Cardiff NOW December 2014 /January 2015

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December 2014/January 2015 Issue 5

Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk HOME & GARDEN • FOOD & DRINK • COUNTRY WALKS • NATURE Cardiff NOTEBOOK • WHAT’S ON • COMPETITIONS

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Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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contents Cardiff Now 2nd Floor, Richardson House, 24 New Street, Worcester. WR1 2DP 01905 723011 dawn@pw-media.co.uk www.pw-media.co.uk

December 2014 / January 2015

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Home & Garden

n Christmas Table Setting Ideas

n How to Make a Christmas Garland

10 Property

n New Year, New Home in South Wales

For advertisting enquiries please contact: Emma Cox 01905 727908 emma@pw-media.co.uk Alison Jones 01905 727907 ali@pw-media.co.uk Suzie Scott 01905 727904 suzie@pw-media.co.uk Contributors Glynis Dray Amelia Hanson

Design Paul Blyth

Publisher Dawn Pardoe P W Media & Publishing Ltd

COMPETITION WINNERS Table for two at Fine Wine Dining at Arbennig N. J. Poole, Cardiff

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without permission. Colour transparencies, prints or any pictoral media for this publication are sent at owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, neither PW Media & Publishing Ltd or its agents accept liability for loss or damage. No editorial submissions will be returned unless accompanied by a Self Addressed Envelope. DISCLAIMER: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly, PW Media & Publishing Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication.

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor. Please note that if you enter a competition in the Worcestershire Now magazine your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said competition.

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12 Nature Notebook

n This is My Wild Life

14 Health & Beauty

n Party Glamour & Gifts

n “I Just Can’t Keep the Weight Off”

n Sugar Box Clinic wins Cosmetic Clinic of the Year

n ELS Training

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18 Food & Drink

n Caribbean Detox Salad

n La Bascula Wine Dinner at Arbennig Restuarant

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22 Motoring

n Safety Consicious Victoria Park Mazda Issues Car Insurance Warning

25 Cardiff Walk

n Cefn Onn Park & Two Ridges

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26 Education

n The Importance of Reading

n Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral Choir Tour to Madrid

32 Cardiff Past

n The Gates of History

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33 Senior Living

n Winter Advice From Age Cymru

36 What’s On

n Win a £150 Goodie Bag From Hamleys

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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home & garden

Christmas Table Setting Ideas Create an inviting, magical and unforgettable Christmas table with a few simple tips.

Use your everyday dinnerware or splash out on a Christmas range like this one from www.iapetus.co.uk.

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etting the Christmas table is one of the biggest festive tasks but it doesn’t have to be expensive, time consuming or taxing. Think of setting the Christmas lunch table as an extension of putting up decorations- it can be as simple or elaborate as you want to make it and most of all it can be lots of fun.

There are no hard and fast rules on what is required for the Christmas table. You could opt 6

for functional dinnerware, stemware (glasses to you and I) and cutlery or you could add serving dishes, place mats or charger plates, napkins with napkin rings and place cards.

Choosing a scheme The first thing to consider is the decorating scheme you’d like to use. This could be based around items you already own such as a festive table cloth or prized dinner service, a fancy

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

Christmas item you’ve been coveting in the shops or the colours of your Christmas tree decorations.

Once you’ve made this choice, you can then start the fun business of matching other table essentials by colour or co-ordinating patterns and styles. Gold, red and green is a classic colour combination, red and white brings a modern touch, while pinks and purples are now featuring

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home & garden

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NOW If you would like to advertise in Cardiff Now please contact one of our sales team:

Emma Cox Tel: 01905 727908

emma@pw-media.co.uk Suzie Scott Tel: 01905 727904 suzie@pw-media.co.uk Follow us on Twitter

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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home & garden and bring a focal point to any table.

They can be purely decorative or functional. Options include flowers, Christmas ornaments, candles to light the table, an impressive Christmas cake to enjoy with coffee, or a homemade display of sugared fruit or oranges studded with cloves. Sugared fruit is made by dusting icing sugar over fruit brushed with egg white.

Snowflake table confetti from www.thelastdetail.co.uk to create a ‘snow’ theme.

more heavily in festive table settings.

Alternatively you could choose a theme.

‘Snow’ could be represented by a chic white/ silver and icy blue colour scheme with snowflake table sprinkles and patterned napkins. A ‘nature’ theme could feature traditional reds and greens with the addition of ivy, holly, pinecones and mistletoe to decorate the table, with a miniature Christmas tree or poinsettia as a table centre.

Table centres The main rule with table centres is that they don’t obstruct diners’ sightlines, for this reason table centres are either low or tall and thin. Other than that you can let your creativity run riot.

Table centres can be shop-bought or homemade

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more popular and personalised gifts are available in stores and online. Homemade ideas include using glass paint to add a guest’s name to a bauble, baking biscuits in the shape of an initial or icing names onto gingerbread men.

Have fun creating your magical Christmas table, then it’s time to eat, drink and be merry. n

By Amelia Hanson

The personal touch Personalising your Christmas table can be an enjoyable task and it’s something younger family members can join in with. This can be done with the addition of hand-written or printed menu cards or place names or favours for guests. Place name cards can be free Take the lead from Dobbies (www.dobbies.com) and standing, attached to whip up a rustic DIY favours like miniature table centre. wrapped gifts or Christmas crackers or Interflora (www.interflora.co.uk) can can be tied to napkins with ribbon. Combining design floral place settings for you. a place name setting and a favour is becoming

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

home & garden

How to Make a Christmas Garland There’s no better way to create an instant festive welcome at home by draping a beautifully decorated Christmas garland over the fireplace and making it yourself will add an extra special touch!

For a fake garland: a length of fake garland from department stores (about 1.5m will be long enough, but feel free to join more than one together to create a much longer one).

For a real garland: a length of rope (again, choose your length), and enough off-cuts of pine, ivy, holly or any evergreen finds from the garden to disguise it.

Both garland types will need: • Garden twine or wire to attach the garland to bannisters and to fix the decorations to the garland itself • Decorative pieces including flowers, sprigs of mistletoe, pine cones, baubles - whatever you can find to add colour and interest - buy or gather as much as you can (a garland can never look over decorated!).

run up to Christmas. Use this as a starting point to attach more decorations to. If you are attaching your garland to a bannister: before you begin decorating, tie three lengths of string or garden wire (or more if your garland is very long) at either end and in the middle of the garland, ensuring they are hidden amongst the foliage and that they are long enough to wrap around the bannister. These will be used later to fix the garland to the bannister.

The quickest and easiest way to make a Christmas garland is to use a length of fake pine, which you can buy at department and DIY stores during the

4. Use an Odd Number of Decorations If you’re going to use collections of flowers, buds or decorations like this one (£1.98, B&Q), keep them to a minimum and, ideally, use an odd number, which will look better than an even number.

2. Attach the Evergreen Sprigs

5. Attach Pine Cones

If you’re using real evergreens, cut some rope just short of the length you want the finished garland to be, then using garden twine or wire, attach the evergreen sprigs along its whole length until the rope is hidden. You can also use real evergreen sprigs to make a fake garland fuller and more real-looking.

Using garden wire, attach real (or fake) pine cones, dotting them about in the gaps to give the garland an evenly decorated finish.

3. Attach Decorations 1. Prepare the String

use real flowers, but bear in mind they will start to droop very quickly.

Using gardening wire, attach the largest of your decorations first, spacing them evenly along the length of your garland. You can buy realistic fake blooms from craft, DIY and department stores. Or

6. Put It Up! Lay it carefully, ensuring it is placed centrally, and allowing the ends to hang down either side of the mantelpiece. Add extra colour by carefully placing baubles to match your tree within the garland. You could also put candles in hurricane lamps at the garland’s central point, but never, ever leave the candles unattended. n

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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property

New Year, New Home in South Wales Whether it’s a new healthy eating plan or spending more time with loved ones, the New Year is a great time to make a fresh start, so why not make your New Year’s resolution to start 2015 in a brand new home.

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omebuyers in South Wales won’t be disappointed at Crest Nicholson’s popular Penarth Heights development. The Award-winning housebuilder is inviting house-hunters to visit its on-site sales teams today to find out how to secure a move to one of its fantastic new homes in the Vale of Glamorgan.

One of the properties ready to welcome owners at Penarth Heights is the three storey, three bedroom Phoenix house. This beautiful home enjoys a large living room with French doors and Juliet balcony, an open-plan kitchen / dining room and spacious master bedroom with hotel-style en-suite shower room and large picture window. In addition, the Phoenix’s second bedroom is an exceptionally good size and the house benefits from a separate study and a guest cloakroom on the ground floor, not to mention its own garage and undercroft parking.

Rebecca Gripton, Sales Manager for Crest Nicholson South West, said: “Moving into a newly built home is a great way to start 2015.

Safe in the knowledge that our homes are built

with quality design, modern living and energy efficiency in mind, you can rest easy that the only work you’ll need to do when you move in is unpack your boxes! This, plus the fantastic range of properties available at Penarth Heights, makes now the perfect time to move.”

Prices for a Pheonix House at Penarth Heights, using Help to Buy Wales, currently start from £231,960. Apartments are available from £126,360 and the three bedroom Verve starts from £211,960 – both with Help to Buy Wales.

Help to Buy Wales enables purchasers to own their own home for just 80 per cent of the purchase price.

The remaining 20 per cent is lent to the purchaser by the Welsh Government through the HCA and is interest free for the first five years. n For more information about the homes available at Penarth Heights visit the on-site Sales and Marketing Suite (open 10am-5pm, daily), www.crestnicholson.com/ penarthheights or call 02920 711 357.

• Local Agent • Sales • Property Urgently Needed • Competitive Fees • Lettings • First month free management - then just 8%* • Reduced 40% Tenant find fees*

*Excluding VAT. Offer available until 28th February 2015

Call today for a FREE valuation

029 2099 0088 or e-mail us at sales@sqftagents.co.uk www.sqftagents.co.uk 10

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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nature notebook

This is My Wild Life “No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” David Attenborough

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elcome to My Wild Life…a brand new, inspirational campaign being launched in spring 2015 by the Wildlife Trusts.

Did you know that fewer than one in ten children regularly play

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in wild places, compared to almost half, a generation ago. (Childhood and Nature. Natural England, 2009) This campaign aims to bridge this increasing gap between people and wildlife and highlight how we use, interact with and enjoy nature.

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales want to know how do you experience your Wild Life? It could be at your allotment where you feed the birds, or leave an area wild; perhaps you walk past something special on your way to work each day that lifts your spirits and puts a smile on your face; maybe you spend your weekends walking round the Welsh countryside or coast enjoying the fantastic diversity of wildlife; or perhaps you have a window box full of flowering plants that brings you joy.

Send us your stories and pictures

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

of how YOU experience nature.

Email: Gina or Lyndsey – we may get back in touch and do a more

in depth feature about your story.

Email: g.gavigan@welshwildlife.org or l.maiden@welshwildlife.org n

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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health & beauty health & beauty

BENEFIT

Fun size flirts, limited edition set of beauty bestsellers.

AROMATHERAPY CHANEL Set includes: the POREfessional mini | 7.5ml, they’re ASSOCIATES Collection Plumes Precieuses De real! mini, BADgal lash mini, instant comeback facial Create a sense of calm and inner Chanel. Limited Edtion Rouge Allure serum mini, they’re real! mini, “That Gal”, dandelion peace with this award-winning Velvet - Luminous Matte Lip Colour mini, sun beam mini | 2.5ml, posietint mini | 2.5ml, blend of clary sage, frankincense in La Flamboyante 337. ooh la lift mini and stay don’t stray in light/medium and cardamom essential oils. £26.00 £29.50 £10.00

CLARINS

Mineral Eye Make-Up Palette. One palette with the beauty of 10 wearable eyeshadows for enchanting eyes this Christmas. A collection of harmonious colours, from vibrant gold to sultry grey, this palette offers a variety of matte, satin and pearl finishes for a day to night make-up look. £35.00

DERMALOGICA

Dermalogica Favourites Kit - the gift of skin health, anywhere, anytime.

Five top-selling travel friendly Dermalogica products which are suitable for all skin conditions. Contains PreCleanse , MultiActive Toner, Gentle Cream Exfoliant, Skin Hydrating Booster and Skin Perfect Primer SPF30. £30.00

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Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

NOURISH Get the party started with Nourish Golden Glow Illuminating Face Shimmer. Featuring golden mineral particles to leave your skin looking lustrous, this highlighter also includes radianceenhancing tonka bean extract to emit visible light, as well as moisture-retaining ingredients and essential vitamins C & E. £16.00

CHANEL Collection Plumes Precieuses De Chanel. Limited Edition Joues Contraste - Powder Blush in Caresse 180 £31.00

Stockist Details: Aromatherapy Associates - 020 8569 7030 - www.aromatherapyassociates.com. Chanel - 0207 493 3836 - www.chanel.co.uk. Benefit - www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk. Clarins - 0800 036 3558 - www.clarins.co.uk. Dermalogica - 0800 591818 www.dermalogica.co.uk. Nourish - www.nourishskinrange.com.

Party Glamour & Gifts

health & beauty

“I Just Can’t Keep the Weight Off” How many times have you tried a diet, tried to cut out sugar and failed?

Often finding yourself back at square one.

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osing body fat permanently is no easy feat. People often think I’ll just drop a few lb’s before a holiday or a certain occasion, which is fine. They’ve got a goal, but my gripe with this is that the weight doesn’t stay off.

It doesn’t promote longevity and often fails to engrain healthy habits.

I bet you’ve tried to diet before, having a complete overhaul of all the bad stuff and trying to eat “healthy” 100% of the time and failed.

It’s too much. Trying to throw new healthy habits on top of the old bad habits is overwhelming and leads to “Ahhh I’ve failed today I may as well just eat crap the rest of the day”. This is like scratching your car and thinking, well I may as well write the car off now. But what can I do?

Well don’t diet. Just don’t do it. See, when you decide I’m going on a diet, there is undertones of “this is only short term”. So you’ve lost before you’ve even begun, essentially setting up for failure.

And what do you do if you go off the diet? You fret, panic then go and binge on Lindt chocolates.

Before you decide you are going to eat cucumber all day- every day, ditch the bad habits that got you there in the first place. You’ve got to change to

nutrition habits that you can maintain for the rest of your life, that’s how you make change that is sustainable. No one wants to live on a diet, much like no one wants to slaughter themselves over a spin bike at 6am every day for the rest of their life.

You can’t expect a bad habit to be brushed under the carpet with sheer will power. It just won’t happen. Instead you need to ditch them.

Food psychologist Brian Wansink, PhD, discovered that the larger the bowl you eat from, the more you unknowingly consume. How can you ditch this bad habit? Get a smaller bowl (or plate).

Don’t expect to make these changes straight away and don’t try to change too much too soon.

I’ll liken habits to cleaning. You want to clean the entire house, but you think wow that’s a daunting big task and one that will take up a lot of time and effort, so you spend so long mulling it over in your mind that the day is gone before you’ve even begun. If instead you thought “I’ll just clean the bathroom”, you’d be much more likely to start, it’s a smaller task, you know it’s achievable and more often than not once you’ve started the rest of the house doesn’t seem so daunting.

We live in the age of distraction. Facebook,

twitter, iPhones, iPads, TV, adverts, oh adverts.

Adverts are everywhere and they are clever. You will need to focus. To avoid failure you will need to focus all your energy on creating that one habit.

Just choose one habit per month. Now you can choose any habit you want. You could choose from: • Do 30 minutes of exercise a day • Drink 2 litres of water per day • Get up during twice during your working to move around and do 5 minutes of stretching • Eat 2 servings of fruit/vegetables with every meal You don’t have to choose one of these; of course you can choose your own. Just make sure you stick to it, every day for at least a month. Don’t succumb to the media and jump on the band wagon of the latest ridiculous diet that’s unfounded by research.

Want to learn more about how you can make a change? Get in touch now (Info@optimumupt. co.uk), let’s engrain a new habit in time for the new year (so no new year resolutions, another gripe but we’ll save that for another time!) n www.optimumUPT.co.uk

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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health & beauty

Sugar Box Clinic wins Cosmetic Clinic of the Year Congratulations to Sugarbox Clinic in Newport who have picked up a very special accolade at The Welsh Hair & Beauty Awards. at square one.

T

he awards that businesses treasure the most are the ones that come from the people who really count, and Chantalle Coombes thanked her “amazing customers” after winning the Cosmetic Clinic of the Year award at the Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards 2014.

It’s just reward for the professionalism and expertise of Chantalle and her team, who keep client safety and peace-of-mind at the absolute top of their list of priorities. One part of the Sugarbox guarantee is that you will never be treated with injectable treatments by someone who isn’t medically qualified to carry out that work. A two week follow up is also always part of the procedure.

Chantalle’s own background is in the NHS. In fact she’s a nationally-recognised expert and trainer in injectable dermal fillers, passing on her expertise to doctors around the UK with her training role.

The Sugarbox Clinic team is made up of people with similar expertise, from consultant surgeon Mr Robert Warr with his international experience, to Jacqueline Lloyd who trained in California and brings the latest high-tech

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techniques to her semi-permanent make-up treatments.

Cosmetic treatments are becoming increasingly popular with all sorts of people and for all sorts of reasons. Correcting even small cosmetic blemishes can have an enormous effect on self-esteem and confidence. Treatments are becoming ever more effective and they’re great value for the often priceless results – clear pricing before treatment is another facet of the Sugarbox Clinic Guarantee.

Sugarbox Clinic offer dermal fillers, chemical peels, semi permanent make up, anti wrinkle injections, prescription skin care, PDO thread lift and microneedling. All delivered by a friendly team you know you can trust in a wonderfully welcoming environment. Call now for a free consultation. n Sugarbox Clinic, 61A Caerleon Road, Newport, Gwent NP19 7BW Tel: 01633 462083 Web: www.sugarboxclinic.co.uk

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

health & beauty

ELS Training

S

et up by Emily, a mum of two, ELS Training provides solutions allowing Mums and Dads to work out without childcare. Bring your babies and children with you, inspiring them to also follow active lifestyles!

A wide variety of class types in varying locations throughout Cardiff, suitable for all fitness levels. Family First Aid courses, giving parents and carers invaluable knowledge that can really save lives. Of course, babies and children are welcome to attend these also. The topics covered in these classes are: Recovery Position, Cardiac Arrest, When to use an AED, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, Drowning, Choking, Types of Bleeds, Shock, Spinal Injury, Fractures, Nosebleeds, Burns and Scalds, Head Injuries, Meningitis and Febrile Convulsions. All classes are taught for Baby, Child and Adult patients. As well as the taught session, you will receive a CPD certificate and weekly email videos giving you a refresher of a different topic each week.

As well as First Aid classes Emily also runs fitness classes on: Mum and Baby Fitness, Core Regain, Core Blast, TRX, Body Tone, MMA, MetaHiit, Yoga for Mums Emily’s current qualifications are: CYQ Level 2 Fitness Instructing (QCF) - Gym-Based Exercise; CYQ Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training (QCF); Emergency First Aid at Work (135453094571); First Aid at work (138001395671); CYQ Level 4 Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (QCF); CYQ Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (QCF); Active IQ Level 3 Award in Designing Pre and Post-Natal Exercise Programmes; Skills Active Suspension Instructor Training She is also a fully insured member of the Register of Exercise Professionals (Membership number R0123576). n For more information please visit the website els-training.co.uk or contact Emily on 07727123205.

debris

JEWELLERY CRYSTALS FOSSILS 1 Pontcanna Place Cardiff, CF11 9JY T: 029 2025 6554 E: info@debrisonline.com W: www.debrisonline.co.uk

ELS Training provides solutions allowing Mums and Dads to work out without childcare. Bring your babies and children with you, inspiring them to also follow active lifestyles!

A wide variety of class types in varying locations throughout Cardiff, suitable for all fitness levels. Family First Aid courses, giving parents and carers invaluable knowledge that can really save lives. Of course, babies and children are welcome to attend these also.

Mum and Baby Fitness • Core Regain • Core Blast TRX • Body Tone • MMA • Meta-Hiit • Yoga for Mums For more information please visit

www.els-training.co.uk

or contact Emily Lintern-Schewitz on

07727 123 205

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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food & drink

Caribbean Detox Salad After feasting away over the festive period it does make sense to look after your body a bit and think about what you eat. Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring and it need not just be for January either! A Caribbean style salad bursting with flavour from sweet bell peppers, black beans, sweet potato, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and a hint of lime, is the perfect way to start the 2015 detox!

Ingredients • 1 large cooked sweet potato, skin removed, cut into cubes • 2 mangoes, peeled, seeded, and cut into cubes • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained • 1 avocado, peeled and chopped • 1 cup chopped cilantro • 1 cup of beetroot leaves • Juice of 1 lime • Balsamic vinegar to taste

Method

1 2 3 4

Warm sweet potatoes in microwave if using chilled leftovers.

Place generous portion of sweet potatoes into large serving bowl.

Top with mangoes, bell pepper, black beans, avocado, beetroot leaves and cilantro.

Drizzle with lime juice and vinegar, stir gently, and serve. n

In the centre of the beautiful market town of Usk, Monmouthshire, lies the award-winning Three Salmons Hotel. With glowing reports from locals and visitors from further afield, the hotel has received two AA rosettes as well as an AA Strawberry Award for supporting local producers and suppliers. The airy and spacious restaurant is impressive, with well-ordered tables, solid wood flooring and a comforting open log fire. The food is equally distinguished and offers fresh, seasonal dishes with produce from nearby farms, as well as the vegetables grown in the hotel’s own garden.

Indulge the Senses and Revive Forgotten Memories in South Wales The Three Salmons Hotel is conveniently located in the centre of the historic market town of Usk just 8 miles from junction 24 of the M4 motorway.

D

ating back over 300 years the Three Salmons Hotel has been identified with unrivalled hospitality and excellent food.

To this day maintaining these high standards remains our focus.

Make the Three Salmons Hotel your base whilst exploring the beautiful Welsh countryside.

Whether you are enjoying the Usk Valley Walk, 18

plying your skills to catch the local salmon in the River Usk, or just getting away to relax and unwind. Our 24 en suite rooms are all individually furnished and equipped with flat screen televisions and DVD players. What better way to end your day with a meal in our 2 rosette restaurant and drink in our bar before sinking into one of our most sumptuous beds.

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

Our award winning restaurant uses the finest local ingredients and produce grown in our own garden. Coupled with good food we have an excellent cellar boasting wines from all around the World at a price to suit everyone.

Whether for business or pleasure, the amenities and hospitality at the Three Salmons Hotel will make it an ideal base. n

food & drink

La Bascula Wine Dinner at Arbennig Restuarant with Gilbert Viader and Ed Adams MW Introducing the Wines of La Bascula on Monday 24th November 2014 Gilbert Viader of Viader Vintners of Cardiff, a small independent wine importer and merchant got together with Arbennig Restaurant in Canton to put on a dinner that would allow Ed Adams MW of La Bascula wines to showcase a selection of his range of wines.

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e started with 2013 Catalan Eagle Garnacha Blanca, Viognier & Roussane (70, 20 & 10% respectively). It was poured just before the starter was served. Ed told us that this wine sees no wood during its production, it is vinified purely in stainless steel vats, however it is allowed an extended period of ageing on its lees which gives it richness. To look at it was very pale straw in colour with green shots through it. On the nose there were green apples and a creaminess (reminded me of Cream Soda), there were also peach and butterscotch notes. The attack was smooth and rich. There was lots of lovely minerality on the palate. In the mouth it was fresh and crisp like crunchy, zingy fruit but also some caramel flavours. The balance was lovely.

The finish was long and zesty with an aftertaste of those fruit salad chews of childhood! Then the

starter arrived and what a picture it was! Crab Scotch egg served on a pea velvet with crispy Serrano ham and a pea shoot garnish. It looked amazing and worked really well with the wine, each allowing the other to stand up for themselves but enhance each other as well.

The second wine was 2012 Heights Of The Charge Verdejo and Viura (70 & 30% respectively).

This was darker in colour but still had some green shots running through it. The nose was a bit closed at first but some floral notes did come through and even some grassiness with a little bit of lemon too. The entry was rich, toasty and warm and that toastiness followed through on to the palate but there was also some minerality there too. Jancis Robinson MW gave this wine 16.5/20 and described it as being “wildly good value”. The second course that accompanied this wine was Chorizo Arancini with braised tomatoes and truffle

oil. It was delicious with lovely smokiness coming from the chorizo.

Wine number three was 2011 The Charge.

Tempranillo & Garnacha (75% & 25% respectively) from Rioja. This was deep, dark and intense garnet in colour with a little bit of purple showing still. The nose was true spicy, spiky Rioja. It is the Garnacha that gives the savoury spice that is so characteristic.

The attack was smooth and creamy with some spice and heat coming quickly. The acidity was good and the tannins were well integrated. The balance was lovely despite the fairly high alcohol level – it carried it well (I think it was 14%). It was actually very refreshing and quite crisp. There was loads of crisp, crunchy fruit on the palate and also some cherries. This wine was given a Gold medal in the Rioja Masters competition organised by Drinks

Continued on page 20

Visit Paul upstairs at Kitchens Cookshop, High Street, Cardiff.

Paul Willetts Tel: 07742 171303 myowncurry@gmail.com @myowncurry eBay: My Own Curry Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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food & drink Business magazine. This was served with Spanish Charcuterie garnished with tiny sun blushed cherry tomatoes and a little dish of pesto and some chunky bread. The combination worked exceedingly well with the meat and surprising well with the tomatoes but the pesto clashed somewhat.

The next wine was another red – 2012 No Stone Unturned Old Vine Garnacha (50 year old vines) and Cariñena (40 year old vines) (60% & 20% with a 20% mix of Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah). The colour was very similar to the previous wine. The nose was tarry and there was a something harsh there too – but not in a way that detracted. Then notes of cherries or prunes came through and also some vanilla notes. The attack was smooth, warm and spicy. The tannins were almost ‘spritzy’ on the side of my tongue.

There was a huge amount going on – loads of lovely mellow fruit, some complexity starting. Ed told us that we were drinking this very young and that it would benefit from keeping a few years more – probably even up to 8 years. He said that he had decanted it several hours previously but that it would continue to develop in our glasses (if given a chance!!). It was served with Braised beef cheeks, patatas bravas, foraged mushrooms and shaved manchego (it was also sprinkled with little ‘balsamic pearls’ which gave the most delicious explosions in the mouth and brought all the different flavours together very well). This pairing

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worked extremely well. The beef was melt in the mouth tender but still quite rich and there were all sorts of flavours going on – really delicious.

The final wine of the night was 2011 Casta Diva Dessert Wine Moscatel. This is made in the Alicante region (near Benidorm) and uses the larger Alexandria Muscat grapes. The colour was an amazing pinky gold. On the nose there were mandarin oranges, spices of the Christmas variety!

There was also a sort of resiny wood note and some sort of perfume too. In the mouth it was surprisingly light weight. Very fresh and delicate.

There were floral flavours as well as tangy ‘Seville’ marmalade notes. It was absolutely delicious, I loved it. It was not at all cloying, just wonderful. My wine of the night! Ed suggested that before we drank it with the dessert it would be worth trying it with a small piece of blue cheese. So some Perl Las was produced and it did indeed make and excellent pairing. Apparently the wine can handle fairly strong blue cheeses. It also handled the dessert(s) very well too! What an amazing and incredibly useful wine to have in your cellar! The dessert was a trio of deliciousness – chocolate mousse, orange Pannacotta and honeycomb (there were also some lovely little nibs of hazelnuts). Well! The Moscatel made the chocolate mousse taste more chocolatey; the orange Pannacotta made the Moscatel taste more orangey and the honeycomb was simply a taste sensation!

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

So, all in all a wonderful night and I would like to thank everyone at Arbennig for a most excitingly delicious meal. The service was excellent – very attentive and everyone exceedingly helpful and friendly. n

By Gilbert Viader Viader Vintners Ltd Tel 02920 369 222 www.viader.co.uk

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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motoring

Safety Consicious Victoria Park Mazda Issues Car Insurance Warning Cardiff based Victoria Park Mazda has issued a warning to motorists as darker days and icy roads increase the potential for road accidents.

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he Hadfield Road dealer is making Mazda drivers aware of potential safety, reliability and resale value pitfalls of not using Mazda-approved repairers after an accident. To reassure customers, giving them complete peace of mind, Victoria Park Mazda is recommending that after an accident, customers call Mazda first, on free phone 0800 015 0367.

Peter Marshall, Marketing Director, Victoria Park Mazda commented: “We come across some real horror stories when checking our customers’ cars after third-party repairs. Sometimes we see sub-standard work, while other times repairs can simply be dangerous. Insurance companies are not required to fit genuine Mazda parts, or to use the highly trained technicians we have across the Mazda network, so there is no guarantee of quality.

“By calling Mazda first, any driver of new or used Mazda’s can benefit from free claim handling, free courtesy car, genuine Mazda parts and the reassurance that any repair will maintain the vehicle’s warranty.”

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Handling any issue from the smallest dent or windscreen crack to severe damage, the free insurance handling service ensures that customer cars remain 100% Mazda, crucially retaining the car’s original safety standards. With all repair work carried out by trained Mazda technicians, customers can also be sure that the resale value of their car is

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

protected, plus every Mazda repair is guaranteed for five years, with full warranty protection.

To report an accident, call Mazda first on 0800 015 0367 or to book service, MOT or repair workvisit Victoria Park Mazda on Hadfield Road, Cardiff call 02920 609228 or go to www.victoriapark-mazda.co.uk. n

Vehicle Sales

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Sourcing and Valeting Services Available The Cabin, Unit 1, Holden Road, Cardiff, CF11 8TJ 02920 226260 | www.greenawayautos.co.uk

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motoring

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cardiff walk

Cefn Onn Park & Two Ridges A moderate walk through Cefn Onn Park and onto the two ridges that dominate the skyline north of the city centre. Cefn Onn Park (open from 7.30am to about 30 minutes before sunset) is one of Cardiff’s favourite parks: its rhododendrons and camellias providing a colourful display in springtime and its collection of native and exotic trees giving vivid autumnal colours. From the ridges are fine views over Cardiff itself and the Severn estuary with its two islands, Flat Holm and Steep Holm. Northwards there is Caerphilly with its famous castle and on a fine day it is possible to see as far as Pen y Fan, the highest point in South Wales. below you to your right. The path turns sharply to the left continuing uphill through deciduous woodland. Turn right at the unmarked path junction and continue upwards to the crest of the ridge.

Maps: OS Explorer 151 Cardiff & Bridgend. plus a very short section on OS Explorer 166.

Start Point: Lisvane and Thornhill railway station: GR ST179835.

Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles.

Time: 3-4 hrs.

Facilities: There are toilets in Cefn Onn Park [at point B].

Difficulty: Moderate but with a steep climb on a good path early on and a steep descent on a tarmac road towards the end. The paths in the central section are rough and may be muddy after wet weather.

D: On the ridge take the path to the right.

Follow the path through grass land. Follow the waymarks through the wooden gate. Look slightly behind you to the left for a view across the pine forest to Caerphilly castle. Continue along the ridge path descending slightly to a minor road. [To shorten the walk turn right and follow the road down to point H.] E: Cross the road and follow the waymarked path through two wooden gates and then between the field and the shrubby woodland. Continue along this path past the end of the field through mature deciduous woodland to a set of bridle path gates.

continue straight ahead and slightly uphill. Soon you will see a fence on your right, follow this (ignoring paths off to the left). You will see forest on your left and rough grass land on your right.

Continue until you get to the top of the ridge and a path running along the top of the ridge.

Turn right onto this path.

G: To your left you will now see a spectacular view across the estuary. The two small islands are Flat Holm and Steep Holm. As you continue along the path you will also see on your left Llanishen Reservoirs, the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Bay. Just before you reach a small mast, you will see a Trig point on your left near the path. The path ends at a minor road.

H: Turn left and follow the road downhill. At a road junction go straight ahead passing a building on the left, then after 20 metres take the track on your right.

Route: A: Walk out of the main entrance to Lisvane & Thornhill station car park with its brown sign for Cefn Onn Park. Cross the road turn left towards the roundabout. At the roundabout turn right into Parc Cefn Onn, walking passed the car park.

B: Follow a way-marked path under the motorway bridge and continue straight ahead on the path through the trees. At the wrought iron fences turn right, through the cycle barrier, then left following the way-marked path parallel to the railway line cutting. Go around a gate and straight ahead following the direction of the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway path marker. Continue with the golf course on the left until you reach a gate.

C: Turn left along the path with the golf course on your left and trees on your right. The path goes downhill slightly then curves upwards to the right at the way marked path junction. Pass a chimney-like structure with “Shaft 4” written on the side (this is a ventilation shaft for the railway tunnel) and continue straight ahead ignoring paths to the left. Go through the bridleway gate up a slope with a small stream on the left. Follow the path uphill as it turns sharply to the right.

Along this path you will see a rocky outcrop above you to your left and a field boundary

F: Immediately after the gates turn right following the path downhill past ruined buildings.

At a path junction take the right fork along a smaller higher path. Follow the path as it bends to the left past a stile. After about 10 yards the path goes downhill into a small wooded valley. At the bottom cross a stream using the footbridge, then follow the path straight ahead as it ascends through shrubs with a stream on the right. Enter a deciduous forest and bear right. Cross a stream using the footbridge and then up wooden steps. A large track comes in from the left, but

I: Follow the track past houses to a way-marked path junction. At this point you are back at Point C and should turn down the path you came up on to retrace your steps back to the start point. n

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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education

The Importance of Reading When I was a teenager I used to babysit the next door neighbour’s nine year old.

His parents were astonished when they heard that at bedtime I made the boy a mug of cocoa and read him a bedtime story. I was equally astonished that they didn’t do either thing because I assumed that sort of thing was standard practice at bedtime.

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child opens up to them about any problems or worries that they have.

The other reason I’m wary of emphasising the learning aspect of shared reading is that parents may approach it as a duty or a chore. Reading should be fun – for the adult as well as the child.

If you can read to your child every day that’s fantastic but don’t stress if you miss out a day or even two. I use story time as a bribe with my son - if he’s not in bed with his face washed and teeth brushed within five minutes of the bedtime hour then he doesn’t get his story. It’s remarkable how well it works.

What my boy doesn’t realise is how much I enjoy story time myself. After my son mastered independent reading there was a couple of months when he read the Horrid Henry books aloud to himself, telling me my services were no longer required. Thankfully he wanted to move on to books that were slightly above his reading ability and I was drafted back in. I’m delighted that my son is benefitting educationally from this – his knowledge and vocabulary are increasing but honestly, the learning benefits are less important than making him roar laughing as I do all the different voices.

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n the first three years of life humans absorb more language than at any other time. The charity Booktrust report that reading to preschool children every day gives them a 12 month head start by the time they begin school.

The educational value of reading to your child has been stated time and time again, but sometimes I can’t help but thinking that is missing the point.

There’s far more to shared reading, especially bedtime stories, than an opportunity to widen your child’s vocabulary.

As parents we are forever being instructed to spend ‘quality time’ with our children.

However between work, homework, housework, playdates, after school activities and a variety of other distractions it’s often hard to find time, let alone ‘quality’ time. Despite our busy lives most of us can spare a half an hour (or ten minutes, or an hour) at bedtime. This is proper quality time because you have each other’s undivided attention (check all electronic devices at the door). A bedtime story is not only a way of entertaining your child and enhancing learning but a good transition from the busyness of the day to the (hopefully) calm of the night. A lot of parents find that it is during this shared time at the end of the day that their

It truly doesn’t matter if you are reading Dostoyevsky or Postman Pat

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Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

Don’t fret about what book to read – it really doesn’t matter. According to Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, “it truly doesn’t matter if you are reading Dostoyevsky or Postman Pat.” The important thing is spending the time together. I wasn’t always this casual about reading. I am a bookworm and come from a family of readers. My son has been surrounded by books, magazines and newspapers from birth.

With the abundance of ‘words’ in our home I half expected my son to be reading before he got to school. He wasn’t. During Reception year homework became fraught. Far from reading, my son didn’t even want to try to learn which I found extremely frustrating. At the parentteacher consultation I expressed my exasperation to his teacher saying, “I don’t understand it at all, I mean I’m a journalist!” The teacher had the good grace not to tell me I was completely unhinged.

Looking back I realise it is so easy to lose perspective when it comes to your child’s progress. It is extremely hard not to compare them to their classmates but you really can’t.

Children develop and learn at their own pace and no amount of parental fretting will change that. At some stage, one that will arrive far too quickly, they will outgrow shared reading so grab the opportunity while you can and enjoy some genuine quality time with your child. n

education

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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education

Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral Choir Tour to Madrid

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ardiff Metropolitan Cathedral

years at St Bavo’s Cathedral (Haarlem,

Choir has just returned from an

Netherlands), Nôtre Dame Cathedral

international tour to Madrid,

and the Madeleine Paris, Bath Abbey,

following on from a very

Christ Church Cathedral Oxford and

successful tour to Bruges and Ghent in

most recently Monteverdi Vespers of

July. Particular highlights of last week’s

1610 with period ensemble at St David’s

tour to Madrid were a superb concert

Hall, and Vivaldi Gloria and Haydn

at Iglesia de San Manuel y San Benito

Kleine Orgel Messe in the cathedrals

(with two standing ovations), visits to

of Bruges and Ghent (Belgium) with

Prado Art Gallery, Parque Retiro, and

Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society.

Real Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium, and

Other recent projects include singing in

performances at Madrid Cathedral

a major Hollywood feature film, BBC’s

and the world-famous El Escorial.

Doctor Who, and performances with

Daniela Mizzen (U6th Choral Scholar)

ensembles such as the BBC National

commented: ‘After singing the first note

Orchestra of Wales on BBC Radio 3,

of Tallis’ ‘Te Lucis Ante Terminum’ at

The Philadelphia Boys Choir (USA), and

Iglesia de San Manuel y San Benito, I

the forty-stave motet Spem in alium at

was in awe of the six second echo that

St David’s Hall with the internationally

followed and this was definitely one of

renowned consort, The Tallis Scholars.

the best moments of the trip for me.’

In the year ahead, the choir will

As the choir school to Cardiff

perform its annual Christmas and Easter

Metropolitan Cathedral, St John’s

lunchtime concerts at St David’s Hall

College provides the boy and girl

Cardiff on Tuesday 25 November and

choristers (aged 8 to 18) and musicians

Tuesday 17 March and the Choir will

for weekly services, two annual concerts

also be performing at Westminster

at St David’s Hall, and concert tours

Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral. n

across continental Europe. The Choir sings frequent BBC Broadcasts live on

Please see www.cardiffcathedralchoir.org

BBC Radio 4 to audiences estimated at

and email Dominicneville@cantab.net

1.8 million, and has performed in recent

for information about joining the choirs.

11+ Scholarships Awards available in Academic, Sport, Drama, Music, Art and All-Round Assessment Days 29 & 30 January 2015 Closing date for applications 8 December 2014

Please contact the Registrar, Katherine Cox, for more information

t: +44 (0)1684 544 108 e: registrar@thedowns.malcol.org www.thedownsmalvern.org.uk

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Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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education

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cardiff past

The Gates of History The new gates at Caerphilly Castle are a feast for the eyes with huge timber piers, cut-steel and coloured glass. And, as Head Custodian Tony Payne explains, they are an example of how stories are brought to life.

The new interpretive gates at Caerphilly Castle, designed by Rubin Eynon with local blacksmith Glen Adams, depict Gilbert de Clare’s futile charge at Bannockburn in 1314, an event that ended the de Clare dynasty at the castle. © Cadw, Welsh Government (Crown Copyright)

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hen new gates were needed at Caerphilly Castle, it was decided that they should do more than open and close. They should tell part of the story of this south Wales heritage icon. The problem was, which part?

There was so much to choose from, for a start, there’s the leaning tower (at more of an angle than Pisa’s) and the fact that it’s the second biggest castle in the UK; there is the story of how and why it was built and the important role it played in medieval politics; and then there are the folk tales of ghosts and haunting and the true stories about people: murder, intrigue, and adultery.

It is Cadw’s job to make these stories exciting and engaging and, at Caerphilly, the gates were included in the storytelling. Cadw’s small in-house interpretation team have been busy delivering exciting new schemes across Wales to help explain the past to visitors at a range of important sites, including Caerphilly Castle.

Regular visitors to the castle will have seen a range of innovative new installations, including a 270˚ animated film show; a series of sculptures and models by Welsh or Wales-based inspirational artists (including a giant sculpture of the fourth marquess of Bute holding up the leaning tower); a digital portcullis; an interactive touch table; a digital fireplace in the great hall; a children’s trail; and even a table runner and

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banners that tell the castle’s story.

For me, though, the gates really stand out. Not least because they are a great example of how something practical can be used to deliver a story.

The castle needed gates and the easy option would have been to install something plain and functional. However, given their prominent position, the alternative was to commission something beautiful that did the job, whilst also revealing part of the castle’s history.

The cut-steel on the main panels of the gates depicts a battle scene in full throw. Not just any battle though. It is the famous battle of Bannockburn, where the owner of Caerphilly Castle, Gilbert de Clare, and his men fought on behalf of Edward II against the Scots.

On 24 June 1314, de Clare rode into battle in such a frenzy that he is said to have forgotten the surcoat worn over his chain mail and which marked him out as Earl of Gloucester. In the fighting that followed, he was thrown from his horse. Normally, his opponents would have captured such a nobleman and held him for ransom, but without his surcoat he was just seen as another fallen soldier and was killed. Aged only 23, Gilbert died childless, ending the de Clare dynasty at Caerphilly. The gates were installed on the 700th anniversary of the battle.

The gates are picturesque, artistic, informative, engaging, creative... but there’s something else

The new gates and other new interpretation at our site will be available for visitors to see as part of the Christmas festivities this year in Caerphilly

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Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

about them that I really like. The roadway that they straddle is the same one (give or take some newer paving) that Gilbert, Eleanor, Hugh and all the other characters linked to the castle would have travelled over in their journeys to and from Caerphilly Castle. Today, it’s people like you and me who journey here to find out more about this magnificent site and we also travel over this same roadway; literally passing through the gates into the past.

And as Head Custodian Tony Payne explains, these gates will be part of a Victorian Christmas Fayre this year: “The new gates and other new interpretation at our site will be available for visitors to see as part of the Christmas festivities this year in Caerphilly. Hosted by the biggest castle in Wales, the fayre should be an event for all the family with lots of activities including Victorian ghost tales, Punch and Judy shows, a Victorian fairground and lots of traditional Christmas refreshements”.

The interpretation of Caerphilly Castle has been made possible thanks to support from the Heritage Tourism Project, managed by Cadw and funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. n

By Tony Payne

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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senior living

Winter Advice From Age Cymru Winter isn’t everyone’s favourite season. It’s that time of year when the clocks have gone back the nights are long and the temperature drops.

Get your electric blanket checked every three years by an expert – local Trading Standards department often offer free testing or you can ask at the shop where you bought the blanket.

Keeping your home warm and safe

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ith a little preparation, and by following some simple suggestions, we can help ourselves and our loved ones stay healthy, safe and as comfortable as possible this winter. Here’s our list of things you can do to help ward off the winter chills.

Keeping well • Take up your doctor’s invitation and have a flu jab.

• Keep simple cold, flu and sore throat remedies in the house. Your pharmacist can make suggestions and can also advise you on how to manage minor illnesses.

• Order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time, particularly if bad weather is forecast.

• Keep basic and non-perishable food items in the cupboard or freezer in case it’s too cold to go shopping.

• Eat at least one warm meal a day and drink plenty of warm drinks.

• Keep as active as possible.

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• If you smoke, think seriously about trying to stop.

Keeping warm indoors and out • Several thin layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thick layer, as the layers trap warm air. Clothes made from wool, cotton and fleecy synthetic fibres are a good choice. Start with thermal underwear, warm tights or socks.

• You should always wear gloves and a hat and wrap a scarf around your face when you go out in cold weather, even for short intervals.

• If you’re sitting down, a shawl or blanket will provide a lot of warmth. Try to keep your feet up, as the air is cooler at ground level and be sure the blanket doesn’t trip you up.

• Wear warm clothes in bed. When very cold, wear thermal underwear, bed socks and even a hat – a lot of heat is lost through your head.

• Use a hot water bottle or an electric blanket to warm the bed, but never the two together.

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

• The recommended temperature for your main living room is around 21°C (70°F), and the rest of the house should be heated to at least 18°C. You can get a free thermometer to help you monitor that your home is warm enough from your local Age Cymru office in Whitchurch or Pontypridd.

• Keep your bedroom window closed at night as you’re at risk of a heart attack, stroke or even hypothermia if exposed to a cold environment for a long time, or extreme cold for only a short time.

• Get to know how the timer and thermostat on your heating system work. If it’s very cold, set the timer to switch the heating on earlier, rather than turning the thermostat up to warm your house quickly, or keep the heating on constantly.

• Close the curtains at dusk and fit thermal linings if you can. This will keep the heat in.

• Have your central heating system serviced by a Gas Safe Register registered gas engineer and your chimney swept.

• Make sure your smoke alarm is working.

• NEST is a Welsh Government scheme helping make homes more energy efficient.

You can also check with your energy supplier for further advice to help you prepare for winter.

• Make sure you claim all the financial support you can to help with heating bills.

All of this information and more is available in our free ‘Winter wrapped up’ guide which you can collect from our Whitchurch office (Merthyr Road) or download it from www.agecymru.org. uk/spreadthewarmth n

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0800 9992259

CARDIFF

ABLEWORLD

4 Penarth Road Retail Park, Penarth Road, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, CF11 8EF (In between Bathstore.com and HSL)

Email: info@ableworldcardiff.co.uk

T: 02921 321 072

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Hamleys Top 10 Toys Teksta T-Rex, Xeno – The Cheeky Interactive Baby Monster, Barbie Colour Change Bag, Frozen – Ice Skating Doll, Transformers Chomp and Stomp Grimlock, Boom Co Rapid Madness, LeapFrog LeapTV, Doh Vinci Style & Store Vanity, Kiddizoom Smart Watch and My Friend Cayla

Competition

For your chance to win a £150 goodie bag from Hamley’s, simply fill out the entry form with the correct answer to the following question:

Answer: Name:

What is the name of the Cheeky Interactive Baby Monster in Hamley’s Top 10 Toys list?

Address:

Send your answers in a sealed, stamped, addressed envelope to: Hamleys CN, PW Media & Publishing Ltd, 2nd Floor, Richardson House, New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP. Closing date for entries is 18th December 2014.

Tel:

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what’s on DECEMBER

craftfayre@hotmail.co.uk Cost: £15 a stall

Until Wednesday 24th December Christmas Fantasy - The Perfect Christmas Tree

Sunday 7th Flea Fair

Clearwell Caves Nr Coleford Gloucester GL16 8JR www.clearwellcaves.com Cost: £9 per person, includes gift from Santa. Under 2 years free - gift £4.50

Throughout December and January Festive Inspired Family Pottery Fun Eastnor Pottery Home Farm Eastnor Ledbury Malvern Herefordshire HR8 1RD www.eastnorpottery.co.uk Cost: from £5, pre booking essential

Three Counties Showground Malvern Worcester WR13 6NW www.threecounties.co.uk Cost: £4

Christmas WreathMaking Cardiff Castle Castle Street Cardiff CF10 3RB www.cardiffcastle.com Cost: £25 per wreath, advance booking only

A Musical Advent Calendar St Donat’s Arts Centre Llantwit Major S Glam CF61 1WF www.stdonats.com Cost: £10 / £8

CF10 3RB www.cardiffcastle.com Cost: prices vary

Wednesday 10th – Friday 12th St Fagans Christmas Songsheet St Fagans National History Museum Cardiff CF5 6XB www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: £4 per person / Advance booking only

Thursday 11th Christmas Quiz Night National Waterfront Museum Oystermouth Road Maritime Quarter Swansea SA1 3RD www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: £3.50

A Christmas Concert of Seasonal Music and Carols St David’s Hall The Hayes Cardiff CF10 1AH www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk Cost: £9.00 - £14.00

Thursday 4th Wednesday 24th A Santa Claus Tour

Tuesday 9th Christmas Carols & Snow Songs

Millennium Stadium Westgate Street Cardiff CF10 1NS www.millenniumstadium.com Cost: ticket prices vary

St Donat’s Arts Centre Llantwit Major S Glam CF61 1WF www.stdonats.com Cost: £6.50

Saturday 6th Christmas Craft Fayre

Wednesday 10th - Thursday 11th The Castle After Dark

Car park of The Butchers Arms Cardiff CF14 6NB 029 2019 0036 Cost: free

Cardiff Castle Castle Street Cardiff

Saturday 13th Vintage and Handmade

Kimbolton Village Hall Kimbolton Leominster HR6 0EJ 40

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Friday 12th Rhiwbina Farmers’ Market

Christmas Fair National Waterfront Museum Oystermouth Road Maritime Quarter Swansea SA1 3RD www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: free

Saturnalia – Christmas Can Be Murder…

National Roman Legion Museum High Street Caerleon Newport NP18 1AE www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: charges for some activities

Festive Family Fun National Museum Cardiff Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NP www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: free

Saturday 13th December - Sunday 18th January Cinderella New Theatre Park Place Cardiff CF10 3LN www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk Cost: ticket prices vary

Sunday 14th Riverside Market Fitzhamon Embankment Cardiff CF11 6AN 029 2019 0036 Cost: free

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what’s on Wednesday 17th - Saturday 20th Alice in Wonderland St David’s Hall The Hayes Cardiff CF10 1AH www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk Cost: £10.00

Thursday 18th Carols at the Museum National Museum Cardiff Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NP www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: free, places limited

Saturday 20th Roath Farmers Market Mackintosh Community Centre Keppoch Street Cardiff CF24 3JW 029 2019 0036 Cost: free

Winter Solstice Feast St Fagans National History Museum Cardiff CF5 6XB www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: free

Festive Film: Frozen 3D National Waterfront Museum Oystermouth Road Maritime Quarter Swansea SA1 3RD www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: free

Saturday 20th – Sunday 21st 42

Christmas Decoration Workshop for Families St Fagans National History Museum Cardiff CF5 6XB www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: free

Saturday 20th Wednesday 24th The Nutcracker St David’s Hall The Hayes Cardiff CF10 1AH www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk Cost: ticket prices vary

Sunday 21st Riverside Market Fitzhamon Embankment Cardiff CF11 6AN 029 2019 0036 Cost: free

Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th Christmas Holiday Art Cart National Museum Cardiff Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NP www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: free

Monday 29th Children’s pottery workshop sessions - ‘Artic Circle’ Eastnor Pottery Home Farm Eastnor Ledbury

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

Malvern Herefordshire HR8 1RD www.eastnorpottery.co.uk Cost: £15 per child, booking essential

JANUARY Friday 2nd Rhiwbina Farmers’ Market Car park of The Butchers Arms Cardiff CF14 6NB 029 2019 0036 Cost: free

Sunday 4th Riverside Market Fitzhamon Embankment Cardiff CF11 6AN 029 2019 0036 Cost: free

Flea Fair Three Counties Showground Malvern Worcester WR13 6NW www.threecounties.co.uk Cost: £4

Sunday 11th Marina Market National Waterfront Museum Oystermouth Road Maritime Quarter Swansea SA1 3RD www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: free

Tuesday 13th Behind the Scenes:

Natural Sciences National Museum Cardiff Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NP www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: free, places limited

Friday 16th Welsh National Opera Orchestra St David’s Hall The Hayes Cardiff CF10 1AH www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk Cost: £5.00 - £42.00

Saturday 24th I Spy...Nature Big Garden Birdwatch National Museum Cardiff Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NP www.museumwales.ac.uk Cost: free, places limited

Sunday 25th Antiques and Collectors Fair Three Counties Showground Malvern WR13 6NW www.threecounties.co.uk Cost: £3 / £4

Friday 30th January Sunday 1st February Mother Goose St Donat’s Arts Centre Llantwit Major S Glam CF61 1WF www.stdonats.com Cost: £8 / £6

Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk

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Cardiff Now • December 2014/January 2015 • www.nowcardiff.co.uk