

never told us what it was or what it might do to us. I still don’t

A crackling of ice, from Rhos -on-Sea to the woods of

know, nearly sixty years later.

Pwllycrochan.

Mr Lewis was different. For one thing, he didn’t live in school I was a little boy at boarding school. The Holy Ghost? The

with us boys, like a lot of the unmarried teachers. And he was

perils and dangers of this night? I remember being told of

older than them, a lean, sinewy man who cycled from Rhos-

such things. But no one explained what they were or what

on-Sea every morning, along the Colwyn Bay promenade and

might happen.

puffing up Pwllycrochan Avenue. I remember looking out of the dorm window on dark misty mornings, as we got ready to

I was seven years old. I remember the chilly dormitories and

go downstairs for breakfast, and seeing the light of his bicycle

the frozen playing fields, the clattering din of the dining room

coming closer and closer. I remember how the light wobbled

and the hymns we sang every morning and evening. I felt very

and swayed from side to side, as he struggled up the slope

small and cold, and sometimes hungry.

and into the school drive, and how he always rang the little bell on the handlebars, so we knew he was in time to join

I remember some of the teachers for the things they didn’t tell

us for breakfast. He was proud of being punctual. Late? Mr

us, rather than the other way around.

Lewis, late? Never.

There was Mr Newton, who made us stand by our beds in the

Mr Lewis taught me things. In the summer term he took me

dormitory while he asked God to protect us from ‘the perils

into the cricket nets and showed me how to bowl a googly. In

and dangers of this night’. Then he would tell us to get into

the autumn, he showed me the owl-pellets beneath an old oak

bed and he turned off the lights. But he never told us what the

tree, crumbling them onto the palms of my hands. And yes,

perils and dangers might be. I remember lying in the shivery

he whacked me a few times as well, when he was on dorm

darkness and wondering, afraid.

duty at night, for talking after lights-out. I remember the sharp sting of pain from his cane. That was Mr Lewis. He explained

And the Reverend Job, who talked about the Holy Ghost, as

things. He showed me how to do things. He was strict, but I

though we all knew it and had seen it many times. But he

understood what he meant.

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MAGAZINE

But then he was gone, suddenly, in the cold winter of 1959.

Something to do with the Holy Ghost? Perils and dangers?

Maybe. Let me tell you what happened, what I saw with

from us, where the headmaster and some of the other teachers

my own frightened little eyes, and then you can decide for

were huddling in the doorway. Their faces were strangely

yourselves what it meant…

white and anxious, and they spoke in muffled whispers.

It was December, nearly the end of the Christmas term. We’d

After a moment, the headmaster turned from his colleagues,

been practising for the Carol Service. I had a sweet voice

ushered a few shivering parents into the church, then he

and I was chosen to sing the opening verse of Once in Royal

gestured at me to lead the procession of choirboys inside.

David’s city, unaccompanied, as we would proceed into the

I did so. Somehow, I held my nerve and I sang the first verse,

church. Mr Lewis chose me. He was a Latin teacher, but he

Once in Royal David’s city, on my own. My voice was shaking. It

coached the choir as well – and he told us it was a tradition

echoed coldly in the shadows of the ceiling.

that we held the Carol Service at night, in the church at the bottom of Pwllycrochan Avenue – an important event, with

Somehow, we got though the order of service. In the Bleak

lots of parents and other grown-ups in the congregation.

Midwinter… Hark the herald angels… Silent night. At last it was over. I led the choir out of the church.

Over the last few weeks of the term, he rehearsed the choir through all the carols. We worked hard on my solo. As the

The world was changed. The snow was falling heavily, swirling

time for the service approached, I became more and more

flakes as big as a million moths. Over everything there lay a

nervous. But I knew, in my anxious little boy’s heart, that Mr

deep white blanket of snow. Not a footprint. Nobody, no bird or

Lewis would be there, he would hold my eyes and give me

animal had ever touched it.

courage and it would be alright.

As we huddled together outside, we could hear from the open On the night, we wrapped up in our coats and scarves and

doorway that the headmaster was talking, loudly and clearly, to

we trudged down the hill towards the church. Trudged,

the teachers and parents who were still sitting in their pews.

yes, we could hear our footsteps ringing, because the frost

I strained to hear. He was saying how very sorry and upset

was so hard, the darkness was so deep and silent. It was Mr

he was, how everybody was so sorry and sad and upset. He

Newton who led us choirboys down the avenue. He told us

was talking about Mr Lewis. All of us choirboys stood in the

that Mr Lewis had gone home to Rhos-on-Sea for his tea and

doorway and we listened.

would, of course, cycle back and meet us at the church in plenty of time.

The headmaster’s final words hung in the air, frozen forever in the chill of the church. He said that our Carol Service, our songs

So cold. So dark. The trees loomed around us, huge black

and our prayers this Christmas should be dedicated to our dear

shadows. As we came to the church, a few flakes of snow

friend and colleague, Mr Lewis, who would be so sadly missed

were falling.

- the late Mr Lewis.

But Mr Lewis wasn’t there. Mr Newton was beckoned away

Late? Mr Lewis, late? I remember how suddenly relieved I was,

Page 32 NWM 2017

because I didn’t know what it really meant and throughout the

bicycle passed so closely to me that I could have reached out

service I’d been wondering what had happened to him. So he

and touched it. But there was no one on it.

was late, that was all! Maybe he was coming, he was on his way right now!

It went by. I watched it going, up Pwllycrochan Avenue, up towards the school. It disappeared into the darkness. And as

And sure enough, in the silence that followed the headmaster’s

I stood there, for what seemed like a minute or five minutes,

words, I heard a sound I’d heard every morning of my days at

the track of its tyres disappeared in the snow.

the school.

I didn’t tell anyone what I’d seen. Never – until now. I didn’t The other choirboys didn’t seem to hear it. With white,

know what it meant. And I still don’t know, nearly sixty

frightened faces they remained in the doorway of the church.

years later.

I broke away from them and ran across the snow towards the road. I stood there, alone.

A light! Yes, there was a light coming up the avenue, wobbling and swaying from side to side.

A bell! Yes, the ringing of a little bell. Closer and closer it came towards me, a bicycle appearing from a swirl of snowflakes. My heart lifted with a sudden happiness.

Until I saw that there was nobody on the bicycle.

Stephen Gregory’s first novel, THE CORMORANT, was set in the mountains of Snowdonia and in Caernarfon town. Acclaimed in UK and USA and translated into different languages, the book won the Somerset Maugham Award and was made into a film starring Ralph Fiennes. His seventh novel, PLAGUE OF GULLS, set entirely within and around the castle and medieval walls of Caernarfon, comes out next February. Visit Stephen Gregory books on Amazon for all his novels.

No one. The light swayed and wobbled. The bell rang. The

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MAGAZINE

Choice of train rides on all dates - from Porthmadog to Beddgelert and return or from Dinas to Rhyd Ddu and back again.

Enjoy a Victorian Christmas experience on our trains from Porthmadog - or a Pantomime-style trip on trains from Dinas.

Santa travels on the train and visits each family along the way, giving a present to every child that he meets - while the adults receive a glass of sherry and a mince pie.

Round trip takes around 1 hour 45 minutes with time to take photographs with Santa and his elves at the mid-point of your journey.

Advance Bookings now being taken.

Further information available on our website or from our main Booking Office by phone on 01766 516070 or in person at Harbour Station, Porthmadog.

FFESTINIOG & WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAYS www.festrail.co.uk

Top

10

One of the best ways to keep the kids entertained in the run up to Christmas is to have a festive day out. Start getting in the Christmassy mood with these great places to visit…

1

FESTIVE DAYS OUT 2

Visit Father Christmas

Whether you’ve been good or bad, a visit to Santa’s grotto is on everyone’s to do list.

Again, there are more grottos in North

Go to the Panto

Wales that you can shake an elf at but, in our opinion, the more traditional the better.

If you have children then Christmas just isn’t Christmas

This year Father Christmas will be paying

without a visit to the panto. Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! You

a special visit to Gwrych Castle in his tower

get the picture. Anyway, there are numerous pantomimes

grotto, which is located in Gwrych’s restored

to choose from in North Wales this year (see our what’s on

Bakehouse. When you arrive you’ll be met

listings for more information) but you can’t beat the central

by one of Father Christmas’ little helpers

location of Venue Cymru. This year Peter Pan will be sailing

who will show you the up to the grotto, and

to Llandudno, with former Coronation Street star Ryan

where you can write a letter to the big man

Thomas in the high-flying role.

himself while you’re waiting.

www.venuecymru.co.uk

gwrychtrust.co.uk

NWM 2017 Page 35

MAGAZINE

3

Ride a Santa Train

If there’s anything better than meeting Santa it’s meeting him while enjoying the amazing North Wales scenery and having a glass of sherry while you’re at it. The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway is running its Santa Trains from Porthmadog and Dinas this December and, while they can’t promise snow on the ground, they are keeping their fingers crossed! Santa and his elves pass through the train giving out presents to the children during the journey – with plenty of laughter and jokes en route. At your destination, there’s chance to stretch your legs and take photographs with Santa and his helpers. www.festrail.co.uk

4

Choose your tree

You know that the Christmas countdown has truly begun when it’s time to go and choose your tree. Whether you are after the real thing, or you prefer the perfect look that comes with an artificial tree, then you need to go and choose it in person. Snowdonia Nurseries in Glan Conwy has a variety of both real and artificial trees on offer and, it has to be said, they have really gone to town with their Christmas displays this year – so you can stock up on new decorations while you’re at it. We’ve also heard a rumour that the hot chocolate in the newly refurbished café is worth trying too. Well, it is Christmas… www.snowdonianurseries.co.uk

5

Visit a Christmas market

There’s nothing better than taking a stroll around a winter market under the guise of actually doing your Christmas shopping – we all know that you’re only there for the tasty treats and mulled wine. Surf Snowdonia is hosting its annual Christmas market on the 9th & 10th December, and it will feature quality Christmas shopping as well as scrumptious food and drink. There will also be live music, a ‘pop up’ pub, festive bouncy castle, children’s craft activities, soft play, a festive drive-in cinema experience and, of course, surfing. www.surfsnowdonia.com

Page 36 NWM 2017

Play on the pier

Who says that arcade games and ice cream are just for summer? Tir Prince, the company behind The Llandudno Pier, is bringing all of the Christmas bells and whistles to this iconic landmark for the first time this year. Come down and have your picture taken with Santa’s sleigh and indulge in a festive burger – or two!

Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and fun of Christmas on this traditional pier, all in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. www.llandudnopier.com

Potter around the village

Portmeirion is a spectacular place and it’s never more special than at Christmas. Twinkling trees and amazing architecture aside, this Welsh wonderland offers fine food, fizz, bargain breaks and lots of festive treats in its exclusive

6 7

shops. Weekends in the village offer a woodland train to Santa’s workshop, where kids get a gift and adults can enjoy a mince pie and hot drink. Tickets are £3 in addition to normal village entry. Alternatively, wow guests with lunch, dinner or carefully curated festive parties. www.portmeirion-village.com

NWM 2017 Page 37

MAGAZINE

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Enchant the children

Avoid that cold, wet weather by bringing the kids to The Enchanted WoodBarn. GreenWood Forest Park’s indoor play centre promises hours of indoor fun on those cold winter days. And, while the children play, parents can enjoy the GreenOak Café, which serves a wide variety of tasty hot meals and snacks. Take a seat next to the cosy log burner and enjoy a freshly made baristastyle coffee while writing your Christmas cards...

There’s also the opportunity to have afternoon tea with the special man himself on certain dates. www.greenwoodforestpark.co.uk

Go ice skating

While you may not be ready to audition for Dancing on Ice just yet, nothing gives the kids a good laugh like seeing you flailing all over the place on a pair of skates. But since it is a very festive activity, and there’s usually a bar nearby, it’s worth making a fool of yourself just this once. There’s an ice rink at the Conwy Christmas market for the first time this year, so get your skates on and get down

9

to the quay between 12th and 17th December. www.conwychristmasmarkets.co.uk

Go for a walk

Nothing blows the cobwebs away like a winter walk and, as long as the weather holds, it can be one of the most rewarding days out for the whole family. Take the dog, the kids and great aunt Mary and head to the nearest beach, park or woodland this December and fill your lungs with fresh North Wales air. And, let’s face it, those mince pies always taste so much better once you come in from the bracing cold…

Page 38 NWM 2017

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FOOD & D RINK | C ONSES S IONS | EVENTS

LLANDUDNO’S PREMIER ATTRACTION Llandudno Pier is the premier attraction to visit whilst on holiday in Llandudno, a fantastic holiday venue in Wales. We are Wales’ longest Pier and offer superb views, concessions, a relaxing stroll and excellent food stalls.

Relax, and enjoy the leisurely pace as you explore our friendly shops and stalls. Take a stroll and enjoy the beautiful views of Llandudno and the Irish Sea We are open for Christmas! Come and have your photo taken with Santa's sleigh and enjoy a festive burger. Fun for the whole family this Christmas, all in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support!

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NWM 2017 Page 39

MAGAZINE

Go North Wales!

The recent Go North Wales Tourism Awards revealed the calibre of the tourism and hospitality sectors in the region.

Held at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru last month, the Go

Managing director Jim Jones said the quality of entries

North Wales Tourism Awards was a glittering awards

this year underlined why the region was increasingly

ceremony that showcased just what amazing places we

being recognised as a world-class destination which

have on our doorstep.

generates £2.8 billion every year and employs around 40,000 people.

“These awards mark the success and excellence of the best the North Wales tourism has to offer. We have such a

“It’s been very successful and I congratulate all the

lot to celebrate,” commented Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, the

winners. However, in my eyes every nominee is a winner

Welsh government’s new minister for culture, tourism and

and all have played a party in what has been a successful

sport. “The quality of what we have to offer here in North

year for North Wales Tourism,” he said.

Wales goes from strength to strength and the Awards are an opportunity for us all to celebrate the industry and to

“This event really showcases the very best of North Wales

showcase the outstanding quality of our vibrant tourism

and we have seen so many amazing entries. A number of

sector. In addition to being named the best in North Wales,

the winners will now go forward to represent North Wales

the winners are among the first regional winners which

at the Visit Wales National Awards in 2018 and I wish

will now go forward to the National Tourism Awards

them every success.”

which will take place at Celtic Manor in March 2018.

Congratulations to all the winners – a much deserved

North Wales has reinvented itself over recent years as

reward for their commitment, hard work and passion.”

something of an adventure tourism hub. When coupled with the great accommodation and dining options, not

The event was organised by North Wales Tourism

to mention the regions ever-growing artisan food scene,

to celebrate the best of the region’s tourism and

it is easy to see why the judges had a tough job on

hospitality sector.

their hands.

Page 40 NWM 2017

And the winners are: J Best Attraction – Zip World J Best B&B – manorhaus Llangollen J Best Caravan, Camping or Glamping – Llanfair

Hall, J Best Food or Drink Provider – Gwinllan Conwy J Best Hotel – Dunoon Hotel J Best Marketing Campaign – The Tournament J Best Newcomer – Yr Ysgwrn J Best Restaurant – manorhaus Ruthin J Best Self Catering Accommodation – Gors-lŵyd

Cottage J Best Use of Digital – FOCUS Wales J Magnificent Crowd Puller Over 7.5k – Llangollen

International Music Festival J Magnificent Crowd Puller Under 7.5k –

Underneath the Arches J Sports Adventure Tourism Award – Always Aim

High Events J The Green Award – RibRide J Tourism Business Innovation Award – St George’s

Hotel J Young Tourism Person of the Year – Tommy Davies, Coed-Y-Glyn Log Cabins J Arts & Business Cymru Award – Baravelli’s

NWM 2017 Page 41

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EXPLORING

Menai bridge Menai Bridge is the first port of call on the Isle of Anglesey but, says Steve Goodier, make sure that you stop off to enjoy all that it has to offer...

There are three things that always spring to my mind when

look what is on offer here.

the town of Menai Bridge is mentioned. Obviously Thomas Telford’s iconic suspension bridge that first linked Anglesey

Menai Bridge is located at the narrowest crossing point for

with the Welsh mainland, a fishery in the hills above the

The Menai Strait and it is quite probable that a village and

town I was commissioned to write a feature on for an angling

community of sorts existed here since as long ago as Roman

magazine many years ago and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier

times.

I bought as a pup from a breeder in the area. I believe the fishery, Llyn Y Gors is still there (and recently changed

The first recorded ferry across the Menai Strait ran in 1292

management) and I remember my feature was called ‘Some

and a service linked the mainland with the island at this point

Enchanted Evening’, but sadly poor old Zeus (the ‘Staffie’)

continually until Thomas Telford opened his bridge on 30th

passed away about four years ago.

January 1896.

Menai Bridge is often called ‘The Gateway to Anglesey’ and

For many centuries the town was known as Porthaeth which

it’s a shame really that many who come over Telford’s Bridge

derived from Porth (harbour) and Daethwy (the name of a local

today continue northerly on The A5025 and miss the town

Celtic tribe and later of a medieval commote) but regularly took

completely as they continue up the island to the likes of Red

the name of the new bridge once it was officially opened.

Wharf Bay, Benllech Bay and Amlwch.

You can’t begin to look at Menai Bridge (the town) without Those who are heading for Beaumaris and its lovely castle

taking in the Menai Bridge which literally transformed life

drive North West once over the suspension bridge and pass

on the island of Anglesey. Today the bridge (Pont Menai) is a

through Menai Bridge and perhaps, if you haven’t done it

classed as a Grade 1 listed building, and when it was built 191

before, or for some time, you should join them and have a

years ago it was the world’s first iron suspension bridge. It is

NWM 2017 Page 43

MAGAZINE

Eating and drinking THE BRIDGE INN A classic traditional Welsh pub with a real fire and a great view of Thomas Telford’s Bridge. The pub serves a good and varied menu of homemade food and is very popular. www.bridgeinnanglesey DYLANS RESTAURANT Set in a waterfront location in Menai Bridge, Dylans Restaurant is very popular and offers a varied menu with pizzas and seafood being a speciality. www.dylansrestaurant.co.uk THE STRAITS RESTAURANT

for the road to be resurfaced and the structure to be further

Opened in 2009 by husband and wife Phil and Lucy

strengthened. A very short walk from the centre of Menai

Williams The Straits Restaurant offers excellent food

Bridge town brings you to the base of the bridge and from

cooked from scratch on the premises and gives a choice

here, underneath it, you really get to realise you how huge a

of flavours and styles from around the world.

structure it is and how impressive an engineering feat it was

www.thestraitsrestaurant.co.uk

for its time.

BOCCA ITALIAN RESTAURANT

If you fancy a walk along The Menai Strait you can follow The

Bocca is an Italian Restaurant located near the centre

Belgium Promenade which leads south west to a causeway

of Menai Bridge. You will find great food on offer and a

linking Church Island and the ancient Church of St Tysilio

warm welcome when you come here.

to the shore. If you get the chance to have a walk around

www.boccaitalian.co.uk

the church yard itself you get stunning panoramas of both the bridges and up and down The Menai Strait. In the 9th

SOBAN AND THE OLD BUTCHERS RESTAURANT

Century St. Tysilio lived the life of a hermit in isolation on

Located in Menai Bridge in a historical butchers shop.

Church Island.

A unique dining experience as the restaurant creates dishes from the best local food available on the particular

The Belgium Promenade was built by Flemish refugees from

day you happen to be there.

The Great War between 1914 and 1916 in appreciation of

www.sosbanandtheoldbutchers.com

the town’s hospitality to them. The promenade was re-built in 1965 and opened by Eduard Wilhelms who was the only surviving refugee.

1,265ft long with a central span of 579ft. The roadway is set at 98ft above the Menai Strait and this was originally done

The full power of the sea can be appreciated as you walk

to give adequate clearance for the tall ships that still plied

in this area too and when the tide is in full flow it is hard to

the oceans in those days.

imagine how cattle where literally swam across between the

24 years after Menai Bridge opened, Britannia Bridge

mainland and Anglesey before the coming of the bridges. It

(Pont Britannia) opened in 1850. It was designed by William

must have been an extremely dangerous practice.

Fairbairn and Robert Stephenson and was originally built to carry rail traffic but was converted to a double decked

There are a number of islands dotted around the Menai

structure following a huge fire in 1970 – today it carries

Strait and as well as Church Island one of the other famous

both rail and road traffic.

ones is Ynys Gored Goch (Red Weir Island) which is situated between the two bridges in an area known as The Swellies.

The Menai Bridge took seven years to build and due to a

Nearby there are also the islands of Ynys Faelog, Ynys Gaint,

lack of stiffening trusses soon proved to be highly unstable

Ynys Castell and Ynys y Big. There are many stories relating

in wind. The bridge was strengthened in 1840, 1893, 1938

to Thomas Telfords great bridge but the one that always

and again in 1999 when the bridge was closed for a month

captures my imagination is the tale of Major Thomas Elmhirst

Page 44 NWM 2017

What to do

Fast inflatable boats whisk parties out around the coast

PLAS CADNANT HIDDEN GARDENS

as trips under Britannia Bridge and The Menai Bridge

Plas Cadnant hidden gardens covers around 200 acres and

and through The Swellies, Puffin and seal trips, Castle

is described as ‘one of North Wales best kept secrets’ – it

and island trips and a ‘around Anglesey Adventure’. The

is certainly a ‘must see attraction’ on any visit to Menai

‘Explorer Rib Rides’ take in the sea cliffs and birds of

Bridge. Since 1996 restoration work has taken place and

Gogarth and also visit The Skerries Islands and South

the gardens restored to their former glory. Situated at the

Stack near Holyhead. A superb and unusual way to see the

side of The Menai Strait, the gardens are hidden from view

wonderful coast Anglesey has to offer.

but are close to Menai Bridge and a day out here is a great

www.ribride.co.uk

of Anglesey taking in the sights and the natural history of the area too. The ‘Adventure Rib Rides’ offer such things

way to spend time in the area. There are three different gardens – a ‘Walled Garden’ with curving walls and a pool,

CHURCH ISLAND AND THE CHURCH OF ST. TYSILIO

a secret ‘Valley Garden’ with three waterfalls and a river

Church Island is in the Menai Strait and is reached via a

and an ‘Upper Woodland Garden’ with stone outcrops and

causeway from The Belgium Promenade in Menai Bridge.

the remains of a historic folly.

The Welsh name for the island is Ynys Tysilio (The Island

There is also a welcoming tearoom and even holiday

of Tysilio). St Tysilio was a Welsh Saint who reputedly

cottages to hire.

established the Church on this small island and went

www.plascadnantgardens.co.uk

on to live the life of a hermit here. The whole island and the Church are well worth a visit and a walk around the

PILI PALAS NATURE WORLD

graveyard is interesting. On top of the highest point of the

Another popular and highly recommended local Menai

island is a memorial to the local men who died in the two

Bridge attraction and great day out for the whole family. As

World Wars. The highest point also gives stunning views of

well as tropical butterflies in a steamy environment there

both Menai Bridge and Britannia Bridge.

are also plenty of snakes and lizards to see as well. There’s

www.menaibridges.co.uk/history/local-area/church-island

a Bug Zone for those who like to peer between their fingers at creepy crawlies and in it you will find cockroaches,

THE THOMAS TELFORD CENTRE AND MENAI BRIDGES

locusts and giant snails among many other slimy and multi-

EXHIBITION

legged things. There is a Tropical Lair with tarantulas,

Situated 300 metres from Anglesey end of The Menai

scorpions and ants and a Farm Barn with donkeys, sheep

Suspension Bridge you will find The Thomas Telford Centre

rabbits and guinea pigs. You can enjoy time in the bird

(across from the Waitrose car park). The centre is run by

house, see cheeky meerkats, experience ‘meet the animals’

Menai Heritage (a Community Project) and has seasonal

sessions, walk a nature trail and then there’s a shop and a

opening times so check before coming to make sure you

café to refresh yourself once you are tired out!

can visit when you want. And make sure you also take in

www.pilipalas.co.uk

The Menai Bridges Exhibition which tells the story of the two famous Anglesey Bridges and gives backgrounds to

RIBRIDE AND ANGLESEY BOAT TRIPS

the lives of the engineers who designed them. You can even

Here’s something for the outdoor enthusiast who likes to

try to build your own bridge if you fancy it! Menai Heritage

spice things up with a bit of adventure. Based in Menai

has also helped develop Princes Pier in Menai Bridge as a

Bridge, Ribride is an adventure boat tour company that

waterfront Museum.

has a Blue Flag Award as a sustainable boat tour operator.

www.menaibridges.co.uk

who flew his airship under the structure following the

busy and despite through traffic, still retains a ‘small town’

armistice at the end of World War One. It must have been a

atmosphere. At the north end of The High Street is a car park

spectacular sight to this happen.

also known as ‘The Fair Field’. This piece of common land has been set aside of the holding of an annual fair called Ffair

Modern day Menai Bridge town has a good and varied

Borth which dates back to 1691. Originally a horse fair, and

selection of shops which include general stores, book shops,

later a livestock and hiring fair, it currently boasts traditional

antique shops and ironmongers. There is an interesting

fairground rides and comes to Menai Bridge towards the end

selection of pubs, cafes and restaurants with a bias towards

of each October.

quality sea foods.

The town boasts one famous name in its past with the scholar Menai Bridge has a population of around 3,500 and is the

and missionary Jane Helen Rowlands hailing from here.

fifth largest town on the island of Anglesey. The town is a

And a further source of fame came to the area when Welsh

NWM 2017 Page 45

MAGAZINE

Where to stay CHÂTEAU RHIANFA

menu available in the bar. There is even a slipway and a

Château Rhianfa is stunning French style castle which

mooring for those who want to arrive by boat!

happens to be a hotel. It is a Grade II listed building and

www.thegazellehotel.com

looks like something out of a fairytale when you see it.

Set in The Menai Bridge area, Château Rhianfa has 22

THE BULKELEY ARMS

bedrooms of varying sizes and styles and even has ones

The Bulkeley Arms is a vibrant pub offering a warm and

with a sea view. There are also self-catering cottages to hire

friendly welcome and is set right in the heart of Menai

if you fancy something a little different. The award winning

Bridge. The rooms have recently been refurbished and the

Le Dragon Rouge Restaurant offers a varied and full menu.

pub has won a Silver Star AA Award for overall cleanliness,

www.chateaurhianfa.com

high standards of hospitality and service. It has recently been awarded a 3 star AA Inn rating too. Food is of a high

THE ANGLESEY ARMS

standard and the pub is very popular and can get a bit noisy

The Anglesey Arms is a true landmark of the town of Menai

if bands are playing or there is Karaoke on at the weekends.

Bridge as it is the first building to greet you as you pass

www.bulkeleyarms.co.uk

over Thomas Telford’s iconic suspension bridge. There is a lovely garden overlooking The Menai Strait and there are

THE DAIRY

also 16 bedrooms of varying sizes to suit all needs. The

Situated between Menai Bridge and Beaumaris lies

restaurant offers a good selection of home cooked foods

The Dairy which, as the name suggests, is a beautifully

served in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere. And for

converted detached former dairy. All on one level,

families there is even a play area for children.

this four-bedroom property has a spacious enclosed

www.anglesey-arms.co.uk

courtyard and stunning grounds to explore. The Dairy is located in an enclosed spacious and private courtyard

THE GAZELLE HOTEL

surrounded by traditional stone walls. There is garden

The Gazelle Hotel is located right on the shores of The Menai

seating for four within the courtyard along with a

Strait and has stunning sea and spectacular mountain

barbecue and ample off-road parking for cars/boat.

views. Located at Menai Bridge, The Gazelle Hotel has 30

Guests are warmly invited to explore the wonderful

good-sized rooms of varying sizes to accommodate all needs

gardens of the neighbouring Farmhouse, and dogs are

and tastes with 11 offering sea views. The hotel also has a

warmly welcomed.

good and varied menu in the restaurant as well as a grill

www.walescottageholidays.co.uk (Ref: FL046)

language channel S4C used the town for the backdrop to its soap opera ‘Rownd a Rownd’ with the production company converting a disused garage into a fake row of shops for the filming.

The town is also home to Bangor Universities School of Ocean Sciences whose research ship ‘The Prince Madog’ is moored at the pier when not at sea. As well as the town pier itself other local attractions include a butterfly house, and The Plas Cadnant 200 acre hidden gardens which were developed from the 1800’s onward.

It might be called ‘The Gateway to Anglesey’ but, to be fair, Menai Bridge has plenty of things all of its own to offer the curious visitor and a visit anytime of the year is worth taking the time out for.

Steve Goodier is a freelance outdoor writer that specialises in North Wales. He is the author of ten outdoor books and his latest ‘Ten Best Pub Walks in Snowdonia’ will be published later this year, followed by ‘Ten Best Waterfall and Lake Walks in Snowdonia’ (www.northerneyebooks. co.uk). He is married to Paula and has two grown up children.

Page 46 NWM 2017

NWM 2017 Page 47

MAGAZINE

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NWM 2017 Page 49

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01492 585477

FOOD & DRINK INSIDE MINCE PIES Restaurant Profile Recipes Wine Column

NWM 2017 Page 51

MAGAZINE

Page 52 NWM 2017

A WELL-OILED MACHINE While the Machine House maybe a relatively new addition to Rossett, it hasn’t taken long for it to feel like home. Nick Embrey went to meet founder and head chef, Kevin Lynn.

While most chefs were taking a well-earned break from the demanding Christmas and New Year period, January 2016 was anything but restful for Kevin Lynn, head chef at Machine House Restaurant in Rossett. For instead of enjoying the post festive lull, Kevin was putting

through the back door as well as whole sheep which is where

the finishing touches to his new business and laying

I learnt butchery skills.” Ever keen to develop and hone his

the foundations for what would soon become one of the

talents further, Kevin moved back to Manchester where he

region’s most successful restaurants.

“ended up working for Raymond Blanc at Le Petit Blanc as a junior sous chef for two and half years.”

Almost two years on from its inception and you can tell immediately that Kevin is not only extremely proud of what

Making sure not to stand in any one place for too long,

he has achieved so far, but also positive about what is still

he followed his dream down to London, working at the

to come. So just how did this Warrington lad with a passion

Intercontinental before leaving the rat race and heading to

for the music of the Gallagher brothers end up in this quiet

Devon where he found “the most amazing cattle and sea food

corner of North Wales?

including fresh scallops.” What came shining through when hearing Kevin talk about his career to date was his love and

“I excelled in cookery and catering at school,” says Kevin.

respect for the raw ingredients and especially meat and fish.

“From there I went to work up in Carlisle and that was a

Clearly a keen fisherman, I suspect he would be out on the

really rural setting where you get the best cattle coming

boat catching the restaurant’s supplies himself if time allowed.

NWM 2017 Page 53

MAGAZINE

Next Kevin found himself in Somerset in a restaurant where

of paying customers. With 30 covers including an intimate

he developed many of the ideas that have become the bedrock

private dining table for eight guests, it is clear that alongside

of the Machine House’s philosophy. In particular, he learnt

excellent local produce, the Machine House is keen to offer

to “use the cheaper cuts of meat like the pigs tail and the ox

visitors an equally excellent personal experience.

cheek and tongue” as well as developing an understanding that these oft overlooked cuts require a more skilled and

The lucky eight patrons booked in at ‘the chef’s office’ for

delicate approach to that of pan frying a fillet steak.

private dining each night do not miss out on the atmosphere either. Instead, Kevin is more than happy to “leave the kitchen

Somerset’s loss was North Wales’ gain – eventually – and,

door open all the time so that the customers can come in, and

after some years away, Kevin headed home to Cheshire where

I can come out and speak to them.” In a restaurant where

he worked at Shrigley Hall and Belle Epoque respectively,

intimacy is everything, Kevin is quick to stress the importance

scooping up two AA Rosettes and maintaining the latter’s

of his customers wanting and being able to “see the face of the

presence in the Michelin guide for many years, yet all the time

business” – a business that he feels is very much a two way

quietly building a head of steam to branch out and open his

process.

own place. Inspired by a trip to France and a restaurant with “a courtyard full of herbs,” the seed had been sewn.

When asked about the choice of Rossett for the restaurant, an answer came quickly. “What an amazing location it is with

Fast-forward to November 2017 and I find myself walking

farms just around the corner, a water mill that produces the

towards a pretty courtyard garden in anticipation of my

flour for the fresh pasta and bread made on site daily, fresh

first glimpse of the restaurant beyond. Inside lay a cosy

water from Peckforton castle and an amazing central location.”

and intimate interior complete with wood paneling and

Staying with breads and pastas, Kevin’s culinary journey has

sympathetic lighting. Although the restaurant was closed

it seems come full circle as he now produces his own butter

during my visit, from the way Kevin enthused I sensed exactly

on site too – an ingredient he first learnt to make in primary

what the atmosphere would be like when the place was full

school that unlocked the “cheffing urge” inside him. Indulging

Page 54 NWM 2017

“

What an amazing location it is with farms just around the corner, a water mill that produces the flour for the fresh pasta and bread made on site daily, fresh water from Peckforton castle and an amazing central location

”

patrons too as Kevin tries to “use three ingredients on the plate and that’s it.”

As ‘seasonality’ has been the template of any decent menu for some time now, it came as no surprise when he told me that his ingredients are all sourced with seasonal availability in mind, even going as far as foraging in Wales’ great outdoor larder for such treats as wild garlic and elderberries. Don’t me further in conversation about local producers, it came as

think the foraging is confined to the local area either. On his

no surprise to hear him reel off other customer favourites

days off, Kevin can be found bagging up seaweed along the

such as “Welsh lamb, Welsh Black cattle, Welsh whiskey and

North Wales coast before turning it into seaweed vinegar

gins from Wales –including Snowdonia.”

amongst other things. With food provenance also an important factor in the restaurant business, the Machine House uses

Those patrons intent on sampling some local beers will not be

wholesale market suppliers from around the region as well

disappointed either as he sources a brew from Conwy as well

as a Welsh butcher local to Rossett who guarantees the

as being in current talks with Wrexham’s ‘Big Hand’ brewery

“traceability of everything.”

to supply their ales. Staying with ‘drink’ of a different kind, the mussels on the menu at the Machine House are raked

So, if this philosophy of affordable “casual fine dining” in an

straight off the sea bed of the Conwy estuary daily by a local

intimate and relaxed environment has pricked up your ears,

fisherman in a rowing boat which again highlight’s Kevin’s

the Machine House should be the one for you. Don’t just leave

keenness to source locally and maximize the freshness of the

it to chance mind. With one return visitor from as far away as

ingredients.

France and other ‘foodies’ regularly making the pilgrimage from London and Kent to sample the fineries of this relaxed

Despite being situated directly across the road from one of

and unpretentious restaurant, you’ll want to get in quick and

two gastro pubs in the village, Kevin’s vision of high quality

book your table. After all, Christmas is just around the corner.

food at the more affordable end of fine dining means he has carved out a unique and thriving restaurant in a niche he

Machine House Restaurant

feels few others are operating in. Of that competition, he

01244 571678

noted “there is no concept like this at all in the area.”

machinehouse.co.uk

Returning to that philosophy of skillfully using the simplest cuts and ingredients, those who dine at the Machine House can expect dishes like ox tongue, pig tail, Cheshire wood pigeon and featherblade of Hereford Beef as well as a variety of seafood dishes including scallops, plaice and smoked eel

Nick Embrey is a teacher from the borders who recently started blogging about the antics of his crazy brown Labrador called Dudley. You can follow them at www.stareofthedog.co.uk

from the River Dee. An uncomplicated menu awaits hungry

NWM 2017 Page 55

MAGAZINE

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Festive

fayre There is no Christmas treat that is quite as festive as the mince pie. Nick Embrey delves into the region’s best. Well, somebody has to do it…

My wife says I am something of a ‘bah humbug’ as I refuse to give the subject of Christmas any headspace until December 1st each year. In my defence, I loudly protest that I am merely attempting – unsuccessfully – to hold back the tide of festive fervour just long enough to keep the season special but she never sees it that way.

Imagine then if you will my horror upon discovering I had been assigned the task of penning an article on mince pies despite it only being half way through November.

However, beyond the curmudgeonly exterior lies a man drawn to the faintest whiff of a pastry product like a sailor to a siren. So there was never any doubt that this was the assignment for me (no matter what the time of year!) and with Christmas being such an important time for the region’s retailers, the humble mince pie is an excellent choice of product with which to showcase what North Wales’ bakeries have to offer.

First out of Santa’s bag, the region brings lucky shoppers the gift of Bodnant Welsh Food Centre situated just off the A470 in Tal-yCafn in the Conwy Valley. Its website alone does enough to convince hungry shoppers that it is a ‘one stop shop’ for all your festive foods.

Established in 2012, the centre was created to provide a “showcase for the best of Welsh food” with 85% of all its products sourced from and made in Wales. Bodnant also has a habit of picking up awards including winner of the regional ‘Retailer of the Year’ category in the Farm Shop and Deli Awards 2015 and being voted No.1 destination farm shop in the UK in 2014.

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MAGAZINE

Bodnant Bakery: Everything at Bodnant is freshly baked

Their onsite bakery has an exciting range of Christmas fare

the north Wales area from their premises in Denbighshire.

– both sweet and savoury – to satisfy all tastes. Everything

Starting life as a small local firm, Henllan now employs over

inside is baked fresh and this year’s best sellers include the

70 staff and operates 18 delivery vans whose drivers, like

bakery’s orange and cinnamon Viennese mince pies which,

those Coke trucks alluded to above are all deployed at this

to me, sound like a much needed shake up of the traditional

time of year to sprinkle some Christmas cheer up and down

recipes. As well as these, Bodnant’s bakers will have you

the length of the A55 in the form of mince pie manna.

well won over with their special Christmas barabrith, Christmas cake and Christmas pudding. Beyond the

In particular, the bakery runs two different product lines

pastries, the centre is selling chocolate yule log, Christmas

throughout the Christmas period. First up, and a personal

Welsh cakes and the Christmas Bodnant Bun this year so

favourite of mine, the traditional recipe mince pie with all the

there is plenty of options for even the most discerning of

rich, textured and fruity flavours that you would expect from

shoppers.

these sweet sensations. Those seeking an alternative must try the Viennese version of the festive classic which happens

Visitors to the centre might also allow their Christmas

to be the go to choice of many of the bakery staff. If you like a

shopping list to stray into the territory of all things savoury.

dollop of something boozy atop of yours, then get a note in the

If they do, as I would, they’ll be met with another barrage

diary for December 2018 as Henllan are launching a brandy

of tasty bites including a delicious sounding cranberry and

butter mince pie to compliment the range.

walnut bread and a turkey, cranberry and gala pie. With the farm shop and open are seven days a week, a visit is a must

Don’t let Brexit dampen your mood either as you lie awake

and, while customers can shop online, armchair shoppers be

worrying about British exports and trade deficits this

warned. You will miss out on what Bodnant describes as an

Noel. Henllan have exported over 50,000 of these fruit

“aroma coming from the bakery inside the centre’s farm shop”

filled fancies to America this year alone though you’d best

that “is something to behold, especially at this time of year.”

check twitter to find out how many the President personally

Next out of the bag of festive goodies comes a bakery

ordered. Awards have also come to this Denbighshire firm in

with a longer trading history than Coke’s association with

the shape of North Wales’ “Best Mince Pie of 2015”.

Christmas. Since 1908 Henllan Bakery has supplied high quality freshly made breads, pies, pastries and cakes to

Page 58 NWM 2017

In a blind tasting event held at The Dining Room restaurant

Bodnant Welsh Food Centre is selling a range of mince pies this year, including an orange and cinnamon Viennese version

Bodnant Welsh Food Centre provides a showcase for the best of Welsh food

And his mince pies? They are described as having “a rich buttery pastry filled with our premium quality mince-meat and laced with Courvoisier brandy.”

in Abersoch, Si Toft, the family run bistro’s owner, put five

excuse for you all to thoroughly over indulge this December.

pies through their culinary paces after which Henllan’s

Get in the car or online and order a box of mince pies from

came out on top. Announcing the winner, Si declared that

all three ‘featured foodies.’ For good measure, purchase a

“a mince pie should be thin crust pastry” which should

tray of these fruity fillers from a branded supermarket too

therefore leave readers and shoppers alike in no doubt as

and for those like myself keen on their own offering, make

to the style of pie on offer.

half a dozen of the things at home also. Then, surround yourself with an array of drinks, be they boozy or not, a

If the boot of your car still has space for additional

few good friends or family members, some tea towels to act

seasonal indulgences, Tan Lan Bakery in Conwy might

as blind folds and the rest will follow. For whether you are

be somewhere to programme into your sat nav. Set up by

a fan of ‘Bake Off’ or not, this is a well proven format and

master baker Dean Geldart in 2003, the bakery supplies

sounds to me like the perfect antidote to those dark, early

its products to customers through its shop and also to

December days when Christmas is just too far away in the

wholesale buyers. Building on a passion for all things

distance to party properly.

baked, Dean took a position as a full time baker at a shop in Betws Y Coed before starting his own business in the idyllic town.

And his mince pies? They are described as having “a rich buttery pastry filled with our premium quality mince-meat and laced with Courvoisier brandy.” Maintaining the festive pitch, Tan Lan’s Apple Strudel has me sitting up and taking notice too with its “generous filling of apple, raisins and spices.” I would of course love to stretch my editorial licence further and devote space and time to the wide range of other cakes available over the counter but alas, you will just have to pop into the shop in person and see for yourselves what the rest of the selection is like.

Nick Embrey is a teacher from the borders who recently started blogging about the antics of his crazy brown Labrador called Dudley. You can follow them at www.stareofthedog.co.uk

So with all that talk of blind tastings, I have the perfect

NWM 2017 Page 59

De sig FR n EE Se rvi ce

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Food for thought My first act as Prime Minister would be to pass a law making it illegal to play Christmas music before December 1st. So much in life is subjective but one thing is universally accepted: there are only so many times that one can hear Noddy Holder shout ‘It’s Christmas!!!’ before one loses the will to live. Pity those poor guys and girls working in the shops all day. After two months of playing on a continuous loop, one more round of Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon would be enough to make your eyes twitch like Herbert Lom in the Pink Panther films.

There is a definite, non-negotiable red line in our house that separates November from the beginning of advent. This means that anything from the consumption of mince pies to the watching of The Muppet Christmas Carol is strictly prohibited until December 1st. 25 days is long enough to be perpetually excited about anything.

However, once those inflexible strictures have been established to stave away overkill, the Christmas period can be a thing of unfettered joy. There is a bit of a gap in the ages of my two children and I’m currently looking forward to repeating some of the great North Wales festive traditions with my youngest, that I enjoyed years ago with my eldest.

There’s the wonderful Victorian Santa Train that runs from Porthmadog to Beddgelert, or the magical Christmas shop in Snowdonia Nurseries in Glan Conwy. There’s the humbling simplicity of the candlelit Carol Services in the ancient St. Tudno church on the Great Orme. Then there’s Christmas Eve in Conwy, when Father Christmas parades through

Cai Ross is co-owner and

town and the whole place becomes a festival of mulled wine, good cheer and appalling

Maitre d’ of the award-

knitwear.

winning Paysanne Bistro in Deganwy, which has

Butchers around North Wales are stuffed to the gills with locally reared turkeys, geese

been serving French

and beef, all ready for the big day but my food traditions around Christmas always start

country-style food to the

with Conwy mussels. They’ve been back on the market now since September but right

fine people of North Wales

now they are absolutely out of this world. The French go crazy for oysters at this time of

since 1988. He also writes

year, but I’m sure they’d swap bivalves in a heartbeat if they had these beauties on their

for Calibre Magazine, BBC

doorstep.

Good Food, HeyUGuys. com and The North Wales

With that, wishes of a Joyeux Noël from me and everyone at Paysanne.

Weekly News

NWM 2017 Page 61

MAGAZINE

Recipes INIÈRES SELS MAR

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Serves 6

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Page 62 NWM 2017

BREAST MALLARD CE ERRY SAU B K C A L B WITH is ulent at th

cc pecially su ds in lard are es al m maid Seafoo y er se M le at m Ang e th ll . They se time of year o. n Llandud Serves 2 ck allard / du Anglesey m of ts as re b 2 Butter Salt/pepper onion 1 small red thyme 4 sprigs of af 1 bay le gar wine vine 50mls Red e in W d 150mls Re t 150mls Por ted Ribena u il d 100mls net of Half a pun es blackberri ice the red N. Thinly sl FA ˚ 0 owly 18 to en on pan and sl Put the ov in a sauce er tt u w b lo e a m so e over onion. Melt af and thym ion, bay le on ine vinegar e w th d re ok co s. Add the te u in t, wine and m 10 heat for add the por n e th , . ce u ly red d loyalties) and quick have bran u yo en if th to s, Vim 0 minute Ribena (or a r about 5-1 fo to n in e ow d ev si at through a Reduce th ce u it sa e se rain th ady to u carefully st and get re saucepan e th h as pan. W again. ts /duck breas the mallard ce the on la t P . fa m e Score th season the d an asts e if n pk fry the bre with a shar heat, then h l ig h oi a o (n er ov minutes saucepan about 4-5 r and fo er n ov ow rn d rown. Tu skin-side b n e d ol g l or unti the duck on required!) s, then put d n co 10 se 0 t3 more than fry for abou oven for no e er ft th A in ). rd ay tr g malla a roasting you’re usin if 10 8 r y fo sa st d re e to minutes (I’ il and leav them in fo uce. sa e that, wrap th h you finis e il h w s te minu g. Add e seasonin d check th for an at ce e u h sa w r over a lo Heat you ok co d an st erries t the la the blackb cks rest. A hile the du w s e sauce to te th u in to 10 m butter in le tt li gle a k is a jaunty an minute, wh e ducks at th ve ar C . . thicken it ound them e sauce ar and pour th

Don’t fancy cooking?

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Paysanne has been a Deganwy fixture since 1988. Over three decades, we have been presenting our guests with a permanently fashionable combination of classic, tummy-pleasing French country-style food, personally-sourced wines and warm, generous service.

You can build up quite a hunger exploring all that beautiful north Wales has to offer, so let us deal with that for you. Take a look at what we have to offer at our website, Facebook page and all that other terribly modern stuff.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Photos Š Jamie Stevens

Page 64 NWM 2017

01492 582079 www.paysannedeganwy.co.uk @PaysanneDeganwy

Raise your glass Personally sourcing great tasting wines

As the crooners sing ‘tis the most wonderful time of the

Bogle Chardonnay, Clarksburg, California.

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you can choose from vibrant reds for holiday feasts, to

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my perfect ‘Christmas RED’. This is a

Here’s our Top ‘Holiday Wines’…

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Whether you’ll be going for a full family feast sharing

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away, be sure to pop in and have a taste of what’s available on a daily basis this December – there will be plenty on the

Quinta do Bomfim, Dow’s 2005 Vintage Port.

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sweet damson notes.

produced beers, wines and spirits

NWM 2017 Page 65

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NWM 2017 Page 71

MAGAZINE

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The lounge features exposed beams, a slate hearth, two windows which showcase the stunning views, and double glazed double doors giving access to the patio and garden.

The impressive views can also be seen from the master bedroom – imagine waking up to scenes of the estuary, mountains and Conwy Castle every day. Impressive whatever the weather.

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Work, rest and play A child’s bedroom needs to tick all the boxes in order to inspire and stimulate them while simultaneously providing a relaxing environment. Kate Hamilton reports.

Creating a calm and peaceful room for a young

again, this can serve two purposes if you choose

child can often be pretty tricky when you

the right model. Plenty of single beds come

consider the mountains of plastic toys that seem

with drawers underneath which are great for

par for the course these days, but it is vital that

storing all manners of items, and some even lift

they have a space that suits their needs.

up entirely in order to reveal a cavern of storage underneath.

Obviously a child’s needs vary depending on their age, as changing tables and cots tend

Whichever model you plump for however it

to be switched for mountains of Lego before

is essential that you invest in a good quality

you know it – but design the room right and

mattress to support those growing bones.

there are some staples that will see your child through until their teenage years.

A wardrobe will also come high on your list of priorities. As a general rule of thumb you can

First and foremost comes a bed and, if you

never have a wardrobe that’s too large as, after

choose wisely, you can probably get just two to

clothes, it can be used to store toys, games,

last for their entire childhood. A cot bed is ideal

teddies and books as well as arts and crafts

for those early years, and converts to a toddler

materials. A wardrobe with as many shelving

bed with just a couple of easy alterations which

options as possible is a good one to go for as it

will see your child through until around their

will provide the most flexibility.

fifth birthday.

If you have space, then an armchair or small At this point a single bed will be needed but,

sofa is also worth having. In the beginning it

NWM 2017 Page 75

MAGAZINE

Spacepro Contract’s chalkboard and magnetic sliding doors transforms wardrobe doors into an interactive space for learning and play

will provide the perfect spot to feed your baby, and in the early childhood years it will make reading those bedtime stories so much more comfortable. And, when your son or daughter is busy studying for their exams, having somewhere else to sit and revise may even aid their concentration – a change is as good as a rest after all.

For older children a desk is also a great addition to their room as they can spread their homework out until it is finished, rather than having to clear the kitchen table in a hurry as soon as dinner is ready. A place to write and draw is also fun for younger ones who like to express themselves on paper.

But, if you don’t have space for a desk or small table, then fear not as kids are just as happy to draw on the walls… but before you run away in shock, think more of a designated drawing area on the wall rather than being let loose with the spray paint.

A wall mounted white board can provide the ideal solution, as children can scribble away until their hearts content and then start again the next day with a clean slate. Likewise,

If you still find however that you have more toys than you have

blackboard paint can turn an area of wall, or even a wardrobe

house room for, then it is a good idea to get an extra Trug to put

door, into an enticing art area – but be aware that crumbly

away for a rainy day. Kids tend to get bored of their toys and so

chalk can often lead to a bit of a mess.

it can pay dividends to keep some out of sight (in the garage or loft for example) and then swap them back when it’s time to

And, of course, no kid’s room is complete without a toy box.

reinvigorate playtime. Keeping a toy rota in this way can keep

There are some great options out there at the moment, from

your child entertained for as long a possible while also keeping

personalised skips to bespoke seats that double as storage. But,

the floor tidy!

for a hardwearing practical solution then you’ll be hard pushed to beat a good old Trug. Available in a range of sizes and in

Of course the best thing about decorating a child’s bedroom

more colours than the rainbow, a Trug holds a vast amount of

is that you can go to town with the interior design. There is

toys, is easy to move from room to room and is also very easy

no such thing as a colour that’s too bright or wallpaper that’s

to clean.

Page 76 NWM 2017

This fun and playful children’s bedroom designed by Edward Thomas Interiors demonstrates how adventurous interiors can be.

ABOVE: This children’s bedroom designed

by Edward Thomas Interiors includes a feature bed and hand painted mural that creates the wow factor

LEFT: Clean lines are the secret to a twin room. Credit: Designer Contracts

too busy here, and there is a great choice of options currently

Light shades too are also available in all shapes and sizes,

available on the market. Just make sure that the paint is the

and make a nice touch to any child’s bedroom. And, of course,

wipeable variety!

many retailers sell a wide range of coordinating soft furnishing packages to include light shades, bedding,

But, if you want something a bit bolder that your average

rugs, lamps and curtains in order to provide the ultimate

wallpaper, then why not consider a mural? Walltastic do

themed look.

a great choice of kids murals, ranging from Paw Patrol to Frozen, that are applied in the same way as traditional

If you do buy your curtains in this way however, make sure that

wallpaper. Covering 8ft by 10ft of wall, Walltastic doesn’t cost

they are blackout versions. Or, if these aren’t available in the

the earth either, with most of their murals costing around £35

fabric that you want, consider installing a blackout blind behind

from Amazon, meaning it is a very cost effective way to get

the curtains – no amount of fabulous décor is worth being

that all-important wow factor.

woken up at the crack of dawn for!

NWM 2017 Page 77

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Inside Out North Wales Magazine brings you the latest products from the world of interiors

The perfect fit

Heat of the moment Norwegian heating brand, Mill, has launched in the UK bringing its ‘Keep warm with style’ ethos and Scandi-inspired minimalistic designs to the electric heating sector. The family-owned company’s stylish, high-end products – designed for a country with five consecutive months of sub-zero temperatures and where heating is dominated by electric products – will sell through selected retailers, including Costco and online via ao.com. The Mill Wifi Panel Heater costs £149.99 and comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty. www.millheat.co.uk

Hudson Reed has extended its popular ‘Fusion’ bathroom furniture collection by introducing a new family of units – the Fusion Gloss Grey range. Finished in a striking high gloss, dark grey tone, the new Fusion Gloss Grey range is available in fitted and combination furniture configurations including full depth, slimline and L-shape designs, making it perfect for compact bathrooms. As well as vanity, WC, drawer, base, wall and tall tower units, there is a choice of coordinating Fusion accessories, such as mirror units, bath panels, plinths, handles, worktops, ceramics and lighting. www.hudsonreed.co.uk

Material matters Get cosy this winter with this this delicate range of hand drawn botanical fabric designs from ILIV – perfect for creating your own country retreat. Charming nature inspired designs are layered with delicate embroideries, timeless checks and woven designs in a palette of chalky calming colourways that bring an authentic feel to any interior.

NWM 2017 Page 79

MAGAZINE

Rolling in the deep MY Furniture has updated the design of its bestselling Torino chair with feature chrome handle and handsome stud details. With legs in black oak finish, the Torino is available in a range of timeless, classic finishes – all of which come with luxurious, deep, quilted upholstery. www.my-furniture.co.uk

In the bay Bay windows are often tricky to dress but, thanks to Victoria Smee Interiors, the answer is here. This fully-upholstered five-sided bay pelmet with lined and interlined double pleat curtains is available for £980.00. The price excludes fabric and fitting, but the curtains will be made to your exact measurements. www.victoriasmeeinteriors.co.uk

Space saving

Two sides of the story DRU has released an exciting new addition to its Maestro collection of contemporary gas fires. Maestro 75 Tunnel is spectacular ‘see-through’ fire that can be installed into false chimneys, room dividing walls and other architectural features.

With modern homes being increasingly open plan, it provides a solution for home owners as a room divider or to create a focal point that can be appreciated from both sides of the living space. With the fire being constructed almost entirely from glass, its appeal is further enhanced by Clear View nonreflective glass, which renders the glass almost invisible. In addition, the Maestro 75 Tunnel includes the exclusive DRU Easy Release door system, allowing easy access to the interior of the fire for routine cleaning and maintenance. www.drufire.com

Page 80 NWM 2017

Sink and tap specialist Caple has developed a new, hand-made sink specifically for British kitchen retailer Magnet. Available with a colander, there is also a cup stand for hot drinks and a bottle holder – the latter making the perfect choice for Champagne on ice. Ideal for those with limited space, Caple’s new Zona 100 sink has been designed for Magnet customers who are looking for a versatile wet zone, which will fit into a compact kitchen design neatly. Made from 1.2mm brushed stainless steel for a professional finish, this model can be inset or under-mounted to suit your individual needs. www.caple.co.uk

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‘WINTER WARMER’ 30th & 31st December 2017 STANDARD RETURN • Adults £15.00 • Seniors £13.50 • Child (3-15 yrs) £8.00 • Family (2 Adults & 2 Children) £42.00

ALL DAY ROVER • Adults £17.00 • Seniors £15.00 • Child (3-15 yrs) £10.00 • Family (2 Adults & 2 Children) £48.00

Jump aboard to experience a winter wonderland along the beautiful Dee Valley.

A mixture of Steam, Diesel and Railcars will be operating to produce an intense timetable.

From a Cracking Express, Trundling Goods, a small Tank Engine to a Burbling Diesel we will have it all for you to enjoy.

Visit all stations along the way to Carrog and sample the wonderful delights available at our tea rooms.

WWW.LLANGOLLEN-RAILWAY.CO.UK Llangollen Railway, The Station, Abbey Road, Llangollen LL20 8SN • Tel: 01978 860979

Page 84 NWM 2017

Share one big Christmas card and support your local hospice Instead of writing lots of Christmas cards to your friends and colleagues this year, take part in the St David’s Hospice ‘Share a card’ and save time, paper, stamps – and feel great! “Share a card gives friends and colleagues the chance to express their wishes on one big Christmas card in return for a donation to St David’s Hospice,” explains community fundraiser, James Wilde. “Simply pin the

Hays Travel launches recruitment drive

card to a display board or leave it free standing in

Hays Travel North West, which has its Head Office on

your offices, community groups or any communal area

Wrexham’s Lord Street, is set to open 12 new offices across

for everyone to sign. Write your festive good wishes

North Wales and the North West by the middle of next year

and pop your donation into the box supplied. Much

and, as a result, has launched a major recruitment drive.

easier than writing cards to everyone!” St David’s

Two of the first stores to open will be located in Rhyl and

Hospice is a local charity providing hospice care to

Colwyn Bay, and managing director Don Bircham (pictured) is

adult patients across Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey.

urgently looking for new recruits to join his 146-strong team.

It delivers free, high-quality, specialist palliative care

“I am very proud that we have developed the business to this

to patients with advanced illnesses, their family and

level,” he said. “It shows the resurgence of travel agencies on

carers. To receive your free bilingual ‘share a card’

the high street and we have positioned ourselves perfectly

pack simply call 01492 879058 or email james.wilde@

to benefit from this. Our focus always was to reinvest our

stdavidshospice.org.uk

profits and develop the business across North Wales and the North West and create jobs for the region at the same time.

Now I am urgently looking for new people to join our team

Zip World Introduces the Advent-ure Calendar

and we have a lot to offer including competitive salaries and the opportunity to work in an exciting and fun industry for a fast growing organisation with career opportunities.” People don’t necessarily need previous experience of working in

Zip World has teamed up with other

the travel industry either – Hays is looking for people with

local companies ahead of Christmas

experience of working in retail, banking and other customer

to give away 24 days of exciting packages for the

facing businesses, who are highly motivated, articulate and

whole family. The Advent-ure Calendar kicks off with

have an interest in travel. “We don’t want people to assume

the ultimate ‘Art Meets Adventure’ package on the 1st

they are not qualified because we can provide training to the

of December. Enjoy a one night stay at the luxurious

right individuals,” added Bircham. To contact Hays Travel

Llandudno Bay Hotel, lunch at the Bwyty Blondin

North West about current and upcoming job vacancies, email

Restaurant at the Adventure Terminal, the experience of

recruitment@hays-travel.co.uk or call 0800 215 5045.

Velocity for two, dinner at Y Review and show tickets to see the Peter Pan Pantomime at Venue Cymru.

Other featured partners include Surf Snowdonia, Portmeirion Village, The Slate Caverns, RibRide, Nom Nom Chocolate, Beacon Climbing Centre, Matt and Ben’s Fudge, Great Orme Brewery, Bodnant Welsh Food, Pieminister and Ffestiniog Railway. Each partner is giving away something exciting, packaged with a Zip World adventure creating a truly extraordinary advent prize.

Visit Zip World on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram each day between 1st and 24th December for your chance to win.

NWM 2017 Page 85

Chef team up with Blodyn Aur A chef who has cooked for the Queen, as well as many other famous faces, is helping a Welsh food firm grow.

Colin Gray, former President of the Culinary Association of Wales, has teamed up with the producers of Blodyn Aur, an extra virgin oil made from Welsh-grown crops,

Awards success for local pet sitters

on a new range of dressings. They are now expecting

Everyone at Barking Mad Dog Care Conwy Bangor &

a surge in sales – with the initial batch of 400 bottles

Anglesey is celebrating after being awarded the title of

snapped up by foodies in just one weekend. Blodyn Aur

‘Best Sitter’ by public vote, in the Dog Friendly Awards

already produces more than 35,000 bottles every year

2017. The Dog friendly Awards, held in association with

of its golden rapeseed oil, which is cold-pressed on

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, are described by organisers as:

the Conwy farm of Llŷr Jones, using bee-friendly crops

“The public’s opportunity to recognise and reward pet

grown across North Wales.

and non pet businesses and places that go the extra

Colin, who runs award-winning Caerphilly company

mile for the benefit of the UK’s 9.4 million dogs and

Capital Cuisine, is a long-time fan of the oil and

their owners.” The local dog holiday specialists, part of

regularly uses it in dishes at events. Llŷr now expects

the 5* rated Barking Mad UK network, was delighted

the new addition to the Blodyn Aur range will increase

to see founder, Lee Dancy, accept the award on behalf

output and attract new customers for the oil, which

of everyone involved. “We are so proud to receive this

is additive and preservative free. “Our rapeseed oil is

award!” commented Karen Wright of Barking Mad

getting more and more popular, and we have already

Conwy, Bangor & Anglesey said. “To be publicly voted

added a range of flavoured oils, including Welsh oak

the best dog sitting service in the UK is an honour. It

smoked, chilli and garlic,” commented Llŷr (pictured).

really is a testament to the hard work, professionalism

“However, we realised that there was a wider market

and enthusiasm of our network of local business

of home cooks who would be interested in ready-made

owners and hosts. We all absolutely love what we do

dressings. Together with Colin we tried out a variety

and that shines through. We’d also like to say a huge

of different dressings and got a great response from

thank-you to everyone who took the time to vote for us,

everybody who tasted them. We have settled on ones

it means so much.”

that Colin and our retail partners tell us that there is a

www.barkingmad.uk.com

demand for – and which we like the taste of.” For more details on Blodyn Aur and the new dressings visit www.madryn.co.uk

Page 86 NWM 2017

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Three places to visit in December Oakenholt Marsh/Connah’s Quay Although access to Connah’s

Getting back

to Nature

There’s plenty of wildlife across the region in December, says Julian Hughes, if you know where to look.

Credit: H. Zell

Quay nature reserve, part of the power station, is restricted to members of Deeside Naturalists Society, the RSPB’s Oakenholt Marsh to the north can be viewed from footpaths at Flint Castle. The upper Dee estuary is a magnet for ducks and geese, home to Wales’ only wintering Twite (a small finch) and on a dry day, is a great place to watch Hen Harriers and

Fancy a smooch?

other birds of prey.

Kissing under the mistletoe is a Christmas tradition that dates to at least the late 18th Century, but the plant has been associated with fertility for many centuries and was part of

Cefni estuary, Malltraeth

a Celtic Druid ritual reported by Roman historian Pliny the Elder in the first century. With

Where Anglesey’s canalised

its smooth, waxy leaves and sticky white berries, Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that requires

river Cefni meets the sea south

birds and mammals to spread its seed to the branch of a tree, where it then grows in a large

of Malltraeth, it opens into a

clump. Any tree will do, but it seems to do best on Apple, Lime and Hawthorn. Wild Mistletoe

large tidal bay that is a great

is abundant in south Wales and the borders, but less frequently encountered in the north..

place to see hundreds of waders on an incoming tide. The large

Hawfinch: Terminator of the woodland Britain’s biggest finch is a specialist woodland bird, using its huge bill and

Credit: Bob Garrett

pool sheltered behind the Cob is one of the best places in North

strong jaw muscles to crunch nuts and seeds. Bigger than a greenfinch with

Wales to see Pintails, an elegant

bright white wingbars, a hawfinch can exert a force equivalent to 150 psi

duck, the males resplendent in

(lbs per square inch), and can break the stones of cherries and plums. Don’t

chocolate-and-cream plumage.

mess with a hawfinch! Small numbers winter in the Conwy Valley, near

Barn Owls and Marsh Harriers

Denbigh and Dolgellau, from where some marked birds have subsequently

hunt over the saltmarsh towards

turned up in gardens in Norway. November saw an unprecedented influx

dusk, the latter now breeding

of Hawfinches across Britain, and if these stay for the winter, there is every

regularly in reedbeds upriver.

chance they could turn up at garden feeders in North Wales.

RSPB Conwy, Llandudno Credit: Jo Pell

Too wet to woo?

The Tawny Owl owns the classic ‘owl’ sound beloved of film-makers.

Nesting begins early in the New Year, so during December, Tawny Owls are looking for a mate.

As a completely nocturnal animal, they rely on their calls and remarkable hearing to find each other. “Tu-whit tu-who” was first written

by William Shakespeare in Love’s Labour’s Lost, but is actually a duet: the female calls ‘kew-wick’ and the male replies with ‘hoo-ooo ooo-ooo’. Listen in a wooded area on a calm evening, but you’ll be unlikely to see one in daylight unless your attention is drawn to small birds noisily mobbing one in a tree.

Jelly tot

While grassland waxcaps are most abundant in the autumn, some fungi are more evident during the winter, including jelly fungus that can be found on trees, especially in damp and shady places. The Jelly-ear fungus looks like a human ear and is principally found on dead or dying Elder branches. Its scientific name, Auricula judae comes from a legend that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from an Elder tree after betraying Christ, and that the fungus ‘ears’ are his tormented spirit emerging from the wood! Jelly-ear is edible when cooked but has no flavour, though is popular in China where it is farmed commercially.

Junction The freshwater lagoons next to the A55 attract waterbirds from across the northern hemisphere, including Goldeneyes and Pochards from Russia. It’s also a reliable spot to see Europe’s smallest bird, the diminutive Firecrest. In some winters, Starling numbers start to build around Christmas, and a late afternoon visit reveals impressive murmurations across the sky. There are always plenty of events and family activities here too.

Julian Hughes grew up in North Wales, which instilled a lifelong love of nature. He lives near Llandudno, manages the RSPB’s Conwy nature reserve, and writes about the region’s wildlife.

NWM 2017 Page 89

AS PLLYN-YW G EDD W

Canolfan Gelfyddydau

PLAS GLYN-Y-WEDDW Arts Centre

CELF • CAFFI • CREFFTAU • THEATR • LLWYBRAU ART • CAFE • CRAFTS • THEATRE • WOODLAND Full list of events and tickets available on our website Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, Llanbedrog, Pwllheli, LL53 7TT 01758 740763 . enquiry@oriel.org.uk . www.oriel.org.uk

d dia / e n My ddim m a Free ry Ent

For the love of all things

vintage...

The confessions of a modern day Magpie Deck the halls with boughs of holly… Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la Tatty’s feeling full of the festive spirit!

If there was ever a specific

wrapped carefully in its

time of year that made my

original tissue, nestling in

vintage imagination run

its Harrod’s box (a collector’s

wild, then Christmas is it,

item itself).

with jingle bells on! For most people Christmas is the time

The cream silk lining

of year that evokes nostalgia.

hand embroidered with

Childhood memories of

the owners initials and

extreme excitement, hanging out a pillowcase… will he or

decorated with silver

won’t he come? The aroma of homemade mince pies and the

thread snowflakes. A gem

sound of the Salvation Army brass band, playing Christmas

of a 1950’s time capsule

carols on a cold and frosty night. Our family tradition gathers

dated and addressed to a lady living in Highgate, London.

everyone in the sitting room to watch the 1940’s quintessential

So representative of its era, as worn by the likes of Princess

festive film “It’s a Wonderful Life”, whilst delving into a tub of

Margret and Marilyn Monroe. Needless to say it sold as soon

Quality Street (Tatty favours the green triangles).

as it was listed on my website, to a lady called Elizabeth, living in Ireland.

For me, my favourite part of Christmas is the preparation.

The decorations, the wrapping of presents – it’s all about the

As this is my last column of the

Tatty is constantly

finishing touches. Anything I can put my vintage mark on.

year, I would like to thank all my

searching for new stock

Every year Tatty insists on a real Christmas tree, preferably a

readers for their kind words and

and would love to hear

perfect specimen Norwegian spruce. Now this can be a very

encouragement and wish you all a

from you if you have any

tricky territory, because you never quite know what you’re

very Merry Christmas and a Happy

of the following for sale:

going to get until you cut the netting off and the tree springs

New Year!

quality vintage costume jewellery/handbags,

open. Guaranteed every year we have the same heated têteà-tête about the wrong shape and the wrong size of our tree…

Kisses under the mistletoe

antique quilts or Welsh blankets. 1920/1930’s

never, ever, Tatty’s fault!!

Tatty X

ladies clothing and shawls. Please call

Over many years I have been fortunate to collate the most exquisite collection of vintage glass baubles. They are a

PS Watch this space… Tatty has big

spectacular array of festive colour. Mainly 1930’s and mostly

plans for 2018!

07940 730421

made in Germany. Highly detailed exotic looking birds with real tail feathers, little boys and girls on snow skis, to name a few. They really are vintage treasure to me and these days

Ali Hough is a specialist vintage

near impossible to buy affordably.

dealer with a passion for decorative antiques and a flair for interiors,

Sticking with the Christmas theme, Tatty’s stand out find this

based in Old Colwyn, North Wales

month has been a truly magnificent oversized snow white Arctic fox stole. Purchased in the 1950’s, from Harrod’s. Still

NWM 2017 Page 91

ESIGN

DIGITAL D

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S E R U H C BRO TE IDENTITY

FLYERS

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07957 325 154 www.smarriott.co.uk Page 92 NWM 2017

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TIONS A T N E S E PR

ab afford

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ADOBEPPT/WORD

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MARKESTINI ESS WEBSITES SMALL BU OCIAL MEDIA S

BUSINESS

Learning by heart

As the clocks go back, the days grow shorter and the weather

in future classroom tasks or assessments.

turns less conducive to outside activities it’s perhaps a good time to consider the virtues and importance of studying on an

E – Extension and Enrichment. Both activities allow pupils to

evening, after school, or at weekends.

go beyond the textbook, the scheme of work and the narrow confines of what time in the classroom permits. Rather than

Periodically researchers and bloggers suggest that homework

being a series of discrete tasks homework can be a longer

should be scrapped and children be allowed to be children,

duration allowing pupils to engage in more detailed projects or

have the freedom to pursue other activities or perhaps simply

creative tasks. I often read that schools are “killing creativity”

to relax. There is some merit in this and especially in terms

which I dispute but time has to be dedicated to allow a pupil to

of the ages of the children concerned; setting homework for a

consider, create and improve a creative piece of work which

pupil in the sixth form is obviously a very different issue from

may not be just extended writing. Extension also allows pupils

setting work for a child in primary education.

with particular academic talent to be stretched or stretch themselves. Subscribing to an online MOOC is a good example

However, as a headmaster with over 20 years of teaching

of this.

experience and a parent of two teenagers, who would certainly disagree with me, I see much merit in teachers

P - Purposeful. For homework to be meaningful, useful and

setting work for outside the classroom. The crucial point is

therefore valid it must have a very clear purpose in which

the nature of that work. In independent schools homework

the child can see value. It is important for teachers to ensure

tends to be called “prep partly because many private schools

quality homework as well as lessons are being delivered by

are boarding schools and the pupils don’t work at home,

the school. P might also consider Parents. Parents should want

and partly because the work was, historically, meant to be

to take an interest in such work but the homework must not

preparation for the next lesson. “Prep” is also a very useful

presume that the parents can help (I can no longer help my

type of acronym for the sorts of activities that I believe

son with his A Level Mathematics and could never help my

teachers should be using homework for and thus pupils

children with their Latin work!) nor should it result in the

benefiting from.

opposite extreme where the parent completes it for their son or daughter.

P - Preparatory reading or work set before the lesson enables pupils to come to class already understanding some of the

Homework will always seem to be the bane of a child’s life

material and so the teacher can either move on more quickly

but if delivered properly can be more than just a necessary

or clarify concepts and issues that some of the pupils don’t

evil and something which on a cold December evening might

understand.

actually be something to be enjoyed rather than endured.

R – Reading, Research, Reflection and Revision are all important activities that pupils can usefully undertake outside the classroom. Reading, be it fiction or non-fiction, is an important activity in its own right. Research (beyond

Simon Smith is the headmaster of Rydal

Wikipedia!) can be part of a project or lead to a greater

Penrhos in Colwyn Bay. He is married

understanding of a topic whilst reflection and revision are

with two teenage children and has a

important ways of responding to teacher feedback, making

passion for rugby

progress and solidifying knowledge to improve performance

NWM 2017 Page 93

The Last Word 1

2

3

4

5

6

9

12 13

18

14

16

17

19

20

21

22

23 25

26

28

30

Across 1 Gossamer (6) 5 Like many Sherpas (8) 9 Affliction of cats and other fur-lickers (8) 10 Skin condition sought by beachgoers (6) 11 Science of logic, quantity, shape and arrangement (Abbr.) (5) 12 Tacit (7) 15 Owner of a business (10) 17 Inert gaseous element (4) 18 Sour (4) 20 Place for American children in the holidays (6,4) 22 Galilee native (7) 23 Spread out (5) 27 Small restaurant (6) 28 Elongate (8) 29 South American boa (8) 30 Person in the petroleum industry (6) Down 2 D-Day beach (5) 3 Navy vessel (7) 4 Spoiled child (4) 5 World’s longest river (4) 6 Autopsy (4-6) 7 Wool fat (7) 8 Private room on a passenger ship (9) 13 Hollywood (10) 14 Stub (5) 16 Economic decline (9) 19 Severe (7) 21 Uppercase (7) 24 Cub leader (5) 25 Entreaty (4) 26 Keen on (4)

Across: 1 Cobweb, 5 Nepalese, 9 Hairball, 10 Suntan, 11 Maths, 12 Implied, 15 Proprietor, 17 Neon, 18 Acid, 20 Summer camp, 22 Israeli, 23 Splay, 27 Bistro, 28 Lengthen, 29 Anaconda, 30 Oilman.

29

24

Down: 2 Omaha, 3 Warship, 4 Brat, 5 Nile, 6 Post-mortem, 7 Lanolin, 8 Stateroom, 13 Tinseltown, 14 Stump, 16 Recession, 19 Drastic, 21 Capital, 24 Akela, 25 Plea, 26 Into.

27

8

10

11

15

7

NWM 2017 Page 95

MAGAZINE

MAGAZINE

AND THE

MAGAZINE

IS...

Huge congratulations go to the winner of November’s competition who has won afternoon tea at Llandudno Bay Hotel. Enjoy!

Coral Fredericks From Rhos-on-Sea Congratulations from us all at North Wales Magazine!

Selling your home?

Make sure your estate agent advertises in the North Wales Property Press – the region’s ONLY dedicated property publication

Page 96 NWM 2017

COMPETITION

Win

Win! A day out in Portmeirion – including a luxury back massage for two with bubbles at the Mermaid Spa

You can’t beat a day at Portmeirion to relax, unwind and leave behind the stresses and strains of everyday life.

The idyllic Italianate village, near Porthmadog, boasts amazing architecture, award winning gardens and miles of private beaches.

To win a day in Portmeirion, with a back massage and bubbly for two at the Mermaid Spa, simply answer the following question: What was the name of the architect who created Portmeirion?

Send your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number to: competition@northwalesmagazine. co.uk by Friday 5th January 2018 – making sure that you put Mermaid Spa in the subject line. Good luck!

* Redeem prize within six months. Spa appointment is subject to availability. For terms and conditions go to www.portmeirion-village.com

NWM 2017 Page 97

While everyone remembers Russell Grant from his Breakfast TV appearances in the 1980’s, most people don’t realise that Russell was the first astrologer in over 300 years to present a horoscope forecast to a member of the Royal Family (HRH Queen Mother). Now dubbed the “Royal Astrologer” Russell has appeared on numerous television shows, including Strictly Come Dancing. He divides his time between London and his North Wales home near Portmeirion. www.russellgrant.com

MAGAZINE

IN THE STARS...

December’s horoscopes brought to you by Russell Grant

ARIES (March 21st – April 20th) On the 3rd, the Full Moon will bring disappointing news about an official matter.

Unexpected expenses and bigger than normal bills could throw you off balance.

Being ready to accept a new demanding role and you will be surprised by the results. By the time Christmas arrives, you’ll feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

LIBRA (September 24th – October 23rd) Trying to push someone into making a decision is bound to backfire in early December. It’s better to make a strategic retreat. The New Moon on the 18th sets the scene for excellent news about a creative idea or project. The second half of the month brings heavy household responsibilities. Christmas will be cosy, comfortable and reassuring.

TAURUS (April 21st – May 21st) Tension at work can take its toll on your health in the opening days of the month.

Try practicing relaxation techniques to keep stress at bay. The Full Moon on the 3rd will drive home the fact you are not being properly compensated for all the work you do. Indulge your love of luxury at Christmas. A sumptuous gift is sure to put a smile on your face.

SCORPIO (October 24th – November 22nd) You’ll have to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself at the start of the month.

On the 18th, the New Moon will give you a chance to launch a project that is close to your heart. Christmas will prompt you to have a meaningful conversation with a relative. It’s time to get an important issue off your chest.

GEMINI (May 22nd – June 21st) On the 3rd, the Full Moon will bring an embarrassing mistake to light. Instead of trying to sweep this error under the carpet, admit it and offer a sincere apology.

People will give you a second chance if you admit the error of your ways. Christmas will be a loving time; take this opportunity to give a heartfelt, sincere and romantic message to your amour.

CANCER (June 22nd – July 23rd) An authority figure’s erratic behaviour will make you angry at the beginning of December. The Full Moon on the 3rd will bring some troubling information to light that prompts you to look for a new job. On the 18th, the New Moon will inspire you to start a health regimen. Improving your diet, exercise and sleep routines will make you look and feel much better.

LEO (July 24th – August 23rd) A romantic partner’s thoughtless behaviour will cause offense in your social circle.

It’s time to reflect on whether you want to stay with someone who can be so hurtful. On the 3rd, the Full Moon will prompt you to defend a loyal friend who has stood by you for years. Christmas affords a welcome opportunity to indulge your love of luxury.

VIRGO (August 24th – September 23rd) Trying to fix a broken relationship with expensive gifts in the early days of the month will be an exercise in futility. During the second half of December, you’ll be challenged to develop your creative talent. Christmas will be wonderfully romantic; give your amour a beautiful token of your lasting affection.

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SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd – December 21st) Your demanding social schedule will drain your energy at the beginning of December. Things will improve by the middle of the month, as long as you stop insisting on going out all the time. Take this opportunity to enjoy quality time with the person closest to your heart. Christmas will be a meaningful season spent with the people you love most in the world.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd – January 20th) Influences and individuals at work will begin to get on your nerves in the early days of December. The New Moon on the 18th will prompt you to delve into the spiritual side of life. Putting less emphasis on money and status will deepen your appreciation of life. Presiding over a big Christmas celebration will give you great happiness.

AQUARIUS (January 21st – February 19th) An angry outburst will be a cause for regret at the beginning of the month. Bite your tongue whenever you feel your blood starting to boil. The New Moon on the 18th is ideal for joining a study group. You’ll enjoy talking about your favourite subject with fellow enthusiasts. Christmas could turn into a quiet affair, spent only with your nearest and dearest friends.

PISCES (February 20th – March 20th) An imaginative solution to your problem could arrive on the 3rd, courtesy of the Full Moon. Instead of maintaining an expensive lifestyle, you may decide to move to a neighbourhood full of undeveloped potential. During the second half of December, you’ll rub elbows with a variety of impressive executives, even over Christmas and into the New Year.

We love putting North Wales Magazine together each month.

We are extremely lucky to live and work in such a spectacular region that gives us so much to write about.

But, in order to keep our editorial independent, our design fresh and our paper quality so high, we will be charging £2 for the magazine from 2018.

So, for the price of a cup of coffee, you will still be able to keep abreast of what’s happening in North Wales on a monthly basis. Or, for an extra 99p, you can have one delivered straight to your door.

To find your nearest stockist, or to subscribe, email subscribe@northwalesmagazine. co.uk and we’ll be sure to point you in the right direction.

In the meantime, the team at North Wales Magazine would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and an even happier New Year.

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