RHIWBINA Living
At the heart of the community
FR EE Issue 17 Winter ‘11
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Welcome Croeso 3-4
News
5
Letters Letters to the Editors
8
Jack Petersen A biography of the North Cardiff champion boxer
11
Memories Growing up on Wenallt Road in the 1930s
14
Rhiwbina’s Christmas Church Services Celebrate Christmas with the churches of the village
16
Victorian Evening Full listings for the popular event
21
Business in Focus Local business
22
Gardening Seasons Rhiwbina gardens throughout the year
25
Pets’ Page Your questions answered
27
Photo Album Dr Who in Rhiwbina
31
Backlash Christmas is coming
Welcome to your Winter issue of Rhiwbina Living. Each time we sit down to write our little welcome, we always consider the same things as topics - how busy we’ve been, the fact that we can hardly believe that this particular season has come around so fast and of course, the weather. What else is there to write about when we’ve only just met? But boy have we been busy! No sooner than our autumn magazines are out, it’s straight into Christmas. It’s also hard to get our heads around the fact that Christmas is nearly upon us once again. It only seems like yesterday that we were basking in the high twenties. Now it’s all Christmas parties and shopping. So there. That’s that out of the way. It’s hard to believe that we are now entering our fifth year of publication. It was back in 2007, that we launched our first issue. A little green perhaps, but our magazine have delivered what we set out to do - help local business, while at the same time, keep the local population entertained and up-to-date with goings-on in Rhiwbina. This issue is no exception. You won’t be able to get away from the fact that this year’s Victorian Festival is around the corner. As ever, our mascot Squidgy Squirrel will be throwing the switch on the lights. Saturday 3rd December is the day you want to keep free on the calendar. Details on our centre page. We’ve also got all the listings for all the Christmas services across the churches here in the village. All the latest news is covered and we’ve got a special feature on a local boxer, who went on to become a legend when he became champion at serveral different - Jack Petersen. We’ve got a new gardening feature by local gardener Kevin Revell. He takes us through the seasons through the eyes of a gardener. With memories of Rhiwbina, pictures from Dr Who’s visit to Y Groes, the ever-popular Pets’ Page and Letters Page, you’re in for a right treat. So put on the kettle and open those mince pies! A Merry Christmas to you all. See you in 2012
Rhiwbina Living & Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Editors/Advertising: Patric Morgan & Danielle Dummett Address: 222 Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AG Tel: 07772 081775 and 07974 022920 Email: editor@livingmags.co.uk Web: www.livingmags.co.uk Rhiwbina Living Page 2
Patric and Danielle
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. Proof-reading by Katie Stephenson with thanks.
Advertising booking and copy deadline for Issue 18 Friday 17 February 2012 Issue 18 publication date - March 2012 Rhiwbina Living is published 4 times a year.
Picture of phone box courtesy of Stephanie Lewis
RHIWBINA PAST AND PRESENT EXHIBITION BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE
Do you know who lived where in Rhiwbina in 1911? Do you know why some houses in the Garden Village have side-opening windows and why others have sash windows? And do you know that Rhiwbina Garden Village had an influence on housing developments in Germany and the USA? You would have known the answers to all these questions if you were at the Society’s Open Doors event, held in Canolfan Beulah last September. And you’d have been able to canoodle in the ‘one-andninepennies’ in their very own cinema! The Society was delighted to welcome Andrew Wynford Davies, well-known screenwriter, who formally opened the event and launched the reprint of ‘Rhiwbina Garden Village: A History of Cardiff’s Garden Suburb’. Andrew had kindly allowed the Society to reprint the book, and had made a generous donation towards the reprinting costs. Earlier, Cardiff’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Delme Bowen was welcomed to the event, and he congratulated the Society on the quality and range of the documentary material in the exhibition. Included in the exhibition was an extensive range of maps and census information which attracted the interest of a great many of those who visited (that’s where the ‘who lived where’ bit came in!). Mr John Yewlett led two very successful walks around the Garden Village, pointing out the sort of thing Photos courtesy of Rhiwbina Civic Society
that would not be noticed by the casual passer-by. Windows and pillars were of interest to the 60 or so people who attended. Prof Simon Unwin gave an illustrated talk on the Garden Village movement, and it was through this that the audience of around 75 people learned how the philosophy and vision of the Garden Village movement in Britain had an effect on the architecture of such development, not just in Wales, but worldwide. As a prime example of the genre in Europe, Rhiwbina can justly claim to have influenced the world. And the cinema? Committee member Harley Jones had offered to produce a short film in which local residents in the area would be invited to give their thoughts on what makes Rhiwbina special to them, and why they live where they do. The film went down a storm and it was calculated that it achieved a premiere audience of around 200 – not quite in blockbuster league, but good enough! The Society was very grateful to Harley and Viv for their hard work on this project. The Society would also like to thank Rhiwbina Camera Club for their exhibition of superb photography. All in all, it was a very successful day, with a calculated 300 people through the door – not bad for a showery Saturday. The Society would like to thank all those who made the day possible, including members of the Executive Committee who, although few in number, worked their socks off to produce something extraordinary.
NEWS NICKY HUNTED BY TOP US TV NETWORK
Rhiwbina’s favourite sheep, Nicky Boing, has been head-hunted to star on a top US TV channel. A producer at National Geographic telephoned Living Magazines after reading about him on the website. Colleen McGraw, who made the call told Living Magazines: “National Geographic's new cable network ‘Nat Geo Wild’ is producing several episodes of the popular series ‘Unlikely Animal Friends’. “The four new episodes will premiere on Nat Geo Wild, but ultimately will broadcast on the National Geographic Channel as well. “We are very interested in the story of the Palmer family's bond with the ever-entertaining Nick Boing, if there is enough video footage to tell their story.” Nicky’s owner, Dave Palmer was very excited: “We’ve had a few film crews around here lately. We had one from Boston last month. The Americans seem to love him. Maybe he’ll become an international superstar!” Rhiwbina Living Page 3
NEWS RHIWBINA PRIMARY COOKING UP A TREAT
Camelot chief executive Dianne Thompson spent an afternoon with local children at Rhiwbina Primary School, to see their new after school Cookery Club in action. The club was launched following a National Lottery grant, which enabled Miss Smith and Mrs Jones to buy the equipment they needed to get the club off the ground. She met pupils from Years 5 and 6 who were trying out the new equipment and who were cooking up roasted vegetable couscous. Teacher Dawn Smith, who runs the classes with colleague Kath Jones, said: “The National Lottery grant we received for the after school Cookery Club was a fantastic boost to our plans to teach pupils more about the basics of cooking, nutrition and how fun and enjoyable spending time in a kitchen can be. The club aims to exemplify safe and hygienic working practices, demonstrate safe techniques for teaching knife skills to the children using the Bridge and Claw, Safe use needed to set up this kind of club in the first place is expensive though, and without the National Lottery grant, it is unlikely that it would be up and running at all. It’s made all the difference to us.”
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Dianne said: “It was fantastic to see the Rhiwbina Cookery Club in action. Over half of all awards given out by the BIG Lottery Fund – the biggest of the National Lottery distribution bodies – are for £5,000 or less. And while those amounts might seem small, projects like this show what a huge difference they can make and how they form part of the fabric of improving wellbeing amongst local groups everywhere – be they primary school pupils, local sports club, village community centres or inner city support groups. Even small National Lottery awards can make a big difference – and Rhiwbina is a great example of that in action.”
RHIWBINA SPEED CAMERA SLOW OFF THE MARK One of Rhiwbina’s speed cameras has recently been revealed as one of the UK’s most useless. The camera situated on Rhiwbina Hill, which cost £20,000 to install, has only pulled in £60 in fines in one year. By contrast, the busiest camera, not far away on the M4, caught 6,657 drivers in the same year.
LOCAL POLICEMAN GETS ON HIS BIKE TO IMPROVE PATROLS A Rhiwbina police officer is taking to two wheels to fight crime in North Cardiff. PCSO Stephen Westlake has had a bicycle donated to him by staff at a Cash Generator store in Canton, to help him cover more areas while out on patrol. Stephen said: “We are extremely grateful for the support of Cash Generator in our mission to keep to streets of Cardiff as safe as possible and I would like to thank them for this kind gesture. “My new bike will allow me to patrol a bigger area compared to being on foot and respond quickly to incidents, particularly in locations, which are perhaps not accessible by vehicles, like our local parks. Councillor Jayne Cowan said: “We are delighted that our excellent PCSO Stephen Westlake has a new bike.
RHIWBINA CURRY HOUSE LAUNCHES NEW DELI Rhiwbina’s two councillors, Adrian Robson and Jayne Cowan were recently invited to open the new deli counter at the Gateway of India. Jayne told Rhiwbina Living: “It was great to see Mr Rahman at the launch. The new counter looks wonderful- so full of colour.” The Gateway of India is also celebrating after winning top marks in the Council’s food awards for 2011.
Rhiwbina Revisited Dear Editors During the summer, I was lucky enough to revisit Rhiwbina after many years, and was so pleased to find the Garden Village little changed, well-kept and attractive. My parents, Edward and Amy Lewis, lived at no.16 Lon-y-Dial, and I was born there in 1917, the second of their four daughters. I like to think that mine was one of the first births in the village. I have memories of a happy, care-free and secure childhood with the freedom to roam the fields and lanes in safety. My eldest sister, Alicia, was crowned May Queen at the May Day celebrations in 1928, and in 1932, we moved to Heol Wen. That property was bought by Dr Mary Conroy and her late husband in 1965, after the deaths of my parents. Whilst in Rhiwbina, I visited Dr Conroy, who showed me your Rhiwbina Living magazine. I very much enjoyed having it read to me (I can only now read large print) and congratulate you on the interesting publication you produce. Diana Lewis Barton Court Road New Milton Hampshire
Dear Editors Recently my wife and I took a walk along the Glamorganshire Canal in Whitchurch - a beautiful section of what remains of this important piece of Welsh history. To be precise it was beautiful. However we were disgusted to see how this historical place is being neglected. The canal is choked with vegetation and fallen trees. The path is being eroded away and the whole place is overgrown. I wrote to Brian Lee in the Cardiff Post some time
Sweet Shops and Tea Rooms Dear Editors The letter from Joan Patterson seeking information on a sweet shop on Wenallt Road (Rhiwbina Living Summer ‘11) reminds me of the tea shops, some of which we used to visit in the 1930s and 40s whilst on Sunday afternoon walks. There were several places to visit: Smarts Garage and Tea Rooms, the Deri Cafe, the tea shops on Wenallt Road (now houses) and the Travellers Rest. Could the tea shop north of the reservoir be the one Joan was referring to? What is now Rhiwbina junior School playing fields was, I believe, previously a cricket field linked to the Rhiwbina Recreation Club, and presumably leased from the Garden Village. I also believe that it was only after the war, that it became part of the school, though I suspect the school had an arrangement to
LETTERS use the field from its opening in 1928. An imposing feature of the old cricket ground was a pavilion on the western side, with a veranda and scorer’s box. The cricket square was to a high standard and I recall that the Junior School played an annual match against Whitchurch Grammar School. Now I am sure that there are residents of Rhiwbina with a better recollection of the cricket club, and maybe some photographs of teams and the pavilion. Maybe the school has photographs in its old records. If you have any memories or photographs, I’d urge readers to send them in to Rhiwbina Living. Brian Rowland Heol-y-Bryn Rhiwbina
ago and he was good enough to raise the subject in his articles on Cardiff’s past. I’ve taken the following photograph to draw attention to this disgraceful neglect of Welsh past history. On a more positive note, we thoroughly enjoy and look forward to your magazine. Harmer Paterson Bishops Close Whitchurch Cardiff Rhiwbina Living Page 5
Rhiwbina Squash Club - Premier Champions
Rhiwbina Squash Club recently celebrated becoming the 2010/2011 South Wales Premier Division Squash Champions for first time in the club’s history, following a closely fought season resulting in Rhiwbina Squash Club securing the title of Premier Division Champions in a play off final. The 2011/2012 Premier League is well under way with Rhiwbina currently holding top spot, but no doubt it will once again be a closely fought season. The Rhiwbina Squash Premier team has a depth of experience which would be the envy of any squash club and includes three Welsh Masters, a European Under 19 Junior, headed up by Welsh No.1, Peter Creed. Rhiwbina Squash Club is also the home of Fiona Murphy who at only 16, has recently been selected to play for the Welsh Ladies Senior Squash Team, Sophie Alderman Welsh No. 1 Under 15 Girl and Lloyd Rutter the No. 2 Junior Under 15 Boy. The club welcomes players of all abilities from experts to complete beginners. Rhiwbina Squash Club has seven UKCC fully insured squash coaches who will be happy to provide coaching sessions to improve your fitness or just start you off on the basics. Social events are an integral part of Rhiwbina Squash Club, with regular events being hosted throughout the year. If you are interested in joining Rhiwbina Squash Club, or would like to come along to our free open squash weekend and receive some free coaching, please contact us on 07976 315047 or visit www.rhiwbinasquashclub.co.uk Address: Lon-Y-Dail, Cardiff, CF14 6EA.
100 years ago this year, Jack Petersen was born in Whitchurch. He became the first Welshman to win British and Empire Heavyweight Boxing Championships. His name has since become recognised as a ambassador of the sport, someone who never gave less than his all In the 1930s, a number of Welsh boxers were making headlines across the world. None more so than Jack Petersen, who has gone down in history as one of the greatest Welsh boxers. Born John Charles Peterson in Whitchurch on 2nd September 1911, Jack took up amateur boxing at the age of 18. He took to the sport like a natural, reaching the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association finals at both middleweight and light-heavyweight. At 6ft ½ in tall and was a well proportioned athlete. “I was brought up in a boxing atmosphere. My father was very interested in boxing, and was an accomplished boxer. I started in 1929, in the Welsh Amateur Championships. I lost to the middleweight, and I lost to the lightmiddleweight. Then I fought the heavyweight. Of the three, I won the heavyweight title.” In 1931, Jack turned professional under the name of Jack Petersen. His first professional fight was in September 1931 at the Holborn Stadium, London, against Bill Partridge. Petersen won the fight by a knockout in the fourth round. Petersen won his first sixteen fights, in one of which he knocked out Dick Power to win the Welsh heavyweight title. Petersen's 17th fight was for the British light-heavyweight title. It took place at Holborn Stadium in May 1932 and Petersen beat Harry Rhiwbina Living Page 8
Crossley on points over 15 rounds to take his title. He later relinquished this title without defending it. Two months later, in July 1932, Petersen fought Reggie Meen for his British heavyweight title, in a bout held at Wimbledon Stadium, London. He knocked Meen out in the second round, becoming the first Welshman to be British heavyweight champion. He had accomplished this in a career lasting less than ten months. He had one more fight, scoring a knockout, and then defended his title against Jack Pettifer in January 1932. The bout was at Olympia in Kensington and Petersen scored a knockout in the 12th round to retain his title. Petersen had three more fights, winning them all, before defending his title again against Jack Doyle, a young boxer from County Cork. The bout, in July 1933, was held at the White City Stadium in front of a crowd of about 30,000. Doyle was an Irish singer, actor and boxer, and was affectionately known as Gorgeous Gael. Witnesses say that Doyle did most of his warm-up for the fight in a
nearby pub. As soon as he got in the ring, Doyle realised that he was in trouble against the formidable frame of Jack Petersen. Doyle repeatedly punched low, and within two rounds, Doyle was on his way back to the pub, having been disqualified. Jack faced a much sterner test in his following fight in his third title defence. “Having made the Lonsdale Belt my own. I lost to Len Harvey on points at the Royal Albert Hall - a decision I didn’t altogether agree with.” It was Jack’s first defeat in 25 bouts. He went on to win his next four fights, before a rematch with Harvey loomed in 1934. “I fought Harvey at White City Stadium. The referee stopped the contest in about the 10th round when he threw the towel in. I knew that Harvey was a very good boxer, and very good at close-quarter work. So I kept him at long-range and I hammered him pretty well with my right hand. I think I’d closed his eye, which was very swollen. Don’t forget that Harvey was one of the lightest men I ever fought. Only two I ever fought were lighter than me, Harvey being one of them. But I had three hard fights with Harvey. I lost the first on points. I won the second and I won the third.” Jack was to fell many of the heavyweights that were put before him over the next few years.
Local Legends But it was Germany's Walter Neusel - 'the 'Blond Tiger' - would prove to be his downfall. Neusel was two stones heavier than Jack and the two would duel on three occasions. “I started my boxing career in September 1931 and I finished fighting on the 1st February 1937. In that time, only three people beat me - one was Ben Foord, one was Neusel and one was Harvey. I had the pleasure of meeting Harvey twice afterwards and beating him, I’d beaten Foord before. Walter Neusel was the man who really hammered me. And unfortunately, he split my eye open on a few occasions and he damaged my retina and the specialists advised me not to box any more. Having succeeded as far as I could, I had to stop boxing.” At the age of just 25, Jack had been forced to retire. His time as a professional boxer had lasted just six years. But Jack wasn’t defeated. He took up the role of Physical Fitness Instructor in the RAF during World War II, and after the War, became involved with the British Boxing Board of Control, looking primarily with Welsh boxers and later became the President of the Board. In 1978, he was awarded an OBE for his services to sport. “It was something very special. The privilege, the honour of going up to Buckingham Palace, meeting the Queen and having her pin this medal on my chest was something absolutely wonderful. She was such a lovely lady. I tried to do my bit for sport. To be recognised - there were many people equally as worthy I’m sure - but I was one person to have that great honour.” Jack died in November 1990, at Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, after suffering from lung cancer. His memory lives on though in a commemorative plaque that was unveiled in this September in Cardiff City Centre. The plaque sits outside the Blacks shop at the top of The Hayes, and was unveiled by Cardiff's Lord
Mayor, Delme Bowen. Mr Bowen told reporters: "I am delighted that we are honouring a respected and victorious boxing legend who was such a great role model for Welsh men during the dark days of the depression of the 1930s. “This plaque will raise awareness of the achievements and success of Jack Petersen whilst adding historical value to the city." The building which now holds the plaque once housed the Lynn Institute Gym, owned by the Jacks's father, ‘Pa’ Petersen, who became his mentor and manager. The gym offered boxing training, fitness, massage and hot baths during the 1920s and 1930s and was used by sportsmen including the Cardiff City football team who won the 1927 FA Cup. Jack Petersen's children had campaigned for a plaque recognising his public life success. The plaque is one of a series being erected in south Wales to remember famous people, events and places. Jack will always be remembered for his gentleman-like demeanour outside of the ring. Yet for many over the years, it was his bravery and fighting spirit in the ring that thrilled crowds across the world. Those memories are fading as the generations pass, but we are fortunate enough to have records of those heady nights “ On 15 May, 1933, Jack faced Germany's Heine Muller at Ninian Park. It was one of the greatest boxing nights I’d ever been to, and certainly one of the biggest staged in Wales at the time.
“
The honour of going up to Buckingham Palace and having her pin this medal on my chest was something absolutely wonderful
“Jack was the local boy, aged just 21, and was defending his title against a veteran of over 200 bouts who was renowned for his toughness. There were 40,000 there that night if you were unfortunate to arrive late, you would have missed the fight. After two minutes of the first round Petersen caught Muller with a left to the body, which was followed by a perfect right to the head.” Muller just lay there over the ropes as if he’d been hit by a train. The crowd were left speechless.”
Memories of Growing up in Wenallt Road in the 1930’s By Alan Gray
My father built our house between 1928 to 1932, on a piece of land in Wenallt Road. At that time there were very few houses, and it was just a lane with high grassy banks and hedges bordering fields. I was born in April 1933, an only child of loving parents, and learned to appreciate how fortunate I was. It was, of course, a different world in the 1930’s and I remember with nostalgia, how I used to go on expeditions up the Wenallt with my friends often collecting logs to economise on the coal for the fires. At the time we had a dog called Bruce, who was an Alsatian crossed with a Great Dane. Now that may seem to be an unusual combination, and when my father brought him home for the first time. My mother refused to have him in the house. He was however the most loving dog you could wish for and it didn’t take long for him to be the apple of my mother’s eye also. I thought the world of him, and took him everywhere I could, and I believe he used to enjoy coming rambling with my pals blackberrying or gathering nuts on our expeditions. When Bruce passed on, we had another dog called “Blackie”, who was an Elkhound (a Scandinavian sledge dog). He was something like a slight Alsatian, but with a tail which curled up in a light circle. Blackie was every bit a wonderful loyal pal to me, and was about 16 years old when he passed on. We had a very large garden in which there were some piles of wood and miscellaneous items, including a few old boilers and stoves. This meant that we could have our own ‘kitchen’ when playing ‘mothers and fathers’.
The use of one of the stoves was permitted providing we only used logs for fuel, which we had to get ourselves from the Wenallt. Many hours of fun were had cooking various things in old pots and pans acquired for the purpose; eating a lot of stuff burnt to a cinder (and a fair bit of dirt besides I expect), but it never seemed to do us much harm. I remember helping (probably hindering) my Dad knock down one of the old chicken sheds when some tidying up was underway, and finding right underneath, one of the chickens sitting on a nest of eggs she had made. We had to leave the knocking down for a bit longer while Mother Hen hatched out about twelve young chicks. On another occasion, we were given some Aylesbury Ducking eggs to hatch out, and we didn’t have a broody ducking at that moment. Dad put them under a broody chicken instead, and she hatched out all ten of the baby ducklings. The trouble started however when the babies discovered the big pond in the front garden, and immediately launched themselves in for a swim. Their ‘mother’ chicken went crackers, because she couldn’t understand their enthusiasm for the water, and clucked herself hoarse try to get them out! Our garage was another place of fascination for a small boy. Dad had a motorbike, on which he did his own maintenance. I remember watching him working on his beloved B.S.A., and plaguing his life with questions on what he was doing. But, Why Dad?, was my perpetual question, and I suppose that was the beginnings of all the
many practical things which I learnt from my dear Dad over the coming years (that last sentence is an under-statement of course), because Dad was a Master Craftsman in so many things, and over many years patiently taught me to make and mend most household items and to carry out routine maintenance. In those early days of learning, I was very anxious to be of help, so when Dad was out one day, I thought I would assist him in the maintenance on the motorbike as he had been showing me so many things. I didn’t realise however that in my effort to help, I had dropped something down inside the hollow core of the steering column. The next morning when on his way down Wenallt Road going to work, he found he was unable to turn the handlebars at the curve to right near the bridge, and went straight over the handlebars into the hedge. Fortunately he was not seriously hurt, but from then on I was discouraged from carrying out any running repairs until I was a bit older! There was no such thing as television in Wales at that time, but the ‘wireless’ (as the radio was referred to) was our source of information and news. My earliest recollection is hearing Edward announce his abdication – although I did not fully understand the significance of those words. It would not be much longer before the solemn announcement of World War II would be relayed over the ‘wireless’. Before that however I had to commence my school days at Rhiwbina Junior School – but that’s a story for another day.
Rhiwbina Living Page 11
Christmas is coming and once again, it’s time for Rhiwbina to celebrate. This year’s famed Victorian Evening has now moved to a Saturday evening to enable all the family to come along. The date for your diary is Saturday 3rd December. Rhiwbina Living’s Squidgy Squirrel will once again do the honours of turning on
the lights on the Village Christmas Tree. This year, he is helped by Indigo Jones, who won the Summer Festival’s colouring competition. The event is being coordinated by the Rhiwbina Events Committee. The committee has hosted some very successful events in the village over the years. This year’s Victorian Evening promises to be the best yet - with the new addition of Festive Donkey rides guaranteed to bring smiles to the faces of the young ones. There will also be musical entertainment, children’s rides, mulled wine and hot soup, craft stalls and street traders, colouring competitions and performances from local schools and youth groups.
Saturday 3rd December
Our deepest appreciation to all of the following businesses:Partners: Gateway of India J A Hughes Solicitors Juboraj Restaurant Pinnacle Internet Marketing Rhiwbina Baptist Church Rhiwbina Dental Surgery Rhiwbina Farmer’s Market Serenade Spar The Butchers Arms Supporters: Airpro Systems Edwards & Co G. Raybould Butcher Kingman and Davies Opticians Friends: Beulah Dress Agency Cleaver Flooring Emyr Pierce Solicitors Haus Interiors Houghton Wine Co. Morgan Lloyd Williams Signor Barber Shop Snails The Deri Inn The Flower Lodge The Olive Branch Victoria Fearn Gallery
The last Summer Festival is being hailed as the best ever! Record numbers turned out in the warm summer sun to enjoy the delights of the day and we are now hoping to build on this fantastic community spirit with the next Victorian Evening. Please come and join in the festive action on Saturday 3rd December from 3.30pm when a wide range of exciting delights will be on offer to all including:* * * * * *
Musical entertainment Children’s rides Mulled wine and hot soup Craft stalls and street traders Colouring competition Festive performances in the Arena from local schools and youth groups
We thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you on the night - don’t miss it! Rhiwbina Village Events Committee
And our ongoing r thanks to all our othe l na rso pe d commercial an ke ma sources that help to these events a success
Come and see the fantastic craft stalls in the scout hall on Heol y Bont (behind the Gateway of India!)
Rhiwbina Village Events Committee, The Wendy House, 1 Lon Fach, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, CF14 6JP Tel: 07970 165 084, Web: www.rhiwbina.co.uk
1 1 0 2 g n i n e v E n a Vi ctori Saturday 3rd December 2011 3.30pm to 7.00pm
Christmas Appeal
From Thursday 1st of December you can drop off a present to Morgan Lloyd Williams estate agents on Heol y Deri. This present will be donated to a child in Cardiff Women’s Aid refuge. Can you please wrap your present and clearly label with ‘Boy’ or ‘Girl’and the appropriate age range. Many thanks for your support.
ee Village Christmas Tr
Don’t forget Squidgy the Squirrel will be helping Indigo Jones, the winner of the Summer Festival’s colouring competition, to switch on the Christmas Tree lights at
4.30pm
Local Support The Rhiwbina Village Events Scheme has been set up to engage local businesses in supporting community events. Without their help, many of the entertainments, attractions and activities just wouldn’t be possible Please take the time to look around the Village to see the RVE signs displayed in the windows of the local businesses indicating Friend, Supporter and Partner of the RVE scheme. All the businesses displaying this logo are helping to make sure you have a great time so please show your appreciation in recognising their support. A big festive cheer for all the RVE scheme Members!
Don’t forget to come and see me in my grotto in New Roots Garden Centre
Santa xxx
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Business in Focus Local Care from a Local Company Home Instead Senior Care in Cardiff specialises in the provision of at-home care for older people living across the area. The service we provide is extremely flexible and ranges from help a few hours a day to 24 hour care. Services can include personal care such as assistance with bathing, dressing and medications; home help covering housework, shopping, meal preparation and household duties; and companionship services. Home Instead owner Phil Batchelor comments: “Our ethos is simple – treat others as we would wish to be treated ourselves. This can only be achieved by delivering the highest quality of care to meet the individual needs of our clients and we would never compromise on this”. We also provide a range of specialist services, which include Alzheimer’s and dementia care, convalescence care and respite care plus we can support adults with Vie at Home (you may know them as Virgin Cosmetics) are really excited to be launching two unique ranges this winter. Get set to sparkle with Pierre Lang designer jewellery, launching exclusively in the UK with Vie at Home. Created in Vienna quality is at the heart of every piece and you are assured it will stand the test of time.
learning difficulties. Our caregivers are carefully selected, are CRB checked and have to provide six references. We pride ourselves on matching the requirements of our clients to Philip Batchelor heads the up Home Instead in Cardiff experiences, interests and personality of their caregiver. For more information on Home Instead Senior Care please call the team on: 02920 624429 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/cardiff A: 9a Heol-y-Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6HA T: 02920 624429 W: www.homeinstead.co.uk/cardiff E: philip.batchelor@homeinstead.co.uk Why wear a fragrance with someone else’s name on it? Blue Box Perfume is a unique concept that allows you to create your own fragrance. Once you have created your perfect scent you can chose your own bottle, packaging, and the name of the fragrance that will be printed on the bottle! Deborah Auton has been looking after customers in North Cardiff for over 10 years and would be delighted to show you the new product ranges or the award winning Cosmetics & Skincare. You can have a personal consultation or an evening with friends. The choice is yours. What an easy way to get your Christmas shopping wrapped up! Would you like to party for a living? Deborah is recruiting consultants for the Christmas period. No experience necessary. Tel: 02920 317921 or 07776 176644 E: deborahauton@ntlworld.com Rhiwbina Living Page 21
Gardening Seasons by Kevin Revell Winter A time for looking and thinking, not doing a great deal but staying in by the fire, planning the year ahead. Crisp, bright winter days can be rewarding for those who venture out. Autumn leaves have dropped to reveal the structural architecture of the plants. The colourful winter stems of dogwoods and snake bark maples; the flaking, fissured bark of pear trees and the tortured sculptural forms of the winter pruned apple trees are revealed by the fallen russet canopy. The colour has drained from the garden making everything look sepia and grey but contrasts can be discerned between the various trees and shrubs, both in colour and texture - differences which would scarcely be noted when in leaf. Occasional punctuation marks of tough evergreen shrubs such as euonymus, fatsia and photinia illustrate the benefit of permanence in a rapidly changing view. Long weeks of short days leave the lawn looking distinctly dull and trampled down. Like me, it is in need of some exposure to the sun which on the odd day it does show itself. It provides precious little strength in its watery rays which struggle to get above the height of the house. The sight of the black winter buds of the rowan, sorbus commixta Rhiwbina Living Page 22
‘Ravensbill’ set against an occasional azure clear winter sky are a rare winter treat along with the bright red winter stems of dogwood, cornus alba ‘Sibirica’. Every day I scan the ground for the first sign of emerging snowdrops and wonder at the bumbling bees searching out the first flowers on a sunny winter’s day, often rewarded by an occasional early flowering native primrose growing in a sheltered position by the house. Winter flowering shrubs are invaluable in this respect and often reward with a heady scent. Mahonia and viburnum can always be relied upon and those who are brave enough to plant the brutish, unfeasibly large garrya in their garden will be rewarded with a unique display of pendant, tasselled silver catkins. Heathers seem commonplace at other times of year but now seem precious along with winter flowering honeysuckle and jasmine. Cyclamen coum invaluable in its ability to flower at the merest suggestion of a sunny day, a sign that spring is on the way with its shocking fuchsia and marshmallow coloured flowers which have lain coiled in wait, buried under the blanket of winter snow, arriving weeks before the shy, retiring snowdrops which prefer to make their entry bathed in sunshine, rarely
in snow ’round these parts. Frosty weather and snowfall are times to appreciate the value of evergreen shrubs and hedges which maintain the local temperature a degree or two above the surrounding to keep paths clear and provide winter shelter for wildlife. Privet is particularly good even if it does partially defoliate in a cold year. Likewise the deciduous beech and hornbeam hedges which retain their dead leaves until the buds burst anew in spring, providing shelter from the storm. The detritus which accumulates under an old established hedge is invaluable to hibernating creatures and forms a habitat in its own right as decomposing leaves blow in amongst dried fallen twigs and dead wood to provide sustenance to a myriad of invertebrates. Similar conditions exist around the dormant shrubs, collapsed herbaceous plants and teetering clumps of ornamental grass which should be left as long as possible before being tidied away in spring.
Gardening The fabled autumn clear up is now very much a thing of the past and the benefits for the untidy gardener are all around. Blackbirds rummage amongst the leaves scattered over the lawn and under the protective eiderdown of leaves the shoots of bulbs begin to emerge awaiting encouragement from the first rays of warming sunshine. Collapsed clumps of grass rustle with the movement of unseen creatures, perhaps mice or voles protected from the worst of the winter weather. Many a disgruntled hedgehog has had its hibernation disturbed by my attempts at winter tidying the garden, so now I wait until spring. Suffice it to say bonfires are banned in my garden, but how can I convince my neighbours? Any seed heads left by the likes of agapanthus, echinacea and hemerocallis will be highly
ornamental when rimed with frost and will provide a welcome break for hungry visiting birds tired of the ubiquitous peanuts and sunflower seeds. Ladybirds seem to favour them as places to hibernate and even juvenile snails get in on the act and look photogenic and cute, while hoverfly larvae hide in stacks of pots preventing my early attempts at planting. Am I alone in feeling guilty about disturbing hibernating invertebrates? I suspect that creatures low down in the food chain serve some higher purpose and terrible damage will be wrought by their demise, but I could be wrong! The winter blues affect many who spend much of their time outdoors with persistent heavy rain or frostbound ground making gardening virtually impossible. It takes more than the occasional sunny day to lift my torpor and encourage me out to ready the garden for spring but my
idleness probably benefits the slumbering fauna and flora, while it is never advisable to walk on frosty lawns or dig in icy weather. It is tempting to get out and prune the fruit trees but frosty weather can damage newly cut surfaces and act as a source of infection for canker or woolly aphid so perhaps it is best to wait for longer days in good light making the swelling buds visible. Several days must be put aside to sort the wisteria from the rambling roses. And although the Boston ivy looked fine in autumn covering the side of the house it must now be removed from the upper reaches of the wall before it reaches the gutters and disappears under the roof tiles. Spring invariably arrives before I am ready with many tasks left undone but there is always another year to worry about that!
Kevin
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Pets
My Dog Loves Stones I have a year-old retriever who likes to eat stones, dirt and small rocks when we are out walking. I wanted to know if this was normal behaviour. I’m not only worried about his teeth, but the impact it may have on his insides! This is quite a common behaviour, though I wouldn’t say it is normal! Puppies chew and mouth things all the time – they are exploring their environment, finding out what is good to eat, or relieving the discomfort of teething. This behaviour usually stops as they grow up, but some aspects can remain as habits in older dogs, particularly if they have had some sort of reward for the behaviour in the past (such as you shouting at them!). Occasionally, a desire to eat soil and other strange stuff can be a symptom of nutritional deficiencies or or diseases, so it is probably worth getting him checked out by your vet. You are right to be concerned about the detrimental effects this habit may have. Your dog is likely to chip his teeth and wear them down, especially the big canine teeth. If he is unlucky, he may even fracture a tooth. If he is silly enough to actually swallow stones, smaller ones will pass through his gut without problems, but larger stones could cause an obstruction, so any symptoms of sickness or abdominal discomfort must be taken seriously. In addition, eating soil will increase the risk of your dog picking up worms, so it is very important that you de-worm him regularly. Make sure you use a wormer that deals with lungworm as well as roundworm, as he may inadvertently eat small snails & slugs with the soil. Ask your vet which is the best one to use, as pet-shop wormers are not effective.
Pets’ Page Resident vet, Chris Troughton is happy to answer any of your pet-related questions. Drop him a line at editor@livingmags.co.uk
Where are my fish? Up until a few months ago, my son had three goldfish, which I bought him to help him learn about taking responsibility of things. Unfortunately, two of the fish have disappeared over the last few weeks and we can’t figure out where they have gone. Would a goldfish eat another goldfish? I’m at a loss to explain it to my son. You don’t mention where you are keeping the fish. If they are in a pond, predation from a heron or cat is possibly the explanation. However, I’m afraid it is entirely possible that the one fish has eaten the others. They are notoriously greedy and will eat anything they can get in their mouths, even though they are not natural predators. You don’t say how big the fish were. It’s easy for a big one to eat smaller tank-mates, but even smaller fish will attack larger ones sometimes, usually starting by nibbling at the tail and fins.
Bunny’s Cloudy Eye My rabbit has a cloudy patch in its right eye. He doesn’t seem to be in any discomfort but wondered what it could be. A cloudy eye definitely means there is something wrong, and is probably quite serious so you should get him to the vet as soon as you can. The most likely reason is an injury to the cornea (the front of the eye) – a scratch from a
Pets’ Page is sponsored by the Heath Veterinary Group
(029) 2062 1511 piece of hay for example. These can quickly become infected and a large white patch is seen with a slightly rough surface. The cloudiness could be caused by a problem deeper in the eye. Occasionally, pus forms in the space behind the cornea. Cataracts also make the eye look cloudy. It’s very important to remember that rabbits do not show many signs of pain, but that doesn’t mean they are not hurting. Get him treated without delay.
Seasonal Tip Dogs with a lot of hair on their feet often suffer quite badly in snowy conditions when ice-balls build up between their toes. When you go out for a walk, put a small bucket of warm water by the door ready to rinse the feet and melt the ice quickly when you return.
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in Rhiwbina Back in September, Rhiwbina was visited by both the Tardis and Dr Who. They were filming for the 2011 Christmas Special, due to be broadcast on Christmas Day. If you’re settling down to watch the show, keep an eye out for some local landmarks, or even some woolly characters!
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Column
f, like me, you were lucky enough to have had a great childhood, Christmas will always be special. Even if the years have added a touch of cynicism to it, Christmas is a time for remembrance of times gone by, and creating nice memories for the future . For me, I often float back to Christmas as a child. This would have been back in the 1980s. The mere melody of In Dulci Jubilo takes me back to the smell of the catalogue that I’d spend hours with my nose in looking at the latest Lego sets. Perhaps the most vivid memory I have of Christmas was after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve one night back the 80s. We lived in Barry and our grandparents lived up the hill, which we could see from our house. My mum would often ask me to look out the window to see if they were in. But this particular Christmas Eve, they’d just dropped us home. I was stood in our front room and I watched them make their slow way up the hill in their Triumph Toledo. From the living room, my parents and a few aunties and uncles were gathering around a bottle of sherry. I could hear the glug-glugging of the sherry and the clinking of the glasses. But the front room was peaceful. The coloured lights on the tree were as silent as stars. I leant down the stereo player that was on the bottom shelf and pressed play on the tape deck. I think it was the Coventry Carol that came on. The volume was low but the choristers’ haunting euphony drifted out from the speakers that had been placed on the top shelves. I moved over the bay window and looked out. It was a cold hard night. The concrete
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lampposts stood guarding the steel streets but across the way came the warm glow of light from my grandparent’s living room window. I could see them, taking off their coats, and then embracing and a kiss under the mistletoe that was hanging from the light fixture. Even from the distance I was away, and despite the silence of the night outside the window, I could sense their love for each other. And it was at that moment, while I felt like that town was settling down for the night, that I felt that for once, all was well with the world. I eventually went to bed. I woke up several times but by 6am, Santa had been. All I had to do was wriggle my toes. The soft crackling of the wrapping paper was all I needed to hear. Christmas Day in our house was always a mellow affair. We’d go to church, but in the cold light of morning, it felt like we were pretending it was Christmas. It was only when we got back home, with the waft of warm food to greet us at the door, did it really feel like Christmas Day. We’d usually have a party in the evening and Boxing Day, we’d all head to the ‘club’ after. That was always boring as we all had to drink the warm squash that was given to us. But Christmas Day telly in the evening was usually
pretty good. After that, it was all downhill. The ‘watery’ days that followed were only enhanced by the possibility of spotting a good film to watch in the Radio Times. We always got the Radio Times. I like to think it’s because we were snobs, and that the TV Times was for the commoner. But the fact was that we got ours free. New Year’s Eve came round soon enough but it never had the magic that Christmas had. My mother would talk about the wild New Year’s Eve parties that took place ‘down the club’: “You wouldn’t want to be down there - everyone snogs everyone else’s face off” she once told me. As a young teenager, I couldn’t wait for the day to turn 18 so I could get myself in. Instead, I had to stay home and sip Bailey’s with my dad. It was no bad thing. We’d wrap up warm and head up the hill. We’d sit on the bench that overlooked Barry and watch the last of the year’s fireworks fade into last year. The dock’s ships would still be droning their horns in celebration as we made our way home. We’ve all got our favourite memories of Christmas. Some of us might still be lucky enough to have those whom we love around us to share the festivities with. Perfect for making new memories for the future.
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