Swansea Life August 2017.

W I N N E R ! U K R E G I O N A L M AGA Z I N E O F T H E Y E A R

SWA NSE A

LIFE www.swansealife.co.uk

SUMMER ESsENTIALS

Fashion & BeautyTrends

august 2017 £2.95

SCHOOL’S

OUT Where

to go in Swansea Bay

the

awards edition 08

24-page picture special from the Swansea Life Awards 2017​

08

9 771750 843018

9 771750 843018

WHY YOU FELL IN LOVE

Discover Oldwalls.

A collection of exclusive wedding venues.

Luxury guaranteed.

Wedding Showcase at Fairyhill and Oldwalls, Wednesday 23rd August from 3pm – 8pm Gower

oldwallscollection.co.uk | T: 01792 391468

Contents...

A U G U S T

2 0 1 7

FASHION 14. VELVET CRUSH The material that is not going anywhere next season 23. HOT PINK Forget baby pink, think hot!

30. BACK TO SCHOOL Get your kids uniforms sorted

SWA NSE A

HAIR & BEAUTY

LIFE

38. BRUSH UP Do you know your makeup brushes?

42. SUNSCREEN TIPS Are you slathering on your SPF right?

EDITOR Laura Davies | 01792 545523 @LawsDx | laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

48

PUBLISHER Lisa Cameron | lisa.cameron@trinitymirror.com PHOTOGRAPHY Adrian White, Jonathan Myers, Gayle Marsh, Hoosh Arabi, Steve Phillips, Robert Melen

HEALTH & WELLBEING

CONTRIBUTORS Lara Johnson & Dom Capel, Lesley Taylor, Richard Hammond, Sian Day, Victoria Wade, Joseph Atkin, Andrew Morgan, Emma Jenkins, Dr. Charlotte Jones, Chris Howells, James Richards, Marc White, Georgia Davies and Chris Peregrine

Swansea Life, Urban Village, High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW @swansealife Email: laura.davies@trinitymirror.com www.swansealife.co.uk If we have published anything that is factually inaccurate, please contact the editor on 01792 545533, at postnews@mediawales.co.uk or at Evening Post, Urban Village, 220 High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW and once verified we will correct it here as soon as possible.

Swansea Life is part of Local World, which is owned by Trinity Mirror PLC, which is a member of IPSO, the Independent Press Standards Organisation. We adhere to the Editors’ Code Of Practice as enforced

by IPSO, who are contactable for advice at Independent Press Standards Organisation, Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London.

EC4M 7LG. Website: http://www,ipso.co.ukTelephone: 0300 123 2220; email advice@ipso.co.uk If you have a complaint concerning a potential breach of the Code of Practice, we will deal with your complaint directly or IPSO can refer your complaint to us. Please go to http://www.trinitymirror. com/howtocomplain where you can view our Complaints Policy and Procedure. A “How To Complain” pack is also available by writing to the Legal and Compliance Department, Trinity Mirror PLC, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP.

Average net distribution 7,500 copies sold and distributed in Swansea, Gower and the surrounding South West Wales areas.

Opinions expressed in Swansea Life magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or designer and the magazine is in no way liable for such opinions. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents are fully accurate, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies and late changes. No article, advertisement or graphic, in whole or in part, may be reproduced without prior permission of the publishers.

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57. HOLIDAY HAIR How to ensure your hair stays good while away

76

76. FOOD BENEFITS Why we love Aloe Vera!

80. BODY BLITZ Quick tips to get beach body ready without the work

196 THE AWARDS 196. 24-page picture special from our Swansea Life Awards 2017

81. DIVE IN How to make the most out of the swimming pool on holidays

111

HOUSE & HOME 102. DREAM HOME A stunning Gower property could be yours 111. MOROCCAN BAZAAR Inspired home decor from North Africa 137. SUNNY SANCTUARY Turn your home into its own super-summer destination

BRIDE 62 REAL LIFE WEDDING The wedding of Robyn Ashford and Matthew Evans

64

WHAT’S ON 188. DIARY DATES What’s on in August 190. MUST HAVES: The best events to go to and best poolside reads

64 THE PERFECT VENUE 9 gorgeous outdoor wedding venues in Wales

192. INTERVIEW Former ‘Ender Samantha Womack talks summer in Wales

69 WE LOVE Our favourite wedding products this month

170

OUT & ABOUT

GREAT ESCAPES

SOCIAL DIARY

168. CRUISING We try river cruising

222. FASHION SHOW Raising funds for Gambia

170: AS YOU LIKE IT! Having a “Downton Abbey” moment in Stratford

224. GOING FOR GOLD Gold themed women’s charity night

172. GOLF RETREAT Perfecting the swing at the Celtic Manor

230. PROM PICS Ffynone House School Summer Ball

234 176

176. SNAPS SHOTS OF SWANSEA BAY This month Richie heads to Rhosilli Downs

MOTORING SOCIAL 184.

Take a peek at the new Ford Fiesta DIARY

184 234

214. HEAD Phphphp hphp hphp hphp

178. WALKIES Andrew Morgan walks Rhosilli

86 121

222

192

221. HEAD Phphphp hphp hphp hphp phphphphphphp 226. HEAD Phphphp hphp hphp hphp phphphphphphp

FOOD & DRINK

249

TIME FOR YOU

86. SWIG! We test out the Marina eatery

247. EDDIE’S VIEW This month Eddie talks Swansea City of Culture

96. WE LOVE...

The food and drinks we are throwing in our trolley this month

249. OH BABY! Caring for you and your bump

99. POP THE CORK Let’s talk bubbles..

251. PIN UP PETS All your pet pictures

swansealife.co.uk 5

E D I TO R’ S L E T TE R

Welcome...

MARK REES

What a month it has been!

After months of planning, nominations and plenty of excitement and anticipation, the big night arrived with a bang!

WHAT’S ON EDITOR 01792 545529 mark.rees@trinitymirror.com

Yes, we can only be talking about one event - the Swansea Life Awards 2017. And what an evening it was!

Hundreds of you packed the city’s Brangwyn Hall in your finest attire for the glamorous and most talked about awards ceremony in the Swansea calendar. A celebration of the very best our city has to offer. And there is so much good to shout about!

A massive congratulations to all the winners who were voted the very best in their category, and also to all the businesses and individuals who were awarded highly commended in their fields, whether it was fashion, beauty, home and bridal to the best restaurants, pubs, hotels and attractions. You are all a credit to Swansea and its surrounding area. It is no wonder Swansea has just been nominated as a contender for the City of Culture 2021. Fingers crossed we win the bid. It is very much deserved.

Also a special mention to all our sponsors, who helped make the night one to really remember. And most importantly to YOU, our loyal readers and supporters, who cast your votes ahead of the bash. I felt very proud and privileged to stand on stage for the first time as editor of the magazine, among such great company. So thank you!

DEBBIE ROBERTS

ADVERTISING MANAGER 01792 545626 debbie.roberts@trinitymirror.com

And we hope you love our 24-page awards special inside this month’s edition. It is packed with pictures of the night and really captures the fun of the evening.

Also, should you feel the need for that mid-summer pep-up, we have pages of summer fashion, including a sneak peek at some of autumn’s trends and back to school clothing, fantastic places to go with the kids over the summer holidays in and around Swansea, the latest home trends and real-life weddings. Plus all our regular features, with summer, of course, in mind.

So pour yourself a glass of bubbly and raise a toast to our fantastic city!

WI N N E R ! U K REG I O NA L MA G A ZI N E O F TH E YE A R

SWA NSE A

LIFE www.swansealife.co.uk

SUMMER ESSENTIALS

Fashion & BeautyTrends

LAURA DAVIES 01792 545523 laura.davies@trinitymirror.com @LawsDx

EDITOR

JESSICA HAMMETT

SOCIAL MEDIA/FEATURES swansealifemag@swwmedia.co.uk

AUGUST 2017 £2.95

SCHOOL’S

OUT WHERE

TO GO IN SWANSEA BAY

THE

AWARDS EDITION 08

24-PAGE PICTURE SPECIAL FROM THE SWANSEA LIFE AWARDS 2017

08

9 771750 843018

9 771750 843018

Find us on Facebook @SwanseaLife

6 swansealife.co.uk

COVER IMAGE: Burnt Orange Midi Dress, £42, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea www.dorothyperkins.com

SAM JONES

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 01239 460210 sam@yourlocalcrowd.co.uk

Swansea lives OUR PICK OF THE MONTH’S BEST PARTY GET-TOGETHERS (FROM PAGE 221)

STRADEY PARK HOTEL & SPA 

Celebrate Christmas at Stradey Park Hotel & Spa with our 222

CHARITY FASHION SHOW

224 LADIES CHARITY NIGHT

226 WOMEN IN WALES

party nights Our ‘Northern Lights’ Christmas party nights held within our extravagantly decorated function suite start with a welcome drink, followed by a delicious four course carvery.

After this delicious sit down meal, take to the dance floor and dance the night away with music from our live bands, Coverland or Audiosugar.

228 FAMILY REUNION

230 FFYNONE HOUSE SCHOOL SUMMER BALL

Every Friday and Saturday throughout December

Tickets only £39.50 per person

231 CHARITY FUNDRAISER

To book please contact Stradey Park Hotel & Spa, Llanelli SA15 4HA Telephone: 01554 758171 Email: reservations@stradeyparkhotel.com

SWANSEA BAY

BUSINESS LIFE SWANSEA BAY

WOMEN IN BUSINESS LIFE WOMEN IN WOMEN IN BUSINESS BUSINESS LIFE

SWANSEA BAY

BUSINESS LIFE SWANSEA BAY

WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS 2017 BUSINESS AWARDS 2016 BUSINESS AWARDS 2017 IN ASSOCIATION WITH

AWARDS 2016 IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Coming Soon.

FULL DETAILS ON HOW TOSoon.

NOMINATE WILL Coming BE PUBLISHED later this month IN...

Tickets £50.00 from swanseaevents@trinitymirror.com

Venue: Swansea Marriott 12 noon till 4pm Friday 6th October 2017 Opening date for voting Monday 31st July 2017 Closing date: Friday 25th August 2017

To submit your candidates for TO nomination, please goWILL to FULL DETAILS ON HOW NOMINATE www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WIBA2017 BE PUBLISHED later this month IN...

8 swansealife.co.uk

F

PRIVATE HOSPITAL CARE

YOU’LL FIND US MORE THAN HOSPITABLE. We’ve treated a lot of people at BMI Werndale Hospital since we opened the doors of our hospital in 1990 as we now celebrate our 27th year of providing private healthcare to Wales. Every patient is treated to a high level of individual care, which is delivered by a professional and caring team.The consultant that you select for your care will come to your room to talk through your treatment and our nurses will check on you regularly to make sure you have everything you need. Our chefs will even prepare your favourite food to help you on the road to recovery. It’s the little things that make the difference.

Facilities include: • 27 private en-suite bedrooms all equipped with Wi-Fi and satellite TV • Advanced imaging centre offering CT, MRI, X-ray and ultrasound • Onsite physiotherapy team for rehabilitation and sports injuries • Easy access with free parking

Hip replacement from £9,800

Cataract removal from £2,090

Hernia repair from £2,249

Varicose vein treatment from £2,260

For private hospital treatment, talk to us.

01267 225600 www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/werndale

If you are struggling to get the treatment you require on the NHS, you can choose to come to us and pay for yourself.You will get rapid access to your chosen consultant and a private room to recover. Fixed price treatments and flexible finance packages will help you get back to your old self.

Serious about health.

Passionate about care.

0389 MKT POS

Joseph Ribkoff Naya Decollage Suzy D Amazing Woman jeans LSA Apparel Duffy Rino and Pelle Rebel Cashmere At Last

PYLE GARDEN VILLAGE PYLE CF33 6BJ loulouwoman

loulouboutiquepyle

Tel: 01656 749841

Fashion

FASHION FLASH (page 13) WE LOVE (page 24) HIGH STREET HOTTEST (page 26) KIDS FASHION (page 30)

PREMIER MENSWEAR SPECIALISTS

Solid Gold, is the premier menswear fashion store found within the Llanelli area.

A privately owned business with a 33 year history in delivering excellent service with contemporary fashion labels.

“Definitely worth a visit”

Tel: 01554 758895 • 5 Stepney Precinct, Llanelli, SA15 1YN info@solidgoldmenswear.com • solidgoldmenswear.com

FA S H I O N F L A S H SAVE V SPLURGE:

laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

KEY TO FREEDOM FOR TOPSHOP LAUNCHES LATEST COLLABORATION

Gucci CrystalEmbellished Sunglasses, £425, MyTheresa.com

Jewelled sunglasses Gucci’s blinged-out shades have been a massive hit with the fashion crowd this year (can Alessandro Michele do no wrong?), but at more than £400, they’re not exactly cheap. To try the trend at a less anxietyinducing price point, look for oversized glittery specs on the high street.

Topshop launches its new collection with Key to Freedom, an initiative set up to support the Women’s Interlink Foundation (WIF), which works with vulnerable young women across West Bengal in India, providing them with safe accommodation and helping them to develop skills such as sewing and textile printing. This season’s exclusive collection comprises kimonos, sun dresses and playsuits crafted in premium silks, along with quilted make up and weekend bags in rich cotton and traditional Indian inspired prints, available in four vibrant colourways.

Each item is hand -crafted and signed by the woman who created it, making each piece personal and unique.

The collection consists of 11 pieces, £19-£65, from August 6, Top Shop, www.topshop.com

GET THE LOOK...

HOLIDAY WARDROBE

Pink Glitter Square Oversized Sunglasses, was £8.99, now £6, New Look, Parc Trostre and Swansea For an effortlessly chic but relaxed look on holiday, make sure you pack this tribal-inspired maxi dress from Loulou Boutique. Add a pair of wedges and some jewellery and your holiday ready! Unique Woman Maxi Dress, £62 and Envy necklace, both Loulou Boutique, Pyle Garden Village, Pyle near Bridgend

@LawsDx

Pippa Middleton was the latest style star to join the celeb-approved brand SelfPortrait clan by wearing a cape-sleeved pink dress to Wimbledon. The label, specialises in distinctive lace frocks.

For a cheaper alternative, go for this equally as good River Island dress which is currently in sale.

Coral Lace Tiered Frill Midi Dress, currently reduced to £50 from £120, www.riverisland.com

Fairytale heels minimalist mules, move over - right now it’s all about ornate princess shoes with opulent detailing. Basically, if they look like they could have fallen off Cinderella’s foot at midnight, you’re on the right track.

Dune Delights Champagne Mules, £95, Dune at Debenhams, Swansea

SWIMWEAR With racer backs, block colours, mesh panels and zip detailing, here are our favourite onepieces that are perfect for swimming or sunbathing…

Label Lab Geo Rainbow Sport Swimsuit, £45, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Bonprix Colour Block Shaper Swimsuit, £19.99, Bonprix.com

W I T H L AU R A DAV I E S

FAIRYTALE HEELS

FASHION

Myleene Klass Zip Plunge Swimsuit, £40, Littlewoods.com Mesh Panel Swimsuit, £16, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu and Llansamlet

STRIPES Red and white stripes are having their moment in the spotlight.

And now there is no better way to keep up with the trend than by heading to the new Seasalt shop in Mumbles, where you can pick up a range of jumpers, tops and accessories in the stripe of your choice. This jumper is perfect for in between seasons.

Low Seas Sweatshirt, £45, Seasalt, Mumbles swansealife.co.uk 13

FASHION

Velvet isn’t going anywhere next season. LAURA DAVIES looks at the High Street pieces that have the velvet touch.

RJR.John Rocha Blazer, £55, Trousers, £45, Debenhams, Swansea

@LawsDx

Deep Red Velvet Pencil Skirt, £22, Obi Belt, £12, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

Velvet Ruche Sleeve Top, £28, Oasis at Outfit, Parc Trostre

Burgundy Velvet Bardot Top, £19.99, New Look, Swansea

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

F&F Blue Velvet Choker Dress, £20, Tesco, Llansamlet and Parc Fforestfach

Above from left to right: V By Very Velvet Loafer with Gold Trim, £28, Very.co.uk, Blue Velvet Embellished Barely There Sandals, £42, River Island, Swansea, Rose ‘Heston’ Velvet Slipper Pumps, £23, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

14 swansealife.co.uk

Above from left to right: Mustard Velvet Block Heel Ankle Boots, £29.99, New Look, Swansea, Shoes, £32, Debenhams, Swansea, New Look, Swansea, Velvet Knot Mules, £38, Littlewooods.com, Abbey Road heel, £75, Office, Swansea

swansealife.co.uk 15

RJR.John Rocha Trousers, £45, Debenhams, Swansea

Pink Ruched Velvet Skirt, £28, Miss Selfridge, Swansea.

Alicia Green Velvet Jacket £69, Monsoon, Parc Trostre.

Biba Velvet Mustard and Black Top, £59, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Velvet Jumpsuit, £68, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Velvet Dress, £16, George at Asda, Llansamlet and Llanelli

Mustard Velvet Maxi Dress, £29.99, New Look, Parc Trostre

Debut, £89, Debenhams, Swansea

Nolita Velvet Baguette Xbody, £27, Accessorize, Swansea

Velvet Jumpsuit, £50, Very.co.uk

Holiday Chic Make sure you look the part this summer with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of holiday looks

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

16 swansealife.co.uk

@LawsDx

Sportalm Dress, £235.95, Bethan Jones, Cowbridge; Kanna Wedge, £109.95, Jon Ian Cardiff and Cowbridge; Chanel sunglasses, £299, Robert Lloyd, Cowbridge

swansealife.co.uk 17

Hallhuber Dotted Silk Top, £69 and Skirt, £79; House of Fraser, Cardiff; Lisa Kay Red Shoe, £179.95, Jon Ian, Cardiff and Cowbridge

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Stefanel Stripped Stretch Trousers, £175 and Dress, £185, House of Fraser; Kanna Wedge, £109.95, Jon Ian, Cardiff and Cowbridge ; Piarossini Delta Hat, £20.95, Coco Plum Boutique, Cowbridge

swansealife.co.uk 19

Diane Von Furstenberg Multi-Knit Dress, £328.99, Coco Plum, Boutique, Cowbridge; Kendall and Kylie White Mule, £159.95, Jon Ian, Cardiff and Cowbridge

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Art direction Brian Brown 01792 301901 www.briandbrown.co.uk Photography Justin Harris 01792 898544 Justinharrisphotography.co.uk Stylist Jasmin 07970 013468 Hair Vanilla Rooms, Cardiff, 029 2076 4344 029 2076 4344 Make-up Shevan McKenna @shevanmakeup email info@makeupbyvaun.com Model Kate Thomas, Mustard Model Agency Shot on location at exclusive wedding venue Hensol Castle, The Vale Resort.

To discuss wedding packages call 01443 665803

White Diane Von Furstenberg Wrap Dress, ÂŁ499, Coco Plum, Cowbridge; Nicola Sexton Slingback Shoes, ÂŁ169.95, Jon Ian, Cardiff and Cowbridge

swansealife.co.uk 21

FASHION

Cobie Green Holographic Rain Mac, £25, PrettyLittleThing.com

Barbour Cirruss Waterproof Jacket, £149, John Lewis, Cardiff

Duck Egg Shower Resistant Coat, £30, Bonmarche, Swansea

FESTIVAL MACS Floral Print Rain Mac, £20, Evans, Swansea

A waterproof jacket is an absolute essential if you’re heading to a festival, LAURA DAVIES picks out some macs that will actually have you praying for rain. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Yellow Matte Anorak, £34.99, New Look, Swansea

Joules Haven Prime Waterproof Jacket, £129, Vincent Davies, Haverfordwest. www.vincentdavies.co.uk

V by Very Waterproof Lightweight Jacket, was £35, now £17.50, Very.co.uk

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George at Asda Shower Resistant Packable Parka, £12, Asda, Llansamlet and Llanelli

Metallic Mac, £14, Primark, Swansea

M&S Collection Parka Coat with Stormwear, £65, M&S, Swansea

Rain Mac, £50, TopShop, Swansea

Pack Away Mac, £32, Next, Swansea

FASHION Principles by Ben de Lisi Blazer, £55, Debenhams, Swansea

Adrianna Papell Jet Set Sheath Origami Dress, £120, John Lewis, Cardiff

Bow Dress, £65, Very.co.uk

Principles by Ben de Lisi Dress, £55, Debenhams, Swansea

Hot Pink Knitted Jumper with Balloon Sleeve, £35, Miss Selfridge, Swansea Neon Pink Cable Knit, £40, Oasis at Outfit, Parc Trostre

Star by Julien Macdonald, £49, Debenhams, Swansea

V By Very Satin Low Vamp Heeled Shoe, £32, Very.co.uk

Mortimer, £65, Debenhams, Swansea

HOT PINK!

Continue to think pink into the new season with hot fuschia. Make sure you pop with LAURA DAVIES’ round up. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Dinidame, £65, Dune at Debenhams, Swansea

Pink Dobby Mesh Shirred Puff Sleeve Top, £22, River Island, Swansea

M&S Collection Boot, £39.50, M&S, Swansea

Pink Waterfall Coat, £65, Wallis, Outfit, Parc Trostre

Trousers, £42, River Island, Swansea

Pink Suit Trousers, £25, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

Mini Bag, £14, Accessorize, Swansea

swansealife.co.uk 23

FASHION

THIS MONTH

WE LOVE @LawsDx

LACE Thanks to celeb-approved brand Self Portrait, lace has never been cooler. The label, founded by designer Han Chong, specialises in lace frocks - but not the frumpy floral kind. These distinctive dresses are cool, edgy and sexy, and have, unsurprisingly, spawned a thousand fast fashion lookalikes. If £300 plus is out of your price range, why not try this Dorothy Perkins Blue Lace Shift Dress, £42, at Outfit, Parc Trostre and Swasea.

FASHIONABLE FRAMES The marble trend has made its way from the interior world to sunglasses. If tortoiseshell was your go-to for shades before, try switching it up with this modern motif. This Pala Zola pair were so popular they sold out almost immediately. But good news they will be avilable to buy this month.. So be quick!

Pala Zola Pink Marble Sunglasses, £45, palasunglasses.com

BACK DETAILING

While mules have been having a moment, elsewhere embellishment is focused firmly on the backs of shoes, with frills and florals making a strong case for court shoes and strappy sandals. Liven up a much-loved LBD with a pair of these statement stilettos. Here are just three of our favourites on the High Street.

Hibiscus Silver Sandals with Cherries, £60, Office, Swansea

Gia Pink Ruffle Back Court Shoes, £30, Dorothy Perkins at Outfit, Parc Trostre

Rosebud Applique Stiletto Sandals, £46, Topshop, Swansea

24 swansealife.co.uk

ARCADIA TO LAUNCH CHILDRENSWEAR RANGE Parents rejoice! You will soon be able to buy your children’s clothes while shopping for yourself in Outfit, Parc Troste and Morfa Retail Park. This September, Outfit Kids, launches a boys and girls range for kids aged between 18 months and 12 years old and priced from £745. It promises quality, value and style for fashionistas of the future.

We can’t wait!

THE ORANGE JUMPSUIT

River Island announce designer Ashish as their penultimate design forum collaboration For Autumn / Winter. Describing his collection as ‘something lazy and a bit dreamy’, Ashish is the first River Island Designer to promote a gender-neutral collection.

Expect a range injected with humour delivering an easy-wear concept which adds ‘something relaxed enough to slouch around the house in, yet stylish enough to be taken out.’

The 15-piece collection embraces a fun and playful quirkiness across loungewear, outerwear and dresses. The collection will be exclusively sold online (www.riverisland.com) from September. Prices range from £30-£180.

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Not only is red THE colour moving into autumn but suit combos are also on trend.

Make sure you invest in a bit of power dressing with this hot suit from Next. Whether its for work or fun, it shoudl be on your wish list come pay day.

Blazer, £48, Tapered Trousers, £38, Next, Morfa Retail Park

It has been seen all over the catwalks and is perfect for complimenting a tan. Cue, the orange jumpsuit. We are lusting after Myleene Klass Ladder Trim Wide Leg Jumpsuit, £95, Littlewoods.com

ASHISH MEETS RI

LAURA DAVIES rounds up some of her favourite products this month

RED HOT!

FASHION 1

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1. Top, £25 2. Coat, £119 3. Dress, £59 4. M&S Collection Top, £25, Bottoms, £14 5. Dress, £59 6. Bag, £35 7. Polo Neck, £19.50 8. M&S Collection Skirt, £49.50 9. Earrings, £17.50

9

HIGH STREET HOTTEST

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1. Purple Asymmetric Hem Dress, £42 2. Bag, £20 3. White Pointed Sliingback, £35 4. Blue Cable Knit Chunky Jumper, £35 5. Green Sweatshirt with Ruffles, £45 6. Pink Floral Top with Statement Sleeve, £35 7. Pink Velvet Mini Dress with Ruched Detail, £45 8. Slogan T-shirt, £14 9. Pink Court Heel with Jewel Detail, £59

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LAURA DAVIES shops this season’s High Street styles laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

9 8

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4 1. Top, £18 2. Bag, £18 5 3. Shoes, £20 4. Jumpsuit, £20 5. Dress, £25 6. Jumper, £28* 7. Trousers, £28* 8. Jacket, £30* 9. Dress, £30* *(Available September) Tu at Sainsbury’s

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1. V by Very Blouse £30, Skirt £35 2. Frill Shoulder Printed 7 Blouse, £30 3. Geo Print Midi Dress, £45 4. Tassel Earrings, £12 5. V by Very Multi Mary Jane Heeled Sandal £28 6. Lace Skirt, £45 7. Mono Floral Print Ruffle Dress, £45 8. Shoulder Detail V Plunge Tunic, £28 9. Red Flare Trouser, £28 10. Pom Pom Detail Bag, £28 11. Oriental Embellished Mule, £38

7

1. Top, £17.99; Trousers, £34.99 2. Floral Dress, £34.99 3. Mules, £39.99 4. Bag, £19.99 5. Jumper, £17.99 6. Red Stripe Blouse, 9 £19.99 7. Red Jacket, £39.99 8. Green Skirt, £49.99 9. Floral Blouse, £17.99 10. Print Trousers, £39.99 11. Wrap Shirt, £34.99 12. Red Courts, £49.99 11

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FASHION

DENIM DELIGHTS From belts to Bardot dresses, LAURA DAVIES looks at some cool ways to sport the most perennially popular fabric under the sun laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Come heatwave or cold snap, denim is a year-round fashion favourite, but summer is when we really get to be creative with our combos. Right now the shops are full of lust-worthy denim threads just waiting to complete your warm-weather wardrobe.

Topshop Moto Kiri Stud Shorts, £35, Top Shop, Swansea

1

THE DENIM CORSET BELT

Light Blue Denim Lace-up Waist Belt, £18, River Island, Swansea and Parc Fforestfach

2

STUDDED SHORTS

Classic cut-offs Blue get a tough-girl Studded update this summer Ripped Denim with lashings of Boyfriend metal studs. Offset Shorts, £35, the spiky demeanour River Island, of your short-shorts by Parc Trostre and teaming them Swansea with a pale pink coldshoulder top or laceedged strappy top.

Denim Corset Belt, £15.99, New Look, Swansea

PrettyLittleThing Kiara Denim Tie Detail Corset Belt, £12, www.prettylittlething.com

4 Maison De Nimes Wide Leg Cropped Jean, £45, House of Fraser, Cardiff 28 swansealife.co.uk

TASSEL HEM JEANS

Last season’s frayed hem trend has gone one step further. Tassels are now top when it comes to denim embellishment. The look meshes well with this summer’s Seventies trend, so pair cropped fringed fancies with a wallpaper floral top for maximum boho impact.

WIDE LEG JEANS

While there’ll always be a place in our heart for skinnies, wide leg jeans are really where it’s at right now. Breezy and boyish, these relaxed styles are the perfect match for skinny ribbed vest tops and distressed slogan tees.

MiH Caron Jeans, £265, www.mih-jeans.com

Topshop Moto Embroidered Straight Leg Jeans, £65, Top Shop, Swansea

Mid Wash Crop Wide Leg jeans, £38, Miss Selfridge, Swansea

3

Tassel Trim Skinny Jean, £35, Very.co.uk

5

THE DENIM BARDOT DRESS

The Bardot dress has become something of a summer staple hasn’t it? This time around, off-duty denim is elevated with frill detailing and pretty embroidery, the ideal accompaniment for beach bars and sundowner cocktails.

Blue Denim Embroidered Dress, £29.99, New Look, Morfa Retail Park

Boohoo Julie Off The Shoulder Frill Denim Shift Dress, £20, www.boohoo.com

Did you know the waist is having what they call ‘a moment’ at the moment? Well, it is, and a corset belt is the quickest (and cheapest) way to tap into the trend. Cinch a wide denim number over your favourite oversized T-shirt dress or shirt and team with a pair of lace-up ankle booties next time you’re going out-out.

FASHION

Embroidered Maxi Dress, £160, Oasis at Outfit, Parc Trostre

Silver Choker Pom Pom Detalis, £14.99, New Look, Parc Fforestfach

JD Williams Pom Pom Bag, £35, www.jdwilliams.co.uk

Red Ditsy Floral Print Layered Sleeve Dress, £22.99, New Look, Swansea

FESTIVAL READY

Midwash Bardot Denim Dress, £32, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

Striped Pom Pom Dress, was £28, now £14, Next, Swansea

Red Herring pinafore, £35, Debenhams, Swansea Maison De Nimes Trapeze Printed Maxi Dress, £69, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Make sure you are festival ready with LAURA DAVIES’ fashion picks that will be music to your ears. Think crowd pleasing playsuits, crochet crop tops and statement jewellery

Feather And Pom Pom Crown Headband, £16.50, Top Shop.

Swansea Blue Glitch Print Bumbag, £18, River Island, Swansea.

Model Image: Primark, Swansea

Gold Holographic Rain Mac, £25, Prettylittlething.com

Pom Pom Top, £10, George at Asda, Llansamlet and Llanelli

Pom Pom Rumah Shorts, £20, East, Cardiff Fedora, £15, M&S, Swansea Mid Wash Boyfriend Shorts, £24, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

Brow Aviators Orange Revo, £16, Debenhams, Swansea

Beaded Tassel Choker Necklace, £18.50, Top Shop, Swansea

Skirt, £35, Miss Selfridge, Swansea

Fringe Flat Sandals, £42, Top Shop, Swansea

White Pom Pom Dress, £24.99, TK Maxx, Parc Trostre

Riley Print Dress, £99, Monsoon, Parc Trostre swansealife.co.uk 29

30 swansealife.co.uk

Polo (2Pk), from £3, Matalan, Morriston

Buckle Mary Jane, £14, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu

Traditional Gingham Dress (Scrunchie Included) £6, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu

John Lewis Boys’ Easy Care Adjustable Waist Slim Fit School Trousers, Regular Length, Grey, £8-£15, John Lewis, Cardiff

Jumper from £3, Polo shirts from £2.50, Trousers from from £3, George at Asda, Llansamlet and Parc Trostre

F&F Back to School Girls Scallop Trim Cardigan, £4, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach

John Lewis Boys’ Long Sleeve School Shirt, Pack of 2, £10-£16, John Lewis, Cardiff

Girls Pinafore, from £10; Girls Cotton Rich Cardigan, from £9; Junior (2 Pack Girls) Blouses, from £9; 3 Pairs of Freshfeet Cotton Rich Body Sensor School Tights (3-14 years), from £9; M&S, Swansea

Chunky Coated Leather Shoe, £12, Matalan, Morriston

Unisex Sweatshirt, £3, Tesco, Llansamlet and Parc Fforestfach

Bluezoo Swimsuit, £12, Debenhams, Swansea

Dress with Bow, £5, Tesco, Parc Trostre

BACK TO SCHOOL

FASHION

Unisex Cotton Rich Tank Top, from £7; Boys Non-Iron Shirts (2 Pack) from £9; Boys Blue Slim Fit Non-Iron Shirts (2 Pack) from £9; Unisex Cotton Rich Tank Top, from £8, Grey Rick Tank Top, from £7, M&S, Swansea

Coat, £25, River Island, Swansea

Dinosaur Print Jacket, from £15, Next, Parc Trostre Blake Badges Tee, £13, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Baby Boys Outfit Set, £22, M&Co, Cardiff

Check Sweat £5-£6, Joggers £5-£6, Trainers £10; Jacket £10-£12-£14, Sweater £8-£9-£10, Jeans £10-£12-£14,Trainers £14-£15 from George, Parc Trostre

Jumper, £18, River Island, Swansea

Flyaway Pink Iridescent Backpack, £30, Paperchase, Cardiff

Dude Jacket from £8, George at Asda, Llanelli

Ecru Floral Border Print Jacket (3mths-6yrs), from £29-£31, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Longline T-Shirt, £5, Tesco, Llansamlet

Baby Ava Stripe Dress, £24, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

V PLAYTIME LAURA DAVIES rounds up the best back to school buys and takes a sneak peek into new season childrenswear laura.davies@trinitymirror.com @LawsDx

swansealife.co.uk 31

Hair &

beauty

BEAUTY NEWS (from page 35) WE LOVE IT! (page 47) TRIED AND TESTED(page 51) LARA JOHNSON (page 54)

Natural beauty that looks untouched.....

Defy Time With Dr Alan Jones

30 years experience as a GP 15 years as a Cosmetic Doctor Member of: British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) British Association of Body Sculpting (BABS) British Association of Sclerotherapy (BAS) GMC registered HIW registered Clinic FREE NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION WHAT SOME OF OUR CLIENTS HAD TO SAY ‘Thank you a thousand times over. A brilliant Doctor. total trust in any treatment Dr Alan suggests’ ‘What a fantastic place to come to ...always pleased with the results.

Dr Jones you’re friendly and funny, but know exactly what you’re doing’ ‘Absolutely fabulous! The end result is wonderful, and so natural.

I have been coming here for years. I love it here’ ‘I am one of Dr Jones’ male patients who has been seeing him for around two years. Always welcoming and professional. Have had Sculptra and Botox, and always delighted with the results’ ‘This is Harley Street services on our doorstep, but not their prices’

466 Gower Road, Killay, Swansea, SA2 7DZ

01792 208466 Private Car Park

www.defy-time.co.uk GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

TURN YOUR BACK ON AGEING

HAIR & BEAUTY

W I T H L AU R A DAV I E S laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

PART ONE

LITTLE TREASURE These little beauties from Clinique will look as good in your makeup bag as they do on you. Their glamorous packaging and bright bold hues is inspired by designer and potter Jonathan Adler, and they capture a spirit of irreverent luxury and playful experiment.

Lip Colour + Primer, £16.50, Lip Pop, £15.50, Cheek Pop, £17, Luxe Brush Collection, £45, Chic Colour Kit, £39, Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush, £79, all part of the Clinique + Jonathan Adler collection, Debenhams, Parc Trostre and Swansea

REAL RADIANCE

If you’re searching for a product that’ll reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, this is the one for you! Pro-Collagen Marine Oil is the ideal way to step up your skincare routine, with protecting elements of seaweed and a natural blend of nine essential oils to support the skin’s moisture barrier. The results? Revitalised, youthful and radiant skin!

Rollerwheel Liquid Liner, £16.50 and Bold & Bad Lash, £19.50, both MAC, Debenhams, Swansea

BOLD AND BRAZEN

Rapid Relief Spot Treatment, £17; www. murad.co.uk

BEAUT Y NEWS WHAT SPOTS?

A maximum strength, invisible gel spot treatment that reduces blemish size and redness within just 4 hours. This treatment is ideal for achieving fast results and can be used with and without makeup, due to the invisible gel formula that doesn’t peel or flake.

Makeup bags at the ready – MAC has just launched a whole load of products!

They are transforming winged-liner technique with their Rollerwheel Liquid Liner, which absorbs the perfect amount of product in its spinning disk applicator to provide a continuous, smooth and even stroke of colour. Their Bold and Bad Lash dualchamber mascara also promises to give your lashes the attention they deserve, creating a 360-degree lash look from top to bottom.

BLACK BEAUTY For Korean women, charcoal is the ultimate do-it-all ingredient. It’s known for detoxifying the body by absorbing toxins, and it’s the perfect cosmetic ingredient for oily and congested skin.

Erborian’s blotting paper is enriched with charcoal to mattify and purify the skin. They make the perfect on-the-go touch-up!

Pro-Collagen Marine Oil, £65 / 15ml, Elemis, John Lewis, Cardiff

Black Paper, £8, Erborian, erborian.com

Clarins launch its Autumn 2017 Make-Up Collection this month! Discover instant beauty perfection with Clarins Graphik collection where eyes are enhanced with magnetic colour and shaped with graphic lines, whilst lips and cheeks are dressed with a pink glow.

GRAPHIK

We particularly love the four colour eyeshadow palette, £34, which is a “harmony of autumnal tones” featuring two rich green shades, along with a dark matte grey shade complimented by a soft pink shade. Other highlights include Ombre Matte, £19, an innovative cream to powder eye formula in a stunning midnight blue and Blush Prodige, £27, a golden pink blush that gives a flattering “healthy glow.

Available at Clarins counters at Boots and Debenhams, Swansea

Copy

SOS! A beauty rescue remedy, no matter your age or concern! Clarins three new masks combine plant extracts and multi-sensorial textures for instantly more radiant, clearer and softer skin. Goodbye dehydrated, unbalanced or dry skin – hello nourished and revitalised complexion!

Refreshing Hydration Mask, Rebalancing Clay Mask, Nourishing Balm Mask, £30 each, Clarins, Boots, Swansea

swansealife.co.uk 35

Photo: www.justinharrisphotography.co.uk

BRIAN BROWN SALON MODELLING & MANAGEMENT AGENCY

01792 301901

1 BELLEVUE WAY • SWANSEA • SA1 5BZ

www.briandbrown.co.uk

HAIR & BEAUTY

BEAUT Y NEWS HOT OIL TREATMENTS ... SOME LIKE IT HOT

W I T H L AU R A DAV I E S When it comes to hair oils, these hot little treatments are ready to stir it up! Crammed with juicy fruits and brimming with botanical essential oils, do-it-athome hair and scalp treatments deliver a little luxury to every day.

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

PART TWO

SLEEP SAVER What could be better than erasing the evidence of exhaustion in a single swipe?

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics’ new Instant Full Cover Concealer is like eight hours sleep in a beautifully packaged bottle. The full coverage formula instantly camouflages darkness and brightens up the eyes for a weightless second-skin finish with zero settling, creasing or fading – bliss!

How to Use: Use preshampoo, before wetting hair - fill a mug with boiling water and simply stir in your hot oil treatment until it has completely melted. Allow to cool and apply all over hair. Leave for around 20 minutes and shampoo like normal, to leave wonderfully conditioned locks and a happy scalp. Available in five different hair types and scents, £6.50 each, Lush, Swansea

Better Than Sleep Instant Full, £23, Bobbi Brown, Debenhams, Swansea

LASH LUST Put down the curler and pick up a new way to send lashes soaring!

We are loving Clinique’s new High Impact Lash Elevating Mascara.

It’s lightweight and mousse-like, meaning that it lifts lashes without weighing them down. It even offers conditioning oils that keep lashes healthy and soft to touch – what more could a girl want for?!

High Impact Lash Elevating Mascara, £18, Clinique, Boots, Parc Fforestfach. Available from August 18.

ORCHID

The latest collection from Tom Ford revives an original obsession with the radiant and sensual scent of the elusive Black Orchid. It not only includes an irresistible Eau De Parfum and Solid Perfume Compact, but its Hydrating Emulsion offers a sensuous way to moisturise the body, gliding on smoothly and softening the skin.

Eau De Parfum, Hydrating Emulsion, £38, Solid Perfume Compact, £120, Tom Ford Orchid Soleil Collection, John Lewis, Cardiff

PRETTY PINK

This season ghd cult styling products are supporting breast cancer charities across the globe by launching the limited edition ghd pink blush collection. With every product sold, ghd will make a donation to Breast Cancer Now in the UK. So come on ladies, it’s time to show that your hair cares!

Platinum Styler and Roll Bag, £165, Hairdryer, £99, Paddle Brush, £20, all ghd Limited Edition Blush Pink Collection, Unique Hair Design, Gorseinon and www.ghdhair.com

TRAVEL COMPANION Elizabeth Arden’s limited edition Around the World with Eight Hour products aren’t just about pretty packaging. They make the perfect addition to a jet-setter’s makeup bag, combatting the unavoidable strain that travel puts on your skin. Revive a jet-lagged complexion with the classic Skin Protectant, and replenish moisture-starved lips with the Lip Duo. Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £27, Eight Hour Take Off & Touch Down Lip Duo, £20, Elizabeth Arden, Boots, Swansea

ARE YOU READY FOR JELLY Introducing Jelly Bombs, the next step in the world of bath bombs: an ongoing pursuit for extraodinary colours, textures and shapes to surprise and awe-inspire in the bath tub. A category in their own right, as they bob and fizz Jelly Bombs release a spectacular jelly made from sodium alginate, which comes from a mineral-rich seaweed. Aside from being wonderfully entertaining, this gooey jelly is superbly softening and soothing on the skin. Jelly Bombs, £4.95 each, Lush , Swansea AND they even have Jelly Masks for your face (talk about food for thought!) They are Perfect for travelling with, and are ideal to keep your skin cleansed and hydrated. There’s no need to refrigerate them either, so you can pop them in your luggage and they’ll last up to four months. Simply scoop a piece into your palms and blend until the jelly turns into a cream.

Smooth onto your face, leave the ingredients to sink in for up to 10 minutes. Finally, wash off with warm water or with a cloth to reveal wonderfully, radiant skin.

Jelly Face Masks, £6.95 each, Lush, Swansea

swansealife.co.uk 37

HAIR & BEAUTY

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

makeup brushes laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Face brushes

most common one is the flat foundation brush. This is thin and flat in shape, but has a rounded tip. It’s is best for applying liquid foundations over the face for a nice, blended finish.

POWDER BRUSH A powder brush is the biggest of the face brushes. It will usually be packed with long, fluffy bristles which are made to dispense loose powder evenly across the face. For setting makeup, it’s best to tap the brush over the face rather than sweeping it. You can also use powder brushes to apply bronzer.

BLUSH BRUSH A blush brush is usually dome shaped and will be smaller than a powder brush, with super soft bristles. The fluffy texture of the brush will allow it to pack pigment onto the cheeks, whilst making it easy to blend it out. The best way to apply blush is to swirl the brush around the blusher and use the same swirling notion on the cheeks.

FOUNDATION BRUSH There are a few different types of foundation brushes, but the

Laura Mercier Eye Crease Brush Travel Size, £27, John Lewis, Cardiff

@LawsDx

CONTOUR BRUSH Contour brushes are similar to blush brushes, except they are slightly thinner and the tip is usually angled. The angled tip makes it easier to apply powder and contour into the hollows of the cheekbones, under the jawline, around the hairline and around the edge of the nose.

KABUKI BRUSH Kabuki brushes are large and soft, with a flat top and densely packed bristles. They are great for applying powder makeup onto the face using circular motions. This will give you a lovely flawless finish.

STIPPLING BRUSH These brushes are perfect for applying foundation or cream products to achieve a blended finish. They contain densely packed, duo-fibre bristles (which is why they are always black with a white tip). To use a stippling brush correctly, simply dot

Clinique Foundation Brush, £25, Boots, Parc Fforestfach Clinique Lip Brush, £15, Debenhams, Swansea

Bobbi Brown Blush Brush, £35, Debenhams, Swansea

Laura Mercier Fan Powder Brush, £24.50, John Lewis, Cardiff

Liz Earle Brow and Eyeliner Brush, £13.50, Boots, Swansea 38 swansealife.co.uk

your liquid foundation around your face, before blending it in using circular motions.

FAN BRUSH These brushes look just like a fan, and contain long bristles. They are used for applying a gorgeous highlight to the cheekbones and to also clean up powder mistakes. To use, you simply dust over the face in a back and forth motion.

CONCEALER BRUSH Concealer brushes are firm and flat, with a tapered top. They have small bristles which allow you to precisely apply makeup in areas of your face that are sometimes quite hard to reach.

Eye Brushes EYESHADOW BRUSH This brush contains slightly fluffy bristles that are dense. It’s perfect for applying and blending eyeshadow in the crease or all over the lid.

CREASE BRUSH If you’re specifically looking for a brush to use in your crease (that’s the hollow part of your eye, between your brow bone and lid) then a crease brush is perfect. It’s a bit smaller than an eyeshadow brush and it has a more pointed tip, which allows you to get right into the eye crease.

BLENDING BRUSH This brush will have longer bristles than an eyeshadow brush and a thinner tip. If you have applied more than one colour to your

eyelid, these brushes are perfect for blending all of them together to soften any harsh lines.

ANGLED LINER BRUSH This brush is smaller than most of the other makeup brushes. It is also very flat and has an angled tip. It’s best used to apply gel eyeliner or eyeshadow on the lash line, but they can also be used to draw on your eyebrows using brow pomade or powder.

EYELINER BRUSH Another tiny brush, this one is very fine, with a pointed tip.

It’s a great precision brush and can be used to apply liquid or gel liners to create a winged eyeliner look.

SPOOLIE This is usually used to shape eyebrows before adding pomade. It looks like a mascara wand and has soft bristles.

Lip Brushes LIP BRUSH

This brush is incredibly fine, but has a squared tip, which makes it perfect for outlining and defining your lips with lipstick. A lip brush also allows you to build on the colour.

Urban Decay Pro Medium Eyeshadow Brush, £16.50, Debenhams, Swansea

Clinique Concealer Brush, £16, Boots, Swansea

MAC 109 Small Contour Brush, £28, Debenhams, Swansea

Hourglass No. 10 Angled Liner Brush, £26, John Lewis, Cardiff NARS Blending Eyeshadow Brush, £26, John Lewis, Cardiff

Mac Precise Eyeliner Brush, £16.50, Debenhams, Swansea

Urban Decay Pro Large Powder Brush, £26, Debenhams, Swansea

bareMinerals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush, £24, Boots, Swansea

Real Techniques Stippling Brush, £11.99, Boots, Swansea swansealife.co.uk 39

30 Castle Street | Swansea | Tel: 01792 470274 |

@RhydianMaherHairSalon

HAIR & BEAUTY

BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION LAURA DAVIES rounds up her top foundations whether you’re looking for full coverage, sheer, or something in between. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

MEDIUM COVERAGE FOUNDATIONS

FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATIONS Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10, £32.50, Boots, Swansea

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Liquid Foundation, £30, Debenhams, Swansea

MATTE FOUNDATIONS

Bareminerals Bareskin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation SPF 20, £27, Boots, Swansea

MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation, £23.50, Debenhams, Swansea

GLOW FOUNDATIONS Burberry Fresh Glow Foundation SPF 15, £35, Debenhams, Cardiff

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30, £30, John Lewis, Cardiff Vichy Dermablend Corrective Fluid Foundation 16 Hour, £20, Boots, Swansea

Armani Maestro Glow Nourishing Fusion Make Up, £40, House of Fraser, Cardiff swansealife.co.uk 41

HAIR & BEAUTY

EMMA’S BEAUTY CHATTER Former Miss Wales Emma Jenkins is a TV make-up artist and presenter from Llanelli.

This month she talks about about sun protection. Follow her on Instagram/Twitter: @emmavjenx Hello summer! Wales has so many beautiful places to enjoy when the sun is out but unfortunately, so many of us forget to protect our skin! With temperatures reaching highs of 30 degrees last month, there’s no reason for us to assume we won’t get burned!

Don’t Forget...

Your eyelids and lips burn too!

It’s so easy to forget to protect these areas, and it’s so vital that we do! Try the No7 Anti-Ageing Shimmering Lip & Eye Cream SPF 30, £7.50, Boots, Swansea. This saviour not only protects, but adds a gorgeous shimmer to brighten your eyes and draw attention to your pout!

Gimme!

Prime Before Makeup To ensure my skin is fully protected from sunspots, ageing and unsightly redness, I prep using Clinique Super City Block SPF 40, £18.50, Boots and Debenhams, Swansea every day.

Though my foundation contains an SPF, extra protection for your face is important if you’re out in the sun, as skin is so much more delicate and more susceptible to the dangers of harmful UV rays!

Protect and Tan Vita Liberata recently launched the world’s first fake tan with a built in SPF. Our prayers have been answered! The Marula Self Tan Dry Oil SPF 50, £25.50, www.lookfantastic.com, is THE summer product of 2017. Providing ultimate sun protection, an instant glow for the skin as the tinted oil reflects light, and a longlasting tan that develops in just 8 hours. There is no excuse to fry ourselves in the pursuit of a deep tan.

SUNCREAM:

ARE YOU DOING IT RIGHT? LAURA DAVIES learns how, when and where you apply sun cream can make a huge difference to its effectiveness. Learn how to sunbathe safely with these tips. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

1. APPLYING SUNSCREEN IN THE SUN Any application in direct sunlight increases evaporation by up to 60 per cent reducing protection. Put it on at least 15 minutes before you go out. Get a good coverage and let it sink in.

2. DITCHING THE SPF ON CLOUDY DAYS Even when it’s not particularly sunny, sunscreen is still required. When its overcast, UV radiation levels are still at 80 per cent of their normal levels.

3. MISSING SENSITIVE SPOTS The most common site for men to develop a malignant melanoma is on the chest or back.

For women it’s more likely on the legs. So slather on liberally all over.

4. CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST NOT THE UV INDEX Temperature can be deceptive - a breeze can keep you cool, but it doesn’t affect UV levels. Look up the UV index for your area 42 swansealife.co.uk

to make sure you’re using protection when necessary, especially between 11am and 3pm, when the sunshine is at its strongest 5.SKIPPING YOUR LIPS Lips are often forgotten and with no natural shade like the lower lip, the upper lip area in particular shows ageing from sun damage more quickly. Help prevent damage from the elements with the Ultrasun Ultralip SPF 30, £6, M&S, Swansea.

6.BE MINDFUL OF ACTIVITIES PERFORMED WHILST WEARING SUNSCREEN Sweat, exposure to water, towel drying and anything that rubs against the skin can significantly diminish your level of protection. To receive a sunscreen’s full protective properties, you should be topping up your application every two hours.

7. CHECK THE EXPIRY DATE Check your product for shelf life, the average is just 6-12 months

8. NOT SLAPPING ON ENOUGH PRODUCT It is recommended that a minimum quantity of 35ml, about two tablespoons, is sufficient for all-over body protection. If you reduce the required amount, the level of SPF protection will decrease significantly.

As a rule, you should always use an SPF15 product or higher at the start of sun exposure. You can always choose a lower factor later.

9. ONLY USING SPF ON HOLIDAY There is a common misconception that sunscreen is only necessary in the summer months, or worse still, just for the beach or pool. The truth is UV rays are everywhere, and whether you’re enjoying a summer stroll or taking refuge from winter winds near a brightly lit window, you’re still being exposed to damage. Daily, year-round application is essential if you wish to shield skin from photo damage.

IS YOUR CHILD INELIGIBLE FOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT, OR ARE YOU TIRED OF WAITING? WE CAN HELP, WITH CHILDREN'S PRIVATE SPECIALIST ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT FROM UNDER £10 PER MONTH*.

DENTAL IMPLANTS • ORTHODONTICS FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY Contact us today to arrange your first consultation: COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL & IMPLANT CLINIC

Woods Dental, 65 Walter Rd, Uplands, Swansea, SA1 4PT E: info@woodsdental.co.uk T: 01792 476 714 www.woodsdental.co.uk *Finance 9.9% APR over 5 yrs subject to approval, terms and conditions.

HAIR & BEAUTY

GET REAL HOW TO WORK THE ‘UNDONE’ MAKE-UP LOOK Perfection is so last year...

LAURA DAVIES gets the low-down on the worn-in beauty trend laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Emotional, corrupted make-up. Make-up that’s been somewhere and done something - lived!, is how make-up artist Alex Box described the look at Veronique Leroy at Paris Fashion Week. And it’s an aesthetic that reverberated around the SS17 shows, where pristine lips and precise eyeliner were abandoned, in favour of messy daubs of colour and smudged kohl. There are three key components to the ‘real’ beauty look, and the good news is you can combine as many as you like. Because when the vibe is this undone, there’s no risk of looking overdone…

BARELY-THERE SKIN

Laura Mercier Candleglow Concealer and Highlighter, £25, John Lewis, Cardiff

To achieve a glowy, almost sweaty base, you want it to appear that you’ve got no foundation on at all.

How? By simply dabbing concealer in the places you need it most, using a glowy tinted moisturiser, or mixing a few drops of foundation with your moisturiser.

Finish with a dusting of a cool-toned highlighter across your cheekbones.

Clinique BIY Blend It Yourself Pigment Drops, £25, Clinique at Boots, Swansea and Parc Fforestfach

44 swansealife.co.uk

Too Faced ‘Love Lights’ Highlighter in Blinded By The Light, £25, Debenhams, Swansea

STAINED LIPS

Forget sharp lip liners and carefully filled-in lips; the undone vibe means lipstick that looks like it’s done battle with several rounds of Pinot Grigio.

The shade is up to you, but a bright, highlypigmented formula is essential - smear it on the centre of your lips and blend outwards for a beautifully blurred feel.

Nars Charlotte Gainsbourg Lip Tint in Double Decker, £22, John Lewis, Cardiff Buxom ‘Wildly Whipped’ Lightweight Liquid Lipstick in Exhibitionist, £15, Debenhams, Swansea MAC Lipstick in Flamingo, £16.50, MAC, Debenhams, Swansea

LAST NIGHT’S EYELINER

To get that ‘slept-in’ eyeliner look, there’s no need to actually wear it overnight (unless you really want to).

Instead, roughly line your eyes with black kohl pencil then smudge with your finger or a small beauty blender until it’s sufficiently smoked out.

For a more glossy finish, add a little Mixing Medium or Vaseline.

Lottie London AM to PM Kohl Eyeliner in Smoke, £3.95, Superdrug, Swansea MAC Mixing Medium in Shine, £16.50, MAC at Debenhams, Swansea

D O YO U WA N T STRAIGHTER TEETH? LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS, WITH SPECIALIST ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT FROM £27.30 PER MONTH*

DENTAL IMPLANTS • ORTHODONTICS FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY Contact us today to arrange your first consultation: COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL & IMPLANT CLINIC

Woods Dental, 65 Walter Rd, Uplands, Swansea, SA1 4PT E: info@woodsdental.co.uk T: 01792 476 714 www.woodsdental.co.uk *Finance 9.9% APR over 5 yrs subject to approval, terms and conditions.

The only salon in Swansea to be placed in the top 3 of the Swansea Life Award for the fIfTH year running Winning Twice…

Beauty Category

Thank you to everyone who voted for us, WINNERS we really appreciate it.

OTHER AWARDS

SWANSEA LIFE AWARD Winner 2013, 2017 SWANSEA LIFE AWARD runner up in 2014, 2015 & 2016 CHROMOGENEX - Centre of Excellence GOOD SALON GUIDE - 5* rating 2015, 2016 & 2017 PHOREST - 5* Customer Experience Awards 2015, 2016 & 2017 NATIONAL WELSH HAIR AND BEAUTY AWARDS (Best Tanning Salon) top 3 2016 WBTA - Certificate of Endeavour (Training Students) 2013 Beauty Opening Times: Mon - 9am - 9pm | Tue - 9am - 9pm Wed - 9am - 9pm | Thu - 9am - 9pm | Fri - 9am - 9pm | Sat - 9am - 5pm Sunbed Opening Times: Monday - Friday 9am -9pm | Saturday - 9am -5pm

01792 775558 www.swanseasunlounge.co.uk

Family run business. Est. 2000

facebook.com/MorristonSunLounge 52 Woodfield Street, Morriston, Swansea SA6 8BW

TAKE YOUR NEUTRALS TO THE NEXT LEVEL BareMinerals has launched two new eyeshadow palettes and we are just loving them both!. The BareNaturals Ready 14.0 gives you ocean views with nature-inspired neutrals, while the BareSensuals Ready 14.0 palette outs a sensual spin on romantic rose tones. Both 14-shadow palettes are super-pigmented, containing a blendable formula that stays put for up to 12 hours. Which palette are you? £39, BareMinerals, Debenhams, Swansea

Ladies Carry On Set, £40, Molton Brown, Cardiff

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS Perfect if you are jetting away and space is needed.

A mini toiletry bag featuring Molton Brown’s most exotic collection. Including all the treats you need for head-totoe pampering, it will turn your next adventure into a spa-like experience.Set contains:Heavenly Gingerlily Caressing Body Polisher, 50ml; Gingerlily Body Wash, 100ml; Gingerlily Nourishing Body Lotion, 100ml; Gingerlily Replenishing Hand Cream, 40ml; Indian Cress Purifying Shampoo, 100ml.

THIS MONTH

WE LOVE LAURA DAVIES rounds up some of her favourite products this month laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

THE SCIENCE OF BEAUTY SLEEP

HAIR & BEAUTY Peptide4 Night Recovery Cream-Oil 30ml, £49, Elemis at House of Fraser, Cardiff

We love Elemis’ new Pepride Night Recovery CreamOil or beauty sleep in a bottle.

This beautifully textured creamoil containing unique extracts works while you sleep leaving your skin rebalanced, restored and replenished.

Not only does it help limit trans-epidermal water loss for maximum hydration, it contains natural oils with very high levels of antioxidants and vitamins to help protect and revitalise.

@LawsDx

BRIGHT IDEA

Bean Body Coffee Bean Scrub, £14.95, Holland & Barrett, Swansea

BEAN BODY

Paul Mitchell’s latest hair range, Neon, gives you the power to create any style you want, while supporting a brilliant cause. The brand has teamed up with The Diana Award’s charity Stand Up to Bullying to empower young people to tackle bullying in their schools and communities. The Neon Brand focuses on inclusiveness, individuality and building self-esteem, offering a shampoo, conditioner and four stylers. The shampoo leaves hair fresh and ready for anything, while the conditioner is the perfect sidekick to help you out of any jam, from tangled tresses to frazzled frizzes. The four stylers can create a range of looks, from surfer-girl waves to a super-sleek look.

Sugar Cleanse Shampoo, £4.95 (100ml), Sugar Rinse Conditioner, £5.95 (100ml), Sugar Spray: Texture Spray, £5.95 (100ml), Sugar Twist Tousle Cream, £5.95 (75ml), Sugar Smoothing Cream, £5.95 (75ml), Sugar Confection Working Spray, £5.95 (100ml), Neon by Paul Mitchell, www.paul-mitchell.co.uk

Treat your skin to the Bean Body Coffee Scrub, a luxurious, skin-renewing formula infused with cold pressed coconut oil to hydrate, exfoliate and leave skin soft and silky smooth.

Utilising Robusta Coffee Beans, this gentle body scrub is ideal for eczema and psoriasis.

TAKE THE DAY OFF This month I am loving Clinique’s 2-in-1 Cleansing Micellar Gel and Light Makeup Remover,.This oil-free dual-action micellar gel breaks into water to both gently remove makeup and cleanse skin of impurities in one quick step. And it leaves skin fresh, smooth, residue-free. No rinsing required.

Clinique 2-in-1 Cleansing Micellar Gel and Light Makeup Remover, 150ml, £17, Boots, Parc Fforestfach

SIMPLY SHOWER, APPLY AND PAT DRY This is the ultimate body moisturiser for when you are short on time.

Sanctuary Wet Skin Moisture Miracle offers three simple steps to the easiest, quickest and most effective way to moisturise.

A first to the UK market, this leave-on moisturising body lotion is applied to wet skin immediately after showering allowing it to work with humidity and water in order to absorb faster into the skin and lock in the water the skin absorbs when wet.

Sanctuary Wet Skin Moisture Miracle, £8, Boots, Swansea swansealife.co.uk 47

HAIR & BEAUTY

REAL WOMEN, WINNING LOOKS W ITH

C H R I S

H O W E L LS

Swansea based International Make Up Artist and recent winner of the National Federation of Hairdressing’s Welsh Make Up Artist of the Year award, Chris Howells, gives a holiday-maker a gorgeous Golden Summer Glow.

WHO IS CHRIS HOWELLS? Chris is an International make-up artist who lives in Swansea. He has worked as a make-up artist for more than 15 years, working with a number of prestigious beauty brands including Laura Mercier. He was trained by and worked for the iconic Laura Mercier herself, which has led to him travelling to some of the most prestigious beauty cathedrals and fashion shows around the globe. Just recently, Chris won Welsh Make Up Artist of the Year 2016 in the National Federation of Hairdressing’s (NFH) annual and prestigious Welsh Hairdressing and Beauty Awards. Chris plans to use his experience and award winning tips to give Swansea Life readers expert advice and new looks.

WIN

MEET GINA...

Gina is originally from Zimbabwe and is currently living in Australia. She saw this magazine feature while on holiday in Swansea and contacted me to show her how to achieve a glowing summer “no makeup” makeup application.

Gina’s prep started with Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, followed by Rodial Snake Venom Eye Cream. Apply the oil to damp

Before...

48 swansealife.co.uk

skin and it will nourish and hydrate beautifully.

Cover FX Illuminating Primer was applied to the face concentrating around the nose and chin before using Custom Cover Drops

by Cover FX. These were mixed with Rodial Dragons Blood Sculpting Gel and two drops of Custom Enhancing Drops in Sunlight, applied with a Cover FX Blending Brush.

I applied a little Nars Soft Matte Concealer under the eyes, around the nose and around the lips. Once the base was almost complete I added some custom cover drops to the ready-mixed foundation on my hand, but used it two shades deeper and blended it to the outer parts of the face, under the cheekbones and around the hairline. This will help you give depth and 3D coverage to the face but you must ensure it is blended perfectly. On the cheeks I used Vincent Longo Water Canvas Blush in Terra Dew. Gina has beautiful freckles so I decided to really make the most of them by applying more to her skin with two different colour waterproof eye pencils. I set the skin with Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder using a velour puff.

On Gina’s brows, I applied Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil and brushed them up and out setting them with Eylure Brow

Your very own summer make over with Chris!

All you need to do is send your details, along with a picture of yourself, to laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Gel. On her eyes, I used By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon all over the lid to the crease and blend out. I used a Kohl pencil in black and applied dots to the lash line and blended in to soften the line. I then applied the kohl pencil to the lower waterline as well before applying lashings of Vincent Longo Cosmetics Mascara to the top and bottom lashes. To finish the look I used a set of Eylure Luxe Lashes.

I applied Vincent Longo Thin Stick Lipstick In London to Gina’s beautiful lips with a brush, I set it with powder then re applied it direct from the bullet. To ensure a glorious highlight I mixed Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight with the Illuminating Primer and after mixing together with a beauty blender sponge I gently dabbed this to the cheekbones, brow bone, bridge of the nose and cupids bow. Et Voila gorgeous summer skin!

After...

HAIR & BEAUTY

3/5

Sachajuan Protective Hair Perfume, £40, John Lewis, Cardiff

TRIED & TESTED

“I found the fragrance heavy in floral and woody notes, which when sprayed liberally on my hair possibly resulted in a headache. Go easy, though, and you’ll have pleasant results. The mist left my hair feeling soft and looking glossy.

Although the most expensive, you only need two spritzes for the fragrance to last all day.”

LAURA DAVIES puts a range of beauty products to the test... laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

3/5

@LawsDx

HAIR MISTS ARE THIS SUMMER’S LATEST BEAUTY TREND: WE TRY A FEW OUT

Ariana Grande Sweet Like Candy Hair Mist, £10, Superdrug, Swansea Like the star herself, Grande’s fragrance is cutesy and sweet with a blend of pear, vanilla orchid and marshmallow fragrances. It was easy to apply - I spritzed two pumps into the air above my hair and let it settle, then brushed through.

I found it had incredible staying-power - flip your tresses and it will leave a scent in the air long after you leave a room - but didn’t add weight to my hair.

Kerasilk Beautifying Hair Perfume, £22, www.goldwell.co.uk “This range of hair perfumes has four fragrances: Control, Repower, Colour and Reconstruct. I tried Repower, finding it zesty, with notes of freesia and lily that made my hair smell freshly washed after every application. It required multiple reapplications throughout the day but, as the bottle fitted easily into my handbag, I didn’t mind so much.

The perfume was extremely effective at removing smells after I had visited a restaurant, although it didn’t prevent the odour from sticking in the first place.”

4/5

Chloe Palmer puts three foundations to the test BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Foundation Gel Cream, £28, Boots, Swansea ‘’This hydrating foundation gel cream combines skincare with beauty. It has a tinted moisturiser which helps to nurture hydrated skin, leaving skin young and smooth. The texture of the foundation is so light and smooth, it makes you feel like you are walking au naturell. Because of the smoothness of the liquid, it means that if more foundation is applied heavily to a particular area, it is easily balanced out.

This is the perfect foundation if you are looking for a lighter foundation but still has the benefits of showing off a slight glamorous tan!’’.

SCRUB UP

Elizabeth Arden, Flawlesss Finish Perfectly Satin 24hrs Make-Up, £19.95, Debenhams, Swansea

5/5

‘’This gorgeously scented scrub consists of mango seed oil from India which with the salt creates a sugar particle texture, leaving your skin smelling of the sweet, tropical scent. This product takes on the mission of removing dead skin while hydrating it at the same time. The bonus? The salts dissolve as you are working it into the skin, which leaves your bathroom grit-free.

Perfect buy!.’’

No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Face Exfoliator, £14.67, Boots, Swansea

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 Foundation, £23.50, Debenhams, Swansea ‘’This oil-controlling foundation offers a natural finish with medium to full coverage. Not only does it blend easy, it compliments sensitive skin. This is a dependable product, and offers complete UVA protection. This is a recommended buy for keeping skin smooth and healthy whilst still looking utterly gorgeous’’.

‘’This foundation is the newest flawless finish foundation collection

by Elizabeth Arden. If you are looking for a foundation that lasts you through those hard long days at work or a night out on the town, this 24hrs foundation is the best choice for you. The bonus of this foundation is that it helps withstand moisture, heat and the horrid humidity. Love, love, love this product!’’

4/5

Ensure you keep exfoliated especially when tanning.. We test three out...

Mango Exfoliating Scrub, £15, The Body Shop, Swansea

4.5/5

4/5

4/5

‘’I’ve tried loads of exfoliating scrubs in the past, and I usually end up either forgetting to exfoliate or get bored of the product. However, No7’s total renewal micro-dermabrasion face exfoliator is easy and comfortable to use. Total Renewal has aluminium oxide micro-crystals which help keep skin smooth and give skin a younger, fresher and clearer look. The benefit of this product is that it is a reasonable price to obtain the results that you dream of!’’.

‘Rub, Rub, Rub’, £8.95, Lush, Swansea ‘’Lush, ‘Rub, Rub, Rub’ exfoliating scrub is very unique. Not only does the product look vibrant and mermaid-like, it also produces vibrant smells that leaves skin feeling refreshed. This product is very good for sensitive skin. It leaves it feeling cleansed and calmed. In comparison to other products, this scrub can be used as a shampoo, leaving hair shiny and adding extreme volume to hair. Not only did this product leave my skin feeling refreshed but it made my hair feel soft and nourished’’.

your

5/5

swansealife.co.uk 51

Cutting It...

Sophie

Sophie haS 10 yearS experience. “the hair lounge iS a Salon i once Sat in the traffic lightS wiShing i worked there.

With Multiple awards under its belt,The Hair Lounge’s success has been recognised it’S an amazing Salon and a pleaSure to work with marc with a number of awards and accolades, recently including: ‘Best Hair’ in Swansea and the team” Life Awards 2017, ‘Best Hair Salon in Swansea’ at the Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards. ‘Employer of the year’, ‘Apprentice of the year’, ‘ 2nd place colour technician of the year’ and 2nd place for salon of the year at the British Hair and Beauty Awards, the Hair Lounge has grown significantly in over the years with two successful businesses in Swansea and Skewen, resulting in being awarded 5 stars and colour experts in the good salon guide. Managing Director Marc Issac is constantly looking to the future, creating the most comfortable environment for the clients and offering the very latest styling and colour techniques

True to its name, the award winning hair lounge offers a very special hairdressing environment and while customer care is a key part of the salons’s success, marc himself has 16 years’ hairdressing experience under his belt and works as an assessor for gower college, which gives him a unique insight into the hairdressing trade and what works best in hairdressing salons.

With the businesses still growing and new ideas being developed all the time, marc and his team are excited about what will come next.

“We are really looking forward to what the future holds for us all as we are always striving and pushing the standards higher within the salon, “he says””

PROUD WINNERS OF BEST HAIR CATEGORY FOR

SWANSEA

LIFE Awards 2017

FIFTH YEAR RUNNING TO BE SHORT LISTED

Join us on facebook 6k likes

72 New Road, Skewen, Sa10 6He 01792 812858 38 Ravenhill Road, Fforestfach, Sa5 5aW a aW 01792 587444

With expanSion comeS opportunitieS...

THE TWO SALONS HAVE GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, DOUBLING ITS WORK FORCE TO BRING THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY. Marc Issac, managing director, bring the team up to a standard of excellence by making sure all staff are given the opportunity to get the most experience and qualifications possible. Marc has expressed that sending his staff on external courses not only help the business but gives the members of staff invaluable knowledge.

Marc believes that investing in his workforce is an essential element to his business strategy and will continue this due to seeing how his team progress on a daily basis.

a quote about the journey So far This year has to be the best we have had within the last five years. The salons have grown to be so busy it’s warranted us recruiting four new stylists since Christmas.

The team are amazing! They get along really well and this shows to our clients which creates a friendly atmosphere. You can see that they are dedicated to making clients look and feel beautiful.

The awards that we have won this year shows that we are professionals with great skills and knowledge to back it up.

Gemma Gemma has 10 years experience.

“I originally applied for the receptionists role as I took a career break to start a family. But when a position came up for a stylist I jumped at the opportunity. I worked with marc many years ago and being a part of the team has rejuvenated love for hair. It’s amazing here, I absolutely love it.”

HAIR & BEAUTY

Makeover!

W ITH

L ARA

JOHNSO N

Mumbles stylist & salon owner Lara Johnson shares her tips in her monthly column.

Make over...

Model: Ffion Occupation: Communications Officer and Photographer

FFION SAYS...

When I first spoke to the team in the salon I was unsure about what to do. In the last few years I have kept growing my hair and then cutting it short. I haven’t been able to settle into one style or colour, always ending up with the same blonde. I wanted to stay blonde but I also wanted a change. I wanted something that was versatile but directional at the same time. I love what the team came up with. I was a little nervous about having a short side but even though it is short I can style it lots of different ways. The style is perfect as I can wear it as a bob or parted on the right hand side and you can’t see the short section. But if I part it on the left hand side it becomes a completely different fashionable shape. I am delighted with the colour, I usually just stick to being blonde but I now have a flash of baby pink through the top. Initially I thought I would wear it as a bob to work, but I have been wearing the shorter style all the time. I feel fantastic!

LARA JOHNSON LIFESTYLE SAYS: When we sat and chatted about Ffion’s lifestyle it was very apparent that Ffion wanted a smart and professional look that could be transformed with the minimum amount of fuss into a directional style. Dom cut the hair so that with the change of a parting from one side to the other the style would look completely transformed.

Lee was the inspiration behind the cut with his colour technique. Dom and Lee say, “We shaped the hair on one side with a short but soft and feminine panel. When the hair is parted on that side it shows off a flash of Wella Pink Dream through the top length that contrasts with the short section. If you part the hair on Ffion’s usual right sided parting the pink dream panel and short panel are hidden and ‘hey presto’, Ffion then has a blonde bob!

We wanted to match the texture of the blonde with the pink so after working with the Wella Illumina range of colours we introduced Wella Clear Dust which perfected the crisp clean tone throughout the style. To finish the look we used Sebastian Professional Trilliance shampoo and conditioner and blow dried and straightened with Sebastian Professional Trilliant which will help maintain shine without it being heavy.

54 swansealife.co.uk

er Aft

Before...

Step by step...

1

The Plaited Top Bun A simple twist on the classic bun that will help you stand out from the crowd. The extra height you get from this look is subtle but still has a big impact. Perfect for a social event or if you are out with tall friends

2

Difficulty: Medium You Need: A brush Strong hair band Small hair band Pins or grips Hair spray

3

Tip: If you have fine hair or want a larger bun use a hair doughnut around the base of the ponytail.

1 2 3 4 5

Brush all your hair up into a high ponytail. On top of your crown area is the best spot. Secure with a strong hairband 4

Split the ponytail into three and form a basic plait Secure the end of the plait with a small hairband Wrap the plaited ponytail around the base of the ponytail Secure the bun with grips or pins. Be sure to tuck away the end of the plait 5

CONGRATULATIONS!

A massive well done to our very own columnists Lara Johnson and Dom Capel, who are finalists in one of the most prestigious British hair awards - HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards.

This is no small feat with the 2017 awards attracting hundreds of entries which take the form of photographic collections. The winners of this and 15 other categories including the prized British Hairdresser of the Year title are all to be announced at The British Hairdressing Awards which takes place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s prestigious Park Lane on Monday, November 27.

We all have our fingers crossed for you!

swansealife.co.uk 55

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HAIR & BEAUTY

10 WAYS TO STOP YOUR HAIR COLOUR FADING ON HOLIDAY While there’s a lot to love about summer holidays even the brightest of hair colours can be ravaged by all all that sun, sea and sand. So what do you do just whack on a heat-protection spray and hope for the best? Actually, there’s a lot more you can do to keep your colour looking vibrant and your locks healthy, starting before you jet off. Here are our top tips for fighting the fade… laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

1. Don’t dye before you fly

Have your hair coloured eight to 15 days before departure on holiday or else opt for a very minimal ‘tie and dye’, or highlights on just a few strands around your face.

2. Choose your colour carefully

Excessive colour fade comes from damaged hair. Prevention is better than cure. Make sure your colourist is using something to protect your hair.

3. Don’t wash your hair every day

If you can avoid daily washing, it is preferable for coloured hair. Just get used to spritzing with dry shampoo on no-wash days and you’ll see a difference.

4. Wetter hair is better

Hair is like a sponge, so if you don’t have any swim protection cream, just drench it with fresh water from the shower or even a bottle before you go in the sea or pool. The water effectively fills the gaps in the keratin, so the salt or chlorinated water can’t get in as much.

5. Rinse with cool water

Try to avoid rinsing your hair with hot water; instead opt for cold water as this helps to preserve the hair dye. Washing with hot water opens the pores and allows the dye to escape.

6. Be gentle when towel-drying

Towel-drying your hair is yet another way to make colour fade fast. It will scrape colour out of the cuticle layer of hair that could already be open from your shower. Try gently blotting the hair and let it air-dry as much as you can.

7. Make your own hair sunscreen

Hair sunscreens are really important but if you’re on a budget, add a teaspoon of factor 50 to a small spritz bottle and mix with hot water, then spray in.

8. Ditch the heat stylers

When we use heat on our hair again and again, it begins to damage the outer layer of the hair, meaning colour molecules can escape faster. Ditch your straighteners and tongs over the summer months and opt to let your hair dry naturally instead.

9. Invest in high-quality shampoo and conditioner

Aim to keep your colour fresh by using a professional shampoo or conditioner. High street brands may be cheaper but they are often not powerful enough to maintain colour to a noticeable standard.

10. Use protection

Applying a water-resistant cream that contains a UV filter will help prevent colour change when you’re in the sun or swimming in the sea or pool. To additionally prevent colour change, wear wide-brimmed hat or sit under a beach umbrella.

3 OF THE BEST HOLIDAY HAIR PROTECTORS Sassoon Professional Halo Hydrate, £17.45, www.regissalons.co.uk; Philip Kingsley Swimcap Treatment, £15, M&S, Swansea

Tigi Beach Bound Protection Spray, currently reduced to £11.35 from £16.25, www.escentual.com

HAIR & BEAUTY

LEARNING CURVES From the catwalk to the red carpet, it’s all about undulating waves this season.

But how do you create perfect soft curls? LAURA DAVIES finds out. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

THE HOLLYWOOD WAVE As seen at: DSquared2 SS17 created by Sam McKnight Get the Look: 1. Apply a small amount of mousse to the roots at the top of the head to add hold. Using a pin tail comb, make a clean side parting towards the left, from the forehead to the crown.

2. Section off parts of the hair ready for curling and lightly spray with hairspray. Create waves using a curling iron, pinning each ringlet in place with sectioning clips.

Leave to set.

3. Once cool, remove the clips and apply hairspray. Brush the hair flat using a soft bristle brush and tuck behind the ears.

PRODUCTS John Frieda Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Intense Hold Hairspray, currently reduced to £3.99 from £5.99, Superdrug, Swansea

Babyliss Volume Waves, £20, Argos, Parc Pemberton and Morfa Retail Park

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Perfectly Full Mousse, currently reduced to £3.99 from £5.99, Superdrug, Swansea

THE LAID-BACK WAVE

Aveda Damage Remedy Split End Repair, £25, Ceriddwen, Mumbles

Aveda Thickening Tonic, £20, John Lewis, Cardiff

As seen at: Tome SS17 created by Antoinette Beenders, Aveda Global Creative Director Get the Look: 1. Apply Damage Remedy Split End Repair to the ends of completely dry hair to instantly draw and bind separated ends back together.

2. Create a middle part then spritz Thickening Tonic all over hair.

3. Wrap one-inch-wide sections of hair around a large-barrel curling iron.

To form ripples rather than corkscrews, hold the iron horizontally to the head before winding strands around the barrel, making sure to keep the ends out of the heat.

4. Work another pea-size drop of Split End Repair through ends for a piece-y effect, then finish by misting with hair spray.

PRODUCTS Aveda Air Control Hair Spray, £20, Jamie Hill Hair Salon, Swansea Marina

THE SLICKED BACK WAVE As seen at: Jason Wu SS17 created by Orlando Pita, Tresemme New York Fashion Week Ambassador Get the Look: 1. Apply a small amount of mousse from root to tip. Use a round brush to blow-dry the hair so it has natural body, then apply a coin sized amount of hair oil or serum.

2. Part the hair from top to bottom and hold the top layer in a ponytail.

Pull out one-inch sections of the bottom half and curl in using a curling wand. Release the top ponytail and repeat the process.

3. Spray the hair with a generous amount of hairspray and use a wide comb to pull hair back for a sleek wet look. Angle the comb to a slight side part to add extra detailing and subtle lift at the roots.

4. To finish the look, spritz the hair with hydrating mist for a healthy, glossy shine.

Cloud Nine Waving Wand, £89.50, John Lewis, Cardiff

PRODUCTS Tresemme Beauty-Full Volume Mousse, £5.50, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach and Llansamlet Tresemme Botanique Nourish And Replenish Hydrating Mist, £6.10. Asda, Llanelli and Gorseinon Tresemme Firm Hold Hairspray, £4.50, Tesco, Parc Trostre and Swansea

GHD Curve Classic Wave Wand, £120, available at Unique Hair Design, Gorseinon

swansealife.co.uk 59

Voted Best Bridal Retailer

ROWBERRY BRIDAL S P B B wanSeaS

remier

ridal

outique

152 Port Tennant Road Swansea, SA1 8JQ

Tel 01792 651028 Rowberrybridalandfashion

Rowberryswansea

@Rowberrybridalandfashion

Bride

REAL LIFE WEDDING (page 62) WEDDING VENUES (page 64) WE LOVE (page 69)

BRIDE

real life wedding Robyn Ashford and Matthew Evans

Robyn Ashford , 25, who works for the NHS, married bricklayer Matthew Evans, 27, at the Oxwich Bay Hotel in Gower.

GEORGIA DAVIES speaks to the couple who are both from Winch Wen, Swansea Where did you get married? Was it difficult to choose the venue?

We got married in the Oxwich Bay Hotel. It didn’t take us long at all to decide as it was the one venue we both knew we wanted. We had perfect weather and after a huge storm the night before, waking up to the sunshine was a lovely surprise.

Who was responsible for making the majority of the decisions?

It was definitely me who made most of the decisions. Matthew was really easy going about everything and just let me get on with it.

Did you have a particular theme/colour and how did you find the inspiration for your choice?

Our colour scheme was predominantly red.

Our theme was very traditional and there were lots of hearts. We got married near to Valentine’s Day which was perfect as all the shops were full of romantic decorations.

We ended up leaving the decoration buying very last minute and it worked out perfectly.

62 swansealife.co.uk

How did you find the preparation and how long did it take you?

After having a baby in August, we were both extremely busy for the majority of the time.

We crammed a lot of the planning into the last two months. It was full force ahead!

Did you face any problems/unexpected disasters on the day?

Everything went really smoothly. The Oxwich Bay Hotel as a venue was absolutely brilliant.

The staff were so organised and helpful. I didn’t need to worry about anything on the day. I would highly recommend the hotel as a venue!

Tell us about your wedding dress…

My wedding dress was from Cariad Bridal in Picton Arcade, Swansea. It was actually the first dress I tried on, I bought it straight away! I think when you know, you know. It was the perfect dress for my body shape as it was quite tight fitting at the top and then flared out at the waist.

Did you have any bridesmaids?

I had three adult bridesmaids and two flower girls. Although it was very difficult to choose

who to have, you really have to keep the cost in mind.

Did your husband have any best men?

He had two best men, his brother and his best friend. They wrote some great speeches, and after knowing him since childhood there were some great stories to tell!

Tell us about your beauty prep for the big day…

I didn’t do anything drastic but I did have the essential eyebrow wax etc. I had my makeup done by Jessica Davies. I kept it very natural as I don’t tend to wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis.

What was your favourite moment?

My favourite moment was definitely our first dance. It was to ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ and we were joined by our two beautiful children.

How important was photography to your wedding day?

Very important. We had a professional photographer (Flashbulb) who took some

amazing photos, I love them! They also made a video which captured our day perfectly.

Did you have a honeymoon?

We didn’t go on a honeymoon straight after the wedding but we are hoping to go away later on in the year. We are thinking about going to Amsterdam.

In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently? Any advice for brides to be?

I wouldn’t have done anything differently. It was absolutely perfect. I would tell future brides not to worry about anything and to just enjoy the day! It goes too fast so just make the most of it!

Everything will work out fine in the end.

Pictures: Flashbulb Photography and Film, www. flashbulb.info

CALLING BRIDES AND GROOMS! Would you like your wedding featured in Swansea Life and our wedding magazine, Hitched?

Email laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

BRIDE

9

gorgeous outdoor wedding venues in Wales that are better than going abroad

1

A wedding outside? In Wales? Buy yes, it really is possible, as these gorgeous wedding venues show.

VICTORIA JONES reports...

Photo: Esther Lewis Photography

Have you always imagined your wedding day in the great outdoors?

We’ve found some gorgeous venues around Wales which will let you do that.

We’ll leave you to check the formalities of signing the register as not all of them will let you say “I do” outside, but all of these pretty venues have an outdoor element.

2 WELSH GREEN WEDDINGS | CARMARTHENSHIRE Welsh Green Weddings is a family-run business on a small Carmarthenshire organic farm.

They say they offer individual, sustainable and relaxed weddings catering for 2 to 125 people.

Outside weddings are an option in their licensed pagoda and receptions of 50 or more guests take place in their locally made giant tipi.

They welcome small ceremony-only affairs, same-day weddings, renewals of vows as well as larger celebrations over the course of a weekend where more than 50 guests can be accommodated on the farm.

TOWER HILL BARNS | WREXHAM The venue offers the chance to have civil weddings under a refurbished former 19th century railway bridge from the Ruabon to Barmouth line.

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A full bar of organic wine and sparkling wine, local Welsh beers and ciders, locally grown and sourced food, tree-planting ceremonies and our own horse and cart transport for the bride and groom are all on offer.

JABAJAK | WHITLAND Jabajak holds a civil ceremony license that enables indoor or outdoor ceremonies.

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Previously a working farm and stables, Jabajak has been converted and restored into a five-star restaurant with bed and breakfast accommodation, set within a vineyard.

Photo: @jasondonalwalker Photo: @mrjd_1

BODNANT GARDEN | NEAR COLWYN BAY The beautiful gardens will feature in your nuptials but if the weather isn’t great, your wedding party will be under cover.

The iconic Pin Mill building on the Canal Terrace was originally built in 1730 in Gloucester and this will be the setting for the ceremony.

It can hold a maximum of 60 seated guests and they are free to mingle on the lawn before and after the ceremony.

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LLYS MEDDYG | PEMBROKESHIRE This venue specialises in intimate weddings with a bespoke feel and those behind it say they “know how to get a good atmosphere going” with a festival vibe.

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One of their specialities is marinated and barbecued local Preseli lamb and other meats on their outdoor grill. The legal bit has to take place under cover but lots of the wedding is outside and with their garden extension they can now cater for weddings for up to 150 people.

FFOREST FARM | PEMBROKESHIRE If you’re looking for a relaxed, informal, weekend-long celebration with family and friends, then this is the one for you.

The beautiful 200 acres of the camp and farm is all yours for the weekend. They hold a licence for intimate civil ceremonies in the lodge, Bwthyn or garden pavilion. The giant hat tipis seat 80 to 150 guests for a personalised humanist wedding celebration.

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Photo: Debs Ivelja Photography

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CARDIGAN QUAYS | PEMBROKESHIRE

GLANGRWYNEY COURT | CRICKHOWELL

Also forming part of fforest, in this secret courtyard you’ll find a Tafarn Smwglin bar and giant tipi bringing you all the pleasures of an outdoor wedding, in a beautiful riverside setting, with the convenience of being in Cardigan town centre.

On a dry summer’s day you can have your ceremony under the rose arch or a gazebo (but you will need to complete the formalities of signing the register with your witnesses).

Visit www.fforestweddings.co.uk for more information.

8 Photo: @glancourt

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PENPONT | BRECON If you have more than 80 guests, a marquee can be erected on the lawn in front of Penpont house.

They are licenced to hold civil ceremonies and have several sites listed within their licence. Two are within the main house and two within the stables. They also have a designated outside area at the front of the house.

The venue owns an unusual awning which can add extra covered outdoor space for your event.

Photo: Penpont swansealife.co.uk 65

BRIDE

real life wedding Charles Barratt and Alan Bevan Charles Barratt, 53, a Shopping Centre Manager from Llantwit Major, married Alan Bevan, 49, a Communications Engineer from Milford Haven, at Ivy Bush Hotel in Carmarthen.

They now live in Carmarthen, and JESS HAMMETT speaks with the couple How did the proposal happen?

Alan proposed to me in Venice eight months ago. We were on holiday at the time, and it was so picturesque!

Where did you get married?

We had our service in the Ivy Bush Hotel in Carmarthen which was perfect for the amount of guests we had - a registry office wasn’t big enough. We had our reception in Lorenzo’s in Nott Square.

How would you describe your wedding theme? What was your inspiration?

It was a Moulin Rouge theme, and that was my idea! It is my favourite movie and I thought it would work, hence the colour scheme of red, white and black.

Did you have a wedding planner or did you take a DIY approach?

We definitely took a DIY approach! Lorenzo’s did a lot of the decorations in the venue itself. They

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made a windmill, favours and bits and bobs.

Our florist was Emily, from The Lane Floristry, which is based in Bristol, and we had red, white and black flowers in giant martini glasses. There were also crystals on the table and red favour boxes.

We used a company in the Forest of Dean to make our invitations. Peachy Impressions were brilliant, and the people who received our invitations said they have never seen anything like them! We also had a fun candy cart from Debs Treats, based in Stoke on Trent, and our vintage wedding cars were hired from Eternity Wedding Cars, from Pembrokeshire. We bought our bridesmaids’ jewellery in Venice, so it was all co-ordinated.

Tell us about the morning you got married…

Alan and I went and had our hair cut in the morning, to get out of the house as it was full

of bridesmaids, all having their hair, makeup and nails done! We had fresh rose petals for confetti, so we spent the morning of the wedding ripping off the heads of roses! The ushers were running around getting the venues ready, and setting up the room in the Ivy Bush. Our cakemaker from T’isie Teisen also visited the venue to set up our Moulin Rouge themed wedding cake.

My niece, Laura-Gene was my best person, and she gave me away at the wedding service. A friend from Scotland, Rosa, gave Alan away. The music we chose for the ceremony had a lot of meaning to it, and we had a singer, Corrin Cassini.

We walked down the aisle to Kathy Kirby’s Secret Love, we signed the register to Adele’s Someone Like You and Ewan Macgregor’s Come What May, and we walked out of the ceremony to Christina Aguilera’s Lady Marmalade. We were met with cheers and claps when we walked into the ceremony, and it took the registrar by surprise!

And what were the evening celebrations like?

There can sometimes be a lull in weddings between the ceremony and reception, but that didn’t happen! We just kept going. We had our meal and made our speeches in a marquee.

Our guests were spread over two floors so we video-linked the speeches so everyone could see what was happening. We then had live music from Jaycee Band, and our guests enjoyed a London taxi photo booth from Cabtured Photo Booths. That was great fun as you had four seconds to get changed with props! There was just a great atmosphere and lots of merriment!

Did you have any entertainment?

Jermin Productions supplied all of the entertainment and dancing. All of the acts tied into the theme, and they involved all the guests.

None of them knew this was going to happen!

When they came out of the service, they were met by characters all speaking in French, saying “follow me, follow me!” There was music and confetti cannons, and they paraded all the way down to Lorenzo’s where they were met by champagne cocktails, canapés and entertainment. It was a fantastic day, and our guests are still commenting about it!

What was your favourite moment?

Just seeing people’s faces, and seeing them actually enjoying themselves. People I never thought would get involved were wearing feathers and dancing to the can-can! Everybody mingled and got on, and most importantly had fun! It was just a brilliant day.

How important was photography to your wedding day?

Very important! I knew our photographer Jason Thomas prior to our wedding, as I had worked with him before. He had a very clear

understanding of what was going on, and took on board what we wanted. He started at the house, taking photographs of us getting ready, and stayed right through until the late evening at the cake cutting. We didn’t cut the cake until about 9:30pm, and we had big flame throwers next to it. We had an audience – there were people gathering in the square and live Facebooking the event!

Are you planning a honeymoon?

We have been to Bali, it was absolutely breathtaking.

Would you do anything differently, or do you have any advice for newly engaged couples?

No, I definitely wouldn’t do anything differently!

My advice would be to just plan thoroughly, but enjoy the day. When it comes to the day, don’t wear a watch and don’t look at the clock, as time goes fast enough as it is. Just enjoy it!

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Bespoke Weddings for 2018 & 2019

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BRIDE

THIS MONTH

WE LOVE LAURA DAVIES rounds up some of her favourite products this month All You Need is Love Save The Date Postcards, 25 Pack, £9, Hobbycraft, Parc Fforestfach

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

GIFT FROM THE HEART

TABLE PLANNING

Have you travelled many places together as a couple, or are you having a travel inspired wedding? If so, this map print could make the basis of a wonderfully unique wedding table plan. It’s also perfect for framing as a fun way to remember your big day.

Map Wedding Table Plan, £10.50, NotOnTheHighStreet.com

Busy B Countdown Calendar, £11, John Lewis, Cardiff

Giving a British Heart Foundation boxed brooch, £7.99, to your bridesmaids or to your wedding guests as a favour, as a small token of your appreciation, is a sweet gesture, while helping to raise funds for life-saving research, www.giftshop.bhf.org.uk

Personalised Wooden Wedding Hanger, £12.99, GettingPersonal.co.uk

BE OUR GUEST

This guest book is the definition of alternative! Your family and friends can write their messages on the wooden heart pieces, and then slot them into the frame. It not only makes a quirky and unusual decoration on the big day, but it’s a gorgeous keepsake to be treasured for years to come.

Ginger Ray Wooden Frame Wedding Guest Book, £25, John Lewis, Cardiff

Heaven Sends - Heart Wedding Fund Moneybox, £11.99, MagicalStory.co.uk

PERSONALISED

This personalised doormat would make a statement in any newlyweds’ home. It’ll also be a unique gift that’ll bring a smile to any visitor’s face when they knock the door!

Personalised ‘Welcome You’ Outdoor Doormat, £26.99, GettingPersonal.co.uk

DREAM GOWNS If you’re planning a vintage themed wedding for the autumn or winter months then this show-stopping gown from Crysalis in Gorseinon, could be just perfect for you. Featuring sheer lace sleeves and a sensual low back, this slinky yet demure gown will make you feel simply sensational on your big day.

Benjamin Roberts Wedding Dress (SKU: 2505), £1,150, Crysalis, High Street, Gorseinon

Established in 2017 Money Wallet, £3.50, Next, Morfa Retail Park swansealife.co.uk 69

DORIAN - SWANSEA MAGICIAN Dorian is a time-served, genuine full-time, seasoned professional magician. For over fifteen years he has earned his living solely by performing magic for paying audiences.

Before turning professional in 2002 he also worked at a semi-professional level for a further three years, learning his trade, sharpening his skills and building a solid foundation before taking the plunge into being a full-time magic entertainer. With an act that has been developed and honed over the best part of two decades, the result is a polished and striking performance of magic that is perfect for all kinds of corporate events, private parties and weddings.

WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT If you are looking for a unique and special wedding entertainment idea for your BIG day, hiring Dorian as your wedding magician is a guaranteed way to leave a lasting impression on your guests. His act is perfectly suited to any wedding celebration and he can mix and mingle with your family and guests effortlessly entertaining them with his world class magic act.

As a wedding magician and one of the UK’s top wedding entertainers, his goal is to make your BIG day the one that all your guests will talk about for a very long time after the event. Dorian’s top priority is to help ensure that your wedding is a truly magical, fabulous and enjoyable.

SWANSEA BASED Although based in Swansea he works extensively throughout the UK and also at an international level. He has travelled to many parts of the world performing for TV and movie celebrity in addition to entertaining at several Royal events. The countries he has worked in include France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland, Spain, Austria and Brazil.

GUARANTEED Dorian backs up his work with a 100% money-back guarantee. He will pull out all the stops to deliver an absolute sterling performance that you and your guests will be truly thrilled and amazed. Suffice to say he would be truly embarrassed to take payment for anything less than delivering on his promise of quality. To date Dorian has never been late or a no-show for a booking. Dorian’s success is founded on performing an original world-class act with top class sleight of hand.

His individual style is enthusiastic, energetic and is guaranteed to be a truly memorable part of your next event in and around Swansea.

For more details please visit:

www.dorianmagic.com T: (01792) 541 524 M: 07812 592 391 E: enquiry@dorianmagic.com

Your Wedding IMAGINE

BY THE BEACH

Celebrate your wedding on the beautiful Gower Peninsula, just a few metres from our exquisite location by the beach.

01792 390 329

info@oxwichbayhotel.co.uk

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All this for only ÂŁ65.00

Spa Packages from ÂŁ55.00 per person

Have your Picture Perfect Wedding At Norton House Hotel we offer comfort, style and service, ensuring your special day is one to remember

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www.nortonhousehotel.co.uk Weddings l Functions l Restaurant l Accommodation

MANOR PARK COUNTRY HOUSE LIMITED

Get Married in a Grade II listed Manor House steeped in History Idyllic country setting just minutes from the city Centre Stunning Award Winning Landscaped Gardens Choice of Function Rooms adaptable to your requirements Experienced Staff with excellent Customer Service 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating Unrivalled record of excellence Easily Accessible Location We have an unrivalled record of Excellence in weddings, make the right choice and let the Experts host your special day

Be part of Tradition & make unforgettable memories at Manor Park

www.manorparkcountryhouse.co.uk Tel. 01792 846 999 Clydach, Swansea SA6 5NR

Health & wellbeing

FOOD BENEFITS (page 76) BODY BLITZ (page 80) DR CHARLOTTE (page 82)

DefyTime

Cosmetic Clinic & Medical Spa

466 Gower Road, Killay, Swansea, SA2 7DZ Tel: 01792 208466

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FO O D B E N E F I TS

aloe vera

It’s not historically known as the ‘miracle plant’ for nothing LAURA DAVIES looks at why you need to add aloe vera to your wellness radar… laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

It’s super-soothing...

Ever been on holiday to the Caribbean and been offered aloe vera gel - squeezed straight out of the plant - to rub on sun-parched or sunburnt skin? Naturally cooling and soothing, it’s often hailed for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant qualities. It can help to speed up new cell growth and repair damaged tissues. That’s why it’s an excellent soother for irritated and burnt skin.

And great in summer drinks Ultra-refreshing and naturally sweet, aloe vera is making its mark in the healthy drinks market. Whether you’re glugging an aloe-based drink, or topping up homemade smoothies and juices with an aloe supplement. It’s a nutrient-dense choice. Aloe vera is what we call a ‘functional’ food. In other words, it has health benefits that can enhance our wellbeing. It can help balance energy levels and support our immune systems to name a few of its properties.

The Egyptians loved it Thought superfoods were a new concept? Throughout history, people have turned to nature in a bid to bolster their health. The Ancient Egyptians dubbed aloe vera the ‘plant of immortality’. In reality, it’s probably not going to make you live forever, but it is packed with vitamins.

It might help with blood sugar balance Cravings, energy slumps, mood swings, tiredness... our body has lots of ways of letting us know when we’re consuming too much sugar. Sometimes, poor blood sugar balance can contribute to weight gain too, often due to a diet high in carbohydrates with a lack of fibre, healthy fats and protein. Aloe vera has healthy polysaccharides,

@LawsDx

which have been shown to aid blood sugar balancing, and therefore can be a great tool to help weight management alongside reducing refined carbohydrates and sugars in the diet.

And help combat bloating too Aloe Vera helps to improve the body’s digestion, beating the all too common bloat which is linked to an imbalance in the digestive tract. Aloe Vera has been long known for its digestive benefits, which include anti-inflammatory properties and helping to support friendly bacteria.

It’ll also boost your complexion from the inside-out Aloe vera has a special, hidden quality which allows the body to absorb vitamin C and E from other foods. The body uses vitamin C to make collagen which helps keep skin healthy and elastic. And both vitamin C and E are antioxidants, which protect skin against damage and ageing.

Beautiful glowing skin is also linked to your digestion, hormone balance and detoxification. The aloe vera inner gel also has components which help with all three of these.

It also makes a great natural hair and face mask On the look-out for more natural beauty products? It doesn’t get much more natural than this: Scoop out the gooey insides of the plant, whizz through a blender and then apply to your hair for luscious, conditioned locks, or use as a soothing, replenishing face mask.

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Advertising Feature

DrDanFacial.com Botulinum toxin & Fillers Mr Dan Ashworth FDS, FRCS (OMFS) Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon

Non-surgical facial enhancement, such as having botox and fillers, is now mainstream, with both men and women happy to take advantage of the almost painless injectable products to enhance their look, or even turn back the clock by a decade. Swansea Life meets the man behind DrDanFacial.com.

Q & A with Dr Dan What is DrDanFacial.com?

DrDanFacial.com is the website and brand name for my private aesthetic practice.

Who is Dr Dan? I am Dan Ashworth, consultant maxillofacial surgeon at Cwm Taf University Health Board. My NHS commitment is mostly surgical management of facial skin cancer, mouth cancer, facial trauma, and my specialist area of salivary tumours. Since I was appointed a consultant in 2006, I have also created a specialist service treating facial pain, using botulinum toxin and psychological approaches.

I am registered with the General Medical Council Specialist List for

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and I am a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons Faculties of Surgery and also Dental Surgery. This year, I was voted Maxillofacial Trainer of the Year in South Wales. I live with my family in Swansea, where we enjoy the spectacular coastline and mountains on our doorstep.

What sort of services do you provide?

I offer non-surgical cosmetic enhancements with botulinum toxin and skin fillers. These basically reduce wrinkling and add volume to re-contour the face. Cheek and jawline, lips, tear troughs, nasolabial creases and non-surgical rhinoplasty are all achievable. Extending the use of these products, I provide sweat reduction and treat facial pain and jaw clenching. I also offer

private maxillofacial consultation on oral, head and neck problems such as lumps and bumps, sore mouth, ulceration, chronic facial pain and jaw joint problems.

Where is the DrDanFacial.com clinic?

My wife and personal assistant Sarah will arrange clinics, usually on a Friday or Saturday, at Penclawdd Dental Practice, North Gower, 15 minutes from Junction 47 of the M4.

Who should come and see Dr Dan? Facial enhancement is a very personal choice, but is now available to adults of all ages. It is mainstream now, with many providers and relatively painless treatments giving medium to long-term results.

Penclawdd Dental Practice | West End | Penclawdd | Swansea | SA4 3YU Contact Sarah Ashworth on Tel: 07779 455071 | Email: DrDanFacial@gmail.com

Increasingly, men are looking at enhancement and rejuvenation, and might feel more comfortable consulting in a dental practice-style clinic. I will always develop a realistic treatment plan, aiming for a natural and subtle enhancement. It should look like you, but fantastic.

Is it safe?

Botulinum toxin has been in use for about 50 years with no major problems. Overtreatment is where difficulties arise. Likewise, fillers have evolved through fat transfer, collagen, and various permanent implants to the current hyaluronic acid gels. These are hypoallergenic, sterile and last six to nine months depending on location. Longer lasting volume enhancement can be achieved with semi-permanent hydroxyapatite filler. Like any minimal access treatment,

complications relate specifically to anatomy and technique. Common problems are bruising and swelling, but there are some serious, albeit very rare, risks that relate to certain parts of the face that your provider should discuss with you.

I am interested in facial enhancement: what should I do next?

Do a little home work! Have a look online at sites like DrDanFacial. com. There is a huge amount of information there, before-and-after photos and you can email specific enquiries. If you think enhancement is for you, then contact my assistant Sarah to book a free consultation without obligation.

Is there much “down-time” with non-surgical enhancement?

That’s a really good question: toxin

will leave you with a few “mozzie bites” and most clients would return to work immediately. Filler enhancement will cause some bruising and swelling, depending on site; lips especially swell and therefore a Friday treatment is ideal for return to work on Monday.

Tell us something about Dr Dan that nobody knows I like to fling myself off a mountain, strapped to a paraglider, and soar like an eagle.

Information about Penclawdd Dental Practice.

This is a super modern practice owned by experienced dentists Liz and Andrew Lee. The staff are enthusiastic, the premises have sweeping sea views and are designed for disabled access.

Established seven years ago, they offer Saturday and evening appointments, private emergency visits and private plans from £9.50/ month. They provide the full range of cosmetic dentistry, tooth whitening and an implant referral service, all of which complement the facial aesthetics available with DrDanFacial.com.

Penclawdd Dental Practice | West End | Penclawdd | Swansea | SA4 3YU Contact Reception on 01792 850223 | Email on reception@penclawdddentalpractice.co.uk To book a private appointment with Penclawdd Dental Practice call today

M ME R B U S A OD E C Y A F

Z IT BL ?

CA N’ T

HEALTH & WELLBEING

7 tips that are quick, easy and actually work Summer holiday season is here - hooray! Cue united bikini body and swimsuit shopping panic.The reality is, it’s highly unlikely any of us will be shedding stones for our holiday snaps. But, if you want to feel a bit better about yourself, cut down on eating bad stuff and get yourself moving a bit more. LAURA DAVIES looks at the habits you can start now that will make a difference by the time you take off. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

1

KEEP ANYTHING WORTH EATING OUT OF THE HOUSE

One of the best things about exercise is that it has a cumulative effect. So, if despite your best intentions, you haven’t yet managed to make that early-morning bootcamp, the 7-minute workout will get you results, if you do it regularly.

3

LOCATE LONG-FORGOTTEN CORE MUSCLES

Working all your abdominal muscles, and those around the hips and lower back, will help to give you a flatter-looking tummy, even if you haven’t managed to whittle your waistline by the time you board the plane. Book into a Pilates class or dust off that oversized exercise ball, and you really will be delighted at the results.

BOOK SOME EXERCISE CLASSES

Again, an obvious one, but paying in advance for your workout using apps such as PayAsUGym and ClassPass, means you’re

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more likely to turn up. And subsequently burn hundreds of calories.

5 2 6

It may sound obvious, but the best remedy for tackling the biggest hunger pang is to stay out of harm’s way. If you’re not having to fight the urge to stay away from the crisp/dip/biscuit stash, and your only snack option is a tired old cream cracker, you’ll soon find something else to do.

STICK TO THE 7-MINUTE WORKOUT

@LawsDx

4

GIVE HOVIS THE HEAVE-HO

Actually, cutting out bread won’t make you lose weight per se, but it will stop you eating calorie-laden sarnies, cheese-covered pizzas and rounds of buttered toast, so it’s likely to work as a pre-holiday emergency measure.

SET MULTIPLE TARGETS

Create several daily targets to help you achieve an overall goal.

10,000 steps burns around 400 calories; consuming your RDA of around 50g of protein should help to keep you feeling full, while tooth-brushing squats on a Monday, wall-push ups on a Tuesday and hoovering lunges on a Saturday, will all add up pretty quickly.

DISCOVER THE JOYS OF JOURNALING

7

Worthy? Yes. But also highly effective. Logging what you’re eating might mean you think twice about devouring a whole packet of biscuits (if we told you you’d need to walk nearly a mile to burn off a single Hobnob, you might reconsider). Download the My Fitness Pal app and log all your food in it. You can scan in anything with a barcode too, which does make the whole process a lot more pain-free.

Want to get more out of your trips to the swimming pool? LAURA DAVIES rounds up five simple tips for superior swims this summer.

IN!

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Just getting in the pool and clocking up some lengths is great for general fitness and relaxation, but if you’re looking to increase your swimming endurance and improve your technique a little, there’s lots you can do to take those water workouts to the next level.

1. WORK ON YOUR LEG KICKS

Good freestyle technique will help spread the effort from head to toe, as well as helping you swim faster.

The first tip would be to work on your leg kick on freestyle. Your leg kick’s really important as it takes the stress and strain off your shoulders.

How to do this? For starters, you’ll need willpower and a willingness to give it a go. Kick is one of the hardest things in any swimmer’s training programme, but it will reap great rewards if you can improve it. Try to include some kicking sets in your workout using a board [float], or kicking on your back without a board.

Maintaining a good body line is essential, so if you find that your legs sink when you kick with a float, then try putting your head down, which will help to bring the legs and hips higher in the water, reducing drag.

2. SLOW DOWN AND FOCUS ON YOUR BREATHING

Work on the rhythm of your breathing. Working on both of those things [breathing and kicks] will allow you to swim for longer. And it’s easier as well; it doesn’t sap your energy so much. Incorporating longer swims, at a lower intensity, can be a good way to get into a comfortable rhythm with your breathing, as well as being beneficial overall.

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

DIVE

3. MIX UP YOUR STROKES

A more varied pool workout doesn’t just keep things interesting but will work different muscle groups, and help prevent fatigue and overuse injuries (though be careful with breaststroke if you have low-back problems, and avoid any strokes that aggravate existing injuries or joint issues).

Mix up freestyle, some backstroke and some breaststroke; you can even add in pull sets and kicks. Mixing it up gives your body a greater all-over workout and will also prevent injury. Doing freestyle all the time could result in your shoulders hurting.

4. CONSIDER HAVING A LESSON WITH A COACH

You can feel what you do, but you can’t see it. This is why it’s important to get guidance from qualified coaches or teachers if you want to improve your technique.

You might feel quite comfortable in the water and that your technique’s OK, but if you’re keen to start training a little harder, there might be little tweaks that could make a big difference. Most swimmers, even higherlevel competitive swimmers, think that to go faster they simply have to try harder. This isn’t the case. To go faster and achieve more distance, it’s important to reduce drag, so swimming efficiently and maximising each pull and kick is essential.

5. WARM UP BEFORE YOU GET WET

Lots of people skip the warm-up before getting into the pool, and if you’re just doing a leisurely swim or aiming to relax, that’s probably fine - but if you want to ramp it up and see improvements, it’s worth making it part of the workout.

The best way to warm up for a swim is to do a short routine based around RMAP - Raise your heart rate (skipping or jogging on the spot); Mobilise your limbs and trunk (arm swings and leg swings); Activate (put your body through a big range of movement exercises on the poolside floor), and finally Prime (maybe do some press-ups, squats or jumps).

You’ll then be warm and ready to start swimming. And after swimming, always do five to 10 minutes of stretching, in order to reset your muscles and assist in recovery.

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

ASK

DR. CHARLOTTE

INTERESTING SPORTING CONDITIONS With all the sport on TV and the recent Swansea half marathon, it prompted me to focus on some sporting injuries that many patients are presented with.

TENNIS ELBOW

• Pain and swelling around the outside of the elbow caused by overusing the muscles that attach to the elbow that help you straighten your wrist.

• Mainstay of treatment is to follow the RICE guidance – Rest, Ice, Compress (support bandage) and Elevate.

• If very painful then sometimes simple pain relief will help but it will get better eventually.

• If it isn’t settling with the above, then see your GP or attend the walk in physio service at Singleton (1-3pm Monday to Friday) where you will be examined and treatment advice given.

GOLFERS ELBOW

• Very similar to tennis elbow but on the inner part of the elbow • Treatment is the same as for tennis elbow

This month Sketty GP and Swansea Life doctor Charlotte Jones, focusses on sporting injuries

MARCH FRACTURE

• These are hairline stress fracture cracks in a foot bone caused by overuse when you either step up a training regime, or like me, start exercising and been previously quite sedentary – they can affect other bones too.

• Usually you feel pain on exercising in a specific spot.

• The diagnosis can be tricky at times and x-rays can miss the fractures.

• Mainstay of treatment is essentially to rest from the activity causing pain for 4-8 weeks and follow a specified management plan which a sports specialist and / or specialised physiotherapist will advise on.

SHIN SPLINTS

• I have suffered from this when training for a leg of a marathon relay a few years back and can attest to its pain.

• Symptoms include pain along the shinbones which starts after exercising and becomes better after resting. It usually affects both shines and can vary in intensity. It often affects larger areas than what you tend to see with stress fractures.

• Mainstay of treatment is to rest from the

activity causing pain, apply ice regularly (20 mins every 2 hours is what I recommend), use simple pain killers (if needed and safe to do so).

• I would also recommend: Making sure you have the right supportive trainers (there are specialist shops who can look at your running style and can advise on trainers and / or podiatrists can make specific insoles to support your foot).

Running on softer surfaces and warming up / stretching before exercising.

• Experts advise weight loss as putting less pressure on the shins and also that you can do other lower impact activities (e.g. cycling / swimming / yoga) • If the shin splints aren’t improving despite above then you should see your GP

DEAD BUTT SYNDROME

• Yes this is a real condition – the proper medical term is gluteus medius tendinitis – i.e. inflammation of the tendon of one of the large gluteal bottom muscles whose main function is to stabilise and support the hip and pelvis when doing weight-bearing exercise.

• Patients describe it as like having a pin stabbing their bottom and sometimes their hip.

• A physiotherapist and sports specialist can advise on appropriate exercising, deep tissue massages and reducing intensity of your exercise can help it resolve.

• Stretching / warming up before exercising can prevent it recurring again.

SKIERS THUMB

• This is caused by an injury to a collateral ligament supporting the thumb joint – usually when falling onto an outstretched thumb (e.g. when carrying a ski pole).

• The thumb is swollen, bruised and painful.

• Treatment can involve splinting the thumb followed by specific thumb physiotherapy if the ligament is partially torn but if it is completely torn then you will need an operation.

Despite all of the above, don’t let this put you off…… exercise is good for your health.

Food & drink

THE SWIGG (page 86) FOOD LIBRARY WITH NATHAN LLOYD (page 94) SIAN DAY (page 96)

Norton Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 5TQ 01792 404 891 www.nortonhousehotel.co.uk

enquiries@nortonhousehotel.co.uk Nortonhousemumbles @nortonhousemumb

FOOD & DRINK

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL...

Mobbed by locals and clued-up day trippers, The Swigg is fast gaining a legion of admiring fans. PETER SLEE joins them... peter.slee@trinitymirror.com

I’m asked almost daily by strangers where I eat ‘out of choice’. People want the answer, I’ve learned, to be somewhere very posh and smart.

Or some other place that wraps foie gras around obscure lamb’s innards and serves it with Pouilly-Fumé.

doors.

But while I do love pomp and faff sometimes, it is an odd sort of creature who wants this during downtime. So Swigg in Swansea’s marina area continues to be held dear to my heart because, well, because it is just so darned good and without any of that faff.

Whatever, when I call in with two friends on a wet Saturday July lunchtime, our spirits lift hugely when we are shown to our table.

Swigg is a dream destination for a day off. In fact, it’s a good destination for just about anytime, I have discovered on the back of a handful of visits in recent months.

I first stumbled across it almost by accident earlier this year on a walk with Mrs S and an early morning visit to the adjoining maritime museum. We fancied a coffee and popped in.

What struck me then was how, just the night before, we had called in elsewhere in Swansea for a meal to walk into a place where Friday evening dinner for two was slightly glum, with hardly any customers and waiting staff left to patrol the dining space like wardens looking for illegally parked cars.

Here, and the joint was nicely jumping in a good way. Your spirits lift when you walk through its

86 swansealife.co.uk

@PeterSlee56

Staff are smiling, customers are smiling. It’s a busy, smiley, jolly kind of a place with enough room inside, I’d guess for 40 or so diners, with tables outside overlooking the water’s edge for another 50 perhaps.

It’s busy, it’s loud, it’s welcoming, it’s fun.

It’s also about good food. The twist here is that it’s small plate food. A kind of Swansea version of tapas for grown ups if you like. And I say that in a good way.

Our helpful waitress tells us most people opt for two mains, “ three if you are very hungry!” So off we go. For me, a 4oz fillet steak (£9) with a foamy gentleman’s relish, and, ( yes, I know it’s a strange combo but believe me it does work) seared tofu (£6) with coconut and lime. To the side for an extra £3, Aspen fries with truffle oil and dusted with grated parmesan. We fall on them.

It all hits the mark though the tofu in particular - a squeaky-clean mound in a bath of creamy coconut milk and with just enough ginger on it to leave a tingle on the lips - is my mouthpuckering winner.

WHAT’S THE ROOM LIKE?

As befits its setting, Swigg’s architecture features a modest level of maritime reference, as well as paying attention to Swansea’s heritage as an industrial hinterland of global significance. So it’s not huge but is atmospheric. . The big-windowed restaurant is a small and cosy room with a real neighbourhood feel, packed with exposed, red brick walls and a mix of low and high tables. There’s a bar at one end with the kitchen behind that. On one wall, a huge TV screening some of Swansea’s best views on a video loop. Beyond that, quayside tables and some great great views of the marina.

WHAT WE LOVED

The attention to detail, from the informed and friendly staff to the ambience, the food and the ‘ feel good’ factor’ you will here on even the dullest of Swansea days.

Across the table, and one of my lunchtime companions goes for the likes of Salt marsh lamb with cockles, laverbread and leeks (£8) and, in a change of tempo, beef carpaccio with watercress and horseradish. The third amongst us - a vegan - has no trouble at all in choosing that oh-so delicious Tofu together with a fennal and orange salad and falafel with chilli, lightly crisp cubes which, gratifyingly, have a lilt of sweetness to them too. For pud, a quite delicious apple and beetroot cake.

Oh and joy of joys, when she asks for a vegan wine, the exceptionally pleasant woman attending to us obliges, immediatly knows what’s what and helps with a brilliant choice of options.

bread with Welsh butter, baby stuffed peppers and fries.

So in short, a joy. And one I would heartily recommend seeking out.

Was it worth braving a long’ish walk from a car park in a Saturday downpour for? Hell yes.

Beautiful ingredients, cooked simply with skill and speed, served with enthusiasm – the recipe for a pretty perfect meal, I’d say.

So many places wax lyrically about being fresh and remarkable. This one actually is.

The Swigg

No quizzical stares, no blank looks...just straight to the business. Good stuff.

1b, National Waterfront Museum,

Some sides on our table too of sourdough

Phone: 01792 655666

Swansea SA1 3RD

swansealife.co.uk 87

FOOD & DRINK

GIRLS ALLOWED! He might have had his reservations about joining in a foodie ‘ Girl’s Night’, but turns out, it still impresses PETER SLEE peter.slee@trinitymirror.com

@PeterSlee56

The accompanying chips were big, hot and crispy.

It’s usually fair to assume that any restaurant within a hotel chain is not a place to go.

With all but a few exceptions, they can be overpriced and, well, if the truth be told, a bit underwhelming too.

Of all the renegade pairings that shine though, best-in-show is the marriage in my huge starter between chicken tenders and the accompanying spring onions. Orchestrated by a sweet chilli dip, they each masterfully offset each other’s bolshy flavours, creating a rich and earthy symphony of the sort Beethoven would be proud. Probably.

But here is one that stands out.

And with good reason. After all, its ‘Grill’ venue has been part of the Village Hotel’s core products ever since it opened up shop a little over a decade or so ago.

Those familiar with it will need no telling of its delights: great food in creative assemblies but still largely resolutely simple. You could call it modern British meets new Swansea if you felt so inclined, but it’s actually far less pretentious than such a description would suggest.

In fact, it’s all a bit more everyday than that.

Spearheaded by chefs wanting to make great food more accessible by merging it with bistro-style service and settings.

Of course, this style of eating is nothing unusual in Swansea anymore, hence there isn’t anything particularly gobsmacking about the notion of kicking off with sweet potato, coconut and chilli soup.

Gobsmacking, no. But lip smacking, yes. The chilli is perfectly aportioned, the coconut utterly light and deep with flavour - it could be a signature dish all on its own.

And from there on in, the quality doesn’t drop. A dish of Teriyaki salmon with a warm, black rice salad with a side of garlic mushrooms in an assembly as much about texture as taste.

I’m here to get a taste of its Thursday evening ‘Girls at the Grill’ offering: two courses with a decent glass of fizz for a bit-of-a-bargain £29 for two. “ Get the girls together and enjoy” says the ad. Hey, I’m a bloke. But there’s no discrimination here. So Mrs S and I are giving it a whirl!

What about the food then? The menu isn’t huge but is still full of temptations.

A medley of chicken rigatoni, adorned with a spicy roda sauce is a refreshing riff on a regular pasta dish and much more than the sum of its parts, while a Minute Steak laced with roasted tomatoes is seductively delicate despite its size. It was smokey, juicy, and the knife cut through it like a hot blade through Nutella.

88 swansealife.co.uk

Being a man of good taste, we imagine he would have approved of the wonderful wine list which accompanies these dishes, too. Like the food pairings which make this restaurant so exciting (and unlike some wine lists) they are unusual but not too odd, funky but not too preposterous, and made to be different but much more so to be delicious. Our bottle of South African Kudu Plains Chenin Blanc at £17.50 was also good value.

So yes, a bargain night out for two, girlies or otherwise!.

I’ve long been a fan of the Village Grill’s Sunday lunch offering: a four-course, all-you-can-eat menu for £13.95. It is really great stuff particulartly if you have a family in tow.

This latest deal is surely another reason to call in here.

There’s a magic trick, though, and it’s this: the everyday interior is misdirection. With no temptation to look around, attention stays on the table. It becomes an island, where synchronised staff arrive like ships.

Our main server, Rachel was a delight. It makes a difference.

The feeling is glorious: rarely does a hotel restaurant feel so comfortable. The waiters came and went as though they’d wire-tapped our brainwaves, somehow appearing just when needed and floating away the same way. The service can’t be questioned:.

We were thoroughly spoiled. Everyone was!

Village Hotel Langdon Road, Swansea, SA1 8QY 01792 341270 www.village-hotels.co.uk

Best places to Eat MUMBLES

The Kitchen Table Mumbles 626 Mumbles Rd, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EA Tel: 01792 367616 • www.thekitchentablemumblesblog.wordpress.com

We are a cosy and independently run cafe style restaurant offering wholesome, home cooked and locally sourced food.

The only Gluten-free dining restaurant mentioned on the Gluten-free Facebook in Swansea & Mumbles. We cater for Vegan and vegetarians.

FREE Americano Coffee or Welsh Brew Tea with every breakfast ordered before 12 Mon - Thurs.

Sri Lankan curry night last Thursday of every month with 20% off takeaway. FREE Cobra Beer with every Thali Plate.

Terms and conditions apply.

PONTARDULAIS

Papi’s Pizzeria 7a St.Teilo Street, Pontardulais, Swansea SA4 8TH Tel: 01792 928442 • www.papis-pizzeria.co.uk

Papi’s Pizzeria is a traditional Italian take away with a selection of freshly prepared pizzas cooked in our wood fire oven. We also have a selection of homemade pasta with freshly cooked sauces.

Now serving Tiramisu.

Catering service now available for any occasion with a delivery service. Ask for details.

Open Tues-Sat 11am-10pm and Sun 5pm-10pm.

Eat in or take away.

Delivery service available. View our menus online.

SWANSEA

The Smiths Arms 51-52 Neath Road, Hafod, SA1 2HR Tel: 01792 466776

Family friendly pub serving food daily.

Serving for food Monday-Wednesday 12-3pm & 5-8pm, Thursday & Friday 12-8pm, Saturday 11.30-6pm Sunday carvery 12-4pm. Choice of 3 meats £6.45.

Curry & Pint night every Thursday 5-8pm.

Free newly refurbished function room for parties.

Car park at rear of building.

Book now for your Christmas party.

Best places to Eat

Restaurant Guide Four great places to eat and drink

A B E R AVO N

BEACH

Spring has sprung!

Summer is here!

Remo’s has a simple goal – we want to make your day better and brighter. On those beautiful Spring mornings, start the day well with a hearty cooked breakfast together with the wake-me-up aroma of freshly ground Remo’s coffee.

You could visit us at lunchtime, meet up with friends and enjoy one of Remo’s classics such as a delicious Chinese Crispy Beef Wrap, one of our juicy handshaped burgers or a gorgeous stonebaked pizza.

Why not join us in the evening for a chill-out dinner overlooking the sea?

Enjoy one of our hand selected wines, a frosty beer, or a local cider, then finish off with the sumptuous flavour of one our homemade desserts or Remo’s own ice cream.

Make Remo’s part of your day!

The Heart of The Seafront We listen to our customers.

You’ve told us what you want and that’s what we’ll deliver superb food and drink in a fantastic setting with the warmest of welcomes.

Come visit us, and enjoy overlooking the magnificent Aberavon Beachfront.

Coffee

All of our coffee is freshly ground and crafted in the proper Italian barista style for impeccable quality always

Pasta

Our pasta sauces are all made fresh to order to our own family recipes. If you want something a little different, just ask and we’ll work to make it happen

Pizza

Our pizzas are hand-stretched and stone-baked to perfection. We use only fresh dough, and always the finest ingredients and toppings

Burgers

The Remo burger is the ultimate for taste.

Hand-shaped from the best quality beef and flame-grilled to lock in the mouthpopping flavour

01639 882121

www.caferemos.com

2012 - 2015 Winner of Swansea in Bloom Community Award Heroes Runner Up

It’s summer at the eagle...

• Award winning pub • 2 meals for £10 Extensive menu • Buffets for all occasions • Children eat free • Theme nights - Steak night on Tuesdays, Roast Dinner day on Wednesdays, Curry Night on Wednesdays, Pie Night on Thursdays and Fish Specials on a Friday and Saturday • Sunday lunch, highly advisable to book, takeaways available • Quiz night on a Sunday evening • Family Friendly Enclosed rear beer garden.

855 Llangyfelach Road, Treboeth,Swansea, SA5 9AU Telephone: 01792 700491 | www.theeagletreboeth.co.uk

AvAilABle 1sT - 23rd

deCemBer 2017 Christmas Bookings New Being Taken 4 Course Festive Menu Mon, Tues & Wed £17 .90 Thurs, Fri & Sat £19.90

Party Bookings Welcome

Parties of 10 and above Party organiser eats

Free

ER M S Y A SUM LID IAL O H EC SP

KIDS EAT FOR FREE 22 JULY - 3 SEPTEMBER Little foodies eat for free at Nines this summer holiday - from spring rolls and pizza, to ice cream and cake, you can be sure we have all their favourites.

Happy tummies, and happy wallets!

One child per fully paying adult. Valid for children under 140cm, OR under 10 years.

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.

100 S OF GLOBAL DISHES FOR ONE SET PRICE ALL YOU CAN EAT Japanese / Spanish / Indian / Italian / Chinese + MANY MORE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT - IMPROVED STANDARDS - NEW CHEFS - BETTER THAN EVER! NinesBuffetSwansea

Nines_swansea

Nines_global_buffet

DISABLED FACILITIES

15-16 Castle St, Swansea SA1 1JF swansea@ninesrestaurant.co.uk 01792 456666 ww.ninesrestaurant.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

Nathan Lloyd’s

KITCHEN LIBRARY Swansea Life columnist and food blogger Nathan has been checking out the latest foodie developments in the city and likes what he finds! What to do in August?

Arthur Neave

A name soon to become synonymous with good coffee

The unassuming interior of Arthur Neave believes in some serious attention to detail. Situated on Walters Road this chilled eatery has a flair for vintage interior with its dark woods, greys and even a Noguchi table to boot. Definitely a shade more chic and metropolitan than the usual fare offered by chain coffee shops! The danger, of course, is that places that look good don’t always deliver on their promise.

However I’m pleased to say that this isn’t the case and the food alone is worth a trip. They make sourdough in-house for their sandwiches and stuff them with a good range of quality ingredients. On the top of the glass counter they have enough huge salads and cold veg dishes to compete with the likes of Ottolenghi! Just fancy coffee and cake? They have that covered, too, stocking Swansea favourites Gower Coffee Roasters and Naturally Kind Food. So you can have your cake and eat it by also supporting local businesses! Once you’ve eaten, you might want to peruse around their deli section. They stock a great range

of quality Mediterranean antipasto, olives, capers and similar foods.

Swansea Street food Festival is a must!

Starting on Friday, August18, down in Swansea Marina, there will be a three day festival, full of music, food and fun. The weekend will be a foodies dream with a huge range of vendors selling more or less every type of cuisine you can think of - from Mexican, Vegan, Indian to the mighty gourmet burger joint. Need something to wash it down after all that food? There will be a fully licensed bar offering craft beer, cocktails and wine, as well as stalls offering great quality coffee to end the night with.

Free tickets available from: www.fatsoma.com/street-food-warehouse/4p1l5q5e/swanseastreet-food-festival So come along, and enjoy this summer!

Peaches with apricot, cardamom & lemon fraîche Here’s a quick recipe for a dessert perfect for cooling down in the Summer sun. The flavours also give a taste of the exotic, so even if you’re stuck at home, you can feel like you’re on holiday Serves 2 You’ll need: • 4 peaches ( I used doughnut peaches as they are in season) • zest of 1/2 lemon • juice of 1/2 lemon • 1 shot of lemon vodka (optional) • 2tbs sesame seeds, toasted Apricot fraîche: • 1/2 tub of vegan crème fraîche/

94 swansealife.co.uk

yogurt ( I used Oatly fraîche) • 2tbs icing sugar, sifted • 2 apricots, chopped finely • 1tbs ground cardamom • Zest of 1/2 lemon • Squeeze of lemon juice Method: Start by making the fraîche. Add all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. You can either place it in the fridge to firm or do as I did and use the freezer. It will start to create a slightly frozen texture, like a semifreddo.Whilst it’s in the fridge/ freezer you can prep the peaches.

Cut them in half and de-stone. This is usually a messy job, so I tried to keep it intact by poking the stone through the other side. Once this is done, heat up a pan on a medium heat. Place the peach halves in the pan, flesh down and cook until they begin to colour. Flip and cook for a few minutes. Squeeze the lemon juice over them and sprinkle them with the lemon zest. Take them out of the pan and place them into the serving bowls. This in an optional step, but I like pouring a shot of lemon vodka on them too! Take the fraîche out and dollop it on top.

Finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. I’d recommend you pair it with a Tokaji wine. Enjoy!

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Look no further than The Cliff Hotel & Spa in West Wales. Recently renovated to include an exclusive wedding suite, inclusive of ballroom to fit up to 160 guests (up to 250 for evening) exclusive use bar and your own terrace area.

All areas of the wedding suite maximises the panoramic sea views of Cardigan Bay. Please contact our wedding coordinator Louise Jones on weddings@cliffhotel.com for more details or to arrange a meeting.

The Cliff Hotel & Spa, Gwbert, Ceredigion, SA43 1PP 01239 613241 | www.cliffhotel.com | weddings@cliffhotel.com

FOOD & DRINK

This Month... ...we are loving ON FIRE:

Make lunchtimes more exciting with a M&S charcoal roll, a striking black bun filled with juicy king prawns in a smoked paprika mayonnaise. With its dramatic look and delicious taste, this smoking sandwich is set to be an Instagram sensation!

King Prawn & Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise Charcoal Roll, £4, M&S, Swansea

Home cooking with Sian Day

A deliciously simple recipe for August..

CAKE DELIGHTS

Afternoon tea lovers will be spoilt for choice this summer with Asda’s fabulously fruity cream delights. The afternoon tea pack features custard and cream slices, white chocolate and lemon profiteroles and strawberry and cream dougnuts, and all for £3! Ideal for picnics and simply indulging!

Asda Afternoon Tea Summer Selection, £3, Asda, Llansamlet, Gorseinon and Llanelli

SUMMER SPARKLE

Too delicious for words, if you can judge a rose champagne by its colour, then Taittinger’s shimmering salmon pink with bronze reflections mirrors the wild strawberry and raspberry flavours. Fresh and elegant, with enticing aromas of red summer fruits, it’s a fitting choice for a rose-themed garden party or engagement.

Taittinger Brut Champagne Prestige Rose NV, France, £39.99, reduced from £49.99, until August 8, Waitrose, Cowbridge

LUXURY TEA

Leading luxury tea company, Newby Teas, is set to launch in Sainsbury’s this month. The speciality teas from Newby’s Classic Tea Bag Collection have been created to provide easy-to-prepare, affordable luxury tea to all. Sainsbury’s customers will have a selection of eight blends to choose from; four black teas, one oolong tea, two green teas and one Rooibos tisane. Each box of tea contains 25 individuallywrapped sachets, presented in beautiful packaging, inspired by the theme of craftsmanship and designed in partnership with internationally renowned London design firm Lewis Moberly.

Newby Classic Tea Bag Collection, £4.45 per box, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Biscotti Biscotti is a traditional Italian biscuit also known as cantuccini, they are twice baked for crispness and keep for ages in a cookie jar. They are typically served with coffee, wine or dessert, perfect for that afternoon ‘pick me up’. Recipes go as far back as the 13th century for biscotti typically from the Tuscany region.

This is my take on them adding in lots of fruit and an assortment of nuts making them colourful and chewy.

YOU WILL NEED...

250g plain flour 250g caster sugar 1.5 tsp baking powder ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp salt 3 eggs 50g dried cranberries 50g dried figs 50g almonds 100g dried apricots 100g pistachios 50g hazelnuts Zest of a lemon

METHOD Combine the dried ingredients in a large bowl, add the eggs and mix into a dough. Then add in the nuts and fruit mix and tip out onto a lightly floured work top and divide mixture up into six portions, then roll out by hand

into sausage shapes about 4cm in diameter and put onto a baking tray lined with baking parchment and keep at least 7cm apart as when they bake they spread.

Bake on 180 degrees for 25 minutes then bring out of the oven and set aside to cool for 15 minutes which makes them easier to cut into angles ready for their two bakes.

Taking a serrated knife cut into angles 5cm in thickness, then place back onto the baking trays side up and bake for 8 minutes. Turn them over and bake for a further 12 minutes keeping an eye on them so they don’t over brown on the edges.

Then remove from oven and let them cool completely. Store in an airtight container and they will keep for at least a couple of weeks.

Bellissimo!

FOLLOW SIAN’S DELICIOUS RECIPES on her blog page, siandaydream.wordpress.com, Facebook or Tweet her @SianDay 96 swansealife.co.uk

90 Walter Road, Swansea, SA1 4QF 01792 644688 www.ndjohn.co.uk

TWO CLASSICS, ONE NEWCOMER Time to Celebrate! Congratulations to all the winners at the recent Swansea Life Awards 2017. As is the tradition when celebrating, something to pop is ideal. So we have selected three perfect bottles of bubbly to rejoice with!

When most people first think of Sparkling wines, they classically choose Champagne. Champagne’s rise in popularity began in the 19th Century, where the rail system was expanded in France to connect the city of Reims with the rest of the country and most importantly the coastal ports. Via these ports, Champagne was linked to the rest of the World and together with successful marketing, it cemented its place in celebrations. At the time of writing, the UK is Champagne’s biggest importer (by volume), importing over 30 million bottles a year!

Prosecco, Italy’s Sparkling wine from the region Veneto is regarded as Champagne’s little, cheaper cousin. However, in the past few years, it has become incredibly popular, doubling in consumption in the UK since 2013. It’s an easy drinking sparkling wine with a light and fruity taste and considerably cheaper than Champagne, making it easily accessible to a broader audience. It has now become a UK favourite, being (again) the largest importer in the World.

You may have heard about the relative newcomer to the sparkling wine market - English sparkling wine.

Last year it rocked the wine industry, beating Champagne in blind tastings in Paris. Southern England’s increasingly warm climate and its chalk soils are ideal for producing bubbly. If you need proof, one of France’s most prestigious champagne brands, Tattinger planted its first vines in the UK. We have recently stocked Kent’s Gusbourne estate’s wine, which has won numerous gold awards recently for its Blanc de Blancs.

Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV Delightfully pale gold in colour, the mousse is light and persistent.

Densely packed apple and pear fruits give way to a noticeably creamy, caramel-like finish.

Gusbourne Blanc de Blanc 2013

Pale gold with a delicate mousse, this Blanc de Blancs blends classic Chardonnay characters of green apple, citrus and white fruit on the nose, with mineral notes and buttered toast complexity from extended lees ageing.

The palate provides vibrant and ripe acidity with soft, creamy development

Domenico de Bertiol Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Spumante NV There are fine, light, fruity aromas of fresh green apples and pears plus a hint of yeastiness on the nose. The palate is creamy and softly sparkling with some richness and a long, gently aromatic finish

FOOD & DRINK

Get the most from your glass of fizz Summer is the season for champagne. OK, so we like to drink it all year round, but there’s something about a cool glass of bubbles on a warm day. To get you in the mood for some serious fizz sipping, LAURA DAVIES looks at what you need to know about serving and drinking, champagne. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

1

SERVE CHAMPAGNE IN A ‘TULIP STYLE’ GLASS

Coupes may look glamorous, but actually the larger surface area of this type of glass causes liquid to lose its bubbles very quickly, meaning the champagne can go flat after a short time.

SERVE CHAMPAGNE AT A TEMPERATURE OF 8-9C

2

5

@LawsDx

DON’T ‘POP’ THE CORK

The trick to opening a bottle correctly is to firmly grasp the base of the champagne bottle, hold at a 30-degree angle, holding the cork tightly with the cage on and twist from the bottom and tease the cork away from the bottle.

The cork should gently ease away with a ‘hiss’ instead of a loud pop.

For the ultimate serve, place the bottle in a champagne bucket, filling with one-third water and adding ice cubes to top. Leave for at least 15 minutes before serving to bring champagne to the recommended temperature: 8-9C.

3

DON’T STORE YOUR CHAMPAGNE IN THE FRIDGE

Leaving a bottle of champagne in the fridge for long periods could dry its cork out, as there’s no humidity. As a cork dries out, the seal between the bottle and the cork loosens, which speeds up the oxidation process and subsequently changes the champagne’s taste and smell. Champagne should be kept lying horizontal and avoid light. Under the stairs works well in the absence of a cellar.

4

ENJOY CHAMPAGNE IMMEDIATELY

8

If you’re fortunate to be gifted with a bottle of champagne, or any non-vintage champagne, no need to worry about ageing it further as it’s already been done for you.

NEVER FILL THE GLASS TOO HIGH

The ideal serve for all occasions is to fill the glass two-thirds full of champagne. This ensures the champagne doesn’t warm up before you’ve finished.

6

HOLD THE GLASS AT THE STEM

No matter how tempted, always hold your glass by the stem to avoid warming the champagne with your hand.

DON’T ADD ICE CUBES With traditional champagnes, it’s ill advised to add ice, as it dilutes the taste rather than keep it cold, plus, its traditional composition means it will lose its fizz in a cabernet-style glass.

7

9

DO PAIR CHAMPAGNE WITH FOOD

Champagne is often served as a predinner drink, or on special occasions, such as Christmas morning breakfast, but it’s the perfect dining companion all year round.

DON’T JUST ENJOY CHAMPAGNE AT CELEBRATIONS

10

Champagne is made for sharing amongst friends, from beach fronts and garden parties to rooftops and weddings, it’s the ultimate curator of unforgettable and shareable moments. Enjoy champagne as part of your everyday celebration; even if it’s just toasting a well-deserved weekend swansealife.co.uk 99

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01559 362757

info@cambriasashwindows.co.uk Bizerta House, Wind Street, Llandysul, Ceredigion SA44 4BH

Visit our stand at the Pembrokeshire County Show.

1557266

TEL:

House & home

THROUGH THE KEYHOLE (page 102) MOROCCAN BAZAAR (page 111) LESLEY TAYLOR (page 113) GLASS ACT (page 119)

LBS Home & Garden, 22 Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo, SA19 6NL • 01558 823900 LBS Neath, Neath Abbey Road, Neath SA10 7BR • 01639 646511 LBS Port Talbot, Unit 5, Cramic Way, Port Talbot SA13 1RU • 01639 884433

HOUSE & HOME

COUNTRY LIVING that takes some beating

A home nestling in the heart of the Gower countryside has been a haven from the hustle and bustle of modern life, with a back to nature feel to it, as CHRIS PEREGRINE found out. chris.peregrine@trinitymirror.com

THROUGH THE KEYHOLE

t is a house with hidden treasures, and one which has served its owners well over two decades.

Millwood Lodge in Oxwich has been a perfect fit in the countryside for Blair and Kay Viney. The detached five bedroom Gower property has a private gated entrance, country garden grounds with a lake, open plan living spaces, high vaulted ceilings, wooden beams, five en-suite shower/bathrooms, three stables and a hot tub.

“When we first viewed the property nearly 20 years ago, we were immediately taken by the location and the uniqueness of the property,” says Kay. “The house is a converted barn with beamed high ceilings and the lounge and dining room are open plan, connected by a central fireplace. The dining room has a vaulted ceiling and is overlooked from the landing and I have a 14ft dining table which we use for Sunday family dinners and games.

“Our daughters had horses and ponies and South Gower is a fantastic location for riding with easy access to the beaches and bridle paths. We have a stable yard with three stables

I

102 swansealife.co.uk

overlooked from two of the bedrooms. I loved knowing that the horses were close by, safe and cosy in the winter.

“The kitchen has bi-folding doors opening out onto the patio area, which is a wonderful sun trap. The garden is mainly laid to lawn, which is perfect for the grandchildren to play football on, and there’s lots of colour from the walled areas and flower beds. The large mature pond is a natural draw for wildlife and we have had a visiting otter. Wild ducks, and moorhens stay on the pond, kites, buzzards, owls and pheasants are often in the garden. When the children were younger, they would spend hours boating on the pond.”

There is plenty going on inside as well. The spacious hallway gives way to the expansive dining room and lounge. Both have an array of French doors opening out onto various patios and high ceilings which creates a wonderful space.

The kitchen/family room is an inviting space with vaulted beamed ceilings and a plethora of zones which make it the hub of the home. There is a dining/breakfast area, family lounge area with a wood burner and bi-folding doors which lead directly to the glass ceiling covered patio area. There is also a very handy utility room sitting off the kitchen.

The remainder of the ground floor houses three double

bedrooms, and upstairs, via the grand staircase with a mezzanine galleried landing, which currently houses a study area, you will find the master bedroom with its three Velux windows and high vaulted ceilings with beams. There is an additional twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom on the first floor.

The grounds of Millwood Lodge are described as extremely generous, with two lawns, a vegetable patch, patios and a hot tub. A double garage sits next to the house adjoining the three stables.

“The kitchen is my favourite room, “says Kay. “It’s fantastic. I particularly love the log burner and the seating area, which is mainly glassed. It’s almost like a conservatory. It looks out onto the patio area and everyone sits here whilst I’m cooking Sunday lunch.

“Coming home from working in Swansea felt like I was going on holiday when I drove into Gower. As you approach the house, you have the views of the beaches and it’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There’s no light pollution here and when you look up to the sky and the stars, it’s literally out of this world.

“We’ve had lots of celebrations, including significant birthdays and our 25th wedding anniversary. We had marquees in the garden for several of the events and we have lots of friends who come to stay with us for our annual walk to the pub on New Year’s Day. It’s a great party house and there’s lots of parking space which is very useful for hosting family events.

“I will miss the location and the proximity to the beaches. It is sheer escapism. Being able to have our pets here, including dogs, ponies and pigs has been amazing, as has keeping chickens and ducks and growing our own veg and fruit.

“We’re downsizing as all our children have moved out, we no longer have any animals and we’ve discovered motor homing.

We would now like somewhere smaller that we can just lock up leave behind and head off on our travels.”

PROPERTY: Millwood Lodge, Oxwich, Gower.

PRICE: Offers over £1 million.

BEDROOMS: 5.

AGENT: Fine & Country, Mumbles, 01792 367301

swansealife.co.uk 103

www.pablack.co.uk

Overland Road Swansea

Gower Road Swansea

• Detached Four Bedroom Three Reception Room • Bespoke Fitted Kitchen, Guest WC and Utility Room, Underfloor Heating • Jack& Jill Style Shower Room, Family Bathroom • Double Garage With Rooms above, Gardens & Private Drive • EPC E

• A period detached residence with sea views to the front • Five/seven bedrooms on three floors • Three/four reception rooms • Fitted kitchen/breakfast room • Long front and rear garden • Viewing highly recommended

For sale with pa black Swansea 01792 641481

For sale with pa black Swansea 01792 641481

Cwmavon Port Talbot

Offers Over £830,000

Derwen Fawr Road Swansea

• Immaculate family house with a self containced annexe and building plot • 4 bedrooms, two en suites and bathroom • 2 reception rooms and conservatory • Open plan kitchen/dining room • Self contained two bed annexe • Residential building plot

• Ideal Detached Family Home • Four Bedrooms. Two En-Suite • Modern Kitchen • Desirable Residential Area • Off Road Parking • Conservatory

For sale with pa black Neath 01639 635115

For sale with pa black Swansea 01792 641481

£500,000

£625,000

Clos Bryngwyn Gorseinon • Spacious detached family house • Four double bedrooms • Two reception rooms plus conservatory • Kitchen/breakfast Room • Three bath/shower rooms • Double garage with room above

£430,000

For sale with pa black Gorseinon 01792 894422

£415,000

www.pablack.co.uk

E

N

Marina Villas Maritime Quarter

W

Cwrt Ty Gwyn Llangennech

• Very well presented versatile family home • 32' first floor living space: kitchen/dining/sitting • Principal bedroom with vaulted ceiling & en suite shower room • Three further bedrooms • Parking for at least four cars • Adjacent to Marina and beach

• Immaculate five bedroom detached house • Three reception rooms • Kitchen/breakfast room • Principal bedroom with luxury en suite • Four further bedrooms & two bath/shower rooms • Gated entrance. Detached double garage.

For sale with pa black Swansea Marina 01792 463780

For sale with pa black Gorseinon 01792 894422

£325,000

£625,000

ew e N m o H

The Eider, Poplars Drive Skewen

Millwood Gardens Swansea

• Open plan kitchen dining with doors leading to garden • Master bedroom with en-suite and dressing room • Three good sized double bedrooms • Separate living room • Utility room • Downstairs cloakroom

• Impeccably well presented 4/5 bedroom detached house.

• Bespoke kitchen/dining room.

• Versatile living space.

• 3 bath/shower rooms.

• Sun room/outbuilding.

• Lawn and patio to rear garden

• Individual detached family house • Impressive hall with high vaulted ceiling.

• Three bedrooms • Well appointed kitchen/living room • Principal bedroom with en suite shower room • Overlooking SSSI meadow to the front

For sale with pa black Neath 01639 635115

For sale with pa black Swansea 01792 641481

For sale with pa black Neath 01639 635115

£285,000

£350,000

New Road Jersey Marine

£340,000

HOUSE & HOME LSA Lulu Cocktail Glass Set of 4, £40, House of Fraser, Cardiff

1

Whether you’re stirring a mean martini or creating a champagne cocktail, these long-stemmed glasses in four different shapes will make guests want to try every cocktail on the list.

4

Eddingtons Marlborough Kitchen Trolley, currently reduced to £567 from £630, Amaroni.com This beech trolley may be designed with a master chef in mind, but a budding bartender will find it especially useful for holding all the bar essentials and serving party drinks.

2 6 Tangerine Dream Birchwood Tray, £45, Lisa Todd Designs, www.lisatodddesigns.com

We love Lisa Todd’s range of quirky designs, which are printed onto Scandinavian birchwood and sealed with a melamine finish - so it doesn’t matter if you accidentally spill a drink while carrying the tray.

Men’s Society Brass Pineapple Tumbler with Straw, £95, Amara.com Our favourite rum cocktail, a cheeky pina colada, will taste even more delicious when served in this brass drinking vessel.

3

106 swansealife.co.uk

Hardwick Metal Drinks Trolley, £225 (glasses and fruit bowl from a selection), Next, Parc Trostre Drinks trolleys are back in vogue and if you want a sense of occasion, there’s nothing smarter than wheeling in a drinks trolley stocked with all your favourite spirits. Don’t forget your little black dress.

5 Cult Design Moda Bar Stool with Backrest CD1 - Yellow, £109, Cult Furniture, www. cultfurniture.com With a backrest and different colours and leg types to choose from (we like the copper leg option), this trendy bar stool channels comfort and style, and could be tailored to match your cocktail shaker or stemware.

Cabana Polished Brass Palm Tree Lamp - Large, £449, Artisanti, www.artisanti.com When the sun sets on your summer party, this trophy palm tree lamp will cast an interesting light and keep the holiday vibe going long into the small hours.

7

LSA Gin Grand Serving Set with Ash Tray, £295, Amara.com

Eddingtons Pumpkin Cold Drinks Dispenser, currently reduced to £31.50 from £35, Amaroni Home, amaroni.com Who said pumpkins were just for Halloween? We love the thought of a rum punch served from this cold drinks dispenser that can be loaded with plenty of ice.

If you’re counting down to Gin O’Clock, this folding wooden stand comes with two cocktail glasses, tumblers, highball and balloon glasses, along with four garnish bowls for limes and lemons, and a glass ice bucket. Ta-da!

8

Happy Hour 10

9

Pineapple Clear Plastic Shot Glasses, £1 for pack of 60; Cups, £1 for pack of 24; and Bowls, £1 for pack of 24, Flying Tiger, Swansea Perfect for summer parties, no need to worry about breakages with these fruity little gems that look like they’re worth miles more than they actually cost.

Whether entertaining close friends, throwing a summer soiree or creating colourful cocktails to showcase your mixology skills, you’ll need a whole bunch of accessories to pull it off in style. Cocktail menu and ingredients sorted?

LAURA DAVIES sets the scene laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

11

Wicker Rattan Tiki Bar with 2 stools & 2 chairs, £500, John Lewis, Cardiff

Hollywood Cocktail Shaker, £17.50, M&S, Swansea

Pols Potten Reed Tea Glasses - Set of 6, £46, and matching Reed Glass Jug, £40, Amara.com Try filling these pretty tea glasses with a chilled, creamy concoction and watch all those cares melt away.

The matching jug is perfect for topping up.

Glamorous and glitzy, this cocktail shaker is all about style, and a true classic for your cocktail cabinet.

12

If you’re craving sunshine and a tropical adventure, why not break the boundaries and invest in a Polynesianthemed tiki bar?

Easy to style up, mix junglelike greenery with gorgeous glassware and serve elaborate cocktails to your friends. Grass skirts optional.

13 swansealife.co.uk 107

Regionally 18 offices throughout the region Nationally 225 offices across Great Britain

THE GABLES, THREE CROSSES, SWANSEA

SURF SOUND, OXWICH, GOWER

Extremely generous home on a highly desirable private road set over 3 floors.

Presenting 5 beds all with en-suite bath/shower rooms & a wow factor games room/ bar on the second floor. Extremely versatile & set in a semi-rural village location. EPC C

Only a 10 minute stroll from Oxwich beach, where you can simply enjoy the beach or take advantage of the lovely bars/eateries. Comprising very generous accommodation of kitchen/diner, lounge, sitting room. 6 beds, 5 en-suites & lovely gardens. EPC E

Asking Price £1,250,000

Asking Price £695,000

CHANNEL VIEW, LANGLAND, SWANSEA

THE FORGE, FAIRYHILL, GOWER

A regal looking home, wonderfully situated in a small, private development in Langland.

With electric gates and accommodation comprising 4 receptions, 5 beds & 3 bathrooms. Private, generous gardens and sea glimpes from the roof terrace. EPC C

Barn conversion in the heart of idyllic Gower countryside with 3 en-suite beds, 4th bed/study, sizeable living areas & an abundance of outdoor space. 2 barns with planning permission for 2 x 1 bed apartments. Separate chance to purchase/rent up to 9 acres of additional land. EPC E

Asking Price £995,000

Offers in the region of £699,950

SHIRECOMBE HOUSE, SOUTHGATE, GOWER

HIGHER LANE, LANGLAND, SWANSEA

A hidden gem with the most spectacular views of Three Cliffs & Oxwich Bay. Within a 5 min walk are Pobbles beach, village pubs, stores & Pennard golf club. Also included is a detached 4 bed Coach House, used presently as a holiday let. EPC D&D

A fabulous property in desirable Langland with glistening sea views from the upper floors.

Briefly comprising lounge, dining room, conservatory, kitchen, 5 beds, family bathroom & en-suite shower room. Only a few minutes walk to the nearest beach. EPC D

Asking Price £2,650,000

Offers Over £850,000

Internationally Plus 75 offices globally 5000 professional associates all around the world

Fine & Country Swansea 77 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4BN Tel: +44 (0)1792 367301 | Email: swansea@fineandcountry.com

BEUDY'R HEBOG, DREFACH, CARMARTHENSHIRE

PENTRE PARR, LLANDEILO, CARMARTHENSHIRE

What a beautiful setting & pretty property to behold as soon as you turn into the grounds of this lovely family home. Generous, private gardens with characterful accommodation comprising 2 receptions, 3 beds (1 ensuite shower) & 1 bathroom. EPC D

A Georgian Country home sitting in approx 11 acres. Stunning grounds/views, & a wealth of accommodation & character. Additional Grade II listed barn with planning consent for a holiday cottage with auxiliary accommodation & swimming pool. EPC F

Asking Price £450,000

Asking Price £945,000

Regionally 18 offices throughout the region Nationally 225 offices across Great Britain

New To Market Internationally Plus 75 offices globally 5000 professional associates all around the world CARADOG COURT FERRYSIDE, CARMARTHENSHIRE

THE PLOUGH, PINGED, BURRY PORT

Spectacular sea views from an exceptionally spacious 4 bed penthouse. Generous living spaces provide open plan kitchen/diner, lounge, sit out balcony, utility and 4 ensuite bedrooms. Close to beaches in a fabulous South Wales coastal location. EPC D

A detached property briefly comprising 2 receptions, kitchen/diner, family bath, 3/4 beds (1 ensuite shower). With a beautiful countryside location ideal for horse lovers, with stables and paddocks & is only 5 mins from Cefn Sidan beach. EPC D

Asking Price £299,950

Asking Price £399,000

CNAP LLWYD RD, MORRISTON, SWANSEA

PENRHIW, BRITON FERRY, NEATH

Stunning park & countryside views from this beautiful 6 bed detached home. Very generous living areas & sought after open plan kitchen/diner. Vaulted ceilings & modern interiors create a lovely family home. Private garden, sizeable balcony off the lounge & ample parking. EPC C

A detached Georgian style family home with beautiful interiors & stunning countryside/woodland views. Presenting 4 receptions, 5 beds & includes a 1 bed self contained annex. Lovely gardens with an enchanting woodland backdrop. EPC D&C

Offers Over £375,000

Offers Over £595,000

Fine & Country Swansea 77 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4BN Tel: +44 (0)1792 367301 | Email: swansea@fineandcountry.com

FANTASTIC FAMILY HOME Plas Maelgwn, 59 Ferry Road, Kidwelly

£435,000

‘A lifetime service under one roof’

4/8 John Street Llanelli Tel 01554 779412

www.daviescraddock.co.uk

Davies Craddock are pleased to present for sale "Plas Maelgwn" which is offered on the market for the first time having been occupied from new by the current owners.

This deceptively spacious and adaptable property is set in the sought after location of Ferry Road, Kidwelly.

Set in an elevated position over looking the historic town of Kidwelly with uninterrupted views of both Kidwelly Castle and the church of St Marys with Pembrey Country Park and The Gower Peninsula beyond.

Set over three levels the property briefly comprises to the ground floor: entrance hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen, utility room, rear porch, conservatory, to the first floor: landing, master bedroom with ensuite, bedroom two, bedroom three, bathroom, to the lower floor: hallway with storage and entrance to integral double garage, shower room, bedroom four, bedroom five, bedroom six. The property also benefits from a burglar alarm and high level sensor activated security lights.

Externally the property has well maintained gardens tastefully landscaped with ample parking for a number of vehicles, lawn area with mature trees and a decked area conveniently set to take in the views.

Viewing of the property is essential to appreciate all the unique property has to offer.

HOUSE & HOME

Bowl, £16, Debenhams, Swansea

Bowl, £19.50, M&S, Swansea

Amber Glass Pendant Light, £79.99, TK Maxx, Parc Trostre and Morfa Retail Park

rful opulence olou dc an en od

n a b c c a o

Purple Glass Moroccan Lantern, £29.99, Very.co.uk

mor

za a r

Be inspired by M oro cca nd ec

Cheevron Cushion, £16, Next, Morfa Retail Park

VIES’ picks of ge A DA o-p R U rin LA ts, h t i wo w r o

Dickins & Jones Arthur Geometric Vase, £20, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Small Moroccan Lantern, £5, George at Asda, Swansea

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Amber Glass Pendant Light, £79.99, TK Maxx, Parc Troste

Cheevron Cushion, £16, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Geo Chenille Throw, £15, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu and Morriston

Amber Glass Pendant Light, £79.99, TK Maxx, Parc

Kamina Orange Trim Tray, £40, House or Fraser, Cardiff

John Lewis Kalkan Rug, £160-£290, John Lewis, Cardiff

Midnight Woven Basket, £40, www.notonthehighstreet.com

Pouffe, £99, Cuckooland.com

Candle, £14, Next, Parc Trostre

Wooden Edge Blue Dish, £14.99, TK Maxx, Morfa Retail Park

Rug, £29.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Wooden Top Metal Stool, £35, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

swansealife.co.uk 111

COUNTRYSIDE VIEWS

3 Penybryn Close, Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly SA17 4PJ

£284,995

4 BEDROOM EXECUTIVE • Individually designed new build ‘A lifetime service under one roof’ • Picturesque views over the countryside 4/8 John Street • Expected completion Llanelli date Sept 2017 Tel 01554 779412 • Family bathroom, www.daviescraddock.co.uk kitchen & dining area

• 4 double bedrooms (two with ensuite) • Lounge, study, utility room, integral garage • Enclosed garden with attractive views over the countryside • No chain

HOUSE & HOME

1.

L E S L E Y

TA Y LO R

QUICK FIX Summer is no time for shunning DIY says Interior Designer Lesley Taylor

3.

“

“

2.

4.

TEXTURED TILES ARE

FABULOUS AND WILL BRING ANY ROOM BANG

UP TO DATE

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HOUSE & HOME

5.

AUGUST… the month of school holidays, long getaways and seemingly endless days of sunshine.

It’s not a month traditionally associated with DIY. After all, who wants to be stuck indoors when the sun is beaming?

Unfortunately an ever-growing DIY to-do list waits for no man. But thankfully, there are loads of tasks you can take on that will leave plenty of time to make the most of the glorious summer sun.

The Great Outdoors What better place to start than outside. Not only will you get to enjoy the sun but you will also add some serious kerb appeal – and perhaps value – to your home too.

Making over your home’s entrance can be as simple as adding a hanging basket or topiary balls to frame the front door.

If you are feeling particularly hands-on, why not give your door a complete makeover. PVC and composite doors will benefit from a really good scrub, while a wooden door can be transformed with a decent rub down and a shiny new lick of paint.

Add interest with a new number house number plaque or sign, and a contemporary light fitting to add illumination.

Add Interest Adding a feature wall is an instant way to boost interest in a room.

It also means you only have to tackle one small area instead of the whole room.

For a very quick fix, paint is a great go-to. Choose an accent that complements the existing colours or go bold for instant drama.

If you are looking for a feature with more detail, wallpaper is a great option. And this summer, it’s all about the flora and fauna. Choose a wallcovering with lots of luscious green tones as well as a leafy pattern.

7.

Tiles are a fabulous alternative and while you may think they belong solely in the bathroom or kitchen, think again. The choice of tiles on the market right now means there is something for every room in the home, from traditionally large format examples to bold, detailed patterns.

Textured tiles are fabulous and will bring any room bang up to date. Tiles such as the 3D Slice from The Baked Tile Company – think a 3D Post-It note – look fabulous when laid in a completely random order; it also means no time wasted planning the perfect design.

Create a Picture Wall Hanging a picture requires little more than a spirit level, a picture hook, a nail and a hammer.

Add a little imagination and you can create a beautiful picture wall.

Personally, I would always plan a picture wall before starting with the nails.

Simply place all your images onto a large table or floor (preferably with neutral flooring) and arrange until satisfied.

Then, mark in pencil the spot on the wall where you want to hang your picture, do a quick check with a wire and pipe detector to ensure it’s a safe place to hammer, and away you go. Repeat until your mini-Tate is complete.

1. Use textured tiles, such as these from The Baked Tile Company’s 3D Slice range, to add instant drama 2. Create an instant feature wall with 3D tiles from bakedtiles.co.uk 3. Add a little imagination and create a beautiful picture wall 4. Frame your front door with topiary bushes and hanging baskets 5. From drab to fab with a lick of paint; a quick paint job will add instant kerb appeal

Interior Designer and member of the BID, Lesley Taylor is the Design Director of Taylor’s Etc based in Cardiff.

02920 358 400 www.taylors etc.co.uk

114 swansealife.co.uk

New CoNtemporary raNges Now INstore

We're not just Bigger, We're just Better on sofas, lamps, bedrooms, mattresses, recliners, dining rooms, rugs, chairs, accessories and much, much more!

Unique Giftware & Accessories Department Instore

Gorseinon Road, Gorseinon, Swansea SA4 1GG Telephone: (01792) 893121

A FAMILY BUSINESS WITH

FAMILY VALUES

NO GIMMICKS JUST

A GENUINE

PRICE WITH A FIRST CLASS

SERVICE

Over 25 Years Experience in UPVC & Aluminium available in a variety of colours

10

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Call for a FREE QUOTE:

01792 700700

26 Midland Rd, Llansamlet, Swansea, SA79QY

Email: yvonne@wagmanwindows.co.uk www.wagmanwindows.com

HOUSE & HOME

Optic Vase, £45, M&S, Swansea

GLASS ACT

Vase, £20, Debenhams, Parc Trostre

Brighten your home with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of new season glass laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

J by Jasper Vase, £28, Debenhams, Swansea Pink Glass Ribbed Vase, £6, George Home, Parc Trostre Linea Midnight Garden Winona Vase, £30, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Purple Ombre Vase, £29.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Recycled Glass Vase, £9.99, Dunelm, Pontarddulais Road Retail Park

Matthew Williamson Vase, £28, Debenhams, Swansea

Purple Glass Vase, £9.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Purple Glass Vase, £9.99, TK Maxx, Swansea

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HOUSE & HOME

Teal Bowl, £9.99, TK Maxx, Parc Trostre

Soulful Shelter Marble Candle, £4, George Home, Parc Trostre

Super Soft Cotton Emerald Bath Towel, £6, George at Asda, Llansamlet and Gorseinon

Kosta Boda Contrast Vase, £59, John Lewis, Cardiff

Roxford Ombre Throw Navy, £39, Very.co.uk

CATCHING THE WAVE Blue Ombre Vase, £7.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Replicate the colours of the ocean with its harmonious ever-changing blend of blue, green and teal shades.

LAURA DAVIES goes interior swimming. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Sabichi Evie 3-Piece Bathroom Set, £9.99, Very.co.uk

@LawsDx

Crack Effect Cushion, £16.99, TK Maxx, Morfa Retail Park

Rick Stein Constantine Bay Mug, £10, available from www.uniqueandunity.co.uk

Hendrix Small Corner in Scala Velvet Colbalt, £1,699.99, M&S, Swansea

Rick Stein Harlyn Bay side plate, £10, www.uniqueandunity.co.uk

Milan Cut Table Lamp, £55, Dunelm, Parc Pemberton

Navy Marine Octopus Cushion, £75, Janconstantine.com 120 swansealife.co.uk

Blue Plant Pot, £14.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Printed Tin Candle, £5, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu

Matthew Williamson Vase, £10, Debenhams, Swansea

Ombre Blue Lantern With Rope Handle, £8, www.jdwilliams.co.uk

Pair of Glue Glazed Shells, £14, The Contemporary Home.com.

Printed Double Side Cushion, £14, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Our price promise Please ask for details

Summer

S (Y

Sale S

>(

:^H

*HYK

Ends Monday 28th August 5V^ 6U

Garngoch, Gorseinon, Swansea, SA4 9WF Tel: 01792 891239

Mwyndy Cross, Llantrisant, Cardiff, CF72 8PN Tel: 01443 222929

www.arthurllewellynjenkins.co.uk

0% interest free credit available

Collections by

& many more

Our price promise Please ask for details FREE DELIVERY for orders of ÂŁ250 or more within 50 miles of store Easy free parking We know quality is very important to our customers so we only work with manufacturers of distinction who are committed to quality and workmanship as we are.

Unique range of wall art and lamps exclusive to us

Summer

Su

SaleS Ends Monday 28th August 5V^ 6U

Garngoch, Gorseinon, Swansea, SA4 9WF Tel: 01792 891239

Mwyndy Cross, Llantrisant, Cardiff, CF72 8PN Tel: 01443 222929

www.arthurllewellynjenkins.co.uk

FREE OLD BED DISPOSAL

55 New Rd, Skewen, SA10 6EP

01792 815080

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY

Unit 12-16 Tower Court St Davids Rd, Llansamlet SA6 8RU (Behind Smyths Toys)

01792 799213

HOUSE & HOME

Make rooms look blooming lovely with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of floral designs guaranteed to grow on you… laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Euonia Watercolour Floral Wallpaper, £99 a roll, available from www.woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk

@LawsDx

Florals never fade Graham and Brown Painted or go out of fashion, Tulips Wall Mural thanks to our enduring www.grahambrown.com passion for reflecting nature and the great outdoors in our homes - and right now, they’re in full bloom everywhere. But just as you wouldn’t have a wilting bouquet of flowers in your home, any floral look you introduce should be fresh and bang-up-todate too. Luckily, today’s designers are making sure their interpretations are a world away from the oldhat chintz and fussy ‘grandma’ looks of yesteryear.

They’ve embraced petal-power with bright, bold, new designs, aided by up-to-the-minute digital techniques. So pick one of these looks - no water needed, and they’re guaranteed never to wither...

3 FRESH-AS-A-DAISY LOOKS FOR YOUR HOME Brighton sofa in Liberty Fresco Lagoon, currently reduced to £2,171 from £2,412, available from Sofas and Stuff

1

Iosis Nine Cherry Blossom Cushion, £65, available from www.cotswold trading.com

THE NEW PRETTY

Think pastel pinks and wallpapers featuring petals and pretty blooms, for a fresh, feminine spin on florals...

When people talk about florals, it tends to be centred around spring and summer fashion and interiors, with powdery pastel pinks a hot favourite both for the catwalk and the home this year.

Unusually, the trend will carry through late into winter and those pastel hues will move into deeper, darker reds and pinks. Plum and deep magenta against a smoky black background will conjure a dramatic, gothic effect.

Pink Rosa Velvet Pouffe, £180, available from www.raggedrose.com

DECOR TIP: Hot house botanical prints are packing an interiors punch this year, featuring vibrant Caribbean colours on dark backgrounds. Turn up the heat with English Blinds’ Menton Tropical Roman Blind, from £53.95, available from www.english blinds.co.uk

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HOUSE & HOME

2

Red hot poker plants feature against a dramatic forest background in Upper Brook Street. Wallpaper in Minuit, £178, www.gowallpaper.co.uk

DRAMATIC BLOOMS

Striking, pared-back, nature-inspired designs and bold colourways are perfect for a no-fuss or frills approach to this look. Giant florals have been the stars of the catwalk shows, and now, from wardrobe to walls, we’re reviving floral patterns and embracing large-scale designs in bright, vibrant colours for a statement look.

Expressive, elaborate blooms are making their way onto our walls, furniture and homeware to create dramatic, coloured backdrops for the home. People are becoming much braver in their choice of design and colours and after decades of plain magnolia walls, Brits are falling back in love with these patterns. It’s time to be colourconfident again and express personality through dynamic palettes and opulent patterns.

DECOR TIP: Plants and flowers will always stand out against a dark backdrop of deep grey or black. Test your taste by painting an alcove or the inside of a dresser in a dark hue and then arrange bright flower displays in front of the backdrop, so the colour really pops.

Sunflower Cushion, £59.95, available from www.annabeljames.co.uk

Midnight Peony Cushion, £79, available from www.reflectandrepeat.com

3

CLASSIC COUNTRY

Katie Alice Ditsy Floral Sugar Bowl and Creamer, £29.99, available from www.creative-tops.com

Woodchip and Magnolias Botanical Wallpaper Nostalgia, £85 a roll

128 swansealife.co.uk

Botanical illustrations, that could have come straight from the pages of a traditional nature study book, combine with natural textures and a neutral colour palette for an update on that perennial favourite - classic country.

If, you love reflecting the subtle tones that you find in the garden, a palette of lavender, sage, rose and heather is a perfect place to starthese can be incorporated into your scheme through soft furnishings, or smaller upholstered pieces featuring designs reminiscent of natural history drawings, which will inject character into your living space.”

If an abundance of flowers, plants and all things natural appeals to your sense of style, then don’t be afraid to use a large variety of plants and blooms in one room, to help achieve a fresh feel.

These can be potted plants, vases of flowers, or even indoor trees.

Intersperse greenery with country-themed decorative objects.

DECOR TIP: Wallpapering stair risers with floral papers is an inventive way to conjure a country-cottage look.

Strip a staircase of carpet, sand and paint with floor paint, then use wallpaper off-cuts or a paper of your choice for each stair. Attach using wallpaper paste or a strong glue.

Graham and Brown Milly Apple Wallpaper, £16.99a roll, Homebase, Parc Tawe

Arthouse Mystical Forest room divider, white, currently reduced from 50 to £35, available from www.wallpaperdirect.com

Loveseat armchair, from £1,400 (excluding fabric), available from www.oficinainglesa.com

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HOUSE & HOME

Round Velvet Yellow Cushion, £24, M&S, Swansea

Orange Pot, £4.99, HomeSense, Parc Fforestfach

Ochre Knit Throw, £25, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

SUNDOWN Be inspired by the summer sunset with JESSICA HAMMETT’S pick of home interiors from yellows... oranges and reds

Ombre Glass Vase, £12.99, HomeSense, Parc Fforestfach

Dickins & Jones Frieda Triangle Vase, £20, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Red Velour Throw, £16, M&Co, Cardiff

Arundel Base Amber Glass, £165, Laura Ashley, Cardiff

Patchwork Felt Cushion, £16, Dunelm, Pontarddulais Retail Park

Red Velour Cushion, £12, M&Co, Cardiff

130 swansealife.co.uk

Fine Stripe Rug, Red, £59-£199.99, Very.co.uk

Honey Jumbo Cord Cushion, £7, George Home, Asda, Parc Trostre

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HOUSE & HOME Large Goldenball Cactus, was £98 now £78, AND Small Yuha Cactus, £85, Abigail Ahern EDITION at Debenhams, Swansea

Exotic Leaves Wall Mural, from £26 per square metre, available from www.wallsauce.com

Staghorn Plant, £70; Small Yuha Cactus, £85; String of Pearls Succulent, was £45 now £36, and Sinai Cactus, was £65 now £52, Abigail AhernEDITION at Debenhams, Swansea

HOTHOUSE STYLE

Even if the weather’s changeable, you can turn up the heat at home with decor inspired by the dessert and tropical zones.

Tip: An Exotic Leaves Mural, from £26 per square metre, Wallsauce, www.wallsauce.com, could be the perfect sultry backdrop for a room.

SUNNY SANCTUARY Make the warmer weeks even more special, outdoors and in. LAURA DAVIES looks at how to turn your home into it’s own super-summer destination by creating a desert-inspired setting, perhaps even an outdoor cinema, beautiful balcony, and children’s play area?

Gisela Graham Safari Collection Faux Bamboo Plant, £30.99, www.the.contemporary.home.com

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Smartphone Projector, £15.99, www.prezzybox.com

MOVIE ZONE

Bring Hollywood into the back garden with your own outdoor movie theatre...

TIP: Lamp up... the ‘big screen’ effect with an American Originals Popcorn Maker, £19.99, Argos, Parc Pemberton and Swansea, and pin up a couple of movie posters.

Fence painted with Dusky Gem, and chairs painted with Fresh Rosemary and Lavender from Cuprinol’s Garden Shades collection, from £14.98 for 1L Driffield All-weather Rattan Chair, £170, www.gardentrading.co.uk

St Austell Battery Outdoor Lantern, £29.99, www.lights4fun.co.uk

American Originals Popcorn Naker, £19.99, Argos, Parc Pemberton and Swansea swansealife.co.uk 137

HOUSE & HOME Balcony Deckchair, £185, and Footstool, £45, www.denysandfielding.co.uk

BALCONY BOOST

Just a few stylish additions can transform even a tiny patio or balcony into an outdoor haven...

Comfort is key. A fleece-back floor blanket will provide extra padding, as will floor cushions - think ‘hygge’ for the great outdoors.

Choose box cushions with handles, oil-coated tablecloths, and fake it with fabrics - introduce colour and even wildlife with animal or bird prints, and gaily patterned bunting.

Tip: Green up a balcony wall or railings with hanging pots and window boxes. Crocus,www.crocus.co.uk, has a brilliant selection.

House by John Lewis Salsa Garden Chair in Chilli, £120 for set of two, John Lewis, Cardiff

Kingfisher Cushion, £36.95, www.pignut.co.uk

Jacky Golden Yellow Garden Floor Cushion, £35, www.raggedrose.com

Enamelled Ethnic Lantern, £52, www.outthereinteriors.com

Faux Culpepper Flowering Herb, £16, available from www.neptune.com

Flamingo Watering Can, £7.99, available from www.totally-funky.co.uk

PLAY AND DISPLAY

Kikkerland Chalk Pebble, £5 for set of five, www.amazon.co.uk

Cactus Pillow, £17.50, www.cotwoldoutdoor.com

Create a special corner for children to capture and encourage little imaginations...

TIP: Fill a couple of small crates with sand and tiny plants, which can be a minilandscape for model figures or animals.

Swing with Oak Seat and Grey Ropes, £139, www.bobbyrabbit.co.uk

Fence painted in Misty Lake and clouds in White Daisy; Bench in Muted Clay and Dazzling Yellow, all from Cuprinol’s Garden Shades Collection, £10.50, Homebase, Parc Tawe and B&Q, Parc Trostre 138 swansealife.co.uk

Wildfire Tepee, £135, www.themodernnursery.co.uk

HOUSE & HOME

Cameron Dining Collection Console Table with Drawers, £299, Vincent Davies, Department Store, Haverfordwest www.vincentdavies.co.uk

Angelo Copper Touch Lamp, £25, Very.co.uk

Magazine Holder, £10, M&Co, Cardiff

Solar Orange Lantern, £10, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Gallery Vintage Metal Heart Mirrors (Set of 2), £99, Very.co.uk

THIS MONTH

Ochre Stripe Woven Cushion, £14, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

WE LOVE LAURA DAVIES rounds up some of her favourite products this month laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Elements Floral Set of 2 Panels, £30, Dunelm, Pontarddulais Retail Park

Inky Spot Glass Carafe and Tumbler, £20, Cath Kidston, Cardiff 144 swansealife.co.uk

Pink glass ribbed Vase, £6, George Home, Parc Trostre

J by Jasper Pogo Pendant Light, £120, Debenhams, Swansea

Marble Print Wall Clock, £39.50, M&S, Swansea

Caption

Gray & Willow Woven laundry basket £35, Woven laundry bin £12, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Gecko Wall Hanging, £8, Next, Swansea

Elements Zadar Dipped Table Lamp, £42, Dunelm, Parc Pemberton

Ben Di Lisi Vase, £28, Debenhams, Parc Trostre

Blue Geometric Cushion, £24.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

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VICTORIA WADE’S GARDEN Join Victoria Wade, an RHS Gold winning garden designer from Killay, with her seasonal growing tips.... www.victoriawade.co.uk

@WadeLandscapes

Scented plants Scented plants have the most amazing ability to add an entirely different dimension to a garden. A simple space can be transformed with the addition of one or two gorgeous smelling flowers or shrubsso if you’ve only got space for one or two plants on your patio, let them be scented!

Many popular garden plants are known for their lovely scent, such as roses, honeysuckle and sweet peas, and so often it’s the scent of these flowers that evoke wonderful memories. Scented flowers are a great addition to the garden and many have the added benefit of also being attractive to bees and butterflies.

Hot summers days are made even more perfect by the addition of some lovely scented flowers - as their smell will be stronger on warm days.

It’s a good idea to stagger the scent in your garden so that you can enjoy each individual fragrance- perhaps choose plants that will flower at different times of year, or if you have a big garden you could plant several scented plants to enjoy in different parts of the garden.

Scented plants are not just for warm summer days- you can plant some fabulous

Thymus Serpyllum

winter scented shrubs too such as Daphne, Sarcococca (sweet box) and Hamamelis (witch hazel) which help bring some much needed cheer to a gloomy winter’s day. And it’s not just flowers that will produce lots of lovely scent in your garden- the fragrant leaves of rosemary, lavender, sage and mint are wonderful when you brush past them (plant them near a path) and you could even plant a wonderfully scented tree- such as an eucalyptus!

Here are a few of my all-time scented favourites….

TRACHELOSPERMUM JASMINOIDES Also known as star jasmine, this evergreen climber is perfect for providing screening and will be happiest grown up a sheltered wall in full sun or partial shade. The tiny white star shaped flowers have the most amazing jasmine fragrance.

THYMUS SERPYLLUM Creeping thyme is a lovely ground cover plant that is perfect for growing at the front of a sunny border, edge of a path or even in the gaps between paving slabs. It has beautiful purple flowers in the summer which are fantastic for the bees as well as smelling lovely!

VIBURNUM × BODNANTENSE ‘CHARLES LAMONT’

Trachelospermum Jasminoides

146 swansealife.co.uk

Viburnum Bodnantense ‘Charles Lamont’

There are a huge variety of gorgeous scented Viburnum cultivars, but ‘Charles Lamont’ is definitely worth a mention- it is a medium sized deciduous shrub which produces clusters of sweetly smelling, pale pink flowers on bare stems from Autumn through to Spring.

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SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL FOR AUGUST With JOSEPH ATKIN, Head Gardener at Aberglasney Gardens in Carmarthenshire.

Hydrangea aspera

The height of summer in the garden is denoted by bulging borders full of colour and vegetable patches coming to their tasty best. Amongst all this colour and excitement, it’s nice to include a few extra special additions that are that little bit better than the norm or that are very new.

Here are three such plants that you’ll find in the borders at Aberglasney.

Lilium ‘Robina’ Lilies are often under used in the garden and yet the very best ones are a sight to behold. ‘Robina’ is one such lily. It comes from virus free stock which means it is super vigorous, self-supporting and has about five flowers or more on one head. The real attraction is not the individual flowers but how they are held as a group. The head of flowers is huge and so striking that it is one of the most asked about plants in Aberglasney when it is in flower. The rich purple-pink coloured flowers are also quite unusual for lilies making it a great partner for blues and whites.

• Height = up to 2m • Spread = 30cm • Position/Aspect = Any sunny • Soil = good free draining fertile • Pest and diseases = Lily beetle can be a problem • Style = Cottage, exotic, pots, mixed border or most herbaceous styles

Watsonia pilansii Watsonia are a close relative of Gladiolus and look fairly similar but most are for specialist growers and they are certainly not hardy. However, pilansii is very hardy, easy to grow and a great garden plant. We have been growing it at Aberglasney in many different places and it always does really well. Again, it is a real favourite with our visitors as it is so different - it has the brightest orange flowers you will see in a garden. The Gladiolus like heads are held with poise and there can be fifty or more heads of flowers. They have the bonus of lasting for a very long time and of being rain proof. Eventually they form large clumps that are really eye catching and they will for about a month.

• Height =1.2m • Spread =1.2m • Position/Aspect = Any sunny even maritime areas • Soil = Fertile but not waterlogged • Pest and diseases = No real problems • Style = Exotic, Mediterranean, contemporary, cottage garden or any hot colour scheme

Crocosmia ‘Hellfire’ Crocosmia are a must have for any gardener who likes intense colour in the border. They come in a wonderful array of reds, yellows and oranges with sharp upright grassy leaves. As a group, they all seem to flower at slightly different times through the summer, so growing many different types can make for a good succession of interest. The one colour that has always been missing is a rich flame red on a medium height plant.

‘Hellfire’ gives you this and much more as the flowers and leaves are much larger and therefore a great deal more effective. The colour is also very different from any of the others making this a real breakthrough plant and a must have in a vibrant hot border.

• Height = 1m • Spread = 60cm • Position/Aspect = Any sunny • Soil = Any fertile free draining • Pest and diseases = No real problem • Style = Exotic, hot cottage garden, contemporary, mixed border

152 swansealife.co.uk

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BLOOMS TO LAST Keep your garden looking colourful for longer with LAURA DAVIES’ tips laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

The end of summer can mark the start of wilted annuals and faded perennials, but if you add some beautiful, bold late-flowering additions, you can make your garden a riot of colour until autumn.

1

3

DAHLIA

Flowering from mid-summer until the first frosts (which can be around mid-October, depending where you live), these popular blooms come in bronze, dark red, lavender, orange and pink, and are all different shapes and sizes. They make great standalones in their own beds or paired with grasses and verbena plants. They need a well-worked soil with good drainage and, once they’re established, be sure to water them three or four times a week.

2

These bright flowers are maintenance-free and easy to grow, so they’ll add an easy shot of colour to your garden. Their bold, swordlike flowers mainly come in reds, oranges and yellows. Depending on the variety, crocosmia can grow up to a metre tall, and they don’t need pruning, just remove the dead leaves and flower stems before spring, when new growth starts.

158 swansealife.co.uk

It’s easy to prolong the season with dahlias, heleniums, rudbeckias and a host of other bright blooms which will fit into many planting schemes and situations.

SEDUM SPECTABILE

These pink late-summer flowers will save your garden from getting the blues well into autumn. Plant in a sunny position in your garden and pair with Japanese anemones, phlox or penstemons. These require little care, just check your plants regularly to make sure they’re not too dry.

4

CROCOSMIA

1

@LawsDx

2

RUDBECKIAS

These are bushy plants that create masses of bold, zingy yellow flowers. Also known as black-eyed Susans because of their distinctive big black cone in the centre, they have a long flowering period between July to October.

They are drought-resistant, not too fussy about soil type, and can grow over three feet tall, with a flower diameter of 2-3 inches.

5

HELENIUM

These vibrant, daisy-shaped orange flowers bloom in late summer and autumn. Brilliant on their own or pair with tall, purple salvias, for a

3

4

nice contrast. Grow in fertile, moist, but welldrained soil and deadhead regularly to ensure they flower for longer.

6

ASTER X FRIKARTII ‘MONCH’

For a splash of purple, then try Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’, a purple, daisy-like flower with a yellow centre. These bushy herbaceous perennials can grow up to 90cm and like an open, sunny position. Cut back in late autumn and pair with a tall, pink penstemon.

7

HYDRANGEA

Flaunting an old-fashioned charm in a variety of colours - blues, vibrant pinks and frosty whites - Hydrangeas grow up to six feet high and wide, so they’re great for creating a ‘sea of flowers’ effect. You can get different varieties, including lacecap, mophead or oakleaf hydrangeas. Consider placing in front of taller plants like small or medium-size trees that could offer the shade the shrubs prefer. But beware, too much shade can reduce their flowering.

5

6

7

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Great escapes

RIVER CRUISE (page 168) WARWICKSHIRE (page 170) THE CELTIC MANOR (page 172)

251 Oxford Street, Swansea, SA1 3BL Tel: 0844 800 3855

GREAT ESCAPES

WINE AND WATER A RIVER CRUISE ALONG THE RHINE

The rivers of the world are fast becoming hotspots for travellers. Smaller and friendlier than their ocean-going, the cruisers that ply them are also going more upmarket all the time..PETER SLEE has been on a journey of discovery.... peter.slee@trinitymirror.com

@PeterSlee56

The Chef’s Restaurant

Heidelberg

WHAT’S THE LOW DOWN? It is hard to imagine a holiday that delivers so much, in terms of cultural and scenic sightseeing, and yet offers such a relaxed and agreeable means of travelling between countries. Little surprise then that river cruising is the next ‘big’ thing, particularly along the Rhine and the Danube. Its popularity is booming with new ships coming online all the time. It is also going upmarket with luxury being the key word. Plush and polished, this ship delivers a luxe hotel ambience.

Cruising is all-inclusive, staff are attentive, fellow passengers friendly and the dress code nicely relaxed. Cruise directors deliver a carefully curated experience on board and ashore, which removes any potential wrinkles. We travelled on the AmaKristina, launched in April 2017 with 75 cabins and a crew of 50.

STYLE/CHARACTER Unadulterated luxury, flawless service and uncompromising comfort indulge a largely American clientele with a smattering of Brits and Canadians on board too. The interior is filled with boutique hotel- style fittings, mirrors, marble and plenty of civilised comfort. As on all AmaWaterways new-builds, the lobby atrium features a sweeping double staircase either side of a glass lift.

CABINS Contemporary and elegant, all suites and cabins have mood and task lighting, generous storage and TV on demand. High quality decor is complemented by comfy beds and in-room free internet .

Interior-illuminated wardrobe and drawer space is generous and televisions unobtrusive. The bathrooms have walk-in showers, low lighting and acres of decent shelving space for all your bits and bobs.

Staterooms and suites on the topmost two decks have open-air balconies big enough to accommodate two people albeit at a

bit of a pinch. The lower tier cabins have shallow half-windows. Some suites can take a third guest on a sofa bed though you will pay a bit of a premium for the privilege. A lift serves all decks except the sun deck.

FOOD & DRINK Outstanding. The breakfast buffet, beautifully presented, is supplemented by a cook-to-order chef too. Lunch is another lavish buffet. Dinner menus offer inspired fine-dining options often reflecting the cuisine of the area you are in that day. Carefully chosen, quality wines are served with lunch and dinner and are included in the price. All of it is served by a mainly eastern European crew who were exceptional. There is also the option of a free ‘Chef’s Table’ experience at the opposite end of the ship to the main dining room. The two-anda-half hours it took to get through the six courses, each paired with wine, was time well spent.

AT YOUR LEISURE A resident pianist plays in the lounge/bar which has a small dance floor and which offers 24 hour complimentary coffee and tea as well as afternoon snacks. Live musicians and vocalists perform in the evenings. But entertainment is never going to be on the level of an ocean cruiser and is much more sedate. Some might say, why bother?

But I suppose it does add a holiday feel to that lull after dinner. Where we could though, we walked off the docked ship and into the adjoining town after eating to explore our own entertainment.

Up above, the sun deck has tables, chairs and loungers, with canopies for shade, if required plus an ok - sized pool. On the lower deck a small fitness room and a spa offer massages and other treatments.

Our particular favourite spot though was an under-cover area right at the front of the ship which we commandeered whenever we could, glass in hand, watching the towns and the castles of the Rhine pass by.

HOW RIVER CRUISES DIFFER TO OCEAN CRUISES Many of our stops were small villages and medium sized cities, so we felt like we were able to see all the top sights without missing anything. The best part? Enjoying the comfort of a luxurious ship without worrying about transportation from town to town and only unpacking once. n Small Ships: I think most of us are familiar with large ocean liners that sail over the Med or in the Caribbean. River cruises offer a very different experience – they’re much smaller ships, typically seating only 150-200 passengers. The AmaKristina that I was on had about 145 on board during our trip. n No Seasickness: In general rivers are much calmer than the open seas and you won’t have to worry about rough seasickness.

168 swansealife.co.uk

Boats utilize four propellers instead of a traditional rudder. Because of this, they have the flexibility to turn each propeller a full 360 degrees for precision and smooth sailing so you shouldn’t experience any seasickness on board. n More About the Sights, Less About On-Board Entertainment: River cruising is a much more intimate experience, with unreserved seating at meal times so you get to mix and mingle with almost everyone on board by the end (if you want!). There’s perhaps less on-board entertainment (no nightclubs or casinos on board) but each evening people congregated in the lounge by the bar and AMA had an on-board pianist. A couple of nights during the week, the Kristina hosted either singers, dancers or local activities. My

EXCURSIONS Well chosen and mostly expertly led for a crowd of passengers with an average age I’d put at around the 55 - 60 mark and certainly younger than the majority of sea cruisers we’ve encountered in the past.

Pre-tour “discovery briefings” provide background detail for expert-led small-group shore excursions. Exclusive events, such as museum visits, are also organised. The free bikes on offer were also a plus. We used a couple for a fantastic two-hour trip into Cologne’s ‘Old Town’ district during one stop off. That was in addition to a regular walking tour we had also joined earlier in the day. Hillside vineyards, pretty villages and fine food and wine were all par for the course as well as bigger European cities.The tours are all included in the price and offer different levels of walking ability depending on your fitness ranging from easy to difficult and with everything in between. Ours included trips to Cologne, Heidelberg, Rudesheim and Basal in Switzerland as well as a canal and walking tour of Amsterdam. Our favourite?

Strasbourg in Alsace.

FACTFILE AmaWaterways run sailings on the Rhine every week between Mar – December. A 2017, 7-night Enchanting Rhine river cruise, Amsterdam to Basel (or reverse) leads in from £1,978pp including: all meals on-board (with local wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner); the Chefs Table dining experience; a choice of complimentary daily tours and excursions; complimentary wi-fi; use of on board bicycles for active discovery ashore; and port taxes. www.amawaterways.com

Rhine Gorge

BEST THING ABOUT IT? Getting friendly with your fellow cruisers! With only 145 or so passengers, it is much easier to get to know your fellow trippers than on a huge sea going cruise liner with its 4,000-plus holidaymakers and where things can be a bit more transitory. On just our second night, we got chatting to Beth and Paul from the States, hit it off with them straight away and stayed as a tight-knit bunch for the rest of the week.

Addresses and Facebook details have been exchanged and we are already planning another trip as a foursome on the Danube in a couple of years time if we don’t meet up before that in either the US or here in Swansea.

Yes, that’s how good it all was!

favourite was a string quartet. n Easier Disembarkation: The number one reason why I like river cruises so much is because you get to see many small towns and sights in a leisurely fashion. Depending on your journey, you stop in a new town every day or so and can get on and off the ship easily and on your own pace without queuing for hours! If time allows, at some stops you can also do your own thing. n Dress sense?: No stuffy formal dinner nights on here. Even though it is all top notch, its largely US passengers don’t go in for all that malarky and as a consequence, smart, casual where is where it it at. It’s much better for it too, I reckon

Burg Landschut on the Rhine

Koblenz

The AmaKristina Cruise Liner

swansealife.co.uk 169

GREAT ESCAPES

AS YOU LIKE IT....!

The Bard’s plays are full of flowery quotes. PETER SLEE has been digging into some of the places where he might just have discovered the green shoots of creativity peter.slee@trinitymirror.com

Everyone deserves one walk up the long driveway towards a stately home at least once in their life.

And when I say long, I really do mean it. In this case, the best part of a mile or so. And by stately home, I mean a real, proper, imposing one of gargantuan proportions.

So here it is, what you might call my ‘ Downton Abbey moment.’ I am meandering through parkland, dotted with ancient trees; a ‘front garden’ which includes a cricket pitch, a grazing flock of sheep, a sizeable lake and a William and Mary cottage.

It is a picture postcard setting. And I am in Shakespeare country: at the home of the ninth Marquess of Hertford, Ragley Hall, one of the earliest Palladian country houses in the country. The term “national treasure” applies.

Up close and personal and this is one impressive pad. A huge mass of carved masonry with sweeping steps in front of it and festoons of flower borders and woodland all around.

It looks like it has been here forever, as if it were originally deposited by a great glacier; the building is elemental, with a bespoke baroque twist.

Ragley has got it all, really: a magnificent 70ft long Great Hall with stunning plasterwork; a dining room with shocking lemon paintwork, suitable for state banquets and birthday bashes, decked out with William IV chairs; a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds of Horace Walpole, the son of Britain’s first Prime Minister, hangs over the library’s fireplace; the piano, in the music room, dates from 1840. The house was designed in 1680 by Robert Hooke, a friend of Sir Christopher Wren; Capability Brown created the 400-acre parkland scheme.

Undoubtedly, it is classy stuff.

It is not, however, a sterile museum piece, a decaying testament to a lost age of regal grandeur when Britannia truly did rule the waves. The place stands apart from similarly preserved country piles in one important aspect: it is very much lived in. The family also happen to open the house, and its grounds, to the public.

It’s an amazing sight, and great for gawping.

In fact, Lord Hertford happens to be Anne Hathaway’s on the rear lawn when we arrive cottage for afternoon tea. And while he doesn’t actually pour from the pot, he does stop for a chat. Though it’s not the Lord and Lady Hertford

@PeterSlee56

Ragley Hall

house itself we are really here for. For our group, on a whistle-stop tour, it is actually the truly majestic, awe-inspiring grounds that envelop it that we are here to see at first hand. It’s also an obvious starting point for a weekend visiting the gardens of Shakespeare’s England which take in everything from recreated Elizabethan Gardens to restored Victorian ones, exhibition and trails.

We’ve already been to a clutch of other green spaces locally including the Lord Leycester Hospital in nearby Warwick where the half-timbered buildings are now a retirement home for old soldiers and their wives.

Hidden behind the Master’s House is a tiny, beautiful, tranquil garden which has been lovingly restored and whose unique features include a 12th Century Norman arch, a stone vase reputed to have crowned the 2,000 year-old Egyptian “Nilometer”, a very early pineapple pit and a small thatched summer house that Nathaniel Hawthorne admired in his visits in the 1850s.

There’s also been time to call in to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage to explore the nine acres of beautiful English country cottage gardens where Shakespeare wooed his wife. This quintessential cottage garden with lush perennial borders was originally designed by Victorian horticulturalist, Ellen Willmott and is one of the most photographed and painted in the world. With good reason too! With its traditional orchards, a wildflower meadow and woodland featuring many trees mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays, it remains a favourite of visitors near and far. Best of all, the handful of gardeners you will see working around the place are always happy to provide you with tips!

But it is at Ragley - a business which includes eight farms, 200 properties, corporate entertaining, weddings and a sawmill amongst its ventures - that we are at now. The house itself is it’s flagship asset and gets 80,000 or so visitors a year. Though while the bricks and mortar hold their own attractions, it is the gardens themselves that are on the ‘must visit’ list for scores of those trippers too.

FOUR OTHER WARWICKSHIRE GARDENS YOU SHOULDN’T MISS: n Wander around the wild flower garden and watch the butterflies in their natural habitat at Stratford Butterfly Farm. The garden features butterfly nectar plants and a special butterfly meadow mix of 80 different species which are planted so the garden continually blooms. This was a bit of an unexpected surprise for me. But discovering hundreds of the world’s most spectacular and beautiful butterflies flying in an exotic environment of tropical blossom with splashing waterfalls and fish-filled pools was a real joy.

Although the 170 hectares of parkland were designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown during the 18th century, little is known about the gardens prior to 1873. However, it is thought that the Capability landscape came right up to the Hall itself until garden designer and outstanding horticulturist Robert Marnock enclosed the present 10 hectares as pleasure grounds, planting them up with trees and shrubs around meandering path ways and created a formal Victorian flower garden on the west side of the hall. The bare bones of Marnock’s late 19th century garden remain in evidence today and have matured into a rich palette for nature with mature trees predominating throughout, producing a strong soil for new developments.

The result is a garden in which traditional horticultural features incorporate, and exist alongside, valuable wildlife habitat. It is a living, thriving and truly breath-taking gardcn. The ‘ green lungs’ as it were of adjoining Ragley Hall itself.

Lord Hertford is terribly accommodating answering questions about the hall and its lush gardens when we stop for that afternoon cuppa..

He and his wife have a huge task in their lives to make the house viable to pass on to the next generation. Being open to the public is the only way to make the house pay. The estate is in a very healthy state. But it is they who have to make sure the house is thriving and is constantly delivering.

They need dedication. But it also requires love. If you don’t love where you are, and what you do, it becomes a life sentence. That’s not the case here.

I note down the name of one of the roses from its borders, Tickled Pink it is called and it is a beauty.

Then I make my guilty admission.

“I have an artificial lawn,” I say, lowering my eyes with shame when we are shown around Ragley’s grounds by one of its small team of gardeners.

“What would Capability Brown say?” tuts one of our party.

Actually, I rather imagine he would have been inspired by my ingenuity in trying to overcome the obstacles of trying to grow a lawn in deep shade.

And even if I don’t have a mile-long driveway leading up to my home in Swansea, maybe, just maybe, the fact that I have since planted the same rose in my little plot at the back of the house goes to prove there’s a tiny little bit of Capability Brown in us all!

n Shakespeare’s New Place, the very site where Shakespeare lived the final 19 years of his life. The vacant plot where Shakespeare’s family home once stood has been re-imagined by an outstanding community of award-winning designers, artists and craftspeople to mark the 400th anniversary of his death in 2016. The bold, contemporary reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s New Place opened in August 2016; glorious gardens, sparkling new works by award-winning artists and a dynamic exhibition showcase Shakespeare the writer, family man and businessman as never seen before. n Compton Verney features 120 acres of stunning parklands and lake that surround the award-winning Art gallery.

See the perfect Brownian landscape in miniature with a lake, chapel, walks and specimen trees. n Hill Close Gardens The restored gardens at Warwick, offer a rare opportunity to visit 16 hedged Victorian pleasure gardens, reconstructed to capture the planting and personality of their original owners. The plots are varied and individual, as would have been the case more than 100 years ago. Generally there is a mixture of flowers, fruit – such as apples, pears, plums and soft fruit – a grassed area and a wide range of vegetables. It also boasts a large glasshouse and plant displays with period tools on display.

I loved this place!

FACTFILE Where to stay: Arden House, Stratford A smart 10-room sister guesthouse of The Arden Hotel.

It’s been well converted from two Victorian semis and is within easy walking distance of the theatre, top Shakespeare sights and shops, offering convivial public areas and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

In a residential area, overlooking a small park and away Caption from the town’s busy high street but less than 10 minutes’ walk of the RSC’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre and to New Place and Shakespeare’s Schoolroom.

It is a world away from a ‘traditional’ hotel environment and a place to relax in privacy. ‘House hosts” rather than receptionists don’t stand on ceremony. Ours was enthusiastic – very keen to help with bags and to supply any local information we needed. You also get to enjoy a gin and tonic with them..from 5pm onwards.

Facilities are limited but there’s a small parking area at the rear of the place.

Nice touches in the rooms (from £112 per night) include crunchy apples and small, take-home bottles of gin.

58-59 Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6LT, England.

01789 298682theardenhotelstratford.co visit http://shakespeares-england.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 171

GREAT ESCAPES

A GOLF RETREAT Jack Pitts turns his hand to golfing during a stay at the 5-star luxury Celtic Manor Resort in Newport jack.pitts@mediawales.co.uk

B

irds are chirping and bees buzzing across panoramic views of the Severn Estuary as my golf club whistles through the air and entirely fails to make contact with anything ball shaped.

Expert golfer Kyle - used to fine-tuning athletes not teaching pencilpushing journalists from a safe distance - again passes on his condolences before adjusting my stance and running for cover.

This is the Celtic Manor Resort, 5-star luxury close to Newport which offers punters the choice of three hotels, two spas and three golf courses.

The golf set-up, already well-known, shot to prominence in 2010 when it hosted the biennial inter-continental golfing competition the Ryder Cup. But they also let in beginners, and even worse, people like me.

Sitting above one of the courses is the golf academy and performance centres, where the club’s three pros combine their years of experience with state-of-the-art technology to massage each golfer’s swing into a slick, no-nonsense weapon.

Inside, a garage-style door opens onto hundreds of feet of green space on which you can - trust me - hit as far and wide as you like without worrying about hitting anybody.

Using the latest technology golf pro Kyle, could tell me everything from the speed of my swing to the rotation of the ball, and even how fast it was flying.

Swish Another miss. I put my hand to my forehead to shield my eyes and try to imagine the ball thudding into the fairway.

Amazingly, though, within an hour I’m not only making contact with the ball, but even hitting it in the right direction.

Some of the shots are even landing within a few hundred meters of the target.

Swish But it’s not all plain sailing, and with Kyle’s voice ringing in my ears - ‘I think that’s the first time anyone’s ever hit the ceiling’ - we

172 swansealife.co.uk

went out to putt.

Putting is the delicate dressage of the golfing world and it’s a lot more enjoyable than the Grand National romp down the fairway that is driving.

The grass is cropped to the length of an army recruit’s hair and a tap with the club sends the ball singing 15 metres away into nearby bushes.

It’s an art negotiating a green’s delicate contours to arc the ball into the hole from several metres away, and as with the rest of the sport it seems to be the endless opportunity for minute improvements which makes it so popular.

The highlight of the Celtic Manor’s golfing calendar is the Celebrity Cup, which sees the the likes of Rob Brydon, Ronan Keating and Gareth Bale representing Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England in a two-day battle of the British Isles.

It’s fun, it’s competitive, and for some reason I wasn’t offered a place.

Back at the green we put the tedious matter of golfing to one side and returned to more important things, like lunch.

On-site is The Grill where tired golfers can look over the Celtic Manor’s ample grounds while sipping their morning’s reward. After a lengthy graze - goats cheese bruschetta with black olive tapenade, Jacob’s ladder beef and honeycomb ice cream, if you’re wondering - it was down to the spa for some R&R, but not before fulfilling a life-long dream of piloting a golf buggy.

Driving the lawnmower-like machines is quite clearly the best part of golfing, though a note from the experienced: it is perilously easy to make a wrong turn and find yourself on a fast flowing country road. It’s a great way to see the what the Celtic Manor has to offer (and they corner admirably well).

In fact, I may never be invited to resort’s Celebrity Cup, but give me a hat and I could chauffeur the pros around all day.

F E R S E T M I V M U S JULY-AUG 2017 AL book online &

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The village will be bursting with fun activities for all ages and we are determined to make it a summer to remember!

It’s not just the on resort waterpark and Adventure Centre, range of activities, Well Spa and dining experiences that makes us special. It’s the stunning coastline, the golden beaches, picturesque walks and historic castles, quaint towns and villages which are right around the corner. Pembrokeshire is a visitor’s paradise.

Escape to Pembrokeshire & experience summer holidays the Bluestone way.

TO BOOK YOUR BREAK VISIT: WWW.BLUESTONEWALES.COM

Out

& about

RICHIE HAMMOND (page 176) WALK OF THE MONTH (page 178) FAMILY DAYS OUT (page 180)

OUT & ABOUT

S N A P S H OTS O F

SWA N S E A B AY Tranquil beaches. Hidden corners. Unexpected views.

Join photographer RICHARD HAMMOND as he explores Rhossili Down

R

hossili Down are the cliffs that sit towering above Llangennith beach looking out to sea, watching the Atlantic hurl its waves onto the sands below. It is home to the highest point on Gower at 193 meters above sea level with the triangulation point sitting at the top.

Here awaits spectacular views for anyone who wishes to climb the steep path to the top of this Old Red Sandstone ridge. It’s alive with wildlife and all kinds and heathers with colours that will delight you. The land is owned by the National Trust who have the following guide as a suggested walk.

Start at the bus stop in Rhossili and follow the footpath as it bears left towards the churchyard and past St Mary’s Church.

The church was built in the 12th/13th century. Look out for the unmarked sailor’s grave in the corner of the churchyard.

At the junction with the stony track, go left and continue until you reach the gate marked with a National Trust sign for Rhossili Down. Head up the hill through the heathland.

If you look back towards Rhossili village you will see the Medieval strip field system of The Vile on the headland.

Continue on the main path along the ridge of the Down.

The beacon marks the highest point on Gower and is also the site of a Bronze-Age cairn built around four thousand years ago. As you continue along the ridge path you will pass the remains of Stone Age burial chambers called Sweynes Howes.

The Down ponies

Sheep by the old rectory

Half way along the Down you will see the remains of a Second World War radar station which was built to provide early warning of threats to Swansea from German bomber planes during the Second World War. The radar station on Rhossili Down was first operational in 1942 as one of a group of radar stations controlled from Milford Haven to cover the Bristol Channel. It was originally a Coastal Defence Station, manned by the army, to monitor shipping and low-flying aircraft, but was updated and eventually became part of the Chain Home Low radar network. It was closed around 1945. The linear building , approximately 90m long, was oriented north-south and stood on the west facing slopes of Rhossili Down. Following demolition only concrete foundations remain.

From here the path descends steeply towards Hillend campsite. Go into the site and straight past Eddie’s Cafe and turn left on the beach and head back towards Rhossili.

Rhossili Down is often voted as one of the best places to enjoy hang gliding and paragliding in Gower.

176 swansealife.co.uk

Walking the dog

Did you know

A substantial five-bed detached stone farmhouse with nine acres of land and stables in Llangennith can be yours for £950,000 … don’t want horses? Okay, what about a three-bed house which was originally a small cottage but has been extended many times for £385,000. Something more modern? Well if you’re a first-time buyer and from Llangennith this is the bargain of the century - a two bedroom semi-detached property with fantastic sea and countryside views, set in a private block paviour court yard development for £99,090 - yes £99,090!The property has restricted covenants in that it cannot be bought as a second home or a buy to let and would be bought on a 70/30 shared ownership with family housing.

Triangulation Point

“

The start of the walk by the bus stop in Rhossili

IT’S ALIVE WITH

WILDLIFE

“

AND ALL KINDS AND HEATHER

WITH COLOURS

THAT WILL

DELIGHT YOU

Along the route, you may see black crow like birds with an unusual call - these are choughs and are quite rare in the UK. It has a red bill and legs unlike any other member of the crow family and readily displays its mastery of flight with wonderful aerial displays of diving and swooping. You will also see the Gower ponies roaming freely. They are quite friendly but don’t approach if you are walking your dog. In the spring, stallions are turned out for the breeding season. These ponies are very hardy from years of living on rough grazing, such as brambles, gorse and tough grasses. They are wild in the sense that they are left untamed until they are mature and ready to be broken for riding, work or competition.

There are many places in Rhossili itself or Hill End Camp Site to stop for a bite to eat and drink, but why not make a day of it by taking a picnic along and sit on the raised beach by the Old Rectory, watch the sheep walk past you, take a few photographs and listen to the choughs. Whatever you do there I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Next Time

Next time will be my last column in Swansea Life for a while as I’m having a short break so... we are going to go out in style and it can only be one place – Worms Head.

I will see you then

Rhossili Down above the beach

Richie

swansealife.co.uk 177

OUT & ABOUT

A N D R E W

M O R G A N ’ S

SWANSEA BAY WALK Join ANDREW MORGAN as he leads us on a Swansea Bay walk.

Start/Finish location .............. National Trust Car Park Distance ...................................... 2.5 miles (1.5 hours) Level .............................................Easy/Moderate Parking ......................................... As Above

178 swansealife.co.uk

Rhossili

Changes are taking place at Rhossili where the National Trust have taken over the car park and are busy upgrading it. Best of all, of course, is that if you are a member of the National Trust then you can park for free! Today’s walk starts in the car park and follows a historic route rather than the usual broad path out to see the Worm. We’ll also get to see the Worm but just by a different route!

The first section of the car park is hard surfaced but we’ll start in the overspill car park where you still park on the grass. As you enter this field, which may have a NT marquee at its entrance, turn left, then go through the gate. Continue straight on until you meet a farm track where you turn right and follow this Right of Way. You are now approaching a ‘Vile’ place! Not to worry, it’s quite nice really and the word ‘Vile’ refers to the medieval field strip system. Rhossili is one of the few places in Britain where you can still see this ancient farming arrangement still in use.

In this lane, the fields to your left are running approximately north/ south but you now come to a corner where the fields are east/west and you are looking down the length of the field. Here turn sharp left then right to follow parallel by the hedgerow, the furthest field. Continue straight on until you leave the field system and emerge onto the sea cliffs. Here you have the option to shorten the walk or to go to the left for the splendid view of the South Gower Coast and Fall Bay before returning to this point. Assuming you’ve returned from Fall Bay, continue along the top path (or if you choose to shorten the walk, turn right on exiting the Vile).

Bear left along the cliff top to the Coastguard Lookout hut and enjoy the views of Worm’s Head. It is possible to cross at low tide and the safe times are displayed on the cliff top but remember, it’s not easy to cross those rocks and people do get cut off by the incoming tide, so we’re not going to do that today!

The rest of the walk is easy, especially if you’ve done it before. Just follow the gravel path back to Rhossili. As you go along, watch for views over Rhossili Bay and over to Tenby in Carmarthen Bay. There may be hang gliders overhead, launching off the cliffs of Rhossili Down. Nearer the National Trust Shop, you come on the left to an untidy looking, extensive set of grassy earth mounds and you may think, why hasn’t the National Trust levelled it and made it look better?

Well stop and look again! These undulating mounds are the remains of the ditches and ramparts of a prehistoric fort. This is one of the reasons that Gower is special, everywhere you go there is history just off (and sometimes on) the beaten track.

To finish the walk, you can continue onto the visitor centre and toilets but if you parked in that overspill car park, before the centre there is a handy gate up some stone steps to take you straight into the field.

Transport: Traveline: www.traveline-cymru.info 0871 200 22 33 or BayTrans: www.baytrans.org.uk/

Below: Andrew Morgan

Upcoming walks August...

WED 02 Old Swansea (8 miles) • Moderate, meet 10am Aurora Point Car Park THU 03 Swansea Enterprise Zone (3 miles) • Moderate, meet 7pm Fendrod Lake Car Park SAT 05Three Cliffs Bay (5 miles) • Easy, meet 11am Penmaen: NT car park SAT 06 Culver Hole, Port Eynon (13 miles) • Strenuous, meet 9.30am Rhossili: NT car park MON 07 Arthur’s Stone (3 miles) • Moderate, meet 10am Reynoldston: near King Arthur TUE 08 Carn Pica (12 miles) • Strenuous, meet 9am Llansamlet: Go Outdoors WED 09 Langland & Oystermouth (4 miles) • Moderate, meet 7pm Langland: Car park behind Brasserie SAT 12 Behind Penclawdd (6 miles) • Easy/Moderate, meet 11am Penclawdd: Beach front car park SUN 13 Aberbran (11 miles) • Strenuous, meet 8.30am Francis St. MON 14 Penllegare Woods (4 miles) • Easy, meet 10am Penllergare Valley Woods WED 16 Cilgerran & Teifi Nature Reserve (10 miles) • Moderate, meet 9am Cross Hands (Co-op) SAT 19 RSPB Reserve, Clydach (5 miles) • Moderate, meet 11am RSPB Reserve, Clydach SAT 19 Coast and Common (9 miles) • Moderate, meet 10am Blackpill: Top of Mill Lane SUN 20 South Gower Circular (11 miles) • Moderate, meet 9.30am Scurlage: Doctor’s Surgery WED 23 Pennard Circular (6 miles) • Moderate, meet 10am Pennard: Golf Club car park SAT 26 Parc Slip & Bryngarw Park (6 miles) • Easy, meet 10am Francis St. WED 30 Kilvey Hill (8 miles) • Moderate, meet 10am Fendrod Lake Car Park

Visit our website: www.swansearamblers.org.uk swansealife.co.uk 179

OUT & ABOUT

FAMILY DAYS OUT LAURA DAVIES and GEORGIA DAVIES look at the top places to take the children this August which are literally right on our doorstep! laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Kidwelly Castle Built by the Normans, Kidwelly Castle is full of history and has plenty to do to keep the children occupied. And from this month, the new bridge into the Sacristy and Chapel is now open for visitors to explore.

On August 11 the castle will host a sunset cinema screening of A Knights Tale and on August 12, it will show Beauty and the Beast.

Doors open from 7pm with the showing on both evenings at 9.30pm.

General admission costs ÂŁ11.90 for a family ticket, for two adults and up to three children, so bring a picnic and make it both a historical and cheap day out!

Langland Bay

EXPLORE IT: Kidwelly Castle, Castle Street, Kidwelly, SA17 5BQ

Cwmdonkin Park Situated in the heart of Swansea and a favourite hang-out of the late Dylan Thomas, Cwmdonkin Park is the ideal place to bring a picnic, play some tennis and spot some wildlife. It’s luscious surroundings and impressive facilities make the Green Flag park extremely popular with families.

Bring along some disposable cameras and let your kids have a go at capturing one of the most beautiful areas in Swansea!

Holding both Blue Flag and Seaside Awards, Langland Bay is the perfect spot to set up camp for that day. With lifeguards on duty between May and September, there is no need to worry about the kids as you sit back in Langland Brasserie with a coffee whilst they explore the beautiful beach.

The Bay is linked to both Rotherslade and Caswell by a scenic coastal path and with a car park approximately 100m away, Langland Bay is extremely accessible for all.

EXPLORE IT: Langland Bay, Gower, SA3 4SQ

EXPLORE IT: Cwmdonkin Park, Park Drive, Uplands SA2 0PP

Oystermouth Castle Sat proudly on Mumbles hill, Oystermouth Castle boasts beautiful coastal views, a rich history and secret corners. With ruins to explore, picnics to be eaten and photos to be taken, the castle proves to be the perfect place to let the kids run around on a sunny day.

Not only will there be Jester Days for the children, there will be arts and crafts as well as outdoor theatre events. You can purchase tickets in person at the Dylan Thomas Centre or via Swansea Bay Events Line on 01792 637300.

EXPLORE IT: Oystermouth Castle, Castle Avenue, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4BA 180 swansealife.co.uk

Margam Country Park If you’re after a country walk or a tree-top climb, Margam Country Park is the place to go. With an activity centre that offers archery, mountain-biking, canoeing and kayaking, it is definitely a place to wear out the kids!

You may have to make it a weekend trip as there is simply so much to do! Bring a bike, BBQ or a fishing rod and explore the magnificent grounds.

EXPLORE: Margam, Port Talbot SA13 2TJ

National Showcaves Centre for Wales With spectacular caves and home to one of the largest collections of model dinosaurs, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales is somewhere that will certainly keep the off-springs entertained!

Between April until October 31 the centre opens up their campsite to the public. So, why don’t you bring your tent and have a relaxing night in the midst of nature after a long day of horse-riding, underground exploring and maybe even skiing on the nearby dry slope!

RSPCA Llys Nini Animal Centre

Open all year round, the home of the local charity (who have rescued over 14,500 animals since 1995) is a great place to take the kids.

Whether you’re looking to adopt or whether you simply love being outdoors with animals, come along to the RSPCA and explore the centre’s beautiful 78 acres of land.

The charity also hosts a number of familyfriendly events throughout the year, including the Summer Festival and Fun Dog Shows. The event offers fun fair rides, arts and crafts and most importantly, the chance to meet some new canine friends!

EXPLORE: Abercraf, Swansea, SA9 1GJ

EXPLORE IT: Llys Nini Animal Centre, Penllergaer, SA4 9WB

360 Beach and Watersports The 360 sports centre is an alternative, multi-sport facility located right in the heart of Swansea.

Offering activities such as volleyball, table tennis, kayaking and kite surfing, it is the perfect place to relax whilst the little ones are entertained.

Whether they want to test out their skills or simply try something totally new, the sports centre caters for all abilities. You could even have a go yourself!

EXPLORE: Mumbles Road, Swansea, SA2 0AY

Blackpill Lido Located immediately next to the promenade with glorious views of the Bay, Blackpill Lido has been a family-favourite for decades. Why not jump on the Swansea Bay Rider, stop for lunch at the Junction Café and have a dip in the shallow water park?

If you are not one for getting wet, don’t worry, there are plenty of other options. Climbing frames, crazy golf and a sandy beach within walking distance makes Blackpill the perfect place to keep the whole family busy.

EXPLORE IT: Blackpill Lido, Mayals, Swansea SA3 5AS swansealife.co.uk 181

BE ONE OF THE FIRST

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Day's Motor Group

Day's Motor Group www.days.co.uk 01792 222111 www.days.co.uk Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Fiesta range are: urban 40.9-80.7 (6.9-3.5), extra urban 67.3-94.2 (4.2-3.0), combined 54.3-88.3 (5.2-3.2). Official CO emissions 118-82g/km.

222111 The mpg figures quoted are sourced from01792 official EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

2

*Promotion excludes KA+, Focus RS and Mustang. Test drive a Ford vehicle between the 1st July and 31st of August 2017 and receive an additional £500 customer saving (including VAT) off the Recommended On The Road price of selected new Ford cars or £500 customer saving Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Fiesta range are: urban 40.9-80.7 (6.9-3.5), extra urban 67.3-94.2 (4.2-3.0), combined 54.3-88.3 (5.2-3.2). Official CO2 emissions 118-82g/km. (excluding VAT) off the Recommended Retail Price of any new Ford Commercial Vehicle, that are contracted and registered between 1st July and 31st August 2017. Promotion at C E M Day - Swansea. Promotion available to Retail, Privilege, Ambassador and eligible Fleet customers

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Motoring

DRIVE TIME: THE NEW FORD FIESTA (from page 184)

TRAINER SWANSEA

375 Carmarthen Road, Swansea 01792 651474

MOTORING

FACTS AT A GLANCE Model: Ford Fiesta

We take the latest incarnation of Ford’s hugely successful Fiesta for a spin.

So has it managed to eclipse the previous car?

Base price: £12,715 Price as tested: £18,945 Engine tested: 1.0 EcoBoost 140 Power: 138bhp Torque: 180Nm Max speed: 125mph 0-60mph: 9.0seconds

drive TIME:

MPG: 62.8 (combined) Emissions: 102g/km

FORD FIESTA

184 swansealife.co.uk

WHAT’S NEW? Is this the most important new car of 2017?

If you’ve been paying attention to just how many Fiestas that Ford manages to shift per year, it’s hard to argue otherwise. The Blue Oval’s second-smallest model has been the best-selling car in Britain since 2009, and has consistently appeared in the top 10 since it was launched in 1976.

The Fiesta’s position is under threat, though, with the market for more premium-badged competitors such as the Audi A1 and DS 3 growing ever stronger. Ford’s answer is to fight back with arguably the plushest Fiesta yet, complete with oodles of new technology and a top-spec Vignale model that tips the scales at an eye-watering £19,345 in its cheapest guise.

Looks and image The Fiesta’s party piece has traditionally been the way it handles, with a playful character and the kind of poise and precision you wouldn’t expect in a supermini.

Go for the ST-Line trim - with its lowered suspension and specially tuned power steering - and you’ll find the Fiesta’s character remains very much intact, with a set-up that generally favours fun over outright comfort.

Other trims - from Style to Vignale - get considerably softer settings, gliding over potholes and imperfections without fuss, for which the majority of buyers will no doubt be thankful.

Interior quality too has taken a drastic step up. There are soft-touch plastics aplenty and switches have a reassuring feel to them, while Vignale-spec cars get plusher seats and a leather-trimmed dashboard.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY The Fiesta’s dimensions have grown ever so slightly over the old model, but you’d be hard-pushed to spot the differences. Ford says that rear passengers have gained 16mm of knee room, while there’s a 20 per cent larger glovebox - hardly a big step up in practicality, in other words. Boot space, meanwhile, is now a respectable 303 litres against the old car’s 290

- beating that of the Nissan Micra and Renault Clio, but still short of the Honda Jazz’s 399-litre capacity.

Euro NCAP is yet to test the new model, but thanks to buckets of new safety technology the Fiesta is expected to achieve a five-star rating.

Blind-spot detection, pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection and distance alert are all now available, while the body contains more high-strength steel for diverting impact energy away from the occupants.

BEHIND THE WHEEL The ST-Line trim in 1.0-litre 138bhp guise is the sportiest Fiesta available until the full-fat ST appears next year, and makes for a pretty decent ‘warm’ hatch. As ever, the characterful 1.0-litre EcoBoost is a joy to rev all the way to the limiter, but with 180Nm of torque delivered at as low as 1,500rpm it feels just as flexible at less frantic engine speeds too.

With the ST-Line, ride and handling are exactly what you’d expect for a trim level sat between the standard car and the ST hot hatch: fun and inherently sporty without feeling compromised for everyday driving. There’s less isolation from bumps and potholes than in other trim levels, but reduced body roll is worth the trade-off, while the tweaked power steering gives you more confidence to throw it into corners in the first place.

Unsurprisingly for a Ford, the driving position is pretty much spot on and - in most trims at least - there’s plenty of seat adjustability to help you get comfortable. Parking is now even easier thanks to an optional park assist system, which can handle negotiating the car in and out of both parallel spaces and typical supermarket perpendicular bays. The driver is still required to work the gearbox, accelerator and brake, but the new system does at least emergency-brake if it senses a potential impact.

VALUE FOR MONEY There’s no hiding that Ford is pushing the Fiesta into more premium realms - particularly in top-of-the-range Vignale spec - but thankfully, most trim levels don’t see much of a price jump

over the previous model. A three-door Zetec with the 98bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost, for example, costs £120 less than the equivalent old Fiesta despite a few bits of extra kit.

Ford has added more tempting options than ever before, though, and many are limited to higher trim levels than you might like. Keyless entry, for example, is only available on Titanium trim or above, and standard only on Titanium X and Vignale.

Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system is thankfully - standard on all but the entry-level Style trim, but you’ll need to pay extra for the larger eight-inch touchscreen rather than the standard 6.5-inch set-up. DAB is standard on all but the Style model too, while navigation is standard on Titanium trim and above, or a £300 option on Zetec and ST-Line.

Going even further with the premium add-ons, Ford has swapped the Sony-branded audio system of the old car for one designed in collaboration with B&O Play - an off-shoot of Bang & Olufsen.

Opt for this and you’ll get 10 speakers rather than the usual six - including a subwoofer hidden in the boot - said to have been extensively tuned for the Fiesta.

It won’t be rivalling the 23-speaker, 1,900-watt Bang & Olufsen system you’d find in an Audi Q7 any time soon, but it’s probably the bestsounding audio set-up in this segment - and well worth the £300 upgrade.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE? The Fiesta is probably one of the broadestappealing cars on sale today. Anyone from new drivers to grandmothers are likely to be interested in the diddy Ford, while everincreasing interior space has meant that even young families could be considered as Fiesta customers. To an extent, the Fiesta’s customer base is pretty well defined as it stands today.

Ford is hoping that the extra premium touches of the new car will steal some buyers back from the likes of the Audi A1, DS 3 and Mini too, and though it’s lacking a premium badge the Fiesta can certainly give them a run for their money in terms of refinement, handling and technology. swansealife.co.uk 185

what’s on

CALENDAR OF EVENTS (page 188) WHAT’S COMING UP (page 190) BIG INTERVIEW (page 192)

Got something to tell us about, for inclusion in the What’s On section?

Please contact Mark Rees...

THIS AUGUST...

mark.rees@trinitymirror.com 01792 545529 @reviewwales

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

RUSSELL HOWARD

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

ANIMAL ZONE: AMAZON ADVENTURE

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, 8PM (16+)

OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, 7.30PM

PLANTASIA, FROM 10.30AM

2

1 FRIDAY

4

SATURDAY

5

3

SUNDAY

MONDAY

7

6

GERMAN BIERFEST

JUNIOR JESTERS FUN DAY

VEGGIE PATCH KIDS

THE ADDAMS FAMILY

MUSEUM PARK, UNTIL AUGUST 6

OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, FROM 11AM

WWT LLANELLI WETLAND CENTRE, 11AM

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF, UNTIL AUGUST 12

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

TRESPASS

CARMARTHEN FREE WALKING TOWN TOURS

SWANSEA CITY OPERA

HOLIDAY MEMORY DROP-IN FAMILY WORKSHOP

OLLY MURS

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL AUGUST 12

NOTT SQUARE, 11AM

SWANSEA MUSEUM, UNTIL AUGUST 20

DYLAN THOMAS CENTRE, 1PM

SINGLETON PARK, FROM 3PM

SUNDAY

MONDAY

8

9 10 11 12

13 14

LOST TREASURES OF SWANSEA BAY SWANSEA MUSEUM, FINAL DAY

188 swansealife.co.uk

SATURDAY

ELIZABETH PRICE CURATES

GLYNN VIVIAN ART GALLERY, UNTIL AUGUST 28

WHAT’S ON Milkshake Live

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

FAMILY FILM CLUB

STRICTLY MURDER

GLYNN VIVIAN ART GALLERY, 10.30AM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL AUGUST 18

15 16

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MILKSHAKE LIVE

HAIRSPRAY

THE PRINCESS ROYAL THEATRE, PORT TALBOT, 11AM

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF, UNTIL AUGUST 26

MONDAY

17 18 19 20 21

DINOSAURS IN THE JUNGLE

PROSECCO FESTIVAL

BURLESQUE & CABARET

PLANTASIA, FROM 10.30AM

BRANGWYN HALL, 6.30PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE ARTS WING, 8PM (18+)

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

HIGH SCHOOL ROCKS!

FREE PLAY SESSION

SWANSEA BAY BEER AND CIDER FESTIVAL

FILM FRIDAYS: A TRIBUTE TO RYAN DAVIES

MEDIAEVAL FAIR

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, 11AM AND 3PM

AT THE VETCH FIELD, 2.30PM UNTIL 4.30PM

BRANGWYN HALL, 5PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE ARTS WING, 2PM AND 6.30PM

KIDWELLY CASTLE, FROM 9AM

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

TUESDAY

22 23 24 25 26 SUNDAY

27

GUIDED TOUR: DYLAN’S SWANSEA STARTS AT THE DYLAN THOMAS CENTRE, 10.30AM

MONDAY

TUESDAY

PRINCE AND PRINCESSES DAY

THE GRUFFALO

AUTUMN CRAFTY FUN FOR CHILDREN

THE JUKES

OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, 11AM UNTIL 4.30PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL AUGUST 30

OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, 11.30AM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, 7.30PM

28 29

30 31 swansealife.co.uk 189

WHAT’S ON

1

OLLY MURS

WHERE: Singleton Park WHEN: Saturday, August 12 It’s the big gig of the summer. Join the runner-up in the sixth series of the X Factor who has now recorded four multi-platinum albums, produced four number one singles and has total record sales exceeding 10 million with his blend of pop and dance for a party in the park. He’ll be supported

by X Factor winner Louisa Johnson.

2

PROSECCO FESTIVAL

WHERE: Brangwyn Hall WHEN: Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19, with afternoon and evening sessions It’s the ultimate festival for Prosecco lovers and it’s coming to Swansea for the very first time. The Prosecco Festival will give bubble lovers a chance to sample more than 40 types of Prosecco and fizz. Located within the main hall there will be stations offering more than 40 types of Prosecco, and even Prosecco cocktails. And for those non-fizz fans there will be a bottled lager area too.

3

LADIES DAY

WHERE: Ffos Las Racecourse, Trimsaran, WHEN: Friday, August 25 12pm - 7pm It’s back! There’ll be a chance to “dress to impress” and enjoy some champagne on Ffos Las’ summer lawn this month when Ladies Day returns. And despite the name, men are just as welcome, with a £500 voucher up for grabs for the Best Dressed Man, as well as a prize for Best Hat and £500 for Best Dressed Woman. Following the racing there will be a live Ed Sheeran tribute act.

190 swansealife.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

WHY NOT...

POOLSIDE READS One of the best things about going on holiday is getting to catch up on all those talked-about books you haven’t read yet. LAURA DAVIES rounds up this summer’s best books.

The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy (Hamish Hamilton) The heaviest tome on our list comes 20 years after Arundhati Roy’s debut novel, The God Of Small Things. The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness mines her research on India’s troubled political system, delicately braiding together strands of the brutal, toxic - and ongoing - Kashmir conflict, with the difficulties faced by a community of hijra (transgender people, who are now recognised as the ‘third gender’ in Indian law) and the fate of a baby abandoned on a rubbish-strewn street. Roy’s use of language is beautiful and inventive - she demands your mind and your time, and the rewards are huge.

...Watch or take part in the Mumbles Raft Race?

WHAT: 32nd Mumbles’ Lifeboat Crew Fun Raft Race WHERE: Mumbles Sea Front WHEN: Sunday, August 20, from 5pm This year’s event will be held at the sea front between Norton and Southend, Mumbles. Last year’s race was a great success with more than 40 entries of every conceivable design from Thunderbirds to our very own South Wales Evening Post and Swansea Life‘s raft Usian Boat.

Head down to the Mumbles Shoreline at 5pm for an afternoon of fun, whilst enjoying the gorgeous settings of Mumbles. Last year, the crews and supporters helped to raise almost £15,000 towards the R.N.L.I. Money for Mumbles campaign.

The race starts at 5.30pm with rafts arriving at Norton from 11am. The finish line is at Verdis on Knab Rock. The first rafts are expected around 5.45pm with the last rafts back around 6.30pm (hopefully!)

For more details or to enter a raft visit themumblesraftrace@gmail.com or call 01792 366246

The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green (Macmillan) Definitely the ‘beachiest’ book of our 12, this is the story of beautiful and charismatic B-movie actress Ronni’s three daughters. Self-absorbed and disinterested, Ronni wasn’t the mother she wanted to be. Nell, Meredith and Lizzy have been left to their own devices, estranged from their Ronni - and each other - until in adulthood they are all summoned home.

Ronni is ill. Not her usual ‘headache’, but she has motor neurone disease and is at the end of her life. Can this fractured family forgive their past and heal? This novel pulls on the heartstrings, but also feels like coming home.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (HarperCollins) Eleanor has worked at the same boring job for eight years. She has the same routine; home, the Archers and pasta and salad for tea. On a Friday evening, she buys a pizza and two bottles of vodka to see her through the weekend.

Eleanor, who’s 31, was in care through much of her childhood and has hazy flashbacks to a traumatic event. When scruffy new office IT guy Raymond and Eleanor see an elderly man take a tumble, it draws the two of them together into a tentative friendship that will eventually help Eleanor break free from her lonely existence and learn how to live. She’s a joy to read as a character.

swansealife.co.uk 191

WHAT’S ON

interview

“Wales in summertime will have a lovely holiday feeling” Samantha Womack talks passion, pets and a ‘monster’ new role in Wales

ell Samantha Womack that she looks like death warmed up and these days, she’ll take it as a compliment – it means she’s got her make-up right. Because if meeting a watery demise earlier this year in EastEnders wasn’t enough, Samantha’s latest project also sees her dabbling with death as she tours in the British and Irish premiere of the Broadway hit musical The Addams Family, playing Morticia Addams, the monster mum of a family of ghouls.

The Addams Family is based on the cartoons of Charles Addams. First published in The New Yorker magazine in the 1930s, the subsequent TV series spawned several spin-off shows, movies and books.

Now the show has made its way across the pond, but Samantha, whose career includes leading roles in South Pacific and Guys and Dolls, admitted that the idea of doing another musical at this point in time wasn’t high on her ‘to do’ list.

“I agreed to go to the initial meeting, but I wasn’t convinced,” she says.

But preparing for that meeting entailed a certain amount of research, during which Samantha found her mind being changed.

“Immediately I got a very clear sense of how I should play the role. I’d never played a character that was so deadpan before and as I read the script I really started to enjoy it. I also really liked the character-style of singing, which was different to me. Suddenly I couldn’t stop thinking about it; I was being seduced!”

So the role chose her, not the other way around?

“When I realised I really wanted to play Morticia I was as surprised as everyone else, although it helped that the producers

T

and creative team were just the warmest group of people I had ever come across. There’s something very infectious about people who are so passionate about something.”

Bagging the role, she found herself in expert company.

“We’re really lucky,” says Samantha.

“It’s a show with a credibility that is really exciting. The cast is phenomenal – musical theatre royalty –including Les Dennis. Les has starred in loads of musicals, including Spamalot, but he is also a really knowledgeable comedy buff. He is going to be great as Uncle Fester.”

Telling the story of Wednesday Addams, a princess of darkness with a shocking secret, when her father Gomez learns that she has fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family, he must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Inviting Wednesday’s ‘normal’ boyfriend and family to dinner, meeting Lurch, Pugsley Uncle Fester and the rest of the clan will ensure that it’s a night that nobody will forget in a hurry.

With lots of laughs and terrific music along the way, Samantha hopes that families will come and enjoy a really good night out together.

“My daughter, who is 12, especially loves the character Wednesday and I think most young girls will really be drawn to her. The age guide is seven plus, but it is very much a family show that will really entertain people and send them home with a light and happy feeling. It’s just that kind of piece.”

By dint of her career Samantha’s children have grown up in and around theatre, but all children having access to live performance is something she actively champions.

“Engaging in live performance is something that should be possible for all children. There’s a lot of debate about theatre

The Addams Family will run at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, from August 1 - 12

192 swansealife.co.uk

“

“

IT’S A SHOW WITH A

CREDIBILITY

THAT IS REALLY

EXCITING

being elitist at the moment and I’m trying to set up a relationship between children in care and production companies so that when there are empty seats these children can benefit from the experience.

“As I get older, the need to have a bit more creative control is important and I am passionate about exploring ideas and telling stories that need to be told. Making theatre and film that is inclusive is something that I seem to be gravitating towards. I’m not sure how it’s going to manifest itself yet, but I’m definitely being pulled in that direction.”

As for touring, living out of a suitcase doesn’t worry Samantha.

“EastEnders meant that I was stationary for a long time.

Going back to treading the boards was appealing. I stop myself tail-spinning by staying fit and healthy and by keeping to my own little routines, but touring is exciting and each theatre gets a slightly different production, because architecturally and acoustically every theatre is a different experience.

“I also like to know where I am at, so I do excursions where I can and I do endless walking,” smiled Samantha, who is particularly looking forward to visiting Cardiff.

“Over the summer holidays the family will be with me for a lot of the time, so it’s great that we’ll be in places like Cardiff. Wales in summertime will have a lovely holiday feeling. I can’t wait!”

Confessing that her dressing room tends to look more like someone’s sitting room than a place of work, Samantha finds home comforts, well, comforting.

“I have lots of photographs around me and wherever possible I have the kids and the dogs with me. That makes me very happy.”

Before we said goodbye we marvelled again at the incredible longevity of a family that started life as a magazine cartoon almost eighty years ago.

“The Addams Family is really ingrained in American history. I remember watching a repeat of the TV series in the 80s and I loved it. I especially loved the wistful quality of Carolyn Jones, the actress who played Morticia; it was as if she was trapped in another age. Regal but wistful is how I see her.”

She might have left the clan-clashing of Albert Square behind, but for a few weeks in August Samantha is going to be surrounded by another wonderfully odd family. Still, a ghoul’s gotta do what a ghoul’s gotta do…

swansealife.co.uk 193

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SPONSORED BY

24 -PAGE PHOTO SPECIAL from the awards event of the year CATEGORY SPONSORS

Leather Sofa Company S U P E R S T O R E

1

SWANSEA LIFE awards

PHOTO SPEC IAL

Swansea Life Awards

Winners and Highly Commended...

So, after all the emails and marketing and conversations and tweets and nominations, it finally arrived!

SPONSORED BY

HOMES & GARDENS

WINNER! NORWAVE BATHROOMS

S P O N S O R E D BY

Thousands of votes later, the night we had been planning for months, was here. The red carpet event of the year!

The 2017 Swansea Life Awards was an evening that paid tribute and rewarded the successes of our highest achievers from right across the Swansea Bay area.

This region has so much to be proud of...and last month’s glittering Brangwyn Hall event celebrated that fact. And quite rightly so.

At it, we recognised the best beauty and hair salons, fashion and gardening retailers, restaurants, bars, hotels and wedding venues, as well as individuals from a variety of different fields who work so hard to make our city what it is. Well done to them all and also to the deserved highly commended.

Thank you to our key supporters on the night , including our principle sponsor, The Brow Clinic.

Big thanks also to the celebrities and guests who joined us for what was a fantastic celebration.

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

LEEKES | PYLE GARDEN CENTRE | SECURAHOME

Here’s to our next awards!

L AU RA DAVIES E D ITO R

S WAN S E A LI FE MA GA ZIN E

SPONSORED BY

EVENT

WINNER! WALES NATIONAL AIRSHOW

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

SAMCAN BALL | SWANSEA HALF MARATHON

SPONSORED BY

BEST PUB

WINNER! THE PILOT OF MUMBLES

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

THE QUEENS HOTEL | WELCOME TO TOWN

SWANSEA LIFE awards

PHOTO SPEC IAL

SPONSORED BY

HEALTH/GYM/SPA

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SPONSORED BY

HOTEL

WINNER! THE LC SWANSEA

WINNER! MORGANS HOTEL

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

FUNKY PUMP FITNESS AT THE WAREHOUSE | THE VILLAGE HOTEL

KING ARTHUR HOTEL | OXWICH BAY HOTEL

SPONSORED BY

LEISURE & TOURISM

SPONSORED BY

WEDDING VENUE

WINNER! CLYNE GARDENS

WINNER! OLDWALLS GOWER

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

MARGAM PARK | NATIONAL WATERFRONT MUSEUM OF WALES

KING ARTHUR HOTEL | OXWICH BAY HOTEL

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SWANSEA LIFE awards

PHOTO SPEC IAL

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

CAFÉ CULTURE

RESTAURANT

WINNER! CAFÉ TWOCANN

WINNER! LANGLAND’S BRASSERIE

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

LANGLAND’S BRASSERIE | SQUARE PEG

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

BOUCHON DE ROSSI | LA BRASSERIE | THE GRILL HOUSE | THE RIVER HOUSE

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

AFTER DARK

WEDDING RETAILER

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

WINNER! PEPPERMINT BAR & KITCHEN

BAR AMERICANO | NO SIGN WINE BAR

WINNER! ROWBERRY BRIDAL

CARIAD BRIDAL | RHAPSODY BRIDAL

SWANSEA LIFE awards

PHOTO SPEC IAL SPONSORED BY

WEDDING SERVICES

SPONSORED BY

FASHION RETAILER (LOCAL)

WINNER! EVE FRANCESCA DESIGNS

WINNER! LOULOU BOUTIQUE

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

TALIESEN STRING QUARTET | ULTRA BOOTH

SOLO | STARDUST BOUTIQUE

SPONSORED BY

FASHION RETAILER (NATIONAL)

BEAUTY

WINNER! NEXT, MORFA

WINNER! THE SUN LOUNGE

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

DEBENHAMS | RIVER ISLAND

4

1192 LASER & BEAUTY CLINIC | FARHANA ALI

SPONSORED BY

5

SWANSEA LIFE awards

PHOTO SPEC IAL SPONSORED BY

HAIR

WINNER! HAIR LOUNGE

BY MARC ISAAC

SWANSEA BID CITY CENTRE AWARD

Leather Sofa Company S U P E R S T O R E

PEPPERMINT BAR & KITCHEN

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD LANGLAND’S BRASSERIE

SPONSORED BY

HIGHLY COMMENDED...

BELLO CAPELLI | LARA JOHNSON LIFESTYLE | RHYDIAN MAHER

SPONSORED BY

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD LYNNE KETTLES

SWANSEA LIFE awards

PHOTO SPEC IAL

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S I M P LY S E N S AT I O N A L

THE BEST DRESSED EDIT From breathtaking gowns, towering heels, daring and jaw dropping dresses, to classic suits, shimmering, floral, and colourful blazers, hundreds turned up the heat and set the Swansea fashion world ablaze at this year’s awards.

Swansea salon owner Brian Brown, international make-up artist Chris Howells and Rachel Thomas, owner of Llanelli’s The Brow Clinic, were on the lookout for the best and original outfits worn by the ladies and gents in attendance on the night. But there could only be one best dressed woman and one best dressed man, and here they are.

And on the opposite page are some of the other hot favourites that made the fashion cut on the night...

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More photos from the awards can be found and purchased at our website www.walesonline.co.uk and click on the "PHOTOS" tab.

20% of all photosales proceeds will be donated to our Charity of the Year, NSPCC Wales

A big thank you to all involved in making the night such a great success Photography by Jonathan Myers | Hoosh Arabi | Adrian White www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk

24

3

8 - 10 September < Make your own goo

< Discover dinosaurs with

BBC’s Ben Garrod < Have fun at the chemistry carnival < Learn about powders, particles and popcorn e < See the Flying atoms Danc Daly < Go Wild with CBBC’s Lizzie

!

And so much more!

AT THE NATIONAL WATERFRONT MUSEUM AND SURROUNDING VENUES

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT

YOUR WORLD

#SwanseaSciFest swansea.ac.uk/swanseasciencefestival

Social diary

FASHION SHOW (page 222) WOMEN IN WALES (page 226) FFYNONE PROM (page 230)

SOCIAL DIARY • FASHION SHOW

CHARITY FASHION SHOW WHERE: The Hyst, High Street, Swansea TELL ME MORE: A fashion show with a buffet, live music and even bingo was held at the Hyst in Swansea. The event, organised by Craig and Isabel Goodman was in aid of Afia Banjul Children’s Football Academy Foundation, The Gambia. The evening was compered by Chrissy Norman and clothes were from Goose Island, The Dress Agency in Neath, and Wendy Wallace-Williams Millinery. Models hair was styled by Unique Hair Design from Gorseinon and makeup by Donna Evans. Live entertainment came from from JR On-Stage, The Performance Factory and Jimi Webb.

Pictures: Hoosh Arabi.

222 swansealife.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 223

SOCIAL DIARY • FUNDRAISER

LADIES CHARITY NIGHT WHERE: Marriott Hotel, Swansea TELL ME MORE: A ladies night with the theme ‘going for gold’ raised over £12,000 for various charities. It was organised by Jan Rees who runs Singleton Hospital’s baby shop Jan’s First Thoughts. Money was raised to help 13 different organisations, including the Cardiac Endowment Fund at Morriston Hospital, bereavement charity 2 Wish Upon a Star and Alopecia UK. Pictures: Adrian White, www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk

224 swansealife.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 225

SOCIAL DIARY â&#x20AC;¢ FUNDRAISER

WOMEN IN WALES FUNDRAISER WHERE: Swalec Stadium, Cardiff TELL ME MORE: The Princess Royal was the guest of honour at the Women in Wales reception to mark 25 years of raising money for Save the Children in Wales. During a three-course lunch guests were entertained by string quartet Aderyn, the Gershwin Gang and a fashion showcase.

Entrepreneur Cath Kidston also gave a talk.Proceeds from the day went towards the Eat, Sleep, Learn, Play programme in Wales.

Pictures: Andrew Jeffery and Peter Bolter

226 swansealife.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 227

SOCIAL DIARY • REUNION

FAMILY REUNION 50 YEARS WHERE: La Parilla, SA1 TELL ME MORE: Renewing Canadian and Welsh links after 50 years are Phil, Gill and Ruby, with Kay and Gerald.

The family were also celebrating Ruby’s 90th birthday.

228 swansealife.co.uk

SOCIAL DIARY â&#x20AC;¢ BALL

CHARITY BALL WHERE: Blancos Hotel, Port Talbot TELL ME MORE: Nearly 200 supporters of charity Cost of Cancer got together to celebrate their third annual charity ball in Blancos Hotel.

For more information on how you can get help go to www.costofcancer.org.uk. Pictures: Andrew Jeffery

swansealife.co.uk 229

SOCIAL DIARY • BALL

FFYNONE HOUSE SCHOOL SUMMER BALL WHERE: The Village Hotel, Swansea TELL ME MORE: Students, staff and parents enjoyed a touch of glamour at the Summer Ball 2017 at the Village Hotel. The school wishes “all our leavers the best of luck and look forward to welcoming back our Year 11 and 12 students to further their studies with us.”

230 swansealife.co.uk

SOCIAL DIARY • FUNDRAISER

HANDS UP FOR DOWNS CHARITY FUNDRAISER WHERE: The Hyst, High Street, Swansea.

TELL ME MORE: An evening of live music from a variety of local acts, including X Factor’s Kayleigh Marie Morgan, Jimi Webb, Mal Pope and Dusty Road. Approximately £1,700 was raised for Hands Up for Downs - a Swansea parent-run support group for children with Down’s Syndrome and their families. Pics: Adrian White, www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 231

iscover DMumbles

DISCOVER MUMBLES (page 234)

DISCOVER MUMBLES

Msummer U Mfestival B L2017 ES

234 swansealife.co.uk

iL

Live Muisc: Real Goners Rock and Roll

Mumbles

516 Mumbles Rd, Mumbles

Tel: 01792 366133

DISCOVER MUMBLES

MUMBLES SUMMER F E S T I V A L 2 017 w w w. mumb le sfe stiva l . co.uk SUMMER CRAFTY FUN FOR CHILDREN 9 August 2017

SUMMER CRAFTY FUN FOR CHILDREN 23 Aug 2017

Oystermouth Castle 11.30am. Ends 3.30pm Craft Workshop

Oystermouth Castle 11.30am. Ends 3.30pm Craft Workshop

MUMBLES RAFT RACE – 5PM SWANSEA BAY Sunday 20th August Swansea Bay RNLI https://www.facebook.com/ MumblesRaftRace/

Oystermouth Castle 11.00am. Ends 4.30pm Family Fun Day

AUTUMN CRAFTY FUN FOR CHILDREN 30 Aug 2017

SUMMER CRAFTY FUN FOR CHILDREN 16 Aug 2017 Oystermouth Castle 11.30am. Ends 3.30pm Craft Workshop

PRINCE AND PRINCESSES DAY 28 Aug 2017

Oystermouth Castle 11.30am. Ends 3.30pm Craft Workshop

CAPPUCCINO GIRLS – 7 SHOWS OVER 6 DAYS Tuesday 22nd August to Saturday 26th August Ostreme Centre Tickets and info: www.mumblesfestival.com

CRACKER 7S RUGBY ALL WEEKEND Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th August - Bank holiday Underhill Park RUGBY CLUB Live music THE CONTENDERS

MUMBLES TRADERS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS MUMBLES SUMMER NIGHTS DREAM Thurs 31st August Throughout Newton Road, road closes at 6pm End of summer party and late night shopping extravaganza.

There will be a pop-up market and lots of stalls selling wonderful gifts and treats.

You can also look forward to live music, a parade, street entertainment, face painting, a carousel and music from The Wave. Road opens again at 10pm. FREE event.

An independent shop so we can stock what our customers want including many different top brands for Men, Women and Children of all ages.

Known for our friendly service call in and spoil yourself for the summer.

Pier39 153 Mumbles Road, Swansea, SA3 4DN

www.pier39mumbles.co.uk • Tel 01792 368323 swansealife.co.uk 237

Crumbs Kitchen now @

Café Valance is under new Management, and is now being run by Sean and his Father Ron Cobley.

They both have a background in catering having run Crumbs Kitchen in the Uplands for the first 2 years, so they have a wide knowledge of healthy options.

Café Valance has its own identity as a café/bar which has been a popular venue for food and drink for the last 15 years, with the previous owner Nicky having retired.

So we don’t plan to change the formula there. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

The aim is to tweak a few things like the menus. We have dramatically increased the breakfast choices, adding plenty of healthy options as well as the Valance Breakfast (Full English), as well as healthy cereals served with fresh fruit and yogurt. The Eggs Florentine and garlic hash browns with fried egg are a firm favourite.

We have also added some healthy vegetarian/vegan options

to our day menu, such as Mediterranean Falafels, sweet potato pakora, home made quiches, lasagnes and pies.

There are gluten free options, such our home made soups, curries and 3 bean chilli, as well as our selection of vegan cakes and gluten free chocolate brownies.

We have added quite a few options to our evening menu, including a number of pasta options, with a number of additions to the house favourites and Tapas options.

This evening menu now provides our dinners with a reasonable choice of meals you would expect for an evening meal.

Cafe’s can live or die by their coffee, so we have not changed from Segofredo mild Coffee blend, that has been sold here for the last 15 years, with our staff having been trained by the Barista staff from Crumbs Kitchen. You can also get a fine selection of teas and soft drinks.

Café Valance has been a popular wine bar in the evening for many years, with good options on beers and an extensive choice of red and white wines suit most people, with live music being provided on a regular occasions to suit most peoples choice.

For bookings on Tapas Thursday or Friday and Saturday Night call 01792 367711

50 Newton Rd, The Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4BQ • Phone: 01792 367711 www.cafevalance.com

Advertising Feature

Looking for Hair Extensions in Mumbles…

If you are looking for high quality, professional extensions, Mumbles based hairdressers No.64 are true experts.

The salon is owned by Sian Waters and Joanne Blake, who are both renowned colorists, stylists, extension experts and highly skilled providers of Great Lengths hair extensions.

For No. 64’s customers,

a professional and affordable salon is key.

But also the salons exceptional reputation is highly valued. Both Sian and Joanne have more than 30 years of experience between them, so you can rest assured you will be in the best hands with their hair extensions’ services.

Great Lengths Hair’s focus is to provide upscale, quality and professional hair extensions to all its clients, these are an excellent way to give instant length and volume to your hair in the natural looking way, to give you the perfect locks you have always dreamed of.

Extensions by Leah Bray, an experienced stylist of Great Lengths extensions

Hair extensions are an investment and extremely important to get the

maximum value from that investment,You need the fusion of the best quality hair combined with the artistry of extensions to create something truly bespoke and unique.

“The Great Lengths hair extensions are of the finest quality and we can proudly guarantee that every single strand of hair used is ethically sourced,“ say the salon owners.

Sian and Jo believe that every client is unique and offers complimentary hair consultations to every person who walks through No.64’s door.

“These extensions do not compromise condition.

As we have all seen from celebrities like Cheryl Cole, and Jennifer Anniston, extensions are truly only an extension of your character and beauty.” Sian and Joanne say: “Our hope is that every woman has the opportunity to get the perfect natural look they have always wanted.

Our extensions should last up to four to five months with the correct aftercare, with most clients lasting up to six months To ensure maximum return on your Great Lengths we provide you....

A complementary home care kit which includes specialist Great Lengths shampoo and conditioner, and a complimentary hair extension blow dry check up a week or two after application, where we check that the extensions are sitting correctly and answer any questions you may have.

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As a Great Lengths Certified Salon you can be rest assured that you will receive the best possible service and quality from the salon.

No.64 is dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of services and attention to detail Call us on 01792 360449 Find us at: 64 Newton Road, Mumbles, SA3 4BE To find out more please pop in, call or come and visit us

Wonderful care

FOR YOUR ELDERLY RELATIVES With two care homes owned by the same family, we can provide a continuity of care and support. A key worker is assigned to each resident which enables clients and their families to build a relationship with their carer.

All our care is personalised and individual with a focus on being a home from home. With discreet support from the staff team we aim to encourage our residents to remain as independent as possible. Whatever level of care you or your loved one needs, we can provide it at Ocean Living and Hawthorn Court.

HAWTHORN COURT ENJOYING WONDERFUL VIEWS OVER SWANSEA BAY AND SPECIALISING IN DEMENTIA CARE, TYCOCH BASED HAWTHORN COURT IS ONE OF THE ONLY RESIDENTIAL HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE AREA THAT IS DEMENTIA REGISTERED. We work in collaboration with Age Cymru, the Alzehimer’s society and other specialist, professional organisations to enhance the everyday well-being of our residents. Hawthorn Court is registered for 25 residents.

Having worked with us for over 10 years, home manager Liz Watkins has a huge array of experience in delivering high quality care.

Together with her dedicated staff, the team ensure our resident’s needs are their number one priority. Our members of staff are continually developing their training and skills, so that they are qualified and confident both physically and mentally.

OCEAN LIVING LOCATED ON THE SEA FRONT IN MUMBLES, OVERLOOKING SWANSEA BAY (OPPOSITE VERDI’S), OCEAN LIVING HAS ALL THE HALLMARKS OF SOPHISTICATION AND STYLE BUT WITH A UNIQUE HOMELY FEEL THAT IS ENJOYED BY RESIDENTS, THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Ocean Living has been developed and designed specifically for luxury senior care living, with generous room sizes, opulent interior design, magnificent en suites and comfort all round. Ocean Living is registered for 15 residents.

Freshly cooked to order meals are made by our resident chef, including breakfast, three course lunch, supper and of course home-baked cakes and desserts and are all serviced in our restaurant quality dining room. In-room dining facilities are also available if preferred - our aim is to make our residents feel at home.

HAWTHORN COURT

OCEAN LIVING

01792 201427

01792 361818

12 Bayswater Road, Tycoch, Swansea, SA2 9HA info@hawthorncourtcare.co.uk

www.hawthorncourtcare.co.uk

HAWTHORN COURT

Residential Home for the Elderly

734-6 Mumbles Road, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EL info@ocean-living.co.uk

www.ocean-living.co.uk

Mumbles based wine bar, serving a large selection exclusive wines and highly sought after champagnes from all over the globe.

We are a family run business, with a warm and friendly atmosphere with occasional live music and weekly drink deals.

Situated in a bustling part of the town, we have great views of the bay.

Come and join us for a drink.

42 Newton Road, Mumbles â&#x20AC;˘ 07867 528420

New addition to Mumbles We offer a beautiful unique range of furniture, home decor and interiors for your home.

If you are looking for a specific piece of furniture we will endeavour to source it for you from our trusted high end suppliers.

We can also update your tired furniture with our bespoke upholstery service, bringing back to life your sentimental and loved pieces.

If you love your home, you'll love Reborn Furniture Designer Inspired Furniture Mirrors • Lamps • Textiles • Gifts

Reborn Furniture

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Tme for you

EDDIE’S DIARY (page 246) JUST PREGNANT (page 249) PIN UP PETS (page 251)

Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA15 4HA (01554) 758171 • myddfaispa@stradeyparkhotel.com

TIME FOR YOU

BY INVITATION W I T H

E D D I E

W H I T N E Y

Swansea businessman Eddie Whitney keeps us up to date with his charity work and social diary...

I

T’S strange that a city with a reputation of anti culture would be seeking the approval and title of City of Culture.

A city that brought us Twin Town, a city that revels in its reputation of not giving a **** what people think.

But here we are in our pretty ****city, in battle with the likes of Coventry and Stoke to show the world what we are made of.

If we succeed I hope we maintain the same attitude and send a message that culture can be anti culture, culture can and must be a reflection of the people and not just a bunch of highbrow outsiders telling us what is cool.

Even if we don’t win the bid we should still be a city of culture.

After all no prize money is given, it is down to us to be a City of

246 swansealife.co.uk

Culture, some great enterprises have sprung up over the last year or so. Unit 19 is one that jumps to mind. Urban regeneration on a shoestring, but still a roaring success. It is groups like Urban Foundry and its partners that are on the front line of the culture revolution, leading from the front and just doing it. This is what they do, please support them.

“We forge great ideas like our hugely successful and award winning street markets, projects to enhance public space such as pop-up parks, we deliver great live music projects, we’ve created opportunities for young entrepreneurs to set up test enterprises, and we’re collaborating with universities to create opportunities for students such as the brand new eco-urban clothing range”, says Last Clothing.

“As well as our own initiatives, we’re always open to collaborative ideas – if you need a vehicle to help make something happen then let’s talk. We have bags of experience delivering creative and

impactful projects. So, whether you are an individual, a business, a public body or a charity (and all the other things in between) get in contact and let’s see what we can do together.

Because we’re allied to a commercial organisation, we’re able to draw on the skill set of a multi-disciplinary creative agency of experienced and passionate people – doers – who want to make fun, creative stuff happen, and who know how to do it. We bring a wide array of skills and expertise, a bit of clever thinking and mix it up to forge and deliver great ideas with meaningful results.”

Eddie x

A large scale urban festival is in the final planning stages and I am sure it will be as exciting and innovative as everything that this company touches.

It is all credit to the BID team that they have got us this far but in the end it will be the power of you and I that win the prize. We must get behind everything that is good in Swansea.

Well done Swansea Council, well done people of Swansea!

swansealife.co.uk 247

YOU CAN DO IT! FREEFALL OVER GOWER AT 120 MPH! RAISE MONEY FOR A WORTHY CAUSE WITH A CHARITY TANDEM SKYDIVE.

GIFT VOUCHERS VALID FOR A YEAR. FILMING & PHOTO OPTIONS

Swansea Airport, Fairwood, Swansea SA2 7JU Tel: 01792 207035 / 07779019655 info@skydiveswansea.co.uk / www.skydiveswansea.co.uk Open Weekends, Bank Holidays and some Friday afternoons. Weight and health restrictions do apply.

Please contact us for further details.

TIME FOR YOU

Knowing what to wear in early pregnancy, as your bump starts to grow, can be a minefield.If you’re keeping it a secret from work colleagues and friends until you’ve had the all-clear at the 12-week scan, what’s the answer for achieving a transitional maternity wear wardrobe, without giving the game away?

LAURA DAVIES finds out.

1

THE LIFE-SAVER

JUST PREGNANT? 6 WAYS TO HIDE YOUR BUMP FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Before you rush out and buy maternity clothes, take a look at your current pieces and see what you can work with; a bump bandeau can hide a multitude of sins - including a fly that won’t do up!

2

TRUSTY JEANS

When those flies really won’t zip up anymore, and not even a bump band can hide it, it’s time to invest in some good maternity jeans. Stay true to your style, but make a few tweaks - invest in a great fitting pair of jeans with built-in bump support.

3

DISTRACT ATTENTION

Choose styles that help distract from your midsection. Embroidery or prints confined to the collarbone area draw the eye upwards, so the focus isn’t on your growing bump. Long tops and bold prints can elongate your form and disguise your growing tummy.

4

LET IT FLOW

Loose, flowing layers will be your best friend when disguising a bump. A waterfall-style cardigan can be used throughout your pregnancy and after birth too, thanks to the oversized fit. Waterfall cardigans, draws the eye downwards and drape beautifully, making them a great choice for mums to be.

TURN TO THE DARK SIDE

5

Simple, classic cuts will see you through the entire nine months, as well as subsequent pregnancies thanks to their timelessness.

Dark colours will create less shadows for a more flattering look. Make sure darker colours are strategically placed over your tummy, the darker portion won’t draw attention to a growing bump.

6

THE CLASSIC SHIRT Blouses and shirts are designed to have a billowy fit with a slight stretch, which can hide a belly.

swansealife.co.uk 249

Advertising Feature

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND

Shari Wood and Emma Germon both think of they’ve got a little bit of Doctor Dolittle about themselves and for a good reason.

There is a wide variety of branded pet food for all different types of animals. Also on the shelves are pet toys and accessories.

They spend their working days talking to the animals at Petstop in Pyle Garden Centre.

Petstop has been on site for about four years and was taken over by the garden centre just over two years ago.

Their experts in dispensing advice to customers who flock to the animal emporium.

And Shari relishes her role there.

There you will find around 50 animals, including birds, rabbits, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs and turtles.

“I have to keep all the animals clean and fed,” she says.”We get different animals in every week. There is a quite a quick turnover.”

Perhaps surprisingly, one of the most popular pets are rats.

“They are a really good pet to have,” says Shari. “They are inquisitive and it is good to watch them play in their cage.

“Rabbits really sell well. They don’t hang around.”

Shari and Emma are on hand to give customers advice on the suitability of certain pets for them and what they require.

“We also sell all types of pet food like chicken food, wild bird food and dog food, along with pet accessories,” Emma adds.

And of the times when it is just her and the animals, she says: “I feel a bit like Doctor Dolittle, talking to the animals.”

Village Farm, Pyle, Bridgend, CF33 6BJ | Open 7 Days Tel: 01656 741443 | thepylegardencentre.co.uk

TIME FOR YOU

Your pet pics!

Who‘s the fur-est of them all? They’re part of the family, we wouldn’t be without them, and now we want to see just how gorgeous the furrier members of your household are...

Email us your pet pics: laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Name: Leia Age: 14 months old Breed: Labradoodle Likes: Beach and Belly Rubs Dislikes: Hoover and the Mop Owners: Jonathan Myers and Adrian White From: Pontardawe

Name: Molly Age: 15 months old Breed: Cockadoodle Likes: Sleeping, walking and playing with water Dislikes: Loud noises, the Hoover Owner: Nick Myers From: Morriston

Name: Ted Age: 11 Weeks Breed: Border Terrier and Jack Rusell Cross Likes: Cuddles, slippers and playing Dislikes: Loud noises Owner: Terry and Cath Moon From: Cardigan

Name: Kobe Age: 4 Breed: Bulldog Likes: Stilettos, chicken and cuddles Dislikes: Hoover and the postman Owners: Rachel Lloyd, Susan and Robert Francis-Davies From: Originally from Manchester but settled in Swansea for the view

Name: Rocky Age: 13 Breed: Tabby Likes: Chicken and sleeping Dislikes: Tin cat food Owner: John Warlow From: Llansamlet

Name: ZsuZsu Age: Around 8 (Rescue Dog) Breed: Patterdale terrier. Likes: Food, bottled water and milk, rollovers, walks in Mumbles. Dislikes: Rain, loud noises, big vehicles. Owners: Shared by Pat and Kathy Jenkins

Name: Ralph Age: 2 Breed: Pug and French Bulldog Cross. Likes: Bananas Dislikes: Hates other dogs on the TV (he goes barking mad!) Owner: Alice Gregory From: Dreams to live in Swansea!

Name: Mason Age: 6 Breed: Long haired German Shepherd Likes: Ice cream and long walks Dislikes: spiders and not riding in the front seat of the car Owners: Sian, Leigh, Elin and Adam Vaughan From: Caswell

Name: Walter Christian Age: 3 Breed: Greyhound Likes: Peanut butter, cuddles and running really fast Dislikes: Cats, rain, and loud noises on TV Owners: Allison, Ian and Jessica Hammett From: Pontardawe

Find Pets, pet food, pet toys and pet acessories in store!

Village Farm, Pyle, Bridgend, CF33 6BJ

Open 7 Days

01656 741443

thepylegardencentre.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 251

TIME FOR YOU

TAKE THE LEAD WITH THESE DOG-FRIENDLY APPS From training tutorials to Tinder for dogs, the web is full of pooch-friendly tools. LAURA DAVIES rounds up 10 of the best apps and websites for dog owners laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

CLICKER TRAINING

1

BORROWMYDOGGY

Use this sound-emitting app to try ‘operant conditioning’, aka clicker training on your puppy or dog, including basic obedience training and tricks (Android)

Connecting dog owners with dog-lovers who don’t have a pet of their own, BorrowMyDoggy lets you lend your four-legged friend out for walks, meaning more exercise for your pet and less stress for you

7

iCLICKER

2

Using a combination of clicker training and treats, follow nine tutorials to teach your canine companion to sit, stay, fetch and more (Apple)

PERFECT POOCH

3

Thinking of getting a dog but not sure which breed is right for you? Tell the app your preferences in size and disposition, and your living space, and it will recommend breeds and give you more information on them (Apple)

Based on the Petsie social network, this app has information and photos for hundreds of dog breeds, which is useful for identifying a particular pooch, or if you’re thinking of getting one (Android)

5

BARKCAM

9

WALKIES

Like MapMyRun but for doggy exercise, this easy-to-use GPSenabled app lets you track walks and calories burned (for you and your best friend). It also shows popular walks by each UK county (Apple)

6

Similar to Walkies but more detailed, this app has a useful section that shows routes other dog owners have taken in your area, helping you to expand your walking repertoire (Android and Apple)

252 swansealife.co.uk

Getting your furry friend to smile for the camera is no mean feat, but BarkCam makes it that bit easier by playing a sound that will grab their attention while you snap away. You can then add stickers to your pics (Android and Apple)

TINDOG

10 MAP MY DOG WALK

HOLIDOG

Offering a cheaper alternative to kennels, Holidog lets you book a pet-sitter to care for your dog in your home while you’re away. You can also book dog walkers or pet-sitters to look after your pet for a few hours a day (uk.holidog. com)

8

DOG BREEDS

4

@LawsDx

The so-called Tinder for dogs is a dating app with a difference. Upload a photo of your pooch then swipe through other pet profiles to find a mutt match. It’s not really clear whether the app is intended for socialising your pet or meeting other dog owners, but swiping through all the cute doggy pics sure is fun (Android and Apple)

to

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Carter Lee was set up in 2015 by experienced Mortgage & Protection advisor, Lee Saunders. Lee has worked in the industry for nearly 15 years across a variety of organisations and in different roles.

He achieved his Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) in 2007 and has subsequently supported and guidance hundreds of individuals and businesses in securing the right mortgage, protection or commercial finance deals available in the UK. Lee is passionate about finance and helping people make the most out of their money.

Lee and the Carter Lee team of consultants offer a round-the-clock service to all clients and can accommodate initial meetings and reviews at the location most convenient to the individual or business owner.

La Casona

Spanish and Italian Cuisine La Casona’s all new eating experience delivers you the Mediterranean flavours and style of Spanish and Italian dining culture.

We have brought to Swansea a contemporary and exciting kitchen with a menu that hints at Mediterranean influences and appeals to a broad range of tastes. Our Chefs hail from the heart of Spain and Italy and are backed up by a team of management and staff who are second to none with 15 years experience.

We look forward to giving you the warmest of welcomes and an unforgettable Mediterranean experience.

Carter Lee’s fee structure is highly competitive and for some, specific financial products fees are not applicable.

Check out our menu on our website

Having worked principally in the local market, Lee has built exceptional relationship with local businesses including banks, building societies and estate agencies.

Opening times

The range of services include specialist advice on all types of mortgages and protection/insurance through to commercial finance options.

Carter Lee undertakes mortgage and finance broking and is not a lender.

http://lacasona-skewen.co.uk/our-menu/

Monday - Thursday 6.00pm to 10.00pm Friday and Saturday Lunch 12.00pm - 2.30pm Dinner 6.00pm - 10.30pm Sunday - Closed (Open only Bank Holiday Sundays)

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01792 416260

174 New Road, Skewen SA10 6HD

207 New Road, Skewen SA10 6ET Email us reservations@lacasona-skewen.co.uk

skewen Leo Eye Centre

We are an independent opticians based in Skewen, between the Neath and Swansea border.

We pride ourselves in providing thorough eye examinations, high quality frames and lenses and excellent customer service whatever your style and budget.

Our fully qualified opticians are specially accredited to provide emergency eyecare under the Welsh Eye Care Scheme and also to provide Low vision appointments, offering a full range of services at your local independent practice.

Our friendly staff are always on hand to help and advise you every step of the way so “Be wise and test your eyes”. All patients are welcome and we look forward to hearing from you.

Visit our website at www.leoeyecentre.co.uk or call 01792 817149 to book an appointment today.

01792 817149

187 New Road, Skewen www.leoeyecentre.co.uk

#nationaltrust

Haf o Summer of Gelfyddydau Arts Gwaith Tun a Rhaeadr Aberdulais

Aberdulais Tinworks and Waterfall

22ain Gorffennaf - 3ydd Medi

22nd July - 3rd Sept

Dilynwch ôl troed artistiaid a beirdd trwy fod yn greadigol yr haf hwn.

Follow in the footsteps of artists and poets and get creative this summer.

Pob dydd yn ystod yr wythnos bydd îsls yn cael eu gwasgaru o gwmpas i chi roi cynnig ar fod yn artist, neu beth am gymryd rhan yn y gweithgareddau a fydd yn cael eu trefnu ar y penwythnos gan gynnwys modelu clai, gweithdai barddoniaeth a gwneud celf wyllt. Mae yna rywbeth i bawb i archwilio eu hochr greadigol.

Every weekday there’ll be easels dotted about for you to have a go and release your inner artist. Or why not try one of our organised weekend activities which include clay modelling, poetry workshops and making wild art. There’s something for everyone to get your creative juices flowing.

01639 636674 nationaltrust.org.uk/aberdulais When you visit, donate, volunteer Pan fyddwch chi’n gwirfoddoli, or join the National Trust, your cyfrannu, ymweld neu’n ymuno â’r support helps us to look after special Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol fe fydd places in Wales such as Aberdulais eich cefnogaeth yn ein helpu ni i ofalu Tinworks and Waterfall for ever, for am leoedd arbennig yn Cmyru fel everyone.

Gwaith Tun a Rhaeadr Aberdulais i bawb, am byth. © Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol 2017. Mae’r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol yn elusen gofrestredig annibynnol, rhif 205846. © National Trust 2017. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846.

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NEXT MONTH IN SWANSEA LIFE

New season fashion trends More: Real Life Brides Autumn Home Looks Back to School Cool All your society pics!

We celebrate Swansea Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100th edition!

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