Rhiwbina Living Issue 42

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Rhiwbina Living

At the heart of the community Issue 42 Spring ‘18

Your multi award-winning magazine for Rhiwbina

Inside this issue Interview

Conductor, singer and creative director David Mahoney explains why he calls Cardiff home

Competitions

Win a pair of tickets to the RHS Flower show and a Family Ticket to see Bing Live at St David's Hall this summer

Interiors

Freshen up your home for spring with wonderful home décor and accessories from our villages

The First Lady of Rhiwbina

Mary Clarke BEM speaks about her recent award in the New Year's Honours List for services to the community

Early Summer deadline: 8th June 2018

Published 22nd June 2018

a: 222 Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AG t: 07772 081775 / 07974 022920 w: www.livingmags.co.uk e: editor@livingmags.co.uk or danielle@livingmags.co.uk Distribution: 6,000 copies of Rhiwbina Living are personally delivered by us to every house in the Rhiwbina ward four times a year in line with the seasons. We also distribute to local shops 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. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publishers.

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Welcome / Croeso Hello Spring! Finally, after what seems like it's been a neverending Winter, we can look forward to warm, sunny days.

As you can see from the cover, Rhiwbina Living is celebrating its 10th Birthday! To mark the occasion, we have put together a commemorative issue that celebrates this monumental anniversary and all that is special about living here.

We want to say a huge thank you to all of you for supporting Rhiwbina Living over the past decade and for helping make the magazine what it is today.

Rhiwbina Living has become an intrinsic part of the community and has enabled us to meet so many of the lovely people that make our village special.

Rhiwbina Living has become an anticipated welcome to the changing of the seasons here in Rhiwbina, so we have put together a feature that tells the story of the magazine, and also presented a light-hearted look at the magazine delivery process!

Rhiwbina is special because of the people that make up our community, personified perhaps

by Mary Clarke, who we spoke to following her recognition in the New Year's Honours List.

Many people will not realise the sterling contribution that Mary has made to Rhiwbina and how she continues to help make the village such a pleasant place to live.

We also spoke to Rhiwbina film-maker and actor Laurence Patrick who recently showcased his short sci-fi movie here in the village.

Blogging has become a popular pastime for many and here in Rhiwbina, there is a

thriving blogging community. We enjoyed speaking to them about their work and their inspirations.

The little people of Rhiwbina contribute significantly to our community and to mark the Cardiff Children's Literature Festival, we asked them for their views on reading. As always, their responses brought smiles.

A huge reason to smile is that brighter days are here.

Traditionally Spring is about rejuvenation and fresh starts, so we have produced a series of features that capture the essence of Spring and will help you feel inspired about making the most of this special season.

To freshen up your home for Spring, you'll find a selection of interiors from our local businesses. For outdoor spaces, we have compiled some fantastic ways to improve and make the most of what we have by upcycling - an ever growing trend.

With a historical walk and lots more, we hope you enjoy this very special issue!

Danielle and Patric

Editors

@RhiwbinaLiving www.facebook.com/rhiwbinaliving

What’s on Monico Movies: North By Northwest Saturday 14th April 7.30pm Canolfan Beulah A rare opportunity to enjoy this Alfred Hitchcock classic North by Northwest, on the big screen.

SS18 Fashion Show Friday 27th April Canolfan Beulah Calon Rhiwbeina's Fashion Show.

Tickets £10 from the shop.

Cardiff 5k Sunday 6th May 7pm Whitchurch Village The 3rd annual Cardiff 5K in Whitchurch Village.

Rhiwbina Summer Festival Saturday 30th June from 11am Rhiwbina Village The highlight of the summer calendar. Rides, stalls, entertainment, food and drink.

Rhiwbina panto raises over £3,000 for local charity

A pantomime held at Rhiwbina Memorial Hall has raised over £3,000 for a local charity.

Out of the Wenallt was performed to a packed house in late February, with some familiar faces in the cast.

Organiser Anthea Parker told Rhiwbina Living magazine: "This has been a wonderful opportunity for Tenovus Cancer Care to reach out into the community.

Together we worked hard to ensure that our production was as entertaining as possible. It has been a pleasure to work with people who have contributed in such a positive way to making the village of Rhiwbina such a great place to live.

"There were 32 people on stage and about 20 of them had never acted before so this was brave indeed! It was certainly a challenge to think of the characters they could be and to weave a story together that would be relevant for those living in Rhiwbina, and for the members of the Cardiff North Tenovus Choir.

"It was a real community venture as local businesses supported us through sponsorship of the programmes. We had full houses on two nights - it was an uplifting experience and we didn’t stop laughing." £3,100 was raised in total.

Fundraising campaign launched A fundraising campaign has been launched to renovate the Grafton Terrace girl-guiding hall.

The Grafton Terrace building is used by several guiding units from week to week, as well as for other activities such as Scout Post sorting each Christmas. The centre is now in need of some repair and improvement works, including new insulation, installation of a central heating system, electrical re-wiring, some plumbing improvements and

cosmetic improvements.

District leader Amy said: "The Rhiwbina District is launching a fundraising campaign over the next 12 months with the aim of raising as much money as possible for these works to be completed.

"We are working with a local contractor as well as a major building contractor to get the work done. We want to make it a sustainable, safe, and welcoming environment for girlguiding in Rhiwbina and the local community.

"We were lucky enough to be selected as a cause for the Cooperative Local Community Fund.

Every time members shop at the Coop with a blue Co-op membership card, 1% of what they spend on selected own-brand products and services goes to the Co-op Local Community Fund."

news

Captain Sam picks up his OBE

Lions and Wales captain Sam Warburton collected his OBE from Buckingham Palace in March after being named in the 2018 New Year's Honours List.

Sam said that his trip to the Palace was a 'very surreal, very lovely experience.' He was given his medal by Prince William. Sam was honoured for services to rugby.

Currently recovering from recent surgery, Sam has won 74 caps for Wales. At the age of 22, he became the team's secondyoungest captain after Gareth Edwards.

Sam said: "It was nice to be wearing more than just a towel when talking to Prince William for a change."

Rhiwbina Squirrels make history

While several rugby clubs face problems even fielding one side on some Saturdays, Rhiwbina RFC created their own piece of history on Saturday 17th February when they fielded four senior sides and a youth team.

Club Chairman Ian Hall said: “Our team of exceptionally dedicated volunteer helpers and coaches ensure that organised rugby is available to hundreds of players every weekend. I’m fairly confident in saying that Rhiwbina was the only club in Wales to field four senior teams that weekend – a remarkable achievement.”

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news

Rhiwbina Open Gardens invite

Organisers of Rhiwbina Open Gardens have opened up an invitation to other residents for this summer's events.

Gwen Williams who helps organise the open days told Rhiwbina Living: "Four of us have been devoting many days and hours to our gardens to share them with others and raise money for Rhiwbina Events and for other charities.

Hopefully, Winter is now passing and we won’t get any more severe snow storms or other inclement weather. In fact, the snowdrops and Téte â Téte miniature daffodils are already coming through the soil – a definite sign of Spring!

"This inevitably makes me think of what needs doing in the coming months in the garden to show it at its best. If you’re passionate about your garden, and your friends and family tell you how lovely it is, then it’s very likely that other people will want to visit your garden too.

"If you want to open your garden, you can join the four of us in Rhiwbina who last year opened our gardens to the public. The Rhiwbina Events Committee was most helpful by advertising our venues and opening times, and in return we gave them a donation towards their events."

You can also be part of the National Garden Scheme – read more about it at www.ngs.org.uk "We always open on Rhiwbina Festival Day – this year Saturday June 30th. Why not join us after all the hard work in your garden and share your love of it to help raise money for your favourite charity, and for the Rhiwbina Events Committee who help to make Rhiwbina the lovely community that it is."

If you need any more information email gwendolynw@tiscali.co.uk

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Juboraj event helps desperate plight of Rohingya refugees

This January, Ana Miah, Managing Director of the Juboraj Group of Restaurants and Vice Chair of the Bangladesh Association Cardiff, joined Cllr. Ali Ahmed and other members of the Bangladesh Association, including the chairman Kaptan Miah, on a visit to the Rohingya Refugee Camps in Bangladesh.

The purpose was to see for themselves the devastating effects of the ethnic cleansing currently being enacted by the Myanmar Military and local militia in the Rakhine State in Myanmar. The Rohingya Refugee Crisis has affected the lives of hundreds of thousands of people with currently over 800,000 Rohingya refugees living in makeshift camps after making their way across the border and through no-mans land.

The members of the Bangladesh Association were there to ensure that aid, paid for by the people of South Wales, got directly to those who need it the most. Nearly £40,000 was raised last November when Bangladeshi restaurants and takeaways from Chepstow to Bridgend donated their takings to the Relief Fund established by the Bangladesh Association. The event, a curry night on the 8th of November, was hugely successful thanks to the support of people like those in Rhiwbina, who visited the Juboraj for a meal, took part in the special buffet night or had a takeaway meal that evening.

Ana and his colleagues were at a camp called Unchiprang, as the trucks loaded with supplies arrived.

Over the next two days, they assisted in issuing food supplies, clothing,

cooking equipment and medicines to the devastated Rohingya people. The camp is a relatively new one having been established in September 2017.

Ana said that they were able to supply food parcels, clothing and medicine for up to 3,000 refugees with the money raised by the relief campaign. Cllr. Ali Ahmed said: “When we saw the trucks arrive, we were so pleased and so proud to be able to represent the citizens of Cardiff and South Wales. We were thrilled that we could help make some difference to the lives of the children, elderly people and all the refugees in Unchiprang, who have so little at this time.”

The Bangladesh Association was accompanied on this trip by Dan Peterson, an artist and illustrator who, as well as being an Associate Lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University, has produced illustrated reports from Helmand Province, Afghanistan, for the British Army and from HMS Bulwark during operations to rescue migrants and refugees from the Mediterranean for the Royal Navy. His reports for BBC Radio Wales and BBC Online will soon be aired. Dan has set up a JustGiving page, to raise more much needed funds for the Rohingya Refugees. The page can be found at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ rohingya-relief-buef-dan-peterson.

“There are over 130 orphans in the orphanage and over 400 children attending the school in Unchiprang camp. They very much need our help to build new lives," added Dan.

Rhiwbina Library 2018 so far Miss Tilley's Community Café

On ‘Blue Monday’ (Monday 15th January), FoRL teamed up with Miss Tilley’s Community Café to host a drop-in event showcasing what’s on offer at Rhiwbina Library.

All the latest news and events from Rhiwbina Library Coming up Easter Coffee Morning

Thursday 5th April (10am–noon) Drop in and catch up on what’s going on in Rhiwbina Library. Library Knitters will be selling their products.

(Proceeds to FoRL)

Time Credits

Friends of Rhiwbina Library volunteers can now earn Time Credits, which may be spent on a wide range of activities in Cardiff and beyond eg. Cadw sites, Chapter, Principality Stadium, Cardiff Devils, Cardiff International Pool and many more.

Reading Aloud - For Grown Ups - For Fun!

This informal library-led group meets monthly to listen to and chat about a short story or excerpt from a novel.

Next session: 23rd April (3pm-4pm)

Ukulele Nights

Ukulele Nights treated us to a toetapping concert in late January.

Spring Cycling Event

Saturday 28th April (11am–3pm) FoRL will be celebrating all things cycling at the library. There will be FREE bike safety checks and you can join us for a short bike ride in the local area. Miss Tilley's Café will be on hand to provide refreshments!

Don't forget Quiz and a Cuppa

Eric Heyman

Mr Eric Heyman led illustration workshops for children and grown ups in early March.

Last Wednesday of each month (3.30pm–5pm).

Jigsaw Library

Saturday mornings (10am–12.30pm).

Children's Book Bank

Donate a nearly-new children’s book and we’ll ensure it finds a good home.

Children's Book Group

Aimed at 8 -10 year olds, the group meets on the first Friday of each month (4pm–4.45pm). The group discusses the month’s chosen book – genre, characters, plot etc. The session ends with a short craft or activity based on the book’s theme.

Check details of the scheme at www.justaddspice.org.

If you'd like to register or want to know more, contact friendsofrhiwbinalibrary@gmail. com

Proceeds

All proceeds that are raised through our events are spent on enhancing the facilities at Rhiwbina Library. We’re aiming to make the Jevons Room more user friendly - old chairs have been re-upholstered and new ones purchased. Next job on our list is to replace the blinds and improve the storage facilities for the numerous groups who meet at the library.

Contact Us

Email: friendsofrhiwbinalibrary@ gmail.com or leave your details in the ‘Friends’ box at the library desk.

Website: friendsofrhiwbinalibrary. weebly.com You’ll also find us on Facebook and we tweet @FoRhiwbinaLib

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letters

Your letters

Congratulations!

We have just enjoyed reading the winter edition of Rhiwbina Living and were surprised to note that it was 10 years since the first issue.

We can clearly remember both Danielle and Patric introducing the magazine to us on a busy Saturday afternoon in 2007, and us taking a leap in the dark to be your first advertiser. We continued this in every issue until our retirement in 2015.

Keep up the good work. Happy Anniversary Rhiwbina Living - and all the very best for the next ten years.

Paul and Mags (Formerly of Serenade)

I learn something new every issue

As a resident of Rhiwbina and reader of Rhiwbina Living, I've seen a huge increase in the past 10 years in the amount and variety of Rhiwbina news shared in your pages.

I always discover something new about where I've grown up in each issue. As one of the Rhiwbina Village Events team, I also know that I speak on behalf of them all when I say that we really appreciate all that you do for Rhiwbina and especially your flexibility and creativity promoting the summer and Christmas Festivals.

Congratulations on your ten successful years.

Sue Harding

Lost Wallet I recently lost my wallet; I left it on a 21 bus. Some very kind person not only found it, but returned it to my address. Unfortunately, I cannot thank them personally since they left no details. I rather hoped I might do so through via Rhiwbina Living's letter column. It is thoughtful actions such as this that makes Rhiwbina such a pleasant area to live.

Tim Coombs Rhiwbina Hill

Happy Birthday I live in Pembrokeshire so I am not familiar with your magazine. However, my aunt lives in Rhiwbina and will be 90 years of age in March. Through your letters page, can we wish her a very Happy Birthday?

Patrick Soper Email Ed: Yes of course. And a Happy Birthday from us too!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! We love to hear what you've been up to so send us your letters and photos!

We'll do our best to print them all! editor@livingmags.co.uk

From the Web: We asked our social media followers what Rhiwbina Living meant to them. Here's a selection of the responses Rhiwbina Living is a great local magazine which is hand delivered by the authors. It's a go-to publication for information about local events and local businesses, and produced to a high standard. Well done Patric and Danielle. Here's to the next ten years!

Jayne Cowan It wouldn't be the same to not have the latest Rhiwbina Living in my lounge. It's a fantastic, informative and fun magazine that has become a must-read for any Rhiwbina resident.

Sam Warburton Rhiwbina Living is a professionally presented, wellestablished free publication of exceptional quality. It highlights the #noplacefiner community of Rhiwbina. (and other local area sister publications are produced too!). Along with being jam-packed with informative and engaging articles of local interest, this is an excellent, competitively priced advertising vehicle for local business (with confirmed distribution figures).

Its editors are friendly folk to deal with too!

Amanda Anderson It’s a hit in our house - lots of local news and information. Look forward to it popping into our letter box. đ&#x;‘?

Pauline Diamond An excellent magazine for the local community. Great for local news, events and services. Very interesting articles covering a broad spectrum of subjects about local people and history of Rhiwbina. Definitely a big hit in our house. Keep up the good work!

Tim Hill I look forward to reading it, especially the articles on Rhiwbina folk.

Julie Williams I enjoy reading it and also look forward to it arriving through the letter box. There are some interesting articles to read and the front cover always has a good photo image on it.

Hilary Griffith A great way for local businesses to advertise their services to the local community.

Imran Kassam

If you have anything you’d like our readers to know about, drop us a line at editor@livingmags.co.uk or by letter to 222 Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AG. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter

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Wear Red for Velindre Day

Rhiwbeina Primary

On Friday February 2nd, pupils wore red to school as part of our Wear Red For Velindre Day, raising £700.

The Whitchurch Cluster Schools raised a combined total of £3,883! A big thank you to everyone who took part.

Schools, companies and individuals from all over the country managed to paint Wales red in support of the day which aims to raise vital funds for Velindre Cancer Centre.

Air Ambulance Representatives from the School Council led an assembly where they had the pleasure of presenting Wales Air Ambulance with a cheque for £750 following their Christmas Enterprise Project.

Well done Year 6 and thank you to everyone for your support.

Washday at St. Fagan's Museum Reception have had a busy half term exploring their topic entitled Splish Splash!

As part of their topic, pupils have been learning about washday in the past, and how this has changed over time. Reception children visited St. Fagans Museum, where they met Beti Bwt and were able to use a dolly and a mangle to wash their bloomers!

Penarth Visit

Pudding Lane Year 2 started the Spring Term by learning about The Great Fire of London in their topic, Pudding Lane.

Children had opportunities to use the green screen as part of their theme day and also baked bread.

The smell made us all hungry!

Through their topic, pupils studied the diary of Samuel Pepys and wrote their own newspaper reports. They also looked at different evidence while they investigated the cause of the Fire of London.

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Year 1 visited Penarth this half term as part of their topic, Commotion In The Ocean. The weather was on our side and we enjoyed a beautiful sunny afternoon at the beach.

Through this topic, pupils have been comparing holidays in the past to their holidays today. Children have been learning about Punch and Judy shows, watching moving pictures, and eating hokey pokey on the pier.

schools

Past and current bards

Llanishen Fach Primary Despite the best efforts of a late blast of winter weather, our rescheduled annual St David’s Day Eisteddfod was a joyous affair.

Dancing The day saw pupils from across the school taking part, with our Nursery pupils getting proceedings underway with their rousing performance of ‘Un, dau, tri, banana’, followed by their encore, ‘Mr Hapus ydw i’. It’s no mean feat to stand up on stage alone in front of all your peers and perform - even more so when you are six years old.

But that's what Jessica did as the winning Year 1 recitation entrant, performing ‘Now We Are Six’.

At the upper end of the school,

The choir

the winner of the Year 6 public speaking competition, Niamh put forward compelling, well-reasoned arguments both for and against in response to the question ‘Should animals be kept in zoos?’. She left her audience amazed by her confident and mature delivery.

One of the many highlights of our Eisteddfod are the choral performances. Each year Deri, Cwm Nofydd, Briwnant and Wenallt houses compete for the muchcoveted choir crown. Weeks before the big day, choirs practise in secret with the guidance of their teachers, leading to great house rivalry in the staffroom! Two and even three-part harmonies are not unheard of, not to mention coordinated costumes and on occasions, comic turns from their conductors. This year, Deri did the double, winning with their Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2 choirs. The Foundation Phase children performed ‘Deffrau’ while the Key Stage 2 choir gave us their two-part harmony rendition of ‘I Bob Un Sydd Ffyddlon’, very ably lead by Charlotte their conductor.

As well as choirs, public speaking and recitations, the school was also treated to contemporary dance routines and duets, as well as the results of art and other classroombased competitions.

The afternoon culminated with the traditional Gorsedd ceremony which saw the winning poet being hailed as this year’s Bard - announced in

the traditional manner using their nom de plume. The winner, Candy Floss, was accompanied to the stage by two druids where she was honoured with a ‘Dawns y Flodau’ performance by some of our Year 3 girls.

Traditionally, the previous year’s Bard pens a reflective poem about what winning the Gorsedd has meant to them, which is then added to the back of the bardic chair.

This year was no exception as we welcomed back last year’s Bard to present a replica bardic chair to this year’s worthy winner.

As we sat and delighted in the talents of our pupils, members of staff were only too aware of the great privilege we were being afforded - a privilege that this year we are to share with the wider community, having booked Bethany Baptist Church for a morning of Welsh culture and heritage.

Art by Sophie Families and friends can come together and share in the amazing range of talents that our pupils possess, an event that we feel sure will be a great success and one we would like to make an annual event in the school calendar.

Art by Anna 9

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Why we love reading

The Cardiff Children's Literature Festival takes place in April so we asked some Rhiwbina children what they most enjoy about books

Evie aged 7

Ben aged 8

What is your favourite book and why?

Tom Gates Everything's Amazing (sort of), because I like the story and there are lots of funny pictures.

What is your favourite collection of books?

Tom Gates.

Why do you think it's important to read?

Otherwise you wouldn't be able to read anything and so you can read stories to your children when you are a grown up.

What do you like about reading?

I like finding out information and I like the characters in stories and imagining different worlds.

What is the difference between watching a film and reading a book of the same story?

Because sometimes the words are different.

What is your favourite book and why?

Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix because it has a good mixture of peace and fighting and lots of excitement.

What is your favourite collection of books?

Harry Potter.

Why do you think it's important to read?

Reading is a great way to learn and you remember more from reading, not watching something.

What do you like about reading?

I love the exciting stories and using my imagination to bring the stories to life.

What is the difference between watching a film and reading a book of the same story?

The book is more calming but the film can sometimes be more exciting.

Rosie aged 6 What is your favourite book and why?

Harry Potter number 3 because it has loads of detail and my favourite bit is when Hermione gets her time turner.

What is your favourite collection of books?

Kitty Lacey, the fairytale hairdresser.

Why do you think it's important to read?

To help you learn about things and difficult words.

What do you like about reading?

I like the detail and describing words and to imagine what's going on in the book. It helps you think about games to play.

What is the difference between watching a film and reading a book of the same story?

In the film, they can't fit in all of the detail so they put more detail in the book and some of their own thoughts.

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Holly aged 10 What is your favourite book and why?

The Beast Within. It's a Disney book and I like Disney!

What is your favourite collection of books?

The Dork Diaries.

Why do you think it's important to read?

It helps with writing your own stories and gives you extra ideas.

What do you like about reading?

To use my own imagination on what is happening in the book and I can use my own interpretation.

What is the difference between watching a film and reading a book of the same story?

Reading a book is more descriptive and you can use your own imagination. Watching a movie is easier but there is more detail in a book.

kids

Lucy aged 13

Ben aged 6

What is your favourite book and why?

The Hunger Games. It's full of action and adventure and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

What is your favourite collection of books?

Harry Potter series.

Why do you think it's important to read?

It helps expand your mind to new ideas and it helps with vocabulary in English assessments.

What do you like about reading?

I get lost in my own imagination and reading takes me to a happy place in my mind.

What is the difference between watching a film and reading a book of the same story?

Reading a book lets your imagination run wild and you can try to piece all the pieces together by yourself. You can make your own judgements.

What is your favourite book and why?

Mr Men Trip to the Moon. I like learning about space. It is interesting.

What is your favourite collection of books?

Mr Men books.

Why do you think it's important to read?

Because you learn new things and it helps you with difficult words.

What do you like about reading?

I like reading funny books, they make me laugh. I like looking at the pictures too.

What is the difference between watching a film and reading a book of the same story?

Books have more words in them and they explain things more.

Zara aged 7

Elizabeth aged 10

What is your favourite book and why?

Magic Kitten Double Trouble. I love cats and would like a real one.

What is your favourite collection of books?

I love the Magic Kitten books.

Why do you think it's important to read?

Reading helps you learn new words and helps with your spelling.

What do you like about reading?

I like exciting stories.

What is the difference between watching a film and reading a book of the same story?

I like watching the film then reading the book after. I imagine the characters from the film as I read the book.

What is your favourite book and why?

The Midnight Gang by David Walliams because it's funny.

What is your favourite collection of books?

David Walliams.

Why do you think it's important to read?

Because if I couldn't, I wouldn't be able to answer these questions.

What do you like about reading?

The words.

What is the difference between watching a film and reading a book of the same story?

One is a book and one is a film. Duh!

James aged 8 What is your favourite book and why?

Mr Squirrel (in a Christmas Collection) because it's about Christmas and having fun and making friends.

What is your favourite collection of books?

Julia Donaldson.

Why do you think it's important to read?

Because if you can't read, you won't know how to spell.

What do you like about reading?

It makes me feel nice and relaxed.

What is the difference between watching a film and reading a book of the same story?

You don't need to read a film because the actors act it out for you.

Lily aged 7 What is your favourite book and why?

Matilda because I like that she has magic superpowers.

What is your favourite collection of books?

Roald Dahl.

Why do you think it's important to read?

Because it's fun and it helps you learn new words.

What do you like about reading?

I like when there's a happy bit in the book and it gives me good dreams. It helps me go to sleep.

What is the difference between watching a film and reading a book of the same story?

Sometimes you get a different picture in your head when you read a book to what it looks like in the film.

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A warm and friendly florist shop located in the heart of Rhiwbina.

We stock quality flowers and plants along with stylish homeware and gifts. We also deliver to all areas in and around Cardiff.

4 Beulah Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6LX www.flowerlodge.co.uk

02920 627587

Secret Shed The

Welsh Tea Garden opening this Spring!

The Secret Shed is the perfect place to while away a spring afternoon.

Our Welsh Tea Garden opens this Easter, serving all-Welsh produce supplied by Welsh companies. Even our coffee machine is Welsh!

Sit back on our deck, overlooking the historical babbling brook and watch the trout swim by. You will be surrounded by beautiful garden plants and ornaments - or you can sit in our bespoke log cabin and enjoy the warmth of our log burner.

Afterwards, you can browse our gorgeous gift shop and garden centre - and take home more than just lovely springtime memories.

Rhiwbina Sheds & Fencing We design and manufacture bespoke sheds, cabins, pavilions, fencing, gates, decking, summer houses, log stores and home offices.

Our buildings are built to suit your needs and requirements, whether it be a custom sized shed to fit your garden, a playhouse for your children or that office you’ve always promised yourself.

“

We were delighted to have had John and his team from the Secret Shed Garden Centre transform our garden, including the building of a lovely wrap around composite decking following a major building project at the back of our house.

Right from the first time we met John and started talking about our ideas and plans, he listened, made very helpful comments and without too much discussion, the plan and budget were agreed. He was willing to fit in with our timetable and even though the weather was not the best for an outside project, work progressed according to the planning.

The whole team is very friendly, hard-working and produce work to a very high standard. Cups of tea aplenty keep them smiling! We highly recommend the workmanship, as well as the friendliness of the team and we are so pleased we #shoppedlocal. Ian and Eleanor Sanders, Rhiwbina

1c Beulah Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6LT

02920 616921

10 feature

years of

Rhiwbina Living

I

Ten years ago, two Rhiwbina friends decided to create their own community magazine. This is the story of Rhiwbina Living

n June 2007, Rhiwbina got two new residents.

Soon after moving into their new property in the village, the two long-time friends, Danielle and Patric were keen to find out what was going on in their local community.

“I knew that Rhiwbina had a great community spirit as I'd had friends who lived here when I was in school and it always seemed like a special place,” says Danielle. “When I started to try and find out what was happening here, I realised that there was no central place pulling together all of the information, and that even though there was in fact lots happening, it was hard to access the information.”

At the time, Rhiwbina also seemed to be losing businesses with a few shops closing during that summer.

“It was just before the recession hit and I think the small businesses were beginning to feel the pinch," says Danielle.

“This combined with the inaccessibility of information, prompted me to have the idea of setting up a magazine to be a resource for the community, to provide a forum for

16

organisations to promote events 2007 but the hard bit was still ahead and crucially, to support local of them. business which is the very lifeblood 2008 was to be a tough year. of the village.”

Danielle was working full-time as So armed with nothing more than a Clinical Psychologist. Patric was a cup of tea and a blank A4 pad and working full-time as a teacher but a pen, Danielle and Patric got some also had 3 other jobs that filled his ideas down on a sunny August evenings. afternoon in the garden.

"The magazine work was done "We decided that the magazine whenever we could – usually in the had to be a quality magazine. small hours," says Patric. "Worse It needed to have relevant and was to come. Our second issue was readable features. We didn’t want it due out in March and once again, stuffed full of adverts and puzzles. we entrusted a company to do the We planned on having our first deliveries for us, as we had done issue out in time for Christmas." for the first issue. About a week With no capital behind them after the deliveries were finished, to fund the first issue, the pair we started getting phone calls from visited the local shops to source local advertisers who said that they advertising. hadn’t received their copy. Since "The response wasn't they lived locally, they We had one shop should have had one. great. We had one shop owner who told us that owner who said We did some digging Rhiwbina had a magazine around to find that 'Don't you know only 12% of our stock back in the 1980s and that it never worked had been delivered. that there's a because they couldn't battered boxes recession on?' Two get enough advertising; containing what was then we had someone left of our magazines telling us where to go with the was handed back to us." words 'Don't you know there's a "We really felt that we’d let bl**dy recession on?'. our paying advertisers down," "It wasn't until we visited Paul and says Danielle. "While we sought Mags in Serenade that we got our expensive legal advice, we decided very first advertiser. Paul smiled at that we’d run all of the spring us and said 'Count us in.' Once Paul advertisers in our summer issue was in, everyone wanted to go in!" at cost to ourselves. Before we The pair eventually raised enough could make any decisions from a funds to finance their first issue, legal point of view however, we which was published in November were floored by news that Patric’s

teenage sister Alice had a rare form popped four boxes in our wheelie of aggressive cancer in her knee. bin. I wheeled it to the top of She spent 9 months in hospital Rhiwbina Hill but the wheels broke. having chemotherapy and surgery, I then tried it with a suitcase. The and had to learn how to walk again wheels fell off that too." after having a replacement knee.

2011 was the year that Danielle My step-dad also died suddenly in stepped away from the business October that year, just as Alice was after the birth of her daughter, Evie. recovering.

In fact, her 'maternity leave' from the "But 2008 did have its good points. magazines was to last a few years.

In November that year, after much In the meantime, Patric looked after demand, we launched our second all aspects of the magazines and title – Whitchurch and Llandaff even by his admission, standards Living." did slip.

In 2010, Patric left his "Danielle was busy teaching post for good I never had a car being a first time mum to concentrate solely I was struggling so I literally had and on the magazines. to do it all on my own, "Around that time, we to carry each box especially as my dad was published a letter from individually to diagnosed with cancer a lady called Norma in and eventually passed Australia who had read different parts of away in 2013," says Patric. our magazine online.

"We have back copies Rhiwbina Norma recalled living of every magazine and I on Pantbach Road can't bring myself to look and a bomb landing on one of the at them - not because they remind houses opposite hers during World me of bad times but because the War Two. She wondered what had standards left a lot to be desired!" become of the two brothers who It was in late Summer 2015, when lived there.

Evie started school, that Danielle "A few weeks later, we had a knock expressed her desire to get back on on the door. It was a man called board with the magazines.

Bob, who explained that he was "We sat and had breakfast in one of the brothers. He had written Whitchurch and over the course a memorable account of what had of the hour, we decided that the happened that night, which we magazines were in desperate need published in the subsequent issue. of a revamp," says Danielle. "Patric Bob and Norma were also put back had done an amazing job keeping in touch," says Danielle. the magazines going on his own for It's stories like these that have so long but they were really looking kept the pair driving the magazines dowdy and the content was pretty forward. poor. We felt that we needed to go "Everything we do has all been back to our roots and involve the self-taught," says Patric. "Back in community more. We wanted more the early days, we were producing interaction, more vibrancy and extra the magazines on a bashed up local interest. computer and using Microsoft "We were so proud of our autumn Publisher. We'd then upload all our issue that year. We promised pages onto a memory stick and it'd ourselves that we'd make each usually be about 4 or 5am by the subsequent issue better than the time we hand-delivered it to our last one which has proved quite a printer who lived in Y Groes. challenge!"

"After our disaster with the "One of the biggest things that we deliveries on Issue 2, we decided to have learnt over the 10 years is that do them all ourselves - something there lies a story behind every door we still do to this day. For the first in Rhiwbina," says Patric. "The few years, I never had a car so I everyday people we see around literally had to our village all have a story to tell. carry each box And in a way, it has been our duty to individually to document these for generations to different parts of come.

Rhiwbina, deliver "In 2017, after a significant growth its contents and in the business, we became a then go all the limited company and registered for way back home VAT. Our distribution was extended to get another to include Pantmawr and some of box. the other outlying areas that had "One day, I been missed off the original map, thought I'd be taking our distribution to 6,000. enterprising and We also installed a magazine stand

The first issue of Rhiwbina Living was published in 2007 in Sainsbury's Local on Llanishen Fach to tap into the passing trade heading up Caerphilly Mountain.

"Recognising the importance of social media, we've established a following of over 36,000 people across our platforms, which we utilise to help promote our advertisers. We are always very grateful to our advertisers and do our very best for them because we know that without them, the magazines wouldn't exist."

In 2014, Living Magazines picked up two prestigious awards at a UK awards ceremony. And in 2017, they were crowned Community Business of the Year at the Cardiff Business Awards. They were up against some big names like the Wales Millennium Centre and Big Learning Wales.

"To be recognised as Community Business of the Year for the whole of Cardiff meant so much to us, especially since we were approaching our tenth year. The judges commended us for our passion for the magazine which we feel because of the contribution it makes to the community."

And what about the squirrel that graced the covers for many years?

Where did he go?

"We took him off the covers late in 2013. We felt that we needed a more professional look. We hid him inside the magazine for a while but he finally retired in 2014. He lives on in Squidgy Squirrel who comes down from the Wenallt for the Summer and Winter Festivals," says Patric.

17

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Win TICKETS TO THE RHS FLOWER SHOW The annually anticipated floral spectacular, RHS Flower Show Cardiff, will return to the city this April embracing Visit Wales’ Year of the Sea and highlighting the sensational Welsh coastline with a host of themed gardens, related features and activities to spark the imagination.

A fun day for all the family, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) – the UK’s leading gardening charity - has revealed an exciting line-up for 2018, bringing vibrant Show Gardens, floral displays, interactive activities and brand new Regeneration Gardens to the grounds of the Welsh capital’s Bute Park from 13th–15th April.

Show gardens include Evergreen Wales - Cardiff-based father and son duo Richard and Adam Davis – who will reconstruct the Welsh mountains with ‘Cwm Caerdydd’, using materials entirely sourced from Wales, highlighting everything they love about the Welsh

landscape.

Showcasing a functional space for professional couples looking for a contemporary and green design requiring minimal maintenance, Bridgend College returns with firsttime designer Petra Kodurand to create ‘Suburban Euphoria’.

The National Museum of Wales will be presenting mini laboratories in glass greenhouses for its fifth time at the show. Focusing on three areas of science and horticulture, the greenhouses will represent three of the seven museum sites: Big Pit National Coal Museum, National Museum Cardiff and National Waterfront Museum, each with interactive activities.

Other interactive features include RSPB Cymru alongside Cardiff City Council and Buglife who will be joining forces to recreate Cardiff Bay from a swift’s bird’s eye view.

Continuing the success of the RHS Greening Grey Britain campaign, the Regeneration Gardens will Looking for the perfect way to keep your little ones entertained during the summer holidays?

Look no further than Bing Live which comes to the stage for the first time this year, including three shows at St David’s Hall on Tuesday 31st July.

Join Bing, Sula, Coco and Pando as they learn how to tell stories by pretending, dressing up and singing songs. Flop and Amma are there to help, but in this magical world of make-believe, things don’t always go according to plan! The CBeebies favourites are brought to life in a brand new stage production full of fun, laughter, music and magical puppetry.

Bing Live is the perfect first theatre trip for preschoolers and their families. And we've teamed up with St. David's Hall for you and your family to be there. To be in with chance of winning a Family Ticket for four, please answer the following question:

show how small interventions with modest budgets can make significant changes to gardens and outdoor spaces.

The Floral Marquee and Plant Village will also be bursting with 60 top-quality nurseries for visitors to grab their seasonal plants, with plenty of take-home ideas to celebrate this spring.

You can win a pair of tickets to this year's flower show by answering this very simple question: Where will this year's RHS Flower Show be taking place?

Email the correct answer, along with your name, address and telephone number to competitions@livingmags.co.uk or post your entries to our address on the inside front cover of this magazine. Closing date is Monday 9th April. For more information or to buy advance tickets, visit www.rhs.org.uk/cardiff.

Win tickets to see bing live at st davids hall What TV channel is Bing Live broadcast on? a) Nickelodeon b) CBeebies c) The Cartoon Network Please email your answer to SDHpress@cardiff.gov.uk by Monday 2nd July 2018 along with your full name and address, plus a phone number. Suitable for preschool children. 1 hour 15 minutes approximate running time. Family Tickets are usually 2 adults and 2 children, but can be flexible, depending on requirements.

19

people

A Rhiwbina attic was transformed into a Martian spacecraft in the name of art. Rhiwbina Living talks to film-maker Laurence Patrick Laurence Patrick stands in the kitchen that he designed. He takes a sip of freshly-brewed coffee from his mug and looks up.

“I’m a Child of Apollo," he says. "One of the very first things I saw on TV was a man walking on the Moon. For me, it all seemed very normal. As a kid, I didn't realise the enormity of it all - I thought that this sort of thing would continue forever. Of course, the Apollo missions to the Moon were cancelled in the early 1970s and no one has been back since."

Like most people, space travel has been out of reach for Laurence, which is why he brought space travel into his home. Into his attic space to be more precise.

"I'm an Architectural Designer by day and I design homes. I've designed attics for some of my neighbours but on this particular occasion, I needed something a little bit special in my own home."

The sci-fi fan and film-maker had written a short film about a space mission to Mars. And after discounting various sets that were not feasible, Laurence decided to turn his own daughter's attic bedroom into the cockpit of a spaceship.

"I'd spent a good deal of time looking

20

for an aeroplane cockpit to use. We got in touch with Dunsfold Aerodrome - that’s where they film the TV show Top Gear. I was sent some photos but told that it would be £2,000 a day to use it. We tried Cotswold Airport, where they offered us a decrepit plane before I headed down to St. Athan where I met a great guy who said that there were some planes available. Things didn’t quite work out but crucially, I was able to take some measurements that proved vital later on because I’d had an idea of my own."

Laurence's idea was bold. And probably a bit bonkers. But it worked a treat: "Our daughter Evie was looking forward to moving into her attic bedroom so I pleaded with her to give me a few weeks.

I started constructing the set in January and it wasn’t until May that we finally got to start filming.

"As we couldn't use a real cockpit, I used the measurements I'd taken at St. Athan to good effect. You

won’t see this on film but behind the MDF framework was a trail of wires.

I picked up most of the buttons and lights off the internet and we added green windows so that we could superimpose exterior shots of space on them in post-production. An old Playstation served as one of the main monitors and the rest was made up from bits and bobs that we could find."

Several months later, with the set fully complete, Laurence, co-star Hannah and the crew were ready to roll the cameras.

"We started on a May Bank Holiday and we’d forgotten that it was a bank holiday. Our neighbour thought he was seeing things when he popped his head out of his skylight and saw

The Martian cockpit in Laurence's attic

two astronauts on the roof next to his.

We filmed for 5 days with one extra day for ‘earth’ shots that we used for flashbacks.

"As it was an attic space, it was obviously very cramped. It was also pretty hot at times as we were filming in May. We'd run a shot and then fling open the skylight window to get some air in. We had one day of rain that impacted on us slightly because of the noise it made on the roof. Other than that, the set served its purpose and I was pretty happy with the outcome, especially since we were doing it all on such a limited budget."

The attic stayed in place until Laurence was happy that he had all the shots he needed before he took it apart.

"My wife Jane and I had lifted the large panels up to the attic via a series of ropes and pulleys as they were too large to go up and around our stairs.

I kept the cockpit where it was for a few weeks so I could use it for pick-ups but before long, our other daughter Martha came back and she had to sleep in it as it was. It was a case of dismantling the set in the same way as we'd put it up - out the window and down the ropes into the garden."

The inspiration for the film was actually a newspaper article Laurence had seen a few months earlier.

"I don’t buy newspapers very often but this one weekend, I picked one up and I was sat in the kitchen reading it. I came across an article and the headline was something along the lines of ‘Astronauts would have to use own waste to protect themselves on way to Mars’. It doesn’t sound like a particularly glamorous headline but it got me thinking. Then there was a feature about Dennis Tito, a man who funded his own trip into space. These people fascinated me and were the real inspiration for the story."

Laurence's idea for a sci-fi movie began to take shape but without a big budget to work with, he had to think creatively about how his film would develop: "Tito spotted a free return trajectory from Earth to Mars that would take 501 Days – if you left Earth early in January 2018. The astronauts would be able to do one loop around Mars and be back on Earth by May the following year. I had a micro budget for my film so I couldn’t go adding huge special effects, even though it was essentially a sci-fi movie. My story had to be more of a human drama

so I had to put my two characters into jeopardy to bring the story alive.

Putting them into the isolation of a spacecraft on a long journey meant the movie was more of a psychological thriller than anything."

Ultimately, Laurence has managed to draw Getting ready for another shot human drama from just two characters and a tense storyline.

"I always remember a quote from following that."

Cosmonaut Valery Ryumin, who For the architect-come-actor, wrote in his personal diary in 1980: performing is part of who he is: ‘All the necessary conditions to "I do stage work too. Acting's in my perpetrate a murder are met by blood. As a kid, I appeared in a HTV locking two men in a cabin of 18 by Wales drama. I remember my drama 20 feet . . . for two months.’ But what teacher saying that I should look to I’ve learned through my experiences go to drama school but as I got older, is that short films need I was far more interested in spending to be positive. My first my days windsurfing. It was only years film was a very miserable later when I took my daughter to an one and I’ve seen a lot actor's workshop that I got involved of short film makers once again. doing the same thing. It’s "I now do stage work but acting for almost as if they have to me is something I prefer to dip in and get it out of their system out of. I remember seeing Jude Law before they can move in a version of Hamlet and he had on to other things. I think that acting ability just oozing out of it's because they want him. Acting professionally is a totally to show that they can different way of living - something I emote - that they can do don't think I could ever do." the dramatic stuff - the For now at least, Laurence is happy tears and the anguish. with what he's achieved.

But my view is that movie goers like "If I had more time and more money, to watch a good story."

I'd probably look to do a feature film.

At 25 minutes long, 501 Days was My short movies are a creative outlet too long for most short film festivals, for me. I don't make any money from especially with two unknown actors. them but they do allow me to express "We did get selected for the Ouchy myself."

Film Awards in Switzerland and a 501 Days was shown at Rhiwbina's festival called the Lost Sanity Horror Monico Movies in March. & Sci-Fi Film Festival last year.

"We've lived in Rhiwbina for 14 years We've also been selected for the now and it was therefore a pleasure Manchester Lift-Off Film Festival to have my movie shown locally," he Online in late March. After that, I'm says. looking to take it to the Carmarthen Laurence has certainly proved that Bay Film Festival in May. The movie where there's a will, there's a way will then be available to watch online and that there's a story worth telling behind every door in Rhiwbina.

I'm a son of Apollo. The first thing I ever saw on TV was a man walking on the Moon

Co-star Hannah with Laurence

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Mary Clarke: The First Lady of Rhiwbina Mary Clarke is in a bit of a predicament.

"You see, I've heard that they put the cream on their scones first, and then their jam at the Palace.

I've always done it the other way around - I put the jam on first and then the cream."

Mary is preparing for a tea party at Buckingham Palace in June after being awarded a British Medal Empire in the latest New Year's Honours List. She has been recognised for her Services to the Community.

"When I first got the letter, I had to read it three times. It didn’t register in my head. I kept asking myself 'What’s all this about?'. Then when the penny dropped, my first thoughts turned to who was behind it."

Mary's award follows years of dedication to the Rhiwbina community.

"I've been involved with community groups in Rhiwbina as far back as I can remember, probably more than 40 years now.

There are two reasons for this first, I like people and secondly, the people in Rhiwbina are my neighbours.

"They say that my contribution to the Flood Defence Scheme was the main reason for the award," Mary explains, but actually her services to the community go way above and beyond this; fulfilling her duty as Chairwoman of the Garden Village Residents' Association and playing a pivotal role in Rhiwbina

24

village life for decades.

Mary is modest about her achievements, "In truth, there were a lot more people involved than just me. The brook that flows through the village had been flooding for years. The time had come though when things were getting a little more serious. The more they built up in the top half of Rhiwbina, that meant more water down at the bottom half of the village.

"I can see the brook from almost every window in my house and I love that brook, I really do - the sounds, the look of it and the wildlife. But of course, when it rains, it becomes full.

"My role in all of this over the years was to get together a group of neighbours who could at whatever time of the day or night – it was mostly night – inform people of potential flooding in the village.

Once I had enough information to know that the brook was going to overflow, I would go across the road and tell them to get their sandbags out as water would be coming up to their door. In some cases, I'd tell them to make sure that they had all valuables lifted up off the floor in case they got damaged - electrical things, handbags and photographs.

I'd also tell people to lift their curtains up off the floor because if the water came in, and the curtains were down to the floor, they'd get damaged. We'd also phone around at whatever time of day or night to let people know. My brother Jeff lifted the main drain in the middle of the road one night, which you’re not supposed to do. But it was either that or the village faced disaster. He got told off by the Fire Brigade but he had to do it to

relieve the pressure. Jayne Cowan would always turn up in flip-flops or sandals which always made us laugh as everyone else was wearing wellies. My team worked very well and was called out about half a dozen times over the years. In some instances, we’d check the forecast and take a look at the gauge in the brook and if things looked bad, it would be necessary to go running to the shops to warn them to get their sandbags out.

"We were the eyes and ears of the village and we got away with it 9 times out of 10, with lots of help from Council."

But there were occasions when Mother Nature proved too strong.

"The worst occasion was in June 2014. The village was totally cut off. The water that comes in flood conditions is polluted with sewage and all kinds of things. The speed with which everything happens is frightening. Then of course, there's the smell - the drains, the diesel, the oil; things go floating past footballs, plastic chairs, bits of old wood."

Mary's work behind the scenes and genuine care for the community has a big impact on her life.

"I remember one afternoon when I had to leave the house to go to hospital. It had been raining heavily all day and as I arrived, I couldn't help but think that I was abandoning my post. I got on the phone and called back to the neighbours."

Eventually, the Welsh Assembly and Cardiff Council applied for European funding for the Flood Defence Scheme to protect over 200 shops and offices in the village, and the application was successful.

"We then had a new challenge and that was convincing the people

who were looking at it on paper that building the wall adjacent to the brook was necessary! What they didn’t appreciate was that it would be covered in hedera ivy and they were worried about a concrete wall ruining the look of the brook.

Now of course, it's all very tidy. We thought it would take ten years or so to be completely covered but even now after just two, you'd hardly notice it was there."

The brook is now monitored around the clock by a raft of cameras and measuring equipment.

"Several weeks ago, we got the alarm that the levels were rising," says Mary. "We were all a bit confused as it hadn't rained but further inspection revealed that some of the grating was chocka-block and the backed up water triggered an alert."

Late last year, Mary herself was inadvertently to become the cause of another alert in the brook: "I fell in the brook. I had been tidying the rockery and slipped.

It was around 8pm so no-one could hear me calling for help until a woman eventually walked past. She was on her way to Beulah Hall with a big pilates ball under her arm. She couldn't figure out where my voice was calling from. 'I can hear you but I can't see you dear,' she said. 'I’m in the brook,' I replied. I remember screaming on the way in and then 'thud'. I was worried I had broken my hip. Thankfully I managed to stand but I couldn't climb out as my hand was so painful and it was bleeding quite badly. I was cold and in shock and started to get worried that they would have to call the Fire Brigade.

But then a hero came up the road.

He said ‘stop talking and do as you’re told. I’m going to lift you out.'

I said 'Hang on a minute - I don’t want you having a heart attack or giving yourself a hernia.' He came down and picked me up like a kid and put me back on the bank. I then spent 5 hours in A&E!" Mary still sees herself very much as part of the team that has helped keep the village ticking for over 4 decades. "It's all about teamwork when it comes to reaching a goal for the greater good in Rhiwbina.

Someone will have the reins, someone will know the way and I’m very happy that I've done my bit over the years. I have had

outstanding support from our councillors, the police and Resources Wales."

People may be unaware, but Mary has been instrumental in many of the important events in Rhiwbina that we take for granted. She tirelessly organises the Santa Sleigh Run every year and arranges other events such a street parties and celebrations in the Garden Village. She has also helped create the environment in which we live, with the daffodils resulting from her 'Adopt a Daff' campaign years ago, which led to the residents planting thousands of bulbs that flower every Spring. The trees by the library were all planted in memory of loved ones and the avenue of trees leading to Parc Y Pentre were bought from Bring and Buy sales and cake mornings that she coordinated.

"I'm very honoured and humbled to have won this award and wish I could share it with my neighbours who always came together when we needed to. When I first found out that I'd won at the end of November last year, I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone. I had to sign an Embargo of Information and believe me, with my tongue, I found that very hard! My son was working in the Royal Mint where they make all the medals for the entire Honours List.

When they got to the British Empire Medals, he actually made my medal and told all his work colleagues that it was for his mum. He had a tough time trying to convince them that he was telling the truth!"

Mary will be presented with her medal at Cardiff's City Hall

by Morfudd Meredith, the LordLieutenant of South Glamorgan and then goes to London in June.

"I'm off to the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. I'll be taking my son and I've told him that I am going to be doing it my way, protocol or not! He's warned me not to take cuttings of the Queen’s plants but I like to tease him! He has informed me that we will have a bottle of red wine on the train on the way up. Mind you, we can't get into the Palace until 3.30pm and then the Queen arrives about 4.30pm and we may be finished

Rhiwbina is a timeless place that's what makes it so special

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by 5.30pm. He said we might have to have another bottle on the way home!" says Mary giggling.

For Mary, the award is more for the village than her as an individual.

"Rhiwbina is a living, breathing, working thing - a nucleus of people who are a beating heart. People often ask me what has changed over the years in village. The shops are different and there are a few new businesses around; and people don't ride around on bikes any more. But essentially nothing has changed. I spoke to a lovely woman only the other day who had moved away from the area. She loves her new house - but 'By God, I miss this place!' she told me.

"Rhiwbina is a timeless place – that's what makes it so special. As soon as you come over the brow of that hill and you see the Wenallt, you know you’re home- same as Beulah Road – you see the rooftops of the white houses in the Garden Village and you get that same feeling. The village is special on festival days, even if there's a freezing biting cold, or even if it's neighbours sitting out on Y Groes with a bottle of wine on a late summer's evening, this magic is still there."

Rhiwbina is in Mary's blood. She's is part of the very fabric of the village. Her contributions have brought smiles to generations of Rhiwbina residents.

Sadly, Mary's brother Jeff passed away suddenly several weeks ago and it's a bittersweet moment for her: "I'm sad that he’s never going to see me picking up my medal. But he did know that I was going to get one."

Life does go on and for Mary, there are some wonderful times to be had this year.

We owe her a great deal and so if you are raising a toast this spring, raise one to Mary Clarke.

Because Rhiwbina wouldn't be Rhiwbina without her.

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Constituency News

with Julie Morgan AM

This year is the centenary of women getting the vote and on February 6th (the anniversary of the Representation of the People Act), I was very pleased to be invited up to the House of Commons along with other former MPs to mark the occasion.

Not all women got the vote in 1918 but it was an important milestone. I urge all women, particularly young women, to make sure they’re registered to vote and to use this hardwon right at every opportunity.

In January, I attended the launch of a comic book written by a constituent to encourage more young people to study STEM subjects. The comic book – aimed at Year 6 and 7 pupils – stars a female heroine which I was really pleased about because girls still tend to shy away from careers in science. We know the number of girls studying sciences at GCSE is improving but the number studying A level sciences and degrees is still disappointing.

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· ty Beanie Boos · Top Model by Depesche · Wild Olive bath treats · Welsh cards

13 Heol y Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6HA 02920 522424 www.serenadecardiff.co.uk

RICS HOME SURVEYS PROPERTY VALUATION ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES On January 9th, I held a ‘Caring 4 K9s’ event to highlight the dangers of dog attacks faced by public and postal workers. We heard from a postal workers’ representative about some horrific injuries to posties.

We also heard about the work of the Dogs’ Trust which is promoting training and education to encourage people to be responsible dog owners.

At the end of January, I held a ‘Get On Your Bike’ event to promote cycling to non-cyclists and returning cyclists. The idea was to encourage people to use their bikes for short journeys – the school run, trips to the shops and commutes – as often as possible to help promote fitness and cut pollution and congestion.

The event in Whitchurch Rugby Club was packed out and attracted a wide variety of ages – from young to old – and a mixture of experienced cyclists and new enthusiasts.

If you’d like to find out more about guided and social rides, see www.letsride.co.uk.

How to get in touch If you have any concerns or issues please contact my office on 029 2061 4577. I can also be contacted via my website at www.juliemorgan.org. uk, by email at julie.morgan@assembly.wales or through Twitter @JulieMorganLAB Sponsored feature

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Blog Standard

Blogging has become a popular pastime for many, and here in Rhiwbina, there is a thriving blogging community. Meet some of your local bloggers

What is blogging?

Blogs initially started off as personal webspaces on the internet, where people would keep a journal of their daily lives.

These were called weblogs, but the term was soon shortened to 'blogs'.

Blogs differ from traditional websites in that blogs are updated a lot more frequently and often come from a personal viewpoint. Many companies now incorporate a blog as part of their websites to allow them to speak directly to their audience on a more personal level. But blogs can comes in all shapes and sizes - as well as the traditional written word, some blogs can come in the form of videos (often called vlogs) or even just images.

There are millions of blogs across the world, most having been set up on a home computer for free. Blogging can present its own challenges such as thinking up new content and reaching an audience but some bloggers now make a living from their work and some have gone on to become celebrities in their own right.

And with social media usage at an all time high, blogging has never been bigger.

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Pippa

Youtube.com/ mumblemum Pippa Loader is a mum to two boys. And like most mums, she has to deal with the hard work of running a family.

But being a mum is where the Rhiwbina YouTuber gets most of her inspiration: "I cover all things parenting. The funny stuff, the boring stuff and everything in between! Having worked previously in TV, I'm pretty clued up as to how to create videos.

"I started my YouTube Channel in September last year. My first video was about going back to school so it was a do-now-or-never kind of moment. I had that point where I doubted what I was about to do.

I asked myself 'Who do I think I am?'. I'm glad I pushed the Publish button though as the video was viewed over 4 million times.

Popular website NetMums picked it up and featured it and that first video gave me the confidence to do more."

Pippa's ideas are taken from her life as a mum: "I thought I'd take the dry, boring subjects of life and turn them

into videos that would entertain people. I started making them on my phone, editing them with iMovie. I have since bought a few things to add a more professional look, including a set of lights for ÂŁ40 and for Christmas, my husband bought me a new lens for my DLSR camera.

"Running a vlog like this takes discipline. I try to aim for one video a week but of course, there are times when even that becomes a challenge. I aim for a specific target. I look for songs that I can parody. The songs I choose tend to have lots of words in them so I can add my own version. I get my backing tracks online and the I do it in the evening when no one needs me.

"In terms of the content, I pretty much decide what I feature. That's one of the best parts of doing things for myself. One of the main things I've learnt since starting is the fact that I need to be very animated when I am on camera almost over the top.

"For the moment, I'm happy just finding my feet. As long as my audience keeps growing, I'm happy to keep on making videos.

Rhiwbina is a brilliant place to raise kids too - we love it here and are Rhiwbina through-andthrough."

people

Patric

www.walesoncraic.com I have been writing 'fake news' since I produced my own spoof news magazines at high school.

I set up WalesOnCraic in late August 2014, just before Cardiff hosted the NATO Summit. I began by posting spoof Welsh news stories and the first few weeks were hard and I had very little traffic. But I then wrote a story about Barack Obama being mistakenly taken by a taxi driver to Castle Bingo instead of the NATO summit at Cardiff Castle.

The story went 'viral', meaning it was shared a lot on social media.

Emily

www.twinmummyanddaddy.com Rhiwbina's Emily Higgins started blogging after the birth of her twin girls.

"My husband and I had IVF and during this time, I kept an online diary of our journey on a fertility forum. After the birth of our twins, I wanted to keep writing about our experiences so I transferred my diary entries onto the blog, and six years later, I’m still blogging!

"The most challenging thing for me is finding the right balance in terms of what I write about and what areas of our life I share online. When I first started

Nigel

www.diydaddy.com Nigel has lived in Rhiwbina for the last 20 years.

"I can never see myself leaving.

It’s a wonderful and friendly suburb. I started my blog three and a half years ago because I broke my wrist while working, which resulted in me being off work for six weeks. I got very bored and my wife suggested that I start a blog about parenting and DIY so I did - and it’s the best thing I ever did!"

For any new blogger, gaining

My Facebook page then started getting lots of likes and things snowballed from there. Within 7 months, my site had received over 1 million visits and I had to fork out for new servers to handle the traffic.

I then decided to monetise the site by adding in some online advertising. I also ventured out into selling T shirts and mugs that have also sold very well. While I was on holiday in 2015, I wrote a book about how the blog had succeeded. I published the book myself on Amazon and it went straight to the top of the charts on Kindle. It was the #1 blogging book on Kindle for two and half years. The biggest challenge I've found is making time for blogging

as I'm co-editor of Rhiwbina Living in my main job. The site has brought me some memorable moments though - winning an award for Blogger of the Year and also being interviewed on American radio. They had picked up one of my spoof stories online and thought it was real.

It wasn't until I was live on air that they realised that they had been reading a spoof news story, which made the interview even more interesting!

I still run the site but I'm applying everything I've learnt into the magazines.

blogging, I didn’t think twice about sharing photos of our girls online, but now that they’re older, I’m more aware of their privacy. As such I tend to just share photos of them where you can’t see their faces.

"The satisfaction I get from blogging comes in many different forms. We’ve had some lovely trips as a result of blogging. For example, YouTube invited us to up to London Zoo for the launch of their YouTube Kids App. We’ve also enjoyed theatre trips and days out. Our girls get sent some lovely products to review and I do earn money from it through my writing, which is always a bonus!"

Emily's blogging has also earned her more than just an income:

"The highlight for me was winning an award in the first year of blogging. I won 'Best New Blog' in the Wales Blog Awards 2012. I have been nominated in two categories in the MAD Blog Awards 2013: ‘Blog of the Year’ and ‘Best Baby Blog’. I have been interviewed on the radio about my views on breastfeeding and I have also written a number of product reviews and guest posts."

Ultimately, Emily's blog allows her to satisfy her creative side, as well as build up a substantial audience.

"I have always had a passion for writing so my blog is a great way for me to express myself and all my many thoughts and views!"

traction from a standing start is perhaps one of the hardest things to get right.

"The biggest challenge I have faced in blogging was in the early days and trying to get noticed in a very saturated industry. I nearly gave up on many occasions.

I’m now happy that I kept going because I love blogging!

"The biggest satisfaction I get from blogging is twofold. I write a lot about my life and I have found that it has been a fantastic form of therapy in laying some ghosts to rest. Also, occasionally I get a comment that something I have written has helped somebody which is always very satisfying

and makes blogging worthwhile.

"Secondly, I’ve found that there’s no simple advice around when it comes to achieving the perfect look and finish for your home. This was also the same for DIY related projects that I’ve undertaken.

"Last year was a good year for me - I was named the number 2 UK dad blogger by Vuelio, (the largest database of media contacts), and number 8 parent blogger by Vuelio for 2017. I was also shortlisted by Blogosphere magazine as parent blogger of the year which was out of 60,000 blogs."

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Three Years of Hair, Beauty and Awards

C

elebrating their 3 year anniversary in Rhiwbina village, Michelle Marshall Salon have every good reason to look forward to another successful year. 2018 certainly got off to a great start as the team were Highly Commended at this year’s Welsh Wedding Awards.

J

aime has recently been promoted to Salon Manager, a fantastic opportunity for him that he took at the beginning of the year.

Jaime has worked hard at putting his own stamp on the salon and the team.

M

ichelle has just returned from New York City where she taught the latest trends at the Redken Exchange, NYC 5th Avenue Global Hairdressing Academy. Michelle was asked by Redken to join the USA team of Redken Artists; she’ll be heading to the United States to teach four times throughout the forthcoming year.

H

eidi has recently qualified as a hairdresser so she is now working on the shop floor.

She is taking graduate appointments on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

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icki Benedict and Josh McGrath have also joined our support alongside Sharon who is an immense support to the whole team.

They are both Rhiwbina locals and have just started their hairdressing qualifications 1 & 2.

T

eigan has also been promoted as our Kerastraight expert. Kerastraight is a smoothing treating for hair that reduces frizz and makes it more manageable for those who have wild hair. A complimentary consultation is available for a quote and a fully-detailed explanation of the process.

J

ess is now our Great Lengths Extensions expert. She can add extensions of any length or volume. Get in touch for a free consultation. Emma has been with us for two years on reception and is studying Dental Therapy outside of the salon. She has recently taken on a new role that concentrates on our marketing and business development.

Photographer @raghousestudio Stylist @rainfashionuk

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egarding hair trends, the salon’s forecast for this season is platinum blondes, metallic pink, grey denim. Our mission is to help you fulfil your dreams for your hair.

We pride ourselves on our professional and personal continuous development, ensuring we always offer the very best techniques, skills and expertise. As a team, we promise to help you feel at ease and to deliver excellent customer service.

A: 12 Beulah Rd, Cardiff CF14 6LX T: 029 2061 1566 W: www.michellemarshallsalon.co.uk

Give the gift of independent shopping in Cardiff Take a look at the new FOR Cardiff gift card that is supporting independent businesses We all struggle to find the right gift for the fussy foodies, vintage treasure hunters, coffee addicts or sports fans in our lives, but thankfully FOR Cardiff has created the perfect solution. Here’s all you need to know about it.

What’s different about it?

Almost every national chain, department store and shopping centre has its own gift card but there isn’t much on the market that is destination-led. FOR Cardiff has stepped into change this and created a gift card aimed specifically at supporting local independent businesses across the city centre.

Why should you choose it?

The high number of independent shops, cafés and restaurants is what sets Cardiff apart from other cities, and gives residents and visitors a completely unique experience.

This is a gift card that anyone who loves shopping or dining out in Cardiff would be thrilled to receive. In addition, you will be helping support the independent shops, which are the beating heart of our capital city.

at Escape Reality, relax with a freshly-brewed coffee and slab of homemade cake at Coffee Barker, or treat themselves to a glass of prosecco and a pastry at Nine Yards. To view the full list visit cardiffgiftcard.com

How much do you have to spend?

You can load the card with a value to suit your budget, from £5 to £500 and the cards are valid for 12 months from date of purchase.

Where can you spend it?

How do you purchase one?

This gift card encourages the recipient to step away from the beaten path to discover hidden gems around the city, many of which are found in our beautiful arcades. There are currently 50 shops, cafés, restaurants and experiences where you can spend the card - from Christopher George Jewellers to Shop Rugby and Chapel 1877.

The gift card can be purchased online at cardiffgiftcard.com and can be posted to you or directly to the recipient.

So next time you’re buying a gift card for a friend or loved one, step away from the national chains and give the gift of Cardiff instead.

cardiffgiftcard.com

So when you give this card, you are giving them the opportunity to sample the delights of Wally’s Deli, delve through the rails at Dot Clothing, enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine at Asador 44, or cocktails and tapas at Bar 44. They could also choose to have an experience to remember Sponsored feature

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Inspirational ideas to freshen up your home for spring 1. Harlequin Kelapa wallpaper £65 per roll Truly bring in the outdoors by pairing this luscious cheeseplant leaf wallpaper with natural wood accessories.

From Haus, Rhiwbina

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2. Harlequin Zapara Fabrics Collection from £38 per metre These vibrantly beautiful bespoke cushions can be made to order in a selection of fresh Spring colours and designs.

From Haus, Rhiwbina

3. 'Pomegranates with a willow vase' Oil Painting £450 This 20.7cm x 25.8cm oil painting

by Cardiff-based painter Lynne Cartlidge will bring colour and vibrancy to your home.

Victoria Fearn Gallery, Rhiwbina

4. Peace Lily from £1.99 Known for its brilliant white flowers, this stunning plant will brighten up those dark corners of your room. Available in three sizes.

From Pugh's Garden Centre, Radyr

5. Hand made ceramic bowl £22 From a small studio at her home in Swansea, Gill Bramley makes these decorative wheel-thrown pots using fine white earthenware.

Victoria Fearn Gallery, Rhiwbina

home interiors

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9 10 6. Eichholtz Helios Mirror £450 The stainless steel spokes of this mirror are enhanced by a luxe golden finish.

Use the design to bring a touch of warm opulence to your space.

From www.luxdeco.com

7. Romo Floris Wallpaper £70 per roll (wide width) A fluid movement of design and colour create a montage of beautiful blossoms that appear to be effortlessly blowing in a spring breeze.

From Curtain Raisers, Whitchurch

8. Lemon Tree £35 Add a Mediterranean touch to your home. Citrus trees are perfect for the kitchen or the conservatory - and handy for those G&Ts! From Secret Shed, Rhiwbina

9. Elana Ceramic Table Lamp Tropical Print £102 Bring the flowers of spring into your home with this vibrant botanicalprint table lamp to create a stunning centrepiece.

From Curtain Raisers, Whitchurch

10. Natural candles £4.99, Room Sprays £11.99 Natural, environmentally friendly products with carefully sourced ingredients that are kind to the environment.

From Flower Lodge, Rhiwbina

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NHS /Private patients welcome Welsh Eye Care Service (WECS) / PEARS accredited Low Vision Service Wales accredited On-site glazing and repairs All types of contact lenses Wide range of excellent value frames from budget to designer brands Sunglasses Friendly husband and wife team Varilux specialist

The services we provide:

Taxation Self-Assessment Payroll VAT Bookkeeping

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www.crossaccountingservice.co.uk

3a Beulah Road, Rhiwbina,

Cardiff CF14 6LT 029 2061 1283

02920 653 995

9a Heol y Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6HA

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Beth Hart 21.04.18

Callas The Life & Music of Maria Callas 03.06.18

Gretchen Peters & Kim Richey 12.06.18

David Baddiel My Family: Not the Sitcom 27.04.18

Pasha & Anya The Magic of Hollywood 02.06.18

Grumpy Old Women to the Rescue 22.06.18

Würth Philharmonic Orchestra feat. Maxim Vengerov 10.06.18

Owen Money’s Juke Box Heroes II 04.05.18

The Roy Orbison Story 30th Anniversary Special 29.06.18

10 years of Rhiwbina history A lot has happened in the ten years that Rhiwbina Living has been published. Here's a round-up of the fun, the quirky and some of the bits you may have forgotten

2007

The very first Rhiwbina Living magazine is published in November.

It's only 28 pages but it becomes an instant hit in the village.

Amateur dramatics group RATS celebrates 50 years. Meanwhile, Pantmawr Inn regulars get naked to protest at plans to build housing on the site of the historic pub, as part of the Save Pantmawr Inn campaign.

2008

New Zealand Under 20's visit Rhiwbeina Primary School as part of the U20's World Championships that take place in Wales. They win the tournament and some of the players go on to become household names.

Rhiwbina Memorial Hall celebrates its 50th birthday, after being opened on Friday 13th June 1958, by the Rt. Hon. Countess Mountbatten of Burma.

2009

Calls for a flood defence scheme are made after the brook burst its banks and causes more flooding in Rhiwbina. It is the tenth time in 20 years that the village has been flooded and Cardiff Council look to implement a strategy, resulting in what will later become the Rhiwbina Flood Defence Scheme.

The naked Pantmawr Inn protesters raise their glasses in celebration after winning their long-running battle to save the community pub.

13 year old Rhiwbina schoolboy Geraint Llyr Owen is invited to sing at a Karl Jenkins concert on Broadway after being spotted on YouTube in December.

2010

Rhiwbina Library celebrates its 50th birthday while a plaque is unveiled and a tree planted to also mark 50 years of Parc-y-Pentre. Rhiwbina golfer Sam Meyer becomes the youngest player to win a major adult singles competition at Caerphilly's Ridgeway Golf Club aged just 9 years old.

Alex Kemp from Llandaff North,

finds a locket while metal detecting in fields close to a Rhiwbina farm.

The locket is inscribed with the words: ‘Presented to the Queen, Rhiwbina Fete 1950’. The locket is later claimed by an 86 year-old lady who worked at the Northern Aluminium Company after an appeal in Rhiwbina Living.

A letter in the Christmas issue of the magazine that year explains that the owner would have taken a short cut across the fields many years ago: 'During certain shifts, a few of the girls would have left the factory to get fish and chips. They would then take these back for all to share.

Evidently, there was a short cut through the fields along the way.'

2011

Rhiwbina's Sam Warburton captains Wales for the first time on 4th June.

At the age of 22 years and 242 days, he becomes Wales' second youngest captain after Gareth Edwards. In the opening match of the tournament against South Africa, Sam also becomes the youngest ever Rugby World Cup captain.

In July, Tortie the Tortoise escapes from a Rhiwbina resident's garden.

A refuse worker finds Tortie in an adjoining street. Owner Peter Brown says that Tortie had probably been out looking for 'lady friends'. Peter had won Tortie at a school fête over 45 years ago.

In September, the speed camera on Rhiwbina Hill is voted the most

history useless in the UK by the Daily Mail.

The newspaper bemoans the fact that the camera cost £20,000 to install and has only fined one driver £60.

Also in September, Y Groes goes back in time as scenes from the Christmas Special Dr. Who are filmed in the village. Lead actor Matt Smith is spotted emerging from the Tardis in the Garden Village square.

2012

Rhiwbina celebrates the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a series of street parties and events in the first week of June. An extra Bank Holiday is created to allow people to show their 'pride and affection' for the Queen.

2013

The year doesn't get off to a good start as Rhiwbina's famous 22 stone sheep, Nick Boing, dies after battling tumours on his lungs. Nick was an international celebrity, featuring in national newspapers in the UK and on the National Geographic TV channel.

Rhiwbina Library recovers from a break-in but the village pulls itself together in time for a glorious summer. Rhiwbina celebrates its centenary year, 100 years after the creation of the Garden Village. But there's sad news later in the year as stalwart Stan Stennett passes away, aged 88. The year ends with the village celebrating its first lantern parade, thanks to the Art Workshop as part of the Christmas Festival celebrations.

2014

Rhiwbina Squirrels win the Division East 2 Championship after thrashing Abercynon while Rhiwbina Recreation Club celebrates its centenary. Juboraj also has reason to celebrate, racking up 25 years in the village. Rugby broadcaster Phil Steele officially opens the Sam Warburton Suite in the Deri Inn while the new Dr Who, Peter

Capaldi is spotted filming in the local area. The Rhiwbina Festival celebrates 30 years of fun and entertainment in the village.

2015

The year gets off to a feisty start in February when a meeting is called to save Rhiwbina Library, which has been earmarked for closure. At a packed Rhiwbina Baptist Church Hall, residents vote overwhelmingly that Cardiff Council should continue to fund the Library.

The Council choose to keep the Library open.

Pop-up cinema Monico Movies is born during the summer. 'It was decided to build on everyone's fond memories of the Monico Cinema,' says one of the organisers, Harley Jones.

Gareth the Rabbit also gets the ride of his life when he climbs into his owner's car engine in Cowbridge. While everyone is out looking for him, his owners take the 14 mile drive to the Rhiwbina Summer Festival where Gareth decides to make a reappearance. A social media campaign eventually reunites Gareth with his relieved owners.

Natwest Bank closes its Rhiwbina branch in October and cider trees are planted in various gardens around Rhiwbina in the autumn, in the hope that they will bear fruit in years to come.

A Blue Plaque is unveiled in October to mark the work of author Kate Roberts. She lived in Lon Isa from 1929-1931.

2016

Prime Minister David Cameron visits Rhiwbina Recreation Club in February, where he meets local school children.

Rhiwbina's Owain Doull wins Olympic gold in the Team Pursuit event in Rio during August. It's Owain's first Olympic Games and he later recalls his memories of riding his bike around Rhiwbina village as a youngster.

Also in August, the world-famous Davis Cup visits Rhiwbina Tennis Club.

Rhiwbina Civic Society launches the book Remarkable Rhiwbinans during the summer. Written by local author Anne James, the book charts the lives of 18 wellknown Rhiwbinans, both historic and contemporary. The book is launched at the Summer Festival.

2017

Rhiwbina Living is crowned Community Business of the Year at the prestigious Cardiff Business Awards in May. The constituency of North Cardiff gets a new MP a month later when Anna McMorrin ousts Craig Williams at the General Election.

In July, Sam Warburton (yes, him again) leads the British and Irish Lions to a historical series draw in New Zealand.

The summer sees Rhiwbina Rocks take the village by storm while ten year-old Louise Harvey lands herself a role in Tiger Bay: The Musical, her debut role taking place in Cape Town. The show gets its world première at the Wales Millennium Centre the following November. Also in November, Rhiwbina makes national headlines when resident Emma Kaler wins a TV competition to find the nation's best Meghan Markle lookalike.

Right at the end of the year, Sam Warburton is awarded with an OBE in the New Years Honours List.

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Recliner Chair Centre

An award-winning, family firm, established for over 40 years

We all have a favourite place to sit in our homes, whether it’s our seat at the dinner table, our spot on the sofa, or the plush chair in the living room.

Unfortunately, for many of us, there comes a time in our life when our favourite chair no longer gives us the support we need. That's where the Recliner Chair Centre in The Heath can help

look for a showroom.

"We finally found our spot here in Heath after I visited someone in UHW and saw a For Sale sign on the building. It was exactly what we were looking for and gave us a presence in the local community."

The floor area showcases over 100 products and more lift and recline chairs than anywhere else.

"We used the opportunity to move to major brands. We embraced

For more than 40 years, the Recliner Chair Centre has been providing the UK with the highest quality electric and leather recliner chairs. The story behind the business reveals the true extent of its first-class customer service.

“We’ve been in these premises for 35 years and been in business for 40,” says owner Alun Williams proudly.

"I was one of the first to bring rise and recliners into the UK and helped develop this product for a number of manufacturers in Wales and England. Our experience and knowledge has resulted in us claiming to be the UK's leading showroom retailer of the vast differences and ranges of actions used on this type of chair."

At first, the chairs were made in Talbot Green but as it wasn’t deemed a safe place for their customers to visit, Alun decided to

Parker Knoll, Sherborne, Celebrity and Cintique, but stock all major brands for optimum choice."

Every chair on display has to 'earn its place' by showing a different variation of size and mechanisms.

"Lift and recline chairs now account for over 80% of our business and over the last six years, we have also sold the wonderful Sherborne motorised bed in all its variables. The bed essentially uses the same generic type of linear motors on which our expertise is founded - crossing the disciplines

31 St Anthony Road, Heath Cardiff, CF14 4DF

of engineering and upholstered furniture. I think this is why any new customers usually give us a pyramid of recommendations and therefore further sales," says Alun.

Their genuine commitment to customer service is backed up with the fact that members of staff don't receive commission on sales.

"We have heard terrible stories about people buying chairs at obscene prices or with a free offer of a bed, but if something goes wrong, there's often no ongoing support. Our team can offer their extensive knowledge about the products we display including the variety of rise and recline chairs available. Sue has been here for 20 years and Chris for well over a decade.

"It’s in our nature to look after our customers. We've been here for such a length of time that we see people again and again over the years. It's lovely to deal with people and have that ongoing relationship with them."

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What’s new in Whitchurch?

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Normal cost £45 Call 02920 250121 today - limited spaces I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Viney Hearing Care to the Whitchurch community and to explain a bit about the great range of services that we offer.

We are an independent family company that has been providing first class hearing services across South Wales for over 30 years. Viney Hearing is a centre where you can come to address and find support for all hearing related issues.

Our aim is to provide the highest standards of clinical practice by combining the latest state of the art technology with professional expertise and exceptional levels of care.

If you think you are having a problem with your ears, we can help, give us a call on 02920 250121 to book an appointment

Michelle Viney BSc RHAD

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david mahoney From sell-out shows in theatre, festivals and television, David Mahoney's productions have inspired both audiences a nd performers alike David Mahoney is only 30 years old yet his career to date has seen him tick off a list of achievements that some could only manage in a lifetime.

But for the singer, producer, conductor, creative director and Classical Brit Award winner, it's a lifestyle that is rooted right here in North Cardiff: "I grew up in Groes-faen and attended the primary school there.

My mum still lives in the village.

After primary school, I went to Llandaff’s Cathedral School and that’s where my interest in music started. I can honestly say that the Cathedral School is where I learnt

40

the most about music. My parents weren’t massively musical but at the school, I became a chorister and took a real interest in the subject."

David studied at the famous Llandaff school before winning a music scholarship to Marlborough College in Wiltshire. He was then a choral scholar at St Peter’s College, Oxford University where he studied music and graduated in 2009.

"I never intended to go into the music industry. In fact, I started a law degree in London in 2009 and only got two weeks into it when I got a phone call asking if I wanted to audition for Only Men Aloud. That changed everything."

Only Men Aloud had been delighting audiences around the world since the year 2000, with the hope that they could inject some new life and blood into the Welsh Male Choir tradition.

"My plan was to simply postpone the law career but I never went back. Only Men Aloud became a big part of my life and it was through the choir that I was introduced to the music industry for the first time. I’d learnt all the academic knowledge at school and university but being in Only Men Aloud opened up all kinds of opportunities."

Only Men Aloud shot to

people mainstream fame after appearing in the TV show, Last Choir Standing in 2008. Formed by Tim Rhys-Evans, a classically trained singer and former musical director of Welsh National Youth Opera, the choir originally started off with 15 members.

Following Last Choir Standing, the choir signed a five-record deal with Universal Music and released their first album, performing with Josh Groban at The Royal Variety Performance later that year.

"It was at that point that I think my musical career officially started, if you like," says David. "It opened doors and it opened my eyes. It allowed me to branch off into areas that interested me."

The law degree was abandoned and David has not looked back since. He now splits his time between London, other parts of the world, and Cardiff - the place he calls home.

"Wales and my Welsh heritage has had an incredibly large part to play in my career since – it’s been

hugely important. Having moved away to London originally, I found myself being drawn back home to Cardiff again. It’s where I’ve always felt more at ease. I couldn’t call anywhere else home.

"Wales is also a place of opportunity for me and others.

In 2011, I set up the Cardiff Music Festival. The Wales Millennium Centre has also played a pivotal role in the development of my career. I owe it a lot!"

David's development has been nurtured right here in the Welsh capital: "I guess the turning point in my career, the point where I thought to myself that I’d actually ‘made it’, was in 2015. The Wales Millennium Centre was celebrating its 10th anniversary and as Creative

Director, I was given a big budget to create a show called Broadway to the Bay. It allowed me to create a vision that had virtually no boundaries. We put on three sell-out shows with 12 extremely talented artists performing. We had an amazing time and I remember feeling that I’d finally arrived!"

But there was still more to come from the Cardiff man including the Opening Concert of the 2016 National Eisteddfod, and taking on the role of Music Supervisor for the Roald Dahl Centenary Celebrations, 'City of the Unexpected'.

And when David hand picked a group of performers for a sell-out show at the Wales Millennium Centre, little did he know that it would be the beginnings of an orchestra that would perform with some of the biggest names in showbusiness.

The Novello Orchestra, which David now heads up, quickly became renowned for its passionate, enigmatic performances and a charisma that has injected an energy and innovative take on the whole orchestral concept. The orchestra now brings the very best of musical theatre and other genres to audiences through spectacular shows with stars of the West End and Broadway. The orchestra has also become one of the world's leading film music ensembles, performing a series of Film with Live Orchestra theatre, concert hall and arena tours across the UK and Ireland.

Added to that, David has also been an associate producer for Jonathan and Charlotte (ITV1) and three episodes of Songs of Praise (BBC1), while development work includes projects involving Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Tom Jones. David has also been Show Producer for the BAFTA Cymru Awards for the last three years.

But now international work beckons: "I’ve just come back from New York where I was Creative Director

at the Raise Your Voice Gala too.

This was my first big show in the United States and it featured Julie Andrews, Sam Smith, Roger Daltrey and Keith Urban."

Looking ahead, David has a busy year. Upcoming productions include Music Supervisor/ Conductor for Disney's Beauty and the Beast Live in Concert (UK and Ireland Tour) and Star Wars: A New Hope Live in Concert (UK Arena Tour).

"This is where we screen the film to an audience but provide the music with a live orchestra. It's an amazing experience."

For David, it's musical experiences like these that keep his passion fired: "You’d think that because I work in music professionally, that I wouldn't enjoy it but it never feels that way.

Work for me is a joy and I get great satisfaction from seeing the wonderful reactions and enjoyment that my work brings to people’s faces. Music is a universal language, one that everyone can respond to. I can’t imagine life without it."

I can't imagine

my life without

music

41

The Hall is a brand spanking new observational comedy written by emerging Welsh playwright and Rhiwbina resident, Claire Erasmus.

Set in a Community Hall threatened with closure, this one act play explores the relationship that develops between three mothers - Lisa, Shaza and Mel, during the weekly hour that they spend together chatting and waiting for their kids. Through hilarious and often revealing, cathartic revelations about the big, the small, the funny and the random, we gain insight into the trials and tribulations of their everyday lives.

This is laugh out loud stuff and is definitely not to be missed!

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The Pugh Family would like to welcome you into our brand new Café Restaurant, The Orange Tree at Pugh’s Garden Village Wenvoe We serve rustic, traditional home-cooked food for breakfast, lunch and light bites from 9am-4:30pm (hot food served until 3pm). Our menu has a plethora of Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan meals plus a versatile Children’s Menu, all freshly prepared in the Orange Tree Kitchen by our very own chef and where possible using locally sourced, Welsh produce.

With the garden centre being at the heart of our business we want to become as sustainable as we can and help tackle the war on waste, so all our takeaway options including Coffee Cups are plastic free and 100% compostable! We’re also giving away any left-over Ground Coffee Beans for you to take home and use as a fertiliser in your garden!

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March g n i r p S o t in Spring is a time of renewal, hope and a dappling of colour. But Kevin Revell reminds us that planning a spring garden starts way back in the autumn

S

pring flowering bulbs are planted in autumn but those who had the foresight to invest in some will by now, be rewarded with a host of golden daffodils, or at least a pot or two of tulips if your garden is more modest.

The arrival of spring is announced to the world by a fanfare of golden trumpets of daffodils and narcissi – the only difference is one of scale; we tend to regard the large flowers of daffodils as distinct from the smaller flowers of narcissi but botanically speaking, they are one and the same. True daffodils, when they finally burst into flower are a joy to behold and really lift the

spirits but it can still be quite cold when they flower; strong winds will often blow the tall flowers over, spoiling the display.

Varieties such as ‘Carlton’ and ‘Dutch Master’ are well regarded and grow to over 50cm. Wales has a particular affinity with the daffodil; it is after all, our national flower and is usually in flower for St David’s Day on 1st March. Very often, a cold spell of weather in February will delay flowering for a week or two, so it pays to have an insurance policy – pots of bulbs can be brought on early in a greenhouse or conservatory, or you could choose from a range of narcissi which naturally flower early.

The popular variety ‘Tête à Tête’ is compact in size at only 15cm and is early into flower, making it a fine choice for pots and containers. Similar varieties include ‘Jetfire’ with a bright orange trumpet and the

narrow flowered ‘February Gold’.

The Tenby Daffodil or Narcissus obvalaris is understandably popular in these parts and is believed to be native to Wales.

Some claim that the sight of the first snowdrop signals the arrival of spring but they are better described as the last flowers of winter and indeed are often seen peeping out through a covering blanket of snow. Crocuses likewise flower early and do nothing to encourage winter coats to be packed away for the year. Their appearance is welcome but not a true indicator of spring. Some maintain that spring can only be rung in with celebratory peals of bluebells which carpet the floor of ancient woodlands in April.

If you are lucky, they will have a vestigial presence in your garden but more often than not, these will be the introduced Spanish

gardens

bluebell which out-compete and cross breed with our native flower.

Cultivated British bluebells are available from garden centres as growing plants in the green now and as dry bulbs in autumn.

Early flowering bulbs are an important source of pollen and nectar for early foraging bees as they emerge from hibernation.

Primroses and winter heathers will encourage them but bees are often found visiting a variety of spring bulbs. One of the best in this regard is the grape hyacinth which can become an invasive weed in open ground but is good running along the base of hedgerows. It flowers reliably when grown in pots and containers.

Most bulbs fade away and become progressively less productive over a number of years when grown in poor conditions, short of light and nutrients. Open, sunny conditions in fertile welldrained soil is ideal and a good feed with balanced fertiliser after flowering will build up the bulbs before the foliage dies back in summer.

Bulbs are best left undisturbed in the soil rather than being disturbed each year and benefit from deep planting – at least twice the depth of the bulb to avoid accidentally

damaging them.

By the time the tulips are out, spring is well and truly sprung. Early Darwin tulips are the traditional wineglass shape and grow tall, flowering in a range of bright colours such as yellow and red.

The deep purple variety ‘Queen of the Night’ is also a tall flowering type which flowers later in early May, reaching a height of 60cm.

Lily flowered tulips have a charm of their own with a narrow waist and pointed petals. The bright orange ‘Ballerina’ is a good example along with the aptly named, richlycoloured ‘Burgundy’; each can grow to 50cm. Sunny spring days will encourage tulip flowers to fully open with the petals widely reflexed, only as the sun goes down do they assume the classic tulip shape. If wind or lack of space is a problem, there are plenty of dwarf forms to choose from, including the popular ‘Red Riding Hood’ at only 20cm.

Even those with no gardens can enjoy spring flowering bulbs as some will grow perfectly well on a windowsill and will flood the house with their scent as they open.

Hyacinths have long been grown in this way while a type of daffodil known as 'Paperwhite' is ideal for indoor cultivation. Amaryllis bulbs

make a spectacular house plant – a bulb as big as a prize Spanish onion sends up a thick flowering stem up to 50cm tall. Autumn may be the traditional time to buy and plant spring flowering bulbs but if you didn’t get around to it, you could call in to your local garden centre where salvation is at hand with pot grown bulbs available to buy.

These can be enjoyed in planted containers or popped into borders wherever an injection of spring colour is required.

Of course, the selection available in autumn is much greater and offers better value for money but that was then and this is now sometimes we act on impulse, seeing such beguiling beauty in the spring sunshine. Growing bulbs is easy and the arrival of their flowers in spring is a seasonal treat that is long anticipated and will banish the winter blues for another year.

The more you grow, the better the display and with careful planning, the display can be extended over many months. So go on – make an autumn date in the diary to make your investment for next spring!

Kevin Revell is the Plant Area Manager at Caerphilly Garden Centre

45 45

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Anna McMorrin MP Parliamentary News

I’ve been speaking with local businesses in Rhiwbina about the recent gas works in the village. It was really important to get the work done, but it led to a massive drop in footfall with some shop owners having to close for a few days and in some circumstances, a loss of thousands of pounds. The Gas Street Works regulations 1996 states that businesses are not entitled to compensation if the disruption takes less than 28 days, but for small village businesses, 28 days is a very long time and can permanently impact their livelihood. I’m speaking to Wales & West Utilities about what they can do to compensate the businesses in Rhiwbina, because we need to be supporting our local shop owners and our wonderful high street.

It was great to meet the Men’s Sheds Group in Rhiwbina this month at Beulah Community Garden. I wanted to say a big thank you to the group for welcoming me - it

was great to see where you meet and work and I really enjoyed our discussion about the work you do in the community - and Brexit! They’re doing so well that they’re looking for a bigger space so if anyone knows of anywhere then please get in touch!

How to get in touch: Telephone: 02920 624440 Email: anna.mcmorrin.mp@parliament.uk For more information and the latest news please also see my website at www.annamcmorrin.co.uk.

Upcycle My

DIY

Garden

As spring blooms, it's time to throw open the doors and step outside into the garden. Here are some upcycling ideas to turn unwanted junk into unique and eye-catching garden pieces Jewelled Jars

Chest of drawers

Clean the drawers with some TSP. You can buy this from most DIY stores. You will then need to paint your drawers with two coats of outdoor paint. Line the inside of the drawers with black bin liners and cut holes out for drainage. Finally, add some bricks to the back of the drawers, and then fill with soil and flowers.

48

Garden Chandelier

Who says that chandeliers are for indoors only?

Take an old chandelier, preferably a metal one, and paint to the colour of your choice.

Next, you'll need to drill some small holes in the base of each section for drainage.

To add the lighting, source some solar-powered outdoor lights. Aim to get individual globe ones with stems that can be removed and can then be fitted neatly onto the top of each stem of your chandelier. You may need some glue to stick the lights on securely.

It's then a case of hanging your chandelier somewhere where it can soak up plenty of sunlight during the daytime so that it can light up once the sun goes down.

You will need two or three jars with lids on. You will also need around 80 flat-bottomed marbles, that you can find at most hobby stores or online. You will most likely find some small marbles included - keep these to fill in any gaps after you've used the larger ones.

Place the jar upside down on a table. Use clear silicone sealant (the type you'd seal guttering with) to smother the outside of each jar to about 1/4 inch thickness.

Apply the marbles, flat side against the outside of the jar, from bottom to top, and leave to dry.

Finally, punch a hole in the lid of the jar and screw it to a wooden post. Attach the jar to its lid when dry and place in garden.

outdoors Bicycles

Metal Owls

You can brighten up your garden and add a good measure of interest by making these metal owls from old kitchen materials.

You will need a few tools to get you going - metal cutters, a vice, pliers, a hot glue gun and glue sticks, a cordless drill and some screws.

You can use old saucepan lids, strainers and cheese graters but for this example, an old tin lid will form the basis of the owl.

Place a cake or a biscuit lid on a work surface. Play around with the positions of the eyes and beak until you get them just right. Large metal lids, which will form the background of the eyes, should be placed on the top half of the body, just overlapping the outside edge. Place a spoon in between the eyes to create a beak.

Using metal cutters, remove the scoop section from two spoons.

Place the narrow end of each handle into a vice and twist with some pliers to bend (these will form your owl’s eyebrows).

Leave one set of eyes in place to act as a positional guide. Remove the other set of eyes and using a hot glue gun, attach a large metal lid, flat side down. Repeat for the other eye. Glue a medium metal lid in place, flat side up, then follow that with a small plastic lid with the flat side down. Glue a metal washer and a metal button on top of each other inside each small plastic lid. Repeat for the other eye.

Glue a metal spoon between the eyes so its scoop section forms the owl’s beak. Glue bent spoon handles to the top edge of the eyes to form eyebrows.

Finally, to create an owl perch, secure a tree branch to a fence or shed wall using screws. Position the owl so its base rests on the perch, then mark and drill a hole through the tin lid (between the spoon handles is best). Screw the owl to the fence.

Miniature Herb Garden

Breathe new life into old kids' toys by turning this old kids' wagon into a miniature herb garden. Easyto-grow basil, thyme, parsley, rosemary and chives have similar water and sun needs, making a nice array when planted side by side.

You'll first need to drill some holes in the bottom of the wagon for drainage. Line the wagon with a 1 inch layer of gravel to improve drainage and keep the holes from clogging. Finally, add potting soil, stopping 1 inch below the wagon's lip. Plant herbs with similar water and sun needs and top with mulch.

Then wheel to a sunny spot and watch your new garden grow.

Filing Cabinet Turned Garage Tidy

You can file your garden tools and equipment in an old filing cabinet albeit in a slightly different way.

Remove all the drawers from the cabinet, sand the sides down and paint to a colour of your choosing.

If you'd like to add functionality to the side of your new garage tidy, you can attach a pegboard to one end. You can then attach hooks and pegs to this to enable you to hang things.

It's difficult to talk about upcycling in the garden without talking about bicycles and tyres. Bicycles have become a well-used method of decorating gardens - and for good reason too. A retired bike can be an interesting piece of art in your garden and a reminiscent piece of your past.

Practically, it can also be a place for flowerpots and even a useful construction for the plants, like vines, to hold on to. You can place your bike idly, surrounded by a flowerbed or go vertical and hang it on your fence. It is sure to be noticed.

Tyres

Old tyres can be stacked in a pile and used in the garden to form small garden beds for vegetables and flowers. These mini–gardens require less water and the black rubber absorbs heat from the sun.

In addition, the soil warms up faster when it is above the ground. This additional heat stimulates the growth of the plants. You can be first in the village to have fresh tomatoes all year round! Herbs, peppers, potatoes and other crops are also perfect for this.

Smaller tyres like bicycle wheels can be used as a way to separate your flowerbed or vegetable garden from unwanted company. Old tyres can also be used for more fun things - with a little imagination, they can be turned into art forms. Or if it's just pure fun that you're after, why not turn it into a swing with a bit of old rope? Who says that adults can't have fun too?

49

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Celebrating our 17th year in the heart of Rhiwbina village

CHIROPRACTIC Established since 1998, Rainer Wieser and our team at C3, Chloe Stamper and Lia Biancheri have been providing effective chiropractic care to thousands of patients. Our team are qualified and experienced members of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) the Royal College of Chiropractors (RCoC), and are registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). They work within a professional setting, utilising the latest equipment and techniques in order to provide effective diagnosis and treatment for many conditions including back and neck pain, arthritic pain, headaches and migraine, hip, knee and ankle pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, sports injuries, repetitive strain injury and sciatica.

Our team are also registered practitioners with leading health insurance companies including BUPA, AXA PPP, AVIVA and many more.

CHIROPODY / PODIATRY Our chiropody/podiatry clinic located within C3 Chiropractic clinic, located in the heart of Rhiwbina Village is now in its fifth year and continues to go from strength to strength, providing professional foot care for residents in Rhiwbina and North Cardiff.

Our team of Podiatrists/ Chiropodists, Lynne and Laura are qualified to degree level and are registered HCPC health care professionals.

223-225 Pantbach Road Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AE

Ingrowing Toenails

by C3 podiatrist Lynne Griffiths Ingrowing Toenails (Onychocryptosis) An ingrowing toenail, medically known as onychocryptosis, occurs when the side of a toenail pierces the surrounding skin. An ingrowing nail will at best be uncomfortable but left untreated, can lead to significant pain and inflammation. Even worse, it could result in the development of a potentially serious infection.

Symptoms to watch out for include redness, tenderness, swelling and pain but if the condition deteriorates, there may be some bleeding and discharge of pus. The toe most commonly involved is the big toe with either one or both sides ingrowing but the other toes can also be affected.

Causes of Ingrowing Toenails Poor nail cutting technique is one of the most common causes of ingrowing nails; particularly nails cut too short or cut down the sides.

Ingrowing nails frequently occur in active and sporty individuals who get hot, sweaty feet resulting in moist weak skin which makes it easier for the nail to penetrate the skin. People with brittle nails that splinter easily and those who pick at their nails are also at risk of developing an ingrowing nail.

Fungal infections can cause nails to become thicker or wider, making them more liable to grow into the skin.

Nails damaged by trauma can also sometimes cause an ingrowing nail.

Some people are particularly prone to developing ingrowing toenails, often due to an unlucky genetic inheritance.

Prevention is Better Than Cure Always cut your nails straight across to stop them digging into the surrounding skin. Don’t cut them too short or down the sides; the corner of the nail should be visible above the skin. In addition, keep your feet clean and dry, avoid wearing tight shoes and whenever possible, wear socks made of a natural fibre such as cotton instead of synthetics.

Self Help Without treatment, an ingrown toenail can become infected so keeping feet clean is particularly important. If the toenail is not too painful, try soaking the foot in warm water for 10 minutes every day and then gently lift the edge of the nail away from the skin and place a small piece of cotton wool under the edge of the nail to try to get the nail to grow over the skin.

Podiatric Management If conservative management fails to keep the nail in shape, or the condition becomes too painful to manage, nail surgery may be recommended. Depending on the severity, this may involve either removing one or both sides of the nail (partial nail avulsion) or the whole nail (total nail avulsion). Nail avulsion is carried out under local anaesthetic, making it relatively painless.

Book an appointment with Lynne or Laura, your local Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered podiatrists at the C3 Podiatry Clinic for advice and near instant relief.

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Craig 07974 777682

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pets

Your pet questions answered

Chris Troughton is clinical director of Heath Vets. He’s here to answer all your pet questions. If you’d like to ask Chris a pet-related question, drop us a line I was reading in recent newspapers about pet obesity and it’s made me think twice about giving my dog titbits from the table. He’s a 5 year old bulldog and does now seem to be slowing down from the excitable little dog that he used to be. Do you recommend any specific diet or do I stop feeding him titbits?

Obesity is certainly a big problem for many pets these days and it is an important factor in arthritis, heart/breathing problems, and diabetes in cats - all of which can be life-limiting issues. We all love to indulge our pets, but you have to keep a watch on their waistlines, and if they start to bulge, you have to cut back. I'm happy to confess that my dogs get loads of treats all day (starting with their own toast at breakfast!) - but I keep them lean by exercising plenty, and if necessary by cutting down on their treats and their dinners.

Bulldogs are one of those breeds that are quite prone to putting on weight, and because they usually already have some breathing difficulties (due to their squashed faces), this can be a serious issue for them. So if you are concerned, take action now by reducing his total calorie intake. You can do that by cutting out treats altogether, but that's quite hard on both of you.

Instead, I would reduce the titbits, and perhaps change to giving him raw carrots or apples - many dogs love the crunch! At the same time, I would reduce the calories in his proper meals, either by reducing the quantity you give, or by changing to a low-calorie (or 'light' ) version of his normal food.

For dogs with serious obesity problems, there are some excellent 'prescription' weight-loss diets made by many of the top brands like Hills or Royal Canin. If you are having difficulty controlling his weight, many vets have weight clinics to help you.

How concerned should we be about Alabama Rot? A friend of mine in the north of England said that a local dog was recently put down because it contracted this disease. And how do we know if our dog has picked it up?

Alabama Rot is a relatively new condition which has been recognised in the UK only since 2012, although cases were seen in USA well before that (hence ‘Alabama’ rot). The condition starts with skin sores particularly on the paws and lower legs, but also on the face, body or tongue. These can look like weeping cuts or reddened sore areas, or ulcerated areas of skin. It is believed that many dogs recover from this form of the disease without serious consequences, but a small number go on to develop acute kidney injury and usually this is fatal.

In spite of extensive research, at present we have no idea what causes Alabama Rot, although there any many theories. It appears that all affected dogs have been walked in muddy wooded areas, and most cases occur during the winter months. Because we don’t know the cause, it’s very difficult to know how to prevent the disease, but a sensible precaution would be to wash your dog down if he’s been for a walk in muddy woods. It is not believed to be infectious to other dogs, and people have not been affected.

Alabama Rot is exceptionally uncommon in UK – up to May 2017, there had been only 94 confirmed cases, and 53 suspected. There have recently been a few more, and there have been six confirmed cases in Newport and one

in Tonypandy, but none in the Cardiff area. However, if you see any unexplained sores on your dog, it’s sensible to get your vet to take a look as soon as possible.

Over the last 5 months, we’ve had a cat coming to our back door and wanting to come in the house.

The cat doesn’t look ill-treated or malnourished but when it first started visiting, we did give it some food. The cat still keeps coming, even though we have stopped giving it food. At what point should I be concerned about the cat’s welfare and do I bring him/her (we can’t tell the difference!) to you?

Cats are great opportunists and seem to be able to spot any ‘cat-friendly’ homes in their neighbourhood which they will visit for extra food or just for attention. So a cat visiting you is not necessarily a stray, and if he (she?) looks in good condition, and you are not feeding him now, it is likely that his real owner is caring for him.

I would advise you to discourage the cat’s visits by not giving any attention, and particularly not feeding. I once lost a cat to a neighbour who insisted on feeding her; eventually she decided their home was preferable and she moved in with them. I can tell you that was quite upsetting!

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outdoors

City Walk

Discover the history behind the familiar landmarks of our capital

Start your city walk at the Old Library on the Hayes. The library building opened in 1882 as a 'Free Library, Museum and School of Arts'. The Welsh inscription high on the south end of the building translates as 'He will not be wise who will not read.'

Head over to Cardiff Market, which was built by Solomon Andrews, a local entrepreneur. The market subsequently became known as Solomon’s Temple. The market is built partly on the site of the old County Gaol. This is where Dic Penderyn was publicly hanged in 1831 for his alleged part in the riots in Merthyr.

Turn right towards St. John's Church. This is the oldest church in the city centre and apart from parts of Cardiff Castle, is said to be the oldest building in Cardiff still in constant use. Turn left at the pasty shop and you will now head into

St Mary Street, the most important part of medieval Cardiff. On your right is High Street. Cross over into Quay Street, down towards the Principality Stadium. This road got its name in the days when it led down to the town quay on the River Taff before it was diverted.

Womanby Street, on your right and just after the City Arms, probably pre-dates the Norman occupation and its name might be of Norse origin. The earliest known form of the name, from 1270, is Hundmanby – possibly meaning the 'dwelling of the houndsman'. You will now drop down into Westgate Street, opposite the imposing Principality Stadium. This street runs along what used to be the course of the River Taff. Isambard Kingdom Brunel was responsible for the deviation of the river, which was made to complete his Great Western Railway westwards. The bridge that carried the railway on to Swansea still stands today. The resulting area of land that was left from the diversion allowed the 3rd Marquess of Bute to donate the area to the use of sport. The area was originally called the Great Park but became known as Cardiff Arms Park, after a nearby coaching inn. Cricket was the first sport played here. The Principality Stadium (formerly the Millennium Stadium) was built on the site of the former Cardiff Arms Park stadium for the 1999 Rugby World Cup Final.

Turn right and head up towards the Angel Hotel, traditionally the place for rugby fans to get together before a big match. There have been several Angel Taverns on or near this site over the years. During World War One, it became the USS Chattanooga when the US Navy took it over.

Across the road, you will notice the stone animals perched on the wall.

The wall was designed by architect Please take care while out walking and dress appropriately. Living Magazines Ltd cannot accept responsibility for your safety on this walk.

William Burges in 1866 and was originally built in front of the Castle.

The wall was moved to its present position in 1925 when the road was widened.

Now turn right into Castle Street.

Over the road you can see the site of the West Gate of the old town wall. You will pass by Castle Arcade, which was built in 1887.

Crossing back over St. Mary Street, and keeping the castle to your left, you'll will shortly pass Duke Street Arcade. Further on, you will approach the statue of Aneurin Bevan, erected in 1987.

As you head further down Queen Street, you will pass The Friary on your left. Turn up here. Franciscan Friars founded a friary (where the tall tower block now stands) in 1280.

Ghosts are rumoured to wander the area at night.

As you reach the Hilton Hotel, you will reach the Friary Gardens where you will see a statue of the 3rd Marquess of Bute. Keeping the gardens on your left, pass under the underpass to reach City Hall, located in Cathays Park. City Hall was designed by architects Lanchester, Stewart and Rickards, costing £129,000 to build and was opened in 1906 following the granting of city status to Cardiff the previous year.

Head around the City Hall Lawn to the right towards the Museum and then cut back down through the park towards the main road junction. Cross back over the road into Park Place where you will find the New Theatre, which celebrated its centenary in 2006.

Head straight on to rejoin Queen Street and walk all the way up to the Aneurin Bevan statue. From here, you can turn left and head back down to the Library where you started your walk, now more knowledgeable about our capital's past.

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A-Z of Rhiwbina Living Deliveries Delivering your free copy of Rhiwbina Living takes a lot of planning, a lot of walking - and a lot of snacks.

Here's our light-hearted A-Z of a job that we take very seriously Ankles

Expendable parts of one's body that are routinely damaged when out delivering magazines, along with knees, fingers, feet, shoulders and shins.

Boxes

100 of them. Each weighing 15kgs and containing 60 magazines. Each magazine has to be personally distributed individually to every home and business in Rhiwbina.

You can imagine the sheer delight

on our faces when they turn up on the back of a van.

Cats

Cats are the sneaky ones, a master of ambush and assault. A delivery person won't even know that the cat is there until they place their fingers through the letterbox to push the magazine in fully. Without a sound, and as quick as lightning, the cat will swipe with its razor-sharp claws.

A human stands no chance against this deadly assassin.

Dogs

Dogs on the other hand, are not natural hunters. As soon as they spot a delivery person, they bark like a possessed banshee and hurl themselves face first at the door. In most cases, the delivery person can clock this early and take evasive action.

Earphones

The essential piece of kit required for deliveries in and around Rhiwbina. Can be worn overhead or in-ear. Drowns out the sound of enthusiasm and optimism leaving one's body.

feature Flats

Throughout Rhiwbina, you will find many flats. During delivery week, you'll find Rhiwbina Living editors clambering the steps to get to these flats, often cussing and cursing and moaning about their knees.

Gates

It was a toss up between Gates and Gravel driveways for the coveted G spot. Both are as bad as each other for slowing us down - and things get twice as bad when you open a gate and step onto a gravel driveway. Gates just pip it, only because there are so many of them and we can't remember whether we have to leave them open or closed.

Hills

Rhiwbina is a very hilly place. We know this because by the time we get to the top of Rhiwbina Hill, we can actually look over and see Switzerland on a sunny day.

Injuries

Torn ligaments, broken thumbs, twisted knees, paper cuts, jammed fingers, blisters, cuts, grazes, bruises, burns and an injury involving a cheese and onion pasty from Parsons (don't ask).

Juboraj

The treat of a Juboraj takeaway is the dream that keeps a delivery person going through the long, lonely hours of deliveries.

Knackered

The technical term to describe walking 13 miles a day around Rhiwbina for 7-10 consecutive days.

Letterboxes

There are many types of letterboxes. They range from the ones the size of a Malteser box stuck on the wall, to the majestic, wide-mouthed Rolls Royce of letterboxes that open and close with the greatest of ease. In between, there are the ones that snap shut on your fingers like an angry crocodile. See Injuries.

Map

To ensure that streets are done once and once only, there is only ever one map. At the beginning of deliveries, the sight of the map and the task ahead fills our hearts with despair. For the next week or so, we can be heard reassuring each other that we're 'nearly done'.

Novice

We often get help with our deliveries.

We call these lovely people who haven't done it before novices. You'll recognise them by the things they say with pure joy in their voices. Things like: "We'll have them all done by teatime" and "I'll do Pantmawr Estate!"

Oxygen

Often offered to those delivering magazines to the top of Heol-y-Coed, along with Kendal Mint Cake.

Pantmawr

We were very enthusiastic about adding Pantmawr to our delivery route a few years ago. That was until we had to navigate the near vertical inclines on some of the roads there. We've invested in some climbing rope and some crampons for 2018.

Quack

This is the noise a new walking shoe makes for the first 250 miles.

This is a proven fact.

Rhiwbina Hill

One of our favourite places to deliver because there are only houses on one side of the road and it leads directly to the Deri.

Spiders

Autumn is one of our favourite times of the year to deliver magazines in Rhiwbina - the smell of log fires and the sight of casseroles bubbling in the kitchens.

There's only one thing that we don't like about it - and that's the spiders.

You may see us doing kung-fu with the Invisible Man every time we walk through a web that's been laid over a garden path at face height.

Vexed

The emotion a magazine delivery person experiences when they walk all the way up to a house, only to find that the letterbox is back down the drive, 3/4 of a mile away.

Water bottles

Refuse collectors hire in an extra truck to pick up all the empty water bottles we get through in delivery week.

X-Ray

An X-ray is a quick and painless procedure commonly used to produce images of the inside of the body. These are commonly carried out after falling over a front garden wall in a failed attempt to save a few seconds in the day.

Y Groes

One of the more picturesque areas for our delivery teams to work in, especially at Christmas.

Zzzzs

A delivery person can expect to experience a lot of these after a full day of deliveries. By the end of the week, the desire to sleep is so overwhelming that no other activity on earth can be considered.

Toilets

Toilet breaks are a natural part of the day. Our problems come before midday when the pubs aren't open.

Umbrellas

A folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs, which is usually mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. Totally useless when out delivering magazines, FYI.

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Spring Greens

Spring is a time of colour and renewal. These recipes will bring the freshness and vitality of a new season to your plate

Thai Green Vegetable Curry 175g brown basmati rice, rinsed 2 tsp coconut oil or olive oil 1 small white onion, diced 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh ginger (about a 1-inch nub of ginger, peeled and chopped) 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped pinch of salt ½ bunch asparagus, tough ends removed and sliced into 2-inch long pieces 3 carrots, peeled and sliced on the diagonal into ¼-inch wide rounds 2 tbsp Thai green curry paste 400ml full fat coconut milk 120ml water 1 ½ tsp coconut sugar or brown sugar 400g packed baby spinach, roughly chopped 1 ½ tsp rice vinegar or fresh lime juice 1 ½ tsp soy sauce handful of chopped fresh coriander and red pepper flakes, to taste ☐ To cook the rice, bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add the rinsed rice and continue boiling for

62

30 minutes, reducing the heat as necessary to prevent it bubbling over. Remove from the heat, drain the rice and return the rice to the pot. ☐ Cover and let the rice rest for 10 minutes or longer, until you’re ready to serve. ☐ Warm a large skillet with deep sides over a medium heat. Once it’s hot, add a couple teaspoons of oil.

Cook the onion, ginger and garlic with a sprinkle of salt for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the asparagus and carrots and cook for 3 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the curry paste and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. ☐ Pour the coconut milk into the pan, along with 120ml of water and 1 ½ teaspoons of sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cook until the carrots and asparagus are tender and cooked through, about 5 to 10 minutes. ☐ Once the vegetables are done cooking, stir the spinach into the mixture and cook until the spinach has wilted, which will take about 30 seconds. Remove the curry from the heat and season it with rice vinegar and soy sauce. ☐ Add salt and red pepper flakes to taste. Divide the rice and curry into bowls and garnish with chopped coriander and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

food

Spring Greens Gnocchi 1 packet of gnocchi 1 tbsp olive oil 2 shallots, thinly sliced salt and freshly ground pepper 1 bunch of asparagus, chopped into 1 inch pieces 250g spring peas, thawed if frozen 125g grated Parmesan cheese (or dairy-free alternative) 60ml double cream (or dairy-free alternative) 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice red pepper flakes, for garnish ☐ Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Drop in the gnocchi and cook until done according to the instructions.

Drain and lightly rinse with water and set aside. ☐ Heat a large skillet over a medium heat. ☐ Add the olive oil, the shallots and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the shallots for 2-3 minutes until the shallots are slightly soft. ☐ Add the asparagus and cook for 8-10 minutes until the asparagus is tender when forked. ☐ Add in the peas and the cooked gnocchi, cooking for a further 2-3 minutes until the peas are heated through. ☐ Remove everything from the heat and sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, the cream and the lemon juice. ☐ Stir to combine everything and add crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

Greek Vegetable and Pasta Salad

Gluten free pizza with spring vegetables

300g pasta of your choice, cooked and chilled 2 medium tomatoes, cored, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch dice 1 small cucumber, cut into 1/2 inch dice 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled 3 tbsp chopped fresh oregano 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 3 tbsp red wine vinegar 60ml olive oil salt and black pepper, to taste

150g gram flour 240ml water 1/2 tsp salt 300g passata 1 tsp nutritional yeast 1 garlic clove basil leaves 1/2 fennel bulb a few asparagus 1 leek 1 courgette a few mushrooms olive oil

☐ Toss all the ingredients into a large bowl, season with salt and pepper and serve chilled.

☐ Mix the flour, the water and the salt in a jug with a fork. Leave the mixture to rest for a few minutes. ☐ Place a baking sheet on a large baking tray. Pour the flour mixture onto the paper, into a circular shape if you can. ☐ Place the tray into the oven while you prepare the toppings.

The base should take about 10-15 minutes to cook. The edges will start to brown. ☐ Mix the passata with the nutritional yeast in a bowl. Grate

the garlic into the passata, shred or tear the basil and add that in too. ☐ Using your peeler, shred a little of the fennel and put into a large bowl. Chop off about 2 inches from the bottom end of the asparagus. Roughly chop at a diagonal angle. Add this to the bowl. Finely slice the leek and add to the bowl. Cut the top and bottom off the courgettes. Using the peeler, shred into wide thin pieces. Add to the bowl. ☐ Finely slice the mushrooms but do not put these in the bowl yet.

Add a splash of olive oil and a dash of salt to the bowl. Using your hands, mix this well and massage the oil into the veg. Now add the mushrooms and mix just a little. ☐ Take your base out of the oven if you haven’t already. Turn the oven up to 240°C. ☐ Top the base with the passata and add the vegetables. ☐ Put the pizza on the top shelf of the oven to cook. After 10 minutes, check the pizza. The vegetables should be starting to brown when ready.

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