RHIWBINA Living At the heart of the community
FR EE
Issue 14 Spring ‘11
WHAT’S INSIDE
Interview: Mervyn Davies
History: Monico Memories Out and About: Dr Who in North Cardiff Pets’ Page
Spring Recipes
Memories: Melingriffith Boys Photo Album: 50th Celebrations from 1962 Local News Crossword
With winter melting away comes the dawn of a new spring and the promise of longer, brighter days. With holidays approaching, there is a buzz in the community.
Enjoy your Spring Issue of Rhiwbina Living
Welcome
INSIDE
3, 4 News
4, 5 Letters Letters to the Editors 9
10 14 19
20 25
28 31 33 37 38 39
Competition: Win ticket to see Corrie!
Welcome Croeso
Welcome to your early spring issue of Rhiwbina Living - the official magazine of the village. Interview Spring is finally on its way and not before time! We’ve been busy Rugby legend over the winter period, planning for the year ahead. This is now our Mervyn Davies fourth year of publication, and to celebrate the safe arrival of co-editor Danielle’s baby girl, we’re launching our own little sister History publication for the Llandaff suburb of Danescourt. Melingriffith Boys Danescourt Living will replace the Danescourt News, which had been running for many years, but has now moved to the web. Squidgy’s Page Details of this, our third publication, can be found on our website. Memories: Rise and Meanwhile, we’ve got a colourful edition of Rhiwbina Living to brighten up your day. Fall of the Monico Inside, we have an exclusive interview with a giant of Welsh rugby, Mervyn Davies. We caught up with him over a pint in Photo Gallery Llandaff. 60’s nostalgia We’ve gathered together memories of a Rhiwbina landmark that is still sorely missed by locals - the Monico cinema on Pantbach Out and About: Road. Read some of the stories about its halcyon days on page 20. Dr Who in Llandaff In our continuing Out-and-About series, Joanna Cawley investigates the many links between Llandaff and the popular TV Pets’ Page series, Dr Who on page 28. Your questions Melingriffith is also fondly remembered by two ‘Melingriffith boys’ answered on page 14. How life has changed! As usual, we’ve got the top stories from the area in our news Local Business section, and of course, the ever-popular crossword. Please remember to support our advertisers, without whom, your Recipes: free issue of Living Magazines would not be possible. Spanish Tapas See you in June! Crossword Backchat
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 Editors
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any matter in any way arising from the publication of this material. Every effort has been made to contact any copyright holders. Rhiwbina Living is an independent, apolitical publication.
Advertising booking and copy deadline for Issue 15 Friday 20 May 2011. Issue 15 publication date - early/mid June 2011 Rhiwbina Living is published 4 times a year.
News
RESIDENTS OBJECT TO PLANS FOR RHIWBINA
Plans for North Rhiwbina that have been put forward by Cardiff Council have been met with strong opposition from locals. The development proposals include building a 157-hectare ‘village’ on land north of Briwnant. The development would include a 10-hectare business park, a new primary school, shops, a park-and-ride facility and a country park. But the plans have been met with strong opposition by residents who believe that a ‘new suburb would sandwich Rhiwbina within Cardiff’. A meeting was held at All Saints Church to discuss the plans, and was attended by over 250 local people. “This huge development will
totally wipe out our green space. There is no need for it whatsoever. The only people who will benefit from it are the big property developers.” said one resident. Increased traffic congestion has also been highlighted as a possible side-effect. “We all know how congested Rhiwbina Hill gets. This proposal will just heap hundreds more cars onto our roads. As well as the increased pollution, there is the real risk of danger to our children crossing the roads to school.” said a concerned parent. The proposals are part of Cardiff Council’s wide-ranging plans for the future of Cardiff. Other planned developments include building on land adjacent to Brynteg, and also developing land on the site of Greenhill Special School. Local AM Jonathan Morgan has called on the Council, and the Assembly Government to think again about the proposals. “I know how passionate Rhiwbina people feel about protecting their identity.”
RHIWBINA CRIME RATE ‘VERY LOW’
Rhiwbina residents will be pleased to know that their village has one of the lowest crime rates in Cardiff. Residents at a recent PACT meeting were told that the main concerns of villagedwellers were dangerous parking, the high amount of charity bags being posted through doors and rag-andbone men, who have recently
started scouring the streets looking for scrap metal.” A spokesman for the local PACT team told Living Magazines: “Crime here has been traditionally low and when we do get it, we tend to nip it in the bud at source. The main worries that residents have is that of dangerous parking, especially on Heol-y-Deri.”
RAIL LINE CENTENARY
The Coryton railway line, which serves Rhiwbina and its neighbouring villages, is celebrating its 100 years of existence this March. The line was officially opened in March 1911 by the Cardiff Railway Company as its own link into the coalfields around Pontypridd. The line was the cause of many lengthy legal battles as rival train companies fought over its use. The line is currently operated by Arriva Trains Wales.
RHIWBINA AUTHOR WOOS AMERICA
An author from Rhiwbina has impressed American readers so much, that extra copies of his book have been printed to cope with demand. Llwyd Owen, who lives with his wife and two children in the village, already has four critically-acclaimed Welshlanguage novels to his name. But his first English-language novel, Faith, Hope and Love received an outstanding review from an American journal, which compared Llwyd to Dylan Thomas. The book has sold more copies in the US than in Britain.
Rhiwbina Living Page 3
News
LOCAL TAKEAWAY TASTES SUCCESS
CREMATORIUM HEAT PLANS SPARKS ROW
Plans to use heat produced from Thornhill Crematorium to warm its chapel have been branded ‘disrespectful’ by critics. The plan announced by Cardiff Council came days after similar proposals were put forward by Redditch Rhiwbina takeaway, Gateway of Council in Worcestershire, who India, has won a prestigious wanted to use the heat to ‘South Wales Takeaway of the warm a nearby swimming pool. Year Award’. Local councillor Jayne Cowan The award was presented by has pressed for the Council to Media Wales, who sampled look at alternative methods of many different offerings from lowering its carbon emissions. outlets across South Wales. “There are many ways that Gateway of India proprietor, the Council could make Moslaur Rahman, told Living savings and be Magazines: environmentally-friendly, but “We are very proud to have when you are talking about won the award. We have been someone who has just lost in the village now for many their loved one, I think it’s years and have been made to highly disrespectful.” feel part of this wonderful Local funeral director, John community.” Pidgeon said though: The shop sells pre-cooked “This is something that we cold meals to take away and proposed over 20 years ago. reheat at home. The crematorium has had heating problems and in the winter, it gets extremely cold. BLOODY BROOK There is a lot of heat that RUNS WHITE literally goes up into the sky.” Cardiff Council claims that the Rhiwbina’s ‘Bloody Brook’, heat would come from the which runs through the village, filtration system, and not the was recently the source of a cremation of dead bodies. pollution scare. Complaints by locals that the stream was running white prompted Environment Officers to attend and analyse samples. It was later found out that two underground drinking reservoirs were being cleaned and workers immediately turned off their pumps when they were informed of the pollution.
Rhiwbina Living Page 4
Letters
Dear Editors I recently came upon your publication when friends in Australia told me about it! I was very surprised to read that Rhiwbina Living is delivered to every home in Rhiwbina. However it has never been delivered to me, and, it seems, not to my daughter either! We would be most grateful to know if you plan to cover Heol yr Efail and Waun y Groes Avenue (both streets are in Rhiwbina) in the future. I enjoyed reading the latest edition online, but would really like to receive a copy to take advantage of the offer coupons it contains. Joan Woodberry Rhiwbina
Editors’ Response: Dear Joan, Thanks for your email. When we launched Rhiwbina Living in 2007, we had to decide on a specific figure of magazines to print. In the somewhat blurred boundaries between Cardiff’s suburbs, we settled on using the CF14 6 postcode as a good parameter. As a rule of thumb, most of Rhiwbina falls under this postcode. Copies of the magazine can be picked up free from the Spar on Heol-yDeri once we finish our distribution. We have also set up a ‘Readers’ Offers’ section on our website, where you can print off discount vouchers. Visitwww.livingmags.co.uk/blog for more details. Danielle and Patric
to the Editors
Dear Editors I wonder if you could print a plea to the dog owners of Rhiwbina in the next issue of Rhiwbina Living. Over the past few months I, and other mums in Rhiwbina, have noticed a huge increase in the amount of dog muck being left on the streets and parks in Rhiwbina. There have been a number of incidents recently of our children variously standing in, sitting in and picking up this dog muck. In addition, most of us have at some point over the past few months pushed our prams through the muck, not a pleasant task to have to remove from the grooved wheels! Please can we issue a plea to those dog owners who are not cleaning up after their dogs to do so. At best, you are creating an unpleasant environment for us all and at worst you are putting our children's health and eyesight at risk. Mrs Lynch Rhiwbina Dear Editors I am hoping you might be able to help. I live in a stone cottage on Wenallt Road. Part of the cottage is rumoured to be about 400 years old and apparently for a while was a sweet shop. I was wondering whether it may be possible to ask readers about their memories of visiting the Wenallt. Can anyone remember the sweet shop?
Does anyone have any photos that they could share with us? I would be very grateful for any help you might be able to give. Joanne Patterson Research Fellow Welsh School of Architecture Cardiff University Bute Building King Edward VII Avenue Cardiff CF10 3NB
Dear Editors I have fond memories of the Monico cinema on Pantbach Road going back to the days of the early 60s. The Saturday morning matinee that featured cartoons and features such as Jason and the Argonauts, Westerns and war films – they were all re-enacted on my way home to Pen-y-Dre. However, one day in particular has stuck in my mind all my life. Outside the (now) NatWest bank on the hill, I found a £5 note just off the pavement in the road. I
Letters
Keep your letters coming! Address on the inside front cover
picked it up and took it home and was promptly marched up to the police station in Coed Ceirios, behind the primary school, to hand it in. That afternoon, the £5 note was claimed, and the gentleman came to our house and gave me a ten shilling note as a reward. I don’t need to tell you that a fiver was a lot of money in those days, as was ten bob! I wondered whether any of your readers had any vivid memories of the Monico, which is sadly no longer with us. Howard Wilkins Rhiwbina
Editors’ Response Thanks for getting in touch Howard. We have gathered lots of ‘Monico memories’ and put them together in a special feature on page 20. If any of our readers have their own special memories, please feel free to send them and we’ll look to publish them either in our magazine or on our North Cardiff community website, which can be found at www.livingmags.co.uk/blog.
Rhiwbina Living Page 5
Local & Reliable Electrical Expertise
U m a nd er nag new em en t !
A.R.B. Electrical Ltd Domestic & Commercial Installations & Repairs
• Periodic Inspection Reports • Smoke Alarms • Showers • Security Lighting • Fault Finding • Rewires • Extra Power Points/Light Switches • Replacement Consumer Units
More than 30 Years Experience
Tel: 029 20623 666
www.arbelectricalltd.co.uk Email: info@arbelectricalltd.co.uk 19 Pen-Y-Groes Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 4SU
• • • • • • • •
Personal Care
bmx/ mountain 10% off servicing road / hybrid with this voucher
INFO@MUDDYBUMBIKES.COM 5A Beulah Road, Rhiwbina CF14 6LT 02920 626169
Matthew Craig Associates Limited Chartered Accountants & Tax Advisers
As a local provider of professional services, which include tax returns, audit and accountancy, we are committed to providing a high quality personal service. Contact Steve Screech now and get these benefits:
- Free Consultation! - Fees fixed for 2 years! Introductory discounts up to 25%!
Office: 029 2056 7669 Mob: 07507 196736 Call us today or visit our website www.matthewcraigassociates.co.uk
Lo no ca w ls op h o en p !
Domes c Services
Help with ge ng up/going to bed • Meal Prepara on Bathing • Shopping Dressing • Prescrip on Collec on Hospital Discharge Scheme • Household Cleaning Night & Day si ng services • Social Escort Family and Carer Support Professional Nursing Services Child Care Everycare is an established Private Health & Social Care Organisa on that has been successfully opera ng since 1993.
For more informa on on how Everycare could help you, contact one of our experienced advisors on
029 20455300 or call into our new informa on centre at the Hearing and Mobility Centre in Whitchurch Village. www.everycare.co.uk/cardi
email:whitchurch@everycare.co.uk
Gateway of India 236 Pantbach Road Rhiwbina 029 2052 9029
Dear Rhiwbina Resident,
Moslaur Rahman, Proprietor
As the proprietor of the ‘Gateway of India’ since its opening 16 years ago, I wish to thank all my regular customers for their loyalty and support.
I feel proud to have lived and worked in Rhiwbina village for the past 16 years, where both I and my family have been made very welcome, both as residents, and as owners of a business in the local community. ‘Gateway of India’ provides freshly cooked chilled food, ready for reheating (VAT 0%) to hundreds of local customers. I am committed to providing quality food, expertly cooked from the best ingredients.
‘Gateway of India’ has achieved a Silver Award for Cleanliness and Food Hygiene, and all four staff have gained Food Hygiene qualifications. Customers receive personal service from myself as proprietor, and I am on first name terms with many of them. If you have not yet visited ‘Gateway of India’, then why not exprerience the quality and taste of first-class cuisine and judge for yourself.
We are open every day except Monday from afternoon to late evening. Additionally, we open every Bank Holiday Monday.
We look forward to seeing valued old and new customers in the near future.
Lent and Easter at
All Saints Church
Wednesday 9th March 10.30am Holy Eucharist with imposition of Ashes Every Tuesday evening during Lent 6.30pm Compline Saturday 16th April 2.00pm Children’s Easter Crafts in the Church Hall Palm Sunday 8.00am Said Communion 10.30am Holy Eucharist with blessing of Palms 4.00pm The four o’clock service Holy Wednesday 10.00am Holy Eucharist Maundy Thursday 7.45pm Holy Eucharist of the Last Supper and Watch Good Friday 10.00am Children’s service Holy Saturday 8.30pm Holy Eucharist with Vigil Easter Sunday 8.00am Holy Eucharist 10.30am Easter Sunday Family Service Any Enquiries Please contact Rev Andrew James 20654406
Heol Y Felin Rhiwbina
Ever wondered?..... The Rhiwbina Rock: July 1988
When the Garden Village celebrated its 75th birthday, it was decided to mark the fact that parts of the Garden Village had been designated worthy of conservation status. ,
COMPETITION Celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the country’s favourite soaps, Corrie! takes some of the biggest story-lines and most famous characters from the Street and packs them all into a couple of hours of clever, witty comedy. Murders, marriage breakups, tram disasters – it’s all there, and all parodied in an endearing, tongue-in-cheek way that doesn’t disappoint. Fully endorsed by ITV and scripted by one of the series’ writers, Jonathan Harvey, it’s a new comedy that members of the ‘real’ Coronation Street cast enjoyed enormously when they saw it performed
The Residents Association agreed to place plaques in strategic locations, the most prominent being alongside the library in Pen-y-Dre. The plaques were made by Jacobs Forge. One of our residents worked there. The large rock was acquired from Wenvoe Quarry. Having heard the reason for the request, the quarry very kindly transported it to the site. The Garden Volunteers helped to get the rock down into the ground. We were very pleased when the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress unveiled the rock while attending our birthday celebrations. Mary Clarke last year in Salford. William Roache (Ken Barlow) described it as ‘a hilarious roller coaster’ and Suranne Jones (Karen McDonald) said it was ‘the biggest laugh I have ever had’. With only 5 actors taking on a whole host of legendary roles, and narrated by ‘Alec Gilroy’ himself – otherwise known as classic British comic actor Roy Barraclough – this is a soapy tour de force that will take you across the cobbled streets and right into the heart of the Rover’s Return! We have teamed up with the Wales Millennium Centre to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win 4 tickets to see the show on opening night, Monday 25 April, as well as a two course pre- theatre meal with a bottle of house wine in the Centre’s restaurant ffresh. To win, simply answer this following question:
News/Competition
Which Coronation Street writer has been involved with creating this production?
Answers on a postcard to the postal or email address on the inside front cover by 15 April. Corrie! runs at Wales Millennium Centre from 25 – 30 April 2011. For more information or to book tickets, call the Ticket Office on 029 2063 6464 or visit wmc.org.uk.
Rhiwbina Living Page 9
Interview
The e v r e w S
ons No.8 Mervyn Li sh iti Br d an es al W er ve’, form Known as Merv ‘The Swer the 1970s and was of s de si es al W us io or gl ars of the Davies was one of the st ons series wins. Li sh iti Br 74 19 d an 71 a key man in both the 19 white headband, k ar em ad tr s hi ith w le Instantly recognisab ’s rugby greats. es al W of e on as t ou ds Mervyn stan
T
he craggy features on the face of Merv ‘The Swerve’ Davies are very much the same as they were in the ‘70s. Hands like shovels and shoulders as broad as the Tawe, his 6ft 3 frame sits awkwardly on the pub chair. Opposite him is John Dawes, architect perhaps of the legendary Golden Period of Welsh rugby. To his right is Barry John, regarded by many as the finest outside-half of all time. Mervyn’s famous Mexican moustache has long gone, and his deep, dark eyes crawl around the historic sporting pictures on the wall of the Butcher’s Arms, Llandaff,
Rhiwbina Living Page 10
as he recalls his childhood in Swansea. “Penlan County School was a new school. There wasn’t a blade of grass in sight so we all played soccer. It wasn’t until I passed my 11+, that I tried my hand at rugby. The school had no history of sporting or academic success and I had no recognition for anything I did there. I went on to do teacher training, and moved to London to ply my trade as a school master. I played for Old Guildfordians where we played some god-awful rugby. “I then joined London Welsh in 1968. The team was full of talent and quickly became
renowned for its free-flowing style of rugby. JPR and Gerald were there. We were hated on both sides of the bridge of course. The English hated us because we were those ‘Welsh bastards’, holed up in their country; and the Welsh hated us because we’d sold our souls to the English. We became everyone’s target. “But you’ve got to remember that this was the late ‘60s, the age of flower power, magic mushrooms and free love. Life was good – for me at any rate.” Mervyn’s first Welsh cap came in 1968 against Scotland at Murrayfield, which Wales went on to win 17-3. Photograph © Getty Images
“I don’t remember much about the game. JPR Williams, who was with me at London Welsh was getting his first cap too, so there was a great sense of camaraderie between us both. We were both in it together. The memory that sticks with me the most is simply standing on the pitch and thinking ‘Is this really happening to me?’. I’d come from total obscurity, having only joined London Welsh six weeks earlier, and yet here I was, stood on the pitch playing for Wales. “I had one objective that game, and it became a philosophy that I took into every game: to eliminate errors from my own performance. We won the game and I never got dropped after that.” Mervyn went on to play 38 consecutive games for Wales until 1976 (when his career was cruelly cut short by a brain haemorrhage during a club game for Swansea, which he had joined in 1972). During this time, Mervyn won two Grand Slams and three Triple Crowns. Mervyn unfurls and lets out a great roar of laughter at the suggestion that he has been cited as the Best Ever Welsh captain. “Did you hear that John? Best-ever captain of Wales!” John Dawes, sat opposite him, splutters on his drink and spits it back into his glass. “You’re joking aren’t you? I can think of at least 10 or 11 better captains than him!” The facts speak for themselves however. In a poll of Welsh rugby fans in 2002, Mervyn was voted both ‘Greatest Ever Welsh Captain’ and ‘Greatest Ever Welsh
Number 8’. In 2001 he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. “Times were tough back in the ‘70s you know. The nation was going through a lot with industrial unrest. There was a hell of a lot of expectation on us as players, and on me as captain to succeed. It was an added incentive if you like, but it was hard on us. If we did lose, the nation would go into mourning.” The pressure was cranked up even further when Mervyn was selected to play for the 1971 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand. But as a hardrunner and an aggressive tackler, Mervyn had the handling capabilities to link forward and back play, and keep the Lions on the front foot against formidable opposition. His abilities at the back of the lineout prompted New Zealand legend Colin ‘Pine Tree’ Meads to claim that the Welshman had the All Blacks ‘donkey licked’ during the Lions’ only ever series win in New Zealand. Mervyn also toured on the infamous 1974 tour of South Africa, which again, was a success for the tourists. “Playing for the Lions, is for any rugby player, the zenith of their career. 40 years since the ’71 tour to New Zealand, it’s sometimes mind-boggling to think that no other team in history, either before or after, has won a series in New Zealand. To be part of an achievement like that is such an honour – it can’t be taken away from me. It was also unique in that this was a time when rugby was amateur. You had to have an understanding employer, which was
Interview
fortunately, something that I had in my teaching career. But spending 14 weeks away from home meant that, for the first time, we could focus purely on the rugby. We felt like professionals, even if we weren’t paid. We could hone our skills and taste what it was like to live as a rugby player.” As Mervyn is speaking, Barry John pick-pockets Mervyn’s bus pass from his jacket and passes it round like a naughty schoolboy. Mervyn’s giant hand swoops down and swipes the pass clean out of Barry’s hand. Age has not slowed the deftness of his handling abilities. “Rugby is a distant memory. I’ve been there, done that. Got the T-shirt. I’m not an avid supporter of any particular team and for me watching the game is way down on my list of life’s pleasures. That’s not to say that I dislike the game. The proud tradition of Welsh rugby will continue forever and good luck to them. “But for me, the game is about abiding memories mostly sounds. The noise that the crowd generated was a physical thing. It would pick you up and move you, sweep you across the field, and carry you across the park. During breaks of play, you’d stand there, literally swaying in the swirling concoction of noise. It is something that will stay with me forever.”
Rhiwbina Living Page 11
Tanning Using the highly acclaimed self tan, St Tropez. Treatment includes a full body exfoliation. Full Body …... ...............£29.00 Half Body ..................…£20.00 Legs …..........................£14.00
Eyes & Eyebrows Eyebrow Shape …...........£8.00 Eyebrow Tint.. ….............£7.00 Eyelash Tint.. …............£10.00 Lash & Brow Tint.. ….....£16.00 Party Lashes ................£19.00 Individual false eyelashes last up to 10 days Lash Extensions.................£55 Last up to 2 months
Manicures & Pedicures Manicure …...................£19.00 Luxury manicure ..........£22.00 Pedicure …...................£20.00 Luxury Pedicure …........£23.00 Shape & Polish …..........£11.00 Facials Express Facial …...........£18.00 Luxury Aromatherapy Facial …..................................£25.00 Collagen Facial …..........£31.00 Soothing Eye Treatment...............…£20.00
Waxing Full Leg ….....................£19.00 3/4 Leg …......................£16.00 1/2 Leg …......................£14.00 Underarm …...................£9.00 Forearm ....................…£11.00 Bikini ….........................£10.00 Full Leg & Bikini …........£28.00 Lip …..............................£7.00 Chin …............................£7.00 Lip & Chin …..................£13.00 Back/Chest …................£17.00 Make-up Make-Over …...............£26.00 Wedding Make-Up …....£50.00 Includes trial make-up prior to the day
Body Treatments Leg, Foot & Ankle Massage …..................................£19.00 Back Massage …...........£19.00 Full body Massage ….....£27.00 Luxury Back Treatment £25.00 Body Smoothie ….........£20.00 Gift Vouchers available Group bookings welcome.
Michelle Smith Mobile Beauty Therapist Telephone: 07817 703891 A mobile beauty service in the comfort of your own home… Welcome to the new way to relax
Relax and enjoy the new brasserie style menu featuring some of Wales’ best producers including the amazing Celtic Pride beef and Pork. Live music Thursday and Friday nights, Sunday carvery, lunch and dinner every day
To Book Tel: 02920 693526
Ye Old Butchers Arms, 22 Heol-y-Felin, Rhiwbina, Cardiff www.capitalcuisine.co.uk
SAME GREAT PUB BRAND NEW DINING EXPERIENCE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
10% OFF
with this voucher
No photo copies, voucher entitles 10% off total food bill only. Excludes Sunday lunch
“Cardiff Sixth Form Judged Excellent”
St David’s Sixth-Form has been hailed a beacon of excellence and one of the top colleges in England and Wales according to Inspectors. St David’s Catholic College Cardiff has earned top marks in its inspection report, and was praised for being one of the highest performing colleges in England and Wales. Inspectors from Wales’ education inspectorate Estyn graded the college’s current performance as excellent – the highest grade available. The Cardiff college is the first in the FE sector to achieve an overall grading of excellent under the new inspection framework introduced last year. Summing up, the inspection team stated: “The success rates on most courses are above or well above
those in other further education colleges in Wales. The college has sustained this high level of performance over the last three years. Its overall performance places it among the highest-performing colleges in Wales. The college also performs very well when compared with outcomes for sixth-form colleges in England.” Among the reasons the inspection team gave for grading the college so highly included the fact that students often succeeded at a higher level than was predicted following their GCSE results. The college’s honours programme which assists more able students in applying to the top universities was also singled out for praise and inspectors pointed out that success at the college is not limited to those from well-off backgrounds. Students in receipt of the educational maintenance allowance as a group achieved an overall success rate above that achieved by those who do not receive the allowance. The report concluded that learning experiences were excellent overall as was the work of the senior leadership team and the care, support and
Advertisement Feature
guidance offered to students. And this care and support was evident in a survey carried out as part of the inspection in which 93% of students said they would recommend the college to others. Principal Mark Leighfield said that students, staff and governors were delighted with the report adding: “That the college has been judged "excellent" is a clear endorsement of the hard work undertaken by students, staff and governors. We are extremely pleased that so many sector leading features have been identified by the Inspectorate. In particular, we are delighted that the report recognises not only the excellent academic outcomes but also the role of the high quality learner support, care and guidance in assisting our learners to perform to the best of the ability. "
T: 02920 498555 W: www.st-davids-coll.ac.uk
s y o B h t i f f Melingri History
s was Ken Hopkin st Farm born at Fore in 1930 My early memories as a four year old are of our two terraced cottages. They had, from memory, three bedrooms, one living room and a rear scullery which would now be called a kitchenette. We had no bathroom, no running water and no electricity. We relied on paraffin lamps for light. Outside, there was a communal hand water-pump which was shared by three families – the Hopkins, the Richards next door, and the Youngs who were the farmers. In my family were my mum, my dad Ned, and my two elder brothers – Ron who was ten years older and Bill my senior by eight years. There was another brother, Teddy, who died aged ten while undergoing surgery at Cardiff Royal Infirmary. Phil Young worked on my father’s farm. They told me that, as a nosey youngster, I would follow him everywhere.
Rhiwbina Living Page 14
One morning, I was watching the milking and stood too near the cow’s tail. Phil lifted the tail and I was at once covered from head to toe in brown watery mess. I looked like a gingerbread man! Phil carried me back to my mother, who stripped my clothes off and washed the muck off me under the communal cold water pump. Luckily, the summers were warmer in those days. On another occasion, Phil went on his horse and cart, to collect some hay from the barn. As he forked the hay onto the cart, he disturbed a courting couple. The girl screamed, they both jumped down and ran off laughing. Phil chased them and warned them not to trespass on the farm again. In my innocence, I wondered what it was all about. Our outside toilet, which was at the very end of the garden was a sort of mobile shed. It had four wheels and four handles, like a rickshaw. My father would dig a large hole in the garden, throw a bag of
lime into it, and then move the shed over the hole. Inside the shed, Dad built a long wooden seat with a hole cut out in the middle. That was our toilet. After a month or so, he would move it along and dig another hole. With no running water to bathe, we had a long galvanised tin bath which my parents would fill with buckets of water heated up on the open coal or wood fires. My father was good with his hands. He built us goalposts with nets for us to play football and made a swing with rope and a wooden swing seat, swinging from the branch of a tree. The Youngs had a billiards or snooker table in the upstairs of their barn! In 1935, we moved to No.4, Heol Booker, and the cottages were demolished. We thought that our new council house was quite posh. We had a toilet, a bathroom with hot and cold running water, a gas cooker, electric lighting and a wireless with a battery that had to be charged.
There was a large garden front and back. The rest of the land towards the tinplate works was all allotments. My father had three up on the Batter, beyond the rugby club (as was). My father was very friendly with Billy Williams who lived down in the Lock House. His brothers Griff and Tommy worked as mill men in the Melingriffith Tinplate Works with my family and two brothers. This was of course, pre-war. My father and Billy built stables and a shed for Billy’s cart. He was known as Bill the Fish because he made deliveries of fresh fish and vegetables to all the houses. One day, when I was looking bored, as a seven or eight year old, Billy asked me if I would like to ride to bareback on his smaller horse. “Yes please!” I said (I had never ridden on a horse in my life!). So Billy lifted me up and told me to walk him slowly around the top of the Batter. I was doing OK but then a dog came barking at us. The horse started to trot and then galloped towards Velindre Road. I fell off where the new rugby club is now. I was unhurt but the horse carried on towards the road and turned sharp left down the hill in the direction of Llandaff North. I ran as quickly as I could to Billy, shouting that the horse had bolted down the hill. Both my father and Billy rushed through the small woods, down to the road, almost by Billy’s house and lo and behold – there was the horse, frothing at the mouth, steam rising from its body, waiting for its daily feed.
History
Desmond Morley was born in the 1920s and spent many days on the canal in the 1930s
I would spend time with my grandparents at a very early age in the late 1920s at their cottage. It has long been demolished but it stood on Ty-Mawr Road, Llandaff North, and was one of three or four cottages virtually opposite the Williams’ house abutting the canal. I remember the early morning sound of the tin-workers trampling past the cottage to their work at the Melingriffith Works, often with a white scarf round their neck to absorb the sweat from the heat at their workplace; memories also of the barges on the canal towed by a horse who would be unhitched at a bridge such as Band’s Bridge, for the barge to pass under. The horse waited on the other side to be re-hitched. The Isbergs lived the other side of the locks. He was presumably the lock-keeper, and it was in their house that I first heard (at the age of four or five) the miracle of radio. By that I mean, a scratchy noise emitted from a crystal set as it
was known in those days. The old water wheel on the feeder at the back of their house has probably long gone – sadly Mrs Isberg fell into the lock one dark night and was drowned. Many must have drowned in the canal over the years, including a very young cousin of mine, who at the age of 13 or 14, fell into the canal lock near the Cow and Snuffers pub. I also have memories of walking down the canal path towards the ‘Ton’ (Tongwynlais), past the ‘Sunny Bank’ cottages on the other side, at the beginning of the ‘Long Wood’. Forest Farm was on the left, and was managed at that time, I believe, by a Jeff Troakes. The sudden sight of a kingfisher darting across the canal from the Long Wood often made me gasp. I believe that the kingfisher family are still there – after some 80 years! Yes – fond memories of innocence and pleasure in the early thirties, unaware of what was to come: training in Canada as a bomb aimer and navigator for the RAF, and thankfully, for my conscience, not having occasion to drop a bomb before the war ended.
Rhiwbina Living Page 15
cleaver flooring
10%off all flooring and sanding with this voucher
Excludes accessories. Offer ends 31st January 2011
Bring back the natural beauty of your wooden floors with our lastest dust-free floor sanding and sealing systems
Visit our showroooms to view our extensive range of samples from leading manufacturers. We can arrange a home visit and bring you samples at your convenience. FREE no-obligation measuring and quotations with professional and friendly staff. We can move your existing furniture and dispose of your old flooring and carpets. Insurance work undertaken.
4a Heol-y-Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6HF
02920 617333
! " " # " $ # % & " # $ # % # ' #! ( % &
) *+,+* -.+/.0 ) *+,+* -1+..2 () *+,+* -1+.32 4445 0%5# 5%!
3, 6 7 & # " 88 30 1
Cardiff Bed and Furniture Centre
47 Merthyr Road, Whitchurch CF14 1DB
Recliners by Celebrity with rise/recline facility Furmanac Mi Bed Adjustable Electric Beds Available with pocket sprung mattress or memory foam
Accurate Aerials Improving reception since 1979. Call your local licensed installer...
Freev ew ID No. 18266724
Official Stockists of
Yankee Candles
Vie w the full r ange at our w ebsite
Mark Jones 07836 265259
UKBlindsCardiff www.cardiffbedcentre.co.uk
029 2061 5719
18 Twyn Y Fedwen Road - CF14 1HU
www.accurateaerials.com
An extensive range of made to measure blinds with a huge choice of fabrics and patterns
5 Year Guarantee on all products!
Top Quality Blinds at Superb Prices! T: 02920 520121 M: 07950 020463 E: philfreegard@hotmail.co.uk W: www.ukblindsdirect.com
Manufacture d in Wales!
Velux • Vertical • Venetian • Roller • Roman • Perfect Fit • Pleated
Beulah United Reformed Church
Beulah is the church at the crossroads in the village. We are a large, lively but liberal church with a range of activities for all ages seeking to be alive to life and alive to Christ.
Holy Week and Easter Services Palm Sunday: 6pm Easter Music: Joint Choirs of All Saints, Bethany & Beulah Mon - Weds: Holy Week reflections at 7.30pm in Church Maundy Thursday: Communion in the Upper Room in Canolfan at 7.30pm Drama & Art for Good Friday for children and young people at 9.30am Good Friday service: 12noon Good Friday reflections: 7.30pm Easter Saturday: Easter Food Fayre Canolfan 10am-12.30pm Easter Sunday 8.45am: Worship in the Canolfan Garden followed by breakfast 10.30am: Easter Communion 6pm: Easter Evening Communion
Forthcoming Concerts at the Crossroads Catrin Finch
Catrin Finch, the internationally renowned harpist, is coming to give a Midsummer Celebrity Concert in Beulah on Saturday the 25th June at 7.30pm Tickets are £12/£10 / £5 for children
Tickets are available from the 25th March from: Marg Jones 20627987, Trix Pryce 20765177. or Serenade in the Village. There is buffet afterwards to be booked in advance at £5 with availability limited to 80 places.
More details from Rev Dr Peter Cruchley-Jones, 20693517 peter.cruchleyjones@googlemail.com
Kids
Squidgy the Squirrel s Page Wildlife Wonders
The woodlands of Britain, like that up at the Wenallt, have been developed over thousands of years. It acts as a home for hundreds of various species of animals and wildlife. The various types of trees there act as a food source, shelter, playground and protective haven. Rhiwbina is also a very green area and you can spot wildlife even in your own back garden!
Wildlife Watch: Woodland If you and your friends (and parents) fancy going birdwatching, print out pictures of the birds you’d like to spot and carry them around with you. You could even make badges out of them. Then head into the woodland and record what you spot on a chart. This is a good way to remember what birds look and sound like!
Moth Magnet: Garden There are literally hundreds of different types of moths in Britain but we don’t get to see them because they come out at night. Now that the nights are getting warmer, it could be a good time to make a moth
magnet. Pick a calm, warm night. Hang a white sheet over a washing line and prop a torch up so that it lights up the sheet from behind. As moths are drawn to light, they should start landing on the sheet. You can take a good look at the moths as they rest on the sheet. Simply turn the torch off when you are finished, but leave the sheet out overnight to give the moths a chance to fly away again.
Animal Tracks: Woodland The woodland is a place for animals to be secretive. To find out what kind of animals are living in the woodland, you can make castes of their tracks. You’ll need the following: Plaster of Paris mix, water, plastic bowl or jug, spoon, card, scissors and some sellotape. Find a dry animal print and make a ring with a strip of card and place it around the print with sticky tape. Push the cardboard slightly into the ground. Mix your plaster, following the instructions on the packet and then pour in the mix so that it covers the print by about a
centimetre. Leave it to dry (this could take up to an hour). When the plaster is hard, carefully pull the caste up. Brush off any mud or dust that has collected. You can then take the caste home to either check online, or at your local library. Spider Home: Garden If you’d like to see how clever a spider is at making webs, you can make it a temporary home. You’ll need: a clear box with a lid, modelling clay (or something similar) and twigs Put the clay at the bottom of the box and add some moist wood bark. Place the twigs in the clay, making sure that they are stable. Make a large V-shape so that the tops of the twigs are about a hand span apart. Leave plenty of room for the spider to make its web and move around. Remember to punch holes in the lid to allow the spider to breathe. Find a spider and gently put it in the box and close the lid. You should be able to see the spider spinning its web. Release the spider where you found it after a few days.
Rhiwbina Living Page 19
Memories
The Rise and Fall of a Screen Giant It was once the landmark of Rhiwbina. For decades, it entertained the people of North Cardiff and the valleys. Its name still trips off the tongues of locals, and its demise over eight years ago was seen by some as a travesty. The Monico cinema on Pantbach Road will forever be etched into the minds of film-goers both old and not-so old. Opened on the 19th April 1937, with Gary Cooper in Lives of a Bengal Lancer, it had an original capacity of 950. The Art Deco cinema quickly became a popular part of Rhiwbina life. Screen One had a ‘Conn’ theatre organ and the whole cinema reflected the 1930s period in which it was built. But no sooner had the theatre opened, than it was put to more unconventional use. The cinema was used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War. The cinema was even daubed in camouflage to
Rhiwbina Living Page 20
hide from the German bombers, who regularly targeted the Royal Ordnance factory a few hundred metres away on Caerphilly Road. The camouflage colours stayed on the walls well into the 1950s. The cinema was wellattended by locals: “Back in the 50s, I used to go to the Saturday morning matinees. My friend would call at my house and we’d make our way down through the Garden Village and cross over the railway bridge. If there was
a train there, we’d stand on the bridge and get covered in smoke before heading down Pantbach Road. We’d sit in the 3d seats on Saturday mornings and watch amongst other things, the offering of the Children’s Film Foundation. We could stay in the cinema as long as we wanted. I’d sometimes watch the same film over and over as my father would be playing down the tennis club. He’d come and pick us up and we’d call in at the chippy on the way home.”
Another resident remembers: “I remember seeing a trailer for Goliath and the Barbarians which was on in the afternoon. I wasn’t allowed to stay in the afternoons so I begged my parents to allow me to go see it. They steadfastly refused. I never got to see it until more 40 years later when I saw it on TV. (It wasn’t that good). “When I was a bit older, I got a bit wiser. My friend Tommy would pay and go in, and then roll up the admission ticket and push it through the hole in the window of the gents. I’d make some excuse to the attendant about popping down the shop for some sweets until they eventually cottoned on. We’d then open the emergency doors at the front of the cinema and crawl under the seats on our stomachs. We’d pop up somewhere near the back and stay there all day.” The Monico, for many, was the place of firsts - the place many had watched their favourite film for the first time, the first place for a date, that first kiss perhaps. It also became the first independent cinema outside London to install Dolby Sound for the film Grease and was converted into a twin cinema in 1979. The Monico had been owned by the Rank Organisation for 40 years but was taken over by Brian Bull in the late 70s. He also owned the Cinema Royal in Barry. Brian ushered in the change of ownership with the film Two Minute Warning by Charlton Heston. Crowds flocked back to the cinema in the mid 90s when cinemas suddenly became fashionable again. “I remember seeing the
original Star Wars trilogy there when I was a kid.” says another resident. “What a day that was! It was a triple-bill, back-to-back. They used to run quizzes every week at the Children’s Club. I won a remote-controlled car (one of ‘Uncle Ian’s prizes’) there one week which were all the rage back then. We’d have cards stamped to get badges. These were the times when I first discovered 25p packets of millions sweets! Chico the Rainmaker was one thing I didn’t want to see again though. It was the story of a Mexican shrunken head that would come alive when the children played the pan pipes. That gave me nightmares for years! “I eventually got a job there. The going rate was £3 (£3.50 if I was serving popcorn in the kiosk).” As popular as the Monico seemed, the large multiplexes being built across and around Cardiff began bleeding the the cinema dry. The cinema complex just up the A470 in Nantgarw in particular hurt the Monico. Unable to compete with up to 12 screens, large
Bottom photograph courtesy of David Thomas
Memories
foyers and a high level of facilities, the Monico’s customers deserted. Sadly, the cinema closed its doors in 2003. “I remember driving past and not seeing its great shape. Instead, diggers and bulldozers were scavenging over its corpse. I had a tear in my eye when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw my kids looking at it. They will never experience the Monico.” Today, a block of flats sit on the site of the Monico. Its red curtains may have closed for the last time but the smells, the sounds, the sights of the Monico still live on in the memories of both locals, and ex-pats the world over.
Rhiwbina Living Page 21
SAVE
ON YOUR SERVICE! AFTERSALES
ALL MAKES ALL S O M D EL
NDITION CO I
NG
AIR
from only
Inspection Service & MOT
£99
Summer Air Conditioning Recharge / Re-gas
from only
£49
inc. VAT inc. VAT
from only
Great value new tyres
£29.95
inc. VAT
Would you like to know the value of your car? Any make, any model... ... we will give you a free estimate whilst your car is in our service facility!
(029) 2030 4020 Station Road, Llandaff North, Cardiff CF14 2FB
Open until 6.30pm Monday to Friday OPENING HOURS: Mon-Fri 9.00am-6.30pm. Sat 9.00am-5.00pm. Sun 10.00am-5.00pm.
www.jamesandjenkins.co.uk
GDC Registered Clinical Dental Technicians Technicians
48 Hour Express Denture Service Available Available
New Dentures Completed Within 5 Days Free Initial Consultaion and Advice Emergency Denture Repairs in 1 Hour New Flexible Dentures and Chrome Plates New Flexible Dentures and Chrome Plates Home V Visits isits Available Available Home Visits Visits Available Available
EEat, at, SSmile mile & Talk Talk With With confidence confidence
Professional Sports Mouthguards
www.dental-centres.com www.dental-centres.com
Express Denture Clinic Denture Experts
T Telel- Cardiff Cardiff : 029 21 21159951 159951 - Talbot Talbot Green : 01443 222509
Andrews Denture Clinic, 89 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff, Cardiff, CF14 3JP albot Square, Talbot Talbot Green, CF72 8AB Threeways Dental Laboratory Laboratory,, T Talbot The First Step to a Better Smile
! " !
8
OUT OF
10
# $ %&'()* + +
, - . ! . &/ (
OF OUR ENQUIRIES COME FROM RECOMMENDATION
Quality Carpets & Flooring
... the perfect choice for a stylish home • Free ďŹ tting • Free Quotes • Insurance Claims • No obligation or pressure sales
Carpet Services (Cardi) Established 1963
12 Cardi Road - Tas Well - Cardi “Full satisfied with the serviceâ€? (Approx 3 minutes from Jct 32, M4) E: enquiries@carpet-services.com “I’ve recommended you to friendsâ€? www.carpet-services.com
029 2081 0351
Customer Comments
&RPSXWHU 6HUYLFHV IURP
3HQJXLQ ,QWHUQHW /WG )RU DOO RI \RXU 3& UHTXLUHPHQWV 2IIHULQJ D ZKROH UDQJH RI FRPSXWHU VHUYLFHV DW \RXU KRPH RU LQ RXU IXOO\ HTXLSSHG ZRUNVKRS )DVW IULHQGO\ ORFDO VXSSRUW IURP D FRPSDQ\ \RX FDQ UHO\ XSRQ
x 1HZ FRPSXWHUV x /DSWRSV DQG 1HWERRNV x 5HSDLUV DQG XSJUDGHV x &RPSXWHU 6HUYLFLQJ x 7XWRULDO VHUYLFHV x 0DLQWHQDQFH x 1HWZRUNLQJ 1R FDOO RXW RU HVWLPDWH FKDUJHV
x :HE +RVWLQJ IURP RQO\ Â… x 'RPDLQ QDPHV IURP Â… x :HEVLWH GHVLJQ VHUYLFHV
&DOO XV IRU IXUWKHU GHWDLOV 9LVLW RXU ZHEVLWH
KWWS ZZZ SHQJXLQ-XN FRP
2U FDOO LQ WR RXU RIILFH DW
)LUVW )ORRU 1RUWK 5G &DUGLII &) %1
mj
plumbing & heating
All aspects of plumbing & heating New installations Bathrooms/Wetrooms Tiling Upgraded Combi boilers Central heating All areas covered Free estimates
Contact: 02920 844 944 07717441881 mjplumbheating@hotmail.co.uk
24 HOUR FREE EMERGENCY CALL OUT www.mjplumbheating.com
230208
Local Photo Album Celebration lunch
50th Anniversary Celebrations 1962
Marching Band
Dancing on the Green Folk Dancing
Photographs courtesy of Rhiwbina Garden Village Residents’ Association. Photos available on CD from Mary Clarke, 5 Pen-y-Dre, Rhiwbina, priced £9.99
Children’s obstacle race
Children’s Sack Race Rhiwbina Living Page 25
118 – 120 CAERPHILLY ROAD, CARDIFF (NEAR HEATH HOSPITAL)
@
TEL. 2069 1286
If you thought Panasonic only made televisions then think again. There is now a fabulous range of washing machines, fridge freezers, microwaves and vacuum cleaners. Also if you produce this advert we will deliver, install and remove your old appliance for the special rate of just £20 (Local area, suitable fixings)
Washing machine 1400 rpm 7 kg load 4 Year Guarantee £399
American Fridge Freezer NRB53V1 Frost Free £1399
Microwave Ovens Fridge freezer Solo, with grill or Frost free combina*on. 8.4 Cu fridge White, Black, 3.1 Cu Stainless Steel freezer FROM £79 TO £299 £599
3D Capable TV TXP42GT20 42” 5 Year Guarantee £899 Vacuum Cleaner MCCG383 1800 Wa+ £59
www.buddenergy.co.uk 8idXe`# :_Xe\c# ; ># >lZZ`# Gfc`Z\# GiX[X# IfY\ikf :XmXcc`# PJC dfi\%%%
gXp fm\i () dfek_j# Ylk efk fm\i k_\ f[[j Xk Jk\nXik >i\\eY\i^ n`k_
`ek\i\jk ]i\\ ef [\gfj`k
Ef# pfl Xi\eËk j\\`e^ k_`e^j% =fi X c`d`k\[ g\i`f[ Xk Jk\nXik >i\\eY\i^ pfl ZXe kXb\ X ]lcc p\Xi kf gXp ]fi pfli ^cXjj\j n`k_ ef [\gfj`k Xe[ ef Z_Xi^\ fe k_\ `ek\i\jk%! Jf efn pfl ZXe j\\ pfli nXp kf _Xm`e^ k_\ ^cXjj\j pfl i\Xccp nXek\[# Xe[ kXb\ () dfek_j kf gXp%!
!
Gclj $ Ylp fe\ gX`i Ylk
kXb\)
) G8@IJ F= >C8JJ<J!! =FI K?< GI@:< F= (
nnn%^i\\eY\i^%Zf%lb *.$*0 D\ik_pi I[# N_`kZ_liZ_ ,) ?`^_ Jki\\k# CcXe[X]] ,0 N\ccÔ\c[ IfX[# :Xi[`]]
K\c1 ')0 )',) 00(( K\c1 ')0 )',- -')+ K\c1 ')0 )'+. ('('
8jb `e jkfi\ ]fi ]lcc [\kX`cj f] Xcc fli f]]\ij
!8ggc`\j kf jXc\j fm\i (),% Ef [\gfj`k# jlYa\Zk kf jkXklj% =lcc ni`kk\e [\kX`cj fe i\hl\jk% !!D`e`dld ]iXd\ gi`Z\ -'% =i\\ j\Zfe[ gX`i `j ]ifd fli Zfcc\Zk`fe lg kf -' g\i gX`i# jlggc`\[ n`k_ jXd\ gi\jZi`gk`fe gcXjk`Z j`e^c\ m`j`fe c\ej% Efk XmX`cXYc\ `e ZfealeZk`fe n`k_ Xep fk_\i f]]\i j % G`Zkli\j ]fi `ccljkiXk`m\ gligfj\j fecp%
Out and About
When Two Worlds Collide L
landaff is one of Cardiff’s most prestigious and scenic suburbs, perhaps best known for its stunning cathedral. But this small hidden gem has another claim to fame – Doctor Who. Not only has Llandaff been used as a location for filming the popular BBC TV show, but its links go further back than that to a man called Terry Nation, who created one of the staple characters of the legendary series. Terry Nation was born in 1930 and grew up living on Fairwater Grove West in Cardiff, where it is said he would often sit and write as a child. After leaving school, he worked for a furniture company but after a brief stint as a comedian, he later turned
Terry Na on and some of his crea ons: The Daleks
Rhiwbina Living Page 28
by Joanna Cawley his hand to scriptwriting, working on radio scripts as well as a host of TV shows before the opportunity to work on Doctor Who came up. Although Nation was at first sceptical of his own ability to produce any significant scripts for the show, he was later proven wrong when he created The Daleks for the second storyline. They appeared in the fifth episode and have since become a well-known symbol of the show, proving that Nation’s self doubt was unfounded. He later went on to create other significant characters such as Davros, The Voords and Roboman. Nation found later success in the 1970s within the sci-fi genre working on Survivors, Blake’s 7 and Macgyver, but it is perhaps his invention of the Daleks that he is most remembered for. In more recent times, Llandaff has been used as a location for filming Doctor Who. Episodes in Series 3 made use of Llandaff’s wonderful cathedral scenery. The scene in The Family of Blood where John and Joan
get married use one of the Cathedral’s archways as a focal point, as well as using cottages and interiors in St Fagans’ Natural History Museum for some scenes. Human Nature, also of the third series, which starred David Tennant as The Doctor, made excellent use of St Fagans’ old buildings and greenery as well as the inside of Llandaff Cathedral for many scenes. The most recent series of the show was filmed around Llandaff Cathedral and the nearby green, most recognisable in Vincent and The Doctor and The Eleventh Hour. Llandaff itself was recently transformed into a ‘typical English village’ called Leadworth. Spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood have both carried out filming around the Llandaff area, further cementing the area’s vast connection with Doctor Who and its franchise, which began in the 1960s with Terry Nation and his Daleks. Joanna Cawley is a third year English Language student at Cardiff University
Out and About
The Eleventh Hour
The Family of Blood
Vincent and the Doctor
Llandaff loca ons as seen in Dr Who
‘Victorian House’
The Family of Blood
Maps courtesy of Google Maps
The Eleventh Hour Rhiwbina Living Page 29
Cartwright Travel
Your pleasure is our pleasure... 029 2061 9961 www.cartwrighttravel.co.uk
97 Heol Llanishen Fach, Rhiwbina CF14 6LB
See in the Spring
A local, friendly business that welcomes people of all ages. You’ll see the difference at Kingman and Davies - in the heart of Rhiwbina. KINGMAN & DAVIES r e n ig OPTOMETRISTS s e D s e 3a Beulah Road, s s sungla Rhiwbina from £45
02920 61 1283
ENJOY MORE PRECIOUS FAMILY TIME WITH ‘HOME SUPPORT SERVICES’
NG CLEANI
MEALS
Genie G ift Vouchers now available
LAUNDRY S D N A ERR SHOPPING Absolute Genie provide a comprehensive range of flexible home based family support services for new and busy families throughout Cardiff and the surrounding areas. “You tell us what you want and we’ll do the rest” Email info@absolutegenie.com www.absolutegenie.com Call 02920198800 Absolute Genie is a service provided by Absolute Care Wales, an independent family owned domiciliary care provider.
greenmoor nurseries
suppliers of top quality plants throughout the year
South Wales’s largest grower and supplier of home-grown plants for your garden. We have a large range of 3 vegetable plants and flower bags of plants. We also stock loose compost seeds, award-winning for £ 10 hanging baskets, a full range of composts, greenhouse glass and perspex, perennials, shrubs, fruit tress and much much more.Visit our website for more details or call. Bring your children to see our army tanks!
www.greenmoornurseries.co.uk Greenmoor Nurseries St. Brides, Wentloog Newport NP10 8SQ TEL: 01633 680572
Pets
Local Pets Our Pets Page gives you the chance to put your questions to your local vet, Chris Troughton of the Heath Veterinary Group. Drop us a line if you have a question for Chris to editor@livingmags.co.uk
Sniffly Rat
I have a 8 month old rat. When he breathes, he makes a funny squeaking noise. It’s like he’s got a blocked nose and it can continue when he’s eating. Have I got anything to worry about?
Noise produced when rats breathe is always a sign of illhealth, unless the noise is him ‘talking’ to you. If you think he may be ‘talking’, check to see if the noises coincide with his breathing pattern – if they do, they are not communication sounds but signs of respiratory infection. Rats commonly suffer with respiratory infections and these need prompt thorough treatment with antibiotics. Other symptoms could include loss of appetite, sneezing, discharge from the nose and laboured breathing. Often respiratory infections progress to pneumonia, and this is a common reason for pet rats to die. Symptoms of sneezing alone could be the result of inhaling dust from the litter in the cage, so if sneezing is the only symptom, you could try changing the litter to a pelletted cat litter or a fleecy cage liner.
Worming Problems?
My 3 year-old German Shepherd dog, Sam, has been rubbing his bottom on the ground. I’ve given him a worming dose, but it hasn’t helped.
Rubbing his bottom on the ground is Sam’s way of relieving an itch in that area – it’s nothing to do with him ‘wiping his bottom’ as I have heard some people claim! Itchy bottoms in dogs are rarely caused by worm infestations – that symptom is seen more commonly in children – so it’s not surprising he is no better after your treatment. The usual reason for an itchy bottom is that the anal sacs have become overfull or infected. These sacs produce scent which is secreted when the dog passes
Pets’ Page is sponsored by the Heath Veterinary Group
faeces (and sometimes if he is very frightened). It tells other dogs about their identity, sexual status, etc. The sacs can become overfull if they are not emptied properly when the dog defaecates. They will also become inflamed if they get infected. Anal gland irritation can usually be cured by your vet manually emptying them. There are of course other reasons that Sam’s bottom might be itching, such as flea irritation, rectal irritation (colitis), anal furunculosis and many others. Really, you need to let your vet take a look.
(029) 2062 1511
Rhiwbina Living Page 31
Cardiff and The Vale
Support for people with dementia and their carers
We provide a variety of services including:
Support and Information Carersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Groups Day Care Service Dementia CafĂŠs Respite Care
02920 434960
Contact us on our Helpline:-
With over 20 years experience in the Cardiff property market. Delivering unrivalled service whether buying, selling or letting.
Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Society, Cardiff and The Vale, Oldwell Court, Ty Gwyn Road, Penylan, CARDIFF CF23 5DA
www.morganlloydwilliams.co.uk 02920 521400
Charity Number 296645 Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No 2115499
' #2$ + !( %%0 $!3 4 # 2 # 5 3 #
6 #$ 7$ 8 ) % 44 # %& ! # + 4 & $ $ ! + #2$ 4 # /0 $ * $ *$2$*0 ,
! ! " #$% & # ' # ( ) % # ! ( *#$*+ ' # ( ) % % $ # (,- % . / -, ,01 ! ( *#$*+ % $ ! ( , *#$*+ . / -, ,01
When Rhiwbina Living was launched in 2007, we had the unenviable task of visiting local businesses and asking them to put their trust in us, and to place an advert in our new magazine. Without a back issue to show them, we were faced with a lot of disinterest, despite the fact that the magazine was there to help local business. However, there were a small band of traders who saw what we were trying to do, and took the plunge. Our very first advertiser was Serenade gift shop. Shop-owners Paul and Maggs booked their first quarter page advert and have not missed an issue since. The small team proudly accepted their ‘They’re The Business’ Award last year, for their outstanding contribution to the community. They can be found in the main shopping area of Heol-y-Deri. Across the road, Victoria Fearn Gallery were also one of our first advertisers. The shop, which uniquely combines an art gallery with contemporary gifts regularly hosts exhibitions by local artists. Internet users can view some of the work for sale at www.victoriafearngallery. co.uk.
Local business
Up on Heol Llanishen Fach, Derek of Creative Kitchens has consistently supported Living Magazines from the very beginning. Derek’s no-pressure approach means that customers can browse for new kitchens at their leisure. They offer the complete service from design to fitting, and the showroom can be found at 111, Heol Llanishen Fach. Another regular in Living Magazines is local electrical store Budd Electricals. Their showroom on Caerphilly Road in Birchgrove displays a huge range of electrical items from vacuum cleaners to 3D televisions. Call them on 02920 691286.
Are you looking for high returns from your Investment? Visit: www.scorpiofs.com Established 1985
Independent Financial Adviser Authorised and Regulated by The Financial Services Authority
Quality Care In Your Own Home Keeping loved ones safe and independent in their own homes is your priority and our passion
We provide non-medical support based around your needs. Our services include:
â&#x20AC;˘ Companionship, home help, personal care, Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Care, and accompanying on local trips & appointments. â&#x20AC;˘ Flexible service, ranging from a couple of hours per week, to â&#x20AC;&#x153;24/7â&#x20AC;? & respite care. â&#x20AC;˘ We visit at times of your choice and offer continuity of caregiver to provide a trusted, high quality service.
Call for a friendly chat: 02920 624429 www.homeinstead.co.uk
& -. !/-'! 0 12&34 5 6 + 7 " 5 + " 8 ( + 5 ,
! " # " " $ %&' () * + + # , ! "
%:8 ;: 0 <*=$ >:8 $: 0 <? = @:8 %: 0 <?>$
A& +
4 <%$ ( " 5 5 , B + B # $ %%& ' ( )*' *)*' + '
9 + + " 5 " 5
0 ! + " 3 " + " C " ' + " " + " & + " & "
" " " 0 , - . / 0 1 2 # 3 1 /
Spreading yourself too thinly?
What our advertisers say......
Go hyperlocal! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing it since 2007, but going hyperlocal is quickly becoming the most effective way to get your business message into the hands of potential customers. Whereas other larger publications spread themselves out over wide areas, we hit specific, welldefined geographical areas even down to the number of houses we deliver to! Intended primarily for the communities of North Cardiff, we also promote your business through the world wide web, including social media such as Facebook and
Twitter, as well as uploading the magazine to the internet. We also pride ourselves on being a true community magazine - written by residents for the residents. When advertising budgets need to be carefully considered, why pay for an advert thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expensive because it goes to areas that are no good to you ? We even provide free design and free distribution on your behalf. For more information, including details of our new third publication in Danescourt, visit www.livingmags.co.uk or call 07772 081775.
Rhiwbina Carpentry
Living Magazines News
We have been advertising in both Rhiwbina Living and Whitchurch and Llandaff Living since their very first issues, and not a week goes by without someone saying that they have seen our advert in the magazines. We are pleased to be associated with such professional magazines and we can honestly say that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s far better to be in the magazines than not!â&#x20AC;? Paul Ballard, Serenade, (South Wales Echoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Winner of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the Businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Award 2010), Rhiwbina
I placed an advert in Rhiwbina Living in autumn this year to try to boost my food trade and was extremely impressed with the results. The advert generated a terrific amount of new trade through the door. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now very difficult to get a table in my restaurant on a Sunday afternoon! I was so impressed that in the next quarter, I placed an advert in both the Whitchurch and Llandaff Living magazine as well as the Rhiwbina Living magazine for a second time. I am looking forward to a bumper Christmas now! Paul Beales, Landlord, The Butchers Arms Rhiwbina
We decided to advertise in both editions of your publication in 2010 and were very pleased with the response it generated in terms of attracting new customer enquiries and comments received from our existing customers. Your magazine is eagerly anticipated by its readers and most importantly read unlike other free publications. Matt Trevett, Absolute Care
Home maintenance
Balustrades â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Skir ngs - Laminate flooring â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kitchens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Worktops Storage solu ons - Doors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Decking â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Stud par oning - Dry lining and General Carpentry
07799 623 255 02920 618619
Rhiwbina Living Page 35
Recipes
Spanish Tapas
For a Spanish-themed evening meal, serve with plenty of crusty bread, Spanish olives and cured meats
Artichokes with Spanish ham
6 globe artichokes black pepper 1 tbsp olive oil 4 cloves of finely sliced garlic 200g diced serrano ham 50ml Manzanilla sherry
Prepare the artichoke by chopping off the stalks close to the leaves and cutting away the tough outer leaves. Trim off the tips of the remaining leaves. Place the trimmed artichokes in water acidulated with vinegar or lemon juice to prevent them from discolouring. Bring a large saucepan of salted and acidulated water to the boil. Add the trimmed artichokes and cook until tender for about 30 minutes. Drain the artichokes, quarter and scrape out the prickly choke inside. Heat the olive oil in a medium, heavy-based frying pan. Add the garlic and serrano ham and fry, stirring for 1-2 minutes. Add the artichoke quarters and fry, stirring now and then for about 5 minutes. Pour in the sherry and cook briskly for 5 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper and serve immediately.
Patatas Bravas
Crisp Fried Squid
For the tomato sauce 2 tbsp olive oil half an onion 4 cloves of garlic 240g canned chopped tomotoes 1 tbsp tomato purée 1/4 tsp caster sugar 1 tsp vinegar 1 pinch of black pepper 1 pinch salt 1 tbsp fresh basil
Preheat the oil in a deep fryer to 180ºC. Rinse the squid and carefully pat dry with kitchen paper. Cut the squid into 1.5cms rings and set to one side, with the tentacles. Tip plenty of flour (if you don’t have Spanish frying flour, substitute with plain flour and plenty of breadcrumbs) into a large bowl. Toss a large handful of squid into the flour to coat. Gently shake off the excess and then carefully add to the hot oil. Deep-fry in batches for 3 minutes each, or until crisp and golden. Remove the squid and drain on kitchen paper. Repeat this, cooking the squid in batches. As soon as the squid is cooked, sprinkle with some salt and lemon juice. Serve with the remaining lemon wedges.
16 new potatoes, freshly boiled, drained and sprinkled with mint 4 rashers of bacon 1 tbsp fresh basil
Making the sauce Heat the olive oil in a heavybased saucepan. Add the onion and fry gently for 2-3 minutes. Then add the garlic and fry for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Add the canned tomatoes, tomato purée, sugar, salt, pepper and basil. Bring to the simmer, reduce the heat and cook gently for 67 minutes. Cool slightly, then blend using a hand or jug blender. Fry the bacon until crispy. Place the minted potatoes into a serving bowl, coat with a little of the tomato sauce and scatter with crispy bacon and basil.
500g cleaned squid Spanish frying flour large pinch of sea salt 1 lemon, cut into wedges vegetable oil for deep-frying
Rhiwbina Living Page 37
Crossword
Across
1. north west city 5. black and white mammal 9. clothes fastener 10. waterproof computer? 11. painkiller 12. wilderbeest 13. keeping to oneself 17. down or off? 18. to make a sound like name of the bird 20. to mix 22. went the weasel 23. humour 25. circle, usually found on a finger 27. facial hairs 29. sugary cake 30. not out 31. metallic rock
34. either side of the river 38. potato mesh 42. king of the jungle 43. conversation equipment 46. let slip 47. jealousy
Down
1. 2. 3. 4.
measurement without air Italian delicacy Abbreviation of an elderly person 5. tinkle the ivories 6. former Princess of Wales 7. dropping liquid 8. gusty 14. clings on to the bolt 15. uncomfortable
Rhiwbina Living Page 38
post-eating 16. light 19. smalls 20. babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dining garment 21. small imp 22. vegetable 23. transparent glass 24. belly button lint? 26. dark area 28. vessel 32. lacking in colour 33. small fruit 35. marble shape 36. oven 37. living 38. lament 39. part of an aeroplaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wing 40. remain 41. other half of flop 44. seed 45. did it come first? 48. never
Last Issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Answers
Across 1 Biscuit; 6 mat; 8 envelope; 11 prim; 12 useless; 13 cannot; 14 grain; 17 nasal; 18 children; 20 simple; 22 pi; 23 numb; 25 snow; 27 hi; 28 cartoon; 30 his; 32 room; 33 loo; 34 echo; 35 bus; 36 big; 37 tin; 38 dale; 40 plain; 41 member; 45 mighty; 47 slid; 49 bear
Down 2 inspiration; 3 utensil; 4 testing; 5 planet; 6 me; 7 piri; 9 victory; 10 produce; 11 period; 15 noon; 16 pittance; 19 rough; 21 exhaust; 22 platoon; 24 so; 26 womble; 29 timber; 31 smoking; 32 road; 34 eagle; 39 light; 41my; 42 moor; 43 eden; 44 high; 46 tip; 48 art;
FALLING DOWN by Patric Morgan Britain and most of Europe was shivering under a thick blanket of snow and ice over Christmas and beyond. When I started putting Bing on the stereo (to get myself in the festive spirit for planning the Christmas issues of Living Magazines you understand?) at the end of August, I had no idea that we would be stuck with the remnants of a White Christmas come the middle of January. As Britons, we like to moan about the way our country literally freezes to a halt when we get winter weather. “The Canadians would laugh at us” we say and they probably do. Their roads are still open and passable despite snow on top of snow. And it is remarkable how the Canadians go about their day to day business, seemingly without regard for the weather. I recently spent Easter Day at a friend’s house on Vancouver Island. And yes, it snowed. So out came the Christmas music and the crackers. And a fine festive feast was had with Lewis and James. Back in the UK, and having the car snowed in, meant that I had to travel by foot to most places within 5 miles. I don’t mind walking as long as I have some music to listen to and the weather hardly bothers me. But when it comes to snow and ice, things become a little more tricky. For instance I saw a woman in on Heol-y-Deri who slipped near the kerb. Luckily, she managed to catch herself before she lost her footing. She was with a group of friends which made it easier for her to laugh it off. She attempted to show them what she had just done, but unfortunately, slipped on the ice and went down like a sack of spuds. She stopped laughing fairly quickly. Many years ago, I was asked at a job interview as to ‘what makes me laugh?’. My reply to that was “People falling over makes me laugh”. Some of the board members smiled. Others didn’t. But inside I was remembering a guy I had once seen fall over when I was working as an AA salesman at
a motorway service station. This is what happened: My friend Mark and I were having a quiet summer’s day, which sometimes happens when you are a salesman in a motorway service station. We passed the time of this particularly hot day by playing a game I had invented called “The Chewing Gum Game”. This involved both of us placing a piece of chewed chewing gum on the floor near our stand and whoever’s got trodden on first, won a point. It was a close game and the excitement when somebody’s shoe clipped a chewing gum was uncontrollable. We were “Ooooh’ing and ‘Ahhhh’ing all afternoon. Mid-afternoon, a very posh car pulled up. The guy was obviously worried that some ‘commoner’ in their Ford Mondeo might prang it so he parked away from all the other cars. He stepped from his car, patted down his uncreased suit and began his strut towards us and the service station behind us. Mark and I didn’t say a word. This guy was the only one around for miles and we knew he’d turn his nose up at our “Got breakdown cover Sir?” quips. The guy could see us watching him. It was like OK Corral. His eyes flitted between us, wondering who would bite first. The leaflet in my hand fluttered in the slight summer breeze. A bead of sweat rolled down Mark’s nose and onto the parched floor. The guy kept his cool and headed straight for the door. But then he tripped. And he tripped quite spectacularly. With his focus on us, he didn’t see the kerb and BAM! his Hush Puppy stubbed its nose. The guy threw his arms in the air. His mouth, I can see it now, was wide open - like that old kids cartoon Dogtania. A small yelp came from him. He didn’t go down straightaway. He lurched forward, his Brylcreemed haircut heading straight for the bush. He tried to run it off but both Mark and I knew (we discussed it later) that he knew he was a goner. There comes a moment when you slip that you know that you have gone too far; the angle of attack was too acute; you’re going down – it’s a mathematical certainty. It’s funny how the brain, in that split second, calculates so many different
Back Chat
things. So many thoughts go through your head- where you are going to land, how you’re going land - you even think about how you are going to deal with the embarrassment of getting up BEFORE you have even hit the floor. Can I run it off? Can I laugh it off? What part of my body is going to hurt the most? Will I be off work? Will I end up on crutches? Who’s watching? Can I get away with this? For this guy, he must have been imagining the embarrassment of having to pat his suit down for a second time in front of the two scruffy AA men. But first, he had to decide where he was going to land. He was too far away from the bush and if he put his two arms out straight, he might land with a splat. So he had to think this through carefully. “Land like a man. Remember what you were taught at the RAF Parachute School when you were in Air Cadets: Turn your shoulder in and break your fall.” So he did. In the nanosecond that his toe hit the kerb to the instant that he knew he was going, he turned his shoulder in. And over he went. But that wasn’t the end of it. He rolled. And he rolled. Pavement. Sky. Pavement. Sky. As he helplessly watched the flashes of light and dark, he must have been praying: “Please God. Stop me rolling.” He simply rolled and rolled and rolled. He ended up in the bush that he’d aimed for and it was a few seconds before we heard rustling. He struggled from the bush, his arms and legs flailing like some insect caught in a web. And of course, Mark and I rushed to his rescue. We laughed when the guy had gone in and sniggered when he appeared again later. Bringing this back to Britain in the grip of ice, I have seen many people slip and have even slipped myself. But why do we laugh at it? Jeremy Beadle made a living out of it for God’s sake! If anyone has the answers, send them on a postcard. Don’t email me. I like watching the postman struggling down my garden path. I find it funny.
Rhiwbina Living Page 39
From Jenkins Suzuki
SMALLL CAR SMAL CAR
EEXPERTS XPERTS
FFREE R E E RROAD OAD A TTAX AX FOR 1ST YEAR
Designed for yyou ou ¡ Available in 3 and 5 door ¡ 1.2 petrol engine (diesel engine available early 2011)
¡ MP3/WMA compatible CD tuner ¡ USB port ¡ Automatic air-conditioningâ&#x20AC;
¡ Engine start buttonâ&#x20AC; ¡ Bluetooth technologyâ&#x20AC;
door SZ4, 5 door Swift SZ4, own is the Swift shown Model sh
116 g/km
56.5mpg combined*
.
combined 50.4 (5.6) to 56.5 (5.0). C02 ffrom rom 116g/km ttoo 129g/km AAllll prices prices and spHFL˸FDWLRQV Dre spHFL˸FDWLRQV Dre correct correct at at time time ooff ggoing oing ttoo press. press. ** **For For vehicles vehicles ˸tted ˸tted with manu manual al transmission. transmission. â&#x20AC; AAvailable vailable as sta sstandard tandard on SSZ4 Z4 m models. odels.
Jenkins Suzuki
AddresV +DG˸HOG 5G 2ˡ 3HQDUWK 5G &DUGLˡ &) $4 AddresV +DG˸HOG 5G 2ˡ 3HQDUWK 5G &DUGLˡ &) $4 Phone: (029) 2064 2900
ZZZ FDUGLˡVX]XNL FR XN
OPENING HOURS: Mon - Fri 9.00am - 7.00pm. Sat 9.00am - 5.00pm. Sun 10.00am - 5.00pm.