Swansea Life July 2016

SWA NSE A

LIFE www.swansealife.co.uk

ULTIMATE SWIMWEAR GUIDE TOP POOLSIDE PICKS, FROM SWIMSUITS TO BIKINIS

The

HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS Everything you need to glow on hols PERFECT PROPERTIES Find your ideal home in Swansea

HOLIDAY Issue 07

JULY 2016 £2.95 07

9 771750 843018 9 771750 843018 FINAL COVER.indd 1

6/21/2016 3:48:04 PM

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WHY YOU FELL IN LOVE

Discover the magic of Oldwalls Gower.

Wedding Showcase, Tuesday 5th July 2016 3pm - 8pm Sunday 21st August 12pm - 5pm

oldwallsgower.com | T: 01792 391468 | E: enquiries@oldwallsgower.com

VOTED BEST WEDDING VENUE IN WALES - WELSH NATIONAL WEDDING AWARDS

©LW

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Contents...

J U L Y

SWA NSEA

LIFE

2 0 1 6

HAIR & BEAUTY

FASHION 18. SUMMER HOT LIST We pick out this season’s must-haves 22. RAINBOW BRIGHTS Gain inspiration from Rio 30. DIVE INTO SUMMER The swimwear edit

70

54. SUMMER HAIR CARE Keep your locks in tip top shape for summer 56. SUN IT! The sunscreens you need in your travel bag 60. GLOW WITH THE FLOW Shedding light on the best bronzing make-up

EDITOR Peter Slee | 01792 545530 @PeterSlee56 | peter.slee@swwmedia.co.uk

95

HEALTH & WELLBEING

DEPUTY EDITOR Laura Davies 01792 545523 | @lawsDx laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

88. PRICKLY HEAT Introducing the new kid on the block— Cactus Water and its benefits

PUBLISHER Lisa Cameron | lisa.cameron@swwmedia.co.uk

90. GARDENING BENEFITS How being green fingered is good for your health

PHOTOGRAPHY Adrian White, Jonathan Myers, Gayle Marsh, Hoosh Arabi, Justin Harris, Richie Crossley

94. WORK IT! All you need to know about protein post-workout

CONTRIBUTORS Lara Johnson & Dom Capel, Lesley Taylor, Richard Hammond, Sian Day, Victoria Wade, Joseph Atkin, Andrew Morgan, Charlotte Rogers Dr. Charlotte Jones

Swansea Life, Urban Village, High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW @swansealife Email: peter.slee@swwmedia.co.uk www.swansealife.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

98

98. CHEF! Eating out at the marina’s Quay 3 112. EAT YOUR GREENS Amazing vegetarian restaurants

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.

ContentsFinal.indd 1

115. LOCAL IS BEST Swansea’s Sian Day with another culinary delight

6/24/2016 5:35:21 PM

WHAT’S ON 202. COMING UP Our pick of July’s ‘must visit’ events 206. THE BIG INTERVIEW Meet the man who is best buddy with Elton John

30 GREAT ESCAPES

208. RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS We check out an eye-watering festival on its way to Gower

174

204 SOCIAL DIARY 212. CATWALK FUN A fashion show in aid of Save the Children

168. A WEEKEND BREAK Krakow in 48 hours 175. BUDGET STAYS A Cardiff Airport hotel that will wow!

223. ALL NIGHJT LONG Swansea’s spectacular Lionel Richie concert

178. PACK LIKE A PRO Our pick of this season’s best suitcases

232. REAL LIFE WEDDING Join Yasmeen Idris and Bleddyn Woodward for their walk up the aisle

OUT & ABOUT 182. A WALK ON THE WILDSIDE Richie Hammond takes a stroll along the bay and loves what he finds 188. WE LOVE SWANSEA Our favourite reader photographs

190 HOUSE & HOME 129. COUNTRY LIFE Countryside homes in Swansea and Gower to fall in love with 140. LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE Meet the woman with designs on your home 144. DIG DEEP Victoria wade’s summer garden is bursting with florals

ContentsFinal.indd 2

192. THE PERFECT SWANSEA WEEKEND What does it for you?

118

256 TIME FOR YOU 256. HELLO HONEY! How to invite bees into your garden 260. HOME GROWN A new wedding night stayover to remember 268. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO EARN Why the U3A is enjoying a Swansea boom

6/24/2016 5:35:52 PM

E D I TO R’ S L E T TE R

LAURA DAVIES

DEPUTY EDITOR 01792 545523 laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

MARK REES

Welcome...

WHAT’S ON EDITOR 01792 545529 mark.rees@swwmedia.co.uk

Stop right there! Summer has properly arrived.

OK, so the weather might still be a bit up and down, but hey, it’s July and there is plenty to look forward to. And so this month, we make no excuse for celebrating it in some style helping you make the most of holidays that still lie ahead.

We’ve got your essential style manifesto for all fashion fans. Discover your perfect look as we put the spotlight on the latest trends and see which are just right for you particularly if you are heading off to the 2016 Swansea Life Awards this month.

DEBBIE ROBERTS

ADVERTISING MANAGER 01792 545626 debbie.roberts@swwmedia.co.uk

But there’s more too of course. Much more.

If it’s interiors inspiration you are after, Heather James’ quite stunning Swansea Valley home absolutely hits the nail on the head. Her love of the place shines through in every one of the brilliant pictures of it in our pages. Don’t miss either our country living special in Swansea and Gower with some brilliant ideal home choices to help make your dreams come true. Each is a gem in their own right.

Elsewhere, we run the rule over the joys of life in the Swansea Bay area with some fantastic ideas for a perfect weekend getaway no matter what your tastes.

JESSICA HAMMETT

SOCIAL MEDIA swansealifemag@swwmedia.co.uk

Also this month of course, all your usual Swansea Life favourites with ‘real life’ stories about your friends, neighbours and relatives.

Not forgetting either, hundreds of pictures of local parties and events snapped over the past month.

So look forward to the month ahead. Eat well, live well, play well... and enjoy YOUR Swansea Life!

SWA NSE A

LIFE www.swansealife.co.uk

PETER SLEE

EDITOR

01792 545530 peter.slee@swwmedia.co.uk @PeterSlee56

ULTIMATE SWIMWEAR GUIDE TOP POOLSIDE PICKS, FROM SWIMSUITS TO BIKINIS

The

CHRIS CAMPBELL

PROPERTY EDITOR 01792 545564 chris.campbell@swwmedia.co.uk

HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS Everything you need to glow on hols PERFECT PROPERTIES Find your ideal home in Swansea

HOLIDAY Issue 07

JULY 2016 £2.95 07

9 771750 843018 9 771750 843018

Find us on Facebook @SwanseaLife

Editor'sPageJuly.indd 1

ON THE COVER Colourblock bikini top £16, high leg briefs £12 • Next, Swansea

ALISTAIR CORBETT

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 01792 545573 alistair.corbett@swwmedia.co.uk

6/23/2016 1:12:09 PM

Swansea lives OUR PICK OF THE MONTH’S BEST PARTY GET-TOGETHERS (FROM PAGE 211)

parc spa

230 PARTY NIGHT

stradey park hotel

218

LADIES NIGHT

Llanelli’s hidden gem, come and see for yourself, book an appointment today

winner of the ‘Welsh Spa of the Year’ award

220

WEDDING CELEBRATION

A wide range of treatments and relaxing spa bathing rituals available

238

AWARDS EVENING

228 CHARITY EVENING

Our highly trained therapists now offer Oncology massage, providing a complete relaxing experience for cancer patients

Stradey GWESTY PARC Y

PARK HOTEL

HHHH

Stradey Park Hotel & parc spa, Llanelli, SA15 4HA

2 14 WEDDING CELEBRATION

t: 01554 758171

e: spa@stradeyparkhotel.com www.stradeyparkhotel.com

www.swansealife.co.uk | 7

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NEXT MONTH! SWANSEA LIFE AWARDS 2016 SPECIAL DON’T MISS IT!

Sponsored by

YOUR A-Z GUIDE TO SWANSEA’S RED CARPET EVENT OF THE YEAR AND PACKED WITH HUNDREDS OF PICTURES FROM THE BIG NIGHT.

L I C E N C E T OO T H R I L L BRANGWYN HALL 15∙7∙16 the

BROW MANOR PARK COUNTRY HOUSE LIMITED

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c l i n i c

TWK THOMAS & SON LTD.

6/24/2016 4:27:47 PM

Hot designs for hearth & home Big Green Egg BBQ

Stone & wood flooring

Cooking ranges

Stoves

Come and see our great displays • Neptune handmade kitchens & furniture • Stone and wood flooring • Cooking ranges & wood burning stoves • Big Green Egg BBQ & Pizza ovens

We offer a design and installation service

DROP INTO OUR SHOWROOM Unit 42, Vale Business Park, Llandow, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7PF

Call 01446 771567 or visit our website

www.topstak.co.uk | Find us on: Untitled-2 1

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Advertising Feature

Mulberry House

by Oldwalls

WHAT IS MULBERRY HOUSE? Opening its doors for the first time this summer, Mulberry House by Oldwalls is the perfect retreat if you’re looking for the ultimate mini break destination.

Situated just a stone’s throw away from the award winning wedding venue at the heart of Gower, Mulberry House sleeps from six to ten people with three luxurious en-suite double bedrooms and two double sofa beds located in the stylish living area of the cottage.

In keeping with Oldwalls’ signature luxury standards, there’s a fully equipped farmhouse kitchen, a private terrace set within 5 acres of grounds, BBQ area and hot tub.

Plus all the amenities you’d

expect from a five-star hotel including complimentary Wi-Fi, Sonus music system and Netflix.

CAN I STAY AT MULBERRY HOUSE? If you have your big day booked at this iconic wedding venue you can now add Mulberry House to your package for the night before your big day, on the night of the wedding or the day after if you want to extend the fun.

Unlike the accommodation at Oldwalls which is exclusive to wedding and special event guests, Mulberry House is also available to the general market too – so whether you’re looking for a romantic couples’ retreat, celebrating a special occasion or simply want to getaway to the countryside, Mulberry House by Oldwalls is the perfect solution.

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Fashion

FASHION FLASH (page 13) SUMMER STRIPES (page 15) THE HOT LIST (page 18) RAINBOW BRIGHTS (page 22)

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Mumbles

Clever Clothes at Sensible Prices We look forward to showing you our SUMMER collections

Tunic dress from the POMODORO COLLECTION

£55

Sizes 8-14 (Also in Black)

516 Mumbles Rd, Mumbles

|

Tel: 01792 366133 ©LW

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FASHION

FA S H I O N F L A S H W I T H

L AU R A

DAV I E S

laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

SUNSET SHOW-STOPPER A show stopping skirt with statement volume perfect for special occasions. The Ameliana Jacquard Skirt, £179, Coast, Swansea

FLORAL BOMBER

Get the hottest trend this season with one of George at Asda’s chic bombers, £14.

GET IT QUICK! Supermodel-turned-designer Helena Christensen has teamed up with Thomson Sensatori resorts, creating a trio of holiday-ready boyfriend shirts inspired by three of the brand’s locations. Featuring floral prints native to Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, the cotton shirts will be gifted to guests and available to buy on eBay, for £55 each, from July 25, www.ebay.com

NEW FOR JULY!

This month sees the launch of the Infin8 sports bra created to achieve an increased balance of support and comfort during exercise. Backed by research from Portsmouth and Loughborough Universities, the Infin8 sports bra features a figure of 8 supportive section, bonded to the inside of the cups.

This limits motion and provides targeted support where it is needed instead of an all over compression. £28, M&S, Swansea

RIO BRIGHTS

With the Olympic games in Rio just weeks away, follow the Caribbean trend this summer with this gorgeous maxi dress. In an array of multi shades, this dress is a showstopper and features gorgeous hand crochet detailing to the top. £60, SimplyBe.com

1

GET THE LOOK Ship Ahoy!

Make sure your summer look is smooth sailing with these sassy stripes, coastal-inspired accesories and nautical influences.

1. Decked out... Pueblo Espadrilles, Raspberry Ecru Stripe, £30, Seasalt Cornwall, www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk

2

2. Royal marine... Madeline Stripe Dress, currently £59 from £99, Phase Eight, Debenhams, Swansea 3. Shipshape...Plunge Halter Swimsuit, £28, Asos.com

Harbour front...

Sea View Part Coated Beach Bag, £35, Cath Kidston, Cardiff

3

3 The Prada SS16 collections sparked a trend for chunky, shoulder-grazing earrings, and now Topshop has come up with the best lookalikes around. The resin Prism Drop Earrings, available in blue, black or red, are now less than half price at £6 a pair, Top Shop, Swansea

www.swansealife.co.uk | 13

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t: 07817596189 w: www.richardsavage.co.uk e: hello@richardsavage.co.uk f: www.facebook/richardsavagephotography

i: www.instagram.com/richsavagephotography

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FASHION

SUMMER STRIPES Forget florals. Stop with the spots. This season, the only print you need is of the linear variety. From sporty and monochrome to cute and candy-coloured, stripes ruled on the catwalks. The only rule is, you have to commit to bold bands, not pale pinstripes or a boring Breton top LAURA DAVIES lines up the season’s best print pieces laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

Multicoloured Stripe Bardot Neck Skater Dress, £29.99, New Look, Swansea

@LawsDx

Melody Multi Stripe Midi Dress, £79, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

AT MISSONI, THE HOUSE’S SIGNATURE ZIG-ZAG TOOK A BACK SEAT FOR SPRING, IN FAVOUR OF MULTICOLOURED BARCODE STRIPES. Navy Stripe Longline Shirt, £32; Green Stripe Soft Wide Leg Cropped Trousers, currently reduced to £17 from £38; White Snake Slip On Plimsolls, £22; Bag £42, River Island, Swansea

Jigsaw Bold Stripe V-Neck Dress, £149, www.jigsaw-online.com

ACID AND PASTEL COLOURS WORK BEAUTIFULLY WITH WHITE ON HORIZONTALLY STRIPED SUMMER DRESSES - KEEP ACCESSORIES TO A MINIMUM AND LET THE PRINT DO THE WORK. www.swansealife.co.uk | 15

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FASHION

A MULTI-HUED MAXI OR JUMPSUIT WILL SEE YOU THROUGH SUMMER, WHETHER IT’S CHEAP AND CHEERFUL FOR BEACH DAYS, OR DRAMATIC AND DRESSED-UP FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.

Multicoloured Stripe Slip Maxi Dress, £17.99, New Look, Morfa Retail Park

Red Stripe Tapered Jumpsuit, £48; Black Envelope Clutch Handbag, £15; Gold Double Strap Sandals, £50; Cuff, £6, River Island, Parc Trostre, Swansea

JONATHAN SAUNDERS SPLICED A HEAP OF DECKCHAIR STRIPES TOGETHER FOR HIS SIGNATURE BIAS-CUT FROCKS.

Lorraine Kelly Stripe Tunic, £45,www.jdwilliams.co.uk

TAKEN AS A WHOLE, THE PRADA SS16 LOOK IS PRETTY CHALLENGING, FROM THE GOLD LIPS AND MASSIVE EARRINGS, TO THE SEE-THROUGH SEPARATES AND GEEKY KNITS.

Side Stripe Pleat Trousers, £34, Top Shop, Swansea

But you can’t fault the cool striped skirts, making Motel’s Broom Denim Skirt in Summer Stripe, £38, a summer must-have, www.motelrocks.com 16 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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Member of the National Federation of Goldsmiths

The World’s Finest pre-owned watches Bought, Sold & Serviced Insurance valuation service carried out on the premises with a colour photograph valuation certificate provided

222 Oxford Street, Swansea, SA1 3BQ. Call: 01792 648143

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FASHION

Summer list hot list Summer hot 3 2 1 5 LAURA DAVIES rounds up her top picks... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

18 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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6

7 8

@LawsDx

11 9

10

1. Limited Edition dress, £49.50, M&S, Swansea 2. Sequin Watermelon Clutch, £19.99, New Look, Swansea 3. Ursula dress, £169, Coast, Debenhams, Swansea 4. Swimsuit, £26, Top Shop, Swansea 5. Printed Maxi Dress, £40, Wallis at Outfit, Morfa Retail Park 6. Embroidered Hem Denim Shorts, £40, Fat Face, Mumbles 7. Skirt, £79, Coast at Debenhams, Swansea 8. Printed culotte jumpsuit, £26, Next, Parc Fforestfach 9. Skirt, £ , Gok at Sainsbury’s, Swansea 10. Nicola shoe, £80, Office, Swansea 11. Cold Shoulder Cami Top, £24, Oasis at Outfit, Parc Trostre

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FASHION

Toola skirt, £89, Coast, Swansea

Mauritius Pleated Maxi Dress, £109, Coast at Debenhams, Swansea

Grey pleated skirt, £26.99, New Look, Swansea

Lace Hem Pleated Maxi Dress, £95, www.Simply Be.co.uk

Maxi dress, £ , Miss Selfridge, Swansea

Pleated skirt, £30, Next, Parc Fforestfach

PLEATS, PLEASE Look pretty in pleats with LAURA DAVIES’ top picks... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk Metallic cami, £18, Next, Parc Trostre

@LawsDx Stripe dress with yellow pleated side, £160, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Principles by Ben de Lisi black pleat top, £35, Debenhams, Swansea

Rust Lace Trim Cami Slip Dress, £22.99, New Look, Morfa Retail Park

Red Pleated Dress, £69, Warehouse at Outfit, Parc Trostre

Metallic elasticated skirt, £30, Simply Be

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guess what’s coming

Morfa ..?

to

On Tuesday 12th July at 10am Next will unveil a brand new store at the Morfa Shopping Park, Swansea – covering a massive 41,000 square feet.

t

he brand new two floor store will include a beautiful lingerie room, a shoe room showcasing all the latest styles from Next’s newest collections, along with fashion for the whole family in the women’s, children’s and men’s departments. For all your interior needs there is a home department too, plus a Costa Coffee for when you need a break from all the shopping!

Next are hosting some really big giveaways to celebrate the opening. The first 50 people in the queue on Tuesday 12th July will be given a ‘Golden’ envelope. All of the envelopes contain a gift card of between £5 and £100 to spend in store†. If that’s not enough, in conjunction with Swansea Life magazine, Next is running a competition for one lucky customer to win a £200 shopping spree and the chance to cut the ribbon on the opening day!† Details of this can be found online at www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/swansealifemagazine.

Assistant Store Manager, Tracey Mason, said:

“Everyone in the team is super excited to show off our new store! We’ve got loads more space which means we can share even more fab product with all of our customers. We can’t wait for everyone to see it!”

If you can’t wait for the new store to open then visit next.co.uk and

O R D E R BY M I D N I G H T

Jumpsuit £75 | Shoes £35

F O R N E X T DAY D E L I V E RY *

*Next day delivery is subject to stock, courier availability and courier area/store location.

Other exceptions apply. Visit next.co.uk/terms †Terms and conditions apply.

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for more information call 0333 777 8000 or visit next.co.uk

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FASHION

Hat, £15, Accessorize, Swansea

rainbow brights Gain inspiration from the colourful Rio Carnival, with LAURA DAVIES’ summer brights... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

Ellie Statement Flower Earrings, £15, Accessorize, Swansea

@LawsDx

Faith Platform Plaited Sandal, £45, Debenhams, Swansea

Halter Neck Tie Waist Dress, £75, Warehouse at Outfit, Morfa Retail Park

Red Scuba Bomber Jacket, £29.99, New Look, Swansea Yellow silk cami dress £215 Polo Ralph Lauren Animal print clutch £325 Lulu Guinness, House of Fraser Cardiff

Monika Oversized Silk Blouse, £75, Phase Eight, Swansea

Orange Button Front Frill Bardot Neck Midi Dress £24.99, New Look, Morfa Retail Park

M&S Collection Curved Saddle Bag, £27.50, M&S, Swansea

22 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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FASHION

Bright pink wrap pencil skirt, £38, Oasis at Outfit, Parc Trostre

Orange frilly maxi dress, £40, River Island, Swansea

Green dress, £175, Karen Millen, Cardiff Sapphire For Wallis Pink Draped Front Top, £30, Wallis, Outfit, Parc Trostre Dress, £24, Next, Swansea

Cold shoulder ruffle blouse, £20, Very.co.uk

Cobalt Blue Meg Trousers, Ghost at John Lewis, Cardiff

Mariee heel, £65, Dune, Debenhams, Swansea Betty Jackson, Black Top, £35, Debenhams, Swansea

Pom pom shorts, £18, Next, Parc Fforestfach

Lime heels, £59, Top Shop, Swansea

Bag, £55, Dune at Debenhams, Swansea

Red Bardot Ruffle Jumpsuit £38, White Clutch £15, Red Bardot Dress £38, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

Lime Jewel Trim Ballerina, £14, Matalan, Llansamlet

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FASHION

DIVE INTO SUMMER Make sure you sizzle this summer with LAURA DAVIES’ poolside picks – from swimsuits to bikinis... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

Blue Title Print Bandeau Bikini, £8, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

J by Jasper Conran Stripe Bikini, £28, briefs, £12, Debenhams, Swansea

Manilla Bikini Top, £26, String Side Brief £15, Boux Avenue, Cardiff

Bikini, £22, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

Marina Embroidered Bikini Top, £19 and Pant £15, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Floozie by Frost French Texture Bikini, £26.50, Debenhams, Swansea

Top £22 Bottoms £14, River Island, Parc Trostre

Honolulu Floral Bikini, £28.

Floral tie side brief, £15, Boux Avenue, Cardiff Bikini Top £25 Bikini Brief £18 Wrap £35, House of Fraser, Cardiff

24 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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M&S Collection high neck bikini top £22.50 & M&S Collection bikini knicker £14,

Bikini, £19.99, TK Maxx, Parc Trostre

Pink Fringed Halter Neck Bikini Top £17.99, bottoms £12.99, New Look, Swansea

Archive by Alexa Cora, bikini £18, bottoms £14 , M&S, Swansea

Top £26 Bottoms £14, River Island, Swansea

Geo bikini top £16, Geo bikini briefs £14, Next, Parc Fforestfach

Ted Baker Marjah Tribal Print Bikini Top, £27.30, bottoms, £24.50, John Lewis, Cardiff

Top, £18, Bottoms, £14, Top Shop, Swansea

Squiggle Print Multiway Bikini Top £15, bottoms, £14, M&Co, Cardiff

Curvy Kate Blue Printed Bikini Set, £54, Evans, Swansea

Top, £4, briefs, £3, Primark, Swansea

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swimsuits

FASHION

Jungle Animal Print Tummy Control Swimsuit, £30, M&Co, Cardiff

Ted Baker Tanvi Cosmic Bloom Swimsuit, £55.30, tedbaker.com

£40, River Island, Swansea

Open mesh swimsuit, £29, Top Shop, Swansea

Butterflu by Matthew Williamson Jungle Crossover suit, £42, Debenhams, Swansea

M&S Collection Navy Stripe Swimsuit, £35, M&S, Swansea

M&S Collection tropical swimsuit, £35, M&S, Swansea

Red Herring Mustique Patchwork Lunge Suit, £32, Debenhams, Swansea

J by Jasper Conran Blue Patterned One Piece, £42, Debenhams, Swansea

Geo eyelet swimsuit, £28, Next, Parc Fforestfach

£25, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

£16, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu

M&S Collection swimsuit £29.50, hat £15 indigo collection bag £39.50

Swimming Costume Working Boats Whirl Strapless, £55, Sea Salt

Red cut out swimsuit, £22.99, New Look, Swansea

Open mesh swimsuit, £29, Very.co.uk

26 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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FASHION

COVER UP! Whether it’s a kaftan, tunic or sarong go from poolside to beach bar with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of cover ups...

J by Jasper Conran Orange Kaftan, £38, Debenhams, Swansea

Long Sleeved Beach Dress, £32, Accessorize, Parc Trostre

Boarder Print Kaftan, £32, Evans, Swansea

Geo print kaftan, £26, Next, Parc Fforestfach

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Dress, £24, Next, Parc Fforestfach

Isabella stripe kaftan, £35, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

M&S Collection dress, £25, M&S, Swansea

Animal Luxe Kaftan, £16, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu

Maxi, £28, M&S, Parc Trostre

Principles by Ben de Lisi Zig Zag Kaftan, £32, Debenhams, Swansea

Beach dress, £40, River Island, Swansea

Navy zig zag silk kaftan, £29.99, TK Maxx, Parc Trostre

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AZTEC attack Perfect for festivals or getting into the tribal summer mood.

LAURA DAVIES rounds up her favourite Aztec accessories... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx Aztec Print Tote, £39.99, TK Maxx, Parc Trostre

Wedges, £18, Matalan, Llansamlet

V by Very Layered Friendship Stack Bracelets, £12, Very.co.uk

Aztec straw hat, £8, George at Asda, Llansamlet

Large Gypsy Aztec disc earring, £8, Accessorize, Swansea

£25 , Asos.com

Bag, £7, Primark, Swansea

Multi Afrobeat pink canvas bag, £14, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Multicoloured neon Aztec print tassel bangles £7.99, New Look, Swansea

Havana Statement Earrings, £12, Accessorize, Swansea

Heels, £75, River Island, Swansea

28 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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FASHION

Rust smart culottes, £40, River Island, Swansea

Camel Culottes, £25, JD Williams

Floral Print Drawstring Culottes £19.99, New Look, Swansea

Culottes, £10, Primark, Swansea

Top £17.99; Culottes £24.99; Sandals £12.99; New Look, Swansea

Printed culottes, £20, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Tile Print Culottes, £20, M&Co, Cardiff

COOL CULOTTES

Stripe co-ord culottes, £17.99, New Look, Swansea

For work or play, from bold to basic, get on board with the season’s favourite trouser silhouette: LAURA DAVIES’ gets shorty with culottes.... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

Palm Print Culottes, £39, Warehouse at Outfit, Parc Trostre

@LawsDx

Autograph navy and white print trouser, £45, M&S, swansea

Soft Wide Leg Culottes, £125, Karen Millen, Cardiff

Culotes, £28, River Island, Swansea

Navy and white stripe culottes, £26, glamorous

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Sunglasses £13 Kimono £35 Bikini top £15 Bikini bottoms £13 Wedges £50 River Island, Swansea.

30 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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SPLISH SPLASH! Dive in to summer with our sizzling pick of swimsuits and bikini’s which will guarantee you make a splash at the pool or beach.

BY: LAURA DAVIES laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

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Zig Zag Knitted Padded Underwired Bikini Top, £14, briefs, £12, Next, Parc Fforestfach

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Dickins & Jones spot halter multiway tankini top, ÂŁ25, briefs, ÂŁ15, House of Fraser, Cardiff

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M&S Collection high neck bikini top ÂŁ22.50 & M&S Collection bikini knicker ÂŁ14, M&S, Swansea

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Swimsuit, £50, House of Fraser, Cardiff

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Bikini top £20 Bikini bottoms £13 Sunglasses £13 Earrings £5 Belt £15 Sandals £55 River Island, Swansea

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FASHION

DRESS TO IMPRESS Whether it’s a maxi, bodycon or A-line number, LAURA DAVIES rounds up dresses to suit all occasions... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

Salvador Print Felicia Dress, £95, Coast, Swansea

Per Una Dres, £45, M&S, Parc Fforestfach

Floral Dungaree Dress £45; Nude Wrap Sandals £25, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

M&S Collection Dress, £49.50, M&S, Swansea

Double Layered Dress, £35, Very.co.uk

Dress, £110, Top Shop, Swansea Star by Julien Macdonald Shift Dress, £65, Debenhams, Swansea

White floral print sleeveless midi dress, £24.99, New Look, Swansea

38 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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FASHION Denim dress, £42, Miss Selfridge, Swansea

Spot dress, £62, Next, Parc Fforestfach

Chelsea Physic Bell Sleeve Shift Dres, £70, Oasis, Outfit, Parc Trostre

Dress, £45 Gok at Sainsbury’s, Swansea £65, River Island, Swansea

Navy luxe prom dress, £45, blue heels £35, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

Dress, £13, Primark, Swansea

Striped Midi Shift Dress, £39, M&Co, Cardiff

Olivia Print Tunic, £89, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Fit & Flare Dress, £16, Matalan, Llansamlet

Damsel in a Dress, £149, John Lewis, Cardiff

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Lipsy Love Michelle Keegan Duster Coat, £50, Lipsy.co.uk

www.swansealife.co.uk | 39

6/24/2016 3:10:26 PM

FASHION

Swimsuit from £9, Hat £9, M&S, Swansea

BEACH BABES Floral Top and Bloomer Set, £14 - £16, depending on age (0-3 years), M&Co, Cardiff

Floral Corsage Denim Shorts, £12-£16, M&Co, Cardiff

Stripe dress from £22, Next, Parc Fforestfach

Mini girls white leopard print trapeze dress, £10, sunglasses, £5, plimsolls, £12; River Island, Swansea

Dino dress (part of set) from £17, Next, Swansea

Swimsuit, £5, Primark, Swansea

Sun hat, £4, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Heartbreaker slogan T-shirt, £7, River Island, Swansea

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FASHION

Get your kids beach-ready in time for summer. LAURA DAVIES rounds up some cute outfits for girls and boys... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

Primark, Swansea

@LawsDx

Cactus print shorts (part of set) from £11, Next, Parc Fforestfach

T-shirt, £5, M&S, Swansea

Little Joule Boys’ Ben Lobster Print T-Shirt, £9.95 - £11.95, Joules, Mumbles

Pineapple shorts, £3.50, Primark, Swansea

Shirt and shorts set, £18, River Island, Swansea

Blue/Multi Leaf AOP print tee, £3.50, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Mini boys blue floral print bomber jacket, £16, white T-shirt £6, shorts £9; River Island, Parc Trostre

Boys’ Wind Surf Print T-Shirt, £12 , Fat Face, Mumbles

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PREMIER MENSWEAR SPECIALISTS

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PREMIER MENSWEAR SPECIALISTS

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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

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Hair &

beauty

BEAUTY NEWS (from page 49) BROW(NIE) POINTS! (page 55) TRIED & TESTED (page 68) LARA JOHNSON (page 70)

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Defy Time

Achieve a natural beauty that looks untouched 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) • HIW registered Clinic • GMC registered

The range of treatment offered at our clinic has certainly benefited from Dr Alan’s continued enthusiasm for attending conferences world-wide.

The extent and diversity of these treatments, together with our expertise, enables us to create a bespoke treatment for each individual. Never before has it been possible to tailor the treatment so specifically to suit your individual needs.

FREE NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION

466 Gower Road, Killay, Swansea, SA2 7DZ • 01792 208466 Private Car Park • www.defy-time.co.uk GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

turn your back on aging... ©LW

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HAIR & BEAUTY

BEAUTY NEWS W I T H

L AU R A

DAV I E S

laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

P A RT O N E

Welcome aboard the Paul Mitchell Yacht Charter a nautical inspired look reminiscent of holidays in the Hamptons with the Limited Edition Paul Mitchell Yacht Club Collection. Included in this fab range are Paddle Brush, £12.25, Sculpting Brush, £7.50; Express Mini Smooth, £27.50 and Lifesaver Duo, £22, Volume on Deck Duo, £23.50; Freeze and Shine Super Spray 500ml, £32.50, available at hairtrade.com or Paul Mitchell salons

EYES FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE Introducing Lancome Grandiôse Liner, which has a 35-degree curve in the handle for better application. Its new dense, opaque and matte formula intensifies the eyes, lending itself to particularly audacious lines.

Available in three ultra-intense shades; carbon black, deep brown and sapphire blue. £23,, Debenhams, Swansea

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure has these five new gorgeous shades for summer. The chipresistant polish still features all of the elements you know and love: base coat, strengthener now featuring keratin complex, growth treatment, salon colour in runway-ready shades, top coat, and gel shine finish. £6.99, Superdrug, Swansea

NEW SHADES! The best of a BB, a CC, and a tinted moisturiser in six new shades for every skin tone. Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF 30, £27, Boots, Swansea

BEAUTY IN BLOOM...

Clarins launch its new limited edition Beauty in Bloom collection which contains some of the brands hero products with a floral/botanical twist — perfect for summer! The range includes Hand and Nail Treatment Cream Trio, £25; Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector, £18;; and Daily Energizer Lovely Lip Balm, £16, Clarins, Boots, Swansea

Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream Trio

FOR ONE DAY ONLY! ELEMIS launches its exclusive six-piece Skin Rituals Collection on QVC for on Sunday, July 24. And it exclusively includes the global launch of its new Sweet Orchid Body Oil which is enriched with Tahitian coconut oil and Mauve Butterfly Orchid. Tailor your skincare ritual with a choice between its Pro-Collagen Marine Cream or Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Ultra-Rich. Available on QVC TSV for under £60, The collection is worth more than £184 – a saving of over £124!

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The gold standard for thread vein removal

Remove Unsightly Thread Veins Safety, Instantly & Effectively

Special Offer £25 per area

Treatment Comparison ThermaVein ®

Laser

IPL

Epilation

Diathermy

Risk of scarring

None

High

Low

Medium

High

Typical results

Instant

6-8 weeks

Up to 6 months

Unsatisfactory

Unsatisfactory

Risk of burns

None

High

High

None

High

Estimated pain level

Minimal

Potentially High

High

High

High

Likelihood of recurrence

None

Unlikely

Highly Likely

Highly Likely

Highly Likely

Average treatments required

1

3+

5+

1

2+

Before

After

Treatment approximately 15 minutes later

Before

After

Treatment approximately 15 minutes later

“I had been troubled by ugly thread veins inside my nose for many years and I’d been told laser or IPL treatments were unsuitable, then ThermaVein™ was recommended. Immediately after my treatment

Mr. Marc Fincham, Patient.

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©LW

I looked in the mirror and the veins had totally disappeared. Thank-you.”

6/23/2016 11:46:22 AM

HAIR & BEAUTY

BEAUTY NEWS SUNSET PINK COLLECTION We love Bobbi Brown’s new Sunset Pink Collection which features warm, shimmerinfused shades for eyes and sheer tints of colour for lips and cheeks. Our particular favourites include the Limited-Edition, Highlighting Powder which creates a luminous, flattering glow in shades that complement all skin tones, £34 and Sheer Color Cheek Tint, which creates a subtle, natural-looking flush of colour and is packaged in a swivel-up stick for convenient and easy application, £19.50.

W I T H

L AU R A

DAV I E S

laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

P A RT T W O

Also in the collection is Tube Tint, £17.50; Long-Wear Cream Shadow, £19.50; Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, £19, Bobbi Brown, Debenhams, Swansea

THE ULTIMATE PARISIAN CHIC

We love this new unisex fragrance, Vince Camuto Oud, £70, House of Fraser — a rich and mysterious woody oud fragrance that captures the essence of luxurious sophistication.

Alluring notes of Davana, Dark Rum and Coffee Absolute combine to create a sultry and scintillating scent with a long lasting signature

Step into Summer skin perfection with the NEW Nair Nourish Argan Oil Collection Pictured: Shower Power Cream, £6.69, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach. Works during showering for handy, quick and effective hair removal. The specially blended formula contains Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil and Cocoa Butter to help to leave the skin feeling softer and smoother.

We love Bourjois latest handbag beauty must have! Its glossy black colour and triangular shape prevents it from rolling when placed up or down. This ergonomic shape enables the easy gesture of holding the magnifying mirror in one hand and coating the lashes with the other.

Out July 6, Bourjois Volume Reveal Mascara, £9.99, available in Radiant Black, Waterproof Black, Boots and Superdrug, Swansea

COLOGNE INTENSE BODY CRÈME...

Jo Malone London indulgent new formula contains a mineral-rich ingredient, samphire extract. This succulent herb grows naturally on salt marshes and is adapted to drying coastal winds. The crème channels moisture to the areas where your skin needs it most. Giving instant radiance, it continues to moisturise continuously over 24 hours, leaving skin soft, supple and scented. Available in Velvet Rose and Oud; Dark Amber & Ginger Lily; Oud & Bergamot; Tuberose Angelica; Cologne Intense Body Crème; £60, Jo Malone, Cardiff

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

THE ORIGIN OF SERENITY

L’Occitane celebrates its 40th birthday in July and to mark the occasion it has launched Lavender Foaming Bath, £20 for 500ml; and the gorgeous Verbena Eau De Toilette 100ml, £42, which is zesty, bracing and beautifully light and smells of summer!

John Lewis, Cardiff

Fresh top notes of creamy Filipino coconut, milk and spicy-sweet cinnamon melt flawlessly into a heart of honeyed jasmine, cedarwood and copahu; comforting sandalwood, guaiac wood and vetiver blend for rounded, subtle depth.

It is divine! From £24-£55, Molton Brown, Cardiff

Molton Brown expands its Coco and Sandalwood scent to a new home collection.

Nourish. Care. Donate.

We love Elemis’s Hero Collection kit, which will help raise money for Breast Cancer Care. Containing five pink products in a pink bag this is ideal for total face and body nourishment. £55, Elemis at Monks Spa, Machynys, Llanelli

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6/24/2016 4:59:34 PM

THERE’S STYLISTS AND THEN THERE’S

BRIAN BROWN

BRIAN BROWN SALON 1 BELEVUE WAY • SWANSEA • SA1 5BZ • TEL: 01792 301901

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HAIR & BEAUTY

BEAUTY NEWS W I T H

L AU R A

DAV I E S

laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

P A RT T H R E E

Bursting Caju & Lime Collection Just in time for the Rio 2016 Olympics, Molton Brown launches its Bursting Caju & Lime Collection which includes a bath and shower gel, £20; cream, £25 and Eau de Toilette, £35. It bursts lime, grapefruit, orange and lemon with refreshingly crisp spearmint, clary sage, galbanum and sprightly cypress; all muddled with enduring musk and a hint of oak moss — A refreshing collection to stir your senses this summer. Molton Brown, Cardiff

INTRODUCING...

Back by demand Yay! New CID Cosmetics i-crayon Lip and Cheek Tint are back in Plum Cordial, Brown Sugar, Apricot Sundae & Pink Fancy, £18. Originally a limited edition, the multi-tasking chubby crayon lip and cheek tint is perfect for quick makeup on the move.

Boots, Swansea

The Sanctuary 1 Minute Flash Facial is a sensorial delight fragranced with orange, lemon, geranium, and frankincense essential oils as well as rosemary which acts as an antioxidant for the skin.

With results visible in one minute this quick working mask will leave skin smooth with a healthy looking glow. £14, Boots, Swansea

From first use, the NEW Revitalising Super Serum will make skin visibly brighter, fresher and smoother with a reduced appearance of uneven pigmentation and dark spots over time. This beautifully light super serum suitable for all skin types will enhance radiance, revitalise and refresh skin.

Benefit’s new 13-product brow range...

The new Benefit Brow Collection is set to WOW! The new range consists of 13 brow-enhancing products, from pencils to gels. Benefit has looked into the biggest brow concerns, from undefined shape to uneven patchy texture, and created products specially made to target each problem. While I love the entire range, from the old classics such as Gimme Brow, to the new additions, our favourites have to be the Goof Proof Pencil, which makes doing your eyebrows incredibly easy, and Ka-Brow, which fills even the sparsest of brows. And the best bit? The six shade range from light to deep — something for everyone.

The range includes...

Gimme Brow, £18.50: a brow-voluminzing fiber gel ; Goof Proof Pencil, £18.50: a super easy brow-filling and shaping pencil; Precisely, my brow pencil, £18.50: an ultra-fine brow defining pencil; BrowZings, £24.50: a total taming and shaping kit for brows; BrowVo! Conditioning Primer, £21.50: a nutrient rich primer for fuller-looking brows; Ka-Brow, £18.50: a cream-gel brow color with brush; 3D BrowTones, £18.50: subtle browenhancing highlights; Ready, Set, Brow!, £18.50: 24hr invisible shaping and setting gel for brows; High Brow, £17.50: a creamy brow highlighting pencil;

Designed to be used morning and evening the formula harnesses vitamin B3 and E to even skin tone, perfect the look and feel of skin. £17, Boots, Swansea

I am in love with BareMinerals Invisible Light Translucent Powder Duo, £28, which gives two distinct finishes to your complexion.

Matte absorbs oil and is the perfect setting powder while Glow, infused with rose gold pearls, adds sheer luminosity for highlighting and strobing. Developed to instantly vanish on all skin tones, these advanced blurring powders diffuse the look of pores and imperfections.

Debenhams, Swansea

BRONZING with Botanical Benefits...

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint Bronzing Fluid effortlessly delivers a natural-looking veil of colour, providing buildable coverage with a radiant glow.

Its ultra-lightweight formula is great for all skin types and tones. £24.50 for 40ml, John Lewis, Cardiff

Two weeks in the sun can work wonders for your complexion - as long as you use adequate SPF - but long-haul travel can also take a toll. Two weeks of nightly Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recovery Ampoules, £86 for 60, however, promises to counteract the complexion jet lag. These small but mighty capsules contain actives that reduce redness, while increasing suppleness and the skin’s ability to defend against stressors like tiredness. Boots, Swansea

High Brow Glow, £17.50: a luminous brow highlighting pencil, Grooming Tweezer and Brush, £15.50; Angled Brow Brush and Spoolie, £15.50; All Purpose Sharpener, £4; all available at Debenhams, Swansea

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6/24/2016 4:59:55 PM

HAIR & BEAUTY

SUMMER HAIR CARE TIPS...

LAURA DAVIES speaks to stylist to the stars, Asgar Saboo, about how to keep your locks in tip top shape for summer...

Protect your hair from the sun...

Avoid cosmetics...

Avoid having any hair treatment and/or using chemical products during the hot season as the hair often gets damaged and dries up in the heat. Do not colour your hair during summer as it tends to make the hair brittle and dry.

In addition to your skin and scalp being at risk from sunburn in the summer sun, did you know your hair can get sunburned, too? Protect your locks by wearing a scarf, hat or cap when you're out in the sun for a long period of time. Just make sure it's not so tight that it restricts the circulation in your scalp!

Hydrate...

Just like the rest of your body, staying hydrated is especially important in the summertime; it’s also necessary for healthy hair. Try to drink at least eight to ten glasses of fluid a day and even more if you’re active outside during this time of year. The hydration will add much needed moisture to your locks.

Use gentle accessories...

Since your hair is already vulnerable from the elements of the heat, take special care of it and use hair accessories that won’t damage your hair further. Some good accessories are ponytail holders without metal closures, barrettes with smooth edges and clasps, and fabric headbands that move with your hair.

Add moisture...

Summer is a great opportunity to use a leave-in conditioner. It adds moisture to your hair, just like lotion does for dry skin. It can also dramatically reduce frizz and help define curly hair.

Trim your hair...

Hair is always dry during the summer season and often has split ends and dry tips. Trim your hair during the summer months, as this will bring back life to your hair.

Air-dry your hair...

Because of the summer heat, anything that could further damage your hair is a no-no, including blow dryers. Let your hair air-dry and flaunt your natural waves. Cut down on the flat iron or curling iron as much as possible.

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6/23/2016 11:24:05 AM

HAIR & BEAUTY

DON’T BE BROWBEATEN GET BROW(NIE) POINTS! They’re often left out of make-up routines, but attending to those arches can work magic. Not sure where to start? LAURA DAVIES looks at the three most common eyebrow complaints and how to fix them, so you won’t be browbeaten any more...

MIND THE GAPS...

1 2

Sparse eyebrows is a common complaint. Brows look most beautiful when they’re dense, rich and shapely. Fortunately, for those of us not naturally blessed with these, there are simple ways to achieve them. Using a pencil, such as Benefit’s Precisely My Brow, allows you to create believable hair-like strokes where you need them, due to the ultra fine tip.

1. Hi Brow Soft Eyebrow Pencil, in shades Light Brown to Charcoal Brown, £9.95, LashPerfect.co.uk 2. Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil, £21.50, Benefit, Swansea

1

3 4

TAME THE BEASTS...

At the other end of the spectrum, unruly brows can be just as tricky to tackle. Having them waxed regularly will keep them tamed. Also try using a brow gel, such as Ready, Set, Brow This clear gel coats the hair from root to tip, and will keep brows in place for 24 hours.

2 3

3. Hi Brow Growth and Conditioning Serum for Brows and Lashes, £24.95, LashPerfect.co.uk 4. Collection Define and Perfect Eyebrow Powder in Dark Brunette, currently reduced to £2.99 from £4.19, Boots, Swansea

1. Jane Iredale Greatshape Eyebrow Kit in Blonde, £26, The Grove Skin Clinic, Gowerton 2. Benefit Ready, Set, Brow! £18.50, Debenhams, Boots, Swansea 3. YSL Beauty Couture Brow Palette in Light to Medium, £35, John Lewis, Cardiff

WHAT THE PLUCK?

3

Eyebrows that have been plucked to within an inch of their life are the most noticeable. Unfortunately, this was a very big Nineties trend that left its mark on many faces. WunderBrow is great for tackling these concerns. Not only does it contain tiny hair-like fibres, to give the appearance of natural hair, it’s completely water-proof, so you can be confident it’ll stay on until you’re ready to take it off.

A brow wax and tint will make your brows look surprisingly thicker and fuller, even if there’s hardly any hair. Using a fibre gel, such as Gimme Brow, will also mimic the appearance of real hair. This adds volume and will give you your brows back.

1. Wunder2 Wunderbrow in Black/Brown, £19.95, www.wunder2.co.uk 2. Givenchy Mister Brow Filler in Brunette, £17.50, House of Fraser, Cardiff 3. Benefit Gimme Brow, £18.50, Debenhams, Swansea

1

2

“It’s completely water-proof, so you can be confident it’ll stay on until you’re ready to take it off.” www.swansealife.co.uk | 55

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6/24/2016 4:34:52 PM

HAIR & BEAUTY

SUN IT! Protect yourself from the heat with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of sunscreens laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

Nivea Sun Protect & Moisturise Roll On SPF50, £4.99, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach

@LawsDx

Vichy Ideal Soleil Invisible Hydrating Mist SPF50, currently reduced to £14 from £16.50, Escentual.com Lancaster Sun Beauty Melting Tanning Milk SPF15 Jumbo 400ml, £32, Debenhams, Swansea

Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid for Body SPF30 125ml, £25, Boots, Swansea

Garnier Ambre Solaire Moisturising Protection Milk High SPF30, £6 , Asda, Llanelli

Piz Buin One Day Long Long Lasting Sun Lotion SPF 15, £5, Asda, Gorseinon

Solero SPF15 Moisturising Sun Spray, £7, Lloyds Pharmacy, Gorseinon

Nuxe Sun Protection Spray fort face and Body SPF 20 150ml, £18, M&S, Swansea

Ultrasun Tinted Face SPF50, £28, M&S, Swansea

Epionce Ultra Shield Lotion SPF 50, £40.50, epionce .co.uk

Bioderma Hydrabio Eau de Soin SPF30, £9, Boots, Swansea

Riemann P20 Once a Day Sun Protection Continuous Spray SPF30, currently reduced to £19.99 from £24.99, Boots, Swansea

SkinCeuticals Mineral Matte UV Defense SPF30, currently reduced to £30.95 from £40, FacetheFuture.co.uk

Solait Enhanced Sun Lotion SPF30, £8.99, Superdrug, Swansea

Sun Protection Body Oil - SPF 30, £18, www.rituals.com

Eucerin Sun Face CC Cream SPF50, £18, FeelUnique.com

WE LOVE!

That’s All In One SPF 20-30-50+ Protective Dry Oil Spray, £18.95, www.thatsoskincare.com • 1, 2 or 3 times to step from protection 20 to 30 to 50+. To obtain SPF 20, spray the product for 10 seconds. Three minutes after the first application, spray the product again to achieve SPF 30. Wait three more minutes after the second application and spray the product again to obtain a super high level of sun protection SPF 50+.

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6/24/2016 4:42:07 PM

HAIR & BEAUTY

HAIR & BEAUTY

Decléor High Repair After Sun Balm For The Face, 15ml, £20, Monks at Machynys, Llanelli Organii after sun cream, 50ml, £3.50, www.organii.uk

Piz buin After Sun Soothing and Cooling Moisturising Lotion, £5, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Lancaster Tan Maximiser Soothing and Repairing After Sun Moisturiser 400ml, £29, Debenhams, Swansea

SOOTHE IT! After a day in the sun, slap on the after sun and help maintain your tan... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

Clinique After Sun Rescue with Aloe - All Skin Types, 150ml, £20, Boots, Swansea

Ritual aftersun hydrating lotion, 50ml, £15, rituals.com

That’so All In One After Sun Micro-Emulsion After Sun Spray, £18.95, available from www.thatsoskincare.com Clarins After Sun Shimmer Oil, 100ml, £32, Debenhams, Swansea

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6/24/2016 4:42:53 PM

ADVERTISING FEATURE

RETHINK THE INK Have you had second thoughts about a tattoo? Then think carefully about where you get it removed, and check that they are fully insured and registered. Better still, book yourself into Rethink the Ink, where you will get state of the art laser treatment at amazingly affordable prices.

hen Jon Richardson founded Rethink “If you have a low pain threshold I can stop and start the the Ink 18 months ago, he had a clear laser to help you handle it; it’s very relaxed – I never rush,” says Jon. mission: to provide top of the range, Since opening he has removed seemingly every tattoo fully licensed and registered laser imaginable, and from every part of the body. He has also tattoo removal at highly affordable removed blemishes and birthmarks, sometimes with prices. dramatic results in terms of the customer’s improved As a fan of tattoos who has received confidence. laser treatment himself, Jon had a feel “One lady’s blemish was gone after just one treatment and for the type of environment he wanted to create: while she said it had given her the confidence to bare her legs his studio is fully insured and registered with the Health on holiday for the first time ever – it was a heart warming Inspectorates of Wales, he did not want it to feel too feeling.” clinical.

For clients who want to cover up or replace a tattoo, Jon “I didn’t want it to look like a surgery, with staff in white has excellent links with more than 25 different tattoo coats; instead, I dress casually and it feels more like a studios, many of whom refer clients to tattoo studio than a clinic,” he says. him if an existing tattoo needs fading He also invested in the very latest ready for a cover up. If you have not laser equipment to ensure the best yet decided who is going to carry out possible experience for his customers. your new tattoo, Jon can also point “My laser is top of its game. It breaks “My laser is top of its you to the right person to carry out the ink particles down really nicely game. It breaks the ink the kind of work you are seeking. A and safely, with minimal chance of number of them offer a 10% discount any scarring.” particles down really for Jon’s customers.

The laser works by making the ink nicely and safely, with If you are considering having a tattoo particles small enough to be carried removed and want to know more, Jon away naturally by your white blood minimal chance of any offers a free first consultation. He is cells. It’s possible to fade a tattoo scarring.” also able to give a price for a removal ready for a cover up in just two to if you send him photographs of your four sessions, and after eight sessions tattoo, saving an unnecessary journey most black tattoos are totally gone; if you live out of the area. colour generally requires a few more With prices per session starting treatments. from £30, it’s hardly surprising that Jon is very busy, The effectiveness of the treatment is easy to see on and attracts customers from far beyond his immediate the Rethink the Ink Facebook page, which is full of geographical area. photographs of successful tattoo removal and delighted “My aim is to make top quality tattoo removal available reviews from customers. for normal, hard working people,” he says.“The thing I A number of them comment on how well Jon helped them most enjoy is seeing my clients happy afterwards – when cope with the pain aspect of the work. Jon describes the they have got to stage where the tattoo is completely pain as bearable and very short lived - like having a tattoo removed or they are ready for a nice cover up – it’s but hotter. rewarding work.”

W

RETHINKTHEINK Twitter: @GBrethinktheink | Instagram: rethinktheink | Facebook: Rethinktheink Website: www.rethinktheinkwales.co.uk | Tel: 07816 495799 Address: ReThink The Ink, The Precinct, Station Hill, New Road, Porthcawl CF36 5DL

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HAIR & BEAUTY

MEET YOUR MATTE Real Techniques Retractable Bronzer Brush, £13.99, Boots, Swansea

Bourjois Mat Illusion Bronzing Powder, £7.99, Superdrug, Swansea

Powder bronzers generally give more of a matte finish, which is great for oilier complexions. Bronzing beginners should choose “a shade lighter than you think you need.”

You can always build the colour intensity as you go. It’s easier to apply more, than it is to tone down. And it’s not a case of grabbing a big brush and daubing liberally: When applying bronzer, it’s always best to apply it where the sun would naturally catch the skin. Think around your hairline, down the nose, cheeks and chin.

This way you get the most natural, sun-kissed effect.

HOW GLOW CAN YOU GO? Bronzer should enhance a tan, or warm the skin for a healthy glow.Those with warmer or darker skin tones should try a shimmering bronzer, while “fair, untanned skins should avoid shimmer finishes.

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Bronzed, £20, Debenhams, Swansea

If the powder has a light shimmer finish, apply to the cheeks to create a pretty glow, and don’t forget the neck and decolletage - bronzer should be applied to this area to balance the face, for a natural, authentic finish.

Bagsy Ray of Sunshine Perfect Glow Bronzing Powder in Light Medium, £12, Debenhams, Swansea

MAC Studio Sculpt Defining Bronzing Powder in Golden Rinse, £26.50, MAC, Cardiff

Rosie for Autograph Insta Glow Matte Bronzer in Summer Solstice, £20, M&S, Swansea

EcoTools Blending and Bronzing Brush, currently reduced to £7.49 from £9.99, Superdrug, Swansea

60 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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Don’t depend on the weather for that dreamy sun-kissed glow.

LAURA DAVIES sheds light on the best bronzing make-up to suit all complexions... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

liquid dreams Liquid bronzers tend to be more sheer and can be applied before foundation. I love applying liquid bronzers with a damp Beautyblender, as you can achieve a gorgeous, gentle sun-kissed glow by stippling a small amount onto the skin.

Stila Aqua Glow Perfecting Bronzer, £24, M&S, Swansea

Apply sparingly on areas of the face where the sun naturally hits. Apply a little at a time and build up to the intensity desired.

Nars Liquid Laguna Bronzer, £26.50, House of Fraser, Cardiff

CUSTOMISE YOUR COMPLEXION Liquid bronzers don’t have to go straight onto your face - there’s a new generation of highly pigmented formulas intended for mixing with other products.

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint Bronzing Fluid, £24.50, John Lewis, Cardiff

Use the back of your hand as a palette and mix a drop at a time into your usual moisturiser or foundation, to create a custom blend perfect for your complexion.

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Sunkissed, £34, www.spacenk.com

Beautyblender Classic Sponge, £16, Boots, Swansea

Clinique Sun-kissed Face Gelee Complexion Multitasker, £23, Boots, Swansea

CREAM OF THE CROP...

If you prefer a dewy foundation look rather than matte, try a cream bronzer.

llamasqua Gleam in Supernatural, £22, Illamasqua.com

Cream bronzers offer more coverage, and can be applied sparingly over the face and neck to enliven a tan, or under cheekbones to contour the cheeks.

Avon Glow Bronzing Multi-Stick in Glowing Nude, £8, www.avon.uk.com

Use your index finger to dot the bronzer in the desired area, then your middle finger to blend out.

www.swansealife.co.uk | 61

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6/24/2016 4:40:22 PM

HAIR & BEAUTY Rimmel Moisture Renew Sheer & Shine Lipstick in Spin All Spring, £6.49, Superdrug, Swansea

TRIED AND TESTED LAURA DAVIES puts a range of beauty products to the test... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

4/5

New Cid Cosmetics i-smoulder Smoky Eye Pencil And Shadow in Azure, £18.50, 5/5 www.newcidcosmetics.com “For a very on-trend blue smoky eye, I applied the fine liner close to the lashline, before swapping ends and dabbing on the matching cream eyeshadow with the sponge applicator and blending. It’s a fab evening look, but the liner alone is great for the day with a neutral shadow.”

Our testers sharpen up their skills with a trio of eyeshadow pencils...

Estee Lauder Magic Smoky Powder Shadow Stick in Cool Ash, £18, Debenhams, Swansea

@LawsDx

3/5

“This is a light, gloss-like lippy, so it’s easy to apply, non-sticky and moisturises lips while adding a translucent coral colour perfect for spring. The downside is that it doesn’t have great staying-power and bleeds a little around the edges, so works better with a liner.”

Our testers pucker up with a trio of subtle spring lipsticks...

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker lipstick in Naked Talent, £9, Boots, Swansea

4/5

“This rich, creamy lipstick gave my lips a moisturising boost and I loved the peachy nude tone, which gives just enough colour for subtle lip definition. The satin finish falls halfway between matte and gloss, and it doesn’t bleed at the edges, but I did need to re-apply a couple of times on a night out.”

Kiko Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick in Vintage Rose, £10.90, Kiko, Cardiff

5/5

“My new favourite product, this lippy combines a smooth texture with long-lasting colour. Perfect for daytime, it glides on easily and leaves lips feeling soft due to its hyaluronic filling spheres, while the orchid extracts make for a delicious smell.”

“With a more chalky than creamy consistency, this glittery metallic shadow goes on smoothly, the pencil tip making it easy to apply. It comes up darker than it looks, so I paired it with a pale silver eyeshadow, using it mainly in the eyelid crease.”

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Yogurt, £5, ASOS.com “This chunky, glossy pencil comes with both matt and shimmery hues, and the pale champagne tone works well as a base for a smoky eye look. To stop it creasing, use sparingly and rub in well with your fingers, before applying a powder shadow on top.”

3/5

GET THE LOOK Loved Fearne Cotton's corkscrew curls at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards?

Well you won't need a perm to get them, just the new BaByliss Tight Curls Wand, £25, Argos, Swansea.

After blow-drying with volumising mousse, work in inch-wide square sections starting at the nape of the neck, mist with hair spray then wind the hair around the length of the wand.

Hold for several seconds then release. While the curl is still warm, use your fingers to break the curl up a little; this adds texture.

The wand is really easy to use, simply wrap hair around the barrel for fast styling. I found it ideal for curling longer hair lengths to get consistent results from root to tip. The ceramic coated barrel ensures the curls have a smooth finish with frizz-free shine. And it curls with no kinks.

The wand is suitable for all hair types and includes 10 heat settings ranging from 120°C to 210°C., It heats up quick and gives quick results, perfect if you are in a rush.

It even comes with a heat protective glove, heat mat and 2.5m swivel power cord to help easier styling. At £25 it is well worth the money!

62 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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6/24/2016 3:51:32 PM

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.

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6/23/2016 2:29:19 PM

ADVERTISING FEATURE

EARN & LEARN WITH SWANSEA ITEC APPRENTICESHIPS At this time of year many young people look to the future with uncertainty: what is the best route to a successful career? Swansea ITeC offers an exciting way to gain qualifications while working – and a future path to university for those who want it. s young people in Swansea weigh up their choices for further education, it’s worth remembering that there is another option besides college and university. Swansea ITeC offers IT apprenticeships that enable individuals to earn and learn at the same time. They can even go on to take a degree once they have progressed through Level 4 in their apprenticeship programme. The Level 4 apprenticeship is an all-age programme and can help those looking for a pathway to facilitate a career change.

A

Based on Carmarthen Road in Swansea, Swansea ITeC has extensive experience in the delivery of apprenticeship programmes, having been established for over thirty years, and cover mainly Western Bay (Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend) and Cardiff and The Vale.

Swansea ITeC is part of a wider consortium called Skills Academy Wales. This comprises eight partners that came together to provide workbased learning across a range of subjects, with Swansea ITeC specialising in IT. IT crosses over all sectors and there is a demand for skilled IT professionals; Swansea ITeC assist in developing a pool of talent to address skills gaps nationwide via their apprenticeship programmes.

Growth Wales government funded programme and had the opportunities to develop a training role.

“Young people can come in with low confidence and you see them grow and mature as they learn new skills and achieve new qualifications,” she says “Some of them choose work based learning as their first choice instead of college, and then stay with us for years as they progress through the programmes. They get first-hand experience in the workplace, work towards a qualification and develop skills which help to start their career in IT.” Swansea ITeC has recently welcomed new delivery partner, Michelle Beer of Ferry Cake Marketing and PR Consultancy, who will be involved in the delivery of our Digital Marketing apprenticeships, and a new Tutor and NVQ Assessor, Jason McFadzean, who has 30 years’ experience in the aviation industry.

He previously worked in Swansea as a recruiter, during which time he developed the Swansea Airshow. He is now seeking to develop his own IT skills while teaching.

“Many of them go on to reach a very high level in the companies they join, even becoming Managing Directors.”

“I’ve worked with young people for a long time and I see this as an extension of that,” he says.“The good thing is that we can help those who are unsure what they want to do in the future. We get them on the right Jason McFadzean Swansea ITeC seeks to address the track.” During Jason’s first week ICT Trainer/Assessor current skills shortage within the IT with Swansea ITeC he found himself industry by developing new products climbing Pen y Fan in preparation up to, and including, Level 4. for the company’s Welsh Three Peaks Challenge charity event, which will “Our recruitment process is raise money for Friends of theYoung Disabled and Sacred straightforward,” says Managing Director Helen Necrews.

Heart Church in Morriston – one of many team building “All our apprenticeship vacancies are advertised on the and fundraising efforts organised by the company.

Careers Wales Apprenticeship Matching Service, so you can check them out easily.”

Now the Swansea ITeC team are looking forward to Swansea ITeC tailor their apprenticeships to meet the needs of the individual and the employer and has an excellent track record for placing people in apprenticeships that lead to long-term careers. It has a supportive network of employers that recognise how much they can benefit from taking on apprentices. Certain companies, such as IT support and services company Pisys.Net Ltd., only recruit through Swansea ITeC, providing apprentices with a unique path to employment.

It’s testament to the effectiveness of Swansea ITeC’s training that many of its own staff started out as apprentices or via government funded training programmes. One such person is IT Trainer and Assessor Faye Chapman, who came to Swansea ITeC on a Jobs

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broadening their apprenticeship offering and welcoming more new learners.“If you’re not going to university or college, this is a different and realistic option - one where you can learn and earn, and not get in debt with student fees,” says Business Director Mark Evans.“At the end of the apprenticeship programme there is the opportunity to go to university as well – so it’s a choice that keeps your options open in terms of furthering your career.”

Swansea ITeC welcomes enquiries from all - including parents, potential apprentices and employers – please contact us for an informal discussion to see how apprenticeships can help you – and check out our current apprenticeship vacancies via the Careers Wales Apprenticeship Matching Service.

6/23/2016 11:48:06 AM

Apprenticeship Quotes:

I found the apprenticeship experience to be very valuable and I’ve gained a lot of confidence as well as new skills’ TC ‘The training provided by Swansea ITeC has been invaluable in starting my career at SA Flyers and I have been involved in Awards for Young Leader’ FC

SWANSEA ITEC APPRENTICESHIP ROUTES Route

Level2

Level3

Level4

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IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professional Pathway 1: IT Practitioner

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Pathway 2: Software Development

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Pathway 3: Programming

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Pathway 4: Telecommunications

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Pathway 1: ECDL

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Pathway 2: Design & Graphics

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Pathway 3: Social Media & Marketing

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IT User (ITQ)

Social Media and Digital Marketing Social Media

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Digital Marketing

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Office and Administration Business & Administration COMING SOON: Data Analytics

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01792 464561 | info@swansea-itec.co.uk | www.swanseaitec.co.uk

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6/23/2016 11:48:12 AM

HAIR & BEAUTY

GET

R E M SUMREADY!

Is the excitement of digging out your favourite summer sandals, or premiering your new purchases tempered by the fear of going tights-free after months of sun deprivation?

What you need is a bit of below-the-knee TLC Here’s LAURA DAVIES’ guide to being skirt-and-sandals-ready in a flash... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

BEST FEET FORWARD If your soles are suffering a build-up of dry skin, an electronic file is the fastest way to buff them back to life. Immerse feet in warm water to help soften the skin. Next, use the Scholl Velvet Smooth Wet & Dry Foot File while your feet are in the water, or take one foot out at a time, and use the device on the heels and balls to exfoliate dry skin.

Remember to be light-handed and keep the device moving.

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If you’re heading straight out, finish with a generous slather of moisturiser - like the Conditioning Foot Cream For Happy Feet, from Margaret Dabbs’ latest collaboration with M&S. Or, if you’ve got time, pull on a pair of Starskin Foot Masks, and let them work their exfoliating and moisturising magic for an hour.

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1. Scholl Velvet Smooth Wet & Dry, Foot File, currently reduced to £44.99 from £59.99, Boots, Swansea 2. Bare Feet by Margaret Dabbs Conditioning Foot Cream For Happy Feet, £7.50, M&S, Swansea 3

3. Starskin Magic Hour Exfoliating Double Layer Technology Foot Masks, £9.99, Asos.com

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HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW At-home hair removal may seem like a bit of a faff compared to a salon visit, but it’s actually really easy, especially on legs, and once you’ve mastered it (and realised how much money you can save), you’ll never go back. New Veet Professional Warm Stripless Wax takes just one minute to melt in the microwave and comes with a smart spatula that tells you when it’s at the perfect temperature. Apply hot wax against hair growth, ensuring that you cannot see the skin through it and always add slightly more wax to the end you are pulling off to create a tab effect that is easier to grip. Ensure you pull the skin taught as you remove the wax - the quicker you pull, the better your results will be.

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And for top-ups or taking away on hols, wax strips are good quick-fix when there isn’t a microwave handy.

1. Veet Professional Warm Stripless Wax, £14.99, Boots, Parc Fforestfach 2. Parissa Wax Strips Face & Bikini, £8.79, Boots, Morfa Retail Park 66 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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6/24/2016 2:35:11 PM

HAIR & BEAUTY

2

SAY NO TO MICRO For years, we were told microbeads were essential for sloughing away dead skin, but it’s now been established they’re really bad news for our oceans. (Too small to be processed by sewage plants, the minute particles end up in the sea, and the stomachs of turtles, whales and other marine creatures.) So for your pre-summer exfoliation, choose a scrub that uses natural ingredients, like sugar, salt or ground nut shells just as effective but kind to the environment too.

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1. Melvita L’Or Rose Refining Scrub, £15, www.melvita.com 2. Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub, £65, www.spacenk.com

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3. Lush Buffy Body Butter, £11.95, Lush, Swansea

USE A FIRM HAND Following a thorough scrub session, a sculpting serum will help target those areas that could do with a bit of toning.

Using clever ingredients, like ginseng, algae and plant oils, these creams help firm and hydrate.

Massage in using circular motions, to boost circulation and maximise their effectiveness.

1. This Works Perfect Legs Sculpt & Shine, £28, www.thisworks.com

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2. Soap & Glory Ab Fab Skin Toning Tummy Serum, £12, Boots, Swansesa 3. Transformulas ArmLift, £36.95, www.transformulas.com 1

HOW GLOW CAN YOU GO? For the finishing touch, add a hint of sunkissed glow, without going full fake-tan.

They may look dark in the bottle, but bronzing body oils use pigment and finely milled golden particles suspended in oil, so they spread easily and aren’t at all streaky.

If you don’t want any colour at all, a shimmering body lotion will take legs from pasty to healthy in an instant.

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1. Rosie for Autograph Summer Rose Shimmer Body Oil, £15, M&S, Swansea 2. TempleSpa Goldentini Body Oil And Glaze, £25, www.templespa.com 1

3. Label M Diamond Dust Body Lotion, £19.95, www.labelm.com 2

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6/24/2016 2:35:29 PM

SETTING THE BENCHMARK FOR DENTAL EXCELLENCE

Lamberts Road | SA1 Waterfront | Swansea |

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4/22/2016 3:39:00 PM

IS YOUR SMILE SUFFERING THE EFFECTS OF A LONG, HARD SEASON?

GIVE PARKWAY CLINIC’S COSMETIC SMILE MAKEOVER A “TRY”!

Parkway Dental Treatments • All aspects of dentistry in one convenient location • Dental Implants • Cosmetic smile makeovers • Oral Surgery Specialists • Teeth Whitening treatments • Affordable monthly dental plan

Call us today to arrange a consultation

WE OFFER SEDATION & GENERAL ANAESTHETIC ALTERNATIVES FOR PHOBIC PATIENTS

01792 455780

PARKWAY CLINIC: A NAME YOU CAN TRUST...

SA1 8EL | T: 0192 455780 | www.parkwayclinic.co.uk

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4/22/2016 3:39:07 PM

HAIR & BEAUTY

Makeover!

W ITH

L ARA

JOHNSON

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

Enhancing a natural look...

Before...

Model: Jordan Occupation: Model from Swansea

JORDAN SAYS...

I have had short hair in a variety of shapes for ages but wanted a change. I know I was limited by the shape but wanted a look with impact.

I wasn’t sure what to do with my colour. I had been blonde, which I then used a few colours that changed frequently and eventually ended up with some grey colours. The team decide to go for a look with far more strength. I am really pleased with the finished look. It’s striking though very adaptable, as well as being really easy to do.

LARA JOHNSON LIFESTYLE SAYS...

Jordan has a beautifully balanced face and we were automatically drawn to her eyes. It is important that the look is perfect for you, that it enhances your look and also works with your hair type so that it is not difficult to style. We wanted to enhance Jordan’s natural look with a fringe that made here even more striking, we decided to develop the shape into the silhouette of a bob , with some layers to offer more texture.

We worked with ‘Great Lengths’ weft to add bulk and length in areas. Jordan was open to having a colour so we went with a classic darker shade from the Wella Kolestan and Illumina ranges that complemented Jordan’s natural colour tones. The use of pieces, extensions and even full or partial wigs can offer you a completely different look without you having to wait for your hair to grow, or make the commitment of having it cut short. It’s great to have so many options.

After...

70 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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6/22/2016 2:55:36 PM

HAIR & BEAUTY

Step by step...

1

2

3

1 2 3 4 5

Brush your hair and clip up the top section of hair above your crown.

Hang your head down ready to begin the plait from the nape of your neck. Take a 2.5 centimetre section at your hairline split into 3 and start the Dutch plait.

With your head still down continues plotting in a straight line up the back of your head toward your crown. Once you have reached your crown plait off remaining hair.

When you reach your crown unclip the top section of hair and combine it with your plait into a high ponytail usuing SEBASTIAN zero gravity hairspray for hold and controll. If you are using a hair doughnut place this at the base of your ponytail now.

4

5

Create your doughnut bun. If you have long hair, simply twist your hair around into a topknot and pin in place with bobby pins!�

www.swansealife.co.uk | 71

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6/22/2016 2:56:06 PM

HAIR & BEAUTY

1192 Laser & Beauty Clinic WITH OWNER AND LASER EXPERT DONNALEE ALFORD

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WAXING AND LASERING? Are you wondering what the differences are between waxing and laser hair removal? Many people get fed up with the discomfort and irritation of waxing and opt for laser hair removal treatment instead. Here, we highlight the differences between the two.

LASER...

Laser hair removal is a method of permanent hair reduction to remove unwanted hair. It utilises laser (light) energy to target the melanin (pigment) within the hair shaft, which in turn delivers heat to the follicle to disable it. Lasers can be used on most areas of the body, with the most common areas being face, neck, arms, legs, underarms, bikini, back and chest.

Treatments are quick. Laser hair reduction treatments are quicker than you might expect. For example, it takes approximately 30 minutes to perform a treatment on the underarm and Brazilian area.

areas of the body can be waxed, the most common being eyebrows, facial, bikini and legs.

Laser is simply the best option and the only solution to prevent and eliminate ingrowing hairs. It is also a great option for those who have sensitive skin and experience skin irritation from shaving and waxing.

Strip waxing (warm wax) is achieved by spreading wax thinly over the skin. A paper strip is applied and pressed firmly, adhering the strip to the wax and the wax to the skin. The strip is then quickly removed against the direction of hair growth; this removes the wax along with the hair.

WAXING...

Waxing is a form of semi-permanent hair removal, it removes the hair from the root. New hair will not grow back in the previously waxed area for between 4-6 weeks. Some people will start to see regrowth in a week; this is due to some of their hair being on a different growth cycle. Most

Strip-less waxing (hot wax), is applied thickly. The wax then hardens when it cools, allowing the easy removal by a therapist without the aid of paper strips. This waxing method is very beneficial to people who have sensitive skin or are having sensitive areas waxed. The hot wax method can also be less painful.

To have your question answered in the next issue of Swansea Life, email: donnalee@1192clinic.co.uk

1192 Laser and Beauty Clinic Liberty Stadium, Swansea, SA1 2FA • Call: 01792 651412 You can also book online at: www.1192clinic.co.uk

SHORTLISTED

Sponsored by

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR US Liberty Stadium, Swansea, SA1 2FA 01792 651412 | www.1192clinic.co.uk laser & beauty clinic

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6/24/2016 2:21:27 PM

HAIR & BEAUTY

Clinique Self Sun Body Airbrush Spray Fake Tan, £17, Boots, Parc Fforestfach

TAN IT!

ake Bake Airbrush Instant Self-Tan, £27.95, Debenhams, Swansea

Whether you prefer mousses or gels, lotions or oils, create the perfect golden glow with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of the best fake-tanning products... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning, £20, Boots, Swansea

Bondi Sands Everyday - Gradual tanning milk 375ml, £7.95, Superdrug, Swansea

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Express Pro Self-Tanning Dry Mist, £15.49, L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Express pro facial self tanning dry mist,, £11.99 and L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-tanning fresh feel gel for face & body, £12.49, Asda, Llanelli

Skinny Tan 7 Day Tanner Self Tan 125ml, was £19.99 now £13.29, Superdrug, Swansea

BareMinerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Tanner, £20, Debenhams, Swansea

St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, £20.50, Parc Forestfach

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KIKO Milano Self Tanning Rapid Mousse, £13.90 150ml, Kiko cosmetics, Cardiff

Garnier Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer Dry Body Mist, £10.20, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach

Rituals Self Tanning Body Lotion, £ www.rituals.com

Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan & Gradual Glow, £6.99, Superdrug, Swansea

www.swansealife.co.uk | 73

6/24/2016 4:40:56 PM

HAIR & BEAUTY

BEAUTY PRODUCTS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT...

A miracle moisturiser, black waterproof mascara and a statement nail varnish are just some of the beauty products that women can’t live without according to online hair and beauty reetailer Hairtrade.com From firm fixing hairspray and a rescue and repair shampoo, to a summer bronzer and flawless foundation, these are the must-have products to be seen in everyone’s cosmetics bag. LAURA DAVIES looks at the 12 must-have products for every beauty fan... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

6. STAPLE SCENT New fragrances are being released every week but we all have our favourite go-to scent. In the summer, pick a feminine floral number to get you instantly in the sunny seasonal mood.

12 Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes Waterproof Mascara, £23.50, Debenhams, Swansea

7. TRUSTY HAIR STRAIGHTENERS With a good pair of hair straighteners, you won’t have to fight the frizz for long. Just use after blow drying with a quick top up each morning for a sleek and shiny style.

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8. POWDERED BRONZER

11. STATEMENT NAIL VARNISH Everyone has their favourite colours in the world of nail varnish – from the bright reds to the browny nudes. Treating yourself to a pamper evening and giving your nails a coat is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

1. MIRACLE MOISTURISER

9. ALL-BLACK WATERPROOF MASCARA

The summer weather can dry out your skin but make it your routine to apply a good dose of moisturiser in the morning, before makeup, and before you go to bed, to ensure your skin is looking bright and refreshed.

A quick swipe of mascara will complete any make-up look, and black is the number one colour in the industry. It can also be used to add volume and length to your eyelashes.

12. REPAIR AND RESCUE SHAMPOO All of that heat styling and colouring can leave our hair feeling damaged and unloved, but with a deep cleansing shampoo our ends will feel happy again. Why not invest in a repairing mask and apply once every week.

10. SHEER PINK LIP GLOSS

2. FIRM FIXING HAIRSPRAY

On the days you’re in a rush, just quickly apply a coating of sheer pink lip gloss for a pop of colour to the face.

Nothing’s worse than going out in the morning with your big bouncy curls, to see your hair gradually drop as the day progresses.

To keep your waves in place, a firm fixing hairspray is all you need.

Limited Edition ghd Azores collection, £165, www.ghdhair.com

1 Bare Minerals True Oasis Moisturizer, £29, Debenhams, Swansea

3. MAKE-UP REMOVER

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4. FLAWLESS FOUNDATION

Beach Fragrance, £50, Bobbi Brown, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Tigi Bed Head Hard Head Hold Hairspray, £11, www.feelunique.com

A well-matched foundation can add life to tired and dull skin as well as covering any unwanted blemishes. Make sure to invest in a foundation that suits your skin type, whether you prefer matte or dewy, to get a long-lasting and flawless finish.

5. BRIGHT RED LIPSTICK From the deep scarlet shades to the zesty orange numbers, a colourful red lipstick is a must-have for every make-up loving lady.

Add a slick of your favourite to take your look straight from day to night.

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Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in Rose Shimmer, £18, Clarins, Boots, Swansea

It may be the summer season but being in the UK, that doesn’t mean guaranteed sunshine.

Fake your way to a tan with a dusting of bronzer under the cheekbones. They can be bought in either shimmer or matte for your desired effect.

@LawsDx

Nothing’s more important than taking your make-up off after a long day – and a good make-up remover will ensure every speck is off before your face hits the pillow. Some of the industry’s favourites include micellar cleansing water, using a cotton wool pad, and cleansing foams.

AVEDA Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair, £8.50, Jamie Hill Salon, Swansea

Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish, 14ml, in Kensington Passage, £10, Debenhams, Swansea

Benefit They’re Real! Remover, 50ml, £14.50, Debenhams, Swansea

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MAC Satin Lipstick in Red, £15.50, MAC, Cardiff

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Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer, £33, Boots, Swansea

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Perfectly Nude foundation SPF 15, £29, Debenhams, Swansea

6/24/2016 4:36:54 PM

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Woods Dental, 65 Walter Rd, Uplands, Swansea, SA1 4PT E: info@woodsdental.co.uk T: 01792 476 714 www.woodsdental.co.uk

6/23/2016 2:29:50 PM

SHORTLISTED IN HAIR CATEGORY

SHORTLISTED

SHORTLISTED IN BEAUTY CATEGORY

Sponsored by

To celebrate being shortlisted and to thank everyone who voted for us we are offering...

50% OFF CUT & BLOWDRY for all new clients

Also available for exisiting clients recommend a friend both recieve 50% off a cut & blow dry

To celebrate being shortlisted and to thank everyone who voted for us we are offering...

Shellac Nails HANDS & FEET £30 FOR BOTH

We stock every colour!

* Quote Swan Life valid until Aug 31st 2016 - T&C’s apply

458 Gower Road, Killay Swansea, SA2 7AL 01792 201414 www.isalonhair.com

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458 Gower Road, Killay Swansea, SA2 7AL 01792 202000 www.gorgeousnailsandbeauty.com

6/24/2016 2:22:08 PM

HAIR AND BEAUTY STARS IN WALES

A record number of nominations flooded in from across Wales, with the public voting for their favorites to be crowned the best, in the hair and beauty industry.

The glitzy awards ceremony held in Cardiff showed appreciation for those in the Hair and beauty industry that leave us looking and feeling fantastic; from salons to the talented individuals who work within them.

The Awards provided a platform to thank those in the hair & beauty industry, letting them know that their good work doesn’t go un-noticed.

Irfan Younis of event organisers Creative Oceanic commented “The hair & beauty industry holds a lot of talent which should be recognised and the Welsh Hair & Beauty Awards do just that. With fierce competition for all the finalists” With award categories being split into regions over the next few pages you can see a selection of winners and highly commended from the South West Region. With so many hair and Beauty salons to choose from it can be a difficult decision choosing where to go for that new hairstyle, all important treatment or new set of nails that’s why we’ve highlighted these awards this month. The salons featured have been recognized for their expertise in the industry and certainly are a cut above the rest!

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6/24/2016 4:12:03 PM

S TR A D E Y STRADEY PARK HOTEL HOTEL & & SPA SPA  H H H H

Relax your mind & body

SHORTLISTED

Sponsored by

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6/23/2016 2:16:50 PM

Welcome to the Parc Spa at Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli With experienced and highly trained therapists offering a wide range of beauty treatments and unique bathing rituals, within the peaceful treatment rooms and Hydrotherapy Suite with Vichy Shower, sauna and hot tub.

Our treatments range from body and facial massages, Reiki, hot stone massage, facial reflexology, Celtic mud wraps, manicures and Reiki. Experience a unique and relaxing spa ritual within the beautiful Coppertub room. Our therapists are also trained in Oncology massage.

Book an individual spa treatment, spa day or overnight spa break, a great gift idea. Gift vouchers are available via our website or hotel reception.

Create the perfect experience for your bridal shower with our bespoke spa treatments suitable for group bookings combined with great special offers on afternoon tea or a fine dining meal at our Samphires Restaurant.

For further information please contact our reservations team.

Everything you need to relax your mind and body, making you feel completely recharged and refreshed.

parc spa stradey park hotel

Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, SA15 4HA w: www.stradeyparkhotel.com t: 01554 758171 e: spa@stradeyparkhotel.com

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6/23/2016 2:16:57 PM

SHORTLISTED

Sponsored by

The only salon in Swansea to be shortlisted for the FOURTH year running…

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

OTHER AWARDS SWANSEA LIFE AWARD Winner 2013 SWANSEA LIFE AWARD runner up in 2014 & 2015 CHROMOGENEX - Centre of Excellence GOOD SALON GUIDE - 5* rating 2015 & 2016 PHOREST - 5* Customer Experience Awards 2015 & 2016 NATIONAL WELSH HAIR AND BEAUTY AWARDS (Best Tanning Salon) top 3 2016

Beauty Centre

Sun Lounge at the

for him & her

Family run business. Est. 2000

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Beauty Opening Times: Mon - 9am - 8pm | Tue - 9am - 8pm Wed - 9am - 8pm | Thu - 9am - 9pm | Fri - 9am - 9pm | Sat - 9am - 5pm Sunbed Opening Times: Monday - Friday 9am - 9pm | Saturday - 9am - 5pm

01792 775558

Rated five stars on the

Good Salon Guide

www.swanseasunlounge.co.uk

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

6/23/2016 11:49:19 AM

We specialise in only

Nails

ACRYLIC • GEL • MANICURES/PEDICURES

WE CAN CREATE ANY BESPOKE DESIGN ON NAILS. We offer acrylic design, where we can transfer any image on to your nails - we’ve even used real snakeskin!

We don’t offer any other treatments, we only focus on nails and are highly experienced & trained in all aspects of nails. We also only use the highest quality latest technology products.

So if you want a unique design for a special occasion or simply want advice on what nails will suit your lifestyle call in to see us.

Highly Commended Nail Technician of the Year GILLIAN HEARNE

Polished Nails 866 CARMARTHEN RD, FFORESTFACH, SWANSEA, SA5 8HR

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6/24/2016 9:15:21 AM

Advertisement Feature

cutting it...

WITH MULTIPLE AWARDS UNDER ITS BELT, THE HAIR LOUNGE IS CONSTANTLY LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, CREATING THE MOST COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR CLIENTS AND OFFERING THE VERY LATEST STYLING AND COLOURING TECHNIQUES. True to its name, the award winning Hair Lounge offers a very special hairdressing environment.

When you’re waiting for your colour to develop, you can relax in a stylish lounge with tub chairs, mood lighting, a TV, magazines, Wi-Fi and refreshments

PROUD WINNERS of the BEST HAIR Category

“The idea is that our customers can unwind in there instead of simply sitting at the styling station,” says owner Marc Isaac, who first introduced the lounge environment into his Fforestfach branch and is about to introduce a lounge in his Skewen branch too.

“It came about because customers told us they didn’t like having to sit there staring at themselves in the mirror for 45 minutes while the colour was on their hair.”

This innovative approach reflects

Marc’s commitment to making his salons the very best they can be.

“When we opened the first Hair Lounge in Fforestfach in October 2012 the aim was to create an enjoyable atmosphere for clients while keeping professional standards high,” he says.

Since then the business has gone from strength to strength, with the number of staff increasing from two to 15 and a second branch opening in Skewen in December 2015. The Hair Lounge’s success has been recognized with a number of

38 Ravenhill Rd, Swansea, SA5 5AW 01792 587444

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6/24/2016 11:53:25 AM

Introducing Sam…

awards and accolades, including winning the Swansea Salon Battle in 2014 and Best Hair Salon in Swansea in the 2015 Swansea Life Awards. Most recently, The Hair Lounge was shortlisted as the best salon in Swansea in the 2016 Welsh National Hair and Beauty Awards.

cutting techniques discovered from ongoing training.”

Marc himself has 14 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.

“We have some amazing things planned for the next couple of years”

While customer care is a key part of the salons’ success, Marc also ensures that his staff are up to date with the latest trends and styling techniques.

“Several members of our team have their colour masters with Wella, Aveda and Goldwell, and each team member goes on a minimum of four external courses per year,” he says. “The teams from both salons meet up on a regular basis to share knowledge on new colour formulas that they have made, along with new

Product-wise, his salons use Olaplex, L’Oreal, TiGi, Wella, Goldwell, Matrix and many more. “The reason we use so many brands is so that we can pick and use the best depending on the clients needs,” he says. “We are very customer focused and understand that clients’ needs differ. That’s how we manage to create such bespoke looks. I believe this really shows in our work and we always receive such great feedback from our clients, in

72 New Road, Skewen, SA10 6HE 01792 812858 Join us on Facebook

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person and on social media sites.”

With the business 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 salons,” he says.

U TO K YO WHO N A TH NE RYO OR US E V E ED F VOT

Proud SHORTLISTERS In the BEST HAIR Category at the 2016

©LW

4k likes

6/24/2016 11:53:31 AM

HAIR & BEAUTY

THIS MONTH

WE LOVE LAURA DAVIES rounds up some of her favourite products this month... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

OH BUZZ OFF! Whether you’re loyal to the razor or keep up with waxing appointments you’re bound to experience an ingrowing hair or two. Perfect Skin Concentrate can help solve this problem.

It can be used on the bikini line after hair removal to help prevent ingrown hairs, reduce hair regrowth, soothe and hydrate. SASS Perfect Skin Concentrate, £12, Boots, Swansea

SUN FOR THE FAMILY...

Buying enough sun cream to last the length of a holiday can be expensive, but the Solait Family Pack, represents excellent value for money.

Comprising three levels of SPF protection and a tube of aftersun, the four-pack will keep the whole family protected, £13.99, Superdrug, Swansea

@LawsDx

DISCOVER AN ITALIAN SKINCARE SECRET… Introducing Collistar Sublime Black Precious Serum which brightens and repairs with a Detox effect. Help activate your skin’s potential youth and radiance with Black Orchid extract, White Gardenia stem cells and brightening and revitalizing Black Pearl.

The product is a super-concentrated Black serum that melts onto the skin, visibly smoothing fine lines and imperfections to reveal a better skin, £51.36 for 30ml at Feelunique.com

Add effortless shine to cheekbones, eyes and body with this stunning textured shimmer compact.

Delicately swirl across the skin to help enhance your features with a radiant sun kissed shimmer. Bd Trade Secrets Dream Shimmer Highlighter, £7.99, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach, Llansamlet

HOLIDAY HAIR

For evenings out on holiday, this shine spray will keep your hairstyle looking fabulous all through the night. It contains algae, aloe, jojoba, henna and rosemary which also protects hair from heat damage. Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine Super Spray, £6.70 for 100ml, Paul Mitchell salons

GLOW BOOSTING No need to throw out your favourite moisturiser in place of a tanning product, these droplets can be added to your regular face cream. Two drops should be enough to build a subtle glow but you could add a further few drops if you are looking to build up some colour quickly.

LASHES OF POSITIVITY How make-up makes us feel is hard to quantify, but No7 has carried out a survey on its ever-popular Lash Impact Mascara and discovered that 81 per cent of women reported an increase in positive mood when they put it on, while 73 per cent said they felt more relaxed, and 72 per felt more adventurous. To celebrate these mood-boosting findings, the mascara’s had a bit of a makeover. Look out for the limited-edition gold sparkly packaging in Boots stores and online now!

Gradual Tan Glow Boosting Droplets Serum, £12.50, M&S, Swansea

BUY IT NOW! 84

It’s long been a make-up hero brand, now BareMinerals has branched out into skincare with the Skinsorials collection.

The star of the range is the Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion, £45, a groundbreaking serum packed with Long Life Herb, a mysterious ingredient harvested on Okinawa, the Japanese island where women live longer than almost anywhere else in the world. Apply before your moisturiser to infuse skin with the nutrient-rich, life-giving wonder herb. Bare Minerals at Debenhams, Swansea

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6/24/2016 3:55:54 PM

HAIR & BEAUTY

Get ready for the summer season with a tropical inspired, natural fruit and veggie beauty brand, Yes to, to give you beautiful, smooth and hydrated skin. The Yes to Coconut ultra Light Body Lotion Spray, £8.99, has made applying lotion so easy! This super snazzy formula contain Virgin Coconut and super light Jojoba Oils which penetrate the skin a way that only a few oils can.

For an extra boost of moisture, especially for those very dry areas such as hands, elbows and heels, try the Yes to Coconut Head-to-Toe Hydrating Balm, £10.99, which is a super hydrating balm, clinically proven to moisturise dry, cracked skin. Available from Boots, Swansea

BUY IT NOW!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WELEDA The Queen isn’t the only one celebrating her 90th this year, it’s also nine decades since the iconic Weleda Skin Food (£9.95; LookFantastic. com) was launched. If you’ve never tried this model and celeb favourite, you’re missing out.

The thick, balm-like moisturiser works wonders overnight, especially in summer for sun-parched skin.

HAIR MINTED When it comes to shampoo this Malin + Goetz peppermint shampoo is the top of my hair charts.

Not only does it smell great, but it is gentle and hydrating and effectively purifies and balances all hair and scalp types. Blended for frequent use without drying, stripping, irritation, or build-up. I discovered it in a swanky London hotel and after tracking it down I have been treating myself to it ever since. Malin + Goetz Peppermint Shampoo 16oz, £29, Space NK

GIVE YOUR HANDS A SWEET TREAT...

Washing your hands is about to get even sweeter, with the launch of Carex’s new Fun Edition Love Hearts Hand Wash in partnership with Swizzels.

Putting the fun into hand washing, the sweet scent will leave both big and little kids wanting to wash their hands again and again.

OUT THIS MONTH! Pixi by Petra Glow Tonic is loved by models and make-up artists for its exfoliating and brightening properties.

Now you can glow on the go with Glow Tonic To-Go pads, £20 for 60 pads, each soaked with the perfect dose of glycolicinfused liquid. (Available in July) M&S, Swansea or visit www.pixibeauty.co.uk

Carex Love Hearts Hand Wash will join Carex’s Fun Edition collection in summer 2016 – ready for you to ‘Pick & Mix’ with other variants, such as Strawberry Laces and Bubble Gum, £1.80, Asda and Tesco stores, Swansea and Llanelli

FIGHT FRIZZ Your hair can feel uncared for and frizzy after a holiday in the sun. This weather-resistant spray helps to eliminate frizz and controls static. Just run three to five pumps of the product through your hair after washing and before drying. Morrocanoil Frizz Control, £9.65 for 50ml, www.hairtrade.com

“VERDANT AND DELICATE” If there is one candle you NEED to have this summer it is this one — the Jo Malone Peony & Moss charity candle. A note of cassis its crisp over a floral heart of peony and the earthy warmth of moss.

For every candle sold 75 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to its charity garden projects nationwide.

Peony & Moss Charity Candle £44, Jo Malone Cardiff

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HOW GORGEOUS ARE THESE! Beauty, fashion, art, flowers...these are a few of our favourite things. Feel Unique has teamed up with fashion illustrator Meredith Wing (a.k.a. @moomooi) to create an exclusive capsule collection of covetable accessories for this summer.

It includes a dreamy i phone case, £10; chic Makeup Bag, £12, adorable Kabuki Brush £14; and pretty Travel Wallet with a compact mirror, £9. The @moomooi

by Feelunique Limited Edition Collection is exclusive to Feelunique.com 85

6/24/2016 3:56:37 PM

Caroline Petrinolis is the Managing Director of Gower Holistic Therapies with over 6 years’ experience in her field, Caroline mainly specialises in sports therapy massage and her clients include many high profile professionals.

Due to the success of the Swansea branch Caroline has recently opened up another therapy center in the prestigious area of Harley Street, London, where she travels every week to treat high profile clients. Whilst in London Caroline also practices in Spa Therapy, Lava Shell Massage & Lymphatic Manual Drainage Massage a treatment which can help clients with various types of illnesses, thus helping with the Lymphatic System in cancer patients.

If you interested in having a treatment with Caroline – you can contact her at her Swansea based clinic on 07743172375 where she would be more than happy to help you.

www.gowerholistictherapies.co.uk

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6/24/2016 11:50:51 AM

Health & wellbeing

FOOD BENEFITS (page 88) ASK DR. CHARLOTTE (page 90) POST-WORKOUT PROTEIN (page 94) WHY FISH IS GOOD FOR YOU! (page 95)

DefyTime Cosmetic Clinic & Medical Spa

HealthAndWellbeing.indd 1

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

6/22/2016 3:05:39 PM

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Food benefits

cactus juice With the Olympics in Rio just around the corner we can’t help but go a little tropical this month. Introducing the new kid on the block— Cactus Water—which is a popular drink in South America and Mexico. LAURA DAVIES looks at the reasons why you might want to swap your coconut water for the prickly fruit... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

Less nutty Unlike the coconut, with its sweet and nutty taste, it is slightly easier drinking with its light, berry taste which is easier on the palette.

Loaded with antiaging antioxidants While many plant waters are taken straight from the tree or fruit, cactus water is primarily derived from prickly pear concentrate and extract. The prickly pear cactus is the only fruit which contains all 24 known betalains or powerful antioxidants, such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which revitalize skin for a healthy glow and fight signs of aging.

@LawsDx

Naturally low in sugar and calories It has half the sugar and calories of many coconut water brands. Always a bonus!

Keeps you hydrated

mouth, dehydration and nausea and it’s all thanks to those potent betalains. Cheers everyone!

Improves Athletic performance

If we’re going to trust anything to help us stay moisturized, it’s a self-sustaining, water-storing cactus plant. The thirstquenching cactus extract will help lock in skin’s moisture to protect it from dryness.

It helps to quench free radicals and[reverse muscle tissue damage. On top of that, it has been shown to improve athletic performance by increasing the body’s ability to transport and utilize oxygen and the length of time before exhaustion sets in.

Has antiinflammatory benefits

Can help reduce cancers

Cactus juice is full of antioxidants and electrolytes and therefore reduces inflammation. Forget those puffy undereye bags, a bit of the prickly pear will work wonders.

Cures hangovers Anything that cures a hangover is always a must try! Apparently drinking cactus water before drinking alcohol can help reduce hangover symptoms. Forget dry

According to research, Cactus juice may help reduce risk for cancer. It may someday be used as a natural alternative to chemoprevention of cancer, in which chemical agents are used to ward off cancer among high-risk populations.

Chemical agents are expensive and have numerous undesirable side effects. Cactus juice may be a good alternative because it can inhibit cancer cell growth and slow tumour growth. Cactus works just as well as a synthetic retinoid that’s being used in chemoprevention trials.

88 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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“Cactus juice is full of antioxidants and electrolytes and therefore reduces inflammation.”

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6/23/2016 5:10:28 PM

ASK

DR. CHARLOTTE Swansea Life GP CHARLOTTE JONES offers helpful advice in her monthly column...

Those with green fingers have long known that gardening is good for you, physically and mentally.

And now it has been proven scientifically.

Researchers have found that smelling roses and pulling up weeds can lower blood pressure, increase brain activity and produce a general upbeat feeling.

Even just looking at a garden can give you a positive boost. The evidence is so compelling that the health factor has been given its own name - horticultural therapy - and is being used to treat hospital patients, plan cities and even to calm prisoners in jails.

only means exposing the skin to sunlight for around 20 minutes a day in the summer.

Flowers...

• Deadly nightshade / foxgloves Foxglove leaves contain a chemical called digoxin which is used in some heart conditions to control the heart rate.

It was very much in vogue a few years ago, and whilst still used quite regularly, there are some other newer medications that we do use instead of digoxin.

It is usually a safe drug but can cause problems if levels become too high and cause toxicity which can be dangerous.

Horticultural therapists say gardens produce the most positive effects on mental health.

They do this by providing a sense of control - the psychological counter to stress and anxiety. Gardens are also beneficial for stroke patients, those recovering from physical trauma or people with disabilities.

But there are still issues that remain.

So be aware and watch out for...

• It is important point is to avoid getting burnt to minimise risk of skin cancer and the commonest cause of sunburn is not using enough sun cream or even worse, not applying enough.

• General rule of thumb – apply a high enough sun factor cream, reapply it regularly and take particular care between 11am – 2pm.

• Remember in the sun consider sun hats, covering up (kaftans / rash vests) and drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated.

Gardening really can be healthy...

• If you do get sunburn then simple painkillers and soothing after sun cream should help most. If you feel unwell or have lots of blisters or swelling then contact NHS Direct Wales for advice.

• If you notice any changes to a mole or other skin lesion (in particular bleeding, irritation, irregular margin or pigmentation) then do see your doctorWe all need some UVB rays which help top up our Vitamin D. But this

Foreign bodies Skin

Usually thorns, splinters and other foreign bodies like glass can be easily removed with tweezers but if it becomes embedded then it can become infected.

If you can’t remove it then don’t just leave it - seek help from a Minor Injury Unit / Emergency Department.

Your own GP is unlikely to have all the right equipment and some foreign bodies may need an XRay to determine where they are.

The eye

Chemical splashes require emergency help and often require eye irrigation, antibiotic ointment and expert assessment – irrigating the eye can be difficult although most recommend trying boiled cooled water as it is ph neutral but I would advise contacting NHS Direct Wales or attending your local Emergency Department if this happens to ensure no damage to the eye.

Glass or metal foreign bodies again removal careful and expert assessment and removal if still in place – attend a local Emergency Department if this occurs.

Worms Picking up garden worms won’t cause you to pick up threadworms nor will a pet pass it on (unless the eggs are on the fur and you lick fingers after stroking the pet).

Threadworms in faeces is not uncommon especially in children and most c/o intense irritation around the bottom.

It is easily treated and treatments are available over the counter. But all household contacts need to be treated and strict hygiene measures can help eradicate the worms (i.e. boil washing bedding, using own towels, good hand hygiene etc) 90

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6/22/2016 12:11:23 PM

S UM M E R ‘S PA’ TIM E AT THE VA LE RESORT

The Vale Resort offer a ‘5 Bubble Spa’ experience that will not disappoint

SPA DAYS:

FACILITIES INCLUDE:

n

Euro Widows Spa Day £55*pp

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19 treatment rooms

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Wednesday Spa and Lunch £65*pp

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Three double suites

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Coconut Facial Spa Day from £59†pp

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Six relaxation zones

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Sunday Lunch and Spa £69*pp

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20m pool, sauna and steam room

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Sunshine Spa and Dine £55

n

FREE parking

* pp

For our full range of spa days and breaks visit www.vale-hotel.com/special-offers

01443 665888 | www.vale-hotel.com Hensol Park, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8JY *Terms & conditions apply. Subject to availability. †Sat & Sun supplement £10pp.

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Wales’ Leading Spa Resort

5/20/2016 2:08:51 PM

HEALTH & WELLBEING

A

P RO B L E M

S H A R E D

Swansea Life’s columnist and trained counsellor FIONA CAINE offers her perspective on family dramas, emotional issues and dysfunctional relationships.

I’M STRUGGLING TO ADJUST AFTER BREAK-UP I recently ended an 18-month relationship with my boyfriend.

We are both in our early thirties and it was the first serious relationship we’d both been in.

I had been experiencing negative feelings towards him for a few months beforehand and couldn’t work out in my head what the problem was.

I thought that it was me creating this negativity and sought help from a therapist to drill down to what was causing my anxiety.

The therapist quickly realised the anxieties were to do with my relationship; it frightened me that my romantic feelings for him had disappeared.

I felt at war with myself because I love him as a person and found it hard to distinguish between that and romance.

I thought I would feel some sort of relief by telling him that I couldn’t continue in the relationship, but I felt nothing even close to relief.

I saw first-hand what this news did to him, it turned his world upside down and mine too.

I’m finding it hard to forgive myself for causing him this pain, especially as he has been a complete gentleman and has accepted how I’m feeling and given me the space I asked for.

He knows I cannot return to the relationship and I’m finding it difficult to adjust.

He knew me better than anyone else in my life and it feels wrong that I’ve completely cut him out of my life when we were best friends.

N. O. A. FIONA SAYS: YOU NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT You involved a counsellor to try to work out what was wrong in your relationship and it might be best if you go back to the same person to help resolve this.

What puzzles me is that you say you love him, but no longer have romantic feelings for him.

Love is something strong and solid, but romantic love can be fleeting.

That’s not to say there can’t be romance in a

loving relationship, but it’s not the glue that holds it together - love is stronger than that.

It’s based on trust, friendship, compassion, understanding - a lot of the things you say exist here.

I think there is still a chance for this relationship and, if you trust your therapist, go back and talk.

Alternatively, contact Relate and speak to a counsellor there.

I can’t help, but wonder if you were anxious about your relationship precisely because it was becoming something deeper - because that can actually be quite scary.

WILL MARRIAGE STOP HIM CHEATING? When we first met, my boyfriend was married.

That was seven years ago and he finally got his divorce about four years ago.

I thought that would mean he’d marry me, but so far he hasn’t wanted to do so.

I found out last year that he’s been having affairs while we’ve been together, but he says these don’t mean anything and, as he always comes back to me, what am I worrying about?

Am I right to worry and do you think that if I tried to force him to marry me he’d settle down?

G. H. FIONA SAYS: HE NEEDS TO CHANGE Why do you think marrying you would make him any different?

He was married before and cheated on his wife to be with you.

Now he’s cheating on you and it may well be this immature, irresponsible behaviour is what caused his first marriage to break down.

Seven years is a lot of time to have invested in this relationship and it may be that, in his own strange way, this man loves you, but I think you already know this relationship is going nowhere.

If he wants your relationship together to work, he will have to change.

You might well find it hard to issue him with an ultimatum, but I think it has to be done.

For your relationship to stand a chance, he will need to agree to undergo counselling in order to understand and change his behaviour.

If he won’t or cannot change then, unless you want to end up really hurt and unhappy, I think you will have to give him up.

SHOULD I MEET MY EX’S NEW WIFE? My ex-husband and I divorced seven years ago and we’ve both remarried; me, four years ago and him, just last year.

He and our 15-year-old daughter still have a very good relationship and she likes his new wife too.

My problem is that I find it very hard to talk to her when arranging for my daughter to visit.

I don’t know why I feel so awkward as she is very pleasant on the phone.

Would it be a good idea, do you think, to arrange to meet her?

I don’t know if that would be odd, but it might put an end to these awkward phone calls.

B. R. FIONA SAYS: SUGGEST A MEETING Both you and your ex-husband have moved on with your lives and have new partners but, nonetheless, it doesn’t surprise me you feel awkward talking to her.

The most important person in this scenario is your daughter, so anything that makes relationships easier for her is a good thing.

There are all kinds of very good reasons why you might want to meet her - she is, after all, going to be looking after your daughter - so why not go ahead and suggest a meeting?

Your ex-husband might find this tricky, but if he has met your new husband, why should you not?

Next time you have to speak to her, why not suggest it and see how you get on - you may find you have more in common than you expect.

You can write to Fiona via Swansea Life or email her at help@askfiona.net All letters are treated in complete confidence. Fiona regrets that she cannot enter into personal correspondence or pass letters on to other readers.

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Find your way through cancer Come to Maggie’s Swansea Maggie’s is a place to find free practical help about benefits and eating well; a place where qualified experts offer emotional support; a place to meet other people or simply to sit quietly with a cup of tea.

We offer support for anyone with cancer at any stage, and their family and friends. Our Centre is in the grounds of Singleton Hospital, open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm and no referral is required – so just drop in.

Phone 01792 200000 www.maggiescentres.org/swansea

Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust (Maggie’s) is a registered charity, No. SC024414

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6/23/2016 11:50:12 AM

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Post-workout

protein pointers Confused by all this post-workout protein talk?

Time to 'whey' up the facts, says LAURA DAVIES... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

Protein’s no stranger to the nutritional spotlight, first hailed as a miracle weight-loss solution (thanks Atkins!), and now championed as the vital ingredient for reaping maximum muscle-tone rewards with our workouts.

Protein’s main links with fitness revolve around recovery and muscle repair/growth, and you don’t have to be a pro-athlete to benefit. Our bodies are constantly regenerating themselves, turning over the protein that makes up our skin, hair, lean muscles, bones and hormones. People who exercise regularly naturally have a higher turnover of protein, so to make the most of your training and maintain good health, slightly higher intake’s required .

Will I start looking bulky?

High-protein diets are often associated with bodybuilders, and some people - especially women - might be put off by the idea of getting bulky. This needn’t be a concern, plus you’d have to really “try” to achieve a bodybuilder physique!

Protein contributes to growth and maintenance of muscle mass, but women should associate protein with maintaining a lean physique, not bulking.

Women naturally have much less testosterone, which is a major factor in building up lean muscle tissue. Your body will also only adapt to the stresses you put it under, so unless you lift heavy weights in short sets, you won’t get bulky.

How important are the postworkout time frames for consuming protein?

You may have heard about the ‘training window’ after intense exercise or conditioning. This is a good time to take on protein, as your metabolism stays lifted for around 30 minutes after exercise. Microtears occur in muscles during intense exercise and taking in protein within this time-period can help accelerate muscle rebuild. It also supports the strengthening of other tissues, such as bones and tendons.

What if I’m trying to lose weight - won’t I be ‘undoing’ the hard work I’ve just done?

This is a common misconception, and it’s risky to skip eating post-exercise. Recovery is very important and it’s the one time where I advise you don’t cut calories, because that’s when your body really needs nutrients. If you’re trying to lose weight, rather than skipping your recovery intake,

look at how you can create a calorie deficit across the whole day: for instance, you could look at cutting 100 calories at breakfast, 100 at lunch and 100 at dinner, then you’ve created a 300-calorie deficit. A lot of people think, ‘I’ve done exercise and therefore if I don’t eat for a while I’m creating a good calorie deficit’, but if you want to get stronger, fitter and leaner, the recovery meal is not a good one to miss.

How do I know how much protein I need for recovery?

Firstly it depends how much, and what sort of exercise you’re doing, and what your goals are.

These are all going to impact your nutritional needs, protein included. While it is possible to get quite in-depth with calculations and planning, for those following demanding regimes, as a general guide. For post-exercise, we say about 20g the same as a palm-sized portion, and while consuming more than this (within reason) usually won’t harm you, it generally isn’t necessary.

So if I want to be fit and lean, I only need to think about eating protein after workouts?

No - while protein plays a specific role postworkout, it’s important as part of your overall diet too, and vital for far more than ensuring those muscles look good! Official guidelines suggest 50g a day for adults, and if you are training, you may be taking on more. Everybody has different needs; however the ideal level to support the rate of making new tissue is to have around 20-25g every three to four hours. This will help reduce muscle breakdown and facilitate muscle protein synthesis.

Super protein picks...

Neat Nutrition Lean Protein, £34, www.neat-nutrition.com

Neat Nutrition’s Lean formula delivers around 20g of protein per serving while also promoting weight loss, with ingredients like organic matcha green tea. A 1kg bag equals 33 servings: add it to smoothies or enjoy with water or milk. Available in chocolate, vanilla, ‘naked’ or berry flavour, this is one of the tastiest protein powders we’ve tried.

Etixx Recovery Shake, from £2.99, www.etixxsports.com

Designed for use straight after exercise, dissolved in water or milk, these sophisticated shakes contain 9g of whey protein isolate plus 11 vitamins and minerals and digestive enzymes, including vitamins B6 and B12 to aid in protein and glycogen metabolism and energy production, for all-round exercise recovery and nutritional replenishment.

Meridian Peanut Bar, £1.25 each, Holland & Barrett, Swansea If you prefer your protein hits in oldschool nut form, these 185-calorie 40g Meridian bars are veggie and vegan-friendly, contain 8g of protein and, vitally, are pretty darn delicious.

Getting fitter and leaner is my priority right now; does that mean protein should be my main dietary concern?

No again! It’s never wise to over-obsess about one food group, as it could mean your overall diet and health suffer. Fitness media portray protein as the number one nutrient for health - which means some people may neglect or even completely leave out other nutrients,” notes Munson. “For example, fat’s important for the absorption of vitamins A, D and E. If you fully restricted fat, you’d eventually become deficient in these, which can have a drastic effect on health.

Aussie Bodies Mini ProteinFX Bar, £1.49, Boots, Swansea Bestselling Australian brand Aussie Bodies recently launched these sweet little bars in the UK. With flavours including Salted Caramel, Rocky Road and Toffee Crisp, all 93-99 calories each with around 8-9g of protein, a 30g bar makes a tasty, guilt-free treat.

94 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

MAKE A SPLASH IN YOUR HEALTHY EATING WITH DELICIOUS FISH...

We all know fish and seafood can be good for us, but which ones should we be eating and why? From brain boosts to staving off depression, LAURA DAVIES scales through the ocean’s superfoods...

SALMON Often hailed as one of the healthiest foods in the world, salmon boasts endless vitalityboosting benefits.

Firstly, it’s a good source of lean protein, which helps keep you feeling full for longer, supports muscle growth and repair and boosts metabolism, making it great for helping maintain a healthy weight.

Secondly, it’s packed full of nutrients, like omega 3 fatty acid - known, among other things, to promote heart and brain health and iron, calcium and selenium, which has antioxidant properties, meaning it could help protect against certain cancers and support healthy immune function. A super-strong all-rounder.

SARDINES, MACKEREL, RAINBOW TROUT Oily fish can be a cost-effective way of giving your diet a mega-healthy boost. Varieties like sardines and mackerel are among the best sources of omega 3 you’ll find, and there’s substantial scientific evidence that including them in your diet can play a significant role in reducing risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as dementia.

They’re also a good source of vitamin D, essential for helping the body absorb calcium, to keep bones and teeth healthy, and something many Brits are lacking, particularly

during winter with the lack of sunlight, possibly resulting in low mood, depression and fatigue.

COD, PLAICE, HADDOCK White fish doesn’t quite measure up to oily fish in the nutrition stakes, though it does still contain some omega 3, and can be a good source of selenium, B vitamins - which play a key role in a range of vital functions, including energy production, cell metabolism, immune function and skin health - plus iodine, important for thyroid function.

The best thing is that it’s a very good example of a lean, low-fat source of protein, which can help avoid weight gain

OYSTERS As well as being famed for their aphrodisiacal properties they are also one of the best sources of zinc.

This important mineral plays a range of roles, as more than 300 different enzymes rely on zinc to function properly, including energy and cell metabolism, skin and eye health, and organ, immune and digestive function.

It’s also believed that zinc deficiency can impact how our brain and body responds to stress.

PRAWNS Low in fat and calories, but high in protein, prawns are a great dietary addition for maintaining a healthy weight. It’s also worth mentioning their calcium and potassium contents - helpful for bones, teeth and brain, heart and nerve function - plus vitamins A and E, which play a role in keeping eyes and skin healthy and supporting immune function.

MUSSELS These tasty little morsels are another protein, selenium, iron and omega 3 source. They’re also one of the top natural sources of vitamin B12.

It’s believed that a significant amount of us could be lacking in this complex vitamin, possibly resulting in fatigue, anaemia and low mood and depression, while for some people, a major deficiency (which isn’t always just linked to diet but could, for example, be due to an autoimmune condition called pernicious anaemia) could lead to serious long-term complications, affecting heart health, fertility and nervous system function. *Official guidelines advise eating at least one or two portions of oily fish a week but no more than four (or no more than two for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or hoping to get pregnant in the near future). www.swansealife.co.uk | 95

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EXTENSIVE MENUOF HOME COOKED MEALS

NEW MENU OUT NOW!

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BEER GARDEN & CAR PARK CHILDREN WELCOME

Jersey Road, Swansea Enterprise Park • Tel: 01792 798340 Untitled-5 1

6/24/2016 12:12:32 PM

Food & drink

QUAY 3 (page 98) RECIPES WITH BETH ROSE (page 102) THE HUMBLE POTATO (page 106) VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS (page 112)

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

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enquiries@nortonhousehotel.co.uk Nortonhousemumbles @nortonhousemumb

6/22/2016 3:02:59 PM

FOOD & DRINK

QUAY 3 Where can you go that not only serves up great lunch and dinner but also now, a very nice line in afternoon teas?

PETER SLEE has been finding out...

You can tell a great deal about any meal out ahead simply by gauging the atmosphere at other tables when you walk through an eaterie’s doors.

If there’s a sombre atmosphere of quiet bewilderment, as diners chase chunks of raw carrot with cocktail sticks around a plate, well, alarm bells will probably ring.

If, alternatively, there’s honking, gossiping and a general clattering of glasses it doesn’t necessarily mean the food is exemplary, but it’s certainly getting the job done. Quay 3 fell into the latter category in terms of atmosphere the night we called in.

Plus, the food turned out to be spot on too which always helps!

We had popped into the place for a quick snoop on a walk through her area with visiting friends. The sun was shining and some fancy outdoor furniture had people eating on its terrace.

Yes, let’s give it a go, we decided.

To one side, a group of a dozen or so girlie friends seemingly having a great time in the new’ish afternoon tea party lounge this place has recently launched in partnership with renowned bakery, Raspberry Cakery. It was the good vibes coming from here as they dived into chunky slices of rainbow cake and handmade sandwiches served on a string of mini wooden benches that made us want to stay.

So we took one look at the main restaurant menu and ended up ordering ferociously, eventually eating until we had to surrender.

Firstly, popcorn shrimp with a fresh and nicely fiery chilli jam (£5.75) and a Quay 3 Scotch egg served with a mustard sauce Then Quay 3 fish and chips (£11.95) with mushy peas and a tartare sauce, especially pleasing as it treats the fish so seriously.

Across the table, a herb crust pink-hued rack of lamb (£16.95) with a meaty jus, spring vegetables and dauphinoise potato. This was memorably good.

Desserts were just as impressive. And yes, Quay 3 is also good for pudding lovers. A wobbly, refreshing old fashioned, baked rice pudding is served with toasted coconut, while a slice of intense, outrageously delicious raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake is our favourite.

Quay 3 now offers the best of both worlds, a sophisticated restaurant serving lunch and dinner and an all-day coffee shop serving delicious afternoon tea’s, a casual deli menu, a selection of coffees and quirky cocktails in a stunning waterside venue.

It’s fresh, modern and exactly what this area of the marina needs.

Exciting food with tea and cake to match should you want it: perfect!

Quay 3 Trawler Rd Swansea SA1 1LB

98 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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“Quay 3 now offers the best of both worlds, in a stunning waterside venue.”

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6/22/2016 2:13:08 PM

FOOD & DRINK

ALL-IN-ONE Russell Hobbs Purifry Multicook 21840, £199.99, from www.russellhobbs.com Quick to heat up, this is perhaps the fanciest-looking and most high-tech of air fryers. The Russell Hobbs model creates healthy food with that fry-like-crunch you’re after. It’s simple to use, just choose the function you want, whether that’s grilling, baking, roasting or air frying, and use the corresponding rack, tray or basket required.

Set the temperature and timer and leave it to work its magic. The front of the 21840 has a few food icons with temperatures, but the corresponding instruction manual has a comprehensive guide for all sorts of dishes, from schnitzel to Scotch eggs.

HEALTHY DOES IT Breville Halo Plus VDF105 Fryer, £99, from www.ao.com

OF THE

Competitively priced, this multi-use kitchen accessory lets you saute, fry, bake and roast, and comes with a healthy 1.25kg of storage. The main benefit of this model is that, while you can cook food at a horizontal level - for example when grilling fish, you can also tilt the device (by moving the knob on the right of the machine) to fry. And why would you want t do that? Well, say you’re frying chips, as the circular bowl rotates around, because it’s at an angle, the chips will move too from top to bottom, giving an even fry rather than just cooking those on the top or bottom.

5

CLEANS UP TEFAL GH806115 ActiFry Plus Fryer, £109.99, Currys, Parc Morfa This model proves why Tefal really is the market leader when it comes to air fryers. Reasonably priced, it’s simple to operate, holds 1.2kg of food at a time and fries with just one spoonful of oil. It doesn’t stop at chips though - use it as a multi-cooker and prepare everything from risotto to stir-fries and curries too.

The stirring paddle keeps things moving for an even cook, while the lid is steam free so you can keep an eye on your food as it sizzles away. On top of that, it’s easy to clean - what more could you want?!

BEST (gadgets to fry food)

From the cute to the kooky, these gadgets, spotted by us here at Swansea Life in recent weeks, promise to bring a little whimsy to your kitchen.

PETER SLEE reports... peter.slee@swwmedia.co.uk

CHEAP AND CHEERFUL Simple Value Deep Fat Fryer, £13.99, Argos, Swansea

SMART BY NAME Sage By Heston Blumenthal The Smart Fryer BDF500UK Fryer - Brushed Steel, £117, from www.ao.com If you’re keeping your fryer on the kitchen counter, you want it to look sleek and stylish, and that’s exactly what you get with this stainlesssteel model. Appearances aren’t everything though and this model is just as brilliant on the inside as it is on the out. There are seven pre-set functions; twice fried chips, chips, fish, nuggets, calamari, doughnuts and custom (for everything else) and you can choose between fresh and frozen produce too.

To choose your desired option, just turn the chunky dial on the right and the back-lit LCD screen will spring into life showing the options you’re scrolling through. Once the oil’s at the right temperature (it comes with an electronic thermostat), put your food in, stick the lid on and set the timer - once your food is cooked it will beep. The food capacity is 1.2kg and there’s enough room for 4 litres of oil.

If you’re after a deep fat fryer for only occasional use, and need it to just do the basics well, there’s no need to spend a lot. For just £13.99, you can nab this great value fryer which works a treat.

The food capacity is 0.5kg (with 1.5l oil) that’s plenty if you’re cooking for two. Set it to the correct temperature, then once it’s reached the required heat, just put the food in the tray and lower into the oil. Stick the lid on the top and get frying! There’s a reassuring safety cut-out feature and it cooks your food quickly.

Considering the price, you’ll struggle to beat this.

100 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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6/23/2016 11:51:22 AM

FOOD & DRINK

Rosé on the rise PETER SLEE thinks pink and recommends some ravishing rosés for summer....

We all love to drink with our eyes and a glass of pale salmon-pink to celebrate anything a bit special is proving more popular than ever before. Along with the hordes of summer swillers who reach for rose on hot, sunny days, the launch of celebrity rosé from the likes of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and cult roses such as Whispering Angel, have helped spur the rosé boom.

Sainsbury’s sells more than 15 million bottles of rosé a year, and it now accounts for one in 10 of all still wines sold, with 33% of shoppers surveyed saying they would drink it throughout the year. The Brits still have a long way to go before catching up with France where rosé outsells white wine, but Sainsbury’s now offers a range of 55 still rose wines from around the world, with Nectar data showing a 12.4% increase in sales from July 2014 to July 2015... our favourite month to imbibe a Riviera lifestyle.

Marks & Spencer have an equally delicious own label Provencal pink in the curvaceous shape of Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé 2015, France (£8.50, Marks & Spencer, Swansea and Parc Trostre). Fresh, dry and fruity, with red berry aromas, refined flavours of strawberries and white fruit with a delicate and lively finish.

If you’re in the mood to double the pleasure, M&S are stocking Miravel Rosé 2015, Cotes de Provence (£38, 150cl, M&S, Swansea in magnum form - worth getting your hands on before it sells out. Especially if you haven’t tasted the JoliePitt’s rosé yet, which is silky and elegant with summer berries, ripe tangerine and herb flavours that show some power on the long, luxurious finish.

A pretty pale pink, La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2015, Southern Rhone, France (£6.99, The Co-operative, Swansea Marina) is also made by the Perrin family of winemakers who produce Miravel.

Beautiful and bright, it has subtle notes of wild strawberries and citrus notes with raspberry and dried cherry fruits and an appealing tangy finish.

Mumbles BBC Masterchef semi-finalist Beth Rose shares her recipes with Swansea Life...

Indian spiced carrot cake with orange condensed milk glaze...

This foolproof carrot cake has taken many forms in my kitchen (usually depending on what dried fruit and nuts I have in my cupboards) but this version is particularly special as it contains my favourite spice, cardamom.

It has a bold, aromatic taste that works really well with sweet carrots and orange zest. If you can’t get hold of cardamom powder, you can use ground cinnamon or allspice instead.

Condensed milk gives a lovely shine and gooey texture to the icing, which trickles beautifully down the sides of the cake. A perfect winter treat with a cup of tea.

Ingredients For the cake • 225g soft light brown sugar • 225ml groundnut oil • 3 eggs • 225g wholemeal flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 50g walnuts, roughly chopped • 50g flaked almonds • 1 ½ tsp cardamom powder • 225g carrot, coarsely grated • 115g sultanas • 50g pistachios, roughly chopped

For the condensed milk icing • 250g icing sugar • 100ml condensed milk • the zest from 1 orange (reserve 1 tsp for garnish)

Method Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C. Beat together the sugar, oil and eggs in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

Add the flour, baking powder and cardamom and mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated with no lumps. Next fold in the carrots, sultanas and nuts.

Pour your mixture into a 18cm square non-stick cake tin and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for around 45 minutes, or until a cocktail stick comes out clear.

Once cooked, turn the cake onto a rack and leave until cold.

While the cake is cooling, make the icing. Add the condensed milk to a mixing bowl and sieve in half the icing sugar.

Whisk until there are no lumps.

Sieve in the remaining icing sugar and mix again using a wooden spoon until the icing is smooth.

Once the cake has completely cooled pour the icing into the middle of the cake and carefully spread towards the edges using a spatula.

Sprinkle over the reserved orange zest and chopped pistachios.

Carefully cut the cake into 9 equal squares and enjoy.

Keeps in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

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Coffee

Burgers

Pasta

Pizza

Ice Cream

The Heart of The Seafront

Family

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 spectacular setting with the warmest of welcomes. Join us for a relaxing experience overlooking our magnificent Aberavon beach. Take away food & drinks now available - open Monday-Sunday 9am-9pm.

01639 882121 • www.caferemos.com Untitled-6 1

6/24/2016 3:20:06 PM

EatOut

your guide to the best places to dine.

Quadrant Coffee House Victorian Tea Room Enjoy a little nostalgia and try our Afternoon High Tea, served upstairs in our first floor dining area or downstairs if you prefer.

Gift vouchers available

This afternoon treat is ideal for celebrating a birthday, anniversary or any special moment, but who needs an excuse to endulge in a little self pampering and nostalgia? NOTE: To avoid disappointment, why not reserve a table? - Ask any of our waitress staff - they will be only to pleased to help!

Go on treat yourself... We serve Afternoon Tea every day in our Victorian Tea Room Freshly Prepared... Mixed Sandwiches, Mini Tartlets, Savoury Pastries Petit Fours and great cake selection.

QUADRANT GATE | 23 Nelson Street | Swansea | SA1 3QE t: 01792 463757 w: www.quadrantcoffeehouse.co.uk

The Smiths Arms Family friendly pub serving food daily.

Sunday carvery £6.45 • 12 - 4pm Free function room for parties up to 60 people with free entertainment.

Serving food daily. Open Mon-Wed 12-3pm, 5-8pm, Thurs & Fri 12-8pm, Sat 11.30-6pm

THE SMITH ARMS | 51-52 Neath Road | Hafod Swansea | SA1 2HR | Telephone: 01792 466776

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Call

01792 545581

to advertise in next month’s feature.

The Riverside in Gorseinon TRIP ADVISOR AWARD of EXCELLENCE “For the best home cooked Sunday lunches for miles” Says Amy Belgrave • 10% Off OAP. • Freshly made deserts to die for!

• £5 OPTION MENU AVAILABLE

Tel: 01792 896037

Visit our website for a virtual tour before booking!

THE RIVERSIDE INN GORSEINON GRILL HOUSE & RESTAURANT 1 High Street | Gorseinon | Swansea | SA4 4BX (opp ATS Tyres)

t: 01792 896037 w: www.riversideinngorseinon.co.uk

Forte’s Ice Cream Parlour New bistro menu for Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings 6pm-9pm for June, July & August Visit us on Facebook

FORTE’S ICE CREAM PARLOUR Limeslade Bay | Mumbles | Swansea | SA3 4JT Telephone: 01792 368863

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FOOD & DRINK

‘I’m a big believer in seasonality’ Jersey Royals are back in season - and Jimmy Doherty couldn’t be happier. The TV host and food fan tells GEMMA DUNN why this humble root veggie deserves to be star of the show...

H

e might be known for his rare-breed pigs, but entomologist-turned-farmer Jimmy Doherty’s latest initiative lets their veggie sidekick - the humble potato - do the talking.

“The Jersey Royal is an iconic food item and something we should celebrate,” the 40-year-old enthuses of his collaboration with the seasonal spud. “If the Italians or French had this, they would be going on about it all the time.”

Since taking on a 100-acre farm more than 10 years ago, which was famously documented in BBC Two series Jimmy’s Farm, Doherty has made a name for himself in the world of TV, appearing in shows including Food Unwrapped and Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, with childhood friend Jamie Oliver. Add to that three books and a number of free-range food products, and it stands to reason that he’s the ideal patron to champion the unique Jersey crop - or as he dubs it, “the Champagne of potatoes” with their nutty flavour, creamy consistency and flaky skins.

“As a kid, having Jersey Royals with your spring lamb was pretty important,” he muses.“I’m a big believer in seasonality.”

“We forget potatoes are full of vitamin C, antioxidants and fibre, and we’re moving to other carbohydrates like rice and pasta,” he says. “We should go back to eating lots of potatoes.

“It’s about portion control, that’s all,” he adds, in response to any spud critics, and the father-of-three certainly practises what he preaches at home.

“The simplest way [to serve Jersey Royals] is freshly dug with butter, but I use them for my kids all the time as mini roast potatoes. Rather than peeling and chopping, I just put them straight in the roaster and they love them.”

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Jersey royal potato spring vegetable frittata (serves 4-6) For the frittata: • 300g Jersey Royal new potatoes • 100g Fresh peas, podded or frozen • 100g broad beans, podded and shelled or frozen • 6 large free range eggs • 3tbsp mint, roughly chopped • 1tbsp olive oil • 4 salad onions, thinly sliced • 4 baby courgettes, sliced in half lengthways • 1 garlic clove, crushed • 100g feta, crumbled • Sea salt • Coarsely ground black pepper

For the pea shoot and mint salad: • 40g fresh pea shoots • 40g fresh rocket leaves • 1 small bunch of torn mint leaves • 1tbsp extra virgin olive oil • Squeeze lemon juice • Sea Salt • Ground black pepper

Method: To make the frittata, cook the Jersey Royals in a pan of water for 12-15 minutes, until tender. Drain and, when cool, slice thinly.

Cook the peas and broad beans in boiling water for two minutes (or four to five if from frozen) then drain and refresh under cold water.

Whisk the eggs in a medium bowl with the mint, salt and pepper.

Heat the oil in a 24cm non-stick frying pan. Add the courgettes cook for one to two minutes then add the potatoes, onions and garlic, cook for three to four minutes, until beginning brown.

Stir in the peas and broad beans, keeping 10g of each for the salad.

Preheat the grill. Pour the whisked egg over the vegetables and crumble over the feta, keeping 20g of feta for the salad.

Cook over a gentle heat for 10-12 minutes until almost set. Transfer the pan to the grill and cook for three to five minutes until the top is golden and cooked through.

Place a plate or board over the top of the pan so that the frittata falls onto the plate. Slice into wedges and serve with the salad.

Pea shoot and mint salad: Wash the pea shoots and rocket, dry well, and tear into bite sized pieces if necessary, add to a medium bowl with the mint, reserved peas, broad beans and feta.

Drizzle the leaves with the oil and a squeeze of lemon juice, seasoning with a little salt and pepper.

Mix leaves and dressing together and serve with the frittata.

Sausage and jersey royal bake (serves 4) • 600g Jersey Royal new potatoes, scrubbed (not peeled) and cut in half lengthways • 8 large herb sausages • 2tbsp olive oil • 1 medium red onion, peeled and cut into 8 wedges • 1/2 red pepper, deseeded and cut into quarters • 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into quarters • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 10 large sage leaves, roughly chopped • 200g cherry tomatoes • 150g asparagus • 2tbsp balsamic vinegar • Sea salt • Coarsely ground black pepper

• Crusty bread and mustard to serve

slightly caramelised around the edges, stir occasionally.

Method:

Scatter over the tomatoes and asparagus, mix well and roast for a further 10 minutes until the sausages are golden and cooked through.

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan.

Cook the Jersey Royals in a medium pan of salted water for eight to 10 minutes until just tender.

Serve hot with crusty bread and mustard.

Add the sausages to a large roasting tin with two tablespoons of olive oil and roast for 10 minutes.

Drain the Jersey Royals, and add to the roasting tin with the remaining ingredients, excluding the tomatoes and asparagus.

Mix together and roast for 25 minutes until vegetables are

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PERFECT SPOT TO WATCH THE AIRSHOW. Book now to avoid disappointment

SPECIAL OFFER

Lunch time menu £9.95 Available every day 12 - 3pm

EVENING MENU

Mon - Thurs 6 - 9.45pm 2 Courses £13.99 3 Course meal £16.99 Specials board available includes catch of the day fresh fish and home made ravioli

Lunch & evening menus - check out our specials board.

Also, choose from the individually priced a la carte menu.

A La Carte Restaurant Open everyday 12noon - 9.45pm (last orders) Serving delicious lunchtime and evening a la carte menus and daily specials

Gallini’s Brasserie

TRADITIONAL ITALIAN & FISH DISHES A SPECIALITY Convenient nearby parking available after 6pm Tel: 01792 456285 • Fax: 01792 467795 Unit 3, Fishmarket Quay, Maritime Quarter, Swansea SA1 1UP

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SPECIAL OFFER Lunch time £3.99 served between 12 - 3pm

EVENING MENU Served Monday - Saturday 6pm - 9.45pm 2 Courses £9.99 Special menu available

STEAK NIGHT

Every Wednesday 6pm - 9.45pm With every 2 meals get a complementary bottle of wine

Experience Contemporary Fine Dining influenced by Mediterranean, Italian, Greek, Turkish and French cuisines

28 Windsor Road, Neath SA11 1LU For reservations and enquiries, please call: 01639 643741 www.lamemobrasserie.co.uk/Neath

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TASTING NOTES Williams Chase Rose 2015, 750ml 13% - £12.95 A crisp, fresh and fruity rosé, boasting delicious notes of white peach and grapefruit, with subtle aromas of Provence, drawn together with a lovely fresh finish.

Martinez Lacuesta Rioja Reserva 2006, 750ml 14% - £12.95 A deliciously smooth reserva from a very fine vintage in Rioja. The rich and intense palate shows sweet redberry fruits, hints of herbs and a touch of vanilla on the finish.

Hitachino Nest Japanese Classic Ale, 330ml 7.5% - £2.95 Hitachino Japanese Classic Ale is brewed following the original India Pale Ale brought to Japan in the 19th century. It is slowly matured in Cedar casks which are commonly used Japanese sake.

Summer BBQ Suggestions!

It’s that time of year again when the rain gets warmer - just another summer in Swansea.

So it’s time to find comfort in the shape of a bottle of wine; red, white, pink or sparkling.

Maybe even a craft ale to accompany your BBQ delights!

You could fool yourself into believing that that the weather calls for a nice rosé to fit the bill; if that’s the case, I suggest the William Chase rosé, from the gorgeous climate of Provence – crisp, fresh and fruity, boasting notes of peach and grapefruit.

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

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If you prefer to indulge yourself in the warm comforts of a rich Rioja, I suggest a great Reserva – specifically Martinez Lacuesta 2006, deliciously smooth and a very fine vintage. Martinez Lacuesta was established in the heart of Rioja and is one of the most respected names of the region, producing high quality wines at such a reasonable price.

There was a time when Chardonnay was the drink for white wine lovers. However, time has moved on - and so has the new grape varieties coming to the fore. One to try would be the Viognier grape, and one I can recommend is an Aussie called “The Last Ditch”; soft and smooth with delicate fruit flavours, one of the d’Arenberg range, and the labels make good reading too!

Lest we forget the beer drinkers - you’re in for a treat as we boast beers and lagers from as far away as Japan and America – not forgetting many European countries - with flavours and strengths to interest any hardened beer drinker. Try our range from Japan made by the Hitachino Nest Brewery, superb full flavoured beers, ABV not for the faint hearted!

Swansea may not have the best weather in the world, but I think that we more than make up for it in the fine art of recreational beverages!

6/24/2016 2:28:08 PM

Seafood bistro

Weddings and Functions

Large selection of seafood and entrées available.

Lunch

Monday-Saturday 12-2.30pm 2 courses £12.95 3 courses £15.95

Late availability offers for 2016

Sundays lunches

All inclusive wedding packages

Early Bird

Sunday 12-2.30pm 2 courses £14.95 3 courses £16.95

Our refurbished and extended venue completed November 2016

Monday-Sunday 5-7pm 2 courses £14.95 3 courses £17.95

Call now for

available daily advanced bookings required

more info on our future events.

Norton Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 5TQ

@ enquiries@nortonhousehotel.co.uk

A la carte

Monday-Sunday 5-9pm

Afternoon teas

Our Garden room is available for all events and functions ideal for all family celebrations and weddings  01792 404 891 

www.nortonhousehotel.co.uk

/Nortonhousemumbles &

@nortonhousemumb ©LW

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FOOD & DRINK

WHY GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK...

Govinda’s Vegetarian and Vegan Cafe Where: 8 Cradock Street, Swansea SA1 3EN When: Monday to Saturday, noon - 6pm Contact: 01792 468469 What’s on offer?

Possibly the city’s most wellknown vegetarian and vegan cafe, Govinda’s is a must offering main meals, snacks, and deserts to eat-in or take away.

The main courses include the Govinda’s Special, which proves that “being a vegetarian doesn’t mean surviving off carrot sticks.”

One reviewer on Happy Cow says: “The food is delicious and the people there are really lovely.”

Crumbs Kitchen

The Kitchen Table

Where: 2 Gwydr Square, Uplands SA2 0HD

Where: 626 Mumbles Rd, Swansea, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EA

When: Monday 9am-5pm, Tuesday 9am-5pm, Wednesday 9am-5pm, Thursday 9am-5pm Friday 9am5pm, Saturday 9am-5pm Contact: 01792 456258 What’s on offer?

Established in 2013 with a sister cafe in Cardiff, the family run vegetarian and vegan specialists’ offers a healthy and tasty range of food and drink with lots of homemade goodies on offer, including salads, curries and desserts.

A five-star Facebook review recommends: “The chickpea pie is soooo nourishing, the juices revivifying, and the vegan cakes mouth-wateringly delicious!”

When: Monday to Sunday, 9.30am - 4pm Contact: 01792 367616 What’s on offer?

A wonderfully quaint cafemeets-restaurant with a focus on locally-sourced food and drink, The Kitchen Table offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

And while they serve alcohol, they also have a BYO policy and do not charge corkage.

As one Google reviewer wrote: “Try the gluten free raw chocolate torte or the gluten free chocolate brownie. Delicious!”

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FOOD & DRINK

Don’t fancy rustling up nother butternut squash or mushroom risotto at home? Then look no further than our guide to some of Swansea’s best restaurants for those who’d rather leave out the meat and the fish. One or two are exclusively vegetarian while many more are not but do offer an excellent range of vegetarian dishes. MARK REES takes a look at some of the best in town...

Cafe Ninety Three

Mediterranean Restaurant

Where: 93 Newton Rd, Mumbles SA3 5TW

Where: 640 Mumbles Rd, The Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EA

When: Monday, 9am - 5pm; Tuesday, 9am - 8pm; Wednesday - Saturday, 9am until late (last orders 8.30pm)

When: Monday to Thursday, 5pm–11pm; Friday and Saturday, noon– 11pm; Sunday, 3pm–11pm

Contact: 01792 368793 What’s on offer?

Cafe Ninety Three is a cafe pizzeria on Newton Road in the heart of Mumbles.

With a range of veggie options, it is the home of Greta’s tasty vegetarian burgers and Naturally Kind Food’s vegan cakes.

One review on TripAdvisor says: “I’m never disappointed in this wonderful find. Relaxing place to sit and excellent fresh food made to order. Friendly staff.”

Contact: 01792 363666 What’s on offer?

The Mediterranean Restaurant is a Turkish restaurant on the Mumbles seafront that caters for vegetarians and vegans with a range of food options, including veggie and vegan kebabs.

“We were a mixed group which included two vegetarians,” writes a reviewer on TripAdvisor.

“It was a lovely evening and would recommended it to anyone who enjoys or would like to try Turkish cuisine cooked to a high standard.”

Urban Zen Yoga Studio and Wholefood Cafe Where: 2 Little Gam Street, Swansea SA1 3HY When: Monday, 11am–4pm, Tuesday, 11am-5pm; Wednesday to Friday, 11am-4pm; Saturday, 10am-4pm; Sunday, 10am-2.30pm Contact: 01792 514439 What’s on offer?

A yoga studio with holistic therapies and its own vegan restaurant all under one roof, Urban Zen is a little slice of tranquillity in the heart of Swansea which looks to nourish the body as well as the mind.

“A relaxed atmosphere with delicious nourishing foods, teas and coffees,” says one Google review. www.swansealife.co.uk | 113

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CompeTITIVe RaTeS pRoFeSSIonal SeRVICe

manoR paRk

GReaT FaCIlITIeS STReSS FRee

COUNTRY HOUSE LIMITED

The pRemIeR eVenTS Venue weddInGS • enGaGemenTS ChRISTenInGS • annIVeRSaRy CoRpoRaTe eVenTS • FuneRalS

ouTSTandInG Sunday CaRVeRy COME SEE WHAT MAKES OUR CARVERY THE ORIGINAL AND BEST IN THE AREA FamIly FRIendly wITh ample FRee paRkInG ChoICe oF loCally SouRCed meaTS and VeGeTaRIan opTIonS. dISabled FRIendly Venue ClydaCh, SwanSea, Sa6 5nR • Tel: 01792 846999 • www.manoRpaRkCounTRyhouSe.Co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

Three Best! of the

B A R B EC U E

M A R I N A D ES

Home cooking with Sian Day ...owner of the catering business The Vintage Tea Company in Penllergaer.

French's Kansas City Classic BBQ Sauce, £2.29 for 396g, Tesco, Llansamlet If you want authentic American, French's BBQ range - made with a thick, rich tomato paste - is ideal for the 'low and slow' trend. Think pulled pork, ribs and brisket and choose from the Kansas City Classic, Mississippi Sweet & Smoky or Louisiana Hot & Spicy.

Newman’s Own Sticky BBQ Sauce, £1.99 for 250ml Morrisons, Parc Morfa and Neath Made with treacle, cider vinegar and honey, this sweet and smoky sauce is barbecue at it’s best.

Marinate meat before cooking and enjoy!

Spanish omelette with Sangria...

Having just got home from Spain this recipe is an easy take on one of their classic staple meals.

It’s inspired by my Spanish friend Antonio who’s 92 this year and In very good health which is down to his Mediterranean diet, rich in fish, fruits and good old olive oil that they seem to eat at every meal.

Its protein base is great for those “clean eating”. Best of all, this is an omelette which is just as nice served cold as it is hot - and excellent therefore for taking on a picnic, where you can cut it up into wedges.

Serve it with a crisp fresh salad and some crusty bread drizzled with olive oil.

OMELETTE...

You will need:

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Barbecue Glaze, £1.99 for 275g, Tesco, Swansea Jack Daniel’s range of six BBQ sauces add an instant boost to any meal, and if used as a marinade, keep meat moist while cooking. This option, made with real Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, is boozy and delicious, combining spice and sweetness to a tee.

• 150 mls olive oil • 1 large potato, thick sliced • 1 onion • Half a cloveof garlic • Six eggs • A bunch of fresh parsley • Salt & pepper Heat a heavy based pan and pour in the olive oil adding the onion and

potato and garlic until it softens.

Beat the eggs and add in the salt & pepper to taste pour into the mixture and place into a pre heated oven for about five minutes until firm and golden brown.

Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve!

SANGRIA...

This is my favourite summer drink full of fresh fruits a little fizz and a bit of a kick!

• 1 Orange • 1 lemon • 1 part red wine (a good Spanish Rioja is best) • 1 part Orange juice • 1 part lemonade • Ice Basically just place everything into a jug and stir serve immediately. The Spanish have a few variations on making Sangria but this is the best.

Some also put Brandy in or Cava although I find it a little too strong for my taste. But whatever tickles your fancy!

Salut!!

FOLLOW SIAN’S DELICIOUS RECIPES on her blog page, siandaydream.wordpress.com, Facebook or Tweet her @SianDay 115

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DELICIOUS. The Pavilion Llandarcy is a new and exciting restaurant and sports bar.

10% OFF

Bar Food Menu* Quote SL1

Settled on the bank within Llandarcy Academy of Sport overlooking a large decking. The Pavilion Llandarcy is the perfect venue to enjoy a drink or delicious traditional food with a modern twist.

Thursday Steak Night* Steak & Chips for Two only ÂŁ15

Sunday Lunch Eat in or order and collect from ÂŁ7.95

Booking Advised

Available from 12pm until 4pm. Booking Advised

Tel:01639 648688

pavilionllandarcy.com

THE

PAV I L I O N LLANDARCY

*10% discount applies to food menus only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Members discount does not apply **8oz sirloin steak only subject to availability. Terms & Conditions apply.

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House & home

DREAM HOME (page 118) THROUGH THE KEYHOLE (page 124) LESLEY TAYLOR (page 137) GARDENING WITH JOSEPH ATKIN (page 142)

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

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HOUSE & HOME

DREAM Looking out

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HOME to sea...

Self-employed architect and mum-of-two Helen Landers loves the views her contemporary home with traditional features offer her family. As Swansea Life’s CHRIS CAMPBELL finds out...

W

hat more could you wish for than an old meets new classic house with Victorian features, plenty of space and easy access to beautiful beaches and walks.

With its attractive yellow exterior, the house in Church Park in Mumbles offers sea views from its sitting room and master bedroom, past All Saints Church.

Helen Landers bought this, and the house next to it, in 2014. She knew before she walked into the first room that this home was for her.

The self-employed architect was looking for more space for her work studio and twin daughters Liv and Seren, aged 7, and fell in love with the property.

She says: “The children had just started the new school year and I was looking for somewhere bigger. I walked in and before I got to the first room I knew this was the house for me. It’s just got a beautiful feel because it’s so light. The front section is very old and

it feels comfortable, while the back is very new.

“The ceilings are quite high and you can walk to the village from here. There are gardens at both the front and back too.”

Soon after moving in, Helen got to work on dividing the property into two, which included breaking up some of the rooms and staircase. Helen and her family live in number 8, with a deep blue exterior, that Helen chose to contrast the pastel colouring of neighbouring terraced houses and to highlight the divide between the two homes. Number 9, which has five bedrooms and is set over three floors, has so far been rented out to tenants. Walls and ceilings are very neutral throughout, making it feel more light and airy, but Helen’s fabulous touches can be found in every room, with splashes of colour and in keeping with the old meets new style.

She says: “It was a huge family home. Now, they are very separate.

Our side at the moment is much more personal. We have kept number 9 more simple and versatile. There is a huge amount of

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HOUSE & HOME

flexibility with it. The gardens were once adjoined and are now split up. But they are both beautiful.”

“Some of these houses can be long and narrow and quite dark, but these houses are nothing like that.

Work to the back of the property took 14 months and involved a complete re-build. It was a bigger project than Helen was expecting. There are large glass windows and doors, a patio and low maintenance garden.

“We’ve put roof lights in, so light floods down the stairs.”

Other alterations included a new roof to both properties, repointing chimneys and installing double glazed windows at the front. Both houses also have French Doors and Helen’s bathroom has a working fireplace. Helen has also recycled and redecorated items in her home, to make them chic and modern, including wardrobe doors and original light fittings.

The renovation work also includes a contemporary kitchen, which is flooded with natural light due to the partially vaulted ceiling, and there are ample sky lights. A central-island adds to the room, with a breakfast bar and cupboards underneath. There is space for a large dining table and a comfortable seating area, while French doors lead onto the patio, with steps up to the back garden.

“We started from scratch at the back,” Helen says. “We actually did much more than I expected. But I’m thrilled with the results. It’s Victorian at the front and modern at the back, and there’s lots of glass, making it lovely and light.”

The lounge/dining room has a sash bay window to the front offering charming church, castle and sea views, and there are two fireplaces. From the hallway there is a door to the basement and staircase to the first floor. The basements offers two further versatile rooms that could easily be renovated for a variety of uses.

She added underfloor heating under the property’s stone flooring made the property extra cosy during colder months too. But in the summer it is cool and open.

On the first floor, there is a split staircase and skylight which again allows in plenty of natural light. There are three double bedrooms, a contemporary family bathroom and en-suite shower room. The

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“It’s Victorian at the front and modern at the back, and there’s lots of glass, making it lovely and light.”

front bedroom has an original fireplace and a sash bay window to the front, also offering sea, castle and church views. The back bedroom benefits from French doors with a Juliette balcony, fitted wardrobes and an en-suite shower room. On the second floor, there are another two bedrooms with an en-suite shower room.

Outside, there is parking for two cars, a generous front garden laid to lawn and an attractive slate pathway leading to the front door.

Helen, who is from the area and moved to London for ten years, before returning, says community played a big part in her return.

The house is close to a decent range of schools including Bishopston Comprehensive School and is close to the centre of Mumbles.

She adds: “I think if you have a family and want that sense of community then it’s the right place to be.

“We are one road back and parallel to Mumbles Road. We have a lovely, peaceful back garden, which my office looks out on. It’s prefect.”

Property: 9 Church Park, Mumbles Price: £595,000 Bedrooms: 5 Lessons learnt: “We’ve put roof lights in, so light floods down the stairs.”

Agent: Fine & Country Swansea, Mumbles. 01792 367301

Mumbles Office Mumbles Office 77 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea 77 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea Tel: 01792 367301 Tel: 01792 367301

Mumbles Office 77 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea Tel: 01792 367301

www.swansea@fineandcountry.co.uk www.swansea@fineandcountry.co.uk

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Regionally 18 offices throughout the region

Nationally 225 offices across Great Britain

Internationally Plus 75 offices globally

5000 professional associates all around the world

THE OLD CROFT BISHOPSTON

DAN-Y-QUARRY FARMHOUSE AND BARN

The Old Croft dates back to the mid-1700s which has been renovated and extended by the current vendors. Stunning attributes including exposed stone walls, fireplaces, beamed and vaulted ceilings. The home has a Mediterranean feel and a very flexible layout which would suit a variety of family needs with the addition of a double garage and planning permission to extend if required. EPC D

Offering a unique opportunity to purchase an impressive five bedroom barn conversion and a detached six bedroom farmhouse set within eighteen acres of idyllic countryside also benefiting from an excellent degree of privacy and panoramic rural views. Currently utilised as a spacious family home and holiday let business. Both properties are also available to purchase separately if required. EPC F & C

£850,000

£794,950

THE BRACKENS PENMAEN

96 PENTRE NICKLAUS VILLAGE LLANELLI

This attractive family home is situated to enjoy impressive sea views with spectacular vistas of Three Cliffs Bay and the surrounding Gower coastline stretching out in front of you. Set in a prominent position with good size gardens and direct access onto Cefn Bryn adding to the charming idyll this property benefits from. EPC E

Set to enjoy impressive golf course, lake and estuary views. The house design focuses on the majestic outlook with the much desired upside down living accommodation to maximise the impact of the stunning views. Immaculately presented and benefitting from first floor, open plan living accommodation with balcony. Four beds, three bath/shower, utility and W.C. Gardens, parking and garage.

£550,000

£499,950

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

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Regionally 18 offices throughout the region

Nationally 225 offices across Great Britain

Internationally Plus 75 offices globally

BRYNGLAS FARM YNYSMEUDWY

THE GRANARY KNELSTON

Situated in a stunning rural position with far reaching views of the surrounding countryside. The picturesque setting is enhanced by the peace and tranquillity which is enjoyed here. This charming and characterful four bed farmhouse also benefits from a number out versatile out buildings, green house and poly tunnels. Set within 20 acres of wood and pasture land with access for out-riding. EPC F

This charming four bedroomed character property is situated in the Gower village of Knelston, set within two acres with stables and established garden.

The surprisingly spacious cottage has the pleasure of vaulted and beamed ceilings, exposed stone walls and a cosy log fire. The house has all the appeal of a snug cottage, yet it is deceptively large, with vaulted ceilings and an abundance of natural light. EPC D

£595,000

£575,000

SIBRWD Y COED REYNOLDSTON

TEEGAN HOUSE SCURLAGE

Sibrwd Y Coed which translates beautifully into Whisper of the Woods and couldn’t be more appropriate for this single storey South Gower home. Enjoying a rural position with country views and set within a beautifully tendered garden. This versatile property is currently arranged to accommodate a one bedroomed annex and is beautifully presented. Ample parking and twin garages. EPC D

Teegan House is a recently constructed detached family home situated to enjoy the very best of the Gower Peninsular. The house itself is beautifully presented and finished to a very high standard with the attention to detail continued throughout the property and gardens. The property is situated in the heart of The Gower and is set within close proximity to the beautiful Port Eynon Bay which remains very popular with locals and tourists alike.

EPC B

£450,000

5000 professional associates all around the world

£399,950

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

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HOUSE & HOME

THROUGH THE KEYHOLE

GEORGIAN PROJECT HOME TO SWEET MUSIC Musicians Heather and Peter James enjoyed playing music together in this period family property that was completely refurbished. As Swansea Life’s CHRIS CAMPBELL found out... chris.campbell@swwmedia.co.uk

MUSICIAN Heather James fell in love with this Georgian home in South West Wales as soon as she lay eyes on it.

dealing with a property like this and research the period. It’s just a case of maintenance now.”

The professional musician, who plays the organ at church and offers piano lessons, first saw photos of Alltycham House in Pontardawe after her husband had spotted it was for sale.

Also a musician, Peter, formerly vice principal of the Royal Academy of Music, told his wife of his fondness for the property and she was soon keen to view it for herself.

The property dates back to the mid 1800s and is adorned with original features. The pillared entrance offers a strong first impression with further features inside including ornate ceilings and sash widows with shutters. The property is elegantly furnished and decorated to compliment the Georgian period.

Heather, whose brother is Swansea-born Welsh cricket legend Tony Lewis, was a music examiner on the Associated Board Royal Schools of Music.

The reception hall leads to the sitting room, music room and kitchen/breakfast room.

While the sitting room enjoys a comfortable feel with an original marble fireplace, the music room offers a more opulent ambience with plenty of room for a grand piano and lounge furniture. It could also be utilised as a formal dining room. The kitchen/breakfast room has French doors leading onto the south facing patio.

Both originally from South Wales, Peter and Heather travelled around the world with their work - including spending years in Hong Kong and London - but they pined for home.

That led to them buying the six bedroom Regency-style period property, which still has many of its features.

Heather says they knew it would be a major project but they were keen on the challenge. ”I remember the day we first saw it – it was pouring with rain but as soon as we walked in through the front door we knew it was the place we wanted to live,” she says.

“In that time we’ve undertaken some major works. It was a listed Georgian property which had, unfortunately, previously been restored and added to in a late Victorian style.

The garden has been landscaped and designed to be easy-maintenance, planted with many varied shrubs providing yearround colour.

“We went through it and removed everything that should not have been there, restoring it to bring out the lovely original Georgian features – the sash windows, fireplaces, cornices, friezes and doors, plus it needed a new roof!

“We did the roof first of all, tarmacked the drive and brought in a gardener to landscape the gardens. We then did one room a year in the house until it was all done to a very high level.

“It was a fascinating learning curve about styles and colours of the Georgian era.

“It’s a lovely family house reflective of its origins – it affords an excellent degree of privacy but yet it is not remote. The peace and tranquillity of its location will be missed and also the size of the beautifully proportioned and elegant rooms with ceilings of around 12’ to 14’.

“One of the reception rooms and the master bedroom have windows to two sides and the views are quite spectacular.

However, the kitchen with its Aga is always a warm and cosy place to be.

“You’ve got to have sympathy for the style of the house when

There is an inner hallway with a utility room, ground floor shower room and the sixth bedroom, which could be used as a study. There are doors to the basement, which although in parts has limited head height, offers three versatile rooms with one dedicated to wine storage with wine shelves set into the wall.

There is a sweeping staircase up to the first floor.

On this floor, there is a split landing with a staircase to the second floor and fifth bedroom. The master and guest bedrooms are situated to the front of the property and both have lovely views, feature fireplaces and are flooded with natural light. There are two further bedrooms on this floor. The inner landing leads to the family bathroom.

Outside, the garden has been landscaped and designed to be easy-maintenance, planted with many varied shrubs providing year-round colour.

Heather adds: “The garden is like a park. It’s not heavy maintenance at all. There are many old trees including copper beech and a huge monkey puzzle tree.

“There are preservation orders on 12 of the trees in the grounds and these add a delightful architecture to the garden.

“There are stunning views across the valley and the view from the top of the garden reaches across to Swansea. ”I wouldn’t dream of settling anywhere else than Pontardawe.

It’s close to the M4 too, we used to go to meetings in London and come back the same day.”

The house: Six bedroom Georgian house in Pontardawe Price: £620,000 Lessons: “You’ve got to have sympathy for the style of the house when dealing with a property like this and research the period.”

Agent: Fine & Country Swansea, 77 Newton Road, Mumbles • 01792 367301 124 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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SwanSea Road,

OFFERS IN THE REGION OF

£335,000

PENLLERGAER Gorseinon Office 01792 892436 | gorseinon@johnfrancis.co.uk

GoLwG Y MYnYdd,

OFFERS IN THE REGION OF

£375,000

CRaIG-Cefn-PaRC Pontardawe Office 01792 864 900 | pontardawe@johnfrancis.co.uk

www.johnfrancis.co.uk

A WELL PRESENTED DETACHED DORMER BUNGALOW IN A SOUGHT AFTER AREA. We have to offer in our opinion this charming four bedroom dormer style detached property located in the village of Penllergaer which enjoys convenient access to the city centre with close links onto the M4 Motorway and convenient for access to Gorseinon town and all its local amenities. The property is accessed via a gated driveway and benefits from off-road parking, well presented gardens front and side. double-glazing (where stated) and a gas central heating system. Internally, there is the advantage of a ground floor wet room plus en suite facilities to the first floor. This property would in our opinion make a lovely family home as it is located in a sought after area. Internal viewing is strongly recommended to fully appreciate all the property has to offer.

LARGE SUNROOM WITH VAULTED CeILInG, HoBBY RooM & doUBLe GARAGE Situated within a popular semi-rural village of Craig CefnParc and benefiting from views of the nearby mountainside.

The property has been extended by the current owners to include a large sunroom with vaulted ceilings overlooking a private enclosed garden, double garage and driveway. A modern and versatile property with potential to convert the hobby/gym room into additional living accommodation.

The property benefits from a large utility room, cloakroom, four double bedrooms, en suite facilities to the master bedroom with fitted wardrobes. a light and spacious hallway through to the kitchen/ dining room. Early viewing is highly recommended to appreciate the size and location of this lovely home.

www.johnfrancis.co.uk ©LW

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6/24/2016 10:39:29 AM

www.johnfrancis.co.uk

wClos Yr Afon, KidwellY

Offers in the regiOn Of

£450,000

*** Grand living *** Detached Six Bedroom Residence set in a cul-de-sac location on a select development of individually built homes in the village of Kidwelly. Access routes enable travel to Carmarthen & Llanelli. Externally the house sits in good size grounds with fishing rights for the river at the bottom of the garden, good for brown trout as tidal, blocked paved driveway, integral garage and large garden seated area to the rear with countryside views and sloping grounds leading to river.

Internally the house has majestic entrance hall, six double bedrooms, 4 reception rooms & five bathrooms set over three floors.

This home has a lovely feel to it with character and all the modern conveniences.

Energy Rating: D 67

Llanelli Office 01554 773051 • llanelli@johnfrancis.co.uk

TeGrYn, CArdiGAn

Offers in the regiOn Of

£580,000

This ultra modern house boasts Sensational Panoramic Country Views that stretch for miles and can be enjoyed from the majority of the accommodation. The house which was completed in 2013 has been designed to a high specification with 4 double bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, but particularly boasts a huge 26ft lounge with folding double glazed doors which fully open onto a patio overlooking the gorgeous views. This property is situated within the middle of 10 acres approx, found hidden completely out of sight down a track on its own, on the edge of this North Pembrokeshire rural village.

There is a large and incredibly useful steel framed outbuilding measuring over 60ft x 40ft offering a range of uses from keeping animals to vehicles and machinery. This quality modern house with extensive land and breath taking views is a truly unique and exceptional home, with superb attention to detail and highly efficient heating with solar and photovoltaic energy generation which also provides extra income. An ideal family home which absolutely must be seen! EER - B-89

Cardigan Office 01239 612080 • cardigan@johnfrancis.co.uk

©LW

©LW

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GLEBE HOUSE Penmaen, Gower

A rare opportunity to purchase one of only a handful of truly exceptional country houses located on Gower. Glebe House comes to the market for the first time since 1956. This grand residence, with a history dating back to the 1600’s, overlooks the spectacular and iconic Gower landmark of Three Cliffs Bay. The view is uninterrupted and framed by every window on the southern side of the property.

PRICE:

£2,500,000

The house is surrounded by 3.85 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and two paddocks situated to the south and east of the property. Most of the land and gardens enjoy the breath-taking views of the sea.

Further outbuildings include three garages, stabling, potting and coal sheds, two greenhouses and an open air swimming pool.

Penmaen is a small village situated at the foot of Glebe House has eight bedrooms, three formal the slopes of Cefn Bryn in the stunning scenery reception rooms, kitchen/family room, three of South Gower. With a southerly aspect to bathrooms and seven ancillary rooms. The house and gardens, the property enjoys all the property has been a family home for sixty years location has to offer including views and access and does require updating throughout but offers to local beaches. Swansea and the M4 can huge potential for the incoming purchaser to be accessed by car in approximately twenty modernise and remodel as they wish subject five minutes and Swansea Airport is only a ten to relevant planning permissions. minute drive away.

www.johnfrancis.co.uk

Mumbles Office Tel 01792 360060 mumbles@johnfrancis.co.uk ©LW

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HOUSE & HOME

Country Living

Swansea Life’s CHRIS CAMPBELL looks at 11 countryside homes you’d love to get lost in... chris.campbell@swwmedia.co.uk

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2.

5.

3.

4.

6.

1. Park Place, Parkmill, Gower, £650,000 (previous page)

3. Nicholaston, Penmaen, Gower, £895,000

5. Glyndefaid cottages & stables, Glais, Swansea, £775,000

Georgian family home with five bedrooms and occupying an idyllic spot set within about 10 acres of Gower countryside. The property dates back to the early 1800s, with a series of affluent owners including the Duke of Beaufort.

Nicholaston Cottage is nestled in the south Gower countryside by Cefn Bryn and overlooks Oxwich Bay and the Bristol Channel. The period, four bedroom stone home has cast iron log burners and an Aga in the kitchen.

Fine & Country Swansea, 01792 367301

• John Francis, Mumbles, 01792 360060

Situated to enjoy country views with a woodland behind and a natural stream running down from the woods. This semi-rural small holding offers a spacious four bedroom family home, with a separate and fully equipped self-contained cottage set within the grounds.

2. Hill End Farm, Reynoldston, Gower, £1.75m

4. Ffinnant, Llanarthney, Carmarthen, £1.2m

Recently constructed, award-winning property with five bedrooms. Three en-suites, plus a study and cinema room. There is a two bedroom stone barn conversion and further outbuildings include a studio/workshop barn, log store and storage buildings.

Country house set in an elevated position, which enjoys views over the Towy Valley and countryside beyond. The four bedroom house, with two lakes, stands in about 50 acres with 25 acres of woodland and 25 acres of stock proof pasture.

• Simpsons, Killay, 01792 290944

• Fine & Country Swansea, 01792 367301

Fine & Country Swansea, 01792 367301

6. Middle Croft Lane, Bishopston, £625,000 Period property with five bedrooms. There are wooded areas to either side. The plot extends to about three quarters of an acre and there is a veranda to the back of the house with a number of sun terraces and seating areas. Close to Caswell and Pwlldu bays.

• John Francis, Mumbles, 01792 360060

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HOUSE & HOME

7.

10.

9.

8.

11.

7. The Brackens, Penmaen, Gower, £595,000

9. Marsh House, Wernffrwd, Gower, £625,000

Four bedroom family home Set in a prominent position with direct access onto Cefn Bryn. It offers generous gardens and sea views.

This four bedroom home has a Georgian style glass panelled front door and Victorian style ceramic floor. There is a formal lounge too with an oil fired cast iron stove. There is a large garden shed, green house and an open fronted wood store.

• Fine & Country Swansea, 01792 367301

8. Ashgrove, Lunnon, Gower, £695,000

• Simpsons, Killay, 01792 290944

This five bedroom Edwardian, country house has been maintained by one family for more than 30 years. It has an impressive drawing room with an adjoining study, farmhouse-style kitchen and breakfast room.

10. Dan-Y-Quarry farmhouse & barn, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, £844,950

• Simpsons, Killay, 01792 290944

A barn conversion and detached farmhouse with 11 bedrooms in total set within 17 acres of countryside. The traditional farmhouse is 250 years old and is currently used as a holiday let.

There are panoramic rural views.

• Fine & Country Swansea, 01792 367301

“Vaulted and beamed ceilings, exposed stone walls and a cosy log fire.”

11. The Granary, Knelston, Gower, £575,000 Four bedroom character cottage set within two acres with stables and established garden.

Highlights include vaulted and beamed ceilings, exposed stone walls and a cosy log fire.

• Fine & Country Swansea, 01792 367301 www.swansealife.co.uk | 131

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HOUSE & HOME

MAKE YOUR HOME MORE

SELLABLE It’s often said that the kitchen and bathroom are the rooms most likely to sell a property, so how do you improve yours on a budget? LAURA DAVIES finds out... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

Change kitchen doors and drawer fronts...

If your kitchen units have seen better days and you don’t want to go to the expense and hassle of replacing them, give them an instant makeover by changing the doors and drawer fronts.

This will transform the kitchen and needn’t be too expensive - B&Q (www.diy.com), for example, has a big range of affordable unit doors and drawer fronts, many available in store. If the units aren’t standard sizes or you want a more affordable option, simply paint the doors and drawer fronts to give them a new look, or glue thin MDF to the front to change the style and then paint them.

De-clutter and make use of space...

Cluttered kitchens aren’t a selling point. If lack of worktop space is a problem, think about how you can make what you have go further. Use microwave brackets to get your microwave off the worktop, or fit nice wall shelves to declutter the worktop.

In a small kitchen, a hinged wall-hung table will give you more work space and somewhere to eat. If your kitchen has

highish ceilings and you’re happy to change the wall units, tall ones provide extra storage.

Failing that, stack attractive baskets or boxes on top of the existing wall units to make the most of the space, but don’t store anything heavy up there.

Have a shower...

Somewhere to shower is essential for most buyers and if your bathroom doesn’t have a shower, it may be letting you down. There’s an inexpensive answer - replace the bath taps with bath-shower mixer taps, which are bath taps with a shower hose and head.

Lick of paint...

If you’re selling your home, giving tired walls and woodwork a fresh coat or two of paint will make a big difference to any room, but especially the kitchen and bathroom because they’re key rooms.

Make sure you use a scrubbable paint so it stays looking good - special kitchen and bathroom emulsions are designed to withstand things like mould and steam and are available in all sorts of colours these days.

As long as your bath is suitable for showering and the water pressure is good, all you need is a bath screen or shower curtain, plus a riser rail on the wall to hold the shower head, and you have a shower that should add value and make your home more sellable.

Clean tiles...

Grubby tile grout makes kitchens and bathrooms look grotty. White grout is easily marked by cooking splashes, shampoo, shower gel and the like, but there is a quick and easily solution - steam-clean it. Use a steam cleaner and your grout should soon look like new.

If the power of steam doesn’t work, or work sufficiently, you can apply grout paint to re-whiten the grout. In the worse cases, consider raking out the stained grout and applying more, but this is a big job and you may chip the tiles in the process.

132 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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LOWMEAD FARM, TAVERNSPITE, WHITLAND, CARMARTHENSHIRE SA34 0NJ £750,000 Dare to dream! Lowmead Farm offers a unique commercial package together with a principle homestead. Comprising a 4 bedroom family home, separate 1 bed self contained annex, beautiful detached barn conversion providing 3 bedroom holiday let, Stunning rural views, Extensive General Purpose Building Housing American Style Stabling for 11, indoor exercise school & outdoor sand school, 35.5 acres of land, purpose built garage block & games room (Ideal Further Development STP) .

Convenient & Accessible Location. Close to Many Popular Attractions

LLANEGWAD, NANTGAREDIG, CARMARTHEN, CARMARTHENSHIRE SA32 7NJ £395,000 518 CTF Ad Aw

21/2/13

11:57

Page 1

A Beautifully Presented Contemporary Property & stylish home designed to exacting standards, remarkable Versatility for the Discerning Buyer located in a well regarded semi-rural village with Morriston stunning views over the Towy Valley, 4 bedrooms, Bonymaen, Caernarvon Way Morriston, Thomas Terrace Bonymaen, Jersey Road £40.000 en-suite & breakfast £52,500 £54,950 master balcony, bespoke NEW! kitchen, utility room, cloakroom, benefits from oil central heating. Gardens to front & rear, garage & stunning valley views A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

Morriston, Park Avenue £80,950

Treboeth, Roger Street £82.000

Sales, Lettings & Surveys Plasmarl, Neath Road £56,500

Morriston, Bath Road £60.000

Clydach, Velindre Road £69.950

NEW!

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

Morriston, Odo Street £84.000

Morriston, Pleasant Street £84,500

Clydach, Twynybedw Road £85,000

Clydach, Newton Road £88,950

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

NEW PRICE!

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

Ynystawe, Clydach Road £94,500

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

Clydach, Kelvin Road £99,950

Morriston, Pentremaldwen Rd £99,950

Craig-Cefn-Parc, Ffordd Ellen £99,950

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

NEW!

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

www.ctf-uk.com

Ynystawe, Clydach Road £105.000

14 Branches across South Wales

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

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Clydach, Penywern £110,950

Clydach, Oakwood Rise £118.500

Clydach, Western Road £119.000

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

A modern semi detached home with three good sized bedrooms. En suite to master bedroom, family bathroom, cloakroom, fitted kitchen, dining room, open plan lounge, gardens with driveway parking. EPC Rating: D(67).

Morriston 01792 795 727

5/20/2016 4:27:18 PM

HOUSE & HOME

A touch of romance Take inspiration from the Victorian period with these beautiful statements for the home. Ornate accessories and intricate detailing adorning furniture create an elegant, vintage feel peter.slee@swwmedia.co.uk

ADD SOME CHARACTER Drake Side Table, £350, Laura Ashley, Swansea

SHINE A LIGHT

Shine a light Annecy Pendant, £150, BHS, Swansea

INVITING

Wonderfully inviting and beautifully fragrant.

Candle, £30, www.kellyhoppen.com

ALL IN THE DETAIL Sweetpea Willow Classical White Rococo Bed , £1,375

MIRROR, MIRROR Sabine Mirror, £389, www.sweetpeaandwillow.com

SHABBY CHIC Mercury vase, £35, House of Fraser, Cardiff

CALM CLASSIC Evelyn Bedside Table, £199, Marks & Spencer, Swansea

STYLISH

Accent chair £1,098, DfS, Llansamlet

MAGICAL

Small Glass and Metal Hurricane , £19.50, M&S, Parc Trostre

134 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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FOUR OF OUR ExcLUSivE pROpERtiES FOR SALE St Margarets Court, Maritime Quarter

£399,950

The Osborne, Rotherslade Road, Langland

This modern, south facing, two bedroom apartment offers stunning views across Swansea Bay towards Mumbles Head. The property is situated on the third floor, benefits from a wrap around balcony and comprises a fully integrated kitchen with an open-plan aspect into the lounge, two double bedrooms with en-suite shower room in the master bedroom and seperate family bathroom. Gas central heating and allocated parking. Viewing is highly recommended!! EPC - 82

Glanbrydan Avenue, Uplands, Uplands

£249,000

£310,000 A superb two bedroom, first floor apartment in a much admired address on the edge of Langland Bay and Rotherslade, one of the most beautiful stretches of beach on the Gower peninsula. This generously proportioned property enjoys a number of eye-catching features, notably two en-suite shower rooms, fully fitted kitchen with built-in appliances, balcony with views and underground parking.

Viewing is essential! EPC - 68.

Meridian Bay, Maritime Quarter

A superior 4/5 Bedroom gabled family home in a tree lined setting overlooking Brynmill Park. This elegant, period property is situated only a brief walk from Uplands and is refurbished to blend in original features with eye-catching modern living enjoying integrated kitchen, downstairs cloaks/wc, galleried landing and four piece bathroom suite with separate shower.

Forecourt area and a walled, rear lawned garden with single detached garage. EPC - 57

£259,995 Bay are pleased to present this Modern two bedroom executive apartment in the prestigious Meridian development. The apartment boasts stunning interrupted sea views over Swansea Bay towards Mumbles Head from the balcony. The property comprises open plan lounge which leads into a fully fitted integrated kitchen with dishwasher, washer dryer and fridge/freezer. The master bedroom benefits from a modern en-suite shower room. A separate family bathroom.

Electric heating and allocated Parking.

EPC - C71

Swansea 01792 448433 Marina 01792 645566 Mumbles 01792 365960

Your key to life on Swansea Marina South Quay

Pocketts Wharf Two bedroom, third floor apartment with lift access. 2 large double bedrooms.

Electric heating. Large open plan lounge/ kitchen with south-easterly facing balcony. Underground parking. Views over Prince of Wales Dock to Kilvey Hill.

Easy access to M4 and city. EPC - D

Fifth floor apartment with lift access. 2 double bedrooms. Balconies off both lounge and master bed each with panoramic Marina views. Electric heating. Underground parking. EPC-D

£235,000

£235,000 Cork House

Marine Walk Pristine, top floor apartment with lift access. Balcony with southerly aspect and full Marina views. En-suite shower room. New ‘Fischer’ heating. Brand new kitchen. Parking. EPC - C

4-bed, 3-storey seafront townhouse. South facing terrace & balcony. 3 large double bedrooms. Ground floor kitchen/laundry, cloakroom & bedroom ideal as separate living area. Main kitchen, lounge, 3 bedrooms & bathroom on upper floors. Gas heating. Garage and Parking space. EPC C.

£225,000

£399,950

ABERNETHY SQ, MARINA, SWANSEA, SA1 1UH ©LW

01792 463780

sales@marinaquayproperties.com • rentals@marinaquayproperties.com • www.marinaquayproperties.com

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FIve mInuteS oF InterIor deSIgn with Tonia Morgan

Tonia Morgan, director and head designer at Westacres, gives insider tips on how she creates the perfect home for both her buyers, and her family.

Have you always been interested in design?

Yes, from a young age it was something that captured my interest. I was so interested in anything to do with the interior of homes, especially the design of my own space and creating innovative finishes.

I was passionate, and it ended up becoming part and parcel of what I did in life.

People have travelled from other parts of South Wales just to visit this show home. Why do you think that is?

I’ve received excellent feedback. While we do advertise, a lot of it’s been through word of mouth, which is really the best marketing we could ever get. I get people from as far as Cardiff coming to visit our show home, and other interior designers have popped in to compliment the house.

I think they probably take a few sneaky photos! I’m often asked about my influences and where I get my ideas. I do a lot of homework on sourcing items and sift through the market to see what’s out there and see what’s currently in style. I’m not dominated by trends though; I like timeless items and looks that won’t date. No one has the time or resources to redecorate all the time.

What was your favourite room in the house to decorate and why?

The lounge is the key of it all, followed by the kitchen. I gave the most thought to the lounge, as it’s such an integral part of any home. I really consider it the soul of the household, when you’re ready to switch off and spend time with loved ones it can be a bustling room for entertainment, or it can be the quiet room where you sit with a book.

It’s your sanctuary.

My favourite pieces are the Clare Wright liquid artwork in the kitchen, they are handmade and an example of one-off things that capture your attention as soon as you enter the room. It changes the dynamic of the house.

If you could design any room in the world what would it be and why?

I would love to design my own hotel room! When I walk into a hotel room I want it to be inviting, leaving a good first impression. You may only be in that space for a short time but you want it to be as relaxing as possible. I would like luxury to stare me in the face, but it all depends on where you choose to stay. I’d love to create a luxury little home in a hotel room, and capture life in that one room.

How would you describe your approach to design?

I’d describe it as timeless, with a little bit of grandeur thrown in for good measure. I know it isn’t everybody’s taste but I love the whole 1920s era. I would love to incorporate a bit of art deco into my design.

I’m currently doing a diploma in Interior Design at the National Design Academy, which is improving my style even more!

What are you top tips for interior design?

The room has to suit your lifestyle, so ultimately you need to design the room around your life. For example, sofas facing each other look great, but it’s not ideal for everyday living.

If your room is a blank canvas, start with one item such as a cushion or colour, or a picture and maybe even a lamp, and use that as your inspirational starting point. Work everything else from that, and it will all eventually come together.

0800 091 1809

Westacres, Parc y Mynydd, Saron. SA18 3LN Email: info@westacres.co.uk | Visit: www.westacres.co.uk

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HOUSE & HOME

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he turn of summer can only mean one thing: holiday season is officially here! Whether it’s sandy coloured beaches, picture postcard scenery or the simple experience of new sights and sounds, no one likes the trip back to reality. As an alternative, why not recapture the memories of your summer holiday by bringing a little intercontinental flavour back into your home.

Nobody said your vacation needs to end the moment you unpack your suitcases, so why not keep the holiday spirit alive and embrace the unique features different cultures and fashions can bring to your home this season. In doing so, you will be able to enjoy the look and feel of your favourite destination - all year round!

If your holiday is spent soaking up the sun, why not take your inspiration from the soft sandy beaches and clear blue seas of abroad? Even if your trip only takes you as far as the British coastline, there is still a bucket load of ideas you can have fun with. Just take the world famous beach hut designs which line our British seafronts in a range of bright cheery colours. Known for their rather iconic striped appearance, why not use the same design in your hallway for a warm welcome? Rather than go bold in colour, err towards a softer shade like pastel blue mixed with white stripes as this type of wallpaper print will give a more subtle interpretation of the ‘beach-hut’ look. On the other hand, if you want to really embrace this look, opt for rich wood flooring to enhance the natural feel of your hallway. Depending on preference, natural oak or a rich walnut will compliment this style of beach-inspired interior scheme perfectly.

If your travels take you further across the pond, you could always adopt the modern touches of Miami. Famed for its colorful art deco 2 www.swansealife.co.uk | 137

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HOUSE & HOME

buildings, white sand, surfside hotels and trendsetting nightclub scene, Miami’s vibrancy encourages a truly fashionable interior style like no other. Palm tree or banana leaf printed wallpaper and soft furnishings will emulate the same exotic vibe you’d find on any street in downtown Miami. Stick to highly visual accessories in vivid turquoise, sea blues and emerald green shades and you will guarantee a look that Venice beach would be proud of.

Should you prefer a more relaxing holiday, why not indulge in the calming look of Scandinavia? Presenting a pure aesthetic centred on practical living, Scandi designs offer clean lines, flawless craftsmanship and understated elegance. Characterized by the use of muted tones, honest materials and minimal ornamentation, why not introduce this Nordic style into your home by combining blonde woods with pastel colours, such as powder blue and off white. Butter cream or cool grey walls, teamed with azure blue or biscuit beige textiles will epitomise this look, but to add even more texture and warmth, opt for light natural wood furniture for a truly Scandi-inspired interior style.

For the look and feel of the Middle East, you could always channel the rich cultural heritage of Morocco. Symbolised by intricate carvings, arched doorways, and colourful textiles, taking influence from this destination is perfect for creating high drama in any room. If we consider the living room, choose one colour and take it throughout the entire design scheme in varying shades: deep plum or aubergine will work well for this.You could paper a feature wall from floor to ceiling in an appropriately themed graphical print and finish the look with a scattering of silk and jacquard bolster and floor cushions, metal lanterns and traditional sofa bench in bright white for the look and feel of a true Arabian night.

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4

“Presenting a pure aesthetic centred on practical living, Scandi designs offer clean lines, flawless craftsmanship and understated elegance.”

1. Palm tree printed wallpaper and soft furnishings will emulate the same exotic vibe you’d find on any street in downtown Miami. Why not try a geometric print for an ontrend look? www.cole-and-son.com 0207 376 4628 or buy from the Taylor’s ETC showroom.

2. Transform your interior into a tropical paradise! Channel jungle inspired prints and vibrant exotic colours to ease those holiday blues. www.osborneandlittle.com 020 8812 3000 or buy from the Taylor’s ETC showroom.

3. Delve into intricate carvings, arched doorways, and colourful textiles for a Moroccan inspired interior. Opt for rich purples and plums to set the perfect scene in your home. www.osborneandlittle.com 020 8812 3000 or buy from the Taylor’s ETC showroom.

4. Create a charming Scandinavian look with pastel colours, such as powder blue, pastel pink and off white. Finish your room with delicate pendant lights in an antique brass finish. www.osborneandlittle.com 020 8812 3000 or buy from the Taylor’s ETC showroom.

5. British inspiration at its best! Create a beach-hut inspired interior with iconic pastel blue and white striped wallpaper for a touch of the seaside. www.osborneandlittle.com 020 8812 3000 or buy from the Taylor’s ETC showroom.

5

Interior Designer and member of the BIID, Lesley Taylor is the Design Director of Taylor’s Etc based in Cardiff.

02920 358 400 www.taylorsetc.co.uk

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HOUSE & HOME

BRIGHT IDEAS Swansea Life’s JESS HAMMETT has been to meet the inspiration behind an exciting Swansea-based online lighting store...

W

hen Laurie Morgan decided she wanted to establish her own interiors business, it was lighting that lit up her world!

That was 18 months ago and now her business, That Lighting Shop (www.thatlightingshop. co.uk), is flourishing.

Laurie left Bishopston School and her home in Mumbles, and moved to London to study graphic design at Kingston University. Following nearly eight years working as a buyer for a high-end furniture and lighting companies in London, in 2015 she undertook a diploma in interior design to pursue her passion. She jumped at the opportunity to return to Swansea to put her knowledge of the home retail industry to a brilliant use.

Laurie established That Lighting Shop from her home in Kittle in Gower, and has set up a studio in which she designs her lighting masterpieces.

“After so many years working with the high end and appreciating just how much lighting can transform a room, I wanted to bring affordable options to my customers. I work directly with factories, and cut out the middle man, which reduces prices,” says the 28 year-old.

As well as striving to offer affordable, yet chic and stylish lighting to her customers, she also works to be eco-friendly.

She not only offers a core line of sustainable, timeless designs, but is also keen to keep her products fresh and up-to-date. “I go to trade fairs and look through home-ware magazines to keep up with trends. The products change throughout the seasons.

Recently there has been a trend of warm metallics such as copper and brass, as well as glass and other industrial materials,” she says.

Laurie particularly prides herself on her Scandinavian-inspired plug-in light fittings which are made from materials sourced from factories all over the world, including China, Israel and Britain.

“Our products are very versatile; we use plugs rather than having to wire things. This design is popular in a lot of properties in Copenhagen which have plugs high on the walls. Our plug-in lights are very user-friendly, as it means you don’t have to call an electrician – you just plug it in and go!”

Her company sells wholesale to a few independent shops based in Swansea, London and the North, as well as to the public via her website: www.thatlightingshop.co.uk “Before launching the on-line store I was a buyer for Heal’s in London, which was where my love of lighting began. Seeing the impact lighting could have on the home really made me appreciate how small updates such as the addition of a beautiful table lamp, subtle up-lighters or even simply using different types of light bulbs could completely transform a space and also the way

140 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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Aluminium Deer Head Wall Light, Gold £179

Silicone Pendant Sets, White, Grey and Black £20

“That Lighting Shop is about bringing people on-trend lighting without the scary price tags. We offer simple design solutions that are flexible, affordable, but most importantly, beautiful.”

that we use that space on a day to day basis. So naturally, I was very aware of lighting when it came to decorating my own home, but budget was also playing on my mind. Staff discount was always a big perk of working in retail and occasionally there would be a sample sale which I would, of course, make full use of. However, I really struggled to find affordable but stylish lighting solutions online. I had a clear image of what I wanted in my head, and I knew what I’d be willing to pay for it, but just couldn’t find it. With a little encouragement from my partner, I decided to go for it and do it myself.”

“That Lighting Shop is about bringing people on-trend lighting without the scary price tags. We offer simple design solutions that are flexible, affordable, but most importantly, beautiful.”

Laurie also offers a design consultancy to her customers via her website, and her light fittings can be customised and made to order.

“Lighting can transform the atmosphere of a home. It can often be overlooked when not given too much thought; just flick a switch when it is a pendant in the middle of a room,” she says.

“But it is important for a room to have layers of lighting, whether it is lamps, uplighters or strip lighting under shelving or around kitchen cabinets. It all adds atmosphere.

The use of dimmer switches is also a simple solution to creating an instant mood, as dimmable lighting can completely transform the feel of any space.”

E27 Copper Pendant Set, £18 Sil Table Lamp, Rose Gold and Brass, £29

VITA Eos Feather Pendants, from £59

15% DISCOUNT EXCLUSIVE TO SWANSEA LIFE READERS WITH THIS CODE: SWANSEALIFE www.thatlightingshop.co.uk 07816 456191 or email info@thatlightingshop.co.uk Follow us @ThatLighting ThatLightingShop.co.uk

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HOUSE & HOME

COLOUR SCHEMING JULY With JOSEPH ATKIN, Head Gardener at Aberglasney Gardens in Carmarthenshire.

In this part of Wales July can be something of a tricky month, especially when it comes to herbaceous borders. Many of the early summering plants have finished but some of the later ones have yet to bloom. There are however many plants that bridge the gap between June and August very well. Many of them are Aberglasney favourites and all these could work together well in combination.

Geranium ‘Patricia’

Ligularia prezwalskii

This is arguably our favourite Geranium as it flowers from June to July and can happily be given the ‘Chelsea Chop’ in late May. It is a sprawling type with vivid lipstick pink flowers that will also climb (with a little help) to about a meter and a half.

As a group Ligualria have a reputation for being prone to slug damage but we have no problems with this one. It is really vigorous with large cut leaves that are ornamental in themselves.

For us it seems to grow anywhere except the driest spots. The dark green foliage is topped by yellow spires of flowers that can last for well over a month. The plant is also pretty tough taking shade or sun. You only need a small piece to start off with and it will establish really quickly but never gets invasive. We use it in all sorts of different combinations such as with bog plants, or typical herbaceous or woodland plants. This is one of the easiest plants we know of and a visitor favourite.

We mix it into hot colour schemes as it goes well with blue, purple and orange. Growing it near the front of the border can be useful as it can sprawl over paths or walls to soften edges and add informality. Likewise it can be grown in the middle of the border between taller plants as ground cover. The long flowering period and ground cover habit of it make it a really useful plant for us. The colour is also really eye catching making this one of the most spectacular Geranium.

• • • • • •

Height = 60cm Spread = 1.5m Position/Aspect = Sun or half shade Soil = Any free draining Pests and diseases = Nothing serious Style = Herbaceous, hot border, contemporary, mixed border, ground cover

Thalictrum delavayi

• • • • • •

Height = 2m Spread = 1.5m Position/Aspect = Any except the very driest Soil = Any Pest and diseases = No real issues Style = woodland, herbaceous, cottage garden, bog garden even tropical

This is a lesser known plant from the mountains of China but an excellent garden plant in the right spot all the same. T. delavayi is very tall with finely divided foliage that is attractive in itself, this is followed be huge sprays of mauve flowers that create a frothy effect. Do not be put off by the size of the plant as it is not invasive and fills gaps between other plants. The open habit and flower heads also mean you can see through it. If you are using it in a border it is best to place it next to something with dense foliage so that the ferny effect of its foliage can be enjoyed. Think of it as a giant Aquilegia with nicer foliage and huge flower heads.

• • • • • •

Height = 3m Spread = 2m Position/Aspect = Sun or half shade with wind shelter Soil = Any except boggy Pest and diseases = No real problems Style = Woodland, meadow, herbaceous , cottage garden

142 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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A GARDEN WORTHY OF SUMMER

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

GLAMORGAN STONE 31 Ystrad Road, Fforestfach, Swansea, SA5 4BT. 01792 588554 | enquiries@glamorgantiles.co.uk

www.glamorgantiles.co.uk Untitled-2 1

6/23/2016 11:55:06 AM

HOUSE & HOME

VICTORIA WADE’S GARDEN Victoria Wade is a garden designer from Killay who picked up Gold at the RHS 2015 show in Cardiff. www.victoriawade.co.uk

@WadeLandscapes

Bee friendly gardening...

Bees are under threat. The UK’s bee population is declining rapidly due to a number of factors, including an increased use of pesticides and a loss of natural habitats such as meadows and hedgerows.

The importance of bees to us all is indisputable. Bees visit flowers to collect nectar and pollen, which they eat and feed to their larvae.

By moving from flower to flower, they are vital pollinators of many garden and wild flowers. Insect pollination is also essential for the cropping of a huge amount of the food we eat. We rely on bees every day, in both our gardens and allotments, and in the farmers’ fields. There are a few simple things that you can do in your garden to give bees a much needed helping hand.

Plant flowers...

The best ways to encourage bees of all type into your garden is by providing nectar and pollen rich flowers throughout the year.

We design all of our planting schemes to be as bee friendly as possible – the RHS website is a great resource for recommending bee friendly plants, and keep an eye out for the ‘perfect for pollinators’ label when shopping for plants in the garden centre.

Provide water...

A honeybee colony can drink up to 4 litres of water in a day- so be sure to provide water! Bees cannot swim or land on water so the shallow planted margins of a wildlife pond are perfect, or you could provide water in a shallow dish or bird bath with some small stones placed in it to allow them to land and drink safely.

Somewhere to shelter...

You don’t need to have your own hive to have bees living in your garden. It is simple

to provide nest sites for all different species of bees. You can buy some very beautiful bug boxes, or easily make your own. Some bees will nest in hollow stems or bamboo canes, or in holes drilled into a post or log.

Place these nest sites in sunny positions.

Some solitary bees nest in the ground, either in bare soil or short turf. You may even find tree bumblebees nesting in a bird box!

Avoid pesticides...

Avoid using any pesticides or insecticides on your plants- they will harm all insects, including bees, not just the ones you are trying to get rid of.

Don’t be scared of them...

Getting stung by bees in your garden is unlikely, as long as you treat bees with respect- they will not sting unless they think they are in danger.

You should avoid disturbing bumblebee nests or standing too close to a bee hive unless you are wearing a beekeeper’s suit.

“There are a few simple things that you can do in your garden to give bees a much needed helping hand.”

144 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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5/20/2016 4:31:40 PM

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5/20/2016 4:31:48 PM

Conservatories, Orangeries & Sun rooms as well as Windows & Doors in PVCu, Aluminium & Timber

2000ft

SHOWCENTRE 2 Orangeries on display

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SOLID ROOF CREATES A CONSERVATORY TO ‘LIVIN’ WHATEVER THE WEATHER Conservatories are a great way of adding a light and airy room to any home. However, depending on where the conservatory is positioned and the amount of shade outside, it can let in too much light.

Too much sunlight can mean the conservatory gets very warm in summer and, even on a bright winter day, make it difficult to watch TV, browse an iPad or work on a computer.

At Securahome we are now able to offer an alternative to polycarbonate or glass – a solid roof.

Called a Livin Roof, this system can be fitted to an existing conservatory, so there is no need to change the existing walls and glazing. Thanks to Kingspan insulation, the Livin Roof is 15 times more thermally efficient than a polycarbonate or old glass roof without solar control, meaning the conservatory will be warmer in winter.

For those who don’t enjoy the, all-too-common, pitter-patter of raindrops, the Livin Roof also improves sound insulation compared to polycarbonate and glass.

The inside of the roof is a plaster-boarded to keep an airy and modern ‘vaulted ceiling’ feel, meaning it can be finished with down-lighters or pendant lights. With the option to add glazed panels to the Livin Roof, it’s even possible to keep a view of the heavens!

FREEPHONE 0500 21 22 24 www.securahome.co.uk Securahome PVCu Ltd, Garngoch Ind Est, Gorseinon, Swansea SA4 9WN

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HOUSE & HOME

I WANT THAT peter.slee@swwmedia.co.uk

From lighting to bathrooms, our shopping list has you covered...

Aurora Fabric Armchair in Sky, DfS, Llansamlet, £638 Simon Freeborough Daisy Pink: £125 Fabulous Faux Fan Palm Leaf Stem: £29 Plastic Flamingos: £32 Crab in Bell Jar: £69.95 Band Vase Turquoise Short: £69 Waterford Draper Hiball Tumblers - Gold Band: £125 Abyss & Habidecor Portfolio Beach Towel: £142 Crosley Cruiser Record Player UK Plug Dark Turquoise: £100 Pampas

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HOUSE & HOME

HOUSE & HOME

I WANT THAT

RETRO BLING Wild & Wolf Mustard Trim Phone, £40, Exit Interiors

ALL IN A ROW

Century 24-piece cutlery set £180, House of Fraser, Cardiff

COOL!

Habitat Jerry Orange Dining Chair, £80, Argos, Parc Morfa

GREAT IDEA

Concrete Candle, £4, Wilko, Swansea

SHINE A LIGHT

SEAT OF LEARNING

Houston Dome Pendant, £160, Laura Ashley, Swansea

Conran Clayton Desk, £499, Marks & Spencer, Swansea

MINE’S A CUPPA

Garden gnomes mug, £6.50, Kath Kidston, Cardiff

STRAIGHT LINE SITTING PRETTY KEEP IT SIMPLE

Great Dolphin Bowl Wall Fountain, £513, The Chelsea gardener

Grand Bovary occasional chair, £695, www.loaf.com

Oak coat hooks, £54, Furnish.co.uk

PLEASE BE SEATED Kettler palma cube and chairs set, £599, John Lewis, Cardiff

BESIDE THE SEASIDE Harbourside Houses, £9.95, Coastal Home.com

CREATE A MOOD Set of 3 Oriana Tealight Holders, £14, Next, Swansea

152 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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6/24/2016 2:23:45 PM

SUMMER

FREE DELIVERY

BED SALE NOW ON

WITHIN 25 MILES

FREE REMOVAL oF oLD BED

UNIT 12-16 ToWEr C o U r T, S T D a v I D S r D , L L a N S a M L E T, S a 6 8 r U (BEHIND SMyTHS ToyS)

01792 799213 55-57 NEW roaD, SkEWEN, Sa10 6EP

01792 815080 sweetdreams-beds.co.uk

©LW

Untitled-2 1

6/23/2016 11:56:09 AM

HOUSE & HOME TP-Link Touch P5 AC 1900 Touch Screen Wi-Fi Gigabit Router, £129.99, Maplin, Llansamlet

TP-LINK Archer VR900 AC 1900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit VDSL2/ADSL2+ Modem Router for Phone Line Connections White, £124.58, www.amazon.co.uk Another goodie if you’re using multiple devices at the same time, this router will help you get the most out of your broadband speeds. Connect your devices directly to the LAN ports and you’ll really see the difference in speeds - a major selling point if you’re gaming and struggling with lags.

On top of that there’s 1 USB 3.0 port and 1.1 port and three antennas which give a great Wi-Fi range.

OF THE

This may sound a bit nerdy, but it really has to be said: The TP-Link Touch P5 is a thing of beauty. Who needs a clunky old box when you can have this masterpiece?! The touch screen makes the setting up of this router simple and, when we gave it a go, it was up and running within a couple of minutes. It offers a solid 10,000 square feet of coverage and is powerful enough to watch that HD films without even a hint of that annoying ‘buffering’ wheel.

5

Belkin Play Wireless Modem Router, £29.99,Currys, Pontarddulais Road Retail Park If you’re looking for a router that will do a good job at a good price, this is the one for you. Granted it doesn’t come with loads of extras, but if you’re not gaming or streaming 4k content 24 hours a day, it will be more than sufficient. It’s easy to set up and most importantly is a stable device that you won’t have to check in on all the time. Oh and yes, we know appearances aren’t everything, but it is one of the prettier routers out there!

BEST (wifi routers)

Want to be able to surf the net with ease? PETER SLEE checks out routers that will definitely help... peter.slee@swwmedia.co.uk

D-Link DIR-890L - Wireless AC3200 Ultra Performance WiFi Router, £254.99, www.ebuyer.com Not only does this look like a spaceship from Star Trek but, like the show, it’s got forwardthinking technology too. This is ideal for the smart home - a place where anything and everything requires Wi-Fi, it even comes with smart connect technology.

What this means is that with three bands available, it will detect which one is most suited to the device connecting to it. So, you’ll always have the clearest band (and fast connection) whether you’re gaming or simply browsing the web on your phone. There’s six antennas, so you’ll have great coverage in the home, and although it costs a fair amount, it really is the bee’s-knees.

NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S R7800 Wireless Modem Router, £222.99, PC World, Parc Morfa With speeds of up to 2.53gbps, this is a router for the serious gamer or streamer - or a house which includes both. Because it sends data to multiple devices at the same time, you can easily stream a film in one room while someone else plays an online game in another. That aside, this Netgear device is a good option for families as there’s easy to programme parental controls.

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Create the ultimate

Outdoor Dining experience

Gas Barbecues | Charcoal Barbecues Fire Pits | Patio Heaters

Special ls a e D e g a Pack Available Now

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Gorseinon Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, SA4 9GG Tel: 01792 892357 | www.brisco.co.uk

6/24/2016 10:41:08 AM

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6/23/2016 11:56:47 AM

HOUSE & HOME

HOUSE & HOME

MUST-HAVES! O U R FAV O U R I T E B U Y S

Add bright bursts of colour with beautiful style to your garden this summer... peter.slee@swwmedia.co.uk

Serve an alfresco feast with this bbq perfect for garden get-togethers: Landmann Piccolino portable charcoal barbecue, £34.99, Homebase, Swansea

Retro splendour Striped deckchair, £29.99, Argos, Swansea Monroe solar garden table, £189, Cuckooland.com

Garden Vegetable shoes, £20, www.backdoor shoes.co.uk

Garden green Salsa garden table. £59, John Lewis, Cardiff This cute cloudy grey plastic hanging basket is £29.99 at Homebase in Parc Tawe

Keep comfy whist gardening with this National Trust kneeler, £20, National Trust shop, Rhossili

This metal garden bench is £89.99 at HomeSense in Parc Fforestfach

A stylish way to plant Heart pot, £14.99, B&Q, Swansea

158 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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RELAX,REFRESH,REVITALISE Sit back and let us create your dream bathroom

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Tile Rack& Bathrooms Inc Untitled-6 1

6/24/2016 2:24:04 PM

Choose a new tarmac driveway it’s durable, practical and versatile

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A & C AGGREGATES

NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN IN CWMFFRWD, CARMARTHEN A&C Aggregates Ltd, a locally owned Company, was established in 2003 to supply a wide range of decorative aggregates, paving slabs and products designed to enhance the appearance of the outside areas of your home.

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6/24/2016 12:15:46 PM

New stock & range of artificial grass ideal for patios

Indoor Showroom at Idole, Cwmffrwd

GELLI GAEROS, IDOLE, CARMARTHEN, SA32 8DJ TEL: 01267 236797 WWW.ACAGGREGATES.BIZ Also at ROWLANDS VIEW, NARBERTH SA67 8RG | 01834 869343

©LW

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6/24/2016 12:15:55 PM

HOUSE & HOME Portsmore Extending Dining Table from £599, Jaz Dining Chairs in Victoria Olive and Victoria Quince from £250 per pair, Hetton Dining Chair in Victoria Teal from £250 each, Harvey’s, Llansamlet

Jam jar glasses (set of 4), £6, Bext, Parc Fforestfach

Tassle Garland, £3, Tiger, Swansea Woven Basket, £12.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Vase, £12, Debenhams, Swansea

RIO BRIGHTS Transform your garden into a carnival of colour with LAURA DAVIES’ brightly coloured picks... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

Toucan Cushion, £7, George at Asda, Parc Trostre

Light Red Skandi Style Lantern, £4.99, Homebase, Parc Pemberton

Pineapple Citronella Candle, £8 , Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Four Way Chip & Dip Dish, £10, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Solar Stick, £1 each, Primark, Swansea Capri Chair, £199, M&S, Swansea 162 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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SUMMER SALE NOW ON AT WALES’NO.1 INDEPENDENT BED SPECIALIST

Dreamtime Unit 11, Beaufort Court, Beaufort Rd, Plasmarl, Swansea, SA6 8JG

Tel: 01792 771012 Untitled-2 1

View our full range & buy online from the comfort of your home

MORRISTON

M4 JUNCTION 45 A4067

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www.dreamtimebeds.co.uk 6/23/2016 11:57:26 AM

HOUSE & HOME

2

1

DON’T MISS THE DETAILS Check out these great buys available this summer from your favourite Swansea high street shops... peter.slee@ swwmedia.co.uk

3

4

1. Cottage biscuit jar Cottage salt and pepper shakers: £8.00 Cottage tea pot: £12.00 Heart mugs (set of 2): £8.00 All in one storage jar: £14.00 Floral cake stand: £16.00. Next, Parc Fforestfach 2. Dinner Plate £4, Side Plate £3.50, Bowl £3.50, Tray £12.50; all M&S, Swansea 3. Lustrous surfaces add personality to any room: From a selection at Sainsbury’s at Home, Swansea 4. Dining table: Metal dine letters, £19.99; wooden edge wall clock, £12.99; Maritime pizza plate, £7.99; set of four printed coasters £3.99; dipped mugs, £2.49 each; coffee canister, £5.99; all Dunelm, Swansea 164 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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A Company built on its reputation & personal service

• Wood/Laminate Flooring • Cushion & Hard Vinyl Flooring • Carpets • Natural Flooring – Coir/Sisal • Safety Flooring • Full Floor Preparation • Domestic & Commercial Contracts • Free Measuring & Estimates RECOMMENDED INSTALLERS OF AMTICO FLOORING Technical & professional advice on the best flooring for your home or business SWANSEA’S ONLY NICF MASTER FITTER

Tel: 01792 896523 E: theflooringstudioltd@btconnect.com Visit: www.theflooringstudio.biz Visit our showroom at: 72 High Street, Gorseinon, Swansea SA4 4BP

Paul James

Est. 1982 ©LW

Untitled-6 1

6/23/2016 5:05:32 PM

No6hundred

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Penfedy Isaf, Felindre, Swansea, SA5 7NL | www.newimagekitchens.co.uk

6/24/2016 9:09:22 AM

Great escapes

KRAKOW (page 168) MILAN (page 170) SWITZERLAND (page 174) HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN (page 177)

251 Oxford Street, Swansea, SA1 3BL Tel: 0844 800 3855

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GREAT ESCAPES

A WEEKEND BREAK IN

KRAKOW With new flights, moving history and modern buzz, Krakow is not just about stag weekends – it makes a sophisticated city break option. For too long Krakow has had a reputation for attracting crowds of soon-to-be-tied-down gentlemen on stag weekends. It deserves better, as PETER SLEE discovered...

Get your bearings

Also worth a trip

Krakow is easy to negotiate. Its centre, comprising the old town and Wawel Hill where the Royal Castle and Cathedral sit, are hemmed in by the Vistula on one side and the Planty – a green belt of parks which replaced the city walls in the early 19th century – on the other.

Head south to Wawel Hill (7) (48 12 422 5155; wawel.krakow.pl). Seat of Polish kings for over 500 years, the Royal Castle here is a magnificent Renaissance construction.

It houses state rooms and private royal apartments - particularly of note are the 30 wooden heads in the Throne Room’s coffered ceiling.

Cultural afternoon

Poland’s most treasured work of art, Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine is also on display here. Also on the hill is the 14th-century Wawel Cathedral , with its icecream scoop domes.

This multimedia museum, opened in 2010, recreates Krakow’s past with the help of a huge collection of artefacts (10am to 5.30pm Tue to Sun, closed Mondays).

To understand the beating heart, and history, of the city, go first to the magnificent Market Square (Rynek Glowny) in the old town, where you’ll find the main tourist office at Rynek Glowny 1-3 (00 48 12 4337310; krakow.pl; 9am to 7pm daily). The square is dominated by the asymmetrical spires of St Mary’s Church.

As you listen to the bugle playing to mark each hour – with its abrupt ending which signifies and commemorates the bugler’s death from a Tatar arrow in 1241 – you understand that this is a country whose spirit, despite repeated invasion, has never been broken.

Must visit Cross theVistula to Oskar Schindler’s factory at 4 Lipowa Street (48 12 257 10 17; mhk.pl; admission 19 zlotys/£2.80). It is not easy to find, but follow the street signs and you will find it past the MOCAK contemporary art gallery. This museum may be unsettling - as well as the industrialist’s story, it also goes into harrowing detail about life in Nazioccupied Krakow - but you will come away with a better sense of Poland’s situation in the Second World War.

Be prepared for the 135m ride back up to the surface though. A couple in our group found it, well, hair raising is probably the best way to describe it!

Also underground but this time, under the Market Square, is a fascinating branch of the city’s Historical Museum (00 48 12 426 50 60; mhk.pl; entry 18PLN/£3.25).

There is a complicated ticketing process for the sights on Wawel Hill. You will need one ticket for the Royal Castle and there is a separate fee for each of its five permanent exhibitions; admission from 7 zlotys (£1.20).

You need to purchase another ticket for the Cathedral, which costs 12 zlotys (£2).

Eating and drinking

Icing on the cake

Shots from 4 PLN zlotys (70p). Happily too, there is more to Polish cuisine than sausages. And it is incredibly cheap to eat out here.

Some 15km south-east of Krakow lies the Unesco World Heritage Site of Wieliczka (18), a deep salt mine which has been worked continuously for more than 700 years and incorporates a museum (00 48 12 278 73 02; wieliczka-saltmine.com). Hewn by hand from solid salt, the showpiece in this extraordinary underground museum is the Chapel of St Kinga, complete with salt chandeliers that took two brothers from 1895 to 1927 to complete. Guided tours in English run hourly from 10am to 5pm and cost 64 PLN/£11.50.

Krakow has a large student population. So the bars are pretty good. Try Pijalnia Wodki i Piwa (5) at ul. Sw. Jana 3-5 (48 797 980 405), a 24-hour bar with newspaper covered walls, and serving quince and plum vodkas.

We had to check our bill a couple of times to make sure no mistake had been made.

Try the wild boar with juniper berries at Pod Aniolami restaurant (6) at Grodzka 35 (48 12 421 39 99; podaniolami.pl), in a 13th-century cellar. Mains from 34.50 zlotys (£6).

Visit www.poland.travel or call the Polish National Tourist Office in London at 0208 991 7073

168 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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Free Range Holidays

u m S m s i e r T LET YOUR KIDS

IMAGINATION Run Wild

SUMMER FESTIVAL EXPLODES INTO ACTION! The summer holidays are looming and the time has come to enjoy some family fun. There’s nothing better than getting away and letting your little ones roam free. So we’ve made a place to play that’s natural with all the luxury comforts for Mum and Dad. You can race coracles, go on a bug hunt and meet the characters of the Woody Wilds in their new shows too! The ‘all weather’ Summer Festival is sure to delight everyone this year with a carnival of spectacular fun set in one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth.

To book call 01834 887 641 or visit www.bluestonewales.com #bluestonewales

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facebook.com/bluestonewales

@bluestonewales

6/23/2016 11:58:10 AM

GREAT ESCAPES

Window shopping

FROM SWANSEA TO MILAN LAURA DAVIES heads to Milan for a chic weekend break... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

M

ilan, the Italian capital of cool; the birthplace of Prada, Armani and Missoni, home of Donatella Versace.

My mission — to enjoy a stylish weekend of shopping and self-indulgence, rubbing shoulders with the beautiful people in exclusive bars and restaurants and picking up a designer label or two. Perhaps we will even bump into a celebrity or a footballer along the way.

Well after all, it is Milan Fashion Week and the city is home to AC Milan and InterMilan (or so my husband tells me, before we leave) I am taking my mum on our weekend trip — who else would compete with me when it comes to shopping!

GETTING THERE...

Our flight from Cardiff Airport couldn’t be any easier. A drink at the airport’s executive lounge starts the weekend off well. We flew with Flybe to Milan Malpensa Airport — a two hour comfortable flight.

The airline flies four times a week from Cardiff.

@LawsDx

Getting about...

The metro is cheap — an all day pass is under €10 Euros. Jump on a Sightseeing bus (there are three routes to chose from) We visited the city’s famous San Siro stadium on the city’s outskirts. The open-top buses are excellent when you are only on a short stay.

FASHION MUSTS When it comes to fashion, where Milan leads, the world follows. The fashion houses of Milan have been setting catwalks aflame since the Renaissance, establishing a global standard for style.

Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II Window-shopping and people-watching don’t get much better than here, the belle-epoque shopping arcade between La Scala and the Duomo. Sit with a coffee and people watch as chic Milanese and well-heeled tourists peruse the latest ready-to-wear collections from Louis Vuitton and Prada’s flagship store.

Getting from the airport to the heart of Milan centre (50km) is roughly a 50 minute trip on the Malpensa Express train which runs every 30 to 60 minutes and stops at Milan Central Railway Station.

It costs between 8-12 euros each for a single journey.

Where we stayed...

The 3* Starhotels E.c.ho. hotel opposite Milano Centrale station — a cutting-edge, eco friendly, green hotel boasting 143 rooms with a gorgeous garden view terrace, modern and light decor and fantastic variety of organic, and locally sourced foods.

Our room is spacious and has a balcony overlooking the city skyline.

If I am honest it is a fair walk from the hub of the city, but its easy to jump on the metro across the road.

MUST SEE! 10 Corso

Como

170 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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GREAT ESCAPES

Quadrilatero d’Oro Find more haute couture in and around the Quadrilatero d’Oro (Golden Rectangle), bordered by Via Monte Napoleone, Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga, and Via Borgopresso — one of the world’s most glamorous shopping quarters — with streets of designer stores and boutiques that weave and link like strings of pearls. If I earned a six-figure salary and had a wallet full of gold cards I would have known exactly how to spend my time in Milan! As it was fashion week, window shopping was as good as it gets.

Corso Como and Corso Garibaldi There are some lovely boutiques and a few affordable shops.. a must visit is 10 Corso Como — This might be the world’s most hyped “concept shop”, but there is everything from high end fashion, a bookshop upstairs with art and design titles, and a hyper-stylish bar and restaurant in the main atrium and picture-perfect courtyard.

Other Do’s...

• Duomo (cathedral) — You can’t miss it! Situated outside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, it’s an astonishing gothic confection of white pink marble that dominates Cathedral Square. Literally, it will take your breath away, day or night!

• Palazzo Reale – This “Royal Palace” was once the centre of Milan’s government. It’s next to the Duomo although not as impressive but still worth a visit.

• Castello Sforzesco – Take a wander through the grounds of the 15th-century castle complex in the day and admire it at night when it is all lit up.

EAT & DRINK In Milan, the fashion crowd love to dine della nonna – grandma’s cooking – and at Bice power-lunches occur among the buzz of a traditional Milanese trattoria (bicemilano.it) A few doors away is Alla Cucina delle Langhe. Don’t let the homely decor fool you – you might spot the likes of Tom Ford chowing down on osso bucco (allacucinadellelanghe.it) • The H Club at the Diana Majestic Hotel during fashion week is where the fash pack go to sip martinis and look, well, fabulous, darling (hclub-diana.it/it) • More low-key but still stylish is Caffetteria degli Atellani, a super-sleek cube of glass that houses a café looking on to a beautiful garden. There’s a great selection of books on cinema, too (atellani.it) • The canal-side area of Navigli is the main aperitivo area, and dozens of stylish bars provide tasty morsels.

Overall...

Well we didn’t spot any celebrities or go on a designer splurge, but we did manage to mix in the fashion circles and meet a few models (well, briefly!) Milan has so much more to offer than fashion and football. It’s a great location for a weekend break away, with its rich history and beautiful architecture and boasts some wonderful sights, restaurants and attractions. I will definitely be back!

Fact Box...

• Flybe flights between Cardiff Airport and Milan are available four times a week, from £27.99 one way, including taxes and charges, and bookable at flybe.com

A WEEKENDER IN...

The Lake District is just one of those places that need to be ticked off if you are the travelling type. Its vast open spaces are a magnet for many, but there is room enough for everyone, as CHRIS PEREGRINE found out...

THE PLACE It is called Ambleside, but maybe Rambleside could fit equally as well.

Anyone wandering through this friendly town in Cumbria will not take long to deduce that it is geared up to the outdoor life.

If anyone keeps records of the place with the most walking equipment and clothing shops per population, then this could be on their list. But, of course, the reason for them all is all around. The hills both invite and challenge. They are loved by visitors and locals, especially those who rely on the former to make a living in the bars, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs and the shops, whether they kit you out for the wonderful environment or not.

You are in The Lakes, so soil under foot is not the only attraction.

Everyone has heard of Lake Windermere and a boat trip is a must. The week we were there was a perfect antidote to the gallons of wet stuff falling at home. It was a diet of sunshine and invigorating fresh air.

Our destination from Ambleside was Bowness, for a second visit.

A town on a hill and one which was again enjoyed.

THE HOTEL Waterhead Boutique Hotel and Bistro is billed as the Lake District’s only four-star contemporary town house hotel, and its elegance matches its location. This place cleverly combines a traditional lakeland setting with the comfort of a luxury boutique hotel. A relaxing lounge area greets you on arrival and the 41 modern bedrooms offer contemporary style we loved.

The Waterhead Bar and Grill are in keeping with the rest of the hotel, giving comfort and ample choice on the culinary and drinking front.

Local ingredients are rightly championed as they take their place on a menu which has more than a nod to regional cuisine. A beer garden outside is of high end quality. With the view it enjoys, that is unsurprising.

Everything about this place is designed to offer a relaxed, intimate atmosphere, while its attentive, award winning service will make you feel right at home.

NEED TO KNOW...

Rooms at Waterhead Boutique Hotel and Dining start from £139.

Waterhead Hotel, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0ER General Enquiries 015394 32566 • waterhead@englishlakes.co.uk

DON’T MISS

• Upgrades to Cardiff Airport’s executive lounge are £20 pp, bookable at cardiff-airport.com/executive-lounge

• Brockhole, The Lake District Visitor Centre, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LJ

• Rooms at StarHotels E.c.ho. are available from £205 a night and booking at starhotels.com

Be wild and try something new like soaring through the sky on a treetop adventure, or splashing out on the water. www.swansealife.co.uk | 171

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s s e l for

• Professional, knowledgable staff • Experience over 50 years • Great Deals across the showroom • Part exchange welcome • Tailored deals to suit your needs

Elba Crescent, Crymlyn Burrows, Fabian Way, Swansea SA1 8QQ (J42 2½ miles)

01792 643326

Gorseinon Road, Penllergaer, Swansea SA4 9GE (J47, M4 opposite 3M’s)

01792 892884

www.baileywales.com

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6/23/2016 11:58:31 AM

GREAT ESCAPES

Save before you fly!

Asking for water on the plane, weighing your bags at home and checking currency rates before you travel could save you a fortune before you’ve even set off on holiday. LAURA DAVIES looks at the best tips for avoiding any unnecessary purchases at the airport... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

Ask for water on the plane Don’t fork out for bottled water on the plane. If you take an empty bottle through customs you can ask your air steward to fill it up for you on your flight.

Park on a driveway If you’re driving to the airport, ditch the pricey car park and check out locals’ driveways. Many rent them out for holidaymakers to leave their car there for a few days at a much more competitive price.

Do your research to avoid baggage charges You’d be surprised by how much hotels will provide for you, so make sure you do your research before cramming in your hair dryer and extra towels.

Weigh your bags at home It’s not worth risking it so plonk your suitcase on some scales to weigh it before you go to avoid any fees.

Buy snacks before you get to the airport Dry snacks like crisps and biscuits can be taken on the plane so stock up before you’re roped into expensive airport offerings.

Invest in a portable charger Airports do have charging points but they are always very busy and often you can’t get a seat next to the outlet so you have to leave your phone unattended. Get a portable charger and save the hassle.

Skip the taxi When you arrive at your destination within sociable hours, don’t just hop in a taxi but check out public transport options as well.

If there’s a metro or bus service that will definitely be cheaper than a cab.

Download Google maps offline If you’re on a phone contract with limited data or that charges more for use abroad, download all the maps you think you will need before you set off. Screen shot them then you can use them as you please when you’re away.

Check currency rates in advance Try not to leave it to the last minute to get your cash for your holiday. Getting currency converted at a better rate will save you a

fortune so do your research sooner rather than later. Book somewhere with breakfast included Paying that little extra for breakfast may be worth it. If it’s buffet style you can stock up for lunch to save you spending more money on that.

Fly red eye If you don’t mind travelling late at night, book a red eye flight. Not only will it be cheaper but also the airport will be quieter at that time meaning shorter queues and less stress.

Speak to your bank and credit card providers Some branches don’t charge for transactions abroad but some do or will shut down your card if they think there’s suspicious activity.

Give them a call before you go to let them know and they should be able

Are you going away on holiday? We would love to see your pics! Send your snaps to... @SwanseaLife 173

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GREAT ESCAPES

MODERN TIMES IN SWITZERLAND

From Charlie Chaplin to Richard Burton, what is it about Lake Geneva that attracts the rich and famous to Switzerland? MARK REES went to find out...

F

rom Freddie Mercury and Michael Schumacher to Audrey Hepburn and Noel Coward, it’s hard to write about Switzerland’s Lake Geneva region without namedropping some of its more famous residents.

And having spent the best part of a week touring around the area, it became clear quite quickly just why the rich and famous of the world would make a beeline for the crystal waters and stunning scenery just over the French border.

For anyone thinking of making a pilgrimage in the footsteps of their favourite film star, musician, athlete or writer, there are no shortage of places to visit. From a Welsh point of view, this includes the final resting place of Port Talbot acting legend Richard Burton, but from a Swiss point of view right now, the main man in 2016 is a certain silent acting star called Charlie Chaplin.

joyous, thought-provoking, educational and amusing romp through the heyday of Hollywood. The name itself is a clue ¬— you could quite easily describe it as the Chaplin equivalent of Disney World.

But it isn’t the only new Chaplin-themed attraction in town, and joining the bowler hat-wearing statue on the waterfront and the giant frescos of the actor which adorn on the apartment blocks, is The Modern Times Hotel in Vevey which, as Chaplin aficionados will have noticed, is named after one of his finest films.

On the one hand, the hotel is sleek and modern, with a very clear crisp design principle. But at the same time, it has been created with the film in mind, which is set most memorably in a working factory.This gives the place a welcoming yet industrial feel, uniquely decorated with mechanical cogs and rotating wheels.

The London-born talent fled Hollywood in the 1940s during the communist witch hunt, settling in Corsier-sur-Vevey where he remained for the last 24 years of his life. And now, after 16 years of legal wrangling, painstaking research and a cost of millions of francs, his estate, the Manoir de Ban, has opened its doors to the public as the area’s latest attraction, Chaplin’s World.

In the evenings, I found my spare time in Vevey, and later down the river in Lausanne, was best spent wandering the waterfront.

The snow-capped Alps loom large as far as the eye can see, the water is a beautiful blue, and, of course, it’s totally free. All of those inspirational posters that you see in homeware shops of empty boats on tranquil waters could quite easily have been taken here – peaceful, eye-wateringly good-looking, and with the feeling of being alone in the wilderness yet only five minutes from civilization.

But this isn’t any old former residence with a few dusty old photographs lying around. A magical transformation has taken place, and the interactive museum, much like the man himself, is a

From a cultural point of view, the museums and galleries in the area, such as the photography gallery Musée de l’Elysée, are well worth a visit.

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GREAT ESCAPES

But the big surprise arrived when I popped along to the Olympics Museum in Lausanne. I confess, the idea of a museum dedicated to a sporting event that I have no interest in whatsoever didn’t overly excite me, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. Art plays a significant role in the displays, from the cultural Olympiads from days gone by to the contemporary works commissioned especially for the museum. And then there were Olympic computer games (on which I was roundly beaten by local schoolchildren), vintage posters, and some amazing costumes.

On top of that, the food, which again I had a low expectation of – a buffet in a museum? – was some of the best that I had all trip. I was told that there was a three week waiting list for locals to dine there, and it didn’t surprise me.

And then there’s the wine. You might not be overly familiar with Swiss wine, but that’s not because it can’t hold its own with the other proud wine making nations of the world. Quite the opposite, in fact. For a small nation, they don’t produce huge quantities of the drink, and as such the majority of it is kept on home soil for the locals – and when it tastes as good as it does, who can blame them?

For a spot of luxury, my second hotel was Lausanne’s striking art deco inspired Hotel Royal Savoy, which was royal by name, royal by nature. It really was the lap of luxury, with every little part of the room controllable from a tablet computer, a free mini bar and wonderful views. Yes, it cost a little more than the last hotel, but as a treat for the night it couldn’t be faulted.

And from the hotel I set off in the footsteps of another famous visitor to the area, Lord Byron, who two hundred years ago was inspired by the Chillon Castle to write his The Prisoner Of Chillon (1816). I just happened to be in town during a grand party in his honour, and while the castle is worth a visit any time of year, to be there in the presence of Lord Byron and Percy Shelley impersonators, drinking Lord Byron wine (yes, Swiss wine – from the very castle), combined with an evening stroll along the lake was an unbeatable night out.

In fact, my lasting impression of the region was that, while some of the extras might not always be as cheap as other countries – this is Switzerland, after all – you do get a lot of luxury for your Swiss francs, and with so much beauty on offer for free, they balance each other out very nicely. In fact, I can’t wait to return.

24 HOURS AT...

Travelodge

Port Road West, Barry, CF62 3BA

IT’S always a tough decision: leave home in the early hours because you have a dawn flight to Paris or splash out on an airport hotel making the process all a little less frenetic.

If you go for the latter, well, airport hotels are not always the most upbeat places to stay in the world, with staff who wish they were working elsewhere and facilities that are at best, a bit below par.

This one’s a very good notch up though, with bright, airy décor and friendly, helpful staff.

Location 10/10 It doesn’t really get much better than this. A mile or so from Cardiff Airport. It also has a huge on-site car park meaning you can park and fly.

If you fancy a bit of a stroll, you can walk down a quiet lane to Porthkerry Country Park in 10-15 minutes.

Style/character 6/10 For more information on Switzerland visit: www.MySwitzerland.com Mark’s route to Switzerland...

• From Swansea to Heathrow with National Express: www.nationalexpress.com • Fly to Geneva with Swiss Air: www.swiss.com • Travel around Switzerland on bus, tram, train and boat using the Swiss Travel System pass: www.swisstravelsystem.co.uk

Mark stayed at...

The Modern Times Hotel, Vevey: www.moderntimeshotel.ch/ Royal Savoy, Lausanne: www.royalsavoy.ch

You might imagine something very different to what you actually get!

Pretty smart really given that this outpost of the huge uk-wide chain is housed in a building probably the best part of 30 years old. The main entrance even had an impressive vase of fresh on its front desk which set a welcoming tone.

Service 10/10 Cheerful and courteous transforming the place from just any airport hotel. Staff were really friendly at all levels. We were really impressed.

Rooms 8/10 Its rooms are not huge but are still a decent enough size, tasteful and spotlessly clean with a king sized bed. I previously stayed here a year or so ago and they all looked as though they had had a big makeover since then. A new’ish bathroom was again right on the mark.

Food and drink 8/10 The choice here is not huge. There is a good value cooked breakfast at an adjoining bustling Toby Carvery if you really want it however we went for a ‘Breakfast in a Bag’ option which included a yoghurt, Blueberry muffin, orange juice and cereal bar. Fine

Value for money 9/10 Really good. More than 70 per dent of the chain’s rooms nationwide are sold for less than £50 per night and the people at Travelodge appear pretty adept at innovative packages and these offer good value. Despite its prime location we tracked down a £29 overnight price tag on the web for Cardiff Airport, impressive, given where it is. www.swansealife.co.uk | 175

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GREAT ESCAPES

Suitcase savvy in 7 simple steps...

The countdown to a holiday is part of the fun, right? Ooh, just a few more sleeps - you can almost taste the Pina Coladas already! But for many people, packing the bags is the downside to a summer escape - but it doesn’t have to be that way. LAURA DAVIES reveals how to liberalise the luggage with seven top tips for panicfree packing...

1

3

Product protocol

Being realistic about the products - and amounts of products - you’ll actually use, saves so much hassle.

If you’re holidaying with other people, how about sharing stuff like shampoo, shower gel and toothpaste, with each of you responsible for bringing different things?

Pack light

It really is so much simpler when you have less to lug around, you don’t have to stand in line at the check-in desk worrying you’re about to be charged an arm and a leg for excess baggage, or fret about your case bursting open because the zip’s so strained.

The main rule for packing light is to stick to the, ‘do I actually need to take this?’, rather than the, ‘ooh, you never know, I might fancy wearing this’, method.

2 GreatEscapesSingle.indd 1

Plan it out Think about actual outfits you’ll wear, rather than aimlessly pulling random garments out of your wardrobe. Mix and match items - you really don’t need to take the equivalent of three distinct outfits a day.

5

Swap it out

Save space and time packing by considering clever alternatives.

A light sarong instead of a bulky beach towel, two-in-one shampoo/conditioner, soft hats that can lay flat in your case rather than rigid ones...

6

Get rolling Just fold it up, place it in the case, right? There might be a more efficient way - top tips include rolling garments up tightly; ensuring all space is used by tucking smaller items inside shoes, for instance, and removing things from unnecessary bulky packaging wherever possible.

This is where starting early really counts: give yourself time to make sure everything fits, and either play around with how you’re packing - or be stricter about how much you’re taking - and still have time for a good night’s sleep before you set off for the airport.

4

Buy wise

There’s always the temptation to splash out on a ‘whole new holiday wardrobe’. But most of us are on tight budgets, and we all know impulse buys often end up being a waste of money. Investing carefully in one or two items, however, that will enhance your holiday experience and be useful time and time again, is a wiser approach. Perhaps really well-made luggage, a great carry-on bag, a lightweight shawl you’ll wear constantly, quality footwear, compact gadgets, travel towels...

7

Bag it

Getting hand luggage right makes a world of difference. Make sure all those vital documents (passport, ticket, hotel details etc) are all securely stored together, so you know exactly where they are and can access them quickly when needed.

Empty your hand luggage and pack it from scratch before travelling - you really don’t need to be carrying unnecessary weight, and you don’t want to be that annoying person who holds everybody up going through security.

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GREAT ESCAPES

WHAT A CARRY Lulu Guinness Hard Sided 4W Gold Cabin, £199, Very.co.uk H: 56cm • W: 35cm • D: 20cm

Pink Floral Suitcase, £70, River Island, Swansea H: 47cm • W: 33cm

IT LUGGAGE Small, £49.99, TK Maxx H: 53.5cm. W: 39.5cm. D: 23cm.

Ted Baker Arianna Hanging Gardens 4-Wheel Suitcase, £199, House of Fraser, Cardiff H: 54cm • W: 37cm • D: 24cm

American Tourister Bon Air 4-Wheel 55cm Cabin Suitcase, £89, H: 55cm • W:40cm • L: 20cm

Tripp Holiday 5 4-Wheel Cabin Suitcase, was £100, now £49, Debenhams, Swansea H: 55cm • W: 40cm • D: 20cm

Delsey Belfort Plus 4 Wheel 55cm Cabin Suitcase, £109, www.delsey.com H: 55cm • W: 40cm • D: 20cm.

M&S COLLECTION Ultralight 4 Wheel Small Suitcase, £119, M&S, Swansea H: 55cm • W: 40cm • D: 20cm

Revelation By Antler Stewart Standard Cabin Case, £59, www.revelationlondon.com H: 55cm • W: 35cm • D: 20cm

Textured button spot four wheel cabin bag, £115, Cath Kidston, Cardiff H: 55cm • W: 35cm • D:20cm

PARADISE Yellow Hard Shell Spinner Suitcase, £39.99, TK Maxx, Parc Trostre H: 55cm. W: 35cm. D: 22cm.

Fleet Street small cabin size hard case trolley suitcase, £129, Radley, Cardiff H: 52cm • W: 37cm • D: 20 cm

178 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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6/22/2016 2:39:19 PM

on..!

Make sure you look first class with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of stylish, overhead lockerfriendly cases and holdalls... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

@LawsDx

Faux Leather Holdall, £79, M&S, Swansea H: 58cm • W: 28cm • D: 25cm

Orchard Bloom Foldaway Overnight Bag, £40, Cath Kidston, Cardiff H: 55cm • W: 18cm • D: 36cm

Antler Tundra Holdall Charcoal, £69, www.antler.co.uk H: 54cm • W: 35cm • D:28cm

CUT OUT AND KEEP!

Revelation Nooree Holdall, £40, www.revelationlondon.com H: 58cm • W: 28cm • D: 28cm

Geneva Weekend Large Holdall, £69, John Lewis, Cardiff H: 25cm • W: 50cm • D: 25cm

Orange retro floral print weekend bag, £65, River Island, Swansea H: 37cm • W: 51cm • D: 22cm.

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Bric’s Firenze Medium Holdall, £355, House of Fraser, Cardiff H: 28cm • D: 43cm • H: 19cm

Tripp Holiday Large Holdall Ultramarine, £85, Debenhams, Swansea H: 34cm • W: 50cm • D: 20cm

SIZE MATTERS HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN CARRY...

Aer Lingus ..............................55cm x 40cm x 24cm Air France..............................55cm x 35cm x 25cm British Airways ...................56cm x 45cm x 25cm Delta .......................................56cm x 35cm x 23cm easyJet ...................................56cm x 45cm x 25cm Emirates ................................55cm x 38cm x 20cm Etihad Airways ....................40cm x 50cm x 25cm Flybe 1 ...................................55cm x 35cm x 23cm Jet2 .........................................56cm x 45cm x 25cm KLM .........................................55cm x 25cm x 35cm Lufthansa ............................55cm x 40cm x 23cm

Monarch ...............................56cm x 40cm x 25cm Norwegian .............................55cm x 40cm x 23cm Qatar Airways ......................50cm x 37cm x 25cm Ryanair ..................................55cm x 40cm x 20cm Thomas Cook Airlines ........55cm x 40cm x 20cm Thomson Airways ................55 x 35 x 25 cm Turkish Airlines ..................55cm x 40cm x 23cm Virgin Atlantic .....................56cm x 36cm x 23cm Vueling Airlines ..................55cm x 40cm x 20cm *Table correct as of 30 March 2016

6/22/2016 2:39:31 PM

#DIDYOUKNOW

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CALL OUR RESERVATIONS TEAM OR COME AND SEE US FOR YOUR COPY

Book online at www.edwardscoaches.co.uk

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CARDIFF - 02920 348811 LLANSAMLET - 01792 274444 LLANTWIT FARDRE - 01443 202048 NEATH - 01639 250250 PEMBROKE - 01646 683143 SWANSEA - 01792 456600 TENBY - 01834 842189

TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY

6/23/2016 12:00:23 PM

Out

& about

RICHIE HAMMOND (page 182) WALK OF THE MONTH (page 186) YOUR PICS! (page 188) MY SWANSEA (page 195)

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6/22/2016 3:10:01 PM

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 some of Swansea and Gower’s coast and countryside. This month he visits Swansea beach...

S

o, here we are on fabulous Swansea beach this July getting ready for the superb Wales National Air show. We will also walk from the end of the Ashley Road golf course where we left off last month down to the Guildhall looking at a variety of places in between.

Last month we were in Blackpill but we didn’t talk about the beach so this month we will start with this amazing sands of Swansea - a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). From Swansea Dock’s piers to Mumbles is around 5 miles, with the majority of it being made up of dunes, fine sands above the high tide mark and a muddy soft sand below. The beach both above and below the surface is home to a wealth of animal life with many rare and common birds feeding and rousting. Over 150 species have been identified including Gulls, Waders and Wildfowl with sixty of these being classified as rare and forty-one scarce breeds.

It is important for birds like Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Dunlin and what attracts our feathered friends to Swansea

Beach is the vast array of food and habitat. After feeding on cockles, razor fish and lug worms the birds can be seen roosting at the water’s edge. To avoid frightening these birds it’s best to view them from a distance and Blackpill provides an excellent spot to do so.

Visible at low tide are the remains of fish traps. These V shaped or zig zagged traps lay along the bay and are made from wooden post and low stone walls. They were used in conjunction with wattle fences and conical woven baskets.

The first records of these go back to 1650 for the manor of Oystermouth. Early traps were replaced by stake nets around the 1880s which allowed smaller fish to escape.

Mainly used on mud flats the nets were used in Swansea until the mid-20th century. Swansea Bay and mumbles Head was known as the location of the largest stake-nets found in the UK. Information from - The Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological trust Dragging us back to the 21st Century, if you take an early morning walk along the beach you won’t fail to be impressed by the hard working council staff that keep the beach clean and the sand on the bay instead of on Oystermouth Road!

182 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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6/22/2016 12:34:47 PM

OUT & ABOUT

Spectators at the Air Show

I spoke to a couple of the guys Ian, Berwyn and Lewis Love who were busy shovelling the sand off the prom and collecting the rubbish. They told me they had found some interesting things over the years whilst cleaning the beach including an aircrafts nose cone, a huge aluminium mast from a ship, false limbs as well as with usual haul of drinks cans and burst footballs. Lewis who is originally from Kent told me he applies every year for these seasonal jobs and this year covers the beach from County Hall to Southend in Mumbles. Walking that distance, every day, in all weathers no doubt keeps him very fit!

Within a minute of the beach is St Helen’s Rugby and Cricket ground. Since its opening in 1873 it has been the home of the Whites, and the Swansea Cricket club. The Liberty Stadium and creation of rugby regions have meant the attendances at St Helens have decreased, so with the main stand needing replacing, a smaller lower capacity

This month’s BIG event!

The month is massive for Swansea beach as its the free Wales National Air show, which will be returning to the city on July 2 and 3.

This now annual event attracts hundreds of thousands of people onto the sands so get there early for the many excellent attractions and to watch Breath-taking aerobatic displays.

It’s a great weekend with so much going on you won’t fail be enjoy some part of it. I just hope Lewis and the guys get plenty of help.

Mitzie on the beach

“The beach, both above and below the surface, is home to a wealth of animal life with many rare and common birds feeding and rousting.” stand was built. As a child spectator in the 1970s I was part of a 40,000 plus attendance for the West Wales v New Zealand game but today it’s closer to mere 4,500. In years gone by the ground has seen Dylan Thomas famously win a mile race as a school boy in 1928; in 1935 the Whites beat New Zealand 11-3, Sir Garfield Sobers become the first batsman ever to hit six sixes in a single over of six consecutive balls in first-class cricket in 1968 and in 1992 Swansea RFC beat the world champions Australia 21-6.

Let’s not forget that every November 5th we get treated to a spectacular fireworks display there too.

VICTORIA PARK Victoria Park, St Helen’s neighbour, is a beautiful, if small, park dating back to 1887 and is renowned for its flower beds. It has excellent facilities such as the bowling green, tennis courts, basketball and children’s play area. It is one of Swansea’s oldest park and famously hosts the Patti Pavilion. The Patti was donated to the City of Swansea by Madame Patti in 1918 and was originally sited in her winter garden at Craig-y-Nos estate. But exactly who was Adelina Patti?

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OUT & ABOUT

Born in Madrid in 1843 she was a highly acclaimed 19thcentury opera singer. She performed for Kings, Queens and Presidents (Abraham Lincoln among them) and still remains one of the most famous sopranos in history. At her peak she was paid $5000 a night, in gold, before the performance (an absolute fortune in those days) and her contracts stipulated that her name be top-billed and printed larger than any other name in the cast. Her contracts also insisted that while she was “free to attend all rehearsals, she was not obligated to attend any”. She kept a parrot whom she had trained to shriek, “CASH! CASH!” whenever her promotor walked in the room. Madam Adelina Patti died at her Craig-y-Nos home in 1919 Today the Patti Pavilion is a venue for the performing arts in Swansea, hosting plays, pantomimes, musical shows and fayres. In late 2007 it was extended with a new glass covered wing housing an Indian restaurant, The Patti.

DID YOU KNOW? You can buy a six bed terraced house on St Helens Road for £249,000 or a one-bedroom apartment set in a purpose built retirement complex at Home Gower House, for £49,000.

Or how about an 8 bed guesthouse on Oystermouth road for £249,450

Just further up from the park is the council building - The Guildhall which was opened by Prince George in 1934 at a cost of £300,000. The building, clad in Portland Stone, has marble floors, deeply coffered barrel vault ceilings and at the end of the Grand Corridor, but with its own separate entrance, is the Brangwyn Hall. The Building was designed as a replacement for the old town hall (now the Dylan Thomas Centre) and provided much needed employment at the time. It was built on two acres of Victoria park which was a cheaper option than building in Swansea Centre.

The Brangwyn Hall displays 16 panels painted by Frank Brangwyn which were donated to Swansea following the 1933 Olympia exhibition. Today it holds vintage fayres, Gin festivals and music concerts which can be usually booked through the Grand Theatre box office.

Back over to the promenade above the beach is the old Mumbles railway track. Today it is a place to walk, jog or cycle. There are plenty of thing to see along this route firstly the abundance of exercise machines, known as a Trim Trail, dotted along for enthusiastic runners who need that extra push. There is the monument to Swansea’s fallen heroes of the First World War (2274 fallen) and the Portland stone cenotaph war memorial.

The historic slip bridge that you see resting along the route but spanning nothing was “temporarily” removed from its usual spot over Oystermouth road 12 years ago.

Swansea Jack

184 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

Guildhall

“Guildhall was opened by Prince George in 1934 at a cost of £300,000.”

TIME FOR WINE! Café 360 is a great place to stop for a coffee, a snack or a cheeky glass of wine. They have a heated Canopy area where dogs are welcome and you can get changed into your shorts and go for the Saturday morning runs, play volley ball on the beach or kayak in the sea. Across the road a bit further towards the city centre is the Bay View Pub and Thai restaurant. The Chicken satay with peanut dip here is superb, it has excellent reviews on Trip Advisor and also does a mean Sunday lunch buffet for £9.50. You really should give this place a try.

Slip bridge

Built in 1914 it was removed for inspection but the cost of repair prevented it from returning to its natural spot. I would be fantastic to see it back, hopefully one day it will.

Along the route you will also see another memorial to a dog, the famous Swansea Jack. Jack was a long haired black retriever that is said to have rescued 27 people from Swansea’s waters. He first rescued a 12-year-old boy, then a swimmer in the dock. Swansea town council awarded him a silver collar and in 1936, he received the ‘Bravest Dog of the Year’ award from the London Star newspaper, a silver cup from the Lord Mayor of London and two bronze medals (‘the canine V.C.’) by the National Canine Defence League.

The vast expanse of Swansea Beach provides a great place to walk your four legged friend and is somewhere I regularly visit with my dog Mitzie. But don’t forget the slightly complicated beach rules which affect where and when you can walk your canine pal throughout different times of year.

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So how good is this area of Swansea? It’s FANTASTIC! There is so much to see and do and I hope you enjoy it there as much as I do.

NEXT TIME...

We travel to a hidden ornamental garden, forgotten after the second world war but now restored to former glory sitting above Gower’s most popular beach – beautiful Caswell Bay. I’ll see you then!

Richie.

6/22/2016 12:35:22 PM

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.

This month, he takes in the view from Baglan..

Start/Finish location ..............Outside Blaen Baglan School (Maes Ty Canol Road) Distance ......................................4 miles (2 hours) Level .............................................Moderate Parking .........................................On-street

Swansea Bay is larger than you may think, stretching from Mumbles in a long broad curve past Port Talbot to Kenfig.

From the hills above the M4, there are some pleasant walks with good views across the bay and today’s walk visits Mynydd Dinas. On the evening of July 25, Swansea Ramblers will be leading here a similar walk which will be a perfect way to unwind after a hard day’s work. If you can make it then come along and join us to see Swansea Bay perhaps from an angle you’ve not seen before.

St Illtud’s Drive forms part of the high level alternative route of the Wales Coast Path. Descend this road and as it curves right, turn left along Bwlch Road. Follow this road uphill, watching for traffic. The road first bends right then when it next bends left, go straight ahead to the right of a farm to continue on the hillside Wales Coast Path. Pass on the left, an ancient ruined farm house and a more modern abandoned bungalow. Just after a structure on the right, follow the track

186 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

Upcoming walks JULY...

SATURDAY 02 Fan Frynach (5.5 miles)Moderate meet 11.00am Forest Lodge Cottages

“Swansea Bay is larger than you may think, stretching from Mumbles in a long broad curve past Port Talbot to Kenfig.”

SUNDAY 03 Cwm Clydach (10 miles) Strenuous meet 9.30am Francis St. WEDNESDAY 06 Jersey Marine (7 miles) Easy meet 10.00am Cambrian Place, Queens Hotel SATURDAY 09 Ogmore Valley (6 miles) Moderate meet 10.00am Francis St. TUESDAY 12 Gowerton Evening Walk (4 miles) Easy/ Moderate meet 7.00pm Gowerton car park off B4295 WEDNESDAY 13 Swansea Bay & Caswell (7 miles) Moderate meet 10.00am Blackpill SATURDAY 16 Gowerton to Penclawdd (6 miles) Easy meet 11.00am Gowerton Library CP SATURDAY 23 Parc Slip (6 miles) Easy meet 11.00am Parc Slip

as it bears right and ascends to the forestry. Going through a gate, continue uphill, ignoring a track on the left.

At a hairpin bend, admire the view of the bay then follow the coast path signs for a few minutes before turning left on a track. You can leave the track briefly to visit the trig point before continuing on the track to a junction. Turn right on the main track (not the 2nd right) and follow this until you reach a junction overlooking the Afan Valley. Turn left and follow this trail as it bears left to head back towards Baglan.

You eventually meet the original forestry track which you first ascended. Turn right to descend back towards the ruined farm house and retrace your way back to the start.

Remember you’ll be welcome to join us on this walk and share the experience in the company of a sociable group of fellow walkers.

Andrew Morgan

Transport: Traveline: www.traveline-cymru.info 0871 200 22 33 or BayTrans: www.baytrans.org.uk/ Visit our website: www.swansearamblers.org.uk

SUNDAY 24 Oxwich to Horton (9 miles) Moderate meet 9.30am Francis St. MONDAY 25 Loughor Foreshore (2.5 miles)Easy meet 10.45am Loughor Foreshore CP MONDAY 25 Baglan Evening Walk (3 miles) Moderate meet 7.00pm Blaen Baglan School WEDNESDAY 27 Rhondda Fach (13 miles) Strenuous meet 8.30am Go Outdoors CP SATURDAY 30 Kilvey Hill (4 miles) Moderate meet 11.00am Swansea Dockers club Delhi St

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6/22/2016 12:21:57 PM

OUT & ABOUT

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE! Each month Swansea Life celebrates the very best in reader photographs, capturing all that’s great about where we live and work...

A view of the bay, by Eiona Roberts www.flickr.com/photos/lilo_lil

Port Eynon by Phil Fitz simmons www.philfitzsimmons. co.uk

8 who have Twins Leon and Leonie Marshall aged h with beac sea Swan the on been enjoying a day their family • Photo by John Myers

The first Swansea City Centre Triathlon • Photo by John Myers 188 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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6/22/2016 2:46:27 PM

WIN

a stay in a luxury shephard hut on the beautiful

For your chance to WIN pop over to our website or facebook page, watch our videos & tell us “What stirs your soul?” www.welshbrewtea.co.uk welshbrewtea

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Wales have kitchens that dont quite feel Welsh enough. That’s one of the reasons we’ve now introduced a NEW range of quality Welsh Brew Filter Coffees strengths from subtle “pick-me-up”, to “wide awake!”. And the beautifully designed pouches, featuring idyllic Welsh waterscapes, would improve the Welshness of any kitchen which lacks an identity. Maybe send us a selfie of you in your new, “Welsher” kitchen.

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gowerpeninsular

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6/23/2016 12:01:44 PM

OUT & ABOUT

THE

GREAT OUTDOORS Looking for a pitch-perfect campsite that isn’t a million miles away from home? MARK REES takes a look at some of the top local sites that offer you a degree of independence, are often packed full of activities and facilities for children and are ideal either for a Bank Holiday or for a longer break....

Bank Farm Leisure Park

Greenways of Gower

Glyncorrwg Ponds Campsite

Head to Horton for a family-friendly park with facilities including a clubhouse and a heated pool.

Overlooking Oxwich Bay, the premier leisure park offers stunning views and facilities including a modern shower block and a family bar.

The Afan Valley is perfect for mountain biking, and the award-winning Glyncorrwg Ponds Campsite - a Dark Sky discovery site - is the ideal place to stay.

Address: Oxwich Green, South Gower, Swansea SA3 1LY

Address: Ynyscorrwg Park, Glyncorrwg, Port Talbot SA13 3EA

Phone: 01792 391203

Phone: 01639 851900

Dogs: By arrangement

Dogs: By arrangement

Address: Horton, Gower, Swansea SA3 1LL Phone: 01792 390228 Dogs: By arrangement

190 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

Nicholaston Farm

Eastern Slade Camp Site

Address: Penmaen, Gower, Swansea SA3 2HL

For those looking to get away from all the hustle and bustle, head to the seclusion of Eastern Slade Camp Site, set on a working family run dairy farm.

A working family farm - complete with an on-site farm shop - with a sloping camping area and a caravan field.

Phone: 01792 371209 Dogs: Up to two.

Address: Lundy View, Eastern Slade Farm, Oxwich, Gower, Swansea SA3 1NA Phone: 01792 391374

Oxwich Camping Park

Dogs: By arrangement

Llanmadoc Caravan and Camping Site A family beach-side site next to Broughton Bay, with some stunning views across the peninsula from Llanmadoc Hill.

Address: Llagadranta Farm, Llanmadoc, Gower SA3 1DE Phone: 01792 386202 Dogs: By arrangement

As they say themselves, Oxwich Camping Park offers “good old fashioned, unspoilt outdoor family fun”. Ten minutes from the bay, with amenities including a swimming pool.

Address: Oxwich, Gower, Swansea SA3 1LS Phone: 01792 390777 Dogs: No.

Kennexstone Camping and Touring Park Flat ground, great facilities, and close to the beach - perfect! With electric and non-electric options.

Address: Kennexstone Farm, Llangennith, Swansea SA3 1HS Phone: 01792 386790 Dogs: Dog friendly

Scamperholidays For those who want to camp in style, go glamping down Rhossili with Scamperholidays, who also have a second site by Llangennith Bay. Address: Pitton Cross, Rhossili Pitton Cross, Rhossili SA3 1PT

“The Afan Valley is perfect for mountain biking, and the award-winning Glyncorrwg Ponds Campsite - a Dark Sky discovery site - is the ideal place to stay.”

Riverside Caravan Park

Hillend Caravan Park

For a break by the river, head to Riverside Caravan Park which has lots of entrainment for families and little ones.

Four fields, fourteen acres of meadows, and right next to the stunning Rhossili Bay. And for those without pets, is dog free as well.

Address: Ynysforgan Farm, Swansea SA6 6QL

Address: Llangennith SA3 1JD

Phone: 01792 775587

Phone: 01792 386204

Dogs: By arrangement

Dogs: No.

Pitton Cross Caravan and Camping Park

Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park

Near Rhossili and Worm’s Head, anyone looking for a windy getaway for a spot of kite flying to hang gliding should head to Pitton Cross.

Address: Rhossili, Swansea SA3 1PH Phone: 01792 390593 Dogs: By arrangement

You can’t ask for much a better view than Three Cliffs Bay. Why not enjoy it on a four star touring site with Wi-Fi and a coffee shop?

Address: North Hill Farm, North Hill Lane, Swansea SA3 2HB Phone: 01792 371218 Dogs: Yes

Phone: 01792 202325 Dogs: By arrangement www.swansealife.co.uk | 191

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6/22/2016 2:44:49 PM

THE

PERFECT SWANSEA WEEKEND Whether it’s brunch at your favourite seaside café or restaurant, shopping or maybe a picnic in Singleton or Clyne park, everyone has their own idea of how to do a bit of weekend indulgence. So, we have asked some of Swansea’s more familiar faces just how they would spend their perfect weekend...

Words: Daniel Laurie and Charlotte Rogers

192 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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THE PERFECT SWANSEA WEEKEND

LEE TRUNDLE

Swansea City Football Club Ambassador I would kick off the weekend at River House in SA1 for drinks and food. It’s a really nice bar with outdoor seating and views of the marina. My partner, Jane, and I are expecting a baby in August so we’d take it easy but usually we’d go on to Morgan’s Hotel or La Prensa to meet friends for drinks.

Saturday morning we’d go to Urban Zen, which is a cool yoga place and wholefood café, for breakfast. I always make time for a gym session at The Village hotel and then we’d go for some great Portuguese food at La Fina, followed by drinks at Bar 10 which is just below.

I like to chill out on a Sunday with some Match of the Day in the morning, and Jane would usually cook us a homemade Sunday lunch, she’s a great cook. If we were to eat out we’d go for a roast at The Buck in Pontlliw and walk it off on the beach at Langland Bay.

LORA EVANS Mrs Galaxy Swansea contestant 2016 It would have to be spent in Gower. I would go for lunch in the King Arthur in Reynoldston. If the weather is sunny, then head to Oxwich Beach with my husband Gary and my little boy Harri.

We’d spend the day on the beach, building sandcastles and dipping our toes in the sea. In the evening, I would meet up with some of my best friends in Mumbles for a few cocktails in the Cru 42 and Jones bars.

SIANY MARTIN

DJ The Wave

My perfect weekend in Swansea has to involve my two boys Caiden and Buddy who are 3 ½ and 1 ½. No matter what the weather is like we love heading to the Gower Heritage Centre. The boys get to dig in the sand, feed chickens and goats and go crazy on the bouncy castle. There is so much to do there! The team there often have special activities going on at different times of the year. If the sun is shining then we will head to Clyne Park and then take a stroll in to Mumbles for a Joe’s Ice-cream.

In the winter, a perfect weekend would be to have a hot lunch in the King Arthur Hotel, and then wrap up warm and take our buckets and spades to Oxwich beach. A perfect evening with my husband has to be drinks in Patricks in Mumbles with a meal in the Shoreline hotel, or if we feel extra extravagant and want some privacy, we head to Fairyhill Hotel in Gower with the wonderful food and amazing grounds.

JILL BURGESS

Former travel company owner One of my favourite activities to do on the weekend is walk from Oxwich point to Torbay calling for lunch at The Coalhouse which is always a treat.

Also, I enjoy visiting Mumbles headland and I often walk from Bracelet Bay to Caswell passing the beautiful Langland beach. We so often take it for granted that we live in an area that has so much stunning scenery. I sometimes call into Langland Brassiere which makes any weekend in Swansea a perfect one.

STEPHANIE ALLIN Bridal gown designer

I’m always in my London shop mid week so I really look forward to my Swansea weekends. My favourite weekend would definitely be a sunny one!

On Friday I’d go to Langlands Brasserie for after work drinks with my fabulous team. A chilled glass of Prosecco and a canapé or two! Working or not, I’m always in Mumbles on a Saturday.

I might go to Verdis for lunch with my Mum or browse my favourite shops - Cover to Cover for a great read, Pebble and Jones for something to wear and Gill Clement for a touch of sparkle!

Saturday evening I love glamming up and going for a delicious meal in Slice, Sketty with great friends.

On Sundays I want to walk, one of my favourites is Horton to Slade. I love to lie out on the beach, and enjoy the peace, the solitude and the birdsong.

After light refreshments at the King Arthur, we’ll head home for a big family Sunday roast, I love to cook and be surrounded by my family, dogs, girlfriends and whoever else wants to join us!.

Aren’t we lucky to live in such a beautiful place! www.swansealife.co.uk | 193

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6/22/2016 4:34:07 PM

THE PERFECT SWANSEA WEEKEND

JANE SIMPSON Gallery Director/Artist

My perfect weekend would start by going to a yoga class on the Friday evening taught by the excellent Anna Chidzoy at Hotpod Yoga on Orchard Street. On Saturday morning, I would take my dogs for a walk in Cwmdonkin Park. Over the years I have made a few friends at the park. It’s an excellent place to go for dog owners as it’s very sociable environment, with loads of friendly faces. A café is now open in the park so I would visit for a cup of coffee. As I child I went to Oakleigh House School so I have fond memories of the area. If the Uplands Market is on, I would go and explore all the stalls as well as visiting a good friend of mine, Jeff Towns, and his mobile book bus. He is a world renowned expert on Dylan Thomas who sells a fantastic range of books.

On a Saturday afternoon, I’m generally I’m at my gallery on the High Street. It’s a very sociable day and I end up making a lot of pots of tea. But if I’m lucky, a kind neighbour of mine allows me to use a spare ticket for a Swans match- I am a huge Swans fan and I am really grateful if I end up watching a game at the Liberty. Saturday evening would probably consist of staying in and watching Scandinavian dramas on BBC4. My Sunday would include walking the dogs down one of the gorgeous beaches and having a curry from Vojon on St Helen’s Road. They are without the doubt the best curry house in Swansea. The curries take a while to cook, so you know they are freshly made. The nann bread is also the best I’ve tasted.

ELLEN LLEWELLYN

NATALIA MAVROMOUSTAKI Face of Globe Wales winner 2016

Marketing Manager at Aberglasney Gardens

It would be an early start on the Saturday morning. I would have my breakfast in Swansea city centre in a nice little café like Sam’s. Then I would have a look around the shops in the Quadrant shopping centre.

Living in sleepier Carmarthenshire my perfect weekend in Swansea is one with lots packed in. My children love travelling by train so rather than heading down the M4, I like to travel on the ‘Heart of Wales’ line to Swansea and take in the views along the way. Among the places we like to eat as a family are The Grape and Olive (I always book and request a table with a view out to sea) and of course Verdi’s, although it always takes forever for the kids to decide on which flavour ice cream they want.

Also I enjoy watching films, so visiting Vue cinema would be on my list if the weather is miserable. I would probably be hungry again, so I would visit Mamma Mia’s for food late afternoon. Sunday would be an adventurous day for me. I would cycle down to Mumbles and have lunch at the café near Mumbles Pier.

I’d take a stroll down the beach and then finish the day off with Joes’ ice cream because it’s the best ice cream ever.

My husband and I like Morgans Hotel, we went there for one of our first dates and their Bellinis’ are to die for! The Egypt Centre is fantastic for adults and children alike and we try and visit at least a couple of times a year. Rather than heading for the city centre, Mumbles is my favourite place for shopping. Oh and although I haven’t been there, Penllergaer Valley Woods is on my ‘must visit’ list for summer. Working at Averglasney Gardens means I’ve followed its development with interest and I’m fascinated by the old estates history.

LINDA PAYNE Owner of The Dress Parlour, Clydach

After a busy week in work, I like to firstly go for a coffee somewhere beside the sea somewhere in one of the many gorgeous locations around Swansea.

NATALIE HOLBOROW Instructional Designer/ Writer

I’d start off with one of Swansea’s many spoken word nights to kick things off with a bit of creativity (and a large glass of good rioja!), and hosting Mad As Birds poetry and music open mic at Squirrel in Uplands is definitely one of my favourite ways to spend a Friday night. Such a unique mix of voices to hear and some really great friendships are to be made there every time! Then I’d probably go to Sin City in Swansea as it’s an old favourite of mine from my uni days and responsible for more than one missed Friday morning lecture when I used to go to Sin Savers on a Thursday!

If the sun is shining, I like to put my car roof down and pick up some lovely fish and chips from a local fish bar. My husband and I tend to enjoy parking up at Loughor estuary, going for a walk and looking over at the spectacular view. On Sunday, I enjoy visiting my daughter and taking her dog Rex for a walk. I also sort out all my chores in the house over the weekend, but I always make time to go out for coffee.

Saturday morning would be spent waking up bright and early to go for a good 8 mile run along Swansea Bay and into Mumbles.

You really can’t beat the feeling of running in the fresh sea air.I’d probably spend the rest of the day chilling out and doing a bit of writing or art before heading back into Swansea in the evening for a bit of comedy stand-up at the Grand Theatre.

There have been some fantastic acts lately, my favourites having been Ed Byrne and Russell Kane. Sunday would start with a bit of baking at home in Skewen, then perhaps an afternoon walk to catch up with some friends around that area. The weekend would be perfectly finished off with a trip to SA1 for a drink and some live music – Sunday nights at Bar Americano are a winner.

194 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

M Y

S W A N S E A

N ATA LYA

AN NA

RO MAN IW

Where is your favourite view?

Standing overlooking Cefn Bryn, the five mile long Old Red Sandstone ridge in the Gower. It’s a lovely walk and when you stand at the highest point of the ridge there are panoramic views of the seas and all the wildlife including sheep wild ponies and cows along the road. It’s also the site of Arthur’s Stone from the legendary King Arthur tales, it’s definitely a must-see.

Where is your favourite café?

My favourite café is the Gower Wildflower and Local Produce Centre.

It’s run by a great group of people in an eco-building. I like to sit in a window seat and watch the free-range chickens roam around, they’re very amusing! The food is absolutely amazing. They do a delicious Risotto Verde like no other, and there’s always a selection of freshly baked cakes too.

Where is your favourite ice cream parlour?

There are so many to choose from but my favourite would be Ripples Ice Cream Parlour, which is owned by my very dear friend Denis Dwyer (his son is also an opera singer, who I used to date!) We are all very good friends and I’m always there eating their homemade pizza and ice creams. It’s a beautiful spot to sit and watch the world go by.

What is your favourite restaurant?

My favourite restaurant would be Patrick’s on Mumbles Road, the food is out of this world. They have a green house on site where they grow a lot of their produce, and they adapt their menu to the season. I usually like to choose one of the Welsh lamb dishes on offer. There’s also a very reasonable Lunch and Sundaylunch menu available too.

Patricks, Mumbles

of time on shows that take me away from Swansea but I love to get back and spend a few weeks here, catching up with friends and family.

Where is your favourite hair salon?

When I have the opportunity to pamper myself in Swansea, I like to go to Lara Johnson on Newton Road in Swansea.

I really like the whole experience there and it’s always so busy with regular customers, which is always a good sign.

Swansea Life’s Charlotte Rogers speaks to award winning Welsh Soprano, Natalya Romaniw, about why she loves living in Swansea...

Where is your favourite place to relax?

Any of the beaches in Swansea; I travel a lot due to the nature of my work and although I see a lot of amazing sights, I’m often in land and I miss the beaches terribly. I currently live in Crofty in North Gower after living in Texas, USA, and I’m moving back to London for the summer soon so I’m getting my beach fix now!

What do you miss when you leave Swansea?

Aside from the beaches, I miss my family terribly. I work for long periods

Lara Johnson, Mumbles

“I travel a lot due to the nature of my work and although I see a lot of amazing sights, I’m often in land and I miss the beaches of Swansea terribly.”

Where is your favourite place to go for beauty treatments?

My favourite place for beauty treatments is 1192 Laser & Beauty at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea. I love it there. The service is great and they offer a wide range of treatments and waxing and I always get my nails done there when I come home. The owner, Donnalee, and all the staff are such lovely ladies and I love to catch up with them when I’m home.

Where is your favourite place to visit when you return to Swansea?

Anywhere down the Gower near the sea, my family home in Crofty is close to Llangennith, Rhossili and Oxwich.

I’m very lucky to have a selection of beaches just a short walk or drive away.

1192 Laser & Beauty Clinic

www.swansealife.co.uk | 195

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Motoring

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6/22/2016 3:11:08 PM

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The Wheel Specialist ALLOY WHEEL REFURBISHMENT & CUSTOMISATION “ DON’T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, HERE’S WHAT MY CUSTOMERS THINK” - Mark Allcott, Owner, The Wheel Specialist Swansea I was really pleased with the whole experience. Mark Allcott was very helpful and his advice was spot on. The work was carried out very professionally and I was extremely pleased with the results. It’s a shame that more business’ aren’t the same. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending to others - Kind Regards, Barry H Just had my car done, with Mark and the guys at Swansea branch. Fantastic service, I’m delighted with the finished product and shall be using them again - Kind regards, Matt L Had my wheels refurbished recently at The Wheel Specialist in Swansea on my car. I must say the guys there did a fantastic job, very professional and very helpful. Would highly recommend them to anyone, so many thanks to Mark and the guys at Swansea - Regards, Vaughan would like to thank you and your team for the really good work that was carried out on my Audi, the wheels look as good as new and I will be recommending you to others.” - Paul Trueman “The wheels are brilliant, the boys did a terrific job matching them to my car, Please thank those concerned. I am very pleased with the results.” - Don Lewis

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6/23/2016 12:03:08 PM

Maggie’s Culture Crawl

Walk through the night for people affected by cancer

Friday 9 September 2016 Join us as we walk 8 miles through Swansea at night, experiencing amazing architecture and cultural surprises.

Register now: www.maggiescentres.org/ccswansea In partnership with

Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust (Maggie’s) is a registered charity, No.SC024414

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what’s on

CALENDAR OF EVENTS (page 202) WHAT’S COMING UP (page 204) BIG INTERVIEW (page 206)

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WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON THIS JULY...

Got something to tell us about, for inclusion in the What’s On section?

Please contact Mark Rees... mark.rees@swwmedia.co.uk 01792 545529 @reviewwales

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

BLITHE SPIRIT

WALES NATIONAL AIRSHOW

2016 WELSH MUSICAL THEATRE YOUNG SINGER OF THE YEAR FINAL

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL JULY 2

SWANSEA BAY, UNTIL JULY 3,

TALIESIN ARTS CENTRE, 7PM

1

2

SUNDAY

3

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

#JC4PM

CLASSIC CAR RUN FROM SWANSEA TO MAMETZ

MINING JOSEF HERMAN EXHIBITION

KATE LUCAS: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO KATE LUCAS?

BRANGWYN HALL, 7.30PM

THE CARS WILL BE DISPLAYED OUTSIDE THE GEORGE IN MUMBLES, DEPARTING AT 10AM.

SWANSEA, MUSEUM, UNTIL JULY 10

GYWN HALL, NEATH, 8PM

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

AN EVENING WITH SIR KARL JENKINS

DEREK ACORAH SPECIAL EVENT

SWANSEA BACH CHOIR

BURRY GREEN CHAPEL, GOWER, 7.30PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, 7.30PM

OYSTERMOUTH CHURCH, MUMBLES, 7.30PM

4

5

6

7

9

8

10

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

BILLY ELLIOT

GOWERTON SCHOOL EXHIBITION

THE END OF GENDER

WALES MILLENIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF, UNTIL JULY 16

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE (ARTS WING), UNTIL JULY 15

GLYNN VIVIAN OFFSITE AT YMCA SWANSEA, 11AM – 4PM

MONDAY

TUESDAY

SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL JULY 16

11 12

13 14

202 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

15

16

SWANSEA LIFE AWARDS!

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS DAY

BRANGWYN HALL

OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, 11AM – 4.30PM

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

LLYS NINI DOG SHOW AND FAMILY FUN DAY

SWANSEA SPECIAL FESTIVAL

XSCAPE TO THE BEAT

SIDESTEPPER

PENLLERGEAR, 11AM – 4PM

SWANSEA UNIVERSITY, 9AM DAILY UNTIL JULY 20.

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, 7PM

THE WELFARE, YSTRADGYNLAIS, 8PM

21

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

22 23 24

OLIVER!

NEATH COMEDY FESTIVAL 2016

ARCHAEOLOGY FUN DAY

LOVE THE WORDS AND THE PHOTOS EXHIBITION

THE PRINCESS ROYAL THEATRE, PORT TALBOT, UNTIL JULY 23

DOUBLE BILL, GWYN HALL, NEATH, 8PM

OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, 11AM – 4.30PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE (ARTS WING), UNTIL JULY 29

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

CHICAGO

CRAFTY FUN FOR CHILDREN

THE HOLLYWOOD SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOW (6+)

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF, UNTIL JULY 30

OYSTERMOUTH CASTLE, 11.30AM – 3.30PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, 2PM AND 6PM

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

SHAKESHAFT BY ROWAN WILLIAMS

FILM FRIDAYS: ONLY TWO CAN PLAY

SANDFIELDS ANNUAL SUMMER FAIR

CAPPUCCINO GIRLS 2: THE PARADOX OF CHOICE

DYLAN THOMAS THEATRE, UNTIL JULY 30

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE (ARTS WING), 2PM

THE VETCH, 11AM - 4PM.

FFWRNES, LLANELLI, 2.30PM

17 18 19 20

THURSDAY

MONDAY

25 THURSDAY

28

26 27 29 30 31

www.swansealife.co.uk | 203

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WHAT’S ON

3 GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH...

1

GOWER FESTIVAL

The Gower Festival, which brings beautiful music to some of our most beautiful venues, returns this month with an unmissable line-up of music and events. Highlights to keep an eye out for include a Cymanfa Ganu with conductor Alwyn Humphries, soprano Rebecca Evans and organist Huw Tregelles Williams in Capel y Crwys, Three Crosses, on Sunday July 3; an intimate evening with Penclawdd-born composer Sir Karl Jenkins in Burry Green Chapel on Friday, July 8; and a programme including Schumann and Beethoven from pianist Llyr Williams at Newton Church on Friday, July 15.

Various venues across Gower and Mumbles Friday, July 1 – Saturday, July 16

2

SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME

Direct from the West End, Dinosaur Zoo offers Jurassic fun for all the family from three years old. Now introducing the Tyrannosaurus Rex to the stage, these awesome prehistoric creatures come to life as you’ve never seen them before, from cute baby dinos to teeth-gnashing giants.

But watch out. Not all of these ravenous reptiles are as tame as they seem!

Swansea Grand Theatre Monday, July 11 – Saturday, July 16

3

WORLD UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR RUGBY SEVENS

The 7th edition of the World University Rugby 7s Championship will bring 20 teams from across the world to Swansea University’s International Sports Village on Sketty Lane for a rare showcase of some of the world’s finest rugby 7s talent. Countries attending include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Great Britain.

Open to the public, the 7s tournament offers spectators three days of world-class rugby action and also involves activities and events that the whole family can enjoy.

Swansea University • Wednesday, July 6 – Saturday, July 9

204 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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THIS JULY, WHY NOT... ...LOOK TO THE SKIES? What: Wales National Airshow Where: Swansea Bay When: Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3 Daredevil wing-walkers will once again be performing in the skies above Swansea Bay this month. Confirmed acts include the everpopular Red Arrows, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and formation aerobatic unit Team Raven, The Bronco Demo Team and Team Yakovlevs.

New for this year will be the Breitling Wingwalkers, who use 1940s Boeing Stearman biplanes to roar through the sky at speeds of up to 150mph.

listen...

NOW That’s What I Call Summer Hits (box set) On sale July 1 from HMV Swansea It just wouldn’t be the summertime without a timely new NOW album, which will be packed full of familiar songs perfect for tanning to at the beach, cooking to at a BBQ, and driving down Mumbles Road to with the windows down while melting in the sun.

read...

watch...

Cheval 9

Zootropolis (PG)

Parthian Books, Edited By Jonathan Edwards and Rose Widlake, On sale now from Waterstones, Swansea

On sale July 25 from Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Cheval, the annual anthology which collects the best work submitted to the Terry Hetherington Award, the awards ceremony held at the Dylan Thomas Centre for young writers in memory of the Neath-born poet. It also includes new work by previous winners, including Tyler Keevil, Anna Lewis, Thomas Morris and Katherine Stansfield.

Featuring the voices of Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman, Disney’s latest animated hit comes to the small screen. Zootropolis is a city of anthropomorphic animals, where a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy.

www.swansealife.co.uk | 205

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WHAT’S ON

THE BIG interview

DA N C I N G WITH THE STARS From recording with Elton John to appearing on the Graham Norton Show, it’s been a busy year for Bright Light Bright Light — aka Rod Thomas.

He talks to MARK REES about his big homecoming album launch...

IT’S been a pretty good year for electronic singer songwriter Bright Light Bright Light — aka Rod Thomas from Crynant — so far.

Having put the finishing touches to what is set to be his biggest album to date, on which he enlisted the help of some of his celebrity friends who he gets to rub shoulders with in his new home in New York, he also made his primetime TV debut alongside good friend Elton John on the BBC’s Graham Norton Show, and is coming home this month for what promises to be quite a spectacular album launch.

And while he could have chosen to release Choreography anywhere from London to New York, for Rod, the only place to do it was in the venue where his career began: Neath’s Gwyn Hall.

“I’m from Wales, and I want to do this in my hometown,” he tells me ahead of his visit in July.

“The Gwyn Hall was the first chance that I had, I went to summer theatre camp and drama groups in the evening, and it has a very special place in my heart.

“I’m really excited to do the launch there, and I’m not planning to do anything like it anywhere else. It’s the only place in Great Britain to have the full Choreography album, and it will be a very special show for me.”

At the same time, he’s also hoping to give something back to the community by inviting local youngsters who aspire for a life on the stage to join him for the occasion.

“Anyone in Wales can join in, and I hope I can invigorate them to do something creative,” he says following the recent auditions.

“Growing up just outside Neath in the 1980s and 1990s, there wasn’t much that inspired me.

“It was difficult, but the scene has changed a lot since then. There was no way I could have done anything in Neath or Swansea when I was in school. But now, you don’t have to go to London or Cardiff, and the Internet has changed everything.”

Having left Neath to pursue his musical dreams in London almost a decade ago, Rod was performing as a subway busker when he was spotted and signed to Elton John’s management company.

Following his transformation into Bright Light Bright Light, he assumed he’d heard the last from the superstar, until he received an unexpected phone call.

“I met Elton a long time ago when he was my music manager,” explains Rod. “I didn’t expect to hear from him again, but he read some of my reviews and rung me up to tell me he loved the music.

“It was amazing. It made me feel validated. Regardless of

commercial success, at least you’ve done something that somebody you respect, whose records you bought, likes.

“We get on really well, and our friendship is the big thing. We send each other funny YouTube clips from time to time, he’s wonderful.”

And Elton isn’t the only big name that Rod has been collaborating with on his latest album.

“I’d been on tour with the Scissor Sisters in the UK in 2012, and when I moved to New York we met up again. They all appear on the album,” he says.

And then there’s Scottish actor Alan Cumming, who you might be more familiar with for his roles in films such as Goldeneye and the X-Men than his singing.

“That’s the thing with Alan, he’s won awards for his musical theatre work, but people don’t think of him in that way,” he says of the Tony and Olivier Award-winning performer.

“We met through a friend in a museum in NewYork, and I thought it was really interesting to put somebody you don’t expect on a record.

“All of the guests appear on the first single All in the Name, and they all duet as well.”

Now based in Brooklyn, how does life in New York compare with his old life in Neath?

“It’s a little bit busier,” he says with a chuckle.

“I’ve discovered that the nice thing when you move away is that you realise what you miss the most, like the countryside and the sea.

And my family, of course.

“People there don’t really know much about Wales. They think of the UK as London and the south east, and they don’t realise that we’ve got these great landscapes and things until they visit.

“But it’s getting better. Doctor Who is big, and Torchwood was huge in the US, I remember seeing a big advert for it on the side of a bus.

“And on the flip side, when you tour America you understand the immense size of the place. There are states which are bigger than all of the UK, which puts things into perspective.”

And for anyone thinking of following in Rod’s footsteps, he has a few handy bits of advice.

“People give me flack for saying this, but you have to be a business person as well, and that’s not selling out,” he tells me.

“People see The X Factor and assume that you get your big break and that’s it. But someone like Elton John is involved in every aspect of his music.

“You have to work really hard. I’m always in the studio or writing, and people don’t understand how hard it is.

“You have to really think about what you want to do, what makes you happy, and how you translate that happiness into what you do.”

206 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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“Anyone in Wales can join in, and I hope I can invigorate them to do something creative.”

Choreography will be released on July 15, with the album launch taking place in Neath’s Gwyn Hall on July 23. www.swansealife.co.uk | 207

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WHAT’S ON

Red hot chilli peppers!

An eye-watering family friendly festival sets out its stall in Port Eynon this summer all in honour of the versatile little chilli. PETER SLEE has been to find out more...and highly recommends a trip to everyone else too

I

am staring at a chilli pepper. It is pale green and bulbous — it looks dangerous in the same way a cabbage looks dangerous.

million on the Scoville Scale, which measures the heat of chillies.

So I stick out my tongue, tentatively, and touch the chilli with it. My tongue screams in anger.

I wonder if it is a coincidence that the Naga Jolokia sounds like a Japanese volcano.

Why does a chilli attract this sort of deranged attention? It would be hard to find people banging the drum for basil, say, or chives.

Not many ancient foodstuffs can lay claim to being a proven aid to treat a range of common conditions. It is also a useful thing for keeping elephants off your crops — if ever you needed to keep elephants off your crops, that is.

The bright and attractive chilli has been part of our culinary lives in Britain since the 1950s, when we were just beginning to experiment with foreign and spicy foods — curries, chillies, West Indian dishes.

They can vary in their heat by up to 40 per cent, even if they are the same kind. They are unpredictable — that is, according to the chilli- heads, part of their appeal.You never really know what you are putting in your mouth.

In history, chillis have been used to torture and even kill. The Aztecs used to use them for punishing children and even scaring sharks while out fishing in their canoes. Yes, really!

These days no kitchen is complete without fresh chillies or one of its derivatives — a bottle of Tabasco, some Thai dipping sauce, some harissa paste.

And hot stuff is what it is all about at the sixth Gower Chilli Festival, which comes up to the boil on July 23 and 24.

Some 5,000 or so foodies, growers and cooks will gather in the South Gower Sports Club to taste and to learn about the pungent spice with the mulish kick. It will be family friendly with great free kids vents and activities.

There too will be chilli companies selling amazing sauces, jams, jellies, salts, jerky, nuts, crisps, onions, eggs and a whole range of products you won’t even have thought of. Throw in a couple of great cooking competitions - the great Gower Chilli Cookoff and the Gower BBQ Championships - a chilli sauce or condiment competition and 10 local and regional bands , a craft fair and an impressive range of street food and you have some idea of what is to come.

Chilli specialist Andrew Brooks is the man behind the event - he has been organising it annually since 2011 - and says far from being the stomach-churning all-you-can-eat chilli con carne binges you see in the US, this one is set to be a far more palatable affair.

“We do have some of the world’s hottest chillies here — like the Naga Jolokia and the Bhut Jolokia. They are rated at more than a

“To give you a guide, the Scotch Bonnet, which you find in lots of Caribbean food, is around 300,000 to 400,0000 on that scale.”

Andrew laughs: “I don’t know. But personally I don’t go for the extreme heat because I love the flavour of chillies, and once you get to a certain level of heat you lose that flavour.

“There are chillies called the Seven Pot, which have that name because you can use one chilli pod to heat seven pots of stew, just using a tiny bit in each.

And while we might think of chilli con carne shovelling followed by beer drinking as being man territory, it is a myth, says Andrew, that men are the main chilli fiends in British households.

“Some people think that but actually we get as many women as men at the festival.”

So along with the scorching curries, Tex-Mex and Thai dishes on the menu on Saturday, there will be milder breakfast offerings of burritos and tortillas with gently spiced sauces and salsas.

Having said that, if you can stand the heat, it is thought to be very good for you.

“The fiery sensation of chillies is caused by capsaicin, a potent chemical that survives both cooking and freezing,” says Andrew.

“But apart from the burning sensation, it also triggers the brain to produce endorphins, natural painkillers that promote a sense of well- being.”

So capsaicin is often used as a topical analgesic to help patients manage arthritis pain, herpes zoster-related pain, diabetic neuropathy, post-mastectomy pain, and headaches. Foodies do need to use their common sense. But if you do get stung, Andrew has the answer to pepper-pain.

“Contrary to popular opinion, it is not the seeds that are the hottest part of a chilli, but the white pith that surrounds them and runs in thick veins through the pod.

“Fresh red chillies are two to three times hotter than green fruit, and dried pods are between two and 10 times hotter than fresh pods.

“The best antidote to chilli heat is either patience, or a dairy product such as milk or yoghurt. Drinking beer or water is the worst thing you can do, as the it washes the heat further into your taste buds.”

As any contact lens wearer will tell you, it pays to wear thin latex gloves when chopping chillies if you are going to be putting your lenses in later — or even the next day.

“And when cooking,” says Andrew, “remember the golden rule — you can add, but you can’t take away!”

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The Gower Chilli Festival runs on July 23 and 24 from 10am at the South Gower Sports Club supporting the RNLI, Swansea Save the Children and the Swansea Community Farm.

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This package includes: • Free ceremony room to conduct the wedding.

• Arrival drink for guests • 2 Glasses wine with meal • 3 Course menu bespoke to you • Coffee and dinner mints • Sparkling toast • Bridal suite for bride and groom • Services of wedding coordinator all day • Napkins and table linen and a cake stand and knife

• Choice of coloured linens • Wedding cake 3 tiers of your design • Chair covers of your choice with co coordinating sash • Evening Dj until 1.00 am • Evening buffet for 70 guests • 2 Flower bouquets for mum’s • 2 bottles Prosecco • 4 ensuite bedrooms with breakfast • 5 Table centre pieces

£3999.95

HOTEL LLANELLI

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Licensed to conduct civil and marriage ceremonies at the hotel.

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Social diary

CHARITY FASHION SHOW (page 212) WEDDING CELEBRATION (page 220) LIONEL RICHIE CONCERT (page 223) LLANELLI STAR AWARDS (page 238)

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SOCIAL DIARY • CHARITY EVENT

CHARITY FASHION SHOW WHERE? Cafe TwoCann, SA1 TELL ME MORE... An evening of fashion and food with Solo of Mumbles

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SOCIAL DIARY

REAL LIFE WEDDING Mark Kayes and Verity Davies

Verity Davies, 34, a social worker from Cwmavon, married police officer Mark Kayes, 33, at Rosedew Barn in Llantwit Major.

They share memories of their big day with Swansea Life’s JESSICA HAMMETT...

How would you describe your wedding theme?

Despite getting married in January, we decided to go for a nice spring theme, choosing dusky pinks and spring flowers. It was actually not too cold on the day, and luckily it didn’t rain – so the spring theme fitted perfectly!

How did the proposal happen?

Mark proposed in May three years ago. He took me out for food in our local pub, and while we were out our friends came around and put up a gazebo and decorated it with fairy lights. When we got back I was surprised with champagne and the engagement ring. It was completely unexpected and very romantic!

Why did you choose your venue?

We got married in Rosedew Barn in Llantwit Major. It is a very relaxed setting and the owner, Gaynor, is very easy going. When we went down to visit we were instantly set on the location, as we knew we could have the wedding that we wanted, which was very informal and relaxed.

What was your favourite thing about planning your wedding?

The planning process was quite stressful, as we had originally booked to get married in May, but we decided at the last minute to get married in January! Our family and friends were very helpful; we bought flowers from Swansea

Market and arranged them ourselves. My mother and my two eldest bridesmaids decorated the jam jars, and my mother made the wedding cake. It was a very DIY wedding, and it was lovely to have family time together.

Tell us about your wedding dress...

I bought my dress from Cariad Bridal in Swansea. It wasn’t the dress that I originally went out looking for. But as soon as I tried it on I loved it! It is a strapless dress with diamantes around the edge, and a bow to the waist. I fell in love with it as it was striking, and unusual; but simple – we were getting married in a barn at the end of the day!

How important was the photography for your wedding day?

Amy was recommended to us by a photographer that we had previously booked with, as we changed the date for our wedding.

My husband got in contact with her, and we really liked how easy going she was. We spent a lot of time with the photographer, as it is so important that you get on with them, and feel comfortable with them. We met with Amy originally to see some samples of her work, and then we decided we would book her. We met the week before our wedding to go through the type of photographs we wanted, and to tell her what style we liked.

We wanted memories of the day, and informal photographs of just family and friends. You

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tend to miss out on moments on the day, and we wanted Amy to capture them for us.

– don’t get forced into other people’s ideas. Be relaxed and enjoy it!

What was your favourite part of your wedding?

Who did you choose as your bridesmaids and/or best man and why?

I’d do it all again in a heartbeat! We were both really nervous, and Mark forgot his vows three times! That was memorable, but it made us both more relaxed as we found it funny. We loved our day.

We set out to have something really relaxed and informal, and just to have a good time, and that is what we felt we had. We had a couple of speeches by my dad, the best man, and my husband. Our best man was very nervous but gave a very good speech. They were short and sweet, and then we got on with the party!

Did you have a hen / stag night?

I had a small hen night about a week before we got married. My closest friend organised my hen party in The Towers Hotel in Jersey Marine, and I had a great night with my friends. Mark had a stag night in Prague; there were 18 of them in total!

In hindsight is there anything you would have done differently?

I don’t think we would do anything differently.

It went too quickly! We got married at three o’clock in the afternoon, so perhaps we would have got married slightly earlier. My advice for brides and grooms for their big day would be to have the wedding that you really want to have

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My husband had a best man, Daniel Evans, who is an old school friend and knows us really well as a couple. I had five bridesmaids: my three cousins, who I am really close to, my stepdaughter, and my niece. They absolutely loved the day – my step-daughter refused to go to bed!

What was your first dance and why?

Our first dance song was Ed-Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud. We really liked the lyrics, as they were very appropriate for us. It is a really nice song!

How did you spend your honeymoon?

We had a mini-moon! We stayed at the Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, in Oxford.

It was one of the most amazing places my husband and I had been to. It is beautiful and relaxing. The food was fantastic, as Michelin star chef Raymond Blanc runs the restaurant and hotel. My cousin works in the hotel’s kitchen, and we ended up indulging in ten courses! I can’t remember them all, but I can assure that they were fantastic. It was a truly amazing first night as husband and wife. The staff were really friendly, and they provided champagne in our room as they knew we had just got married. It was perfect!

Photos by Amy Reed of Flashbulb Photography & Film

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SOCIAL DIARY • CELEBRATION

GLOBAL MOET DAY WHERE? Cru42, Mumbles TELL ME MORE... The Newton Road bar was one of just 150 UK venues chosen to celebrate the event

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SOCIAL DIARY • LADIES NIGHT

FFOS LAS LADIES NIGHT WHERE? Ffos Las TELL ME MORE... International singing superstar Jason Donovan was the headline act at the event which attracted huge crowds to the Carmarthenshire racecourse.

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SOCIAL DIARY • WEDDING CELEBRATION

THE WEDDING OF SARAH AND DR ISAAC SHEPHERD-PRINCE WHERE? Craig Y Nos TELL ME MORE... Sarah and Dr Isaac Shepherd-Prince are from Godregraig, Swansea.

Photos by Amy Reed of Flashbulb Photography & Film

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SOCIAL DIARY • POLO EVENT

POLO EVENT WHERE? Celtic Manor Resort, Newport TELL ME MORE... More than 3,000 guests enjoyed an afternoon of polo hosted by actress Susie Amy alongside proud Welshman Gethin Jones who is a regular at the luxury resort. Guests were also treated to a stunning Red Arrows flypast Photography by: Andrew Jeffery • a.jefferyphotography@ntlworld.com

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SOCIAL DIARY • LIVE CONCERT

LIONEL RICHIE CONCERT WHERE? Liberty Stadium TELL ME MORE... Some 27,000 people attended the sell-out gig including Louise and Ken Thomas from Swansea who popped in on the event following their wedding breakfast at the city’s La Parilla restaurant

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SOCIAL DIARY • CELEBRATORY LUNCH

DAWSONS’ 25TH ANNIVERSARY LUNCH WHERE? Grape & Olive, Meridian Tower, Swansea TELL ME MORE... Dawsons celebrates 25 years in business with its partners

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SOCIAL DIARY • AFTERNOON TEA

AFTERNOON TEA WHERE? The Mansion House, Swansea TELL ME MORE... Swansea’s Lord mayor John Newbury welcomed members of the Swansea Floral Arrangement Society to the Mansion House to mark their 60th anniversary

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SOCIAL DIARY • PROM

END OF YEAR PROM WHERE? Marriott Hotel, Swansea TELL ME MORE... Students from Bishopston Comprehensive attended their end of year school prom

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SOCIAL DIARY • CHARITY FUNDRAISER

CHARITY FUNDRAISER IN AID OF THE PHOEBE FLO FUND WHERE? Morgans Hotel, Swansea TELL ME MORE... A black tie event at Morgan’s Hotel which included a three course meal, charity auction and entertainment from Talia Pejic and Sherilyn Hamilton. All proceeds to Phoebe Flo who needs pioneering medical treatment.

Photography by: www.laurathomasphotography.com

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SOCIAL DIARY • PARTY NIGHT

ANNAG’S FABCYMRU PARTY NIGHT WHERE? Liberty Stadium, Swansea TELL ME MORE... AnnaG’s FABCymru party night at the Liberty Stadium to celebrate raising over £100,000 for the chairty.

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SOCIAL DIARY • WEDDING CELEBRATION

THE WEDDING OF YASMEEN IDRIS AND BLEDDYN WOODWARD WHERE? Ocean View in Gower TELL ME MORE... The wedding of Yasmeen Idris from Swansea and Bleddyn Woodward from Ruthin

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JUSTIN HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

Photography by Justin Harris Justinharrisphotography.co.uk Wedding, fashion, & commercial photography Tel: 07971 487799 www.swansealife.co.uk | 233

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SOCIAL DIARY • CHARITY EVENING

CHARITY DINNER AND FASHION SHOW WHERE? Morgans Hotel in Swansea TELL ME MORE... The event was organised by Lora Evans Mua with Hollywood star Julian Lewis Jones among those attending. Proceeds have gone to help the work of the heart charity Cariad Pictures: Charlie Trotman

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SOCIAL DIARY

The wedding of Becci Webbern from Ffynone in Swansea and Martin Bayliss who owns and runs the clothing brand Sinners and men’s clothing shop Reverse in Picton Arcade, Swansea. The couple now live in Swansea’s Copper Quarter.

The wedding was held at The King Arthur in Reynoldston.

REAL LIFE WEDDING Becci Webbern and Martin Bayliss

How would you describe your wedding theme?

I had a very specific idea of the theme I wanted for our big day, I loved the rustic/vintage look so it was just a matter of making my ideas become reality. I loved every part of wedding planning, even if it did mean I became slightly obsessed with flowers, teapots and everything vintage!

I’d love to say I didn’t lose sleep overthinking everything but unfortunately I did, ha ha!

Tell us about your wedding dress...

I couldn’t wait to start dress shopping... I took my Mum and Mother-in law along with me as I knew they would give me an honest opinion. When I tried on ‘the one’ the three of us just looked at each other, we knew from that moment that it was meant for me. It was a gorgeous fishtail gown by Enzoani, with delicate lace and a slight sparkle. The dress was then customised to exactly how I wanted it, with a bespoke low back and a little extra sparkle under the skirt, it was perfect!

What was your favourite part of your wedding?

This is a difficult one, I literally cannot pin point a favourite part. I loved absolutely every second of my day, I think I’m still carrying the wedding blues. There are still days I sit and cry happy tears thinking back on how special the day was. The day was everything I had dreamt of and more.

One thing that makes me proud of the day, is

Martin and my Dad reading their speeches. I knew that Mart was incredibly nervous about this part of the day, he had really worked himself up but when it came to it he made me so proud.

His words really touched me and all our guests, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.

My dad’s words were from the heart, again I knew how nervous Daddy had been, this made the special the effort and time my dad put into his speech even more proud, along with our father and daughter dance. Our day was so emotional from start to end its exactly how I dreamt my big day to be.

Who did you choose as your bridesmaids&/or bestman and why?

Choosing bridesmaids was such a hard decision, I have so many amazing friends, and so many of my closest friends that I wanted by my side for my special day. I eventually narrowed it down to six of my nearest and dearest. The six girls I chose are my rocks and I couldn’t have got through the day without them... Oh and I knew they would plan the best hen do for me to Ibiza and for my home hen they brought Ibiza to Swansea, these girls know me too well they had to be with me on my day.

How did the proposal happen?

Well, with my ‘not-so-better half’ being such a quiet and shy person, the proposal was very intimate. We had been out for a lovely meal to celebrate the arrival of our first daughter six

weeks earlier, after a lovely evening we decided to finish the evening with a few drinks at Noah’s Yard. Whilst sat together chatting Martin leaned in towards me, muttered a few nervous words and pulled out the ring from his pocket, I was so surprised! To some girls it might not be as they had dreamt, but to me it was perfect as I know how nervous Martin would have felt in the lead up. This was so typically Martin and that’s why I love him, it was a lovely feeling to know that after having our daughter our family would be complete and we were to become ‘The Bayliss’ family.

What was your first dance & why?

Shania Twain, From This Moment - We had never had ‘a song’ but ‘From This Moment’ was a song I had loved through my childhood and had always dreamed of it being the song I would dance to at my wedding one day.

In hindsight is there anything you would have done differently?

I loved every single second of our day and there definitely was nothing I would have changed.

Why did you choose your venue?

We both knew as soon as we walked into Avalon at The King Arthur that our big day would have to be held there went to view the venue it had to be there. I had a strong idea in my head of how I wanted our wedding to look and feel, I wanted somewhere that was neutral with no

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floral carpets and wallpaper so I fell in love with the high pitched wood beamed ceiling and rustic feel to Avalon. We can honestly say the location, the staff, the grounds were just perfect and our daughter loved visiting ‘our wedding place’ as she would say, regularly on a Sunday afternoon for some food and drinks in the build upto the big day - it will always be a very special place for us now.

How important was the photography for your wedding day?

For us photography was one of the most important decisions to make about our wedding day. Anyone who knows me, will know how particular I am when it comes to a good piccy, so knew I had to have 100% trust and faith in our photographer and his abilities.

Tell us about your photographer...

There was no negotiation when it came to selecting our photographer, I had done my research and so I knew I wanted Richard Savage Photography, it was the first booking we made after booking our date with the venue. I had fallen in love with so much of Richard’s amazing work, his photography was exactly how I wanted our wedding memories to be captured.

Martin and I were invited to Richard and his wife Gemma’s home for an initial consultation. They made us feel so welcome and relaxed from day one. The work that was shown to us was absolutely outstanding, and it confirmed what I

already knew, I had to confirm my booking!

On the day, Richard made us feel so relaxed. He got on well with guests, making them laugh and captured natural shots which is exactly what I’d asked for.

Gemma helped me with so much, she was a lifesaver at times, calming a very stressful half hour before we said our vows.

Our photos mean the world to us and they are more than we could have ever imagined and we are so happy that since our wedding day Richard and Gemma have become friends of ours.

What was your favourite thing about planning your wedding?

That’s easy, the time I spent with my rock - my Mum. We literally did everything together, every spare hour we had, as we normally do but planning my wedding day made spending time together even more special.

If you were to ask my mum she might say differently ha ha, she put up with no end of nagging, changing of mind, screen shot after screen shot of pictures, phone calls at all hours of the day with new ideas and discussions on how we could make all my plans come true, there were tears and stress but also lots of smiles and laughter. I enjoyed every minute of our time spent together planning and I know that secretly Mum did too. Needless to say Martin had little input on the plans for the day, but his bank card was very useful! www.swansealife.co.uk | 237

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SOCIAL DIARY • COMMUNITY AWARDS

LLANELLI STAR COMMUNITY AWARDS WHERE? Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli TELL ME MORE... An evening to celebrate local community heroes in a variety of different fields from right across the Llanelli area

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SOCIAL DIARY

By invitation with Eddie Whitney

Swansea businessman EDDIE WHITNEY keeps us up to date with his charity work and social diary...

Friends of Stepping Stones Raindbow Ball...

T

his month’s highlight was my visit to the Friends of Stepping Stones rainbow ball at the Village hotel.

As we mingled in the foyer to the fantastic live sounds of Steve Sax our host for the evening Kev Johns came out to greet his auction victims for the evening.

If you have ever been to an auction run by Kev you will know why I call the guests his victims.

I attended with my wife Maureen, my daughter and son in law and 2 of my grandchildren Whitney and Mannie.

We have experienced the remarkable work done by the Stepping Stones team at first hand, my grandson Whitney came under their charm.

When my daughter moved back to Swansea from Spain she was lost as to how she could ever cope with the reality of raising a child with special needs.

Her experience in Spain had left her feeling isolated and afraid.

Her social worker referred her to many great support services but it was Stepping Stones that restored her faith.

After only a few sessions Whitney began to show great improvement and confidence.

All of this was amplified for my daughter by the advice and support not only on Whitney’s development but the real empathy shown to her and the other parents.

If you attended the Ball it would have been clear the impact Stepping Stones has had on Whitney’s life.

Whitney and Mannie where whisked off into the event room

by Kev Johns to put the finishing touches to the decorations and to assist Kev with the auction and raffle prizes.

As the evening progressed with a loyal following of supporters old and new it became clear that Whitney and Mannie had become mini Ant and Dec and would be assisting Kev if he liked it or not.

A fantastic meal in impeccable surroundings was provided by the Village hotel and was followed by a lively auction and raffle, the way only Kev Johns can lead.

The event marked the end of an era as Lindsey Glover stepped down from Friends of Stepping Stones after many years of amazing service.

Thank you Lindsey.

Lindsey explained a little of the situation Stepping Stones find themselves in...

“Thank you very much to all those who supported the Friends of Stepping Stones (FoSS) Ball by either attending it, donating raffle prizes or working behind the scenes. The money raised was around £3,500 which is fantastic! The Ball is a very important fund raising event for FoSS, as they are one of the funding partners of Stepping Stones Children’s Centre, who provide a service to preschool children with an emerging or diagnosed disability.

Stepping Stones have provided around £25,000 per year since 2009 for: • 2 project workers (25 hours per week) • 2 additional project workers (5 hours per week) • 1 play worker (7 hours a week)

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They also bought and maintain a people carrier which helps bring in children who don’t have their own transport.

They are a very small charity, run entirely by volunteers.

All income goes directly to Stepping Stones Children’s Centre. They need to continue with their fundraising efforts to support the Centre as it is the only early intervention service in Swansea for pre-school children with a disability.

Over the last couple of years, their income has been less than their expenditure. If this continues, they will have to decrease the level of support they have been providing to the Centre which will have a devastating effect on families.�

After some heartwarming video messages from parent and children that have benefited from the help and support given

by Stepping Stones it was time to raise funds to ensure we do not loose this remarkable unfunded organization.

It is remarkable how a small group of caring and dedicated people can make such a huge difference to the lives of those most in need.

To operate on donations and fundraising is an achievement in itself but to do both at the same time is nothing short of miraculous.

We cannot let this organization suffer from lack of funding.

If you have ever known a special needs person you will know how much a good start is critical to the future success and wellbeing of child and parent alike.

Please join them as a committee member or support them by organising a fundraising event.

Stepping Stones, Childrens Centre, George Thomas House, 363 Gower Rd, Killay, Swansea, SA2 7AH

ones t S g n i p p e t S u Thank yo and F riends...

Eddie x

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SOCIAL DIARY • WEDDING CELEBRATION

THE WEDDING OF LAURA SMITH AND STUART MORRIS WHERE? Oxwich Bay Hotel, Gower TELL ME MORE... Laura and Stuart are from Ffos Las, Carmarthenshire, and their wedding was held at the Oxwich Bay Hotel, Gower.

Phototgrapher: Oliver J Photography

www.oliverjphotography.com

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SOCIAL DIARY • REOPENING

INDIAN RESTAURANT RE-OPENING WHERE? The Patti, Gorse Lane TELL ME MORE... The popular Swansea restaurant has had a new look as a result of major investment.

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Ladies Day FRIDAY 26 AUGUST th

GATES OPEN 12.10 FIRST RACE 2.10

LIVE MUSIC AFTER RACING WITH FAT BARRYS SOUL BAND

PRIZES FOR BEST DRESSED LADY, GENT & BEST HAT

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Looking for some top tips for Ladies Day at Ffos Las? A staple for the Summer, Ffos Las Ladies Day is the pinnacle of the social calendar!

W

trends consider white, a little white dress with accessories or something a bit more flamboyant, culottes if it’s a little breezy, the seventies are everywhere so embrance them!!

HATS?

HERE ARE A FEW POINTERS I USE

Ladies Day at Ffos Las Racecourse on Friday 26th August 2016 is nearly upon us but before you start panicking take a look out our top tips on what to wear and how to have a great day at the races.

Do I or don’t I it’s always the big question but if you want to win Best Dressed it’s a must. The hat designer, Victoria Pearse, from Victoria Hats and Fascinators, who often judges the event give us her top tips.

Ladies Day at the Races is just the excuse I need to get dressed up but most importantly the hat or fascinator must speak to me! It is the one day where us ladies can go all out with style, drama,

• Hats of any size are fine but fascinators need to be on a proper base not just sitting on an alice band or comb.

• Hats should be worn low not back or perched on top of your head and fascinators using pill box style should be worn on the side and low.

• Ensure your hat or fascinator fits correctly. There is nothing worse than a hat that is too tight and a fascinator that

WHAT TO WEAR DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE INDIVIDUAL But if you’re a slave to the biggest

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creativity yet still maintain elegance. I look for something that catches my eye through the crowds.

hether you want to strut your stuff at the bookies, sip champagne on our summer lawn or simply enjoy an exceptional day with friends & family, Ladies Day provides a great excuse to let your hair down! Men are welcome too so share the fun or ditch the gents for a good old-fashioned girly day out – the choice is yours!

DRESS FOR WARMTH AND COMFORT On the shoe front flats and platforms are back so take advantage and spend the day in comfort! Take a jacket for the end of the day when the live music starts and everyone is enjoying them out on the lawns.

The hat or fascinator must complete the whole look you are trying to achieve using the colour of your outfit in the headpiece with feathers, crinoline, sinamay, flowers, butterflies, etc. Some people may have rules on which shape hat best suits your face shape but I don’t. If it looks nice on you and you are happy then that is the hat for you.

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PRIZES

FOR BEST HAT, BEST DRESSED GENT AND A CASH PRIZE OF

£250.00

FOR BEST DRESSED WOMAN

doesn’t sit correctly on your head.

• Ensure that you take your outfit with you when choosing your hat/fascinator to check the colour and style.

• Always try different styles and colours on to see what shape flatters your face and hair.

• Also if you can’t match the outfit then co-ordinate the colour of your hat or fascinator with your accessories.

A Ladies Day hat is to wow the crowds but at the same time to make you feel confident and compliment your whole outfit. It isn’t often us ladies have the chance to wear something different but Ladies Day at Ffos Las Racecourse is the perfect opportunity to get dressed up and buy the hat or fascinator of your dreams.

GET THE BEST RACING RESULTS Soak up the excitement about half an hour before a race in the preparade ring, where you will see horses warming up before they are saddled.

Then, about 20 minutes before the race, the horses will be guided around the parade ring so punters can have a good look at them before placing their bet.

Keep an eye out for the jockeys, who

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will come out after being ‘weighed-in’ to receive instruction from their trainer.

After you have checked out your horse, it’s time to place a bet by heading to one of the kiosks dotted around the course.

Putting on a bet at the races is all part of the experience and we challenge anyone to not scream with frustration or delight as their horse approaches the winning line!

You can put as little as £2 on a horse and to help you choose a horse our raceday programme will give you tips for picking your fancy and details on how to read the form. However, you may have as much luck picking the horse because you like its name or you like the colour of the jockeys silks.

There are 2 ways to bet – either with the tote or with the ‘bookies’ that can be found in front of the viewing grandstands.

With your precious betting slip in your pocket, head to the stands about ten minutes before the race to get a good view of your winner (hopefully!)

When you hear ‘weighed in’ called it means the jockey has had his weight checked after the race to ensure there was no underhand activity, so you can collect your winnings.

HOW TO SPOT A WINNER There is a surprising amount of information in your programme, explaining the horses’ form, the trainers’ and jockeys’ track record, past wins and what conditions underfoot each horse prefers. When you are at the parade ring, have a good look at the horses.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A WINNER IN THE PADDOCK THEN A FEW THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR MIGHT INCLUDE: • A sleek and shiny coat: that’s normally an indication of a horse’s wellbeing • A swagger or elegance; even at the walk a horse’s athleticism is evident.

Like human athletes, good horses display grace and suppleness at all paces • A relaxed horse is one that is not wasting nervous energy before the race, so if a horse is sweating or uneasy in the paddock, that’s not usually a good sign well toned muscle and just a hint of rib showing is a sign that the horse is in peak physical condition; as with most human runners, sprinters tends to carry a little more muscle (and have quite big backsides!) compared to a horse that runs over longer distances, so bear that in mind.

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WHAT ARE THE ODDS AND WHAT DO THEY MEAN? Once again, your programme will provide some great information to help you choose a horse with the right odds. Along with a race summary, there is usually a betting forecast with the preliminary odds listed. If the odds are short - say 2-1 - the horse is more likely to win, but you will have to put down more money to get a good amount back. Of course, the longer the odds say 10-1 - the bigger the payout if your horse wins, but the less likely it is to triumph.

WHAT BETS CAN I PLACE? You can bet to win, which means you place your money on the horse that you believe will be first past the post.

Betting each way means you are putting money on a horse to win and also to place in the first three (sometimes you can bet on a horse placing in the first two or four).

A swinger bet is a good choice for a newcomer as you simply pick two

Gates Open at 12.10pm, First Race is 2.10pm.

Last race is at 5.40pm.

Live music follows the racing.

General Admission: £20.00 when booked in advance in July.

Hospitality packages from £70.00 per person

horses that you think will place in the first three. A placepot allows you to pick a horse to be placed in the first six races so you have something to watch all day. Even if none of your horses win, you may still get a substantial payout.

JARGON-BUSTING

• PONY: Surprisingly this term has nothing to do with the horse. A pony means a £25 bet or odds of 25-1.

• MONKEY: This is not referring to an animal, it means a £500 bet.

• FAVOURITE: This, of course, refers to horse with the shortest odds.

• FORM: This refers to how well the horse has performed in the past.

A number next to its name in the programme shows where it has placed in recent races. 0 mean unplaced; P - pulled; R - refused to race; F - fell; U - unseated rider; SU - slipped up; BF beaten favourite.

• HANDICAP: This is a race in which horses carry different weights to even out the competition. The better a horse’s results, the more weight it carries.

• ON/OFF THE BRIDLE: If a horse is ‘on the bridle’ it means it is running comfortably with enough energy to see through the race. ‘Off the bridle’ is obviously the opposite.

• STAKE: How much money you bet with per race.

• BANKER: A horse that is considered the most likely to win that day.

• COLT: A young male horse, less than four years old.

• FILLY: A female horse less than four years old.

• GELDING: A castrated male horse of any age.

• MAIDEN: A horse of any age that has not yet won a race.

• MARE: A female horse more than four years old.

YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON...

Don’t forget to try and manage your alcohol intake during the day to make sure you see the fabulous Fat Barry’s Soul Band after the races - dancing shoes at the ready!

Book tickets online at www.ffoslasracecourse.com 01554 811092 • info@ffoslasracecourse.com

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Tforme you

YOUR PET PICS! (page 258) BABY BLOG (page 263) OUR FAVOURITE THINGS (page 266)

Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA15 4HA (01554) 758171 • myddfaispa@stradeyparkhotel.com

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6/22/2016 3:13:57 PM

TIME FOR YOU

THE LUCRATIVE BUSINESS OF

PANTS Designer fashion for men’s underwear? Meet the Swansea entrepreneur finding it a booming market...

How much does the average man spend on his pants? That might not be a question that will have occurred to most of us. But the answer is an interesting one which is very much at the forefront of the mind of one Swansea entrepreneur.

It is actually a lot more than they used to, according to research by global information company The NPD Group. The men’s underwear bottoms market is now approaching £2.09 billion having hit £1.8 billion in 2014 with boxer briefs, a style that has become quite popular, representing the largest share of the market at nearly 40 percent.

While the female lingerie market is a well document over saturated yet extremely lucrative sector for companies and designers able to set themselves apart, the men’s equivalent has traditionally been regarded as a more sedate and slow moving market.

Things are changing. Boxer briefs have been gaining over the past two years, as have briefs, the second largest class of underwear bottoms, which grew 23 percent over the past year. Looserfitting boxers declined 14 percent during the same period.

The slimmer underwear trend is happening at the same time as the comeback of tighter-fitting pants and jeans, a style that made its mark in the 1960s. Men’s slim/skinny bottoms grew 11 percent combined over the past year, while regular, relaxed, and looser fitting styles all experienced declines.

On the face of it, Swansea-born Jamie Davies might seem an unlikely candidate to make an impact in this global market, the preserve of large global brands and designers. After taking a gap year once finishing school and never making it to university as a result, Davies ended up working in the DVLA in Morriston for many years.

It was a personal tragedy in the form of the loss of a loved one, which he says turned his world upside down, that kick-started him to change his life and start to follow his dreams. Three years ago as he entered his thirties, he decided it was time to move away from his home roots and embark on a new journey.

He moved to London and, keen to put what had been latent creative talents to good use, launched the designer underwear brand ‘Jamie Button’.

He says he has targeted a new underwear label after completing extensive research and in-depth competitor analysis, “putting

himself in the shoes of his potential customers” something many entrepreneurs fail to do.

Based on this, Jamie believes he has identified a gap in the market for his product. He has developed an exclusive range of ‘Jamie Button’ underwear products made from natural materials and resources, each handmade in the UK. He has not had an easy ride. He admits that setting up a business is a difficult task, especially with no mentor to guide the way. To do this whilst simultaneously managing a full-time job in HR has been especially tricky and makes Jamie’s story an exception to the rule.

He believes the quality, material and longevity of the product sets ‘Jamie Button’ apart as a brand.

“When I saw the finished product for the first time, I just knew it would work. I could see it being sold in department stores around the UK and I instantly believed in it, 100%,” he says. He says he has extensively tested the product through regular washes to check the longevity of the quality and it came out as good as new every time.

As well as making what he describes as a unique product, Jamie is also taking a very modern approach to marketing it as he looks to build brand awareness and ultimately interest from retailers.

He is using social media heavily to promote the brand and encourages some of his initial customers to do the same. A well-known underwear model recently wore his product to a modelling shoot in Los Angeles and shared images of the shoot online, reaching thousands of followers in the process.

Underwear will just be the start if Jamie’s plans come to fruition. He hopes to soon expand into swimwear, something he is already in the process of producing now.

He considers himself lucky to have enjoyed a few breaks in the industry so far but also stresses that luck comes hand in hand with hard work. “Success doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a working progress and it takes time and patience, so just make sure you’re aware of that,” he says, offering advice to other wouldbe entrepreneurs.

And despite some highs and lows so far, he adds: “Would I do it all over again? Yes. It’s been a challenge and it hasn’t come without its stress, but I believe in my product 100 per cent and that fact alone makes everything worthwhile.”

252 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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TIME FOR YOU

“It’s been a challenge and it hasn’t come without its stress, but I believe in my product 100 per cent and that fact alone makes everything worthwhile.”

• Model: Luis Young • Agency: W Management • Photography by Lefteris Primos (modelling photographs).

www.swansealife.co.uk | 253

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

A BIKE SHOP WITH A DIFFERENCE Whether you’re seeking bicycle repairs, cycle gear or a brand new bike, Pilot House Cycles in Swansea marina offers something very special – including acclaimed handmade bikes.

hat better place for a bicycle shop than in the heart of Swansea Marina on National Cycle Network routes 4 and 43. It took a full two years to renovate Swansea’ s iconic grade II listed Pilot House and create a unique bicycle showroom and workshop, complete with spiral staircases, trap doors and a glass-walled mezzanine.

The ground floor workshop is home to the acclaimed Paulus Quiros bikes which was originally founded in Burry Port six years ago by Jonathan Paulus and Jose Quiros. Jonathan, a doctor at Singleton Hospital, also studied motorsport engineering in the 1990s.

“I have always been a keen cyclist – the idea of making a bike had always appealed to me” he says. “My engineering training equipped me to design and build a bike from scratch.”

Jonathan teamed up with Jose in 2009 due to their shared passion for bike building. They worked behind closed doors for 18 months producing prototypes before officially launching their business at the first UK Handmade Bike Show. “We had a fantastic response, and it’s grown from there,” says Jonathan. Paulus Quiros have gone on to win various awards and accolades and their bikes have been featured in books and magazines all over the world.

It has also scored several world firsts in terms of the technology used to make the bikes; for example, the company was chosen by bicycle tubing manufacturer Reynolds to make the first lugged bicycle frame with their new 921 tubing; which was displayed at the UK Handmade Bike Show, at the London Olympic Velodrome. Their bikes have now been sold across the globe.

Pilot House Cycles offers an outstanding choice of bikes that you won’t find anywhere else in the area, along with an equally impressive range of accessories and cycle clothing.

As well as showcasing the beautiful Paulus Quiros steel bicycles, it also offers a range of top performance bikes in carbon and titanium. The shop has been selected as the region’s official stockist of some of

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the world’s finest bikes, including superbly engineered Focus bikes from Germany ( Romain Bardet has a great chance of winning in this year’s Tour De France riding a Focus Izalco max); bespoke Italian Sarto bikes; titanium framed Van Nicholas bikes, multiple award winning Storck bikes from Germany; flamboyant Cipollini racing bikes handmade in Italy and top of the range Wilier bikes, also from Italy.

Jonathan is one of the very few people in the country to have been trained at SICI (Serotta International Cycling institute) in America to the level of Advanced Fit. His bike fit studio at the top of the tower is equipped with the latest motion capture technology.

Pilot House Cycles is one of a select group of bike shops in the country to be designated a Pro-Shop by component brand Campagnolo. Their concentration on quality and excellence extends beyond bike services and repairs to custom wheel building, which is carried out by on site expert Justin Russell.

“Justin has a huge depth of knowledge and can tailor wheels to your specific needs and riding style,” says Jonathan. “His wheels have been exhibited at the UK Handmade Bike show, we’re very lucky to have him.”

Besides offering some of the world’s most beautiful bikes, the shop stocks an impressive range of accessories, from specialist bicycle components to Brooks leather saddles and bags. They offer Assos of Switzerland, the brand that revolutionised the world of competitive cycling by developing the first ever lycra cycling shorts 40 years ago and later the first anatomical skinsuit. Their technical clothing will be seen at this year’s Olympics worn by the American and Swiss cycling teams.

There’s no doubt that Jonathan and his colleagues have created something very special in one of Swansea’s landmark buildings – and while Jonathan is continuing his medical work, he is hugely committed to making his bike shop the best it can be.

“I’ve always enjoyed cycling but this allows me to also indulge my love of solving problems through engineering, design and creativity – it allows me to combine all those passions in one.”

THE OLD PILOT HOUSE, PILOT HOUSE WHARF, SWANSEA MARINA SA1 1UN 01792 463199 | INFO@PILOTHOUSECYCLES.CO.UK | WWW.PILOTHOUSECYCLES.CO.UK OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY 9:30 TILL 17:30

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1. Storck Demo Day at the Pilot House 2. On site wheel building 3.Jonathan and Jose of Paulus Quiros, Innovation Award Finalists 2016. 4. Bike Fit Studio 5. Fully equipped Campagnolo Pro workshop 6.The multiple award winning Storck bikes from Germany ; their Aernario frame as well as winning Road CC “Superbike of the year award for 2014-15” was voted “best bike of all time by Germany’s Tour Magazine. 7. Assos cycling clothing’s new designs for this year produced through their association with the Mercedes Benz Formula One team.

8. Focus bikes exemplify German engineering and design across their entire range. This Focus bike features the same ultimate performance frameset that has won races at the highest level of competition. 9. A unique sales environment. If you love cycling, then you would love a visit to the Pilot House to see what’s on offer.

6/24/2016 5:38:42 PM

TIME FOR YOU

CREATING A BUZZ...

Keeping bees is about more than just a fresh supply of honey – it also helps boost the endangered bee population. JENNY WHITE got some tips from Gerti Axtmann, a Swansea beekeeper who took up beekeeping just two years ago and now has several productive hives...

256 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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TIME FOR YOU

W

hen Gerti Axtmann’s children grew up and left home, she started looking for something new to do. Her solution was an interesting one: she took up bee keeping.

So these days, her garden in Uplands, Swansea, is literally a hive (in fact, several hives) of activity. Dozens of bees trace lazy circles in the air, lingering over flowering bushes and filing in and out of pastelcoloured hives with military efficiency.

Filling your garden with bees is not the most obvious choice of hobby, but it’s one Gerti is keen to promote – not just because of the obvious rewards, such as free pots of honey, but also because it helps boost the number of bees in the local area.

“My dad had bees, so I grew up with them, and now my brothers and nephews are keeping bees. When you have a granddad or dad who has bees, I think it’s inevitable that when you have a bit of time, you decide to try it,” she says.

You can start a hive by buying a colony of bees, or by collecting a swarm: beekeeping societies notify their members of any swarm that have been spotted, and the first available member usually gets to collect it.

A common question asked of beekeepers is, ‘do you get stung?’. Gerti says it all depends on how you handle the bees.

“At the beginning, yes, you do get stung, but you will hardly get stung at all once you have confidence, because that makes you handle the bees calmly and with patience. The bees sense that, so they don’t react to you being in their hive. On the other hand, if you whip out the frames, or if a frame falls down and gives the hive a tremor, they hate that and they will go for you.

“However, you will be wearing a bee suit, plus leather gloves and boots - because bees love to go for your ankles!”

The smoke also helps calm the bees. Gerti tends to start the smoker using egg cartons, but other effective materials include rotten wood and straw.

Gerti grew up in Bavaria before moving to London, then to Aberdeen for 15 years.

Finally, she and her family made their home in Swansea, where she now works as a social worker.

“You don’t want flames because that could kill the bees – you want it to be simmering, and then you cool the smoke by putting a bit of grass on it, which makes the smoke even thicker.”

She got into beekeeping thanks to the training and advice offered by Swansea and District Beekeepers’ Society.

It’s unclear precisely how and why the smoke calms the bees, but there is no doubt that it works.

“I joined firstly for the socials, which take place on the first and fourth Tuesdays of the month in Gowerton Conservative Club. It’s really nice to meet people and get your first taste of beekeeping – the members are so friendly, warm hearted and helpful.”

“My understanding is that when they experience smoke they think they are in danger from a forest fire, so they go into the hive and fill themselves with honey in preparation for leaving,” says Gerti.

Gerti joined the society’s beginners beekeeping class, which begins with six to eight weeks of theory before progressing to practical lessons at the society’s apiary in Penllergaer, on the grounds of the RSPCA Llys Nini Animal Centre (you can buy their honey in the Llys Nini shop).

“The classes are highly recommended. The society has 12 hives at Llys Nini, so you can explore different options, handle bee frames, look for the queen bee and larvae - people love it, and usually by the end of they are thinking, ‘I have to get bees’.”

Kitting yourself out to keep bees costs around £400, and involves buying not only a hive but also a smoker, hive tools and a protective ‘bee suit’.

Gerti chose to buy hives made from polystyrene, which are much lighter to handle than traditional hives – and can be painted in attractive colours. Each hive yields about 40lbs of honey in a year. So far, she has gifted it to friends and family rather than selling it, but may beekeepers make money by selling their honey – and their yield tends to increase as they become more experienced.

Urban beekeeping is on the rise – quite a number of businesses, even in the centre of big cities, now have hives on their roofs.

While beekeeping would probably be inadvisable in a tiny back yard due to lack of space, Gerti’s garden is proof that you don’t need a field at the back of your house to support a few hives.

While beekeeping is a rewarding hobby in itself, she is also aware that bee populations are under threat– and that beekeepers are doing their bit towards helping the bees.

“It’s important for future generations, because bees face so many threats – among them, various diseases like the varroa mite and the threat of the Asian hornet, which was accidentally brought to France from Asia by ship and is expected to reach Britain soon. It kills whole hives.”

As part of their drive to raise awareness of beekeeping, Swansea Beekeepers’ Society is holding a summer ball at Pontardawe Golf Club on the August 20.

For Gerti, beekeeping events are all part of the fun.

“For me personally, the most enjoyable time as a beekeeper is the summer when our society goes to the fairs around Swansea the Gower Show, the spring show in Builth Wells, and the dog show at Llys Nini, where we show a living hive. It’s lovely to see people, including children, going into the tent and seeing inside the hive. It’s a fascinating hobby and one I’d definitely urge people to get involved in.”

Want to get involved? Tickets for the Ball are available from Gerti at: gerti.axtmann@gmail.com Anyone interested in bees is also encouraged to attend the 88th Midland and South Western Counties beekeepers’ conference, which takes place in the King Arthur Hotel in Reynoldston from October 14 to 16. Tickets are available from Jean Salkilld on 01792 205822 www.swansealife.co.uk | 257

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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@swwmedia.co.uk

Name: Marged (Welsh for Margaret) Age: 3 Breed: Italian Miniature Greyhound / Chihuahua Likes: Sunbathing Dislikes: Dogs on the television Owner: Rowan Joseph-Lake From: Pontardawe

Name: Jax Age: 12 weeks Breed: Ragdoll cross Persian Likes: Playing with his mummy’s handbags!

Dislikes: Feet Owners: Catlin Romaniw and Adam Powell From: Swansea

Name: Poppy Summers Age: 1 and a half Breed: Pearl Cockatiel Likes: Seeds Dislikes: Being told what to do! Owner: Nia Matthews From: Mount Pleasant

Name: Storm Age: 3 months old Breed: German Shepherd Likes : Food Dislikes: Hairdryer Owner: Jordan Brown and Bethany Wilson From: Pontardawe

Name: Mylo Age: 9 Breed: Chocolate labrador Likes: Vegetables (especially swede) Dislikes: Thunder Owners: Chis & Vanessa Mason-Jones From: Craig-Cefn-Parc

Name: Murphy Breed: Lurcher Likes: Loves affection and lots of play Dislikes: Being left alone Owners: Nick and Judy Salter From: Uplands, Swansea

Name: Miya Age: 2 Breed: Golden Doodle Likes: Toys Dislikes: Birds Owners: Debora and Paul Rees From: Glais

Name: Rocco Age: 2 Breed: jackawawa Like: walking, cuddling and kisses Dislikes: the post man and hairdryer Owners: Carrie Morgan and Kyle Rees From: Glais

Name: Rolo Age: 14 months old Breed: Doberman Likes: Sleeping, cuddles and posing for pictures Dislikes: Rain and doors being closed!

Owners: Lyes and Lowri From: Penllergaer

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ACTION PACKED ADRENALINE RUSH OF A LIFETIME! GIFT VOUCHERS & CHARITY TANDEM JUMPS AVAILABLE 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.

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6/23/2016 12:05:16 PM

TIME FOR YOU

SLEEP TIGHT

There’s been a key expansion at Oldwalls in Gower. Swansea Life’s PETER SLEE has been to take a look...

H

ere’s what £1 million or so buys you!

Luxury with a great big capital ‘L’ and a queue of wannabe visitors clambering to check in to some very special accommodation.

The wraps have just come off Mulberry House at leading independent wedding venue, Oldwalls in Gower.

The result? Well, on a first inspection by us here at Swansea Life, just about everything you could wish for.

Maintaining Oldwalls’ signature luxury standards, the three bedroom property set within five acres of stunning grounds combines outstanding examples of interior design with stateof-the-art technology.

Mulberry House has been introduced in response to existing client demand as well as giving Oldwalls a platform to appeal to the general UK tourism market.

Oldwalls MD Andrew Hole says the project is “ testament to our longstanding commitment to listen to the client, innovate and remain at the forefront of the hospitality industry.

“We offer our current accommodation exclusively on night of the wedding and due to popularity of the venue our clients 260 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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cannot spend more than one night at Oldwalls, thanks to Mulberry House we now have the perfect solution. Since launching last month the reaction to Mulberry House has been resoundingly positive with wedding clients and general public alike clambering to book!”

The scheme has created 13 new jobs with Oldwalls investing £1million or so with local suppliers on the luxury development led by Gower based building company, Purnell Construction. Expansion plans are now also in place for the leading brand to launch several Oldwalls venues across Wales over the next 2 years.

Andrew adds: “As a UK renowned wedding venue Oldwalls attracts over 25,000 visitors a year from around the world, this boosts business for the local suppliers and tourism organisations in the area.

“When we opened in 2007 we never anticipated that we would become one of the most popular wedding venues in the country and we’re so proud to fly the flag for Gower. We trust Mulberry House will become a popular ‘bolt on’ to our wedding packages as well as appealing to the luxury UK travel market. “

www.swansealife.co.uk | 261

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5/20/2016 12:06:42 2:50:08 PM 6/23/2016 PM

My baby and me Llanelli mum Alana Perrin is a mum to Santino, two, and has just given birth to her second son, Ezra. She lives in Llanelli with her husband Stewart and writes a mummy blog, www.baby-holiday.co.uk which gives an honest insight into life as a mum. Check out her amusing stories online and read her regular updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Baby boy’s birth story: Non-induction, natural labour and another speedy arrival...

AFTER being convinced our little one would come early and even be a May baby, I was a bit disappointed to wake up on our due date knowing time had run out to go into labour naturally.

Because of my gestational diabetes I was booked in to be induced at 40 weeks, but had really hoped to go into labour with no intervention. I was induced with Santi at 39 weeks and spent two days pacing the hospital corridors waiting for his arrival. I’ve wondered

since what spontaneous labour would be like and if his birth would have been as quick without the drugs .. it turns out it very likely would have been!

I packed my bags into the car, dropped him off and headed for the hospital, joking with Stew’s sister that we’d go the bumpy way to try and bring on labour. It felt really odd that everyone knew we were going in to hospital to have the baby, and I think people were more excited than us. Of course I was excited to meet our little one, but knowing that you’re going to be induced and that labour is just around the corner made me more anxious than anything.

When we got to the last roundabout before the hospital I mentioned that my back felt a bit crampy and said that knowing our luck the baby would have come that day anyway. He then decided to tell me he hadn’t brought any sort of bag for himself … talk about tempting fate!

Finally registered!

The monitor showed some fairly regular contractions, but they just felt like the

braxton hicks I’d been getting at home and similar to the readings I was getting with Santi.

By the time the midwife came back for the third time to look at the chart I could feel twinges with the tightenings and started to wonder if they were actually contractions or if I was getting white coat syndrome.

I still don’t think anyone believed how far along I was, as the midwife in the labour room kept coming and going, and asking if I needed a wee when what I really wanted was to get the baby out! She didn’t really pay me much attention until she glanced over and saw that I’d started pushing...that got her moving!

With one push there was a pop and baby’s head was almost out.

After all the drama things calmed down and we were brought tea and toast while we phoned family to share the news. I think we shocked everyone as they definitely weren’t expecting an announcement that quickly!

All of a sudden we’re a family of four, we have two sons and I’m well and truly outnumbered in a house of boys

Introducing our littlest man...

Somehow our littlest man is already two weeks old, and we haven’t properly introduced him. He’s now settled in at home and has officially been registered (at last), so it’s time to say hello to our new family member...

Name: Ezra James Born: At 5.28pm on his due date, as Dustland Fairytale by the Killers was playing Features: Dark hair, grey/blue eyes, tall Role: Little brother to Santino, chief nighttime waker-upper, milk guzzler

Skills: Fooling you into believing he’s fallen asleep, only to wake up the second he touches down in the Moses basket or as food is ready; sleeping through ridiculous noise levels; can frown as well as Santi Likes: Curling up on your chest to sleep, milk, attention from his big brother Dislikes: Milk not being ready the second he wakes up, having his nappy changed First trip out of the house: To Starbucks at two days old and he didn’t wake the whole time he was out of the house

www.swansealife.co.uk | 263

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Hello gorgeous!

Name: Hari Rhys Thomas Born: May 23, 2015 Parents: Mike Thomas and Lisa Lewis From: Ammanford

Name: Oli George Peters Born: June 3, 2015 Parents: Katie and Ryan Peters From: Birchgrove

Name: Amelia Jayne King Born: January 3, 2016 Parents: Rebecca and Ceri King From: Neath

264

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Name: Rori Huw Rees Born: October 27, 2015 Parents: Nia Davies and Arwel Rees From: Clydach

Name: Tyla Williams Born: October 25, 2015 Parents: Denika and Nathan Williams From: Port Talbot

Name: Willow Grace Denton Born: August 12, 2013 Parents: Sean and Catherine Denton From: Ynystawe

Meet Swansea Life’s new arrivals and toddlers...

Name: Isabelle Gould Born: January 4, 2015 Parents: Abigail Liney and Matthew Gould From: Morriston

Name: Jack Francis Layzell Born on July 16, 2015 From: Brynhyfryd Parents: Cassie-Jo and James Layzell

Name: Freddie-J Jones Born: November 17, 2015 Parents: Chanelle Chapman and Jamie Jones From: Blaenymaes

6/24/2016 3:40:51 PM

Name: James Gwyn Lewis Born: January 28, 2015 Mum: Lisa Lewis From : Mayhill

Name: Sonny Dwain Williams Born: June 11, 2015 Parents: Kelly Tait and Dwain Williams From: Portmead

Name: Angel Rose Bithel Born: February 7, 2013 Parents: Nyomi and Andrew Bithell From: Skewen

Name: James Edward Mcnamara Lewis Born: December 18, 2015 Parents: Sarah Jane Mcnamara Lewis and Edward Lewis From: Ynystawe

Name: Bentley-Mason Born: June 13, 2015 Parents: Kirstie Chierighini and Brandon Chennell From: Pontardawe

Name: Lana Leigh Houlihan Born: September 2, 2013 Parents: Laura and Stephen Houlihan From: Llansamlet

Name: Indie-Leigh Marshall-Tucker Born: February 5, 2016 Parents: Jayde Marshall and Adam Tucker From: Cwmbwrla

Name: Skyla Marie Houlihan Born: October 24, 2014 Parents: Laura and Stephen Houlihan From: Llansamlet

Name: Dylan James Bithell Born: December 29, 2015 Parents: Nyomi and Andrew Bithell From: Skewen

We’d love to see your new arrivals. Send your pictures along with details to laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk www.swansealife.co.uk | 265

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TIME FOR YOU

4 1

PETAL POWER Showcase these floral fancies. Marygolds, £80, Dune at Debenhams, Swansea

SWANSEA LIFE’S

WISH LIST!

TOTALLY TROPICAL A tropical treat ... fresh, island pineapple served with a citrus touch of cilantro and sweet coconut. Take us there now! Large jar, £21.99, Yankee Candle Shop, Swansea

Laura Davies’ pick of this month’s most wanted... laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

2

ISLAND LIFE Inspired by the beauty of the ocean, this swirling statement ring features a shimmering surface offset with mint-hued stones, reminiscent of delicate bubbles of water. Shimmering Ocean Ring, £99, Pandora, Swansea

@LawsDx

3 KEEPSAKES How cute are these handmade personalised Memory Cushions to celebrate the arrival of a new baby, a christening or a special birthday, £54.95, www.notonthehighstreet.com

266 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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TRAVEL BEAUTY

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Now there is no need to worry about leaving your favourite beauty products behind or weighing your case down with heavy large products. This not only is practical but will look fab going through security. Beauty Junky Travel Bottle Kit, £8, Accessorize, Swansea

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We want Bobbi Brown’s Confidence Stick, £26 — a magic eraser for fine lines and wrinkles in just one swipe. Say no more!

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PINEAPPLE PICK How juicy and sweet is this pineapple light.

At £10, why not add a bit of summer fun to your home. Primark, Swansea

FESTIVAL COUTURE Fringing is always perfect for festivals and this dark green suede dress gets the fashion points, £68, River Island, Swansea

NEVER MISS A SPOT Ensure even coverage to all of those hard to reach places. It’s simple. Just unfold the wand out up to 180 degrees, unlock the spray, and press the nozzle for a one-touch continuous spray at any angle. PHD Never Miss a Spot Self Tanner, £19.95, 200ml, www.phdskincare. co.uk

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10 POM POM Fab for brightening up your garden table chairs, this pom pom cushion is not only colourful and on trend, but is affordable for every chair. £8, George at Asda, Llansamlet, Parc Trostre

www.swansealife.co.uk | 267

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TIME FOR YOU

NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN...

It’s perhaps Britain’s most inspiring university: You can study everything from Arabic to Scrabble and even learn to canoe and it’s changing the lives of countless over-50s...

As the U3A SWANSEA celebrates its 30th anniversary, former Evening Post editor and U3A member Spencer Feeney talks to the incoming chairman about the opportunities and challenges facing the organisation...

T

he first day of university is always a scary prospect, and it was certainly no exception for Sue Kirk.

“My arms ached for the first week, but it soon went. Canoeing keeps me active all year round and my fitness has definitely improved.”

Despite the fine spring morning and the fact that other students were milling around near by, she felt quite alone and nervous as she waited for her first lesson to begin.

It is part of what makes the University of the Third Age so special.

And why more people than ever are clambouring to get on board.

But, then, there is nothing ordinary about the University of the Third Age (U3A), which aims to promote late-life learning for those who are retired, semi-retired or have finished raising families.

But Sue is no shy teenager — she is a 66-yearold former teacher, mother of two and grandmother of six.

“I was filled with apprehension,’ says Sue. ‘It was such a large place. I had no idea what the people I was meeting would look like.”

Happily for Sue, a 45 ft canoe is a hard thing to miss. For along with the 11 others gathered on the banks of a river, she was about to embark on her first canoeing class, having joined one of the most unorthodox universities in the world. No other educational establishment would arrange a field trip where the combined student age totalled more than 800 years.

“I was living in Kent at the time and looking for something that would be active to get me out of the house,” says Sue who has recently moved to Swansea.

“I saw canoeing and thought it looked superb.

“There was so much laughter and chatter in the boat that I quickly forgot my fears.

There’s no campus, for a start — just a small head office in Bromley, Kent. Nor is there any curricula, term-times or entrance exams.

Rather than run into thousands, the annual tuition fees are between £10 and £20, depending on where you live (it’s not run for profit), and each local U3A group — there are almost 1,000 — decides what they study, where and when.

As for the 36,000 subjects on offer, well, they are as wide-ranging as the students and cover everything from the serious to the sublime.

Arabic, history, maths and chemistry are timetabled next to Druidism, Scrabble, botanical illustration, how to dress, unsolved murder cases and bus restoration.

Sue Shannon-Jones is at the forefront of the phenomenon in Swansea.

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TIME FOR YOU

A disproportionate number of members are female, and live in Swansea West.

“One of our committee members, Denis Moran, is working on raising awareness in the Eastside of Swansea,” she says. “He has started with a pilot IT-laptop project group. There will be more groups starting up soon, based in Eastside.”

She acknowledges that the membership is also heavily weighted in favour of females. Why is that? “A lot of members are widows, who did not know what to do with their time when their husbands had died. They will tell you that joining U3A has been a life-saver for them.”

But men lose partners too. Why don’t they turn to U3A in the same way? Sue draws a comparison with her experience working in health: “Men do not go for help.”

One area of U3A activity that does attract more men is the monthly lecture hosted by Swansea University. I wonder if that is because men perceive the lectures as serious, and many of the group activities as ‘fluffy’?

Sue Shannon-Jones

“I am hoping to set up a project to share language and culture with asylum seekers and refugees.

Swansea is a designated City of Sanctuary, but many of the wives and partners who arrive here can become isolated.”

If so, Sue is keen to rectify the perception. Yes, there are groups for creative activities such as writing poetry, but there is a lot more to U3A than that.

As well as local chairman, Sue is the Shared Learning co-ordinator for Wales. Shared Learning is a process that allows individual or several U3As to set up projects to deal with specific issues and objectives (for example, one project recently renovated and reopened an old ramblers’ path).

U3A Swansea is currently working with Swansea Museum to research and identify the people who donated the various items that are on display at the museum’s current natural history exhibition.

She is now leading a drive to get more men on board locally.

But she is also keen to attract foreign women, the wives and partners of refugees and asylum seekers who have been blown into Swansea on the winds of war and conflict around the world.

We are in the front room of the retired mental health worker’s home in Megan Street in Cwmdu. Sue has been interim chairman since last summer and has just formally taken on the role of leading it for the next three years.

Sue has another major piece of work in mind. “I am hoping to set up a project to share language and culture with asylum seekers and refugees. Swansea is a designated City of Sanctuary, but many of the wives and partners who arrive here can become isolated.”

By helping to remove that sense of isolation, U3A Swansea could play a significant role in how the city responds to migration patterns that are unlikely to change in an increasingly volatile world.

“Swansea is not alone in that. Other U3As around the country are the same. And I belong to various organisations, and these groups have the same problem.”

Of course, playing a part in global sociological shifts is not the reason why people join U3A in the first place. Sue joined in 2013, one month after retiring as a community nurse in Port Talbot, “to do things I had not had time to do.” She joined a creative writing and a book group, “so I could write and read for pleasure, not just for work.”

As I have discovered by personal experience since joining U3A, and through talking to previous chairmen in this series of interviews, there are two imbalances that Sue will need to be address during her three-year tenure.

As well as the writing group, she is now involved with poetry, cycling, research and photography groups. “I am somebody who has to have a project or a goal,” she says. “And U3A provides that for me.”

“We have a lot to offer people,” she says; but she is clear where the challenges lie. “We have a white middle-class membership.

www.swansealife.co.uk | 269

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TIME FOR YOU

HOROSCOPES Your forecast for the month of July...

CANCER JUNE 22 - JULY 22 Agreements and contacts made in the last few weeks continue to go well. Real progress is made, however, when working closely with others. Although you may baulk at someone nagging you into action, this could be just what you need at the moment. Some of the things you want to achieve are seemingly a long way off but short-term progress is good.

LEO JULY 23 - AUGUST 23 Some ambitious ideas or plans may need the support of more than one person. That means having to ask for help or information. Don’t let pride get in the way of doing this, Leo. Give a little more leisure time to a loved one and they could come up with a great way forward. You are so sociable and loveable that someone may make a beeline for you. Although flattered, be sure your response is honest.

VIRGO

LIBRA

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23

Sharpen up your mind and ambitions to match your energy this month.

The more others respond to you, the more fired up you become, so keep moving forward and don’t be afraid to use your talents and imagination to the full. Take a few days to find new friends and experiences. As the two go together, this should not be too hard. A lover of colour and sparkle, getting the spring off to a good start is right up your street.

Anything that is new and innovative catches your eye this month. The mind is sharp because you are in your element.

Travel, creative ideas and romantic liaisons appeal. In short, this is a time for you to break down barriers socially and have some fun! Sometimes you suspect you are solar powered, so at home are you in the sun.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21

A flurry of excitement on the romance front gets the month off to a great start. With great charm and a lot of chat you sail through to the middle of June. Then there’s a bit of a lull. Take the chance to get your breath back and retune the body. Putting in the right fuel, don’t forget, produces maximum energy! Thinking about the ‘big picture’ helps.

Avoid any risky business, plan travel well and hide under the duvet?

Well, not quite! Do, however, trust your instincts and realise that some weeks are meant to be a bit ‘off’.

Keep to the safe side, backing off from unnecessary conflict. This is a short blip but needs to be noted.

This could be just the time to get that wish list out and add to it.

Others may not be very responsive, but loving yourself is still easy.

Romantic moments mixed with high demands at work can leave you feeling confused. Maybe, but this is, above all, a time to check out your health, diet and direction.

Although not in the mood for a lot of socialising, chats and cuddles with loved ones reset the balance.

Music and fresh air work wonders to lift the mood.

Working with others brings fast rewards this month. A few blips in energy are balanced with moments of sharp inspiration. So, maybe you have to put a few things on the ‘back burner’, no matter. What lies ahead will make you really chirpy, but that’s another story! Patience is not a virtue for nothing. Maximise contact with younger friends and relatives.

PISCES

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20 There is a lot of support and love coming your way. In order to accept and enjoy it, however, you do need to let others get closer to you. It is easy, when busy or preoccupied, to push others away.

It makes life simpler, doesn’t it?

Well, not in the long term, Pisces.

Talk and talk some more. You may not feel like it but the rewards are high.

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 There are things to do, but it’s a lot quieter than you would like at the moment. There is so much bubbling away in your mind and an urge to get life moving. This is a month for planning and, yes, even plotting! Instead of rushing into the future, give a thought to your current relationships. Are they what you want? Do they need strengthening?

DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19

APRIL 21 - MAY 21

MAY 22 - JUNE 21

It is a rather subdued few weeks but don’t underestimate the power of contemplation. Consider what is happening on the fringes of your life and give things a little ‘trim’. You don’t like life to be too easy and are looking for something to put that fire in your belly. Well, someone is showing more than a little interest in you. It’s possible you have been thinking on a more mundane level.

That dynamic and enthusiastic streak is showing, Gemini. Colleagues and friends are inspired by this, showing support. One in particular could be a great asset to you and your career or life path. Their different attitude may not immediately appeal to you, but listen to their point of view.

Family time needs planning. Bouncing around at the weekends with friends brings out your best social side.

270 | www.swansealife.co.uk

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S WA N S E A

LIFE

Have your say...

Find us on Facebook:

Facebook.com/SwanseaLife • Tweet us

@SwanseaLife

Urban Village, 220 High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW

On Twitter this month... @spoehi Lush to see our wedding featured in @swansealife, great exposure for @ willmasonjones. #boygotskills #bookhim #doit #weddingphotographer @hay78swan Love this month’s Swansea Life magazine @visualmattr Laughter is the best medicine #swansea #wales #streetphotography #visualmattr

Letters...

What Generation Gap? I may be considered “old” by some (I just turned 47), but women of all ages love your magazine. The proof?

I keep several issues on my coffee table and often find my daughter and granddaughters flipping through them.

I continually go back to my past issues to find accessories, beauty products, and style tips. Don’t change a thing. I love you just the way you are.

Sally Kelly Via e-mail

S WA N S E A

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JUNE 2016 £2.95

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Beautiful Benefits I’m thankful for the feature on 10 miracle foods [June) I have noticed that I look and feel much better when I eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, soy, nuts, and other pure vegetarian foods rather than meats and dairy products.

Your article helped me understand why.

Katie Morris Killay

Cwm Ivy craft shop Your feature on the craft shop and café at Cwm Ivy on Gower prompted me to stop off there last month.

What a treat and what a lovely way to spend an hour of so on a sunny afternoon. Highly recommended.

Ruth Thomas Bishopston

Serenely Sorrento Charlotte Rogers’ ‘Serenely Sorrento’ story recalling her holiday there stirred up find memories of my honeymoon there 10 years ago.

I loved the place but have never returned.

Reading about it again, I might just!

Hannah Baker Via email

Keep tweeting us your thoughts about the magazine and let us know what you would like to see in our August edition of Swansea Life!

www.swansealife.co.uk | 273

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