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RHIWBINA Living Issue 24 Autumn 2013
Autumn Nights: Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness
E N I Z A G A M E YOUR FRE IWBINA! FOR RH
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3
News
5
Letters
8
Biography
13 16 19 25 Community
History
Old Photos
Pets Page
30 31 Recipes
Column
2
Welcome Croeso
O
ne of the things we love about delivering Rhiwbina Living in the autumn months is the variety of warms aromas that drift from the kitchens in the village. Later on in the afternoon, as evening falls, every other house will have some kind of casserole or stew bubbling away. It’s beautiful. So if you’ve just picked up your copy from your doormat, and if you’ve got something tasty on the hob or in the oven - we thank you! We’ve been very honoured to have picked up several nominations in this year’s Magazine Publishers Awards, a prestigious UK-wide competition to find the best of Britain’s community magazines. Once again, we’ve worked hard to bring you a great read. We’ve charted the life of North Cardiff ’s Terry Nation on page 8. His legacy is still felt in British television to this very day. On page 13, find out how your village of Rhiwbina comes together every year to remember a friend. Rhiwbina resident Leela Dutt meets Mari Williams on page 15. Mari packed in her day job to cycle the world! The life of Sir David Mathew is told on page 16. He lies in Llandaff Cathedral but his influence during his life will certainly raise a few eyebrows. We’ve got some wonderful old photos on page 19 and if you were at the Rhiwbina Festival back in the summer, you may have seen the focus of our feature on page 23. We’ve got some local community news on page 29 and some mouthwatering autumn recipes on page 30. Phew! See you in the run-up to Christmas! 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 25 Friday 25th October 2013 Issue 25 publication date - November 2013. Rhiwbina Living is published 4 times a year.
£2M CHILDREN’S HOME CLOSES Thornhill Road Children’s Home has been permanently closed following a damning report.
LIVING MAGAZINES CARDIFF NOMINATED FOR TOP UK AWARDS Living Magazines Cardiff has been nominated for five awards, including the UK’s Best Community Magazine, at this year’s Magazine Publishers Awards. The prestigious ceremony, hosted by Quay Systems, will be held in October. Editor Patric Morgan said: “We’re really proud to have been nominated. We still can’t believe that we’ve been publishing for just under six years. The feedback we get from both readers and advertisers blows our minds. We’re hoping that we can go on to win something, but even it we don’t, it’s still nice to get the recognition.” Living Magazines first launched in 2007 to give local businesses a platform to promote their work. The magazines have been lauded by The Guardian and copies have even been placed in the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, being considered ‘of cultural and historical value’.
news LLANISHEN AND LISVANE RESERVOIRS BOUGHT BY SPANISH STEEL GIANTS A large Spanish steel firm has purchased the two reservoirs that have been at the centre of a 12-year legal battle over a proposed housing development. Llanishen and Lisvane reservoirs had been earmarked for a housing development by energy firm Western Power Distribution. It paid £4m for the two in 2000. A multi-million legal battle followed as Western Power Distribution submitted many planning applications for more than 300 homes. They drained
the reservoir in 2010 but never got the go-ahead for the project. In April this year, Western Power’s final appeal was dismissed by Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Carl Sargeant. And in September, it was confirmed that the sites had been bought by Celsa, the largest manufacturer of steel reinforcement in the UK. It is believed that the Spanish giant wanted to buy the reservoirs to supply water to the company’s steelworks in Cardiff.
ESTATE AGENTS LEADING THE WAY Rhiwbina estate agents Cardiff Residential Estates are creating a new positive brand of business in the community by supporting local causes. Owner and Rhiwbina resident Lee Bryce told Rhiwbina Living: “We’re donating 10% of all our sales
fees to the Children’s Hospital For Wales. We have supported the Children’s Hospital for the last four years and really want to get the Cardiff community to actively engage with us. “We have also sponsored Heath Park Rangers Under 10s football team. It’s a mixed team
of boys and girls so we thought that this was a good way to continue our support for the community and promote an active lifestyle for the youth of today. As a family business with a young child of our own, these causes are very close to our own hearts.” 3
news PARKING BAY ABUSE SPARKS COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS
The misuse by some road users of the one hour parking bays on Beulah Road, Heol-y-Deri and Heol Llanishen Fach has sparked a number of complaints from local residents. “It’s a real problem for us.” said one resident who didn’t want to be named. “People are staying for more than one hour and those who wish to use the bays are having to park elsewhere, sometimes illegally. It’s not fair.” Residents have brought the abuse to the attention of the
police at a recent PACT meeting. The police have responded by saying that they will look to continue monitoring the bays through neighbourhood officers and traffics wardens. The police have also been asked to deal with the excessive speed of vehicles travelling along Thornhill Road. The stretch of road that causes concern is between the roundabout with Excalibur Drive and the junction with Wenallt Road. Residents fear pulling out onto the road.
BETHANY HITS TOP FORM Rhiwbina Lawn Tennis Club’s Bethany Richards was recently runner-up in the 16-and-under girls doubles at the prestigious Welsh Tennis Championships.
The tournament, hosted by Cardiff Lawn Tennis Club and organised by Tennis Wales, involved 250 top players from all over Wales.
POLICE ADVISE ON COLD CALLS Reports have been received that an alarm company has been cold calling residents in the Rhiwbina area, 4
where they have allegedly stated that they are working in partnership with the police and offering discounted alarm
deals. Police have advised all calls to be treated with caution as they are not working with any such people.
RHIWBINA SPORTS WRITER DIES Rugby journalist George Williams, whose reports were regularly published in the press, has died at the age of 83.
CARDIFF BUS CRITICISED
Travel firm Cardiff Bus has been criticised by passengers after the company took away a direct route to Thornhill Crematorium. The number 27 Cardiff Bus no longer travels up Thornhill Road, meaning that passengers are left trying to find an alternative route to the Crematorium. Passengers have complained that the change has not been thought through properly but a spokesperson for Cardiff Bus recently told the press: “It is still possible to travel by Cardiff Bus to Thornhill Crematorium, as indeed it is to almost all corners of the city from early to late, seven days of the week. The changes made to route 27 were to address two issues following customer feedback, which we take very seriously. Thornhill Crematorium can be reached by using Cardiff Bus route 28 and Stagecoach routes A and B.”
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
letters
UNIFORM DEBATE CONTINUES
I agree entirely with the comments made by John McCarthy (Issue 24, Aug/Sept 13) regarding the introduction of a new school uniform at Whitchurch High School and share their concerns about the validity of the consultation. I have seen the results of the survey - obtained after repeated requests as they were not made available on the school website - and they certainly do not demonstrate support for the proposals, contrary to the claims of the Chair of Governors. According to the results, the majority of respondents disagreed that the uniform should change to a school blazer and tie (60% of pupils and 62.5% of parents). Furthermore, the majority of those who responded agreed that the current uniform is smart and fit for purpose (72% of pupils and 73.7% of parents) and represents good value for money (61% of pupils and 65.2% of parents). It is also worth noting that less
than a third of the 2248 pupils and only 296 parents completed the survey - a response rate of 13% (allowing for one parent survey per pupil). Asked to justify the Governors’ decision to ignore the survey results and enforce the change anyway, the Chair replied that they also took into account the views of those who had not responded who were assumed to be either supportive of the proposal, or would not mind either way. This is an interesting twist on the democratic process, but I think in general it is unwise to assume that if someone does not vote for something they are actually in favour of it. It seems that once the Governors had convinced themselves that blazers and ties are a good idea (and who else apart from them does?), then there was little that could be done to stop them imposing this change. My concern, like most parents, is primarily for the pupils who are now forced to wear an outdated, impractical and uncomfortable uniform, while
parents have to bear the extra cost and additional burden of maintaining such uniforms, which most sensible people believe have no place in a modern 21st. century school. Dr. Matthew Waring Whitchurch, Cardiff
PIZZA MENUS ARE A BIG TURN-OFF
excellent publication. STEVE CROSS Rhiwbina
Both myself and my wife have been Rhiwbina residents for the last 40 years. We have always enjoyed reading your magazines but I am disappointed that you have now decided to push it through my letter box with a load of other junk mail items - pizza menus being the main objection. I can understand your need to cut costs etc, but it really is a distraction from the ‘main event’ of receiving your otherwise
EDITOR’S RESPONSE: Thanks for getting in touch. We would like to firstly point out that our magazines have, and always will be, distributed ‘solus’ - that is - on its own. We’d also like to point out that we do ALL the door-to-door deliveries ours ourselves. Put simply, we don’t trust anyone else to deliver our magazines to each and every house within the CF14 6 postcode. We’ve had our fingers burned before with that!
Our delivery team will walk an average of 200 miles in and around Rhiwbina for delivery of each issue - that’s 800 miles a year on foot! We also take care to ensure that every magazine is delivered safely - we occasionally slip on wet pizza menus that have been left lying in people’s gardens. The same goes for charity bags which are sometimes left on garden paths. Please be assured that our magazines are delivered on their own - each box weighs 15kg each and we’re not wanting to add to that weight in a hurry!
WHERE DO I PARK MY CAR?
I don’t live in Rhiwbina but I often visit there as I do enjoy the collection of shops there. My only gripe is parking. I’m sure this has probably been covered before in one of your issues but it can be a pain trying to find somewhere to pop the car. Are there any secret car parks that ‘outsiders’ don’t know about and if so, can you inform me of its whereabouts? D Davies Heath Cardiff
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Terry Nation Born in Llandaff, Terry Nation went on to influence British television in ways that other writers only dream of - and left behind a legacy of unforgettable TV characters Terry Nation was born in 1930 in Llandaff to Gilbert and Susan Nation. Terry’s father, known to everyone as Bert, trained as an upholsterer. By trade, he sold furniture, but later he ventured into a multitude of business ideas, ranging from chicken farming to the stock markets. His mother was a devoted housewife and although Terry’s parents both had very different personalities, they both passed their positive attributes down to him. “I was a wartime child. My Dad went off to the army and my mother was an ARP - an air-raid warden. I was an only child, and I used to spend nights alone in an air-raid shelter. And I would make up stories for myself — I was entertaining myself in those days! I seem to remember I was always believed to be a terrible liar. Nowadays they would say ‘He’s got a wonderful imagination’, but in those days I was just ‘that liar’, you see. So I think I always made up stories, mostly with me as the hero! There was no television of 8
course, but I used to listen to the radio, and I also read a great deal.” Reading was Terry’s great childhood pastime, his parents constantly reminding him that it was bad manners to read at the dinner table. When his books were taken away, he would study the labels on boxes and jars. This love of books was something that he would carry with him until the end of his life. At school, Terry was often accused of daydreaming and being lazy. He put little effort into school and as a consequence of his mediocre success, he decided not to pursue higher education. Despite this, he began expressing his vivid imagination through writing. He began to write for, and appear in, local plays, becoming an active part of the local theatre scene. American radio was introduced to Terry during World War II. He became a big fan of the American stars – stars like Bob Hope and Jack Benny. Terry’s focus now turned to comedy writing. At the age of 22, he upped sticks and
moved to London to chance his arm as a comedian. His attempts at standup comedy however, were far from successful: “I wrote my own material, performed it - and died a death! By this time, I was living in London, starving, trying to be an actor, trying to be a standup and trying to write. Then somebody told me: ‘Hey, the jokes are terrific - it’s you that’s terrible!’ That was a bad moment for me.” At that low point in his career, someone suggested that he seek out Associated London Scripts, who were looking for young comedy writers. The agency had been set up by, among others, Spike Milligan and Eric Sykes. Terry duly went along and was told to bring back a script for Spike’s radio play the ‘Goon Show’. That night Terry wrote a script and brought it back the next day. Within a few weeks he was hired to do a thirteen week comedy radio show called ‘All My Eye and Kitty Belwitt’. However, Terry was finding comedy writing extremely difficult. As he put it:
“Comedy writing is the toughest, toughest writing in the world.” Those days were really tough for him, but he soon gained a name for himself as a writer and Terry began realising that being a writer, not a comedian, was his strength. Over the following few years, Terry would go on to write for some of the biggest radio names of the time - Tony Hancock, Spike Milligan, Frankie Howard, Ted Ray and many more. He became prolific in his work, helping to write over 200 radio shows. Although Terry accompanied Hancock as his chief screenwriter on tour in 1963, Hancock would regularly neglect Terry’s scripts in favour of recycling his old material. Following an argument, Hancock fired the Welshman. It was around this time that Terry met his future wife Kate. She was studying the piano at the Royal College of Music, winning many awards as a gifted musician. Terry was 27. Not long after, they had a baby girl named Rebecca and took an apartment in London. Prior to his sacking by Hancock, Terry had declined an offer from scriptwriter David Whitaker to write for a new science-fiction programme that was entering production at the BBC called Dr Who. Now unemployed, and with a young family to support, Terry contacted Whitaker and accepted the offer, writing the second Doctor Who serial, The Daleks (also known as The Mutants and The Dead Planet). The serial introduced the eponymous extraterrestrial villains that would quickly become the series’ most popular and enduring monsters, and resulted in a major merchandising success for the BBC. “The Daleks had to be something mechanical. And in order to make it non-human what you have to do is take the legs off. That’s the only way you can make it not look like a person dressed up. I had seen the Georgian state dancers, where the girls do this wonderful routine. They wore floor-
people
brushing skirts and took very tiny steps and appeared to glide, really glide across the floor. That’s the movement I wanted for the Daleks.” Having risen in the public consciousness, Terry went on to contribute further scripts to Doctor Who but also worked in commercial TV, contributing scripts to series such as The Avengers, The Baron, The Champions, Department S, The Persuaders! and The Saint. The production of Terry’s next BBC creation, Blake’s 7, followed a group of criminals and political prisoners who are on the run from the evil “Terran Federation”, piloting a stolen spaceship of unknown origin. Running for four seasons from 1978 to 1981, Blake’s 7 acquired a worldwide fan following. During the 1970s, Terry also wrote a children’s novel for his daughter Rebecca (after whom he named the character of Rebec in the 1973 Doctor Who serial Planet of the Daleks) titled Rebecca’s World: Journey to the Forbidden Planet, as well as a novel based on Survivors. In 1980, Terry moved to Los Angeles, where he developed programme ideas and worked for various production studios. Little of his work from this time was as successful as that of his earlier period in Britain. He penned scripts for the TV series MacGyver, in addition to A Masterpiece of Murder and A Fine Romance. Terry suffered from poor health in his final years, and died from
emphysema in Los Angeles on 9 March 1997. Shortly before his death, he had been collaborating with actor Paul Darrow on another attempt to revive Blake’s 7. The Llandaff Society is hoping to celebrate the life of Terry Nation, with a blue plaque on the home he grew up. The group’s chairman, Geoff Barton-Greenwood, said: “We are trying to get a blue plaque put up at the time of the 50th anniversary on the house where Terry Nation came from.” The anniversary is being marked by the BBC with a special episode on November 23. “At the moment we are seeking permission from the owner of the house in Fairwater Grove West, and in addition, we want the BBC to take an interest in this, and possibly get one of the main characters from the Doctor Who series to do the unveiling.”
St John’s College, Cardiff A leading independent day school for boys & girls aged 3-18
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Top School in Wales at A Level for the 14th Successive Year This August, St John’s College is again delighted to have been ranked Wales No.1 in The Sunday Times and The Times A Level League Tables. With such a high A*/A figure, many students destined for a wide range of top university subjects, achieved A*A A, A*A*A, A*A*A* and even four top grade A levels. Medicine destinations include Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, King’s College London & Liverpool and includes students gaining at least 3A* grades. Russell Group university degrees in Accounting and Finance are a popular choice with both girls and boys gaining A*/A in Maths and Further Maths combined with other subjects. Also popular are Civil and other branches of Engineering, and Law as well as other sought-after courses, including English at Cambridge University. The College’s 2012 ESTYN Inspection observed that: “Throughout the school, there is a very strong sense of purpose, and a collective ownership and commitment to shared values and aims. The relentless emphasis on high expectations, particularly in the quality of teaching and learning has led to exceptional outcomes for pupils of all abilities.” (Crown Copyright, 2012) Dr David Neville (Principal): ‘We are absolutely delighted with these achievements and I wish to congratulate all our students, colleagues and parents most warmly.’
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Remembering Richard How the Rhiwbina community remembers its friend
It’s a well-known fact that Rhiwbina has long been a closeknit community. But an annual event that takes place in the village has grown into an almost legendary experience. Rhiwbina resident Val Bull lost both her husband and her son to diabetes. But from sadness has come a great show of love from the local community. Back in July, a group of 80 Rhiwbina golfers got together for the annual Richard Bull Golf Memorial. The tournament is held in memory of Val’s son . “Clive, my husband, was a former teacher and diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes when he was in his fifties. Richard, my son, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in his 20s. Both died after suffering heart attacks, the most common complication of diabetes.” “The memorial event started life at the Mountain Lakes golf
Val Bull and her daughter Kate
course but we’ve held the last few at Llanishen Golf Course. “After the tournament, everyone heads to the Butcher’s Arms where we hold the Presentation Evening. It’s always an emotional evening but it is so nice to see so many people there to remember Richard. “We’d like to thank all the people who help make the event possible. That includes Paul Beale of the Butcher’s Arms who puts on a free buffet. My daughter Kate looks after a lot of things on the day, as does Colin Mundell. We have prizes donated to us by Ana Miah of the Juboraj, Colin Pugh of Pugh’s Nurseries, Matt and Heather of the Garden Village Garage, and we always get a very generous prize donation from Gary Witchell. Billy Griffiths also helps out with the golf prizes. We’re so grateful to them all.” Earlier this year, Darren Griffiths cycled the RideLondon 100-mile race from Surrey to London and raised £4500 for Diabetic Association. The bike ride was the UK’s largest ever mass participation cycling event. Together with the money raised at this year’s golf tournament, close to £5,000 has been raised for the charity. Darren undertook the ride in memory of his father Graham, who was a close friend
of Clive’s. Val, a retired headteacher, points out that despite the fun that’s enjoyed at the event, there is a serious side to proceedings. “People don’t realise how awful diabetes is. It can affect anyone. But it’s one of the less-known killers and people should be made more aware of the disease. The Graham, who was a disease can be close friend of Clive. controlled and it can be treated but only it people wouldn’t try and block it out. “My daughter Kate, who helps out at the Memorial Golf Tournament suffers herself from the disease. She has to inject herself with insulin three times a day. “We’d like to thank everyone who has made the event such a success though. It’s amazing how the community has responded and it just goes to show how Rhiwbina is such a special place.” says Val. More information can be found at www.diabetes.org.uk 13
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By Leela Dutt I’m trundling my bike along Heol-y-Felin on a hot day, hoping to meet up with Mari Williams because I’ve heard she cycled round the world – and there she is, cycling brightly towards me. I’m intrigued – why would someone give up a job she loved, that she was clearly good at? She was deputy head of the City Academy in Hackney, but last year after ten years successfully teaching history she decided it was now or never. A year ago she and a friend flew out to New York. They assembled their bikes in the arrivals lounge of JFK, then cycled across Brooklyn Bridge at ten o’clock at night – and there the adventure begins. One thing that shines out
d n u o r A d l r o W the My - On Bike
from Mari’s story is her fascination with people. She talks to everyone she meets – and you do tend to meet more people when you’re on a bike, especially if you break down. Mari records all their encounters in her blog www. twoteacherstwobikesoneworld. blogspot.com They spent two months crossing America, doing about sixty miles a day, sleeping mostly in their tent. There were endless hills, and much rain in Kentucky. Much varied and good food was offered, and there were plenty of politics – the second Obama campaign was in full flow. Mari felt proud of our free NHS, unlike what Americans have. Then on to Hawaii; Mari is a keen ocean-swimmer and she was able to go out swimming with the local ocean-swimming club. After three weeks in the relaxed atmosphere of Hawaii, they flew on to Auckland and cycled down to Christchurch, where they met survivors from the recent earthquake. The place had a Welsh feel to it, what with the sheep-farming and a tea shop run by Welsh folk at the southern tip of South Island. Mari has a strong sense of place, and feels a deep connection with Rhiwbina, where she grew up. Travelling so far, and moving on so often, has made her even more aware of what home means to her, and why it is important. Her friend went back, and Mari went on alone to Australia, where her parents joined her for
Christmas. In her blog, there are some wonderful accounts of cycling along the Great Ocean Road, and the many people she met and stayed with. Mari is keen to see places from the point of view of the people who live there. After some mountainous cycling in Thailand, Mari sent her bike home and travelled round Vietnam by public transport. A special moment was joining the free open-air aerobics in early mornings in Ho Chi Minh City, but she was struck by the lack of democracy and freedom of speech in Vietnam. Mari’s odyssey was abruptly interrupted during her stay in India, when she heard that Cardiff North Labour Party was about to select its parliamentary candidate. Should she carry on around the world, or throw her hat into the ring in a once-ina-lifetime chance? Home – and Rhiwbina in particular – seems to have won that one… Leela Dutt Leeladutt.co.uk 15
A Knight of the Realm A short story by Whitchurch novelist Rhys Thomas
Sir David Mathew, Lord of Llandaff and Seneschal of Llandaff Cathedral, was one of the most distinguished men of his age Lying silently in the north aisle of Llandaff Cathedral is Sir David Mathew. The effigy of him that guards his tomb measures 6ft 7 - said to be his height. Born in 1400, he was to go on to become a formidable name in Welsh history, and had a particular influence in the creation of Llandaff and Radyr. Sir David was the first to adopt the surname of Mathew. David ap Mathew took his name from his father, Sir Mathew ap Ievan (Evan), according to Welsh custom, which was to use the father’s first name as the son’s last name. “Ap” means ‘son of.’ The name, properly ‘Mathew’ had been spelt by Sir David’s descendants in various forms. He married Gwenllian, daughter of Sir George Herbert and had a grant of 2,232 acres of land from Henry VI, the reversion of Caneton, and from William Earl of Pembroke, lands at St. Fagan’s and in Pentyrch. It is said that he saved the life 16
of King Edward IV at the Battle of Towton, on Palm Sunday, 29 March 1461. As a result, he was appointed Grand Standard Bearer of England. The Genealogy of the Earls of Landaff tells us that: “He was a great and zealous Yorkist chieftain, whose extraordinary prowess and daring in the field, even at a very advanced age, were, contrarily to the majority of his countryment, who favoured the red rose of Lancaster, used on behalf of the white rose of York.” Sir David was one of the Ten Great Barons of Glamorgan, and a Marcher Lord. He received from Edward IV, the grant of the use of the word “Towton” as an augmentation over his crest. In 1480 he restored the shrine of Saint Teilo which had been pillaged and desecrated by a gang of pirates from Biston, and was presented by Bishop Marshall with St. Teilo’s skull, set in a costly reliquary, to be
an heirloom in his family, who carefully preserved it for about 200 years, until the death of William Mathew in 1658 at Llandeilo. His son, also David (b. 1425) (d. unknown), married Ann Myddletonn (b. 1430), with whom he one son, Jenkyn Mathew. The ‘Mathews’ line, would eventually arrive in the new world with Thomas Mathews (b. 1660), Thomas arriving in Halifax, Virginia, circa 1700. Thomas was the grandfather of the patriot Moses Mathews, an American gunsmith and a notable figure of the American Revolution. He supplied the Continental Army with guns and was granted hundreds of acres by George Washington. David’s grandson, Sir William Mathew of Radyr, was knighted for his participation at Bosworth in the victory over Richard III. Sir David himself was killed by the Turbervilles of Coity Castle,
Glamorgan. The castle itself was abandoned around the 17th century and the castle ruins are now in the care of Cadw. Sir David was buried in Llandaff Cathedral and his tomb can still be seen today. The tomb, ornamented with his full-length figure in alabaster, in St. Mary’s Chapel, in the Llandaff Cathedral, (which has ever since been the property and burialplace of the family of Mathews) is one of the most interesting extant monuments of that time. An accurate description of the various monuments of the family in this Chapel may be found in Browne Willis’s 1718 Survey, one of which records that Sir David was murdered by some of the Turbervilles. Two different arms are recorded as having been used by the Mathew family, both consisting of a lion rampant, but with differing tinctures. The branch seated at Llandaff, thus the senior line, is generally ascribed ‘Or, a lion rampant sable’, whilst the branch seated at Radyr, descended from Sir David
Mathew’s younger brother, is generally ascribed a ‘Sable, a lion rampant argent’. Yet confusingly, the 1980 heraldic restoration of the Mathew tombs at Llandaff carried out by Hugh P. Mathew, who was recognised by the College of Arms as having proved his direct descent from Sir David Mathew, has resulted in the Radyr coat being painted on
history
the tomb of Sir Christopher, who was head of the Llandaff branch. The crest is also not without confusion, being given variously as a ‘heathcock’ (another name for partridge, of the pheasant family), a ‘moorcock’, a ‘fieldcock’, (a vague term possibly denoting grouse), a blackcock, (of the grouse family) and is shown on the Earl Landaff memorial in a form akin to a rooster. The effigy of Sir David does however show most of the bird forming the crest of his helm upon which he rests his head, but it is missing the head. The feet are short and sturdy, suggesting a grouse-type bird and are not the long legs of a rooster. A gilded bird, probably a dove, is used as a foot-rest in the effigy.
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s y a d r e t s e Y hiwbina R ’
Rhiwbina Primary School 1939
Rhiwbina Primary School 1940
I can remember the tale he told us of his time as a prisoner in the First World War. He was huddled together with the other prisoners in the snow with very little clothes on and a cart went by. A ‘mangelwurzel’ [a root vegetable] fell off and they all pounced on it and ate it! Despite all this, he was kind to me one day when he found me walking to school suffering from a nose bleed. He hailed a passing lorry and he took me home.
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The teacher was a Mr Green who frightened us to death. As punishment, he used to make the boys get the cane from under the platform where Mr Green’s desk stood. He was quite vicious bringing the cane down on their hands. The girls would receive a thump between the shoulder blades.
Rhiwbina Primary School 1942
Gloria Gee
Where is this? This aerial photo (left) shows an area that we are all familiar with. But where is it? Find out the answer on our website at www.livingmags.co.uk
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All Aboard “This is how Mummy and Daddy used to go to school, darling.”, “When did they stop painting them orange?”, “This really brings back the memories!”, “I remember these before they were painted orange.”, “How wonderful that this has been kept!”, “I used to drive these!”, “Is this a Guy?” Those – all except the last one, perhaps – are the kind of comments and questions you’d expect to hear when the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group brings one of its 40-strong collection of vintage buses along to events such as this year’s Rhiwbina Festival. The bus in question was the obvious choice for a beautifully sunny day. Former Cardiff Corporation Guy Arab V opentop double-decker 434 (ABO 434B) with a Neepsend (East Lancashire) body is now almost half a century old. Shorn of its roof, everybody who went upstairs was able to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while those of a certain age could fondly reminisce about the days when a fleet of similar buses (but with their roofs firmly stuck on) used to ply the streets of Cardiff, regularly venturing out as far as Rhiwbina on services 21 and 23. Even when new in 1964-66, they were rather old-fashioned buses. The modern one-personoperated bus has its engine at the back and its door at the front. Not 434. Its entrance – no door, just an open platform – was at the back. The driver drove in splendid isolation at the front, having no contact with that terrifying breed known as passengers. That was left to the conductor who’d collect the fares, issue the tickets and ring the bell to tell the driver to stop or move off. Sounds familiar? Yes, exactly like on the London Transport Routemaster! This Guy was Cardiff ’s equivalent of London’s famous icon. Taking 434 anywhere evokes a host of responses and they’re fascinating to see. Some people
just pass by, ‘seeing’ nothing unusual. Others look slightly puzzled: they know they’re seeing something unusual but can’t work out what it could possibly be. Others immediately recognise a cherished part of their childhood, or a more recent visit to the seaside complete with a ride on an open-topper. They’ll then smile broadly at the memory and start waving! It’s a reaction anyone with a vintage vehicle will have seen and enjoyed many times. Those of us who stood around 434 at the Rhiwbina Festival may have heard most of the comments before, whether made to us or (more enjoyably still!) overheard. But they’re always a joy to listen to because you know that the efforts of the volunteers down at the Group’s Barry depot have achieved their important and immensely satisfying aim of putting people in touch with part of their – and Cardiff ’s – history. So many other vehicles have been scrapped and left no trace of their existence except in photographs that may be fading fast. But there was one question we didn’t expect and you can’t accompany an old bus anywhere without expecting the occasional surprise. The unexpected question this time was ‘Is this a Guy?’, asked by a lady. Now Guy Motors produced bus chassis in Wolverhampton and the
chassis ordered by Cardiff were then driven (with the drivers, poor dabs, ensconced in just a small shed-like affair to protect them from the elements) all the way to Sheffield to the works of bodybuilding company Neepsend, a branch of the then well-known bus bodybuilder East Lancashire. We’d never expected there to be any connection between Wolverhampton and Rhiwbina, but then the lady questioner explained that her father had worked in a senior position for Guy Motors and that she still had photographs and documents from his time there. Would we be interested? We most certainly would. So a few days later two of us visited the lady and her husband in Rhiwbina to find that they had a treasure trove of material about Guy Motors unlike any to be found anywhere else in the world. So the moral is: if you take a vintage bus out anywhere, you never know what you’ll find! The Cardiff Transport Preservation Group holds monthly meetings, organises two very successful annual rallies and attends others. Its website is www.ctpg.co.uk. Volunteers are always welcome. Berwyn Prys Jones
Photographs by Berwyn Prys Jones and Paul Hamley
St Michael’s College Cardiff FRIENDS OF ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE ANNUAL LECTURE MONDAY 21 OCTOBER 7.00pm
BARONNESS MORGAN OF ELY “Living in the Vicarage – An Ideal Preparation for Public Life” Open to the public, admission free, refreshments If you are interested in attending please contact St Michael’s College
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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. We found a rabbit in our garden a few months ago and have no idea where he/she came from. We’ve made sure he’s ok by building him a hutch and securing the garden but he’s started grinding his teeth which goes right through me and I’m sure is no good for the rabbit. Is this normal behaviour? Happy rabbits will make a quiet ‘purring’ sort of noise by gently chattering their teeth, particularly when they are being petted, but I don’t think you would notice this unless you were quite close, and it certainly shouldn’t “go right through” you. Proper tooth-grinding making a noticeable noise is usually a sign of pain or discomfort in rabbits. It’s probably worth getting him checked over, even if he’s showing no other signs of ill-health. Bunnies are very good at hiding their symptoms!
My dog has just turned 18 months and over the last few weeks, has turned from a sprightly young dog to a grumpy old man! He seems ok in himself, is eating fine and doesn’t seem to be in any distress - he just seems to have turned into my husband! Is this part of ‘growing up’? Your dog is at an age when he should be growing up, maturing into a sensible adult, but being grumpy isn’t part of being grown up (… or is it?!). So I think you should look at him closely for anything that might be giving him some discomfort – for example, tummy ache (loss of appetite, loose bowel motions, sickness), tooth ache (red gums, bad breath), back ache (stiffness, reluctance to go up steps or jump onto furniture) – and if you have any doubt, get him checked out. Alternatively, the grumpiness may be to do with raising his status in your ‘pack’. He might be saying Page is sponsored by Heath Vets 02920 621511
“push off and don’t bother me – I’m more important than you”. If that’s happening, consider getting professional help before things get any worse. Your vet will be able to recommend a good local dog behaviourist.
My four year old cat has been getting into a few fights lately. I’m not sure what’s brought it on – there may be a new cat in our area. She’s had a few nips and grazes but I’m worried that things could escalate. I don’t want to restrict her by not letting her out and am in two minds what to do. I know it’s natural for cats to guard their territory but I don’t want her getting hurt. This is a perennial problem, one that I frequently find myself discussing with clients, as they bring Puss in for treatment to the third fight wound in as many months! You are right - it is natural for cats to guard their territory, and you won’t be able to stop it. However, most fights seem to happen at night, so keeping your cat indoors at night would be a sensible start. If you do spot a wound, have a close look at it – if it is just a graze, clean it and apply a suitable antiseptic (not TCP, which is poisonous to cats). But if there is any suspicion of a puncture from a tooth, get your vet to have a look. Early treatment could save a lot of pain and discomfort, as bite wounds have a high risk of going septic and forming an abscess. After a while, the new cat will have settled in and established his own territory, and the fighting will stop … at least until another newcomer arrives.
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Local News
News in the Community NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH With Bill Farnham Further to my comments in the last issue regarding National Neighbourhood Watch Week (15th to 23rd June) and the fact that we took part in 14 events during the ‘week’, I have received a congratulatory e-mail from National Neighbourhood Watch who are based in Leicester, informing me that we were voted the most active Neighbourhood Watch Association in England and Wales for all that we did during the ‘week’. As a result of this I have been awarded the prize that was to be awarded to the best Association, namely a signed copy of the book “Dead Man’s Time” written by the popular crime writer Peter James. (Very appropriate for Neighbourhood Watch) Since the last issue, we have launched a further four new watches and have attended two Operation Perception exercises in Gabalfa and Heath, during which I worked in conjunction with members of South Wales Fire Service which was very interesting indeed; and in Llandaff City which has resulted in a meeting to be held at Insole Court later this month (September) at which it is hoped to launch another five new watches and carry out a relaunch of another one. I have recently attended two community Fun Days in conjunction with South Wales Police, firstly at Pontprennau Community Centre and then at Llanishen Leisure Centre with quite a lot of interest expressed regarding Neighbourhood Watch at both events. We are working very hard on our projects for the future which
include Personal Safety Day on 14th October which is organised by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and at which we will give our total support for such a worthwhile cause, and also what we are calling Operation Christmas Spirit at which we aim to make people aware of the values of security marking of their property and gifts in the lead up to Christmas. We are hoping to hold this event in Queen Street during December so, as they say, watch this space for further details. I am also working on a project that I have taken on board and have named Worship Watch in which I am aiming to involve all religious premises in Cardiff and bring them up to date with security of their premises and the safety of everyone associated with these premises. Again, as they say, watch this space. On Thursday 31st October I shall be taking part in an interview on the Cardiff in Action Radio Show at 3pm at which I intend to promote Neighbourhood Watch and all the associated benefits of being a member of a watch. Neighbourhood Watch is continuing to grow very rapidly and I have several meetings arranged for the near future at which new watches will be launched as I have received firm commitment from the people who will be attending these meetings. If you are interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch Group in your locality please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team or contact us on 02920 527301. If I am not in our office when you call, please leave your contact details. Bill Farnham Chairman
‘SING WITH US’ IN RHIWBINA Cardiff cancer charity Tenovus are running a ‘Sing With Us’ choir in Rhiwbina to help those affected by cancer. They meet every Wednesday evening to rehearse in Rhiwbina Baptist Church. Their ‘Sing with Us’ choirs are fun, uplifting and friendly, and are open to anyone affected by cancer whether they are a patient, survivor, carer or someone who has been bereaved through cancer. You don’t need to read music or be a great singer to join - every voice counts. Research by Tenovus has proven the benefits of singing in a choir and the Sing With Us choirs are very supportive. Everybody is made very welcome. More information from their choirleader Emma Rees on 07772 581334 or e-mail emma.rees@tenvovus.org.uk www.tenovus.org.uk
HANDMADE MARKET TO TAKE PLACE IN RHIWBINA
An exciting new contemporary craft fair showcasing some of Wales’ finest emerging talent will be taking place this November in Rhiwbina. The Handmade Market aims to create the perfect pre-Christmas shopping. More details in our Christmas issue due out in November. 29
recipes
e c n a d n u b A n Autum There’s nothing quite like heading home from work on a misty autumn evening and knowing that a bubbling pot of casserole is waiting for you. Here are a few recipes to welcome you home and give you a big warm herbal cwtch as you step in from the darkening nights.
Slow cooker beef bourguignon 4 rashers streaky bacon, chopped 750g stewing steak, diced in to large chunks 5 tbsp vegetable oil 12 shallots 1 carrot, chopped 225g mushrooms, quartered 1 cube of beef stock 300ml red wine 1 tbsp tomato purée 2 garlic cloves 1 tsp dried thyme 2 bay leaves Serve with mashed potato and green beans. 1. Preheat the slow cooker to low. In a large frying pan, add the streaky bacon and cook until slightly crispy then place in the cooker. Toss the beef in the flour. Heat the oil in the frying pan, and cook the floured beef in small batches to colour slightly, add to cooker. 2. Lightly colour the shallots and carrots in the frying pan then add to the cooker along with the mushrooms. Mix together 400ml boiling water with the stock cube, red wine, tomato puree, garlic, thyme and bay leaves and pour over the meat. 3. Season well with salt and pepper and place the lid on to cook for 5-6 hours or until the beef is tender. If you need to thicken the sauce slightly, mix cornflour with a little water to make a paste then add to the dish and stir through. Heat on high for a few minutes to thicken. 4. Serve the beef with mashed potatoes, green beans and the rich sauce poured over the top.
Slow-baked Sausages 8 plump pork butcher’s sausages some oil 2 large onions a thick slice of butter 2 lightly heaped tbsp of flour a heaped tsp soft brown sugar 400ml of beef or vegetable stock 200ml dark beer Serve with mashed potato. Serves 4. 1. Set the oven at 160C/gas mark 3. 2. Fry the sausages using some oil in a non-stick pan over a moderate heat till lightly coloured on all sides. Remove from the pan. 3. Peel the onions and slice them thinly into rounds. Melt the butter in a pan over a moderate heat, add the onions and let them colour lightly. Stir in the flour. 4. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring from time to time, then add the sugar, stock and beer and bring to the boil. 5. Let the mixture boil for a minute or so, then cover with a lid. Bake for 50 minutes, then serve with mashed potato.
PATRIC MORGAN
JAMIE OLIVER, X FACTOR AND SHOPPING TROLLIES
I
don’t know about you but I’ve never been a Jamie Oliver fan. I think it’s because he’s always been far too enthusiastic about things - always jolly and happy. As a rule, I don’t like people like that - I feel that I’m missing out on something. But Mr Oliver did pop up on the news recently pointing out that some British workers like to whinge and don’t work hard as their European counterparts. “British kids particularly, I have never seen anything so wet behind the ears!” he said. He told Good Housekeeping magazine: “I have mummies phoning up for 23-year-olds saying to me, ‘My son is too tired’. On a 48-hour-week! Are you having a laugh?” Back in 2008, I interviewed Rhiwbina resident and star of screen and stage, Stan Stennett. I always remember him telling me that to succeed in something, you HAD to put the hours in. Stan would get up at 5am to work throughout the day, then pack up his guitar and trumpet to play the clubs till 3am. Then he’d do it all over again the next day. That was something that stuck with me during 2008 because at the time, Rhiwbina Living was a fledgling publication. We’d had trouble with deliveries of our second issue thanks to the ‘professional delivery team’ that we’d paid and entrusted. I was working five jobs which totalled to between about 80 and 90 hours a week. And the reason I was doing it was to clear the debt I had amassed being a lazy-arsed slob during my 20s and early 30s. So Jamie Oliver’s comments struck a chord with me. It reminded me of the time I was working in the Deri Inn in 2008.
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Every one who worked there worked very hard. Apart from one lad who worked part-time. We were struggling one day as a few members of staff were ill and we had a phone call from this lad’s mum, telling us that he couldn’t come in today as he’d ‘only had nine hours’ sleep’. At first, we thought she was joking, and it took us a while to realise that she wasn’t. She was for real. I was teaching that year too and I was very frustrated by the culture of entitlement that a lot of children relied on. From little things like not bringing in their own pens (“You’ll have some sir.”) through to kids assuming that they’re were going to walk straight into a job the day they leave school (“My dad’s giving me a job.”) Needless to say, a lot of ‘dads’ found their businesses up against the wall themselves, and I’d give the knowing look of ‘told-youso’ to my former students as they scanned my chicken kievs through the checkout at Tesco at 2am in the morning. This culture of entitlement reaches to all parts of life. X Factor has recently returned to our screens. I admit that I used to be a big fan of Saturday nights in front of the show. I’m not sure whether it’s me turning into a grumpy man, or whether it’s the realisation that these kind of things are there to pamper to the ‘get rich quick’ mentality. As Simon Cowell said at the launch of this year’s show, “I’d like to thank you all for making me rich.” Or words to that effect. But the fact remains that Mr Cowell did not become rich overnight. He worked hard, did some jobs he’d rather forget and then hit on an idea that made him rich. For most of us, success comes only as a result of hard work.
So what is it that has made some of the younger generation think that they can take from society without thinking too much about putting back in? Is it our parenting skills? Are we shielding our kids from the realities of life for too long? Or are kids these days just a little bit more selfish than those of past generations? I was in Tesco (I’m always in Tesco) last year. It was October. The new university students were pouring into the store, stocking up on their Pot Noodles and beer. Stood in the long queue for the checkout, there was a student stood in front of me with his parents .His trolley was groaning with goodies. Dad turns to son and says: “Do you need beer?” (Need. Not want.) The lad nodded his head. Dad disappeared and came back with three slabs of Stella. He could hardly carry it. Dad paid. £400 worth of stuff. And did the son thank Dad? No. It was expected that Mum an Dad would pay. I overhead Mum fretting as Dad struggled to push the trolley out the door. “Shall I buy you a mobile phone that you can take to lectures in case you need to contact me urgently?” “Erm. No mum. I have two phones already and I’ll have to switch them off in lectures.” “Shall I make you sandwiches?” That was the last I heard from that family. As I get older, I’ve started thinking to myself ‘When I was a lad...’ more and more. And it’s made me realise why the generation above us always like to remind us of how they did things.
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