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Issue 20 Autumn 2012
DAME TANNI: Exclusive interview RHIWBINA SQUIRRELS:
New clubhouse opens RHIWBINA’S LOST PIRATE?
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news
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letters
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interview
12 16 21 23 25 gardening
music
local sport
local history
pets page
29 31 recipes
column 2
Welcome Croeso
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utumn has always been one of our favourite times of year. With the onset of winter comes the autumn storms - time to wrap up warm and get nestled for the cold months ahead. So we’ve put together a rather cosy autumn issue together for you. Perfect for settling down with a cup of tea and a bit of cake with. First up is Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, who took time out of her busy schedule to talk to us about her childhood in the area. Since her times at Birchgrove Primary school, Tanni has gone on to become one of the most successful athletes the UK has ever produced. Another talent from the area is Dewi Griffiths. Some of you may not have heard his name, yet this young guitarist is making some serious waves in the music scene. We spoke to him in his Rhiwbina home to find out where he’s come from and where he’s heading. On page 12, you’ll find Kevin Revell’s wonderful feature ‘The Autumn Garden’. As summer fades away, Kevin takes us through the oncoming spectacular and colourful season of autumn. As the rugby season kicks off, Rhiwbina Squirrels will be delighted with their new clubhouse. This comes 50 years after the club was set up. You can read the full story of their successful history in the village on page 21. Local resident Gareth Neale has penned a fascinating feature that links our village to a certain Capt. Henry Morgan. Read more about this story on page 23. Plus there’s news, recipes and lots, lots more! See you in November! Patric and Danielle (editors)
A: 222 Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AG T: 07772 081775 / 07974 022920 E: editor@livingmags.co.uk W: www.livingmags.co.uk While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any matter in any way arising from the publication of this material. Every effort has been made to contact any copyright holders. Rhiwbina Living is an independent, apolitical publication.
Advertising booking and copy deadline for Issue 21 Friday 26th October 2012. Issue 21 publication date - November 2012. Rhiwbina Living is published 4 times a year.
LIVING MAGAZINES LAUNCH I♥CF Living Magazines has launched an all-Cardiff website. You can find more at www.ilovecf.com
POLICE TACKLE RHIWBINA YOUTH DISTURBANCES Reports of youth annoyance in some of Rhiwbina’s parks over the summer have been met with a police response which has included regular patrols. In late July, there were reports of youths causing a disturbance at Hill Snook Park. Police responded to the disturbance and dealt with the youths, issuing several of them with ASBOs. The following week, several youths were dealt with in both Caedelyn Park and Llanishen Fach Park, when police reportedly found youths in possession of cannabis. In both cases, appropriate action was taken. Since then, there have been no reported youth disturbances in any of Rhiwbina’s parks. A local youth did get in touch with Living Magazines to say that local youths were merely enjoying themselves when they were out in the parks. He said: “I’m sure a lot of the older people in Rhiwbina remember what it was like when they were younger. I’m sure they used to sit in the parks with their friends and have a laugh. We haven’t had much of a summer with the wet weather so it’s nice to be able to sit in the sun when we get a chance. Do they expect us all to sit inside in case we offend anyone?” Police have been actively patrolling the parks since the topic of youth annoyance was raised at a PACT meeting back in 2010. Anyone who suffers from youth disturbance can call 101.
news
Tributes Paid To Rhiwbina’s Angharad
POLDARK STAR DIES Tributes were paid back in July to Welsh actress Angharad Rees, who was brought up in Rhiwbina. She died of cancer at the age of 63. Angharad became one of the best-known faces of the 1970s thanks to her role in the BBC series Poldark. The show went on to become one of the most successful drama shows on British television. Up to 15 million viewers regularly tuned into the Sunday evening costume drama between 1975 and 1977. Living Magazines editor Patric Morgan said “I met Angharad back in the late 80’s at Dylan Thomas’s Boat House in Laugharne. She was such a friendly woman and took the time to speak to us at length. She was with her son who was tragically killed in a car crash on
the M11 in 1999.” Fellow actress Ruth Madoc said: “Angharad was a lovely, gentle woman and very pretty.” Angharad also appeared in the 1972 film Under Milk Wood alongside fellow Welsh actors Richard Burton, Siân Phillips and Elizabeth Taylor. She was nominated for a best newcomer award for her role in 1974 film Moments, with Australian actor Keith Michell. Despite stepping away from the acting spotlight, she stayed an active supporter of the arts when she set up her own jewellery business in London. She is survived by her husband, and her son Rhys, 35.
A child playing with a toy gun sparked a police incident in Rhiwbina back in July. Police were called to Manor Way after a member of the public called in to say that they had seen a suspicious man pointing a
handgun out of a window. Police entered a block of flats where they found a young boy, who confirmed that he had been playing with a toy gun. South Wales Police thanked the public for their support.
Toy Gun Sparks Incident
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news
RHIWBINA’S NEXT PACT MEETING Rhiwbina’s next PACT meeting will be held at Rhiwbina Baptist Church on Thursday 13th September at 6.30pm
School Receives Estyn Praise
Acknowledged by Estyn as “one of the highest performing schools in Wales” (March 2012) the Cathedral School in Llandaff is looking confidently to the future. Following very detailed and careful planning, it has been announced that the first year of sixth form provision will begin in September 2013. Work is now underway on the refurbishment of the School’s Lodge building, which will become the Infant department’s new home next year. Pupils at the Cathedral School receive first class academic teaching and “attain outstanding results in GCSE examination”
(Estyn 2012), take part in a wide co-curricular programme, develop their leadership skills and confidence and are supported through high quality pastoral care within a Christian context. The school’s outstanding reputation for music is well known: 40 pupils lead choral worship in Llandaff Cathedral, but beyond this there are many ensembles, choirs and groups performing regularly. For further information, visit www.cathedral-school.co.uk or contact the Registrar Mrs Pam Critcher on 029 2083 8504 or registrar@cathedral-school.co.uk.
Rhiwbina Men’s Indoor Bowls Club play at the Recreation Club in Rhiwbina Village, from mid September to late April, on two permanent rinks of the same material as that seen on television. Throughout the season there are friendly matches with other clubs, competitions, and social events. There are also what are called “roll-ups” which are of a distinctly casual nature. The social events take place at the start of the season, in early December and just before Easter. 4
Another takes place towards the end of the season, when the men join forces with Rhiwbina Ladies indoor Bowls Club for a competitive afternoon/evening to raise funds for a nominated charity. Contact our Secretary, John Salaman on Cardiff 02920 626539, or our captain, Norman Rendle on 07712 082042 if you’d like to join.
RHIWBINA BOWLS CLUB ROLLS UP FOR ANOTHER SEASON
3rd Rhiwbina Cubs For Cub Scouts (8-10½ years) there’s never a dull moment. From local visits and weekend camps to creative activities and outdoor activities, their programme is packed with adventure. You’ll learn new skills, make new friends and most importantly, have fun! Contact the group on leaders@rhiwbinacubs.co.uk or visit the website www.rhiwbinacubs for more information!
Looking for top quality tuition? A new company providing 1-2-1 private tuition and coaching to individuals in South Wales has been launched in Caerphilly. Sara Ridley, Managing Director of Top Quality Tuition explained: “I have provided private tuition as an individual for three years and time and time again I have been told that it’s difficult to get a good tutor. I think there is a definite call for private tuition and coaching where the quality can be trusted and there is a personal relationship.” For more details, visit www.topqualitytuition.co.uk
If you’d like to get in touch, you can find our address on the inside front cover. Alternatively, you can email us at editor@livingmags.co.uk
REMEMBERING THE PHILOG
letters
After reading some of your excellent historical features in previous issues, I was reminded of the various shops and businesses we used to have along The Philog area of Whitchurch over the past 50 to 60 years. I have lived in this area for most of my life with just a short spell of 13 years in nearby Rhiwbina and have seen many changes during that time. As a young lad I well remember going shopping with my mother to the local shops. In those days (in the 1950s at least) there were no supermarkets so we always had to use the local tradespeople. Our grocery shopping was originally done at Ideal Stores (now Super Spanner car parts). It was run by Mr & Mrs Chivers and was later sold to Mr Charrington. They sold all sorts of groceries and at the rear of the shop was the counter serving fresh bacon, cooked ham etc. Next door to this was ‘The Stalling Down’ - a small greengrocers shop which was run by the three King sisters and their brother. A few doors down from this was a small ironmongers owned by Mr & Mrs John. I remember we used to go there to get our supplies of paraffin for our stove. In addition to the usual ironmongers goods, they had a small selection of sweets and I remember buying loose sherbet by the quarter in that shop. Further along The Philog, in the opposite direction, where Aztec Hair Salon now stands, were two more grocery shops.
First was Hayward’s. Originally it was owned by the Bayliss family. It had a chewing gum vending machine on the wall outside. A few doors along was Worthing’s which was owned by Fred and Babs Worthing. This was a smaller shop but was always crammed with all sorts of things. We used to go there to buy our frozen Jubblys! The local newsagent belonged to Mrs Jenkins and her daughter Clarice. Their shop was right by the Philog bus stop and is now empty. As well as newspapers, they used to sell confectionery, stationary and tobacco goods. My father was always sending me to get an ounce of his St Bruno Flake or a box of matches. In those days it wasn’t illegal to sell these items to kids. Further along The Philog was Eddy’s the Bakers. A small block of flats aptly named Baton Court now occupies these premises. It was a lovely shop, run by old Mr Eddy and his son Dick and daughter Martha. I remember they had a lovely selection of bread and cakes and had trays of delicious buns and hot meat pies. I believe the actual bakery was at the rear of the premises. Opposite Eddy’s on the other side of The Philog, on the corner of Wauntreoda Road, was a butcher’s shop, originally owned by Mr Hurley. There was sawdust over the floor and always big sides of meat hanging around the shop on large hooks. The business was later taken over by Norman Morgan then Burkes. It is now a nail salon. Right at the other end of The
Philog, towards The Common, was the Post Office, which was owned and run by Mr & Mrs Charles. It had several subsequent proprietors but sadly it was finally closed a few years ago and has been converted to a private dwelling. Unfortunately, the Post Box was also removed and although there is still a Post Box at the other end of The Philog, there are no others until you get to the Post Office in the village. A Mrs Lewis used to run a small private lending library combined with a shop which sold wool and patterns. This operated from the front room of her house which was opposite Worthing’s Grocery shop. The Dairy was situated on the corner of The Philog and Maelog Road and I remember going there occasionally to get a pint of milk if we had run out at home. Finally, there was Taylor’s Garage on The Common. They sold Regent petrol and it was later taken over by Texaco. It is now Johnsons Dry Cleaners. From what was once a thriving area for local businesses, there are now only five businesses in operation. How times have changed! DAVID GRIFFITHS Whitchurch 5
ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH Heol Y Felin Rhiwbina
All are invited to our Harvest Celebration! Sunday October 7th 10.30 DON’T FORGET
Bingo!!
11.00am every Tuesday morning in the church hall Only £2.50 per session! (Includes refreshments)
Come and join us!
Living faith course starting late September phone Fr Andrew for up to date details! Calling All 5-11 year olds! Come to our Junior Church Sundays’ 10.30
If you want to talk about Baptisms, Funerals or Weddings or require pastoral support please contact, Fr. Andrew James 02920 654406
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interview
A Dame and a Lady DAME TANNI-GREY THOMPSON IS A LEGENDARY NAME IN THE WORLD OF SPORT. CHRISTENED CARYS DAVINA GREY, HER SISTER REFERRED TO HER AS “TINY” WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HER, PRONOUNCING IT “TANNI” AND THE NAME STUCK. DAME TANNI TALKS TO LIVING MAGAZINES ABOUT HER CHILDHOOD, HER SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND HER NEW ROLE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS AS A LIFE PEER.
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t is perhaps fitting that the Cardiff girl who overcame physical challenges is now leading the way for today’s generation of sports people. Considered to be one of the most successful disabled athletes in the UK, Dame Tanni GreyThompson’s career has taken her all over the world, earning the respect of many. Born in Cardiff, Tanni lived in Heath, just around the corner from the hospital where her father worked. From the age of seven, Tanni had to wear callipers and use a wheelchair. “I attended Birchgrove Primary and then St Cyres Comprehensive School – my best 8
memories are of St Cyres and the friends I made there. It didn’t matter that I used a wheelchair, everyone helped me get around. I didn’t feel any different to the other girls in my year. We all used to go into town on a Saturday for Peters Pies.” Tanni’s teachers remembered Tanni as a girl who was determined to push herself to the limit, and it wasn’t long before Tanni became an accomplished all rounder at sports, enjoying swimming, archery and horse riding. Even so, Tanni still had other obstacles to overcome: “Other people’s bias was a problem back then. It still can be.
I still get occasions when people in shops will ignore me and speak to the person behind me, or ask someone with me “What would she like?” Nowadays I tend to tweet when I’ve had bad service, probably out of frustration and with a view to warning
other disabled people what they might expect if they visit certain shops, restaurants etc. I do feel that attitudes are changing but we still have a long way to go.” It was in Seoul in 1988, that Tanni first represented Great Britain and won her first Paralympic medal, the 400m bronze. Spinal surgery forced Tanni to take a year away from the track but at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics, she stormed to victory taking four gold medals in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres and a silver in the 4x100m relay. The same year, she won her first of six London Wheelchair Marathons. Tanni won the 800 metres gold in the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics along with three silver medals in the 100, 200 and 400 metres. At the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, a 31 year old Tanni returned with a vengeance, striking gold a fabulous four times in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres. In Athens 2004, aged 35, she then took first place in the 100 and 400 metres bringing her Paralympic gold medal tally to an astonishing eleven. Her total Paralympic Medal tally is 11 gold, 4 silvers and 1 bronze. “Looking back, the most satisfying aspect of it all was that all the hard work and the training each day was worth it. I have had a great career, met some wonderful people and visited some amazing places, but without all the hard work, dragging myself out of bed on freezing cold mornings to go training, none of it would have happened. I always say to young people starting out, pick a sport that you enjoy, then the training is easier. I always enjoyed my sport.” Since her retirement, Tanni has continued to be involved in sport. She is a director of UK Athletics and a member of the board of the London Marathon. In 2008 Tanni was appointed as
interview
a member of Transport for London, where she chairs the Environment, Corporate and Planning Panel, and is a member of the Surface Transport and Safety, Health and Environment Assurance Panels. In 2010, Tanni was appointed to the House of Lords, where she serves as a non party political crossbench peer. Tanni took the title Baroness Grey-Thompson of Eaglescliffe in the County of Durham. Tanni is a working peer and hopes to use her experience and knowledge to great effect in debates in the House. She has most recently contributed in the Welfare Reform and Legal Aid Bill. “My role in the House of Lords is like being at a new school. There are rules and conventions and I am very wary of overstepping the mark. I have been really busy in the last few months examining the Government’s welfare reforms – I feel that my role has been to examine the legislation to try and make sure that it is fair. I’m not sure that we have got there yet.” So what are Tanni’s hopes for this year’s British Paralympians? “I think we can see from the reaction to the torch relay and the Olympics last month that the British people are going to
be enthusiastic about the Games and our athletes. It’s going to be a wonderful experience for everyone competing from the home nations and will, I hope, encourage them to amazing performances.” Dame Tanni still fights the corner for disabled sport. Back in May, she used her considerable clout to back a scheme to tackle the opportunity gap that sees just one in six disabled adults playing sport regularly. Currently 17.6% of disabled people play sport at least once a week, up from 15.1% in 2005/6 when the successful Olympic bid. Challenges still face disabled people wanting to take part in sport. Tanni told the press: “I am delighted that this new allocation of funding is available and is specifically targeted at improving access to grassroots sport to more disabled people. I am confident that this will encourage people who don’t come from a traditional sporting background to participate.” The girl from Cardiff who led the way for many years is now leading the way for others. Twitter: Tanni_GT
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the autumn garden by Kevin Revell
Autumn flowers are always welcome but when does one season start and another end? Hibiscus was once regarded as a classic autumn bloom but seems to have moved forward to late summer now, or is it that our autumns are now more pleasant than most summers? Fuchsia is indispensible at this time but has probably been flowering for months. Perhaps the archetypal autumn flower is that of Fatsia japonica, whose bizarre eruptions are attuned to day length rather than temperature. Hoverflies and wasps seem more attracted than bees but they too deserve their reward for the work they have put in throughout the year. They are currently flowering alongside the winter jasmine and the normally winter flowering Viburnum bodnatense. Many plants that perform outside of the regulation spring and early summer months seem less regimented and more rebellious as they flower in small bursts off and on through autumn and into winter. The onset of autumn is often marked by the prominence of spiders in the garden - not 12
hiding in the undergrowth, but bold-as-brass, sentinel-like in the centre of dew-bejewelled webs each morning, looking a little bit larger than the day before until sufficiently well fed to overwinter in some hiding place among the logs and stones stacked in odd corners of the garden. Their winter store is hard won however as the web must be constructed anew each night at considerable effort and expenditure in spun silk. Pity them as you brush their labours from your hair or clothes each morning. Occasionally, a long spring followed by a warm summer will lead to a wonderful show where the autumn colour of the rowans, maples and liquidambers goes on and on. Ideally a period of sunny, calm days allows a slow build up of autumn colour in the shortening days; daily changes visible in a whole tree or perhaps an avenue of trees are a joy to behold and light up the landscape like a torch. The show does not end there; whole creeper-clad walls once verdant green now turn a shocking red revealing the presence of Virginia creeper or Boston ivy. It pays not to devote
all your walls solely to spring flowering clematis and wisteria. If the house has four walls there is one available for each season, when there is no apparent space left in the garden, it is time to exploit the often ignored vertical surfaces. Once there was a time when cold, still days were followed by sharp frosts at night time which hastened the fall of leaves from the trees, but those days are long gone. The changing foliage colour is caused by pigments in the leaf used for protection from ultraviolet light being revealed by the breakdown of the chloroplasts. These contain the green pigment chlorophyll, a valuable molecule, the constituent parts of which are reclaimed and stored by the plant through winter. If the display looks good enough to eat it may be because the revealed caretenoid and anthocyanin pigments are familiar to us as they also occur in flowers and fruit and often have nutritional benefits to ourselves. Protective tannins in the leaves cause most higher animals to leave tree leaves well alone so it is left to the micro-flora and fauna of bacteria, fungi, worms
and woodlice to reap the plentiful harvest. Exploring a deposit of leaf mould is like archaeology, with a valuable resource buried for those who quest in the garden. It makes a superb mulch or soil conditioner so when conditions allow, armed with bucket, brush and rake, I gather all I can before they blow away down the road, migrating east in search of a place to rest for the winter. Of course if you are close to an ash or sycamore tree the resultant leaf mould spread around the garden may come complete with lots of little surprises come spring but these weeds are easily pulled if spotted young and are reminders of the transitory nature of civilisation. The season of mellow fruitfulness begins with the dog days of summer and is often born of drought, but soon disappears under a deluge of rain and gales; often a windy blast shakes the majority of fruit off as windfalls, forcing a hasty harvest in less than ideal conditions. The musty smell of decomposing and often coddled windfall fruit is synonymous with the onset of autumn and a good
sign that it is time to harvest the rest. Growing a range of different fruit is ideal to ensure a successful harvest of some if not all. Most summer fruiting apples arrive in August without fail but late summer sun is essential for a palatable harvest and any glut must be consumed rapidly as they do not store well. Later varieties often fare better as recent seasons have seen relatively poor summers but pleasant autumns. Warm, dry days ensure a good late picking which will store well into the winter all being well. Some varieties allegedly persist on the tree well into winter but I like to bring the harvest home and take no chances with the combination of brown rot, snails, woodlice, earwigs, wasps, birds and small children all eager to test my patience. If you get the opportunity there is no doubt regarding the quality of a lightly frosted, sun burnished apple, fresh from nature’s cold store. The vegetable patch will have to be harvested and tidied, ideally the plot dug over and enriched with manure or compost prior to the sterilising, clod breaking frosts of
winter. If root crops are not dug up and stored in clamps they may be stuck until spring as winter and forgetfulness take hold. Few leaf crops will look better after the rigours of winter so get the recipe books out now and make the most of the harvest before the slugs and wood pigeons move in. Autumn is a time for reflection, of tasks not completed through the summer which will now likely be left – there’s always another year. It’s a time to hunker down and make repairs to buildings and structures likely to be damaged by the harsh weather ahead. Out of the window the last of the hazel leaves hang tired and tattered, yellow and brown; Cinderella is left frustrated as the ugly sisters have gone to the ball in all their autumn finery. A time of regret and perhaps sadness at the passing of summer or fear at the prospects ahead, indeed a worrying time for anyone haunted by fits of depression and seasonal affected disorder as the Christmas jollity threatens. The carol singers need to wear flak jackets ‘round these parts’! Kevin Revell
Kevin Revell is Plant Area Manager at Caerphilly Garden Centre and is a Llandaff North resident
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n a M r a t Gui
S
at relaxing in a large armchair of his Rhiwbina home is Dewi Griffiths. He’s very much at ease. There’s a piano in the room, lid open, and a few sheets of music scattered on the top. Other than that, there’s no indication that the man sat opposite is fast becoming a rising star in the Welsh music scene. With one album already drawing glowing praise, and appearances on national TV, the guitarist is modest about his achievements to date. “I’ve always loved music,” says Dewi. “My dad used to have hundreds of singles when I was a kid. I tried my hand at a few instruments when I was at school – cello, piano, cornet, euphonium. I learnt the basics of reading music but didn’t go on to study it too much. In many ways, having not learnt the rules, I didn’t feel constrained by them when it came to writing my own music.” Mostly self-taught, Dewi began jotting down songs that came 16
into his head. “I’d spend a day singing a song in my head before realising that I’d never heard it before and it was in fact, one that I’d made up. Most of the songs on my first album were written in my bed in university. I was always writing them when I should have been doing essays or assignments. Having something more important to do has always been the time when I seem to be the most productive with my writing. “From the age of about 13, the guitar was lending itself to me. There didn’t seem to be much calling for euphonium players in the world. With the guitar, I was able to learn from tab, a simplified way of learning to play guitar. But I learnt most of it from experimentation. If it sounded good, I kept playing it.” In September 2010, Dewi recorded his first album, called ‘Why Dewi Quit the Call Centre’. “There was a lot of fuss made in the press about this hardworking call centre worker breaking out and making a name
for himself. I remember being pressed on it by a journalist from a local regional newspaper. It wasn’t quite like the way it was reported as I hadn’t been in the job that long. But technically it’s true. The name was just the first thing that came into my head and we recorded it in our front room. The songs on it dated back a few years. The good thing about it was that I’d had time to perfect them.” Cardiff ’s Miniature Music Press heaped praise on the album, describing it as “…9 songs of exquisite technicality, impassioned playing and genuine beauty.” “I was doing a lot of open mic evenings earlier this year. I wasn’t doing it to become rich and famous. I just loved playing music.” In July, Dewi played at St David’s Hall as part of the Welsh Proms, marking a small breakthrough in his career. “I wasn’t expecting the call to be honest. I’d walked into St David’s Hall a few weeks earlier,
handed them over an example of my work and hoped that I’d get a call to do some support slot for someone else. This is what I’d been doing for the past few years. Then they called me up and asked if I’d like my own hour. I couldn’t say ‘Yes’ quick enough. It was great – I even had my little write-up in their monthly ‘What’s On’ guide. It seemed weird seeing my name in it!” The last few months have really seen the music scene sit up and take notice of Dewi. “This year really has been a learning curve for me. Whereas a year ago, I was wandering into pubs and clubs, asking to see the manager, and showing them a video of me on my mobile phone, I’ve now got my own website and have become a bit more media savvy. I’m still learning of course.” But more importantly, Dewi has been picking up allimportant accolades throughout 2012. “I’m very proud to say I’ve won the first prize in the solo strings section of the Eisteddfod this year.” And as word has been getting around, he’s being invited to play at other
prestigious gigs. “Yeah, I played at the Lord Mayor’s Charity Gala Concert at the Millennium Centre back in April. I’ve played at the St Donat’s Arts Festival in July, and I’ve been making regular appearances on S4C and numerous radio stations. I’ve even been to America to play. Throughout August, I was playing at the Welsh Assembly every weekend.” When he’s not playing to the public, Dewi is working on his second album. “The second album was always going to be difficult as I used all my back catalogue of songs on my first album. I’m having to start from scratch with this one. I have decided that I will be using introducing other instruments into this album though. I’m also toying with the idea of a tour. Having played to crowds now, I’ve been able to react to them and figure out what they seem to like and what they’re not so keen on.” A lot of the music critics are agreeing that Dewi’s diverse music is finger-pickin’ good. “One of my songs, Spanish medley is indeed what it says on the tin, a medley of some of
my favourite Spanish tunes to play. When I started learning the guitar I was very typical of pretty much what every boy my age did, started with power chords, playing Green Day and Blink 182 etc, before moving on to blues and then being devoted to learning every note of every Led Zeppelin song. Until one day, I saw El Mariachi, and discovered my new musical obsession.” It is an obsession that will perhaps delight the ears of many listeners to come. www.dewig.co.uk
17
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Book your space in our Christmas issue now!
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• 4,440 copies to homes and businesess in Rhiwbina - personally delivered by us • Free advert design • Free web listing and • editorial on our website • 1/2 price online advertising at www.ilovecf.com when booked with Living Mags
rhiwbina • whitchurch llandaff • llandaff north As featured in
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CF Drivewell Driving Academy Making Local Roads Safer
Safe Driving For Life Sarah and Salvina have been teaching learner drivers in the Cardiff area since 1999. We have a wealth of driving experience too, (over 30 years each) which we would love to share with you, giving you the best chance to be safe on todays busy roads.
• DSA registered, CRB checked, fully qualified Approved Driving Instructors (female) • Professional, reliable, patient and caring instructors • Excellent above average pass rate • Competitively priced quality lessons • Discounts for students and block bookings •17th birthday lessons - midnight available on request • One-to-one tuition - no car sharing • Flexible lesson times 7 days a week • Pick up from home, work or college
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Local driving instructors Salvina and Sarah are keen to get involved with the local community and are passionate about helping to have safer drivers on the road. “We wanted a name that pupils would be part of and are proud of.” The name Drivewell encourages drivers to drive well both on their lessons and beyond. Both female instructors focus on customer service too and want customers to be safe, relaxed and comfortable when having tuition. Drivewell’s modern air-conditioned dual controlled cars have names – Salvina’s – ‘Valentino’ as it arrived on Valentine’s Day, and Sarah’s ‘Taffy’ as it was transferred to DriveweIl Driving Academy on St David’s Day. This adds humour to the lesson, encouraging pupils to drive safely and take responsibility for vehicles on lessons and when they have passed their test. The day of a driving instructor is so varied and never boring- every hour is different. It varies from teaching someone who has never been behind the steering wheel, to someone who wants to improve their confidence and skill. With today’s busy roads, often drivers decide to have some motorway, advanced driver training, or even eco-driver training (with the fuel prices increasing this can save drivers money.) Sarah is also involved with delivering the National Driver Awareness Course to drivers who have had an incident and wish to attend to avoid prosecution. Drivers have an opportunity to develop their driving skills with professional driver trainers rather than attend court. Sarah also has a BA Hons in Education which undoubtedly helps when teaching and motivating all types of students. Salvina and Sarah love meeting and working with different people, from all backgrounds making the job so interesting, varying from a 17 year old beginner to an experienced driver in their nineties. Drivewell welcome and look forward to the DSA Cardiff Test Centre relocating to Llanishen in the autumn. The routes will be challenging, helping to put competent safer drivers on the road. Asked the most satisfying part of the job – teaching a lifelong skill and the emotions of pupils when the examiner says “I am pleased to say you have passed.”
s l e r r i u sq ru gby
The next momentous step in the 50 year history of Rhiwbina RFC took place on 4th August when their new changing rooms at Parc Cae Delyn were officially opened by Roger Lewis, Group Chief Executive of the WRU. This also follows the installation of new training lights on their newly-aligned pitch and the establishment of another new pitch alongside, to provide high quality training, playing and changing facilities that would be the envy of many clubs. Rhiwbina RFC, now widely known as ‘The Squirrels’ because of their club logo, played their first game in February 1962. A group of local rugby players met in The Butchers one night and decided it would be a good thing to start up a club in Rhiwbina, and adopted the Ansells squirrel on their beer mats as the club’s logo – but they did turn it round to point the other way just to make it different! The club’s first President was Rhiwbina resident the late Keith Rowlands, himself a Welsh international and British Lion. Keith continued in his role as President for many years, and Keith always rejoiced in the fact that Rhiwbina developed to have the largest junior section of any club in Wales.
Rhiwbina joined the WRU league system in the 1990’s and has continued to establish itself as one of the leading teams in Cardiff. They gained promotion from Division 4 as winners in 2011, and a second successive promotion from Division 3 as runners up to local rivals Llanishen in 2012. This now sees Rhiwbina in Division 2 East for season 2012-2013. But with long-standing Chairman Paul Maddocks at the helm, along with a band of loyal committee men and supporters, the team, under captain Nick Howell, have every reason to look forward to the season with confidence. At the official opening of the new changing rooms, special guests joined players of all ages, committee and supporters of Rhiwbina RFC at Parc Cae Delyn. Chairman Paul Maddocks welcomed everybody and thanked all those people over the past 10 years who had contributed to the new facilities. “These changing rooms are ones that any club could be proud of and, along with our new training lights, represent all that’s good about local grass-roots rugby.” said Maddocks. He added “We’re very proud that Rhiwbina RFC and the Recreation Club are very much part of the excellent Rhiwbina community spirit.” Roger Lewis said he was very pleased to be back at Rhiwbina to share in their success in this, their 50th Anniversary year. Mr Lewis said “Rhiwbina is one of the powerhouses of Welsh rugby, and it’s clubs like this that have contributed to the success of Welsh rugby in recent years.
The story of a Rhiwbina’s rugby club as it celebrates its 50th anniversary Even more so in Rhiwbina’s case, as their junior system helped develop the current Wales captain Sam Warburton. To raise £120,000 for this wonderful facility took a great deal of hard work and fund-raising, and we shouldn’t underestimate its value to the local community and the legacy it will it leave for years to come.” Rhiwbina President Gwynne Williams added “The club has come a long way since its first game in February 1962, and it’s good to see players who played in that very first game here today to celebrate another great step in Rhiwbina’s history.” Cllr Adrian Robson also stressed the value of the facility to the local community: “The new Rhiwbina Rugby Club changing room facility in Cae Delyn Park will help to support and promote a successful club. Although it is mainly for the rugby club, other Rhiwbina clubs and organisations may be able to use it, so it has great potential to be a major community asset for Rhiwbina.” If you’d like to play in any of the age groups or be a member, please contact Club Secretary Scott Kennedy on 07899 915063.
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a n i b w i h R d n a Rum by Gareth Neale ‘For Rums alone the Liquor of the Hearts Delight’ Says the Old Bold Mate of Henry Morgan. So goes a well known line of one of our traditional sea shanties. How many of us have remembered those lines in one of our Spar shops when we look at the bottles of spirit? For there if we looked standing, would be almost certainly some rum bottles carrying the picture of a pirate on the label of ‘Captain Morgan’s Rum’. On August 14th 2011, The Times reported that a ship found on the Lojas Reef by the University of Texas was one of five ships lost in a hurricane by Henry Morgan, the 17th century buccaneer, and that it was his flagship ‘Satisfaction.’ His ships sank shortly after his successful raid on Panama City in 1671 with 1,400 men. He, unlike his flagship, survived to fight another day against his mortal enemies - the Spanish host occupying the so called Spanish Main. Who was this Captain Henry Morgan and has he a connection to Rhiwbina? A junior branch of the Morgans of Tredegar, a well known family of considerable influence in both South Wales, in the Royal Court and in London society, lived in what was later known locally as Bassett’s Farm, from which one of the newer developments in Rhiwbina ‘Bassett’s Fields’ off Thornhill
Road gets its name. One Henry Morgan of Rhiwbina in 1595 was appointed a Commissioner to look into the death of Thomas Lewis of Van, a prominent citizen of the local community. Henry had two sons, Henry Morgan of Rhiwbina and Lewis Morgan of Llangattock. The younger, Henry’s grandson was Lt General Edward Morgan, the Deputy Governor of Jamaica and his Jamaica estate was called Llanrhymney. He had a daughter Mary Morgan. Lewis Morgan married twice. His second wife had a son called (yes, you guessed it) Henry. This Henry Morgan joined his much older cousin Edward in Jamaica, married his daughter Mary, and inherited the Llanrhymney Estate on the death of Edward in 1665. It was he who was the scourge of the Spaniards and for his attacks with his fleet of ships on the Spanish Main. Together with other services to the Crown, he was appointed Governor of Jamaica by King Charles and knighted in 1675. This is of course the Henry Morgan, after whom the
rum is named. So indeed, he had connections with Rhiwbina but he was far from being a pirate. He died in 1688 but there is little doubt that if he had been sailing the seas a hundred years later, he would probably carried the rank of Admiral and his ships would have carried the White Ensign. It is highly unlikely that he ever hoisted the Jolly Roger but rum was the drink of his sailors. Indeed, it proved to be the tipple of our sailors as it was given as a daily ration to the men of the Royal Navy right up until July 31st 1970. Even now on special occasions the order ‘spice the main brace’ means rum is issued to the Fleet maybe thanks to Henry one of the Morgans of Rhiwbina.
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petspage
Pet problems CHRIS TROUGHTON OF HEATH VETS ANSWERS YOUR PET-RELATED QUESTIONS
IF YOU HAVE ANY PET-RELATED QUESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE CHRIS TO ANSWER, PLEASE EMAIL US AT EDITOR@LIVINGMAGS.CO.UK AND WE’LL PASS THEM ON.
Is it true that raw or undercooked food can be harmful to my cat? Would they not eat raw food in the wild?
Raw food certainly has the potential to harm your cat because it may contain germs that would have been killed by cooking – for example, Salmonella bacteria. Much of this bacterial contamination occurs during the processing of the meat in the slaughterhouse and packaging factories, and the meat is stored for significant periods before we eat it, which gives the bacteria time to increase in numbers. In the wild, all a cat’s food would be raw, of course, and many domestic cats hunt and eat their prey. This is truly fresh meat, and is not really comparable to the meat we buy in the supermarket or butchers. Nevertheless, it still caries risks, principally of parasitic tapeworms – which is why it is important to de-worm your cat regularly.
A friend of mine has recently been talking about buying some sort of electric containment to stop her dogs from wandering off into the woods. I’m concerned that this would be inhumane to dogs! Is it?
This is a difficult one! There are electric devices that prevent dogs from straying beyond the home territory. The dog wears a collar which gives a very small electric shock when he approaches the boundary that you have defined; the shock may be preceded by a warning sound, so the dog can stop his approach before the shock comes. The strength of the shock is very similar to that used in fences to prevent cattle from straying – completely harmless but not pleasant. Dogs wearing the collars quickly learn not to approach the boundary, and these devices are often a very effective means of preventing dogs from escaping from their homes when conventional fences have failed. However, are they humane? There is research evidence of fear-induced aggression
and other behaviour problems associated with their use and they are strongly opposed by the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and the Association of Dog Behaviour Therapists. The Welsh Assembly banned their use in Wales in 2009; however they are still legal in other parts of the UK. In 2010, a dog owner from Ogmore was fined £3000 for using one.
Hi Chris. Not necessarily a pet question but why are there so many spiders around in the autumn and any suggestions on how to get rid of them? I hate them.
The spider population outdoors reaches its peak in the autumn after a summer of breeding. They may also be more noticeable as the autumn dews show up their beautiful webs in the garden. You will often find increased spider numbers indoors in the autumn, and that’s probably what you are worried about. Partly this is due to the population peak mentioned above, but mainly it’s because the spiders are seeking warmer living quarters as the temperature falls. I’m afraid there’s not much you can do about it! Insecticides are pretty ineffective unless you blast each spider individually. There are electronic deterrent devices but I don’t think there’s any proof that they work. My wife swears by an old remedy she got from her Auntie – conkers. Apparently, a dish of conkers in the room will send the spiders scuttling away - but I’m not convinced!
The Taff Trail Challenge Four members of the Heath Vets team are undertaking a challenge to walk the length of the Taff Trail (55 miles in total) in 24 hours. The challenge starts at 5am on Saturday 22nd September in Brecon and the team hope to complete the walk by 5am on Sunday the 23rd. Sponsorship is very welcome and can be donated by calling 02920 621511. Page is sponsored by Heath Vets 02920 621511
everything that we do on show through a series of internet cameras that are located in our workshop. If you want to view or check on your car’s progress then you can do by logging on to our website and choosing one of the camera options. Give it a try, it’s crystal clear. This can be done from home, workplace, mobile phone or tablet.
What’s Up? People within the village still often ask “What do you do in that shop?” I thought that Heather and I had made what we do really simple, well obviously not!!!
We have been recognised twice by the Good Garage Scheme for the manner in which we trade. There are many testimonials to view at our website www. GardenVillageGarage.co.uk or better still, you may have a neighbour, colleague or friend who has already tried us? We do feel confident that they will point you in our direction. However, if you already have a great service provider, one you can trust then stick with them, we are very difficult to find!
Having now been open since January we thought that we would try to use this edition of the magazine to try to communicate to local residents what it is that we actually do and what inspired us to open the shop on the corner at 1A Heol Y Deri. We operate an existing service and Mot centre in Nantgarw aptly named The Nantgarw Garage. It operates primarily as an independent Jaguar specialist and has enjoyed continued growth year on year through its successful association with the Good Garage Scheme. We decided to open the shop at Heol Y Deri in order to link the existing business in Nantgarw with the community of Rhiwbina and the surrounding postcodes.
Finally, September sees all 59 registration vehicles on the Mot testing horizon. This means a visit to the garage for the Vosa MOT test for all vehicles that are just three years old so why not give us a try? We will collect, Mot test, wash and hoover your car and then deliver it back to home or workplace, you can even watch the test process in real time as previously mentioned. Call us on our free call number 0333 121 2012 to make a booking.
Again, named appropriately The Garden Village Garage, the concept of the shop is a simple one. To return a quality garage service back onto the High Street using modern technology and good old fashion service. We cater for all manufacturers, makes and models and as a result there is no fuss when dealing with us. We operate a collection and return delivery service with a clean car on return. Cars are collected early mornings and worked on by our team at our facility in Nantgarw. Our drivers are out and about collecting customer cars from 7.30am so the hassle and strain of getting your car across the rush hour traffic is removed! Using the latest technology, we put
1A Heol-Y-Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6HA
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HAVE YOU GOT THE SEVEN YEAR HITCH? If you want to get the best possible night’s sleep so you can look and feel your best, the Sleep Council recommends you start to think about replacing your bed after seven years
Does your bed pass our MOT? Can’t remember when you bought your bed? Unsure whether it needs changing? Three or more ‘Yes’ answers and it’s definitely time for a new mattress. Is the mattress seven years old or more? Would it be embarrassing if neighbours saw it without its covers? Does it make suspicious noises in the night? Did you have your best recent night’s sleep in a bed other than yours? Are you waking up more frequently unrefreshed and aching? Do you and your partner roll towards each other unintentionally in the middle of the night? Do you have enough space to sleep comfortably? Is it sagging? Does it feel lumpy in the night?
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all is safely gathered in
As the nights draw in, we find comfort and succour in warming casseroles and home baking
2. Add the meat and fry gently for about 5 minutes, until golden brown, then add the paprika and fry for one minute. Stir in the tomato purée, nutmeg, seasoning and remaining flour. 3. Add the stock, tomatoes and bouquet garni, cover and cook in the oven at 170 °C (gas mark 3) for 2 hours, until the meat is tender. Add the beer, cook for a few minutes longer and remove the bouquet garni. 4. Stir in the soured cream and serve with warm crusty bread.
APPLE CRUNCH
Ingredients: 450g cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced 25g caster sugar 2.5ml cinnamon 1 egg 30ml cornflour 15ml golden syrup 300ml milk 40g butter 75g rolled oats 40g brown sugar slices of apple to decorate
GOULASH
Ingredients: 700g stewing steak, cut into 1cm cubes 50g flour, plus 45g 2 medium onions, skinned and sliced 1 green pepper, seeded and chopped 30ml oil 10ml paprika 45ml tomato purée pinch of grated nutmeg 300ml beef stock 2 large tomatoes, skinned and quartered bouquet garni 150ml beer 142ml soured cream salt and pepper
Method 1. Gently cook the apples in the sugar and water until tender. Place in a 3/4 litre ovenproof dish and sprinkle with cinnamon. 2. Beat the egg, cornflour and syrup together. Stir in the milk, then place in a pan and cook over a low heat, whisking continuously until thickened. Cool slightly and pour over the apples. 3. Melt the butter in a pan, stir in the oats and sugar. Sprinkle over the custard. Bake in the oven at 180 °C (gas mark 4) for 30 minutes. Serve hot, decorated with apple slices.
Method 1. Coat the meat with 50g seasoned flour. In a flameproof casserole dish, fry the onions and pepper lightly in the oil for 3-4 minutes. 29
St John’s College, Cardiff a leading independent day school for boys & girls aged 3-18
Stunning 2012 ESTYN Inspection Report
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2nd
time around Contact: Jan Richards T: 02920 692704 M: 07715 622406 E: janet.richards4@ntlworld.com
We provide a professional and friendly service for full or part clearance, attics to cellars. On completion, we also clean the property, including outbuildings if required, leaving the property ready for new occupants or for marketing. We also offer the following services: • Reports for probate purposes • Valuations & advice on selling at auction • Auction service • Cleaning service • Sympathetic handling of deceased’s estates • Small removals & deliveries, nationwide • Rubbish removal • Recycling In addition, we provide vendors with a partial clearance, de-clutter and cleaning service to aid the sale of a property. Choose us and you can be assured of professionalism, honesty, absolute discretion and compassion. We comply with current legislation; we are waste management registered and have public liability insurance.
House Clearance Specialists www.2nd-timearound.co.uk
PATRIC MORGAN
A4 PAPER, ELASTIC BANDS AND PAPER CLIPS
how the workers work
Many years ago, before I started writing magazines, I used to work in sales. They weren’t particularly exciting or stimulating positions. In fact, some of my previous jobs drew the very soul out of me. For the best part of a decade, I sat chained to my desk in various call centres. I was never any good at making cold calls to anyone so God knows why I continued to apply for jobs that involved doing just this. So to pass the time of day, and to distract ourselves from the job we were supposed to be doing (despite the Team Leaders telling us how important our jobs were, they weren’t really), we’d invent games to pass the time of day. At first, these were pretty simple games. Games such as ‘Teeth’, where a piece of A4 paper was folded to make a long stiff piece of ‘rope’ that we’d stick in our mouths and have a tug-of-war over. What we weren’t counting on was the girl with the fibreglass jaw (she’d fractured it falling off a balcony) who could literally lock her jaw and rip the paper, and some of our teeth out of our heads. There was also the game called ‘Paper’. Another piece of A4 was pulled from the printer and placed on the desk so that the middle of the paper lined up exactly with the thin gap between desks. Then it was a case of another tug-of-war type game but this time just using your fingers. Then, when the paper had run out, it was a game of ‘Who-can-make-your-face-gothe-reddest?’
Our imagination didn’t end there. Next was the ‘Whocan-fling-an-elastic-band the furthest?’ game. In very much the same as technology develops during a time of warfare, so too was the development of the longrange elastic band. Participants of the game were first to latch on to the fact that thicker bands were a lot more powerful. So much so that we had to start opening the windows and launching them out into the real world. I think it was Clive, the man who took his elastic-bandflinging very seriously, who first had the brainwave of attaching a paper clip to the band, to give it weight and to help it fly further. Clive also devised a new launch pad (a 12 inch ruler) and the mightiest of all missiles - the jumbo elastic band with a jumbo paperclip on it. It wasn’t long before elastic bands were clearing 50 yards or so across the road outside our office. Things reached fever pitch when Dennis (the office mail man) dropped off a load of super-jumbo elastic bands. Clive was quick to acquire a stash of these but it was yours truly who claimed to send an elastic band the furthest when mine landed on a truck that was bound for Holland. Eventually, the elastic bands were becoming too large to fire effectively and the novelty soon wore off. In its place came ‘Guess-who’sgoing-to-pick-up-the-cup-ofwater-from-the-water-coolerwith-the-hole-in-the-cup?’ game. This game required some preplanning by a scout who
would visit the water cooler, take a cup of water and an additional cup. A small pin hole would be made in the second cup, which would then be put back into the pile of cups on the machine. Bets were then placed as to who was the most likely person to go up and pour themselves a cup of water. Hilarity would ensue whether a bet was won or not. Office workers with wet fronts were the cause of much laughter. There was even the case of Justin, who headed back to his desk with his cup, where it took 15 minutes to discharge its load and 15 minutes before Justin had realised that his desk was in fact flooded. The big game of the week was ‘Rename That Tune’, played on Friday afternoons. A specific topic for the day was announced by a selected person. That topic could be for instance curry, and then everyone would take it in turns to rename songs with a curry in the title (‘Please Reheat Me’ was a personal favourite of mine.) You see we did take our work very seriously indeed. In fact, if someone had been paying for us to come up with ideas for games, we would have worked a lot harder and earned a lot more. 31
JENKINS CARDIFF
THE RODEO RANGE
THE FORESTER RANGE
THE SUZUKI SWIFT Jenkins Group, Hadfield Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AQ / (029) 2064 2900 / www.jenkinsgroup.co.uk