Swansea Life May 2018 by Swansea Life

SWA NSE A

LIFE may 2018 Â£2.95

A TASTE OF SWANSEA We review the newest restaurants in the city

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HOUSE

& home

SP EC IAL BRIDAL INSPIRATION TO RIVAL A ROYAL WEDDING

Tips, ideas, occasionwear and real-life stories

sunshine 9 771750 843018

9 771750 843018

Youre guidnk to baday holi fun

www.swansealife.co.uk

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

Hot fashion looks, spring beauty buys and new home trends

Shot in Fairyhillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 24-acre Gower garden

Combining old-world charm with 21st century cool, this is Fairyhill, but not as you know it. As we toast to our future we welcome you to start yours with us. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to new beginnings.

Oldwalls, a collection of luxury wedding venues oldwallscollection.com

Contents... M AY

2 018

SWA NSE A

FASHION

LIFE

13. THE DRESS EDIT Special dresses for all occasions 16. STRIKING STRIPES How to earn your fashion stripes this spring/summer

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

PUBLISHER Lisa Cameron | lisa.cameron@trinitymirror.com Photography Adrian White, Jonathan Myers, Gayle Marsh, Hoosh Arabi Contributors Lara Johnson & Dom Capel, Lesley Taylor, Sian Day, Victoria Wade, Joseph Atkin, Andrew Morgan, Dr. Charlotte Jones, Chris Howells, James Richards, Marc White, and Chris Peregrine

22. FLORAL fancies Brighten up your Spring/ Summer look with floral accessories

HAIR & BEAUTY 28. SPRING NAILS Ready to give your talons the spring treatment? 36. BEAUTIFUL BRIDE Step by step wedding make up by Chris Howells

Swansea Life, Urban Village, High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW @swansealife Email: laura.davies@trinitymirror.com www.swansealife.co.uk

38. SUNSHINE SPRITZ Scents you’ll want to spritz all summer long

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

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Swansea Life is part of Local World, which is owned by Trinity Mirror PLC, which is a member of IPSO, the Independent Press Standards Organisation. We adhere to the Editors’ Code Of Practice as enforced by IPSO, who are contactable for advice at Independent Press Standards Organisation, Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London. EC4M 7LG. Website: http://www,ipso.co.ukTelephone: 0300 123 2220; email advice@ipso.co.uk

38. FOOD BENEFITS Benefits of honey that may surprise you

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

Average net distribution 7,500 copies sold and distributed in Swansea, Gower and the surrounding South West Wales areas. Opinions expressed in Swansea Life magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or designer and the magazine is in no way liable for such opinions. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents are fully accurate, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies and late changes. No article, advertisement or graphic, in whole or in part, may be reproduced without prior permission of the publishers.

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40. LOW-CARB DIETS 10 things you may not know

48. BEST ADVICE Safety in the sun advice from Swansea GP Charlotte Jones

BRIDE 55 ROMANTIC NUPTIALS Real weddings: Rebecca and Andrew’s big day!

WHAT’S ON 158. DIARY DATES Your guide to the best events this May

60. HATS OFF! Top fascinatiors - perfect for a special occasion

161. HAY FESTIVAL All you need to know about the annual literay event

61. WE LOVE A selection of top bridal products

163. LARKS IN TRANSIT Funnyman Bill Bailey talks about returning to Swansea and his new show

150

HOUSE & HOME

146

OUT & ABOUT

SOCIAL DIARY

148. CLYNE IN BLOOM A step-by-step walk through Swansea’s beautiful garden

166. A GALA EVENT The South Wales Evening Post Community Awards

150. TIME TO CHILL A relaxing getaway to St Moritz, Cornwall

146. CHEERS! The second Swansea Prosecco Festival at the Brangwyn Hall

152. IDEAL COUNTRY PUB A visit to The Greyhound in Letcombe Regis

150. HAVING A BALL! The Purple Ball organised by the National Autistic Society at the Village Hotel

108

88. POWER OF PATTERN From accessories to feature walls, Lesley Taylor explains

150 MOTORING SOCIAL 154. CUTTING COSTS DIARY Renault makes it easier for

155

drivers to go electric 214. HEAD Phphphp hphp hphp 155. A CARhphp OF BEAUTY

98. A SHOT OF SUNSHINE Embrace the yellow palette with sunny picks

A look at why the Range Rover 221. HEAD Velar has been voted the most Phphphp car hphp hphp hphp beautiful phphphphphphp

108. PALM SPRINGS Embrace the tropical palm tree print trend this season

161

226. HEAD Phphphp hphp hphp hphp phphphphphphp

FOOD & DRINK

174

TIME FOR YOU

63. WE LOVE FOOD Some of our favourite foody products this month

174. THE ROYAL EDITION Gifts to celebrate the Royal wedding and new royal baby

62. COCKTAILS Fragrant drinks inspired by springtime

176. LOOK TO THE SKY Eddie Whitney keeps us up to date with his charity work

73. REFINING DINING A look at some of Swansea’s new and exciting eateries

178. LEGAL ADVICE Swansea solicitor Ian Walker talks about LPAs

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E D I TO R’ S L E T TE R

Welcome... What a few weeks it has been! Not only did we experience a mini heatwave, which meant we were officially finally able to get our summer clothes out and indulge in a spot of outside eating and drinking, but we were able to start getting our homes and gardens ready while the sun shone. We also headed to London for the News Awards 2018, and while we didn’t retain our title as the UK No1 Regional Lifestyle Magazine, we were highly commended with judges praising Swansea Life as a “huge offering with quality content throughout and high production values,” so a big thank you to all our readers and advertisers who support us every month. While in The Big Smoke, I was fortunate to sample some of the newest foods and drinks coming to M&S food stores at its summer press show, so keep your eyes peeled for some mouthwatering meals and delicious treats arriving in Swansea over the next few weeks. Inside, we have included a few of our favourites - yes, we couldn’t resist! We also welcomed a new Royal baby boy and are now getting ready to celebrate the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, so check out our special Royal Edition feature inside. It is wedding season after all, so we have also got pages of occasion dresses and fascinators as well as real-life bridal stories for you.

MARK REES

There is plenty going on this month in Swansea and with two bank holidays and Whitsun around the corner, we have got plenty of fun-filled events to attend, including the Radio 1 Big Weekend! Excited? Very much! Check out our What’s On section for more details and other events to keep you and the family entertained.

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

In addition, we also have a bumper house and garden special, with plenty of tips and inspiration as well as plenty of fashion, beauty trends and inspiration, all with summer in mind. So there is lots in store. I want to take this opportunity to say farewell to Swansea Life’s former editor and Evening Post stalwart of 42 years, Peter Slee, who has just retired from the business. He taught me everything I know and was not only a good mentor and boss, but also a close friend. I am sure you will all join me in wishing him all the best for the future. Here’s to a great month ahead! WI N N E R ! U K REG I O NA L MA G A ZI N E O F TH E YE A R

SWA NSE A

LIFE

DEBBIE ROBERTS

Advertising Manager 01792 545626 debbie.roberts@trinitymirror.com

MAY 2018 £2.95

A TASTE OF SWANSEA We review the newest restaurants in the city

Find us on Facebook @SwanseaLife

6 swansealife.co.uk

hello

HOME

SP EC IAL BRIDAL INSPIRATION TO RIVAL A ROYAL WEDDING

Tips, ideas, occasionwear and real-life stories

sunshine 9 771750 843018

www.swansealife.co.uk

01792 545523 laura.davies@trinitymirror.com @LawsDx

EDITOR

9 771750 843018

LAURA DAVIES

YOURE GUID TO BANK AY HOLIDN FU

HOUSE

Hot fashion looks, spring beauty buys and new home trends

COVER IMAGE: V by Very Bardot Stripe Top, £25, Very.co.uk

SANDRA EVANS

EDITORIAL DESIGNER sandra.evans@trinitymirror.com

Swansea lives OUR PICK OF THE MONTHS BEST PARTY GET-TOGETHERS (FOM PAGE 166)

Quality made truly affordable Quality made truly affordable

166

EVENING POST Community Awards

168

Prosecco Festival

171

Purple Ball

172

OIL FOR WALES

Quali a

Visit our showroom to view our our toview viewour our vastVisit displays of wood burning stoves, Visit ourshowroom showroom to vast displays of wood burning stoves, gas &ofelectric fires & stoves, vast displays wood burning gas & electric fires & gasVisit & electric fires &surrounds fireplace surrounds fireplace our showroom to view our fireplace surrounds vast displays of wood burning stoves, gas & electric fires & fireplace surrounds

Gorseinon Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, SA4 9GG Gorseinon Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, SA4 9GG

Tel: Tel: 01792 01792 892357 892357 | | www.brisco.co.uk www.brisco.co.uk

Gorseinon Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, SA4 9GG

Tel: 01792 892357 | www.brisco.co.uk 7 swansealife.co.uk

SPRING COLLECTIONS NOW IN!

New for Spring 2018

Joules Kids

Fishguard Road, Haverfordwest 01437 768014 www.vincentdavies.co.uk Free Parking For opening times visit www.vincentdavies.co.uk Like us on Facebook

FASHION

FA S H I O N F L A S H W I T H L AU R A D AV I ES

get the look

Follow @martinealexander for more great fashion looks.

somewhere over the rainbow... ...a pair of these colourful heels will be waiting for me! Make Up, £62, Office, Swansea

Pictured: Unisex Breton T-Shirt, £15, M&S, Swansea; Emerald Green Jacket, £49, SimplyBe.co.uk, Red Herring Polka Dot Swimsuit, £28, Debenhams, Swansea and Together Sequin Tee, £20, River Island, Swansea and Parc Fforestfach

FRINGE FEST

Floral Jumpsuit by No.1 Jenny Packham, £150, Debenhams, Swansea

BEEMINE! Bring the buzz to your jewellery collection with the BEELIA necklace. Featuring a dangling bumble bee set within a honeycomb frame, it’s sure to send any look soaring. Ted Baker Beelia Bumble Bee Hex Necklace, £39, WatchShop.com

Synonymous with festival fashion fringing is on trend whatever the occasion. Fringe Cami, £32, Next, Parc Trostre and Swansea Gracelynn Fringe Clutch, £32, Oliver Bonas, Cardiff

If you have a special occasion to attend, then why not opt for a jumpsuit rather than your usual go-to dress - even Royal Ascot added them to its dress code this year. Plus they can look just as flattering.

Beaded Fringe White Wrap Dress, £55, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

dress up

Pic: @martinealexander

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, the annual campaign presented by Breast Cancer Now, is back with on-trend and exclusive collections from high street brands including M&S, Debenhams, River Island and Simply Be. For each piece bought a minimum of 30 per cent of the price will be donated to Breast Cancer Now.

This bang-ontrend statement dress from Topshop has been on my instagram wish list for a while, but after seeing it on Coronation Street’s Catherine Tyldesley on ITV’s Zoe Ball... on Sunday, I want it even more! The white and red diagonally striped dress Diagonal Stripe is made in a Midi Dress, £49, flowing fabric TopShop, Swansea with voluminous cape sleeves for added style points. The actress’s stunning look was put together by the talented stylist-to-thestars Martine Alexander, who also works with Kym Marsh, Lucy-Jo Hudson and Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington.

JUMP TO IT!

@LawsDx

MAKE A STATEMENT

laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk

Jacket, £70, River Island, Swansea *MW by Matthew Williamson, £15, Debenhams, Swansea

bag it! This bag is perfect for summer days ahead and comes in multi blue and multi pink colours. Straw Circle Tote, £173.18, www.rebeccaminkoff.com

With the sun finally making an appearance, we can finally start to legitimately buy summer clothes! And M&S has the perfect floral dress to get you started. Team this pretty dress with simple ankle boots to elevate your day wardrobe or add a statement sandal and be occasion ready. Available now priced £69, sandals, £25, M&S, Swansea

swansealife.co.uk 9

FASHION

THE DRESS

T I ED

Elvie Spot Dress, £159, Coast at Debenhams, Swansea

Social calendar full of events this season? Whether it’s a wedding or a trip to the races, you’ll want to say hello to LAURA DAVIES’ edit of special occasion dresses laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Myleene Klass Jacquard Prom Dress, £105, Littlewoods.co.uk

Frill Back Midi Dress, £99, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Myleene Klass Lace Panel Pencil Dress, £92. Littlewoods.co.uk

Issa Ruffle Knitted Dress, £99, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Dress, £35, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

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V by Very Premium Printed Lace A Line Dress, £70, Very.co.uk

Ruched Side Dress, £39, JDWilliams.co.uk

Joanna Hope Lace Dress, £45, Jdwilliams.co.uk

Polka Dot Dress, £38, Wallis Debut, £125, at Outfit, Parc Trostre Debenhams, Swansea

V by Very - Lace High Neck Bodycon Flippy Hem Dress, £65, Very.co.uk

M&S Collection Dress, £89, M&S, Swansea

Tori Print Flip Hem Bodycon, £90, Lipsy At Next, Cardiff

Jayda Maxi Dress, £149, Coast, Debenhams, Swansea

Libby Dress, £299, Hobbs At John Lewis, Cardiff

Cut Out Bodycon Dress, £48, Next, Morfa Retail Park and Swansea Dress, £65, River Island, Swansea and Parc Trostre Lipsy Scallop Lace Flute Hem Midi Dress, £72, Lipsy.co.uk

Ivy Devinee Dress, £179, Coast, Debenhams Swansea

Connie Midi Dress, £159, Coast, Debenhams,Swansea

Amara Dress, £299, Hobbs At John Lewis, Cardiff

Dress, £75, River Island, Parc Fforestfach and Swansea

Pink Floral Bardot Neck Midi Dress, £21.99, New Look, Swansea

Eda Jacquard Dress, £109, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Vip Navy Lace Flippy Hem, £140, Lipsy.co.uk

Dress, £125, M&S, Swansea

Floral Tile Print Tunic Dress, £35, M&Co, Cardiff

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Dressed to impress this prom 1 0 2 - 1 0 4 E ve r s l e y R o a d | S ke t t y Swansea | SA2 9DB Te l : 0 7 5 0 8 8 5 9 0 2 4 w w w. 1 0 2 c o u t u re . c o m

FASHION FASHION

SUMMER SANDALS

JUMP TO IT

These backless loafers will be great for the beach this summer, Black Toucan

M&Co BOUTIQUE

Seedbead Backless Loafers, £40, River Island, Swansea

This season M&Co launches its premium Boutique clothing collection for women. Create the perfect party outfit with floral print dresses or sophisticated separates made from the finest fabrics, featuring statement prints and luxurious lace detailing to ensure you’re dressed for the occasion.

THIS MONTH

WE LOVE laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Debenhams is definitely your go-to shop for your stylish summer swimwear. We love this spotty bikini by Floozie by Frost French

GLAMOUR

POOLSIDE

Tu clothing for men, women and children is now available from Argos. The launch marks the first time Tu has been available outside Sainsbury’s stores and via Tu.co. uk – and will allow customers to order Tu clothing online by 2pm for next day home delivery or free Click & Collect from 1,100 Sainsbury’s and Argos stores across the country (conditions apply). There will be no minimum order size and returns will be free at any Argos and Sainsbury’s location.

DEEPLY HIPPY

BAG ALERT

@LawsDx

Tu TO LAUNCH AT ARGOS

Silk Beaded Top, £99.99, and Shorts, £79.99. Shimmery Patchwork Dress, £119, all Zara, Swansea

Red Polka Dot Jumpsuit, £40, Next, Morfa Retail Park

LAURA DAVIES rounds up some of her favourite products this month

Dress £89, M&Co, Cardiff

Zara’s Studio collection has just landed in stores and it doesn’t disappoint. For summer it has taken on a seriously Californian vibe – think Coachella festival and you’re just about there. We love the laid-back hippy look. The higher prices reflect the better quality fabrics and elaborate detailing.

Next has some great jumpsuits this season. Add some white shades and white trainers for a cool spring/ summer look.

This bag is perfect for sunshinefilled days. Straw bags are everywhere this season, but this circular shape ticks all the fashion boxes. Shades and chic stripe dress is a must. Bag, £24, Top Shop, Swansea

Top, £28; Bottoms, £18; Debenhams, Swansea

SPRING STRIPES

H&M X ANNA GLOVER

A must-have for the transitioning season, this classic striped shirt dress can be dressed up with heels or paired with loafers and trainers for a more casual ensemble. Priced at £259 and available at www.josephribkoff.com

PINK LADY

Finish off your sunny look with a pair of shades. These pink easy cat eye sunglasses are a classic statement piece to wear in the sun.

Glasses, £8, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea

H&M is thrilled to reveal a collaboration with London-based Anna Glover, an awardwinning print designer who specialises in bespoke wallpaper, textiles and digital surface design. The capsule collection features unique prints created by Glover, and will be available in selected stores worldwide, as well as online. Available now! Pictured: Jacket, £49.99, Trousers, £34.99, H&M, Swansea swansealife.co.uk 13

FASHION 1

HIGH STREET HOTTEST

3 1. Nine by Savannah Miller Dress, £59; Blouse, £40; Faith Trainers, £29 2. J by Jasper Conran Dress, £45 3. Bag, £65 4. J by Jasper Conran Jumper, £42 5. Mood Earrings, £10 6. Shirt, £50 7. H! by Henry Holland Top, £20 8. No.1 Jenny Packham Jumpsuit, £150 9. Principles Blazer, £50 10. Faith Heels, £42 11. Skirt, £55

4 1. Top, £15; Trousers, £35; Sunglasses, £15; Shoes, £25 2. Blazer, £79 6 3. Earrings, £12.50 4. Top, £25 5. Dress, £55 6. Trousers, £39.50 7. Skirt, £35 8. Top, £29.50 9. Top, £25 10. Dress, £39.50 11. Bag, £25 12. Court, £35

LAURA DAVIES shops this season’s High Street styles

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

8 9 11 12

10 11

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2 3 3

1. Issa London Top, £60; Skirt, £70 2. Mia Papaya Mazi Dress Fabienne Chapot, £270 3. Maison De Nimes Striped Tassel Top, £55 4. Issa Ruffle Knitted Dress, £99 5. Isabella Dip Hem Dress, £129 6. Maison Scotch Printed Trousers, £145 7. Issa Printed Trousers, £80 8. Issa Tassel Printed Clutch 7 Bag, £40 9. Therapy Rainbow Straw Bag, £40

1. Dress, £85; Bag, £22 2. Dress, £65 3. Earrings, £12 4. Blazer, £70 5. Skirt, £55 6. Skirt, £35 7. Top, £28 8. Top, £55 5 9. Dress, £45 10. Sunglasses,£16 11. Trousers, £42 12. Wedges, £55 13. Bag, £35

5 6

7 6

8 9 8

1. Provence Cold Shoulder Midi Dress, £48 2. Orange 6 Jumpsuit, £60 3. Polka Dot Dress, £55 4. Lilac Drop Earrings, £8 5. Nautical Swimsuit, £35 6. Yellow Blazer, £50 7. Pink Denim Skirt, £36 8. Grey Linen Dress, £60 9. Yellow 8 Embroidered Cardigan, £40 10. Bon Voyage Beach Bag, £30 11. Glossy White Dial Watch Pale Green Strap, £30 12. Polka Dot Trainers, £26

10 11

12 9

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striking stripes

It is not surprising stripes had a very big presence on the fashion runways in time for this season. Whether vertical, horizontal, diagonal, pinstripe or dashed, there was a look for every fashionista. LAURA DAVIES shows you how you can earn your fashion stripes this spring/summer. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

16 swansealife.co.uk

@LawsDx

Dress, ÂŁ50, Next, Morfa Retail Park and Swansea

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M&S Collection Dress, £39.50; Collection Bag, £39.50; Earrings, £15; Shoes, £45, all M&S, Swansea

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M&S Collection Top, £29.50, Per Una Trousers, £29.50, M&S, Swansea

Nine by Savannah Miller, £38, Debenhams, Swansea

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Harlow Pleat Frill Top, £55; Polly Stripe Trouser, £49, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

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Pink Blazer, £70; Pink Trousers, £42; Vest, £12; Necklace, £12, River Island, Swansea

Shirt, £15; Trousers, £35, Glasses, £15, Sandals, £25 all M&S, Parc Trostre and Swansea

swansealife.co.uk 21

FASHION

4 3

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12 15

1. Black Floral Cross Body Bag, £25, Dorothy Perkins, Swansea | 2. Debut, £32, Debenhams, Swansea | 3. Bag, £26, Top Shop, Swansea | 4. Alana heel, £60, Office, Swansea 5. Faith Bag, £35, Debenhams, Swansea | 6. Devi Bag, £75, Dune, Cardiff | 7. Earrings, £12, River Island, Swansea and Parc Fforestfach | 8. M&S Collection Necklace, £24, M&S, Swansea and Parc Trostre | 9. Hope Ditsy Floral Embroidered Wedged Espadrille, £28, Cath Kidston, Cardiff | 10. V by Very Floral Embroidered Slider, £25, Very.co.uk 11. Embroidered Crossbody, £28, Very.co.uk | 12. Geranium, £85, Dune, Cardiff | 13. M&S Collection Earrings, £14, M&S, Swansea and Parc Trostre 14. M&S Collection, £17.50, M&S, Swansea | 15. Sandals, £30, River Island, Swansea | 16. Red Herring Bag, £30, Debenhams, Parc Trostre

22 swansealife.co.uk

Baby Eleanor Dress, £24, Cath Kidston, Cardiff

Yellow Gingham Dress, £12, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach

FASHION

Bright Cardigan from £14, Next, Parc Trostre

Denim Top and Leggings Set, from £14, M&Co, Cardiff

Pure Cotton Dress, £22, M&S, Swansea

Skirt, £24 , Monsoon, Parc Trostre

RI Kids Studio Floral Fiesta, £16, River Island, Swansea

Dress, £18, Outfit at Parc Trostre

River Island, Swansea

LAURA DAVIES at what’s hot this season for kids

RI Kids Shorts, £16 , River Island, Swansea

Crocodile Romper, £18, Cath Kidston, Cardiff

Shirt & Bow Tie, from £18, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Boys Jumper, £15, Next, Swansea

@LawsDx

Croc Romper, £5, Tesco, Llansamlet and Parc Fforestfach

Pure Cotton Colour Block Polo Shirt, £10, M&S, Swansea

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Palm Print Short Sleeve Shirt, £10, M&Co, Cardiff

Shirt, £14, Outfit at Parc Trostre

swansealife.co.uk 23

CELEBRATE ● ● " ! ● ! ● ! ● !

T A GO

AD RO

M DG G D M

AR RD C CA K

HAIR & BEAUTY

BEAUTY NEWS

HOT, HOT, HOT! Introducing the latest range to the Jo Malone London brand. Say hello to its Hot Blossoms Collection, a Limited Edition Carnival Scent, the brand’s first fruit inspired blossom cologne and its first ever Body Mist. Both are designed to be worn alone or layered together for an intoxicating Brazilian feel. Tropical Cattleya Orchid Body Mist 100ml £45; Tropical Cherimoya Cologne 100ml, £95; 30ml, £47, Jo Malone, Cardiff

W I T H L AU R A D AV I ES laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

PART ONE

brush strokes

This is no ordinary brush! GHD has created a classic grooming brush made with nylon bristles, which is ideal for conditioning and polishing any look, when nothing less than perfect will do. The bristles deliver a luxurious and sleek finish like no other – they literally polish your hair follicles as you brush, which helps distribute the hair’s natural conditioning oils along the hair shaft, adding shine and lustre as you brush

NEW ghd Oval Dressing Brush, £20, www.ghdhair.com

COVER UP WITHOUT THE TOUCH UPS We love Clinique’s new Beyond Perfecting Super Concealer Camouflage + 24-hour Wear, an oil-free, waterproof, transferresistant formula that resists sweat and humidity while also working to immediately hydrate skin. This cover up does-it-all - a weightless lifeproof concealer that conceals imperfections, dark spots, discolouration, under-eye circles, lines and wrinkles without settling into pores, lines or wrinkles. Beyond Perfecting Super Concealer Camouflage + 24-hour Wear is available in 18 wearable shades for all skin types. £18.50, available exclusively to Boots and Clinique. co.uk from May 11.

dusk to dawn It has never been easier to take your favourite Kilian perfume out with you. The From Dusk Til Dawn Travel Atomiser is on the top of my wish list this month and it not only looks the part with its stunning gold and black art deco style bottle but comes with x 4 7.5ml vials of Gold Knight or Woman in Gold scent. My favourite Kilian fragrance at the moment is Women in Gold so I couldn’t be more happier that a travel version will be available from mid May, £125.

SOLEIL!

Available at House of Fraser or Bykilian.com Hello summer! Say hello to one of the most gorgeous and luxurious summer make-up collections around. Tom Ford releases it’s Summer Soleil 2018 collection this month and not only does it look gorgeous with its ivory and gold casing but the products are pretty much top class as well. Result! Whether its an ultra shine lip colour, contouring compact, eye colour or my personal favourite - the Shade and Illuminate Glow Stick, £42, - a dualended blush and highlighter stick that instantly defines and illuminates your cheeks and can be dabbed onto your shoulders, legs or anywhere you desire to enhance Collection from £32-£80, Tom Ford, John Lewis, Cardiff

BODY TREAT We love L’Occitane’s new Delightful Body Balm which leaves your skin feeling soft, supple and scented with amber mixed with sweet almond and a hint of playful freesia. The olive green aluminium box pays homage to the almond fruit that gives it life, and the small, light tin allows you to take it with you on your summer travels. Delightful Body Balm 100ml, £26, L’Occitane, Cardiff

HYDRAGLOBAL SERUM May sees the launch of Sisley HydraGlobal Serum Anti-Aging Hydration Booster. The serum provides hydration by re-teaching the skin how to take in water, circulate it through the different skin layers and retain it as much as possible to make your skin feel supple, sofer and plumper. £179, www.sisley-paris.co.uk

GALACTIC GLITTER & GLOSS

BODY AND HAIR NOURISHING OIL

This multi-purpose dry oil by Caudalie is instantly absorbed upon contact with the skin leaving it nourished and moisturised, thanks to a cocktail of powerful plant oils (grape, hibiscus, sesame and argan), shea butter and patented antioxidant Polyphenols, combined with an irresistible fragrance. A genuine relaxing experience for your mind, body and hair. Caudalie Thé des Vignes Oil 50ml, £18, Caudalie.com

Perfect for festivals and adding a bit of subtle or standout glamour to you look, MAC’s Galactic Glitter and Gloss collection certainly wows! Whether you opt for a shimmering Lipglass, £15.50, Holographic Glitter, £16.50, Cosmetic Glitter, £16.50 or more daring Heart or Star Shapes, £16.50, this is glitter at its best. MAC, Debenhams, Swansea

TURN UP THE HEAT

Adding to the success of Barry M’s Liquid Chrome Highlighter drops is Superdrug exclusive shade, Desert Heat, a gorgeous, warm, copper tone. This is great to brighten skin and highlight your bone structure for instantly lustrous skin. £6.99, Superdrug, Swansea (Out May 23)

swansealife.co.uk 25

HAIR & BEAUTY

BEAUTY NEWS W I T H L AU R A D AV I ES laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Designed to create a healthy-looking rose gold glow on all skin tones, BareMinerals limited edition threecolour bronzer and highlighter palette is all you need to flatter your complexion. Each multi-dimensional powder contains illuminating crushed rose quartz crystals, as well as squalene, a natural moisture magnet derived from olives, to keep skin hydrated and nourished. Available in three shades: Pink Moonstone highlighter, Glistening Topaz rosy bronzer and Rose Quartz warming highlighter and blush.

From £18- £29, Elizabeth Arden, Debenhams, Swansea

Crystalline Glow Bronzer & Highlighter Palette, £30, Bareminerals, Debenhams, Swansea

SUNKISSED

GLOWING

Dreaming of escaping the city and entering a bronze state of mind? Perfectly enhance your inner and outer glow with Elizabeth Arden’s new Bronze Vibes Colour Collection. The Beautiful Colour Liquid Lip Gloss glides on for high shine with lips that feel moisturised. For kissed by the sun skin, the Limited Edition Dare to Bare Bronzing Gel Pearls enhance skin’s overall colour and glow. Get optimal radiance with the Limited Edition Fourever Glow Highlighting Powder when used together or separate to highlight, enhance, blush, and glow.

LIPCOCKTAIL For lips drenched in colour, for a bare lip effect, we love Clarins Water Lip Stains. A formula rich in plant ingredients, an ultra-sensorial, “water-like” texture and lip make-up that offers a customised, longwearing colour result and matte, kiss-proof finish with a barely-there feel.

BODY OILS Neom Organics launches its new and improved range of nourishing body oils, supercharged with vitamins and other precious oils to help protect, regenerate, soften and moisturise your skin. Made from 100 per cent natural fragrances, the body oils provide true wellbeing benefits for the mind and body. Each body oil contains super moisturising safflower oil, jojoba and a blend of natural extracts including rose and elderberry, making them light and ultra-nourishing. £35 each, 100ml, Neomorganics.com

Clarins Water Lip Stains 7ml bottle with brush applicator, £19 each, Boots and Debenhams, Swansea

BRIGHTENING BareMinerals new Vio-Lit Primer Glow is a mineral-based brightening primer that works with your skin to counteract dullness and sallow skin tones, for a naturally luminous lit-from-within glow. Inspired by the 2018 Pantone Colour of the Year Ultraviolet, it leaves skin nourished, reducing dryness to ensure a smooth and even canvas for makeup application. £20, exclusive to qvc.co.uk

CREATE YOUR PERFECT BROW..

Bronze Vibes Colour Collection

PART TWO

This summer, Clarins revisits its summer essentials with the bright and sunny Sunkissed make-up collection. Pink flamingos, palm trees and bright colours inspired by Miami’s sun drenched beaches, the complexion is naturally tanned, eyes pop with turquoise liner and lips are vibrant pink for a happy, easy and healthy look! From £19-£31. Clarins, Boots, Swansea

EYE BROWS STYLER This brow pencil gives extreme definition by emulating fine hair-like strokes on your brows for a perted look. The non-fading, matte colour payoff is humidity and sweat resistant and smudge proof. Available in six shades, £15.50, MAC, Debenhams, Swansea

SHAPE & SHADE BROW TINT A liquid brow liner on one end effortlessly fills in sparse brows with strokes of sheer buildable colour. On the other end, a sponge tip neatly distributes tinted powder that is housed in the cap, shading and setting the entire brow in place for hours of waterproof wear. Available in eight shades, £19.50, MAC at Debenhams, Swansea

LIMITED EDITION WARM, DEFINE, ILLUMINATE COLLECTION This latest collection by Bobbi Brown just shouts summer sun! It features a gorgeous Bronzing Powder, £30 and Illuminating Bronzing Powder, £30 as well as a Dual-Ended Bronzer/Face Blender Brush, £38. My particular favourite is the Highlight and Glow Shimmer Brick Glow Palette, £55, which includes three versatile, universally flattering Shimmer Brick shades that can be worn together or alone to deliver a soft, lit-from-within radiance.

All Bobbi Brown at Debenhams, Swansea

HAIR & BEAUTY

SpringNails There was an air of optimism on the SS18 catwalks, and in the new season collections, as metallics, pastels and vibrant, travel-inspired shades came to the fore. Ready to give your talons the spring treatment? These are the catwalk looks and new polishes we’re coveting now.

Metallic Mood

Join the Dots

At Temperley SS18 models were given a double dose of molten magic courtesy of Nailberry. To achieve this extra-shimmery shade, a gold base was topped with an iridescent silver glitter.

Most cases of nail art on the catwalks look way too complicated to attempt at home, but backstage at Richard Malone we saw a design we can totally get on board with.

Nailberry Gold Leaf and Star Dust, £14.50 each, Nailberry.co.uk

Lisbon Lacquers OPI looked to Europe’s trendiest city break destination for its latest range, offering no less than 10 nail varnishes based on the sights and sounds of Lisbon. For a blast of Iberian freshness, try the bright sea green or sunny yellow. OPI Nail Lacquer in Closer Than You Might Belem and Sun, Sea and Sand in My Pants, £12.95 each, John Lewis, Cardiff

Buffed to Perfection If you often gravitate towards pastel pink for spring, try switching things up with a toffee nude, as seen on the Osman SS18 catwalk. The chic shade in question is Artistic Colour Revolution’s Running in the Buff-alo, chosen by session manicurist Nickie Rhodes-Hill and applied to neatly rounded nails. Artistic Colour Revolution Running in the Buff-alo, £7.95, NailPolishDirect.co.uk

All it takes is a coat of baby pink, then add three little blue dots on your ring and pinky fingers. Easy-peasy and very pretty. Nailberry Number 69 and A Touch of Powder, £14.50 each, Nailberry.co.uk

Shimmery Shades Orly’s six-piece Pastel City collection does what it says on the tin, offering a choice of straight-up pale shades, but the prettiest polishes are those with a frosted finish, like the chocolatey Metallic Haze and the teal Electric Jungle. Orly Nail Polish in Metallic Haze and Electric Jungle, £11 each, Orlybeauty.com

Think Pink YSL Beauty’s spring La Laque Couture collection features a trio of pretty pinks. Our favourite? The zingy Excite Me Coral, a warm orange-pink that looks good on everyone. YSL La Laque Couture Nail Polish in Excite Me Coral, £19.50, Yslbeauty.co.uk

Havana Blast Leighton Denny’s Cuban-inspired spring range sure is hot, hot, hot. The punchiest picks from the Havana Heat collection are without doubt the spicy red Firecracker and the multicoloured glitter Street Dance. Layer them up for a truly caliente combination. Leighton Denny Firecracker and Street Dance, £12 each, FeelUnique.com

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28 swansealife.co.uk

HAIR & BEAUTY

buzz-w rthy

Moringa

ingredients to add to your beauty routine

We look at the year’s biggest ingredient trends and whether they truly live up to their claims. From natural to high tech and luxury to bargain, these are the hardworking products that deserve a place in your skincare routine. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Black pearl

@LawsDx

Kombucha

What does it do?

Black pearls, which can only be found in the lagoons of French Polynesia, are known for their skin-brightening and firming properties, making them an excellent addition to your anti-ageing arsenal.

Not just a trendy drink, fermented sweet black tea can work wonders when applied topically. It has been proven to improve skin tone and elasticity.

Where can you find it? Dr Organic’s newest day cream combines black pearl with hyaluronic acid and biotin for a complexion-boosting triple whammy. Dr Organic Pro Collagen Plus Black Pearl, £9.49 (was £18.99), Holland and Barrett, Swansea

Moringa What does it do? Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, a product of the moringa tree, is an incredibly nourishing oil that’s packed with antioxidants, helping to promote radiant, hydrated skin.

Where can you find it? Leave Emma Hardie’s moringa-filled mask on overnight to really reap the benefits of the oil. Nivea’s new shower mousse brings major moisture all over your body too. Emma Hardie Moringa Renewal Treatment Mask, £49, M&S, Swansea

Optimum PhytoEnergise Glycolic Cleansing Pads, £4.95 (was £9.99), Superdrug, Swansea

Where can you find it? Add a daily shot of kombucha to your skincare routine by applying Fresh’s liquid essence after cleansing. Use your fingertips to tap it on rather than cotton wool, to ensure none of the product is wasted. Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence, £59, www.fresh.com

Drone peptides What does it do? Every beauty buff knows that peptides are essential for stimulating collagen production, but new Drone Peptide Technology helps target areas of the face where signs of stress are most visible.

Where can you find it? This clever peptide delivery system can only be found in Elemis’ new night cream. Impressive user trials showed the appearance of wrinkles dramatically improved and skin looked more youthful. Elemis Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix, £145, Monks Spa at Machynys, Llanelli or Elemis.com

Nivea Shower Mousse Lemon Meringue, £2.99, Superdrug Swansea and Parc Trostre

Black Pearl

PhytoEnergise range from Optimum has been proven to improve skin tone and luminosity. Try the Glycolic Cleansing pads to simultaneously exfoliate and energise your skin.

Taurine What does it do? You’ll probably recognise taurine as the active ingredient of energy drinks (its name comes from the Latin word for ‘bull’) but did you know this amino acid can also give your skin ‘wings’ by stimulating the synthesis of ATP, the energy storage molecule of cells?

Where can you find it? Using taurine derived from seaweed, the new

Orchid What does it do? Not just a pretty flower, orchids have high levels of flavonoids, which help protect them from environmental aggressors, and they can do the same for your skin.

Where can you find it? Temple Spa’s luxurious new serum harnesses the protective properties of rare black orchid. Follow it up with Botanics night cream, which contains purple orchid extract, to slow the signs of ageing. Temple Spa Trufflelixir Luxe Serum, £75, The Vale Resort, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan and www.templespa.com Botanics Triple Age Renewal Night Cream, £10.49, Boots, Swansea

Prohib8 What does it do? Similar to famous ‘Syn-Ake’ serum, this labcreated super ingredient creates an invisible film across the surface of the skin, meaning fine lines are instantly reduced.

Where can you find it? Skn Rehab’s new moisturiser combines powerful Prohib8 with a raft of antioxidant-rich oils to hydrate skin and promote cell growth. Skn Rehab Skn Therapy The Moisturiser, £65, Sknrehab.com

swansealife.co.uk 29

Photo: www.justinharrisphotography.co.uk

BRIAN BROWN SALON MODELLING & MANAGEMENT AGENCY

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HAIR & BEAUTY

BY ROYAL NAIL APPOINTMENT If you’re as excited about the forthcoming Royal Wedding as we are, you’ll be happy to know about these four perfect polishes from Leighton Denny Expert Nails that are fit for a Queen! Self-levelling, high gloss formulas ensure a salon perfect finish and are vegan free.

Pucker Up

Adding to Barry M's range of lip liners is the new demure shade 'Minx'. Velvety smooth with a creamy texture, we love Barry M’s lip liners as not only are they firm enough to draw a precise thin line, they are soft enough to blend in. £2.99, Superdrug, Swansea and Parc Trostre

£12, M&S, Swansea and Parc Trostre

THIS MONTH

WE LOVE LAURA DAVIES rounds up the latest news, trends and best buys for your shopping basket this month laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

FOOD FOR THOUGHT... This month I am shouting about Elemis’ Superfood Facial Wash. Not only does it smell great it has freshened up my spring skin routine. The Pre-Biotic gel cleanser gently removes makeup and contains broccoli seed, avocado and pumpkin seed, which offers a balanced diet of active ingredients that help transform skin lacking vitality into a radiant complexion with an outdoor-fresh glow. Elemis

Bright eyes!

Superfood Facial Wash, £25, Monks Spa at Machynys, Llanelli I am totally in love with the new Limited Edition Long Wear Sparkle Stick by Bobbi Brown. I have the Sapphire Blue shade which has become my make-up must as it is so easy to apply, easy to throw into my handbag and it delivers a high-impact, glittering finish. The vibrant pearl-infused eye shadow stick is made for gilded, glistening eye looks and contains an eight hour formula which blends effortlessly with just one swipe over the eyelids. . Perfect for sunny holidays and nights out or just for an extra bit of daily sparkle. Available in nine shades, £23, Debenhams, Swansea

Love your lips Lip care just got more beauty conscious. From iconic lip balm brand, Lypsyl, comes this stylish, mirrored handbag accessory for soft, smooth and super-healthy lips. A must-have addition to any well-stocked makeup bag, Lypsyl’s innovative Mirror Compact comes with an easyopen top lid for lip pampering on-the-go. Open each soft, tactile lip care compact to reveal a handy mini mirror and a decadent 9g helping of your favourite new nourishing SPF15 lip balm, packed with moisturising Shea Butter, Vitamin E, velvety Cocoa Butter and Aloe Vera to help repair and heal damaged lips. Available in four delicately fresh scents: Original Fragrance, Zingy Mandarin, Luxurious Vanilla, Fresh Orange Blossom. £4.99, Superdrug, Swansea and Lypsyl.co.uk

Shower time has become a lot more indulgent with Jo Malone latest Cologne Intense Shower Oils. I particularly love the Velvet Rose and Oud new shower oil, a perfect way to start the day and the ideal accompaniment to the matching cologne scent. The luxurious oil formula transforms with water into a satiny lather that cleanses. Sunflower seed, jojoba and coconut oil envelop the skin in silky smoothness and leaves your body subtly fragranced all over with the scent of velvet rose and oud. Pure class in a bottle. Also available in in Nectarine Blossom and Honey and Myrrh and Tonka and Velvet Rose & Oud. £32, Jo Malone, Cardiff

HAIR CARE

Organic Shop has launched a new fun and fruity haircare range exclusively developed for Tesco. Using ingredients chosen specifically chosen to work together and target specific hair problems, the new range comes in five different combinations, from Raspberry and Acai (volumising, strength and thickness) to Coconut and Shea (moisturising, softness and revival) Each combo comes with a shampoo, conditioner and an intense hair mask. And of course, because they are all made from natural ingredients, there are no hidden nasties in any of them – no SLS, silicones or parabens. All products, £2.50, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach and Llansamlet £12.99 presentfinder.com

FUN IN A PEN Fun, practical and innovative, Clarins multi-use make-up pen is back! Hurray! With new shades, new packaging and all the magic of an all in one, these easy to apply pens feature three eye liners and one lip liner in one. They each have a retractable function meaning you can say goodbye to sharpeners as well as cutting down on valuable space in your cosmetics bag. Available in two new shades, meaning more looks for less. 4 Colour Retractable Pen, £28, Clarins, Boots, Swansea

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HAIR & BEAUTY

Makeover! W ITH

L ARA

JOHNSON

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

Colour statement Model: Bee Nixon Occupation: Student and model

BEE SAYS... When I first spoke with the team at Lara Johnson I really felt that I was setting them an impossible challenge. My hair was very short and already coloured. They gave me two new looks which I really didn’t expect. The first was a really directional and super on trend haircut and colour, the second was really unexpected. A wig! It is something that I would never have thought of but I am delighted. I can literally be a completely different person in seconds. I haven’t worn it for day to day stuff but I have worn it out and had nothing but compliments

LARA JOHNSON LIFESTYLE SAYS... We have been working with wigs for years, particularly alongside our local Maggie’s centre. Wigs can be great way to achieve a completely different look! They can give variety to your style without having to commit to hours of styling, or the commitment of cutting or colouring your hair. Bee had her hair cut and coloured into a strong directional style, We wanted to give an alternative look that was a bit softer but still suited her elfin features. We went for a bobbed shape with some disconnection to still keep it edgy. As you can see from the shoot, Bee is enjoying it!

34 swansealife.co.uk

After...

Before...

Step by step... Upside Down French Back Bun

An unusual eye catching style which is a great alternative to a topknot. It is a great look for thick, wavy hair and often looks even better on the second day of wearing Difficulty level: Medium Ideal hair length: Mid length to long Assistance needed: With a little practice, no Accessories: Can be dressed with flowers for a wedding or spring party. What you need: • Brush • 2 Strong hairband • Grips or pins • Hairspray

After...

Before...

Section off the front section from ear to ear across the crown area and clip back for later

Flip your head upside down and start a normal French plait technique by taking a small section of hair at the nape of your neck and plait upwards. Connect in the sides as you work upwards towards the crown area. Secure the base of your plait to the scalp with a hair band

3 4 5 6

Unclip the hair from the front section. Brush it back into your hand doing it with the hair in the ponytail When smooth secure with another band over the existing ponytail Twist the hair around the ponytail base Secure your bun with pins or grips and finish with some hairspray to secure

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HAIR & BEAUTY

REAL WOMEN, WINNING LOOKS W ITH

C H R I S

H O W E L LS

Swansea based International Make Up Artist and winner of the National Federation of Hairdressing’s Welsh Make Up Artist of the Year award, Chris Howells, gives a Swansea woman a wedding look. As bridal season is upon us I wanted to take a moment to show you over the next two issues how one face can be totally transformed, celebrated and showcased for your special day with the right makeup and hair. Our model you may recognise from a previous feature is Ailsa. I started off with a gentle, soft romantic, barely there look, to let Ailsa’s glowing skin and floral headband take centre-stage. I used Cover FX Illuminating Primer, following with Cover FX Natural Finish Foundation. Any imperfections were erased using Hourglass Hidden Creamy Concealer. I applied Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Sticks in Bronze and Pink to the high points and the apples of the cheeks, ensuring a seamless blend. On the eyes I used Cover FX Shimmer Veil in Amethyst. I lined the tight-line with a midnight blue cream liner using a flat brush. Brows were enhanced gently with Hourglass Brow Arch in Blonde and lips were lined with a desert rose liner and filled in with Urban Decay Lipstick in Rejected. I then set the whole face with my absolute favourite setting powder: Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder. It is talc free so it doesn’t get waterlogged and is picture perfect so no ghosting or flashback, which is a wedding MUST! The headdress is the model’s own and her dress is Dolce and Gabanna. The second image is a modern classic look, reminiscent of old Hollywood. Ailsa’s soft upswept hair beautifully frames her face. The base started exactly the same as the above look, using all of the same products. Once the base was completed and set, I used Charlotte Tilbury Film-star Bronze and Glow to enhance the contour and glow on the skin. On her eyes I used a deep plum satin eyeshadow to deepen the colour at the lashline and the outer corners. The lips were also enhanced further using Urban Decay lipstick in Firebird. Ailsa’s headpiece and dress was supplied by Alison Jayne Bridal.

Get the best results stay looking young Redefining the vision of Skin Care Get to know your true complexion via the VISIA® multi spectral complexion analysis system and tune into a comprehensive skin rejuvenation regime. Through the eight individual skin analyses comprised of four under the xenon iFlash, two under True-UV light and two under Cross-Polarized light VISIA improves understanding, participation and satisfaction with the recommended skin care treatments from sun damage reversal and protection through to a range of anti-ageing treatment programmes. RBX Technology™ sets a new standard for medical image processing, enabling precision treatment planning and dynamic patient consultations. VISIA will also enable you to see how you compare with your peer group (both male and female) i.e. younger, average or older. Exposure to the True-UV light is the only way, as stated by the American Association of Dermatologists (AAD), to accurately show the extent of sun damage and the efficacy of sun damage reversal and prevention. VISIA ageing simulation shows how your skin can look 4 - 5 years older and 4 - 5 years younger. VISIA TrueSkinAge™ will compare your actual skin age against your biological skin age. Finally receive your personalised report with your recommended treatment programme and the date for your next annual skin consultation via an email to be viewed on you iPhone / iPad / email and Smartphone.

£30

for this treatment

01792 775558 www.swanseasunlounge.co.uk

Family run business. Est. 2000

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

HAIR & BEAUTY

SUNSHINE ritz

Looking for a hot summer scent? - here are seven incredible scents you’ll want to spritz all summer long - and when they’ll be available to buy.

Jo Loves Orange Butterflies

£115 for 100ml, Joloves.com Harking back to holidays in the French countryside, this sunny composition is rich with orange blossom, mandarin and neroli, but retains a floaty lightness, much like the flight of the butterfly. On sale: April 22

Jo Malone Tropical Cherimoya Cologne, £47 for 30ml, Jo Malone,

Cardiff Part of the Hot Blossoms collection, this cologne was dreamt up in Brazil and stars the cherimoya, a sweet-fleshed fruit native to South America. Bolstered with pear, passion fruit and tonka bean, it’s an addictive cocktail. On sale: May

Valentino Donna Rosa Verde Limited Edition Eau de Parfum,

£97 for 125ml, Debenhams, Swansea As fresh and green as the bottle suggests, this 38 swansealife.co.uk

t a s e i r a i d ... y d a e r e th

Mediterranean-inspired juice sings with zingy ginger, bergamot and mate tea notes, and is rounded out with Turkish rose and magnolia. On sale: May 1

Floris 1927 Eau de Toilette, £140 for

100ml, Florislondon.com There’s a reason mandarin and bergamot are often included in summer scents, because their zestiness is so reminiscent of the warmest season. In Floris’ latest launch, an homage to the roaring Twenties, the citrus fizz is balanced with white florals and a healthy dose of musk and amber. On sale: May 10

Van Cleef and Arpels Collection Extraordinaire Neroli Amara Eau de Parfum, £126 for 75ml,

Selfridges.com Another citrus-heavy mix, this effervescent eau de parfum adds Italian lemon and orange blossom absolute to the popular mandarin and

bergamot pairing, with black pepper lending a splash of spice. On sale: May 14

Narciso Rodriguez Narciso Rouge Eau de Parfum, £41 for 30ml,

FeelUnique.com Even if previous members of the Narciso family were a bit too powdery for your liking, don’t discount Rouge. Rose is the star of the show here, but it’s transformed by warm amber, sweet tonka and woody vetiver, resulting in a wonderfully heady perfume. On sale: May 21

Paul Smith Hello You! Eau de Toilette, £35 for 50ml, Boots, Swansea

Also in the citrus scent category, say hello to Paul Smith’s latest eau de toilette, which gives ever-popular bergamot and mandarin a spicy spin, thanks to cardamon and pink pepper, rounded out with patchouli and lavender. On sale: May 23

R h y d i a n M a h er H a i r Bo u t i q ue

30 Castle Street | Swansea | Tel: 01792 470274 |

@RhydianMaherHairSalon

HAIR & BEAUTY

Exfoliator: Beauty Kitchen Miracle Mother Nature Facial Konjac Sponge is a 100 per cent natural pure konjac sponge that deeply cleanses and gently exfoliates the skin. The unique net like structure of the vegetable fibres of this sponge helps to stimulate blood flow and promote skin cell renewal and helps to remove blackheads. Beauty Kitchen Facial Konjac Sponge, £6.99, Holland and Barrett, Swansea

SPF:

Overnight repair cream

Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream SPF15 offers intensive nourishment and repair, while providing effective broad spectrum UV protection. The transparent, lightweight and non-greasy formulation combines micronised non-whitening zinc oxide to filter the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays with other high-performance natural actives to nourish, hydrate and help improve skin texture and elasticity. Quickly absorbed and easy to carry in your handbag, Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream SPF15 is the perfect base for smooth make-up application and suitable for all skin types.

The New Manuka Doctor Overnight Sleep Mask contains lavender oil to help you relax and promote a restful night’s sleep. Glycerin and Albizia Julibrissin Bark help reawaken a tired and dull looking complexion by protecting and repairing the proteic structures damaged by glycation, which in turn promotes the visible reduction of dark circles, under eye bags, a dull complexion and drawn features. Manuka Honey from New Zealand is well known to help boost hydration and elastin, leaving the skin feeling moisturised and soothed.

Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream SPF15, £27.50, John Lewis, Cardiff

spring

Manuka Doctor Overnight Lavender Mask, £24.99, Manukadoctor.co.uk

skin musts

LAURA DAVIES looks at the products needed to prepare your skin for Spring laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Nourishing Cleanser:

Pore-Purifying Mask:

40 swansealife.co.uk

Start your sensitive skin-care routine with a light cleanser, ultra skin-compatible and gently nourishing. Organic almond and mild plum kernel oil are closely related to the skin’s own sebum and hold nourishing powers. The gentle action of this light, creamy cleanser is kind to skin, restores lipid balance and maintains skin’s moisture. Weleda Almond Cleansing Lotion, £11.50, Weleda.co.uk

Manuka Doctor’s Purifying Facial Peel designed to renew the complexion, reduce fine lines and dramatically improve skin tone, firmness and radiance. Combining signature ingredients including Purified Bee Venom and Manuka honey with fruit extracts and botanicals, skin is left glowing and in optimum health. Recommended for congested skin, this skin clearing mask works well on blemishes, blackheads and sun damaged skin as it lifts dead skin cells, stimulates cell renewal and purifies pores promoting a radiant and glowing complexion, leaving skin plumped and silky soft.

Dr Organic Oil Control Moisturiser is a rapidly-acting purifying cream that can help to reduce the appearance of spots when used daily. Its rich concentration of natural AHAs (fruit acids) and Willow Bark Extract combine to exfoliate the skin and help visibly reduce pores and redness. The addition of a complex proprietary blend of bioactive, natural and organic ingredients also help to leave the skin clearer, calmer and more luminous.

Manuka Doctor Purifying Facial Peel, £29.99, Manukadoctor.co.uk

Dr. Organic Skin Clear Oil Control Moisturiser, £6.99, Holland and Barrett, Swansea

Light Moisturiser:

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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 *Finance 9.9% APR over 5 yrs subject to approval, terms and conditions.

Workmates NAME: Hollie Kane JOB TITLE: Saturday Girl ABOUT HOLLIE: I am really enjoying hairdressing, watching and learning being part of a team.

NAME: Amelia Elsey JOB TITLE: Junior Stylist

NAME: Joanne Blake JOB TITLE: Director

ABOUT AMELIA: I thoroughly enjoy hair dressing. My strong points are colouring and I am always keen to learn news skills and the latest tends.

ABOUT JOANNE: I have 29 years experience. I am very passionate about training and always want to learn new things. I love all aspects of hairdressing, cutting, colouring and hair up.

Call us on 01792 360449 Find us at: 64 Newton Road, Mumbles, SA3 4BE

NAME: Leigha Bray JOB TITLE: Stylist/Colurist/Great Lengths Extensions ABOUT LEIGHA: I have 4 years experience. I am very passionate about Great Lengths hair extensions. I love seeing the transformation they can do for hair. I love doing long hair trying out different styles and dressing hair out in different ways.

NAME: Deonne Hathaway JOB TITLE: Stylist/Colourist ABOUT DEONNE: I have recently qualified with nearly 3 years experience. I enjoy the work I do and strive to work to the best of my ability. I enjoy colouring and also blow drying, styling and seeing the outcome it has.

NAME: Sian Waters JOB TITLE: Director ABOUT SIAN: I enjoy all aspects of hairdressing. I enjoy front of house, meeting new interesting people. I love to socialise with people. I also love fashion, which sits hand in hand with what we do. I trained in Mumbles and after a long stint in the city centre itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so nice to be back. As a salon we pride ourselves in using leading brands to ensure the best hair care.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

honey FO O D B E N E F ITS

Dipped in tea or slathered on toast, there are plenty of great reasons to dig into a jar of the golden stuff. Not only is it a good alternative to sugar, it can pretty much be added to everything, so there’s really no excuse for it to be missing from your shopping list. But if you really need further convincing, here are just a few medical benefits of honey that may just surprise you... laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

It’s great for the skin If you’re suffering from a nasty flare-up, honey is a brilliantly effective skin saviour that won’t cost the earth. Its antibacterial and antiinflammatory properties can calm and soothe irritated skin, as well as being loaded with enzymes and other nutrients that nourish and cleanse the surface - some beauty bloggers even claim it’s cleared up their acne. If it’s a natural summer glow you’re looking for, get slathering - honey is a natural humectant, meaning it hydrates the skin by drawing in moisture from the air. Try mixing two tablespoons of raw or Manuka honey with one tablespoon of uncooked porridge oats for a DIY exfoliating mask.

It’s good for the heart As well as being a super tasty topping to your morning bowl of porridge, honey is jampacked with polyphenols; helpful antioxidants that have been linked to increased blood flow and preventing blood clots from forming. One study in rats even showed honey can protect the heart from oxidative stress, which can contribute to heart attacks and stroke, although more research needs to be done on the link between long-term human heart health and honey. 44 swansealife.co.uk

@LawsDx

It gives you an energy boost Looking for a pre-workout snack that will fuel you through a sweaty HIIT session? Try adding a dollop of honey to your protein balls. As a carbohydrate made up of fructose and glucose, the sticky stuff makes for a high-powered, natural energy snack. Unlike refined sugar, it also contains small amounts of proteins and minerals such as B6, riboflavin and amino acids; compounds that help the body metabolise bad cholesterol and fatty acids. While whizzing a spoonful into your smoothie won’t do any long-term harm, it’s important to remember to eat honey in moderation. It’s a source of energy, but it’s still sugar, so it should be eaten more as an indulgent treat rather than a substitute for more nutritionallyrich foods such as fruit and veg.

It can heal wounds & burns When applied topically, researchers believe honey can have a healing effect on painful burns and lesions. Applying honey to wounds has been a technique that’s been around since ancient Egypt, and modern studies have found it can be effective. One study published in the Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice journal found a 43.4 per cent success rate of using honey on diabetic foot ulcers, while another published in The Scientific World

Journal found honey could also be an effective home remedy for reducing painful haemorrhoids.

It can treat dandruff Suffering from a dry, itchy or flaky scalp? A study discovered that raw honey can be used to treat scaling, itching and hair loss. This is thought to be thanks to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antioxidant properties. Fancy giving it a go? Mix two tablespoons of vegetable oil with equal amounts of honey and apply it to your hair for a DIY hair mask. Leave it to sink in for 15 minutes, and then rinse it off before you shampoo.

It can help suppress a cough When flu season strikes, we all know there’s nothing worse than being kept awake at night by a dry, tickly cough that simply won’t go away. Next time you’re a victim of this infuriating health woe, try easing the aggravation with a spoonful of soothing honey. A study found children with upper respiratory tract infections experienced more cough relief after drinking 1.5 tablespoons of labiatae (it’s an aromatic) honey 30 minutes before bedtime, than those that received a placebo. If nothing else, it’ll be a delicious pre-slumber treat that’ll satiate your sweet tooth.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Keep your hunger under control and repair muscle damage with these top tips for boosting your p roteinintake, without eating meat. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

High-protein diets are everywhere right now. Reality TV star Kim Kardashian, model Emily Ratajkowski and actress Kate Upton have all counted a high-fat ketogenic diet, rich in protein, as one of the ways to keep their famous figures in shape. As well as aiding weight loss and helping to build lean muscle, eating protein is pretty important for your health: it can help you to feel more energetic and fuller for longer, as well as supporting bone health and assisting hormone production.Typically we think of meat and fatty fish as the best source for upping our protein intake, but with the recent rise of vegetarianism and veganism, more of us than ever are looking at alternative ways to stock up on the macronutrient.

1. Start your day with an egg It can be tempting during chilly mornings to reach for the sugary cereal, or even a hot bacon roll. A single egg contains over six grams of protein, along with essential amino acids, plus vitamins A, E and B12. Try a grown-up take on dippy eggs and soldiers by combining two boiled eggs with asparagus wrapped in Parma ham for a weekend brunch treat.

2. Go Greek you’ve been dieting for a while, your ‘treats’ might consist of If low-fat yogurts, but in fact these can be packed with hidden artificial sweeteners. It’s time to turn your mindset around and fill up on Greek yoghurt instead. It’s packed with protein and can be made sweet with berries, or added to savoury dishes to add richness.

3. Rethink your drink Hands up if you’ve been doing great with your new healthy exercise routine but just can’t shake those morning lattes? It’s

@LawsDx

not that coffee itself is a danger to diets, but so many low-fat alternatives are filled with nasty sweeteners which add no protein to the diet and spike your energy levels, only to produce a slump a few hours later. Try a high-protein iced coffee to start your morning like Get Nourished, £ 2.99; Holland and Barrett, which delivers 25g of protein per bottle - around the equivalent of a steak. It’s also lactose-free for those of us who’ve been avoiding a morning coffee shop treat due to allergies.

4. Discover ‘nooch’ For those looking for an alternative to cheese, nutritional yeast - or ‘nooch’ to those of us in the know - could be exactly what you need. Use it to stock up on six grams of protein per serving compared to a mere two in Parmesan cheese. You also might want to try garnishing your next batch of popcorn with ‘nooch’ to give yourself a cheesy, protein-filled boost.

5. Snack on seeds Take a note out of Victoria Beckham’s book when it comes to snacking. She r ecently shared her afternoon treat tip of sunflower seeds doused in liquid aminos (a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce) .E ach handful will rack up an extra five grams of protein and they are packed with essential fatty acids and micronutrients such as magnesium, which has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels.

Electro-Crystal Therapy Electro-Crystal Therapy (EleCT) is a gentle and non-invasive method of rebalancing the human energy field to promote well-being. EleCT uses pulsed high frequency electromagnetic stimulation of crystals to induce this effect. It was developed by Harry Oldfield in the early 1980’s following his research into Kirlian Photography as a medical research tool. Electromagnetism has been used for many years by conventional medicine, e.g. X-rays in diagnosis and pulsed frequencies to aid bone healing. Crystals have been used for thousands of years to aid natural heating. The innovation in EleCT is the synergistic combination of the two and their specific application on the chakras and meridians of the human energy field. The system works on a subtle energy level. The EleCT involves placing crystals in tubes on certain points around the body. These tubes are then attached to the Electro-Crystal unit, which administers the balancing and normalising energy frequencies that the human (or animal) energy system needs. Harry Oldfield’s research has shown that different crystals are beneficial, in certain ‘zones’ of the body, to bring about a balancing effect on the subject. Harry suggests that the human energy field is like a template or network of energy points with which the physical molecules of the body are aligned. When he first began measuring the energetic fluctuations around the body with his Electro-Scanning Method, he always found energy concentrations in seven places. He was mystified as to the cause of this until a professor suggested that he may have ‘discovered’, or rediscovered, the chakra system of ancient ayurvedic medicine EleCT emerged from this discovery. EleCT has been in practice and development for over 30 years with no negative effects. There have been no recorded adverse effects due to this rebalancing technique, as they are both non-invasive. Sometimes people have reported being tired or over relaxed after a treatment session, but we see this as a natural reaction of a body, which perhaps is not in balance, needing a resting stage to right itself with help from the therapy. As examples we have been able to cancel a few operations, including a mastectomy, brain tumour, and cruciate (Knee) ligament operations. EleCT and other energy medicine, targets the waveform (frequency) of energetic information, so with that field in balance the ‘physical’ body must be so. PAUL BROOKES is a qualified Electro-Crystal Therapy practitioner. Tel: 07709 035343 crystalpaul008@gmail.com Paul trained with Oldfield College, which is affiliated to the Institute of Complementary Medicine and the Complementary Medicine Assocation. Harry Oldfield is a Founder and Principal of the Oldfield College. Based at The Beauty Therapy Centre, Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 4AX Tel: 01792 363250

HEALTH & WELLBEING

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LOW-CARB DIETS With many popular diets favouring low carbohydrate meals, and much debate about the pros and cons of these, LAURA DAVIES looks at the 10 things people may not know about low-carb diets laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

A low-carb diet may not be as ‘low’ as you think. When talking in terms of grams, under 130 grams of carbohydrate per day is considered low-carb. To put that into context, an average slice of bread only contains 15g carbohydrates!

It isn’t just your starchy carbohydrates such as bread, pasta and potatoes that you need to consider, sugars are carbohydrates too. Therefore, all foods that contain natural sugar, like fruit and milk, and added sugar, such as cakes and biscuits, also contain carbohydrates.

As you can see from point number 1, you can still consume some starchy carbohydrates whilst following a low-carb diet, these don’t have to be completely avoided as many people think.

It is not just dietary sugar that affects people’s blood sugar levels, it is all carbohydrates. Carbohydrates break down into sugar. Therefore, low-carb diets can help to reduce your blood sugar levels so can be useful for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

A low-carb diet doesn’t have to be high in saturated fats, such as butter and bacon. It can be higher in protein and unsaturated fats. For example, fats from plant sources and oily fish.

If following a low-carb diet you need to ensure you consume enough fibre, as your fibre intake could be compromised. Eat plenty of vegetables and include things like nuts, seeds and wholegrain products.

A very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet has been used as a successful management strategy of epilepsy in children for many decades.

8 9

A low-carbohydrate diet can help you to lose weight successfully.

Tips to sticking to low-carbs in the long term include - plan ahead, have plenty of low-carb meal and snack ideas and ensure you are well-supported by a dietitian or an approved programme or diet plan.

Low-carbohydrate diets may not be suitable for everyone. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have an existing medical condition, seek advice from your GP before embarking on any diet plan

swansealife.co.uk 47

HEALTH & WELLBEING

ASK

DR. CHARLOTTE

This month Sketty GP and Swansea Life doctor Charlotte Jones, focusses on keeping safe in the sun.

Safety In The Sun Despite weather being quite variable of late, the sun is apparently on its way, so with that in mind lets focus on safety whilst having fun in the sun: Sun Protection Most importantly is avoid getting burnt to minimise risk of skin cancer. The Commonest cause of sunburn is not using enough sun cream or even worse not applying enough. My general rule of thumb is to apply a high enough sun factor cream, reapply it regularly and take particular care between 11am – 2pm. Also, don’t forget to consider sun hats, covering up (kaftans / rash vests) and drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated. 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. Sun is not all bad though as we need some UVB rays which help top up our Vit D levels but this only means exposing the skin to sunlight for around 20 minutes a day in the summer. This doesn’t mean you should be using sun beds to keep vitamin D levels up expert medical bodies advise against the use of sunbeds because of the potential health risks but advise that if sunbeds are used, then individuals should limit their use to two course of 10 sessions / year. Alcohol Take care with alcohol as the effects are potentiated in the sun including risks of falls / head injuries / disinhibited behaviour and more at risk of heat exhaustion Drink plenty of fluids like water or other soft drinks to keep yourself hydrated Upset tummies from the barbie BBQs are great fun but if food is not prepared or stored properly then there is a risk of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is a combination of unpleasant symptoms including feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhea (often very smelly) and stomach cramps.

48 swansealife.co.uk

You can often manage it by yourself by following these measures: • making sure you replace the lost fluids or salts from your body. There are rehydration sachets you can buy but some find these not very palatable. I find people do well by sipping fluids (e.g. water / flat coca cola / lucozade sport or flat lucozade) and eat bland foods (e.g. crisps are good for replacing salt, bananas good for potassium & fibre, soups and dry biscuits or toasts etc). • paracetomol is safe for tummy cramps as won’t hide anything more serious • hot water bottles can ease cramps too • avoid anti sickness and diarrhea remedies as these can prolong the illness. • The mainstay of treatment is to avoid becoming dehydrated as this can be serious. Dehydration symptoms can include feeling weak, lethargic, drowsy, headaches, light headedness and reduced urine output. If you think you may be dehydrated or if you have bloody diarrhea or blood in vomit or are feeling progressively more unwell then seek medical advice from NHSDW / 111, the pharmacist or your own surgery. The Beach & Stings • In the UK most of the stings from sea creatures come from weever fish, stingrays, sea urchins and jellyfish. • You can reduce your risk by wearing protective clothing in the sea (e.g. wetsuit) and footwear even in rock pools (e.g. rubber soled shoes or sandals) • Most stings can be treated with first aid but if you have severe pain, swelling or difficulty breathing then urgently contact 999

ENJOY SOME

ME TIME THIS SUMMER

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BRIDE

Rebecca and Andrew Lawton Heavy snowfall was not going to spoil Rebecca and Andrew’s “spring” wedding. In fact, it added to their fairytale day. LAURA DAVIES speaks to the couple, who married at Pencoed House Estate, near Cardiff. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

The Couple: Rebecca Louise Lawton (nee Ryder), 29, of Burry Port, an accounts manager at Dior in Debenhams, Swansea, married Andrew Joseph Lawton, 34, Head of Retail, Trading, Health and Safety for the Wales Air Ambulance, from Pontardawe. How did the proposal happen? Andrew took me on a surprise trip to Rome, which was on my bucket list. After seeing all the sights we were sat at the Trevi fountain late one evening. Andrew is extremely romantic and after some gentle persuasion he asked me to follow the “Three coins in a fountain” tradition. So I closed my eyes and he put a coin in my hand and told me to throw it over my shoulder and make a wish. When I opened my eyes, he was down on one knee with the most beautiful ring I’d ever laid eyes on. There was a huge roar as we got cheered by hundreds of onlookers who witnessed the whole thing. It was magical! It felt like we were in a movie!

swansealife.co.uk 55

BRIDE

Where did you get married and why did you choose the venue? We tied the knot at Pencoed House Estate near Cardiff. It was the first venue we visited and on our way there we said to one another “even if we love it, we won’t book it until we’ve seen all the others.” However, the second we drove down the romantic tree-arched driveway, we were sold. The place just took our breath away. Did you have a theme for your wedding? Not a theme as such but I knew from the very beginning I wanted to create an extremely chic, white and crisp wedding. Little did I know we would get married in the snow! Simply Elegant really understood my vision and I knew they would 100 per cent deliver. They were phenomenal and real perfectionists. Tell us about your wedding dress? A friend of mine is a make-up artist who works within the wedding industry and she had really good contacts with a few bridal shops in Cardiff. I booked an appointment with Laura May Bridal and received fantastic service from them. I was under the illusion that I wouldn’t find my perfect dress on day one of searching, so we made it a girly afternoon with prosecco and Italian food. However, to my amazement, 56 swansealife.co.uk

the second dress I tried on there, was the one! I tried on about 30 different styles after that in the shop, but my heart was set on the Enzoani design dress from Laura May. I did visit their other branch in the city centre to see if there were any other designs but myself and all my bridesmaids knew the blush coloured Enzoani dress was the one. Tell us about little about your day I was lucky enough to spend the night prior to my wedding on the venue grounds. Myself, my bridesmaids, my sister-in-law, niece and mum all stayed in the cottage at Pencoed House Estate and played games, had a few drinks, exchanged gifts and listened to music all night long. We were also blessed with a huge amount of snow, which just added to the already perfect setting. After messing about and frollicking in the snow and really capturing the moment to then cosying up to the cottage log fire we all went to bed in preparation for the next morning. I awoke to the girls coming into my room singing “Going to the Chapel” and my sister-in-law, Jen, played a really heartfelt song for myself and my mum to listen to which really set the scene. We had yet more snow, which was all lit up by the sun breaking through the cloud line, it just felt so idyllic.

Aimee Davies, my make up artist and the four hair stylists from Pimped up Pins arrived shortly after and as they began to complete their expert styling on myself and my bridal party, we found that they were as hysterically funny as they were first class professionals. I was immensely proud to have my big brother walk me down the aisle. I also got a lovely surprise when my mother stood up to do a speech following my brother without my knowledge. I was so touched. We had incredible food from our caterers, Spiro’s and the phenomenal detailing from Simply Elegant made the room spectacular. After some expert training on dance choreography from my brother and sister-inlaw, 48 hours before the wedding, we had our first dance. We chose “Back at One” by Brian McKnight as we’ve both loved the song for as long as we can remember and found it very fitting to our relationship and our feelings to one another. Then my good friend Charlotte set-off a bridal party popper and moments later we invited everyone else onto the dance floor to join us and show us their moves to a bit of R.Kelly’s “Happy People” The dance floor remained packed all evening, all smiles and laughter, it was perfect.

How did you feel when it started to snow? Were you worried your big day wouldn’t happen? When we arrived the night before the wedding, we didn’t appreciate how bad the snowfall had been near Cardiff compared to Swansea, so we were a little shocked. Andrew travelled up to the venue in a separate car the night before to bring some of the items for the wedding and when we got down the driveway, he found himself stuck in the snow. Luckily, two of my wonderful cousins, from Kent, arrived as a surprise and towed him out using their 4x4’s! We were concerned about how safely people could make it to the venue, or if people would take the risk but thanks to some of my immediate family and the huge efforts of the team at Pencoed House Estate, it all went beautifully. One particular moment that really stood out was when my close friend, Mandy said “Look Bec!” and she pointed to the window behind me as we were having the wedding breakfast. It was snowing thick snowflakes and looked simply magical. Moments like that made the day for us, it felt like Narnia! We were so blessed. Did you have a cake, where was it from ? Yes, we had a beautiful, five tiered, all edible cake that was dressed tastefully with fluffy white hydrangeas, from Rachel at Bella Cakes. She did a taster session at the house where we could pick flavour. Andrew loved that bit! Did you do any wedding DIY? A few bits, yes. I did my own itinerary board with little motifs for the order of the day for my bridal party. I also put together a series of personalised gift boxes for everyone in the bride squad including the Groomsmen. We wanted to make our mothers something very special, so we had present boxes filled with diamond lockets. Then we added poems that we both wrote to our mothers and new mother in law’s. We also wanted our loved ones who couldn’t be there, to be with us in spirit, so had printed photos of all our grandparents which were cleverly placed in the Old Hall, on a windowsill, with tea-lights at Pencoed House Estate to remember the love they shared in their marriages. Finally, coming from a cosmetics background I felt the need to ensure my guests had everything they needed. So I prepared two wicker baskets for the bathrooms, with everything from Miss Dior Perfume to Hairpsray for the ladies and Sauvage aftershave to mints for the gents. What were your favourite moments? We both made a conscious effort to ensure we spent time together. So many people had said “You’ll hardly see each other” but we are extremely close and were not going to let that happen. After the ceremony and our initial photographs, we both went to the cottage to take some time out and enjoy being Mr and Mrs. Another special moment for me, was having my brother walk me down the aisle. Although it was freezing cold, when we went for photographs the setting was so perfect that I hardly felt the cold, I just knew how breathtaking the photos would be. The speeches were all very different but equally funny and moving. One of my favourite moments was seeing how uncomfortable Andrew was during his best man, Jon’s, speech. Especially when the projector screen came on! Later in the evening as we were getting close to the first dance, Tina Turner came on and I am a huge fan so, my bridesmaids and I, even my flowergirl, started doing the signature Tina dance to Proud Mary, totally unplanned and absolutely awesome.

Did you have any special touches? We both bought gifts for one another, our last presents to one another before becoming husband and wife. I had put together a gift bag for Andrew with a lovely new watch from Thomas Sabo, that complimented his impeccable customised tuxedo and a letter I had written to him telling him how much he means to me. In return I had a personalised Bride’s gift box, with all my favourite things inside. There was an orange juice, a bar of dairy milk and a Jo Malone scented candle to match my wedding fragrance, all the things a girl needs to get through her wedding morning. Andrew also bought me a stunning watch as a gift, and it just so happened to be Thomas Sabo too, it was meant to be! I always knew from the start that I wanted a pair of Jimmy Choo wedding shoes to compliment my Italian dress, and I found the perfect pair. As we knew the weather was changing we had to act fast. So two days before the wedding I purchased a Fur Ivory winter bridal cape which just added to the magic of the snow. I also felt that I needed a hairpiece to reflect my special day and managed to to find one that fitted my vision. It encapsulated the day as it was like a beautiful snowflake. A week prior to the big day I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everybody before the wedding took over. So I wrote heartfelt, personal thank yous to each bridesmaid, flower-girl, my brother and sister-in-law and the most important people, our mothers. I was deeply touched when my best friend’s (bridesmaids) all got together and presented me with the most beautiful ring that I had my eye on for a while. It was a no-brainer I had to wear it on the day and I haven’t taken it off since. Also, my mother had taken cut-offs from my dress and sewn these on to my garter, and presented it to me on the morning of the wedding. This was lovely, as it was unique to me., I must say a huge heartfelt thank you to all my cousins from Kent, especially Darren and also my brother Andrew, as without them our beautiful would not of been possible. Did you go on honeymoon? We set off for the East coast of America and had three stops, San Francisco, Los Angeles and finally Las Vegas. It was our first time to the states and didn’t really know what to expect, but we loved it. From Alcatraz Island and Fishermans Wharf in San Fran, to Universal Studios and Rodeo Drive in L.A. and then finally the Grand Canyon to the Skylounge in Vegas, to name a few, it felt like a dream. It was fun-filled, it was everything we dreamed of, from amazing food to phenomenal shows, we shopped til’ we dropped, and made the best memories a couple could make. Andrew suprised me by taking a detour on the way home to stop at a luxury Spa in Bath and we enjoyed several treatments and the surrounding facilties. This broke up the journey home nicely and softened the blow of coming back to reality. Looking back on it all now it was the holiday of a lifetime! We still look back and laugh at the stories we made and the people we met. All Stationary, Flowers and Decor: Simply Elegant, Swansea Photographs and Video: The Wedding Guys Wedding Venue: Pencoed House Estate, Cardiff Cake - Bella Cakes (Rachel) Dress - Laura May Bridal, Cardiff Hair - Pimped up Pins, Treboeth, Swansea Make up - Aimee Louise MUA

swansealife.co.uk 57

Everyone has been to a wedding; but not everyone has been to a tailor made Pencoed House Estate wedding. Let us take care of every detail and relax alongside family and friends in our exclusive range of bespoke accomodation. From our modern barn apartments overlooking the courtyard, to our cosy traditional cottage, we have a room suitable for everybody. Our private Bridal Suite nestled in the grounds is the perfect way to start your magical day. Our brand new breakfast room overlooking the courtyard is the perfect place for everyone to meet up and enjoy a traditional Welsh breakfast with homemade pastries lovingly made by our very own classically trained French chef.

www.pencoedhouseestate.co.uk Pencoed House Estate, Llantrisant Road, Capel Llanilltern, Cardiff, CF5 6JR

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Your dream wedding by the beach... …IT’S CLOSER THAN YOU THINK!

BRIDE Kate Yellow Fascinator Issa, £70, House of Fraser, Cardiff

J by Jasper Conran, £75, Debenhams, Swansea

Marilyn Mono Disc Fascinator, £69, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

Emma Cloud Navy and Blush Fascinator, £45, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Pink Flower Feathered Fascinator, £18, M&Co, Cardiff

hatsoff Avril, £59, Coast, Cardiff

No.1 Jenny Peckham, £45, Debenhams, Swansea

With the Royal wedding taking place on May 19, month, I am sure we are all in wedding mode! LAURA DAVIES picks out some top fascinators hitting the High Street - perfect for a special occasion or a day at the races laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Lipsy Fascinator, £25, Lipsy.co.uk

Striped Nightshirt, £30, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Fascinator, £35, M&Co, Cardiff

Bottoms, £25, Top, £30, River Island, Swansea Marianna Mini Disc Fascinator £35, Monsoon, Parc Trostre

60 swansealife.co.uk

Ravenna Black, £89, Coast, Cardiff

TABLE FUN

Keep guests entertained all night long by incorporating this fun wedding roulette game into your reception. Simply ask them to spin the wheel and then perform the request that follows. Instructions include the likes of ‘Bust a move’, ‘Request a song’, ‘Steal a selfie with the bridal party’ or ‘Introduce yourself to a stranger’. It features a fold out stand so you can display it next to the buffet table. Wedding Roulette, £6.50, Paperchase at Next, Morfa Retail Park

CHARITY FAVOURS Thank your guests for celebrating your wedding by donating to Cancer Research UK. Whether used as a name card or simply a meaningful keepsake, ensure these unique and bespoke charity wedding favours are the perfect finishing touch to your big day. We love the gorgeous new wedding favours designed by British designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, which asks for a suggested donation of £2.50 each. https://shop.cancerresearchuk.org/ products/wedding-favours

SCENT IT WITH JO MALONE

BRIDE

WEDDING FUND

Start saving the pennies for the big day with this ceramic money box! You can personalise it with a favourite photo and two names in a black font.

With wedding season upon us head to Jo Malone for a wedding fragrance consultation. The wedding stylist will help find the perfect scent combination for the bride and groom as well as advice on how to scent your venue. All with a glass of Nyetimber and a pampering hand and arm massage. You can even buy a scent in a gorgeous bespoke lace bottle, available in three designs, £95 (100ml) Jo Malone, Cardiff

Ceramic Money Box - Wedding Fund, £9.99, Gettingpersonal.co.uk

THIS MONTH

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

@LawsDx

PRETTYMAIDS When Lipsy launched its debut bridal collection we were so impressed by how gorgeous the gowns looked. And now we are even more excited at the 2018 collection, which features dreamy dresses in a a variety of styles at an enviable price. Embrace the mismatched bridesmaid trend with these pretty pastel gowns, or buy several in the same shade for a cool coordinated style.

BRIDE SWIMSUIT Perfect to tell everyone your a newlywed on your honeymoon or for an oversees hen trip away with the girls - especially as they do a black Team Bride version. A bit of fun that doesn’t cost a fortune! White Swimsuit, £4, Primark, Swansea

The bridesmaid collection starts at just £70, so you can afford to dress all of your maids in an outfit they love. next.co.uk/lipsy/wedding

BE OUR GUEST

PERSONALISED WEDDING PINS In Brazil and now all over the world there is a tradition to give your guests flip flops at your wedding so they can dance all night and keep the party going. And in Brazil of course they give Havaianas! The brand has created two special models exclusively for weddings - Havaianas wedding Top and Slim, pre customised with a pair of 1 of 3 exclusive wedding pins of your choice. The pins are available as a super cute bride and groom, a “Just Married” heart shaped pin, and Mr and Mrs and attach to the rubber bit of the flip flop. They are £10, (a minimum quantity of 12 need to be ordered), www.havaianas.com

Make sure all your guests’ well wishes are kept safe in this guest book. This stunning wooden guest book with a beautiful design printed on the front is by Ginger Ray. Ginger Ray Wooden Look Guest Book, £10, John Lewis, Cardiff

HEN FUN! Have endless fun with the beautiful Bride-toBe with these gorgeous Team Bride Glasses! Pose with friends and family with these paper fun-glasses and capture your magical moments through pictures! Team Bride Glasses, £4.99, New Look, Swansea

HEAD TO DUNE This wedding season Dune has pulled out all the stops. Not only has it got a stunning range of bridal shoes, it has matching bags to accompany. Pictured: Bestowed, £130, Borrowed Bag, £65, Dune, Cardiff

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Bespoke Wedding Packages Available

for 2018 and 2019 Winter Weddings from ÂŁ2,999 Looking for the perfect setting for your wedding day? Look no further than The Cliff Hotel & Spa in West Wales. Recently renovated to include an exclusive wedding suite, inclusive of ballroom to fit up to 160 guests (up to 250 for evening) exclusive use bar and your own terrace area. All areas of the wedding suite maximises the panoramic sea views of Cardigan Bay. Please contact our wedding coordinator Louise Jones on weddings@cliffhotel.com for more details or to arrange a meeting.

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

FOOD & DRINK

SHALL I BE MOTHER?

ORGANIC

VerMints don’t use chemicals and sweeteners but seek out the best plant-derived sugars – organic tapioca syrup, organic maple syrup and organic cane sugar. Their Cafe Express flavour uses fair trade and organic coffee flavouring to give these tasty pastilles a coffee shop punch in your pocket.

A new British tea brand has created perfect brews for mums-to-be. Mum friends Kate and Bethan are behind HotTea Mama and have blended up a set of speciality teas that assist pregnant and motherhood.

VerMints 100% Organic Cafe Express Flavoured Pastilles, £2.99, Holland and Barrett, Swansea

MADE TO ORDER!

The £6 pack includes The Night Owl, Get Up And Glow and The Final Push . Order from Hotteamama.com

D ON THE G O O FO

Forget the diet! We love these mini chocolate cups filled with crème patisserie and a colourful selection of fresh fruit. 24 Mini Chocolate Cups, £6, M&S, Swansea (Food to order only.)

THIS IS NUT A DRILL!

THIS MONTH

Innocent has launched its new dairy-free range in three flavours – almond, oat and hazelnut.The £1.99 bottles are tasty in tea, lovely in lattes and splendid on cereals and the manufacturers promise they contain no stabilisers, no gums and no funny business.

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

@LawsDx

Available at Sainsbury’s and Asda now and Morrisons from June 11.

Lunchtimes have just got more exciting at M&S. There is a delicious new range of salads and sandwiches to tickle your tastebuds including this Avocado, Pink Pickled Ginger & Wholegrain Sticky Rice. With a pumpkin seed and cashew sprinkle and a sesame and ginger dressing we know where we are heading for lunch. £3.60, M&S, Swansea and Parc Trostre

LUNCH POT LAUNCHED It’s said three quarters of the UK struggle to eat a proper lunch because of busy schedules. PrepCo is now offering a solution with its range of healthy lunch pots. Available in four flavours, including Mediterranean Couscous, Indian Spiced Lentils & Rice, Thai Green Curry Rice & Quinoa and Mexican Chilli Rice , each £1.99 lunch pot is one of your five-a-day. Available at Sainsbury’s, Swansea

GIN TIME!

Balanced and smooth, the combination of 11 botanicals offers subtle perfume on the nose followed by a spicy sweetness with hints of vanilla, cinnamon and almond, with cardamom giving way to a long, spicy, black pepper finish. Manchester Three Rivers Dry Gin (£37 for 70cl, £35.99, Majestic, Fforestfach

THINKPINK

ROYAL EDITION Don’t know where to start with the avalanche of royal wedding memorabilia? Perhaps the answer is to buy something you can at least eat and will come in handy later. In which case, go for this M&S charming commemorative biscuit tin to celebrate the marriage of Prince Henry of Wales and Meghan Markle on May 19. Each tin is filled with shortbread biscuits. £6 for 450g, at M&S, Swansea

Get in the pink with Nestle’s new Kit Kat bar made with naturally pink chocolate from ruby cocoa beans grown in the Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Brazil. The new Kit Kat was introduced earlier this year in Japan and Korea, and UK sweet lovers will be the first in Europe to be able to try the four-finger bar. Ruby chocolate was created by Swiss company, Barry Callebaut, which spent more than a decade unlocking the bean’s colours and flavours. It says no colours or flavours are added to create the pink hue, which comes from a powder extracted during the processing. Kit Kat, 85p, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach and Llansamlet

PICK A FRESH FLOUR The new book from Alice Medrich Gluten-Free Flavor Flours is now available in paperback from from Artisan, priced £20. It includes recipes for rice, nut, coconut, teff, buckwheat and sorghum Flours. The 368-page recipe book shows how living gluten-free has never been tastier, with tips on how to bake a wide range of treats from chocolate chestnut souffle cake and coconut key lime tart to double oat cookies and buckwheat gingerbread.

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SAVOUR EVERY MOMENT

With our delicious frozen meals and desserts, prepared by award-winning chefs and delivered free by your local team, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve more time to enjoy doing the things you love. For your free brochure visit wiltshirefarmfoods.com or call

OVER 300 DELICIOUS DISHES FREE FRIENDLY DELIVERY TRUSTED LOCAL SERVICE

01792 459999

ADVERTISING FEATURE

THE WINNERS OF THE FOOD AWARDS WALES 2018 HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED The fourth annual Food Awards Wales welcomed over 300 guests at the Exchange Hotel in Cardiff on Monday April 23rd in a celebration of the Welsh food industry. The Food Awards Wales 2018 recognise the success of local professionals and establishments. The winners are a true reflection of high standard and customer service as they are chosen by members of the general public. The black tie event was hosted by Capital’s presenter, Polly James. She welcomed on stage talented individuals and businesses, acknowledged for constantly delivering

high-quality food products and impeccable service to their clients.

delighted to see that our vision has been accomplished.

Several of the awards were split into local regions to ensure the diverse range of businesses from across Wales are recognised for their exceptional work.

“The fourth annual Food Awards Wales are a true reflection of the great restaurants and individuals serving the food industry in Wales and we want to make sure that the hard work of Welsh food professionals doesn’t go unnoticed.

Irfan Younis, CEO of Creative Oceanic, said: “We are very delighted to have welcomed such great finalists and winners at the Food Awards Wales 2018 and we are very happy to hear from our guests that everyone had a lovely night. “These awards aimed to acknowledge and thank those representing the Welsh food industry, enhancing its reputation nationally and internationally and we are

“It was lovely to be part of this celebration and we would like to congratulate all finalists and winners for their achievements!” In addition, the awards supported the Cardiff Foodbank and the charity raised money, which would help to feed local people in need.

For a full list of winners go to:

www.creativeoceanic.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/the-winners-of-food-awards-wales-2018.html

THE FOOD AWARDS WALES 2018 Nominated in the BEST ITALIAN ESTABLISHMENT category

La Dolce Vita Mumbles Italian Restaurant 698 Mumbles Rd, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EH Tel: 01792 361648 • www.ladolcevitamumbles.co.uk

Open 12pm - 2.30pm and 5.30pm - 9.30pm Monday - Saturday. At the La Dolce Vita Restaurant in Mumbles we have a very talented crew with our chefs having a great deal of experience in producing excellently rated cuisine from various locations they have worked. The emphasis is on producing dishes that meet the customer’s expectations and satisfaction. We use the finest local ingredients, Welsh beef, lamb, sea bass and lobsters from the bays are all used when available and in season and vegetables used in preparation of all our dishes are fresh.

Winner of the WELSH PRODUCE OF THE YEAR category

Little Grandma’s Kitchen Tel: 01994 231648 • Mob: 07758 041426 www.littlegrandmaskitchen.co.uk

Homemade from original family recipes: chutneys, curds, preserves, coulis and marmalades. Meet us at the Gwili Railway Welsh Food & Drink Festival 5th - 7th May at the Gwili Railway, Carmarthen. All products £3.75 each or 4 for £12.

Overall winner of the GASTRO PUB OF THE YEAR category

The Plough & Harrow Bar & Restaurant 88 Oldway, Murton, Gower, Swansea SA3 3DJ Tel 01792 234459 • www.ploughharrow.com

Gastro Pub. 2 course a la Carte for £17 Tueday - Saturday lunchtimes. Sunday Lunch 12-4 pm. Steak night Thursday. Takeaway fish & chips Tueday - Saturday 12-3 pm and 5-6 pm. Visit us online or Facebook.

THE FOOD AWARDS WALES 2018 Overall winner of the TAKEAWAY OF THE YEAR category

HIKS 189 LLangyfelach Road, Brynhyfrd, Swansea SA5 9LE Tel: 01792 555530 • www.hiks.com

A new era has been launched at a popular Swansea fish and chip shop. Hiks opened in Llangyfelach Road just over seven years ago and has built up a loyal customer base in that time. Now, though, an expansion is taking the business to the next level. A new takeaway has been complemented by a 41-seater restaurant and accompanying car park, all next door to the original site. The freshness of the food is important at Hiks and chicken and cod is cooked to order. Whenever possible food is not left to dry out in the range for too long and this is noticeable when you taste the flavoursome food. Open Monday - Thursday 9am -9pm • Friday and Sat 8am - 10pm Sunday 8am - 9pm. Follow us on Facebook for special offers.

Nominated in the BEST ITALIAN ESTABLISHMENT category

La Parmigiana Italian Restaurant & Delicatessen 7 Duke Street, Swansea SA1 4HS Tel: 01792 540888

Serving home cooked Breakfast, lunchtime and evening meals. Take home fresh produce from our Deli. Book in advance for your evening meal.

Nominated in the WHOLESALER OF THE YEAR category

Castell Howell Foods Ltd Cross Hands Food Park, Cross Hands, Llanelli SA14 6SX Tel: 01269 846060 • www.chfoods.co.uk

Celebrating 30 years in the industry, Castell Howell are Wales’ leading independent food wholesaler. Servicing the length and breadth of Wales, the Border Counties and South West England. They are proud of their rural roots and supplying products that are manufactured in Wales is a core value.

THE FOUNTAIN INN EAT • DRINK • SLEEP

Delicious Home Cooked Food Beautiful beer garden and Monthly quiz night (1st Tuesday of every month) Sunday Lunches Parties Catered for Bed and Breakfast (Book online)

OPEN BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 2 Course Lunchtime Special only £9.95 Tues - Sat 12pm - 5pm (Bookings advisable)

01792 881866 • www.fountaininn.co 111 Bolgoed Road Pontarddulais Swansea SA4 8JP

Spectacular ViewS oVer SwanSea Bay an inDepenDent traDitional FaMily BuSineSS

new For 2018

Still doing what we’ve always done best.

• Gluten FREE Pizza & Pasta

• Award winning ice cream in over 30 flavours

• Gluten FREE Beer

• Specialising in authentic home made pasta dishes, pizza and desserts • Variety of Italian coffees • Licensed Cafe Bar

• Vegan, dairy free ice cream • Amazing new Salted Caramel and Shortbread Sundae • All our take out serve-ware now fully biodegradable and compostable

01792 369135

www.verdis-cafe.co.uk

Knab rock, Mumbles Swansea Sa3 4ee Stuck for a present? why not buy them a gift voucher? email us admin@verdis-cafe.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

special gins to try...

As demand for gin continues to rise, LAURA DAVIES looks at four labels to add to your radar. Cygnet Hand-Crafted Welsh Dry Gin, £34.99, Juniper Place, www.cygnet-distillery.co.uk Cygnet is crafted at its own distillery at York Street, Swansea at its Juniper Place restaurant and bar. Master distiller Dai Wakely has blended herbs and spices including cardamom and coriander seeds with pink grapefruit, lime and sweet orange peels combined with almonds and liquorice and orris roots. It’s infused in a handmade copper still using the finest Welsh water to deliver a great local gin. GŴYR Gin, £39.99, Cheers, Mumbles, ND John, Dylans, Swansea and various local stockists, www.thegowergincompany.wales Gower Gin (GŴYR) is a sophisticated blend of eight botanicals, blending lemon and pink grapefruit with bronze and green fennel. Its recipe captures the freshness of the sea and the heady fragrance of local herbs. GŴYR is made in the London Dry style at 43 per cent ABV for a smooth, creamy taste. The distinctive striped design links a deep marine blue with highlighted and embossed copper; an industry for which Swansea was famous in the 18th and 19th Centuries.

Home cooking with Sian Day

A deliciously simple recipe for May...

Caramelised French apple tart On my visit to Paris last year I tried to visit as many French patisseries as I possibly could in the short 48 hours I was there. There were too many to number. It was as if there was a patisserie on every street corner from generations old family ones to the more recent, modern, Artisanal ones. I assure you that this classic French recipe is as good as the ones in Paris. The secret is a good pastry, sharp apples and the caramelisation on top of the tart for that gorgeous look; that’s what makes them look so good through the bakery’s front glass windows, beckoning you in to smell the aroma of freshly baked goods and tempting you to buy the delightful tarts for tea.

The British Rose Dry Gin, and The British Lavender Dry Gin, £25, M&S, Swansea M&S has teamed up with Edinburgh-based distillery, The Old Curiosity, to launch two new flavoured gins to its range of spirits. The gins are 100 per cent naturally distilled and infused using florals and other botanicals from The Old Curiosity’s herb garden. When tonic is added, it changes the pH of the spirit along with its original colour - making them the first colour-changing gins to come to the high street

we ! love

b’Lure Colour Change Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktail Concentrate 100ml, £7.99, Lakeland, Parc Trostre

Add drama to your drinks and cocktails and extra pizzazz to your parties with b’Lure Colour Change Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktail Concentrate. Just a few drops added to your clear drinks will turn them a lovely shade of blue. But that’s not the end of the magic – squeeze in lime or lemon or add some tonic water, and before your very eyes the drink will slowly change colour to purple and then pink, much to the delight of your guests.

Ingredients Pastry ■ 250 g plain flour ■ 150g Welsh salted butter cold and cut into small cubes ■ 1 egg yolk ■ 1 tsp icing sugar For the pie filling ■ 800g Bramley cooking apples, peeled, cored & sliced ■ 2 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored & sliced ■ 100g sugar ■ 2 tsp fresh lemon juice ■ Grated zest of half lemon ■ 40g unsalted butter ■ 4 tbsp smooth apricot jam method 1. Place the flour & butter into a food processor until it looks like breadcrumbs and then add in the icing sugar, egg yolk & 2 tbsp cold water to form a stiff dough. Wrap this with some cling film and place in the freezer for 10 minutes to fast chill. This makes it easier to roll out when the gluten has rested and has become cold. Prepare the Granny Smith apples and have a bowl of cold water with a

little lemon juice ready to put your apples into once they have been peeled and sliced. ( This will stop them from turning brown) Cook the Bramley apples in half of the butter with 2tbls water until tender but not mushy then stir in the sugar and 2 tbsp jam and cook for another few minutes. Next, roll out your pastry. I always roll it out between 2 large pieces of cling film this stops it getting sticky. Then line your flan case with the pastry, prick the base with a fork then bake blind for 10 minutes, remove baking beans and parchment and bake for another 5 minutes until slightly brown. Place the cooked apple into the flan case and then arrange the Granny Smiths on top melt the rest of the butter and brush the apples then bake for 25 minutes. Then finally warm the rest of the jam and brush over the warm apples serve with cream or custard.

Bon appetite!

FOLLOW SIAN’S DELICIOUS RECIPES on her blog page siandaydream.wordpress.com or Tweet her @SianDay swansealife.co.uk 71

Find out what’s brewing at n d John

With summer threatening to bloom and attentions turning to al fresco dining, garden get togethers and anticipation for long evenings in the sun, it would be easy for us here at N D John to lend advice and guidance on the latest sun related vino trends and recommend a few bottles from the vast selection that we have on offer but that would be too easy and besides, with one of Swansea’s largest selections of local ales and World beers to choose from we think it is time we introduced you guys to our wall of craft beers! With over 1700 small breweries now driving rejuvenated interest in the science involved, the surge in craft beer sales in the United we are not only witnessing World class beers Kingdom, we Brits now consume 634 million from huge established British giants such as pints of artisan ale each year. Brewdog, Beavertown, Tiny Rebel, Magic Rock and Vocation but also from smaller less The ‘micro brew’ beer revolution that took established microbreweries where the focus America by storm in the 00’s has now gone is more on passion than profit and this ethos, mainstream and here in the UK, it’s not just in believe it or not, is alive and well in South warehouses and factories but in kitchens and Wales where some of the best craft beer in the garages that this intense experimentation is UK is being produced, right under your noses. being driven. From high ABV IPA’s to session ales, smoked Of course craft beer in the UK has a deep porters to pilsners, milk stouts to malt ambers, heritage with The Campaign For Real Ale Bavarian wits to a gooseberry Gose, Welsh (CAMRA) now in its 49th year but with huge reds to Belgian Trappes, we have something advances in home brewing techniques and a for even the most impassioned ale fan. Brewdog Zeitgeist £2.05 “Zeitgeist takes an ageold classic, a forgotten masterpiece, and gives it a contemporary spin. Standing firmly alongside a Czechstyle black lager and German-style Schwarzbier, combining dark, roasty malt flavours balanced out by a soft citrus hop bitterness.”

Tiny Rebel Frambuzi £1.99 “Tiny Rebel’s first sour packed to the brim with the plumpest, juiciest little raspberries, then fired into this kettle soured little vigilante like a drive-by in the fruit aisle.”

The Garden Citrus IPA £2.65 “Dark orange colour with slight haze and a lingering, tight white head.Made with Orange, Grapefruit and Lime rind, a strong sweet orange and tropical aroma dominate the nose. On the palate, a complex citrus and bitter orange favour comes through followed by a soft sweetness finishing with a long lingering and sticky bitterness.”

Yeastie Boys Gunnamatta £2.35 “Yeastie Boys’ Gunnamatta utilises judicious amounts of Earl Grey Blue Flower tea to generate an intoxicating floral and citrus aroma with the quenching dry finish of an ice tea. A truly unique new World India Pale Ale with a decidedly old world twist.”

ADVERTISMENT FEATURE

‘Refining Dining Co’ consists of four unique and distinctive bars and restaurants in Swansea; The Meatery & Martini Co, the quirkiest steak house in South Wales; Li’l London, the Shoreditch theme cocktail bar and number one party venue; Old Havana, the fresh and authentic Cuban Fusion bar and restaurant and Juniper Place - the beautiful relaxed dining restaurant and live micro gin distillery. Refining Dining is the home of the ‘Around The World Package’ where you can experience everything that Refining Dining Co has to offer from the incredible Steak

FOOD & DRINK

House on The Strand, a Shoreditch themed cocktail bar, the brand new relaxed dining restaurant and gin bar Juniper Place & Cuban fusion restaurant and Cuban cocktail bar, Old Havana. Enjoy a bespoke VIP night, where WE look after YOU With everything from cars to cocktails, we’ll take the trouble out of planning your night, and whisk you down the rabbit hole, hop across to London, through a Gin Distillery and up to a VIP booth in Cuba!

swansealife.co.uk 73

FOOD & DRINK

JUNIPER PLACE LAURA DAVIES samples the culinary delights at Juniper Place, a relaxed fine dining restaurant, which features its own live micro gin distillery on site.

nyone who has passed by Juniper Place will no doubt have stopped to admire the sight of the gleaming, large, beautiful copper stills proudly displayed at the front of the restaurant window. Even more impressive is that it is a fully operational micro-distillery and supplies the venue with its own hand-crafted spirit in the form of Cygnet.

Aptly named Juniper Place, this restaurant and bar is not all about the gin. As well as serving a range of cocktails and draft beers, it is also a fine dining restaurant, delivering delicious menus from breakfast, lunches to mouthwatering evening meals. It is relaxed and informal and not stuffy or pretentious like some eateries of the same calibre. The restaurant, which is on the corner of York Place and Victoria Road, opposite the city’s Museum Green, is fronted by floor to ceiling glass windows, making it light, airy and spacious. The decor is modern yet has an industrial vibe with copper piping and open brickwork; wooden panelling and metal railings - casing bottles of the restaurant’s signature gin - as well as wooden gin barrels for visual effect. On-trend terrariums in all shapes and sizes hang from the ceiling, adding colour, vibrancy and life to the room. On arrival, the wonderfully friendly front of house staff, led my dining companion and I passed a baby grand piano to our table, which had an empty white and black Cygnet bottle on it, filled with fuschia coloured flowers, as well as a copper menu cover to tie in with the micro-distillery theme.

It is a Tuesday evening and the restaurant is surprisingly busy with families, couples and a large party celebrating an occasion. There are a number of dishes to tickle all taste-buds. Starters range from scallops, deep fried brie wedges to steamed mussels, while mains include everything from steak, lamb, fish and pasta to lobster. I definitely had my work cut out what to choose. I ended up having brie wedges which came with a side salad and fig jam, (£6.50) while my partner chose the scallops served with confit pork belly and a butternut squash puree, (£9.50). Both looked divine and tasted it too! For mains, I decided on the roast duck breast with celeriac puree, honey and thyme roasted celeriac with a liquorice jus (£18.50) and my partner opted for roast rump of lamb, with boulangere potatoes, minted pea puree and served with a port and red wine jus (£20.50). Service was prompt and meals arrived in good time and staff were friendly and attentive. Our meals were not just Instagram-worthy, they were filling and delicious and really hit the spot. The meat was cooked to perfection and the ingredients complimented each other well. As for dessert, we were both fit to burst. But despite being full, we did manage to share a peach cheesecake, (£6) which was again full of flavour and pretty much faultless. Of course, we couldn’t leave without sampling the restaurant’s own gin. As we sipped out of large copa glasses and watched the world go by outside, we vowed to return - not only to sample more meals but also to try out the new cocktail menu that is being launched for summer!

Exclusive ‘Refining Dining Co’ Offer - 20% off your total bill (for up to 10 people) & 10% off ANY pre booked party / function QUOTE: refiningdininglife 74 swansealife.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

OLD HAVANA Recently returned from a visit to Cuba, JESS HAMMETT takes a trip to Swansea’s Old Havana to sample its authentic cuisine…

ittle did I know that my first trip to Old Havana back in November would lead me to fall in love with Cuba’s glorious capital city. The Swansea restaurant’s wonderfully quirky décor, delicious Cuban food, divine drinks and friendly service was - believe it or not - enough to both tantalise my taste buds and trigger a long-haul trip to its origins.

A few months later, I find myself clinging on to a suntan from an island steeped in history and bursting in character, curious to compare Swansea’s slice of Havana to the real thing. And I certainly wasn’t disappointed. In fact – I had a far greater appreciation of just how much thought, love and creativity has been injected into the eatery.

opted for the Cuban lamb curry (£11.95), and we settled on sharing spicy chicken wings (£5.95) to start. As we soaked up the atmosphere between starter and main, I clocked empty Havana Club rum bottles lining the bars and appreciated the décor’s resemblance to that of Havana’s El Floridita cocktail bar, home of the daiquiri and famous hangout for writer Ernest Hemingway. With Cuban music playing in the background as I sipped on my pineapple daiquiri (£7.25), I felt as though I had been whisked back to Hemingway’s favourite haunt. Judging Old Havana as a cheaper but by no means lesser alternative to Cuba, I vowed to return to take advantage of their £5 lunch menu, or even indulge in a bottomless brunch one weekend.

Old Havana is full of nods to Cuban culture: colourful paintings, mismatched furniture, retro ceilings, vibrant vintage lampshades, historical photographs, and so much more - including the restaurant’s new menu! Capturing the spirit of Cuba through colourful drawings and references to famous landmarks, the intricately designed menu showed that authentic, quality Cuban dishes take precedence over quantity of choices in this place.

Once we had devoured our flavour-packed and perfectly cooked mains, my dining partner and I were most certainly satisfied. But when a friendly face offered us the option of dessert, we opted to share, despite our full stomachs! As I’d previously tried the churros with heavenly chocolate dipping sauce (£5.50), we indulged in the warm chocolate brownie and salted caramel sundae (£5.95). The mixture of textures and flavours - warm gooey brownie, cool vanilla ice cream, tangy strawberries, sweet chocolate sprinkles, crunchy wafers - hit the spot.

But quality makes choosing very difficult indeed. I was tempted to opt for my previous choice of a flavoursome classic toasted Cuban sandwich (£9.95), but eventually decided on something new: the Churrasco Cubano, a flattened 8oz steak marinated overnight, flame grilled to perfection with chimichurri dressing and served with white rice and Cuban black beans (£12.95). My dining partner

The only thing missing this time was the sunshine. But when the sun does make an appearance, Old Havana’s gorgeous terrace awaits. The suntrap is framed by two halves of a funky vintage Cuban car, another example of how the owners have taken elements of Cuba and transported them here to Swansea. So, if you’re looking to sample a Caribbean gem, take a trip to Old Havana!

Exclusive ‘Refining Dining Co’ Offer - 20% off your total bill (for up to 10 people) & 10% off ANY pre booked party / function QUOTE: refiningdininglife swansealife.co.uk 75

FOOD & DRINK

THE MEATERY Just off Swansea’s busy Wind Street, PETER SLEE finds a quirky new eatery that hits the mark in style!

hen I inevitably expire from gout or some other symptom of excess, no one will be able to say I didn’t have a jolly enough time. So many unmissable, new places to while away a few hours eating and drinking in, have dented my debit card in recent months.

They seem to be springing up just about everywhere and anywhere.Turn a corner, and there’s another one! We are truly spoilt for choice these days. So today, I’m in Swansea’s Strand at its latest offering, The Meatery. And it has to be one of the city’s quirkiest new restaurants. Its branding pretty much sums up the place, a steak house with meat in all shapes and sizes including rare breed Welsh Wagyu steak. On the night I popped by, a mesmerisingly well-behaved office dinner had taken over one huge table near us and they ate and drank without so much as a single screeching raised voice, tablehop or singalong. To the other side, couples enjoying a night out over a bottle of red and a plate of good food as well as a couple of family groups. All in all, a good mix. Its decor is, well, cosy is probably the best way of describing it. Though maybe I should add jaw-dropping too.! For centre stage running up through its three floors is a 28ft high oak tree, its branches hanging out over re-purposed, unassuming tables and chairs in all shapes and sizes surely sourced from a long string of countryside homes. Charmingly-worn-in sofas, comfy-looking banquettes and armchairs are arranged around the place too. Low beamed ceilings are cleanly-finished and tastefully lit and the themed pictures on the wall have been painstakingly picked to tread the line between cosy and classy. All very nice and welcoming. To the food then. Let us be clear, this is not pub food but pukka bells-and-whistles ambitious modern British. The bits around the edges include the likes of potato and root vegetable gratin, candied bacon, seasoned shoestring fries and seasonal greens with

toasted almonds. For mains, the likes of slow cooked pork belly, rib of beef, Chateaubriand , a Tomahawk or spatchcock chicken. And if you really want to go for it, a metre-long skewer with a selection of meat and shellfish strung along it. To start, for me, a baked Camembert in a doughy, warm pillowy case served up with a bowl of chilli jam. It was gorgeous to look at and exactly what I needed to kick off the night. My guest tucked into mussels in a creamy tomato sauce with a doorstop of bread to mop up the juices. To follow, yes, I know I’m a flexitarian, but sometimes these things just have to be done, an 8oz fillet steak with a peppercorn sauce. It was eagertly devoured and talked about for weeks. In fact, it was probably THE best steak I have had in recent times. With it as an option, raclette which was fine as an ultimate cheesy sharing platter and an après-ski tradition seved with potatoes, cured meats and crusty baguette. It was a nice touch and delicious: something we hadn’t had for years, and we woolfed it down. At a table near us, a waiter was serving up some cocktails to a dining group from a vintage martini trolley, which added to the cool vibe this place generally offers. As for dessert? The cheese board was excellent, and the passion fruit meringue pie was very nearly as good as my mother’s. Which is about as high as pie praise gets (and certainly as far as I can go down that road without risking her wrath.) The whole experience was great. Service was friendly, drinks were spot-on. The local beers perfectly-conditioned, the wine list superb and very fairly-priced, and a pre-dinner cocktail suggestion from our waiter of a Portabello Road gin was delicious. Simply put, if you have any interest at all in eating and drinking, and are anywhere near The Meatery, you owe it to yourself to give it a go.

Exclusive ‘Refining Dining Co’ Offer - 20% off your total bill (for up to 10 people) & 10% off ANY pre booked party / function QUOTE: refiningdininglife 76 swansealife.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

LI’L LONDON A firm Swansea favourite, located on The Strand and the ONLY place to be when you have a party or special occasion.

he bar itself is a Shoreditch themed venue and eatery with only the best in quirky cocktails and delicious food. Enjoy spare ribs, chicken wings or nachos to start. With a ‘Dawgs’ menu if you’re in the mood for a gourmet hot dog, or burgers, mac n cheese and incredible ‘Not So Li’l Sharing Platters’

Li’l London is the perfect location for after work food and drinks on a Friday, the regular ‘friends meet up’ catch up place, as well as being the BEST at catering for private parties and events as you

really feel like the place is ‘exclusive to you’. Enjoy birthdays, stags and hen do’s and any form of celebration with the offering of exclusive and full venue hire, with some pretty spectacular drinks packages and party ‘add ons’. And did we mention the decor? The bar has a real Red London Bus direct from Shoreditch itself as it’s bar, with quirky unique caravans for private booth seating, as well as the VIP booths also available to hire out or reserve. We’ll also be launching our Li’l London terrace this spring / summer too, with BBQ parties also available on request.

Exclusive ‘Refining Dining Co’ Offer - 20% off your total bill (for up to 10 people) & 10% off ANY pre booked party / function QUOTE: refiningdininglife swansealife.co.uk 77

FOOD & DRINK

d nge Corn Fe ecial Free Ra Asda Extra Sp 3.90, Asda, Llansamlet , £1 British Turkey and Llanelli

4 3

FRAGRANT

COCKTAILS INSPIRED BY SPRINGTIME

Mixologists are always finding new ways to shake things up - and these delicious infusions contain a fresh harvest of fragrant liqueurs, cordials, bitters and tinctures to make the perfect base for cocktails all ideal for spring. Here’s how to season your stemware for spring. Want to whip some of these stylish sips up at home? You’ll need the following bar essentials: a blender, Boston shaker, mixing glass, bar spoon, jigger and bags of ice. Then, just choose your ingredients.

1. Verde Margarita Blending the flavours of lime and celery with herbal notes of elderflower, spruced up with Patron Silver Tequila (£21 for 35cl, Waitrose) and Patron Citronge Liqueur (£31.75 for 70cl, TheWhiskyExchange.com), here’s how to make this fresh and vibrant frozen margarita. Ingredients: 45ml Patron Silver, 15ml Patron Citronge Orange, 100ml elderflower liqueur, 5ml fino sherry, 5ml agave syrup, 1 lime wedge, 1 celery stick, 1 pinch salt. Celery spear and edible flower for garnish. Sugar, Maldon Salt and celery salt for rim. Method: Rim a highball glass with a mix of sugar, Maldon Salt and celery salt. Combine the cocktail ingredients in a blender with crushed ice and blend until a slushy consistency is achieved. Pour contents from blender into glass. Garnish with a celery spear and edible flower and enjoy before a well-deserved siesta.

2. Lavender Negroni A pretty twist on a negroni, Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Vodka (£38 for 70cl, Sainsbury’s) adds a subtle blush of colour and this lighter, refreshing style is simple to create. Very ‘now’, the floral, zesty sweetness of the vodka is balanced by the Italian bitters and lavender spiked kombucha.

78 swansealife.co.uk

Ingredients: 40ml Belvedere Pink Grapefruit, 20ml Cocchi Americano, 10ml Italian bitter liqueur, 40ml lavender kombucha. Pink grapefruit wedge for garnish. Method: Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until cold and strain into a rocks glass over a large cube of ice. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

3. Flower Garden The clever folks at The Slate love their craft spirits and have teamed up with local distillery, Aber Falls, to create this delectable infusion made with Aber Falls Violet Liqueur (£19 for 70cl, MasterOfMalt. com), a new addition to their range of whiskies, gins and liqueurs. Ingredients: 35ml Aber Falls Violet Liqueur, 25ml lemon juice, 10ml gomme syrup, 6 basil leaves, 50ml soda water. Sprig of basil for garnish. Method: Add the basil leaves to base of a rocks glass or whisky tumbler and gently press with a bar spoon. Fill with cubed ice and add all the other ingredients. Stir, then garnish with a basil sprig alongside sip straws.

4. Tanqueray Citrus Punch London’s Dalloway Terrace have created a series of colourful cocktails and we love the little flourishes, such as elderflower foam, on some of the drinks. But what really kept us happy is this fuss-free, punchy concoction with Tanqueray No Ten Gin (£32.50 for 70cl, Waitrose). Ingredients: 45ml Tanqueray No Ten, 15ml Belsazar White Vermouth, 15ml elderflower cordial, 15ml lemon juice, 15ml cucumber water, soda water. Dill for garnish. Method: Half fill a shaker with ice. Add the cocktail ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain into a tallstemmed glass and top with soda water. Garnish with a sprig of dill.

5. Silent Pool Spring Spritz Easy-peasy, this marries Silent Pool Gin (£37 for 70cl, Marks & Spencer), a beautifully balanced gin boasting 24 botanicals including rose petals, lavender and pears, with the fizz family - we recommend an English sparkling wine such as Denbies which, like Silent Pool, is made in Surrey and gives a glimpse of an English garden in a glass. Ingredients: 20ml Silent Pool, 120ml sparkling wine, 3ml chamomile tea, a dash of elderflower cordial, a sugar cube doused with Angostura bitters, lemon peel. Method: Add the gin, chamomile tea, cordial and sugar cube into a chilled champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine and squeeze lemon peel over the top.

6. Lychee Geranium Cooler When it comes to cocktails, floristry and gin masterclasses, The Florist love to experiment with everything Mother Nature has to offer - along with gin, of course. Made with Jinzu (£35 for 70cl, Morrisons), a Scottish gin inspired by the Far East, the distiller also steeps cherry blossom, yuzu and sake for a distinct floral note. And to enhance the bouquet, William Fox Geranium Syrup (£12 for 75cl, MasterOfMalt.com) offers ‘fragrant geranium deliciousness’. Here’s how to mix it up at home... Ingredients: 30ml Jinzu, 15ml William Fox Geranium Syrup, 15ml Briottet Lychee Liqueur, 15ml lemon juice, 2ml Dashfire Bay Leaf bitters, 50ml lychee juice, 50ml peach and grape juice. Viola flower and two bay leaves for garnish. Method: Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the cocktail ingredients, shake vigorously and strain into a high ball glass with cubed ice. Garnish with flower and bay leaves and, if you fancy, tie some straw or twine around the glass.

Advertising Feature

A TASTE OF CARIBBEAN SUNSHINE For beautiful Jamaican food and a warm welcome, Jamaican Jills can’t be beaten – and it now has a third branch, in Uplands, writes JENNY WHITE. Anyone who’s experienced the sunny atmosphere, colourful cocktails and beautiful food at Jamaican Jills in Wind Street or Neath will be thrilled to know there is a new addition to the Jamaican Jills family. Jamaican Jills – Food Fusion has just opened on Walter Road, not far from the heart of Uplands. It’s the perfect place for anything from a hearty breakfast through to a beautiful evening meal based around owner Bernie’s flawless Jamaican recipes. Unlike the other branches of Jamaican Jills, its menu combines European and Jamaican influences. “We were aware people may not want a really spicy meal for breakfast or lunch, so we’ve included items such as a traditional British cooked breakfast, and filled jacket potatoes,” says Bernie. Some of these items have a Jamaican twist, however: look out for eggs Florentine made with callaloo (an Jamaican alternative to spinach) or a jacket potato filled with Jamaican reggae mince. Jamaican Jills – Food fusion has a strong focus on food, but still offers the excellent cocktails that Jamaican Jills is loved for. While Bernie will often be on hand to give her famous warm welcome, her husband Mark and son Jerome will be heading up this venture.

Jerome has played a key part in designing the décor, which conjures the spirit of old Jamaica with warm pastel colours, vintage posters and a model galleon referencing Jamaica’s historical links with Wales via the famous Welsh pirate Henry Morgan. The soundtrack is laid-back Jazz Reggae: this is a place to truly unwind, either inside or on the lovely heated, covered terrace watching the world go by. Whatever your tastes food-wise, there is something to keep you happy. Traditional Jamaican evening options include starters such as ackee and salt fish with a dumpling and fried plantain followed by Jill’s famous curried goat with rice and peas and fried plantain. For those who prefer a bit less spice there are traditional British dishes such as rump steak with chips. There’s also an excellent range of burgers, including vegan versions. Other vegan options include five bean curry with rice and peas. It’s not surprising that customers have been quick to flock here, with praise being heaped on everything from the welcome to the food. Comments from feedback cards include “amazing food, service and atmosphere – will definitely be coming again”, and “great service with a smile and lovely outside area.” “We’ve been delighted with the response so far,” says Bernie. “We’ve always wanted to have a restaurant in Uplands and we’re delighted to have achieved that.”

55 Walter Rd, Swansea SA1 5QE • Tel: 01792 517762 www.jamaicanjills.com/uplands-restaurant/ • www.facebook.com/jamaicanjillsswansea/

Advertising Feature

Best places to Eat

Restaurant Guide Four great places to eat and drink

R OW FO N K O BO ’S DAY R E H T FA

PORT TALBOT

Cafe Remos The Princess Margaret Way, Port Talbot, SA12 6QP Tel: 01639 882121 • www.caferemos.com

A family run coffee shop, restaurant and ice cream parlour at the heart of the Aberavon seafront. We listen to our customers. You’ve told us what you want and that’s what we’ll deliver superb food and drink in a spectacular setting and the warmest of welcomes. Choose from hearty cooked breakfast, Italian barista style coffee, fresh pasta, stone-based pizza, flame grilled burgers, homemade deserts and ice creams. Take away food and drinks are available. Open Monday - Sunday 9am - 9pm. Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CafeRemos • Coffee

• Pasta

• Ice Cream

• Burgers

• Pizza

• Family

Best places to Eat SWANSEA

The Smiths Arms

R OW FO N K O BO ’S DAY R E H T FA

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

Family friendly pub serving food daily. Serving for food Monday-Wednesday 12-3pm & 5-8pm, Thursday & Friday 12-8pm, Saturday 11.30-6pm Sunday carvery 12-4pm. Choice of 3 meats £6.45. Curry & Pint night every Thursday 5-8pm. Free newly refurbished function room for parties. Car park at rear of building.

PONTARDULAIS

The New Adnan Tikka 141 St Teilo Street, Pontardulais, Swansea SA4 8LH Tel: 01792 882265 • www.newadnantikka.co.uk

Now open in Pontardulais serving a great selection of authentic Indian dishes and kebabs. Open 7 days including Bank Holidays. Sunday - Thursday 5pm - 11.30pm • Friday - Saturday 5pm - 12am. Delivery service available. Visit us on Facebook or online www.newadnantikka.co.uk

MUMBLES

Forte’s Ice Cream Parlour Limeslade Bay, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4JT Tel: 01792 368863 • Email: forteslimeslade@hotmail.com

Open 7 days 9.30am - 5.30pm for breakfast, light lunches, ice cream, homemade cakes & ice cream cakes, tea & coffee. All our ice cream and ice cream birthday cakes are homemade. Gluten free products available. Ask for details. Visit us on Facebook.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

NEW WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME Leading Home Improvement Specialist Securahome is showcasing new ways to upgrade your home at its newly refurbished Swansea showroom. The family firm, which has carried out more than 3,000 projects across South Wales, prides itself on offering the latest and best products in its field.

breaking, home improvement products on display include five conservatories and orangeries, two of which have solid roofs.

Some of the ground-

The solid roofs are

transforming what was once a seasonal space into a year-round room. High-quality insulation means they have the same thermal properties as a traditionally constructed roof, and they can be retro-fitted to an existing conservatory. In the Gorseinon showroom, there are fullyfurnished garden-rooms constructed with both a traditional looking, tiledeffect roof as well as a sleek, modern, grey solid roof.

The rooms also showcase clever, super-insulated loggia columns that not only boost the thermal properties of a conservatory, but allow for stunning floor-to-ceiling windows to create a real ‘wow’ factor! Another popular product to transform the appearance of your home is sleek aluminium windows and doors. Dubbed the ‘architectschoice’ due to their contemporary appeal, the slim frames of these

products create a modern look and can be an instance ‘facelift’ to your home. For classic homes there are hardwood and ‘Heritage’ UPVC windows and doors that carry all of the hallmarks of traditional joinery. Nigel Hocking of Securahome said that the company was proud lead the way on home improvements:

“Whether its new windows and doors or a home extension, our aim is to give customers the best possible quality, both in products and installation. “It’s a source of great pride that 70 per cent of our business comes through recommendation and we are hugely excited, 24 years on, to be able to say that we are able to improve the quality of our products every year.”

To find out more about the Securahome range of windows, doors, garden rooms and orangeries, go to www.securahome.co.uk, call 0800 808 3224 or visit the showroom at Kestrel Way, Garngoch Industrial Estate, Gorseinon, Swansea, SA4 9WN.

HOUSE & HOME

Advertisement Feature

Home with the view

Belvoir Mumbles are delighted to offer to the market, this unique and rare, three bedroom detached house sitting in a commanding position in the heart of Mumbles and boasting spectacular views over Mumbles and Swansea Bay! High Nook boasts a wealth of features and space. The generous accommodation comprises of an entrance hall, a magnificent living room with a log burner and spectacular panoramic views over Mumbles and Swansea Bay, a modern kitchen, three bedrooms that all overlook the wonderful coastline, a family bathroom and a separate shower room. To the side of the property is a separate outhouse containing a cloakroom, utility roomPlant, and a storage room.and The property Sara Partner benefits from an electronic door entry Head Family Law ata driveway system,of a double garage with providing off road parking for two vehicles, a Peter Lynn Solicitors talks wrap-around patio area and a generous tiered garden to the front. To the side and rear of this month about divorce the property are wonderful grounds which are predominantly laid to lawn. Ample space for those who wish to extend the property, build a separate summer house or just simply use the lawns to relax and enjoy the tranquil life that High Nook has to offer. High Nook is within walking distance to the many local boutiques, shops and restaurants that Mumbles village has to offer. Enjoy the magnificent coastal setting at this beautiful property! Viewing at your earliest convenience is highly recommended!

Price ÂŁ525,000

For more information please contact the Mumbles Office - 01792 361656 42 Queens Road, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4ANâ&#x20AC;&#x2039;

84 swansealife.co.uk

Llygad Y Ffynnon

4/8 John Street Llanelli Tel 01554 779412 www.daviescraddock.co.uk

Davies Craddock have pleasure in offering for sale this generous Three Bedroom End Terrace property with off road parking set in the ever popular village location of Five Roads, Llanelli. Set within close proximity to local schools and parks, this property would make the ideal family home. The accommodation comprises entrance Hallway, Lounge, Kitchen/Diner and Cloakroom to the ground floor with Two Bedrooms and a Family Bathroom to the first floor and a further Master Bedroom benefiting from an En-suite on the second floor. Externally the property boasts off road parking to the side with a lawned front garden and a well maintained fully enclosed garden to the rear laid to lawn with mature shrubs and trees.

8 Llygad Y Ffynnon, Five Roads

ÂŁ174,950

HOUSE & HOME

through the keyhole

Tranquility is just so close to home Feeling better for having been there is a good calling card to have. CHRIS PEREGRINE discovers somewhere which can claim that distinction.

chris.peregrine@walesonline.co.uk

here is nothing like country or sea air to get you back on track.

Richard Herbert, who has lived in the Port Eynon property with his wife Hazel since 2005, agrees with the sentiments.

Take it all in and you get a sense of renewal - and that is exactly what this impressive seven bedroom property in Gower allows.

“It is very restful,” he says. “Those are the comments we have had from people who have stayed here. They say they feel refreshed, reinvigorated, renewed. There is the hustle and bustle in the summer down in the village of Port Eynon itself, but it is quiet here.”

You need not take the owners’ words for it as they may be a touch biased as they try and sell it, only, though, because it is time to downsize. No, descriptions of peace and tranquility come from people who have stayed there in its days as a bed and breakfast, and latterly as an occasional self-catering operation.

86 swansealife.co.uk

The family home is set in around half an acre of land and five of the bedrooms have an en suite. There is a beautiful sun lounge, a dining room, a sitting room and lounge, all with breathtaking sea views. There are two kitchens, a utility room, a basement and a loft. There is a lawn at the front and one in the back, which also has a barbecue terrace, a garage/workshop and two sheds.

It had been a bed and breakfast before the Herberts arrived and they refined the business by adding an extension to put in another two bedrooms to give five for visitors and two for domestic use. “We ran a B&B for seven years and now we do a bit of self catering, mainly people who have been here before,” said Richard. There is no doubt that holiday accommodation could continue as a future use, although it could be a large family home. One of the feature rooms is the sun lounge, with an impressive fireplace with multi fuel stove, underfloor heating and double glazed windows and patio doors. Kitchen number one has granite work surfaces with a range of base and eye-level kitchen cupboards and a host of other features, including a stainless steel sink and drainer, integral hob with extractor fan over, and integral cooker and dishwasher. There is underfloor heating. There are built-in wardrobes or cupboards in most of the bedrooms and underfloor heating in two of them. The en-suites have heated towel rails. The second kitchen has a similar range of features to the first one, and the all-important utility room includes wall cupboards, a stainless steel sink and space for washing machine. Both the sitting room and the lounge have a feature hearth, while the dining room has a double-glazed front window. There is off-road parking in the front and back for a number of cars. And agricultural land runs alongside the house. The Herberts may be preparing find somewhere smaller in which to live, but they want to stay in the area. “People in the village are very friendly,” says Richard. “It is a wonderful community. There are lovely walks, the beach is close and there are wonderful views. We feel very privileged to be here.”

PROPERTY: Highmead, Overton Lane, Port Eynon, Gower PRICE: Around £995,000 BEDROOMS: 7 AGENT: John Francis, Mumbles, 01792 360060

www.pablack.co.uk

01600 717 040

black

www.pablack.co.uk

Prestige homes from Peter Alan Ltd

Glanmor Road, Swansea

Hendy, Pontarddulais

• Detached family home with sea views • 4 spacious bedrooms • En suite & dressing room to master • Overlooking Cwmdonkin Park • Private drive and detached garage • AVAILABLE WITH NO ONWARD CHAIN • EPC - D

• Luxury 5 bedroom detached property complete with its very own heated indoor swimming pool. This beautifully presented family home favours ample living space and comfort in every room. • Large family kitchen • Gated driveway • EPC - D

Swansea 01792 641481 £600,000 Bethany Lane, West Cross,

Gorseinon 01792 894422 Eaton Crescent,

£550,000

£350,000

For sale with pa black Swansea 01792 641481

Chapel Road, Three Crosses Lletty Dafydd House, Neath

Ramsey Close, Nottage

• Detached 3 bedroom family home • Bishopston Comprehensive School Catchment • Self containedMumbles, annex St Annes, • Loft room • Large gardens • Driveway and Double garage • EPC - D

• Detached family home • Cul De Sac Location •Gower Views towards Rest Bay Beach Road, Sketty, • 4 double Bedrooms • 2 receptions & breakfast kitchen & utility • Garage & driveway • EPC - E

Gorseinon 01792

For sale with pa black Swansea 894422 01792 641481

Cardiff Monmouth Penarth Porthcawl Newport

£350,000 £320,000

• A large family house dating back to approx 1850 • 5 bedrooms Dylans View, Uplands, • 4 reception rooms plus cellar • Large gardens and paddock • Outstanding countryside views • EPC - D Neath 01639 635115

OIRO £440,000

For sale with pa black Swansea 01792 641481

£450,000

Porthcawl 01656

£485,000

For sale with pa black Swansea 771600 01792 641481

Delivering exceptional service for exceptional homes

£395,000

©LW

For sale with pa black Swansea 01792 641481

OIRO £525,000

WESTWINDS, LANGLAND BAY A rare opportunity to acquire a breathtaking property of unrivalled design and location, satisfying every desire of anyone seeking a home of this calibre. Overlooking the golf course, designed by locally renowned Architect, Huw Griffiths, and developed by

the prestigious Liberty Homes (Wales), the property offers versatile accommodation with a bespoke service offered at early reservation.

Price: £2,100,000

GOWER COURT, MAYALS This latest development by local, Award Winning Clews Homes, comprises a collection of just 5 beautifully designed detached homes. Three styles are offered comprising 4 and 5 bedrooms with prices ranging from £550,000 to £750,000. Only 3 remaining.

SELECTION OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENT PLOTS

Llanedi Road, Fforest – Choice of sizeable plots each with Detailed Consent for a substantial detached dwelling

Former Rollaclad Factory, Gorseinon – Outline Consent for ‘up to’ 5 residential dwellings

Gower Road, Upper Killay – Detailed Consent for a dormer-style property with parking

Bayswater Road, Sketty – Detailed Consent for a contemporary home with integral garage

Church Lane, Blue Anchor – Freehold plot with Detailed Consent for a ‘quirky’ detached dwelling

COMING SOON Register your interest now… SA1 Waterfront – A collection of 3,4 & 5 bedroom townhouse of varying designs by Davies Homes. Newton Road, Mumbles – A select choice of just 9 purposebuilt apartments in the heart of this sought-after bustling seaside village

Transforming Homes, seTTing sTandards, saving you money!

The Clear Choice for Quality Home improvement Windows • Doors • Conservatories • Composite Decking • Roof Trim

01792 795500

1 Station Square, Neath, SA11 1BY Email: sales@aonehomeimprovements.co.uk Website: www.aonehomeimprovements.co.uk www.facebook.com/aonehomeimprovements

Star Lantern, £40, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Martinique Easy Fit Shade, £39.99, Very.co.uk

HOUSE & HOME

Pastel Floor Lamp, £79.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Bottle Lights, £12, Debenhams, Swansea

Flamingos in a Frame, £9, George Home, Parc Trostre Nomad Mono Collection, from £3, Matalan, Parc Cwmdu

THIS MONTH

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

@LawsDx

Crossroads Throw, £45, White Stuff, Cardiff

Rosa Crystal Lamp, £140, Laura Ashley, Pontarddulais Road Retail Park

Unity Cane Mirror, £145, Oliver Bonas, Cardiff

Fruit Ceramic Plant Pots, £12 each, www.pushkahome.com

Dickins & Jones Reggie Vase, £25, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Olivier Desforges Janeiro Cushion Cover, £30, Amara.com

House Doctor Concrete Wall Clock, £57, Amara.com

Ceramic Owl Lantern, £10, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Amazonia Small Green Palm Tea Light Holder, £9.99, Very.co.uk

91 swansealife.co.uk

Picnic Containers, £19.50, M&S, Swansea

Cocktail Martini Glass, £18, Oliver Bonas, Cardiff

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

TYLLWYD NEWYDD, NR BRYNCOCH, NEATH

CLYNE MAYALS, MAYALS, SWANSEA

A magnificent family home with striking proportions & phenomenal countryside backdrop. Possessing approx 12 acres & equestrian facilities. Beautiful interiors comprising 5 receptions, 6 beds & 5 bath. 3 stables, horse school & planning for 6 stables. EPC D

A beautiful period property in need of renovation to create a spacious family home. Private south facing aspect with sea glimpses set in approx 0.83 acres, it enjoys large level formal lawns with an abundance of mature trees, shrubs and pretty secret gardens. EPC G

Asking Price £1,495,000

Asking Price £850,000

3 CHANNEL VIEW, LANGLAND, SWANSEA

THE OLD CROFT, BISHOPSTON, SWANSEA

Situated in an exclusive, gated complex in an elevated position. Benefiting from sea & country views. Presenting spacious, flexible living accommodation; 6 beds & 3 bathrooms. The master bedroom is situated on the top floor with a balcony offering spectacular coastal views. EPC C

Dating back to the mid 1700's it has been renovated, extended & lovingly restored uncovering a wealth of stunning attributes. Comprising 3 receptions, 3 beds, 3 bathrooms & ample parking for 4/5 cars. Situated within close proximity Bishopston schools. EPC D

Offers Over £925,000

Asking Price £799,950

TRECOR FARM, FERRYSIDE, CARMARTHENSHIRE

1 LLYS GWYR, UPPER KILLAY, SWANSEA

A charming period farmhouse in approx 1 acre of stunning grounds with natural swimming pond - a truly breathtaking setting in the glorious Carmarthenshire countryside. The home boasts a huge amount of character throughout the 4 beds, 3 receptions & 3 bathrooms. EPC D

Beautifully presented detached executive home with secure gated entrance. Briefly offering 3 reception rooms, kitchen/diner, utility, study, conservatory, cloakroom, 4 beds, master en-suite & 2 family bathrooms. Countryside outlook & ample parking. EPC C

Asking Price £425,000

Offers Over £525,000

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

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

THE COACH HOUSE, LANGLAND, SWANSEA

PLAS NEWYDD, MUMBLES, SWANSEA

Offering a unique, architect designed converted coach house, with contemporary interiors & moments from the family friendly Langland Bay & benefitting from mesmerising sea views. There is a manicured communal garden with gate onto the coastal path & a car parking space. EPC B

This impressive home is perfectly located within walking distance to Mumbles village & promenade, and is yet very private. This detached family home is very generous in size & has lovely grounds, comprising 3 receptions, 6 bedrooms & 4 bathrooms. EPC C

Offers In The Region Of £399,950

Asking Price £925,000

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 ORCHARD BARN, MURTON, GOWER

HAWTHORNE COTTAGE, FAIRWOOD, SWANSEA

Beautiful, characterful stone barn conversion with generous gardens. Briefly comprising lounge, kitchen/diner, bathroom, 2 double beds, master bed with en-suite and a potential 4th generous bedroom currently used as an office. Ample parking. EPC F

This cottage has bags of charm and character, only built approx 15 years ago and cleverly renovated capturing the essence of a traditional cottage. Comprising: Kitchen/ breakfast room, utility, 3 receptions & 4 bedrooms & family bathroom. EPC D

Offers Over £750,000

Asking Price £549,950

PENTRE PARR, LLANDEILO, CARMARTHENSHIRE

1 CHANNEL VIEW, LANGLAND, SWANSEA

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

Wonderfully situated in a small, private development in Langland, this elegant & modern detached family home comprises 4 receptions, 5 beds & 3 bathrooms. Private, generous gardens, electric gated entrance & sea glimpes from the roof terrace. EPC C

Asking Price £795,000

Asking Price £995,000

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

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HOUSE & HOME

L E S L E Y

TAY LO R

the power of pattern From accessories to feature walls, Lesley Taylor on how our love of pattern shows little sign of waning

Our modern love affair with intricate decoration emerged with the popularity of the feature wall and like all good relationships it is one that has blossomed.

This summer pattern is going to really come into its own and invade every corner of our home. Now, if the thought of transforming your home into a patterned palace sends shivers down your spine, start small. Accessories are the perfect way to ease yourself in. In the living area, scatter cushions and rugs will add instant impact, as will coasters and lamp shades. The kitchen is a great place to get creative with pattern and best of all, you probably already have everything needed. Got some fabulous floral tea cups? Get them on display; you can either use a modern mug tree, wallmounted cup hooks or – room permitting – a display cupboard. Upstairs, a new bedspread will do the trick in the master suite, while a new toothbrush holder, soap dispenser and towels will all inject some va va voom in the bathroom. Feeling bold? If you want to really embrace this season’s passion for pattern your walls are your best blank canvas. But don’t be afraid of breaking some rules.

Traditionally wallpaper would be used in the living area to unleash creativity. But this season we are seeing a demand for patterned tiles in the living room. And why not? Tiles can be easily maintained so your wall will look fresher for longer, and the tile market is so vast there is something to suit every taste. From pared-back Scandi vibes to on-trend Mediterranean collections, the opportunities are endless. Choose a look that complements your home and get searching for the perfect fit. In the very early days of wallpaper, many designs depicted a continuous scene. As the public’s appetite for wallpaper grew, repeating patterns became popular. This summer, expect to see a huge rise in the number of pictorial patterns. Instead of small, intricate designs, pictorial wallpaper features larger, bolder images. Cole & Son are at the forefront of this emerging trend and very recently I have use two of their designs in my interior schemes. The first featured a plethora of hot air balloons and other flying machines and was used to create a truly whimsical scene in the most sumptuous of master bedrooms. The second was a little more of a challenge and was used in a bathroom. Featuring the motif of the moment – the fabulous pink flamingo – this paper looks stunning against a beige and white suite. But it’s not for the faint-hearted. Not every wallpaper can cope with the humidity of the bathroom, so using a vinyl paper – sealed with a matt varnish – is a must. And remember, don’t use it in a wet area, such as a shower cubicle, tiles are your best bet here.

3 1. Dream of getting away from it all? Cole & Son’s Macchine Volanti could be the patterned paper for you 2. Accessories are a simple way of bringing pattern into the home 3. These Scandi-inspired tiles are perfect for pared-back pattern, from bakedtiles.co.uk 4. Pictorial wallpaper is set to be huge this year. This New Contemporary, Flamingos 66/6042 (£76 per 10m roll by Cole & Son, www.cole-and-son.com), is already a favourite 5. Tiles are a versatile addition to any room, including living areas. These tiles are from the Faded Delft collection from The Baked Tile Company

5 Lesley Taylor is the author of 10 interior design books and has appeared on a range of network TV shows, including This Morning, giving inspirational advice on home styling. She lives in Swansea where she is lead designer at luxury interiors lifestyle store Taylor’s Home and Interiors www.taylorshomeandinteriors.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 95

FURNITURE LIGHTING WALLPAPER FABRICS AND CURTAINING INTERIOR AND BATHROOM DESIGN Call us on 01792 439119 www.taylorshomeandinteriors.co.uk 512B Mumbles Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 4BU

ONLINE PRICES WITH SHOWROOM SERVICE www.bakedtiles.co.uk Call us on 01792 439239 512B Mumbles Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 4BU

HOUSE & HOME

Tea Light Holder, £16, Debenhams, Swansea

Joules Cambridge, Four Seater Sofa in a Yellow Plain and Floral Combination, £998; Joules Cambridge Accent Chair, in Mushroom Floral Cotton, £699, DFS, LLansamlet

GIVE YOUR ROOMS 6 SHOTS OF

e n i h s n u s Whether its canary, daffodil or a mellow golden yellow, add splashes of yellow to your home. Embrace a sunshine colour palette with these sunny picks laura.davies@trinitymirror.com laura.davies@trinitymirror.com@LawsDx @LawsDx

Chalk Paint in English Yellow, £19.95 for 1 litre, Annie Sloan, Anniesloan.com

Spot Tumblers, Set of Six, Bitossi, Yellow, £44, Amara.com

Theo Tripod Table Lamp Yellow, £29.99, Very.co.uk

Loneta Ta blecloth, in Sunshin Yellow, fr e o or made to m £22 (130x160cm ) measure, Dekoria.c o.uk

Lamp Shade Mobius, £19, Dunelm, Parc Pemberton

Tweedmill, Pure New Wool Chequered Throw, Yellow, £49.99, Black By Design, Black-by-design.co.uk

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Alter wallpaper by Karlie Klum, £28 a roll, Limelace.co.uk

1. Turn the tables on the weather Yellow's sunny properties make it ideal for a kitchen or dining room. Lift the spirits with a bright tablecloth or, if you're up for some spring DIY, paint kitchen chairs in a bright yellow shade, or add a citrussy splash back.

Muuto Unfold Pendant, Mustard, £155, Rume.co.uk

2. Colour up with yellow If you're nervous of yellow (for some people, it can fall into the Marmite category) simply add pops of the colour in accessories, from tableware to lights.

3. Wake up a window Guarantee a sunny outlook by dressing a window with bright yellow shutters, a blind or curtains. This colour is the ultimate mood booster - with a mellow undertone, it's cheerful without being too in-your-face, or in its boldest form, it gives rooms confidence and freshness. Th eP an try

4. Sit in the sunshine No need to wait for summer blooms - take a shortcut with Joules' Cambridge collection from DFS. Teamed together, yellow and neutral tones are in natural harmony. Calming greys or whites tone down the strength of yellow and, in return, the uplifting, sunny shade gives a scheme a personality and strength. Keep an eye out for DFS's funky Tide sofa, in yellow velvet graffiti, too, available early June.

5. Warm up the walls

Turn up the heat in the boudoir with a shot of yellow for bedding, and if you're yearning for tropical climes, conjure a far-flung sanctuary vibe with vividly patterned bedlinen. Add a few faux palms and some rattan furniture, and all you'll be lacking are cooling sea breezes.

Parade Hand Made Vase, £25, Amara.com

Alora Duvet Cover Set, from £15, JD Williams.co.uk

If you've fallen in love with a yellow palette, create a feature wall with a patterned wallpaper. Alternatively, use the shade for paintwork - doors, windows and skirting - this is particularly effective when contrasted with a dark shade for walls, and will really make a scheme sing.

6. Brighten a bedroom

Wa ll C loc k, C itrus om Yellow, £35, Amara.c

Yellow Bench, £149.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Cushion, £12.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Pom Pom Cushion, £16, M&Co, Cardiff

ey House by John Lewis Jers ; Bedspread, Mustard, £40 £35, Poolside Palm Duvet set, John Lewis, Cardiff

Tide Three Seater Sofa, in Yellow Velvet Graffit, DFS, Llansamlet

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Advertising Feature

SHOW HOME UNVEILED AT SWANSEA’S QUAYSIDE DEVELOPMENT S

wansea buyers looking for their perfect home will have the chance to experience a taste of life at the city’s flagship SA1 Waterfront with the help of a stunning new show home.

A four-bedroom show home at the brand-new Quayside development is now open to the public for viewings.

The show home will be open seven days a week, from 10am – 5pm except bank holidays.

Situated in one of the city’s most sought after locations, the development boasts twenty-two modern, high quality three and four-bedroom townhouses for sale via Pennant Homes, the new homes development company within Coastal Housing Group.

Ceri Daniel, Operations Manager for Pennant Homes said, “We are very excited about our brand-new show home at Quayside. Being in such a desirable location, we have received a lot of interest in the homes for sale, with a number having already been reserved ‘off plan’. Due to their popularity, we do anticipate that the homes will not stay on the market for long and encourage anyone interested in the properties to visit our show home.”

The ‘Windsor’ Show Home offers an open plan living, dining and kitchen area to the ground floor, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms occupying the upper two floors. All Windsor house types benefit from allocated parking, a small courtyard area and a terrace and balcony.

Future residents at Quayside will benefit from private car parking, outdoor terrace areas and the close

proximity to local schools, shops and amenities. Prices at Quayside start from £275,000 for the four-bedroom homes and £262,500 for the threebedroom homes. All remaining properties for sale are available for reservation ‘off plan’. All of the homes are available via the Government backed Help to Buy – Wales scheme, subject to criteria. The scheme provides eligible purchasers with a 20% equity loan and requires only a 5% deposit. The Quayside development forms part of a wider £6m project by Coastal Housing Group. Llanelli based Construction Company, Morganstone is carrying out the build, with the first homes due for completion in Summer 2018.

For further information on the homes for sale at the Quayside development, please contact Pennant Homes on 07794 214525 or visit: www.pennanthomes.co.uk

HOUSE & HOME

Bloom in

Decorate your home with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of modern, pretty floral prints

laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

12 2

Iberia Living Collection at George Home, Parc Trostre

14 10

9 15

4 1. Hydrangeas in Mercury Vase, £29.50, M&S, Swansea 2. Meadow Floral Bed Set, £25, Next, Morfa Retail Park 3. Saltwick Bunch Isabel Mug, £9, Cath Kidston, Cardiff

4. Floral Tufted Bath Mat, £14, Next, Morfa Retail Park 5. Natural Floral Decorative Mug, £12.50, White Stuff, Cardiff 6. Wilko Meadow Daisies Canvas 60x90cm, £14, Wilko, Llanelli and Swansea

102 swansealife.co.uk

9. Debenhams Denby Monsoon Fleur 16 Piece Tableware Set, £174, Debenhams, Swansea 10. Mornington Leaves Storage Pot with Lid, £12, Cath Kidston, Cardiff 11. Teal Lotus Tealight Holder, £3, Dunelm, Parc Pemberton 12. RJR.John Rocha Cushion, £30, Debenhams, Swansea 13. Daisy Candle Holder, £12, Laura Ashley, Pontarddulais Road Retail Park 14. Rosa Crystal Lamp, £140, Laura Ashley, Pontarddulais Road Retail Park

7. Pink Flower Stem, £3.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

15 Large Tray, £15, Laura Ashley, Pontarddulais Road Retail Park

8. Sainsbury’s Home Foxglove & Daisy Printed Candle, £6, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

16. George Home Rooted Trinket Pot, £6, George at Asda, Llansamlet

0% interest free credit available

Garngoch, Gorseinon, Swansea, SA4 9WF Tel: 01792 891239

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Mwyndy Cross, Llantrisant, Cardiff, CF72 8PN Tel: 01443 222929

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HOUSE & HOME Palm House Leaf Butterfly Print Double, £21, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Large Fern In Pot, £130, Debenhams, Swansea

Faux Cactus LED Garden Bulb, £12, JD Williams Home Joanna Buchanan Palm Tree Bottle Opener, £58, Amara.com

Green Leaf Bowl, £16, Dunelm, Pontarddulais Road Retail Park

Frame, £18, Debenhams, Swansea

PALM [SPRINGS [

Amazonia Small Green Palm Tea Light Holder, £9.99 Very.co.uk

Gold Effect Palm Leaf Hurricane, £24.99, Dunelm, Parc Pemberton Monstera Leaf Platter, £15, M&S, Swansea

From wallpaper to cushions, embrace the tropical palm tree print trend this season. LAURA DAVIES rounds up her top palm picks laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

@LawsDx

Palm House Gold Embroidered Velvet Cushion, £16, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Cactus Flower & Cedarwood 100ml Diffuser, £12, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Tropical Leaves Mirror, £129.99, Very.co.uk

108 swansealife.co.uk

KEW Trend Collection from JD Williams Home

Small Etched Glass Lantern, £9.50, M&S, Swansea

Jug, £7.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

Palm Leaf Showerproof Outdoor Cushion, £12, John Lewis, Cardiff

Calypso Felt Leaf Placemat Pack of 2, £4.50, Dunelm, Parc Pemberton

Voyager Bathroom Collection, Dunelm, Parc Pemberton and Pontarddulais Road Retail Park

Gallery Palm Leaves Cushion, £29.99, Very.co.uk

Linea Palm Tree Candle Stick, £30, House of Fraser, Cardiff

Set of Side Plates, £16, M&S, Parc Trostre and Swansea

Tea Light Holder, £16, Debenhams, Swansea

Arthou se Trop ic

al Palm

Wallpa per, £1 7.99, V ery.co.u k

Palm Frame, £7.99, Homesense, Parc Fforestfach

rc Trostre rge Home, Pa ction at Geo lle Co g in in Luxe D

swansealife.co.uk 109

THE

TREE CARE SPECIALISTS Arborum Ltd is an arboricultural company based near Swansea and Neath, South Wales. We operate along the M4 corridor - West Wales, the valley communities and all surrounding areas. Arborum specialises in all aspects of commercial and domestic tree surgery, using the latest techniques and equipment to carry out high quality tree work for our clients, large and small. We offer a wide range of tree services to both the public and private sector.

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HOUSE & HOME Picnic bowls, part of 12-piece Tropical Picnic Set £12, George Home at Asda, Llansamlet and Llanelli

Travel Set Containers, £1, Tiger, Swansea

John Lewis Poolside Bubble Tumbler, £3, John Lewis, Cardiff

Picnic Hamper, £75 , M&S, Swansea

Tower 16 Piece Titanium Coated Cutlery Set, £24.99, Very.co.uk

Blush Acrylic Jug, £16, Laura Ashley, Pontarddulais Retail Park

Picnic Ware

From baskets to blankets, cooler bags to pretty plates and tumblers, LAURA DAVIES has everything you need for the perfect day outdoors. laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

Floral Melamine Serving Plate, £9; Dinner Plate, £7; Side plate, £5; Bowl, £7; Dinner Plate, £7; Side Plate, £5; Purple Tritan Plastic Wine Glass, £5; Plastic Tumbler, £5; M&Co, Cardiff

Metallic Slogan Wine Cooler, £12, Next, Swansea

@LawsDx

Palm Springs Wine, £4, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Home Indian Summer Dip Bowl, £2.25, Indian Summer Dinner Plate Diamond Designs, £3, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Weber Smokey Joe £69, 4 Person Cat Flap Hamper £75, Family Cool Bag £39.50, Herringbone Weave Rug £39.50, M&S, Swansea

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Beau & Elliot Raindrops Picnic Blanket, £25, Raindrops Flask, £15, Debenhams, Swansea

Fiesta Mason Jar, £3.50, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Garden Living at Leekes

Home Experts FOR

120 YEARS 1897 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2017

Leekes Cross Hands, Business Parc, Carms. SA14 6RB Leekes Llantrisant, Cowbridge Road, RCT. CF72 8XU Tel: 0333 222 4120 | Online: leekes.co.uk

Outdoor

entertaining

With warmer weather expected, there has never been a better reason to arrange for a garden get together. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re planning an intimate soirĂŠe or celebrations with the extended family, take pleasure in inviting friends and family to enjoy in the sun on your fabulous furniture. Add a corner set to your garden this year for the perfect relaxed alternative to ensure you have room for all your guests.

†

Shop with confidence that we won’t be beaten on price on Leading Brands†

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Home Experts for over 120 years offering thousands of products for your home

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Click & Collect+ – browse online at leekes.co.uk and collect in store

Home Experts FOR

120 YEARS 1897 – 2017

Leekes Cross Hands, Business Parc, Carms. SA14 6RB Leekes Llantrisant, Cowbridge Road, RCT. CF72 8XU Tel: 0333 222 4120 | Online: leekes.co.uk

Terms and conditions apply – ask in store for details. +Only available to collect in Leekes Home Department Stores and Park Furnishers, Bristol. Subject to availability. •Based on customer satisfaction survey from 09/17.

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Al Fresco dining

Nothing welcomes guests quite like the smell of a barbecue. Choose from our wide range of gas and charcoal barbecues and bring some summer style to your outdoor entertaining with eye-catching picnic, tableware and accessories.

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Or Consider a table with an integrated grill, such as the Jamie Oliver Grilling Set which creates an informal atmosphere that allows you to socialise with guests while you prepare your culinary delights. Once you’ve finished cooking, swap the grill for an ice bucket and enjoy a chilled drink – or two – as you watch the sun go down.

Shop with confidence that we won’t be beaten on price on Leading Brands†

Keep the

party going

Ensure your evenings aren’t cut short by providing your guests with plenty of warmth and light to keep them comfortable as the night draws in. Use a chimenea for an atmospheric focal point then complete the look with lights and lanterns throughout your outdoor area for a cosy look.

Home Experts FOR

120 YEARS 1897 – 2017

†

Leekes Cross Hands, Business Parc, Carms. SA14 6RB Leekes Llantrisant, Cowbridge Road, RCT. CF72 8XU Tel: 0333 222 4120 | Online: leekes.co.uk

Terms and conditions apply – ask in store for details

HOUSE & HOME

BOOST the value of your home

Spring is finally in the air and for some home owners, it’s time to start thinking about redecorating or even putting their property on the market, as the new selling season gets under way. LAURA DAVIES looks at some home improvement tips to improve the value of your home laura.davies@trinitymirror.com

■ Redecorate and make simple upgrades Fresh paint can give a home a new lease of life. If you’re planning to sell, make sure any redecoration will still allow future buyers to adapt the property to their needs.

@LawsDx

■ Are the windows up to scratch? ■ Replace or spruce up tired-looking doors Noisy roads can impact the value of a property. Double glazing will help keep the home warm and the noise out.

■ Does the layout of your home work?

■ Would a loft conversion solve space issues?

An open living space can be attractive, particularly for the kitchen and dining room. Combining the two into one large room creates a sociable space. Remember the practicalities with this though, as many people still like the idea of separate rooms that can be used for special occasions or to give family members their own space.

A loft conversion is a more expensive improvement - yet it can be a great option for adding space for growing families - and saving money if you’d otherwise need to move house.

■ Be energy efficient

■ Add or update a bathroom Re-grouting, eliminating limescale and replacing taps and shower screens can keep the bathroom fresh and clean.

■ Garden appeal The garden should feel like an extra space for entertaining or relaxing, so trim borders, clear pathways and cut back overgrown trees and bushes.

118 swansealife.co.uk

First impressions count. The front door of your home can say a lot about the rest of the house to viewers seeing it for the first time. If you can’t afford to replace the door, make sure it looks its best by giving it a power wash or a fresh lick of paint.

■ Makeover the kitchen Kitchens are often the focus for buyers. Painting units or replacing cupboard handles or doors are a cheaper way of refreshing kitchens. The average cost of a kitchen overhaul is £5,016, but buyers may be willing to pay more for a home to save themselves the hassle of buying a new kitchen.

Energy efficient appliances can attract buyers keen to save money on bills. Energy efficient products are increasingly becoming a key feature for new homes.

■ Consider creating a driveway In some areas, the ability to park close to your front door comes at a huge premium - so if you have the room to add off-street parking, this could add appeal and value.

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Payment plans are offered by Close Brothers Retail Finance. Close Brothers Retail Finance is a trading name of Close Brothers Limited. Close Brothers Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Finance is only available to permanent UK residents aged between 18-75, subject to status, terms and conditions apply.

CHILD SAFETY NEW 2017 FREE HOME FABRIC CONTROLS TO SELECTION FREE design advice and an RANGE ALL BLINDS obligation FREE quotation.

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For more information visit out website www.chicblinds.co.uk Email: sales@chicblinds.co.uk or visit our 3 showrooms

VICTORIA WADE’S GARDEN Join Victoria Wade, an RHS Gold winning garden designer from Killay, with her seasonal growing tips.... www.victoriawade.co.uk

@WadeLandscapes

How to grow Scented Pelargoniums Pelargoniums (sometimes called geraniums) are beautiful, scented leaved plants. I have been growing them for a few years and my collection is expanding every year- I am a bit obsessed! They are such versatile plants- as well as looking gorgeous, the flowers are edible and can be used to decorate cakes and puddings, and the leaves can be used as a flavouring or even to make tea. They can be grown as bedding plants outside during the summer months, or in containers, but they are not frost hardy so must be brought inside before the cold weather arrives. They also make ideal houseplants – we grow the majority of ours in the conservatory and move them out onto the patio in the middle of summer. I also have a few in my office where we enjoy their scented leaves all year round. Whenever you brush past them, they fill the air with scent; I have a few plants on my desk and I regularly pick a leaf to fiddle with while I’m working- the smell is very calming.

Pelargoniums are easy to grow as long as you understand what they need. If planting outdoors, plant in fertile moist soil after all risk of frost has passed and in full sun. If planting in pots, indoors or outdoors, grow in potting compost or in John Innes No 2 in a light sunny spot. If growing in a conservatory or greenhouse, make sure you have good ventilation. Water your pelargoniums sparingly every two to three days during spring and summer- you need to be careful not to overwater them, particularly if they are indoors. Feed

your pelargoniums with an organic liquid plant food every month in the summer to keep them looking at their best. Dead-head faded blooms regularly to help prolong flowering and if they are planted outside they may need this more often after it has rained. Contact with the foliage may occasionally aggravate skin allergies, so wear gloves if you are particularly sensitive. When the weather starts to turn cold, before the first frost, move your pots into a frost free place or lift the plants that are in the ground and pot them up inside, cutting the top growth back by one-third as you do so. They will only need to be watered very sparingly during the winter. My favourite place to buy them is from Fibrex- they have the National Collection of Pelargoniums and sell the most incredible selection- you will be spoilt for choice. Sarah Raven also sells a lovely selection.

Suitable for underfloor heating 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

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Paul James

Est. 1982

HOUSE & HOME

Late Spring Luxury With Joseph Atkin, Head Gardener at Aberglasney Gardens in Carmarthenshire

Hydrangea aspera

May is the month when no matter what, the garden looks good! Even if there is not a flower in sight the verdant freshness of spring growth is very pleasing on the eye. At Aberglasney however, we are somewhat obsessed with achieving a continuity of colour and interest and strive for a great deal more than just fresh green foliage - especially as the Tulip displays are usually coming to an end. So, whilst May is one of the best months of the year there is a gap in colour. This gap is pretty small, so a few ‘luxury plants’ can be grown for this time that whilst a little short lived, are really beautiful.

Iris ‘Jane Philips’

Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Glencoe’

This Iris is a bearded type, a type which often doesn’t do well in Welsh gardens because they like lots of heat. There are hundreds to choose from but for us ‘Jane Philips’ is the best performer. This cultivar is a medium height which means the stems won’t be susceptible to wind damage. For some reason it always seems to flower well unlike many of the others. We grow it in many different, sunny situations with remarkable success. The pale blue, large flowers, are a sight to behold against fresh green foliage and last for around a fortnight. There are two tricks to having good bearded Iris in Wales one is to plant the roots/rhizomes facing the sun. The other is to dead head quickly after flowering so the vertical foliage can be enjoyed.

This plant is commonly known as the calla lily, but it has many other names and can be found in lots of gardens. There are many different forms too and some are better than others. ‘Glencoe’ is the favourite at Aberglasney as the majestic funnel shaped white flowers are much bigger than most. The foliage is also much more architectural and arches nicely around other plants. The flowers can be held at nearly two meters in height making this a real showstopper. Being white the flowers are also good in shaded corners where they show up well. ‘Glencoe’ is extremely hardy in the ground and copes with a variety of conditions including shade and waterlogging. Our best specimen is growing in one of the worst pieces of ground in the Gardens in a dark corner in waterlogged soil!

■ Height = 60cm ■ Spread = 60cm ■ Position/Aspect = Dry sunny ■ Soil = any free draining ■ Pest and diseases = no real problems ■ Style = herbaceous, cottage, Mediterranean, rock garden, mixed border, contemporary minimalist

Rhododendron ‘Hino-Crimson’ Small leaved Rhododendron (evergreen azalea) make excellent garden plants and one cultivar that we have had remarkable success with is ‘Hino-Crimson’. It typically flowers in May and lasts for around a month. One of its greatest strengths is how it combines with the new foliage of other plants such as Acer. It also has a dense canopy that stops weeds coming through and it seems to be tolerant of most neural to acid soils. We grow around thirty different types but ‘HinoCrimson’ seems to be the toughest and easiest to grow. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

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Height = 1m Spread = 1m Position/Aspect = Any but full sun Soil = Any except alkaline Pest and diseases = Vine weevil in pots but no problems in the ground Style = shrubbery, mixed border, woodland, Asiatic or Japanese

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Height = up to 2m Spread = 1.5m Position = Any Soil = Any except dry Pest and diseases = No really problems other than slugs on small plants Style = woodland, bog, marginal, herbaceous, large pot

WINDOWS, DOORS

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on Finally, Spring has arrived and we have lots of exciting developments at Pyle Garden Village.

Friday Nights at The Olive Tree We are pleased to announce more dates for our popular evenings of dinner and live music. Gather your friends and enjoy a three course menu and acoustic entertainment for ÂŁ25. Held on the last Friday of each month, bookings can be made by calling 01656 745948. More information on dates and artists can be found on our Facebook page @theolivetreepyle.

Unbeatable offers on best quality plants Our recently extended site

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Afternoon Tea with Radio 2’s Gardening Expert, Terry Walton Come along and join us for an afternoon of good food and company. Enjoy a delicious Afternoon Tea followed by an informative Gardening Talk and Q&A session with Terry. Finish your afternoon with a tour of our garden centre with Terry who will help suggest plants and products to suit your particular needs. Ticket holders can further enjoy an exclusive 10% off on the day. £15 per person. Wednesday June 6th at 3:30pm. Bookings can be made by calling the Garden Centre on 01656 745948. Limited places available.

May Half Term – Making a Fairy Garden Workshop covered outdoor area allows you to continue shopping despite the Spring showers! Keep your eyes on our Facebook page for lots of exclusive deals on new garden furniture sets and accessories.

We are very excited to announce that we will be launching a series of adult and children’s workshops over the coming months. From expert gardening advice to creating wonderful wormeries, we have lots of informative, creative days in the pipeline for you to enjoy. Our first children’s workshop will be creating magical gardens for fairies and elves. The class will take place at our Garden Centre, 2pm on June 1st for age 4 +. All materials are included. Ticket price £8. Bookings essential. Suitable for age 4 plus.

restaurant

The Olive Tree Restaurant invites you to dine in our glass house restaurant or outside on the veranda overlooking the plant area eating alfresco. Enjoy our British-European menu open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. It has become a hugely popular attraction in the garden village. A perfect place to shop, relax and treat yourself to breakfast, snack or lunch.

Petstop offer a range of pets including birds, rabbits, rats, hamsters, lizards and turtles. As well as this they stock a wide variety of branded pet food for all different types of animals. They also offer toys and pet accessories. All of this comes alongside friendly advice on what’s best for your pet.

Woodwork is the one-stop shop for all your landscape and garden products. From garden sheds, fencing, trellis panels, timber planters and furniture, Woodwork has now added stoneware, gravels, paving stones and water features to its ranges.

Leaf Interiors was started in October 2013 by Sally and Karen, two friends who shared a love for home decor and began making customised curtains for their friends. Their hobby quickly evolved into a business as they began taking orders for their creations and they soon began adding other home accessories and furnishings to their inventory.

Sourcing stock at the best prices means that customers will benefit from the savings offered by those reductions.

We’re not on the high street and that’s just how we want it to be. We aim to focus on delivering our customers the best services and products in a market and environment that we understand.

Salon Loulou Hair Beauty and Barber salon has enjoyed a hugely successful first year in business with an increasing list of lovely clients who are all returning to this sleek, modern salon with skilled, friendly staff. All hair, beauty treatments and packages are available at competitive prices and it’s the latest addition to home and lifestyle stores based at the Village.

Loulou is now firmly established as a leading Boutique with a collaboration of brands, styles and shapes to reflect our clients’ needs. Well known names such as Joseph Ribkoff, Masai sit perfectly with new names like Access and Naya. It also stocks a fabulous selection of accessories, jewellery, bags and scarves and the trio of partners, Caroline, Debra and Jayne are there with a warm welcome and friendly advice whenever you call in.

Tel: 01656 741443

@pylegardenvillage

pylegardenvillage.com

Aqualogic is a small team of dedicated fish keepers, with over 35 years of trade experience. We have a large range of Tropical, Marine, Coldwater and Pond fish. We stock all the well known brand names and accessories for your aquarium. We are here to give expert advice on any issue you may be having with your tank.

Regardless of breed, size and age, we welcome all pets to Paws Galore Dog Grooming salon. Before your dogs grooming session starts in our salon in Pyle Garden Village, we will discuss your dogs individual grooming needs, behaviour and health. Then, we’ll create a custom grooming plan for you and your dog. We promise a safe and clean environment for all pets at all times. We are City & Guilds qualified and Fully Insured - Certificates available to view. We also offer a pick up and drop off service (small fee added for this service).

Established in 1979 Dunraven Windows have been providing excellent customer service for nearly 40 years. Over 5,000 customers a year now choose Dunraven to install a range of products including high security Windows and Doors, Designer Conservatories, Porches, Canopies, Flat Roofing and more. You’re guaranteed a great job when you choose Dunraven for your home and you know you’re in safe hands dealing with an established company who really care about the service provided.

We’ve got your walls covered! Harris Images provides the facilities for you to turn that special image into art form. We can print on all types of surfaces including wallpaper, canvas, acrylic, glass and vinyl. Imagination is your only limitation! Cover your space with family images, pets, holidays, favourite places or scenic views on any wall you wish to change the mood of an area. Email your own image, or choose from our extensive library. Your home or workplace could soon become your perfect view. For further information with no obligation, contact Norman Harris on 01656 788038 / nch@harrisprinters.co.uk www.harrisimages.co.uk

Never compromising on quality, coupled with a before and after sales service that is second to none, most of our customers are now the result of recommendation. Our cutting edge designs, experience, fantastic build quality and keen attention to detail, ensures that we are a cut above our competitors. Be the envy of your friends and family, and pop in for a coffee with Paula & Richard and allow us to create that ‘wow’ factor home you’ve always dreamed of....”

Bespoke make up sessions by the Glam Squad at Salon LouLou.

These new Tobs Tea for Two sets available in a a variety of bright colours from our garden centre.

Pretty little bowls from Leaf Interiors. Perfect for entertaining.

Naughty but nice Afternoon Teas from ÂŁ8 at The Olive Tree restaurant.

The delicious summer salad selection at The Olive Tree restaurant.

A cold glass of Rose in the long awaited sunshine. The new Laithwaits summer selection is in store now.

relax, refresh, revitalise sit back and let us create your dream bathroom

01792 586160

Unit 12, Cwmdu ind Est, Carmarthen Road, Swansea www.tilerackbathroomcentre.co.uk

HOUSE & HOME

Answer the call of Take a walk on the wild side with these absolutely paw-fect finds This fabulous feline, with its lush jungle print border, is the easiest way to update a sofa, or take pride of place on a chair in a solitary corner perhaps. Easy, tiger! Jan Constantine Paradise Tiger Cushion, £122, Amara.com

These exotic animal prints, wild decos and beautiful beasts may not be house-trained, but their plush plumes and tropical hues will add a touch of fun to your favourite space. But it’s not all cutesy creature comforts; some of the wildlife illustrations and animal motifs gracing homeware collections right now are far more sophisticated than kitsch,

Otis the Alligator Mandarin & Cedarwood Scented Candle, £24, Oliver Bonas, Cardiff. Park this alligator on the table to give your Cajun dish a bit more bite. Now that’s what we call a snappy find.

and come in peaceful hues and tranquil tones that are easily mixed and matched. So whether you’re after something untamed to enrich an empty wall, fancy taking a jaunt into the jungle with exotic artworks, or bring a room to life with your favourite wildlife wonders, it’s time to unleash your inner interiors naturalist...

Dunelm Voyager Collection, below, includes items from £16 for a Monkey Tealight Holder, to £249 for a Fransen Peacock Blue Chair The collection is inspired by our precious rainforests and features wildlife, lush green foliage and tropical flowers. Key products include a Gold Flamingo sculpture, left, £26, and Tulisa Antique Brass Flamingo Table Lamp, right £65. To view the whole collection, visit Dunelm, Parc Pemberton and Pontarddulais Road Retail Park

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This stylish couple are timeless and graceful, while their leafy crowns hint at grandness. Designed to hold a tapered candle, they’d make a majestic addition to a sideboard or mantel. Pair of Lakadema Leopard Candle Holders, £44, Oka.com

All of a flutter, this butterfly print rug comes at a tempting price. Made from polypropylene, it’s also practical and hard-wearing. Maestro Butterfly GreenRug, from £29.99 (80 x 150cm), Carpetright, Llansamlet

With a natural linen shade to team with any paint finish, this striking piece will place your hallway in a whole new light. Gold zebra wall light with shade, £95, Graham & Green, grahamandgreen.co.uk

With thoughts turning to summer entertaining, these fun fish-shaped jugs will be a talking point when you start pouring the sangria – and they even make a guggling noise, so there’ll be sound-effects as the chopped fruit falls into the glass too. Selection of Gluggle jugs (1.3ltr) in sage green, orange, slate grey and sea green, £32 each, Graham & Green, grahamandgreen.co.uk

Cited as one of the world’s favourite birds, we can’t wait to snap up this highly collectible table lamp that surely comes with a lifetime guarantee of cuteness and quirkiness. Abigail Ahern/ EDITION Green Puffin Table Lamp, £95, Debenhams, Swansea

Creature comforts some of us can’t live without are decorative bone china mugs to hold that perfect cup of tea of coffee. These come with sculptured handles and pretty gold detailing on the rims. Yvonne Ellen bone china mugs: Parrot & Cockatoo, £12; Giraffe, £12, and Cheetah & Penguin Set of two, £24, Amara.com

This cheeky monkey may be counting down to happy hour, but with approximately 60 hours of burn time, there’ll be quite a few corks to pop before he’s finished on the cocktail circuit. Fornasetti Aperitivo Otto scented candle, £108.33 (300g), Net-A-Porter.com

swansealife.co.uk 137

ESTABLISHED

30 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG

All our products include: FREE

Come and visit our large showground and display area and talk to the experts

• 10 year guarantee for peace of mind

We make timber sheds, chalets, cabins, home offices, workshops, playhouses, animal housing, greenhouses, garden furniture and much more. Highly experienced in bespoke design - we can build to your specific requirements

• Only Scandinavian Redwood timber used throughout, not like cheaper whitewood timbers used with most manufacturers

Come and buy with confidence at one of Wales’s largest and longest serving timber building manufacturers, 30 years of excellence

• No wonder our customers keep coming back

DELIVERY • FREE INSTALLATION • FREE TREATMENT www.SHEDSNCHALETS.co.uk | Tel: 01554 759472 L.E.C. Factory Units, 100 Trostre Road, Llanelli, SA15 2EA

Luxury living at prices you can afford! Call us today for a free, no obligation design & quote www.castlekitchensandbedrooms.co.uk

Call in today at our showroom: The Old Lloyds Bank Building, 43 Neath Road, Briton Ferry, SA11 2DX

Telephone: 01639 797901

Handmade Luxurious Bedframes Made in Britain

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ll, hair Orfja l, £50, C , £5, Peg Desk Pah o am d r Lun £39, Mirro is, £29, Cord Set d , Board Ska tector Sinnrik, £6 Pro 50, 1. £ m with Bulb o ames, fr Picture Fr lakt, £60, Duvet eS , Bed Fram se Stillsamt, £13 wca g in lv e h S and Pillo , 6 s, from £ ts Cushion rey Gaske x, £57, G ge la al K it n U ted Stora n ri P , 6 £ r, p, x3 Raggisa m £5, Rug Fardru fro rs Files set, ith Casto w x o B ge £10, Stora , Curtains from a 5 Slakt, £4 Cardiff , all Ikea, selection

E C A P S D I K play kes to rest and ti e tl lit r u yo r fo and happy place Create a bright A starry storage solution Kids’ Blue Star Storage Box, £7, Dunelm, Parc Pemberton

No excuse for drawing on the walls with this chalkboard Sweet Dreams Cloud Chalkboard, £12, Dibor.co.uk

Stack all the storage up Three Storage Boxes with Lids, £12.99, Argos, Swansea and Llanelli

hiskers e cat’s w .co.uk case is th , £6, LaRedoute w lo il p e This Pillowcas er Single Kalou Tig Make learning fun with this quirky wall clock Glow in the Dark Popcorn Clock, £35, LittleMashers.com

Dinosaur Collection Wall Sticker Pack, £19.50, Dunelm, Parc Pemberton and Pontarddulais Road Retail Park.

These coloured folding chairs are perfect for a small bedroom olding Chair, £14, Noa & Nani, noanadnani.com F

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Your little explorers will love having the world at their finger tips Light-Up Globe, £19.99, Smyths Toys, Llansamlet

ven 5, y li ntl om g, £1 a t u o s r R e n r d e li st lle wil e’s b heni rc Tro n C ug y r tle o Print nd Pa k un lit tric let a e is f ur Th p yo eom ansam u r G , Ll u a lo Asd Co lti- e at Mu eorg G

Kaelo- Innovative wine cooler, set inside your kitchen worktop, it uses cryo cooling technology to keep your wine at optimum temperature

Innermost, Circus light- A classic spun aluminium pendant light available in matt white, black and grey exteriors that contrast a gold or smooth white interior.

Nothing Beats Coming Home to a Clean House!

We do the hard work so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to Residential & Commercial Cleaning Experts Call today on 01792 448721 www.facebook.com/glowhomeservices.co.uk www.glowhomeservices.co.uk

Plush Estate Agency

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER FOR SWANSEA

PLUSH ESTATES are an Independent Estate Agents established in 2010 and have built their reputation as one of the most successful Estate and letting Agents in Llanelli by consistently producing results. They are known not only for their experience, knowledge, and competitive fees but for their dedication to landlords, vendors and clients. Our aim is to offer good rates of fees to sellers, landlords and Investors by keeping our overheads low. WE HAVE MOVED! Due to massive clientele, we have relocated our Llanelli office to a bigger premises. Homeless men were tent in the freezing cold sleeping rough in the weather. Staff at Plush freezing cold, so estate Estate Agents were agents put a roof over made aware of the man, their head story. Martin Edwards, who A Llanelli estate agent had been living in a tent has helped to rehouse in Sandy Water Park as two homeless men who temperatures dropped to had been living in a well below freezing. If you are looking to buy, sell, let or rent, or simply would like to have a chat LLANELLI

www.plushettings.com

Tel: 01554 749 037 | E: Llanelli@plushestateagents.co.uk | 1, Inkerman Street, Llanelli, SA15 1RY

GIVE YOUR HOME A MAKEOVER

Open: Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm Sat 9am - 2pm Milland Road, Neath Tel: 01792 260087 / 01639 638393 Out of hours email: info@valleyfiresandheating.co.uk www.valleyfiresandheating.co.uk

CALL US FOR A FREE QUOTATION

OUT & ABOUT

A N D R E W

M O R G A N â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S

SWANSEA BAY WALK Join ANDREW MORGAN as he leads us on a Swansea Bay walk.

Start/Finish location ........ The Woodman Inn, West Cross Distance .................................... 2 miles (1.5 hours) Level ............................................ Moderate Parking ....................................... Car Park alongside Woodman or nearby Pay & Display

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Clyne in Bloom Each year there is a splendid display of Rhododendrons to be seen in Clyne Gardens and the Bluebells should also be out so it’s time to reacquaint ourselves with the jewel that is Clyne. I’ll remain within the gardens today but did you know there’s a lot more to Clyne than the gardens? We have a lovely country park alongside that is also full of Bluebells and above the gardens and Country Park, footpaths take you high onto Clyne Common for fantastic views over Swansea Bay and Mumbles. We’ll also be in Llandeilo on Saturday, May 5 for the incredible Bluebell display there then in Clyne Country Park on Wednesday May 16th and Clyne Common on June 18. Every week from now until September, we’ll also have short evening walk as well as our daytime walks, so there’s a lot of countryside you can cover with us. To explore Clyne Gardens, walk up from the Woodman to the park gates at the lodge. The main broad tarmacadam path ascends to the top of the gardens near Westport Avenue (but if you have difficulties going uphill then you could always catch a bus up to the top and descend back to the car park). The main track calls us forward and up but we’ll resist that for now, instead turning left as the path starts to climb. The path comes to a narrow lane from where you can visit the outside of Clyne Chapel. After seeing it, double back into the garden but turn left before reaching the main track. Continue past a small pond and over a bridge then turn left. There are so many twists and turns that it is easy to go wrong but hopefully you’ll see to the right and almost hidden, the Admiral’s Tower, a folly with a practical purpose: When the Rhododendrons were first planted, the tower could be ascended to give an overview of the specimens which now are higher than the tower! Head left on one of the paths to make your way to the Dell where the stream runs alongside the path. This path passes the huge leaves of the Gunnera and where you can enjoy the colour of the bog garden in bloom. Continuing along this path, you eventually come to the Japanese Bridge which you ascend right. Bear right then cross left along the rocky path over the lawn. This brings you to some woodland where more Bluebells give extra colour. At a wooden post you can go left to see the dogs’ graves then double back and continue on the main path that gives you views over the bay. Bearing right, the path takes you past Below: Andrew Morgan the Admiral’s lookout tower. Keep right then descend the path to pass below the Castle. Bearing right, the path now returns in a steady descent to the start.

Upcoming walks May... WED 02 Ystradgynlais (Evening) (4 miles) Easy/Moderate meet 7.00pm Ynyscedwyn Iron Works THU 03 Brechfa (11 miles) Moderate meet 9.00am Cross Hands (CO-OP CP) SAT 05 Dinefwr Bluebells (4 miles) Easy/Moderate meet 11.00am Llandeilo: Town Main Car Park MON 07 Clydach (3.5 miles) Easy/Moderate meet 10.00am Clydach: RSPB Reserve CP TUE 08 Cribarth & Henrhyd Falls (8.5 miles) Moderate meet 9.30am Go Outdoors CP THU 10 Newton to Caswell (Evening) (4 miles) Easy meet 7.00pm Newton: Highpool Lane SAT 12 Tredegar Iron Industry (6 miles) Easy/Moderate meet 9.45am Francis St SUN 13 Tor Y Foel (13 miles) Strenuous meet 9.00am Francis St MON 14 Mumbles Way Part 2 (3 miles) Easy/Moderate meet 10.00am West Cross opposite Pub WED 16 Clyne Woods and Gardens (6 miles) Easy/Moderate meet 10.45am Upper Killay: Railway Inn CP THU 17 Rosehill & Cwmdonkin (Evening) (4 miles) Moderate meet 7.00pm Cwmdonkin Park: The Grove SAT 19 Cwm Clydach (6 miles) Moderate meet 11.00am Clydach: RSPB Reserve CP MON 21 Three Cliffs (3 miles) Easy/Moderate meet 1.30pm Parkmill: Shepherds WED 23 Llyn y Fan Fawr (9 miles) Strenuous meet 9.30am Go Outdoors CP THU 24 Mumbles Hill (Evening) (3 miles) Easy/Moderate meet 7.15pm Oystermouth: Outside ‘Croeso’ SAT 26 Coelbren, Onllwyn & Sarn Helen (6 miles) Easy/Moderate meet 10.15am Francis St SUN 27 Mynydd Bwllfa (12 miles) Strenuous meet 9.30am Aberdare: Dare Valley Country Park SUN 27 Craig Rhiw Mynach (9 miles) Moderate meet 10.00am Aberdare: Dare Valley Country Park SUN 27 Iron & Coal Trails (5.5 miles) Easy/Moderate meet 10.30am Aberdare: Dare Valley Country Park

Transport: Traveline: www.traveline-cymru.info 0871 200 22 33 or BayTrans: www.baytrans.org.uk/

TUE 29 Mynydd Dinas (Evening) (4 miles) Moderate meet 7.00pm Baglan: Below Blaenbaglan School THU 31 Rhossili (9 miles) Moderate meet 10.00am Rhossili Church CP

Visit our website: www.swansearamblers.org.uk swansealife.co.uk 149

OUT & ABOUT

Time to chill, in more ways than one

tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wise to prepare for snow when heading to upmarket St Moritz a few days before Easter, but I hadn't anticipated the Cornish rather than the Alpine version being troubled by the white stuff.

The blocked A30, which runs through Cornwall, was the main news story of the day after yet more snowfall, and St Moritz Hotel in the north of the county was where I was heading. But it was a only a few hours' delay, and worth the wait. The Art Deco-inspired hotel at Treberthick has 55 bedrooms and luxury suites, 35 self-catering coastal villas and 15 luxury apartments including three penthouses. The ÂŁ15 million complex opened in 2008 and has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, gym, games room, spa facilities and treatment rooms. St Enodoc, The Point and Trevose golf clubs are nearby. Polzeach beach, half a mile away, catches the surf and there is plenty of good walking and cycling thanks in part to the 17-mile Camel Trail - a disused railway line between

122 swansealife.co.uk

Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. A hotel Land Rover is also available to guests for shuttle trips to nearby beaches and the ferry at Rock, which takes you to Padstow. This is a wealthy area of Cornwall, with eye-catching houses glinting in the late winter sunshine. A stroll at nearby St Minver took me past a football pitch I had played on many years ago when I lived in Cornwall (our team won 3-1 and yes, if you must, I scored!), and from there I wandered down to Rock, which overlooks the Camel estuary. Back at the hotel, guests can watch the chefs at work from the open-plan dining room. Breakfast was varied and excellent, and my three-course dinner at the hotel's Shorecrest restaurant, comprising leek and haddock rissotto, gnocchi and cheesecake, was superb. My west-facing room had an ensuite bathroom and a conservatory-style extension, which warmed up a treat on my second day.

There is no excuse for RICHARD YOULE not to switch off at this wonderful hotel, even when winter has its last hurrah

I’m normally out and about and burning up energy when on holiday, but on this occasion I slowed my pace right down. I really needed a break, and even had a head and neck massage at the hotel’s Cowshed-branded spa. Talking to the therapist, it struck me there aren’t many jobs where you actually massage the person interviewing you! All in all, this was a rare, indulgent trip in a lovely part of the UK and I felt all the better for my two nights away.

St Moritz Hotel St Moritz Court, Trebetherick, Wadebridge PL27 6SD • 01208 862242 Prices start from £130 a night, including breakfast

swansealife.co.uk 151

OUT & ABOUT

THE GREYHOUND LETCOMBE REGIS

The ideal country pub for modern people, The Greyhound’s casual and convivial atmosphere belies its well-organised formula: comfort, style and great food. Set in the main street of charming Letcombe Regis, in the Vale of the White Horse Oxfordshire village, you’ll find characterful rooms, a jolly pub with and an atmospheric restaurant serving tasty British cuisine. Peter Slee reports....

■ 9/10 - LOCATION:

This handsome 18th-century Free House stands on the narrow road that runs through the centre of the village, opposite the Old Rectory. To the south, Oxfordshire’s chalk downlands rise abruptly to the ancient Ridgeway. It’s a two-and-a half-hour run from Swansea and is just 10 miles from Junction 14 of the M4, but go across country and it is a much more beautiful drive.

■ 10/10 - STYLE & CHARACTER:

This higgledy-piggledy pub has had a smart refurb, so while the low beams remain, the colour scheme is more Scandi-byway-of-the-English-countryside, with retro Roberts radios and grey-blue patterned upholstery a soothing juxtaposition with pleasingly battered English antiques. It offers excellent food, fine wines and real ales, eight bedrooms and a heartfelt welcome, and is a perfect retreat for walkers and cyclists, romantic couples and families. It ticks all the boxes, appealing as much to locals as urbanites in search of a rural idyll. Think gracious, countrified bedrooms, reception rooms with beams, some fine wood panelling and roaring log fires. It’s the antithesis of contemporary cool mixed with old-school snoozy charm.

■ 10/10 - SERVICE & FACILITIES

The delightful staff have the magical ability to be friendly yet discreet, efficient yet personable, busy yet unhurried. They are well informed about the food they serve and the wines they recommend making sure customers are happy without being intrusive. Nothing is too much trouble, and attention to detail is impressive. The Inn offers private parking at the back, alongside the garden which offers additional tables and a lawn for lunch and lounging on sunny days.

■ 9/10 - ROOMS

Eight superb ensuite bedrooms are named after local places. Each is creatively designed to be cheerful, calm, intriguing and individual, while retaining wonky floors and period charm. Ours, the peaceful ‘Ridgeway’, wasn’t huge but offered a large bathroom with a brilliant shower, the bed a sumptuous concoction of crisp linen sheets, plump velvet cushions and a silk cotton throw. Expect elegant antiques, soft carpets, 152 swansealife.co.uk

fluffy towels and sparkling bathrooms, complete with delicious Bramley toiletries. Family suites and dog-friendly rooms available. A Roberts radio, real coffee, select teas and homemade shortbread make one feel at home but not in too twee a way!

■ 10/10 - FOOD & DRINK

This is serious cooking dressed down in pub-grub casual. It’s solid, seasonal English fare done really well.Award-winning chef Phil Currie and his team have a reputation for cooking up delicious and imaginative dishes and it shows. .All of the food is homemade and freshly cooked, and based on great, fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Alongside some great classics you will also find adaily ‘ Specials’ board inspired by the seasons. My main of roasted plaice on the bone with radish and braised fennel was exceptional.Breakfast is as indulgent or abstemious as you wish to make it. The wine list is well-thought-out and reasonably priced, and the bar is the perfect place for a pre- or post-dinner drink.

■ 9/10 - VALUE FOR MONEY

£90 – £140 per night B&B for two people year-round. So yes, exceptionally good value.

■ WE LIKE:

The jar of dog treats on the bar; knowing staff and its general atmosphere of welcoming conviviality.

Factfile Rooms range from £90 – £140 per night B&B for two people year-round and include a double, kingsize doubles, two super kingsize double/twin rooms and two suites accommodating families with 2/3 children. Dogs can stay in two of the rooms for an extra £15 a night each. The Greyhound, Main Street, Letcombe Regis, Wantage, Oxon OX12 9JL; 01235 771969 or visit: www.thegreyhoundletcombe.co.uk

San Sebastian in Spain’s Basque Country, is a stylish city renowned for its excellent beaches, fine architecture, culture, and wealth of traditional tapas bars and Michelin star restaurants. The three stunning beaches of golden sand are fringed by the clear waters of the Catabrian Sea. The charming cobbled streets and meandering alleyways of the old town hide a wealth of attractions, shopping opportunities and bustling markets.

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Executive coach travel

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Door to door pick up

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Two return ferry crossings

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Bed and breakfast at the 4* Mercure Monte Igueldo

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San Sebastian walking tour

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Pintxos lunch

•

Getaria Fisherman village guided vists

•

Anchovy factory visit and tasting

•

Boat trip to the Flysch in Zumaia

•

Guided Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz excursion

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MOTORING

Renault cuts cost of E-power By: David Whinyates

The cost of going electric is coming down and Renault aims to make it easier than ever for drivers to upgrade from a combustion-engined vehicle to the all-electric Renault Zoe. Coinciding with the launch of an upgraded 2018 version of the battery-powered runabout, the French company has announced a range of limited-time finance offers which will be available across the entire Zoe range until July. Priced from £18,420 after taking into account the Government’s £4,500 Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG), the latest entry level Dynamique Nav version is available on a PCP plan for £199 per month – excluding battery lease, which costs from £59 a month – with an initial deposit of £3,499. The 2018 Zoe range has been simplified with a choice of two trim levels, Dynamique Nav and Signature Nav, both of which come with a new more powerful electric motor which provides improved top-end performance while retaining a real world range of 186-miles. The entry-level Dynamique Nav model comes with a comprehensive standard specification, including hands-free keycard, automatic lights and wipers, rear parking sensors, cruise control, climate control, Android Autoenabled seven-inch R-Link infotainment system with voice-controlled TomTom sat nav, and LED Daytime Running Lights. The Signature Nav version – priced from £20,670 with leased battery – adds features such as premium leather

154 swansealife.co.uk

upholstery, BOSE® audio system, heated front seats, electrically folding door mirrors and a rear parking camera. The top of the range model is now also available with a new optional Purple Interior Pack – designed to match a new dark metallic purple paint option – which includes a violet satin finish for the dashboard trim strip and air vent, gear lever base, loudspeaker surrounds, top stitching along with black and violet fabric upholstery. All versions of the latest Zoe can be bought outright with battery included at prices from £24,020 to £27,020 after taking into account the Government Plug-in Grant.

Range Rover Velar voted most beautiful car By: Chris Russon THE Range Rover Velar has been named the most beautifully designed vehicle on the planet, winning the World Car Design of the Year title at the 2018 World Car Awards.

the World Car Design of the Year award, as voted for by the World Car Awards jury, comprising 82 influential motoring journalists from 24 countries.

The announcement at the New York International Auto Show signals a design double for Jaguar Land Rover having taken the title last year with the Jaguar F-PACE.

The judging panel praised the distinctive design of the Velar which features perfectly optimised proportions and a stunning silhouette. Its super-slim Matrix Laser-LED headlights, flush deployable door handles and sleek Touch Pro Duo infotainment are all hallmarks of Range Rover’s reductionist design philosophy.

Priced from £44,830, the Velar is available with a choice of six powertrains, ranging from a 180ps 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel to a 380ps supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine. Positioned between the Range Rover Evoque and the Range Rover Sport in JLR’s luxury 4x4 line up, the Velar was launched last year and was the first vehicle to feature the company’s new-look interior which is dominated by twin display screens. “The Range Rover Velar is an outstanding, superior SUV. Compelling modernity, eyecatching design, innovative Touch Pro Duo infotainment technology and a clear focus on sustainability – what a combination. This product speaks for itself,” said Dr Ralf Speth, the chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover. The luxury SUV overcame the Volvo XC60 and the Lexus LC 500 to take

Gerry McGovern, chief design officer for Land Rover, said: “The continued evolution of our design philosophy is driven by a relentless focus on creating highly desirable vehicles our customers will love for life. The Range Rover Velar brings a new dimension of modernity to the Range Rover family with an abundance of innovative technologies, all making this vehicle a joy to drive and be driven in. “We’re honoured that the jury recognised the tireless endeavours of our designers and engineers in delivering a vehicle with compelling design, tailored technology and relevant innovation which come together to create a vehicle of instant desirability.”

swansealife.co.uk 155

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WHAT’S ON

Got something to tell us about, for inclusion in the What’s On section? Please contact Mark Rees... mark.rees@trinitymirror.com

THIS MAY...

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TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

CRAZY FOR YOU

TITANIC: THE MUSICAL

PIRATES: THE TRUTH BEHIND THE TALES

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL MAY 5

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, UNTIL MAY 5

NATIONAL WATERFRONT MUSEUM, UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30

1 FRIDAY

BBC NATIONAL

ORCHESTRA OF WALES, BRANGWYN HALL, 7.30PM

SATURDAY

SWANSEA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL SWANSEA MUSEUM PARK, UNTIL MAY 7

MONDAY

CARDIFF SINFONIETTA PLAY STAR WARS

DISCOVER THE JURASSIC DINOSAURS

ST DAVID’S HALL, CARDIFF, 3PM

MARGAM PARK, PORT TALBOT, FROM 10AM

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

BILL BAILEY

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL MAY 10

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

JASON MANFORD

DERREN BROWN: UNDERGROUND

THE PRINCESS ROYAL THEATRE, PORT TALBOT, 8PM

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, UNTIL MAY 12

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

LEADING LADIES OF THE WEST END

MARINA MARKET

SHANE FILAN

DEAR ZOO

GWYN HALL, NEATH, 7.30PM

DYLAN THOMAS SQUARE, 10AM - 3PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, 7.30PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL MAY 16

11 12 13 14 15 VERDI’S RIGOLETTO

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, 7.30PM

158 swansealife.co.uk

WEDNESDAY

ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE GWYN HALL, NEATH, 7.30PM

MES DAVIES PHOTO CREDIT: JA

SUNDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

MARTI PELLOW

ABBA MANIA

1980S PARTY

BRANGWYN HALL, 7PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, 7.30PM

UNIT NINETEEN, LITTLE WIND STREET, 6.30PM

GLYNN VIVIAN ART GALLERY, UNTIL JUNE 18

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

BBC RADIO 1’S ACADEMY

EXPLORE BOOKS

TURN OF THE SCREW

HAY FESTIVAL

SEUSSICAL JR.: THE MUSICAL

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL MAY 24

NATIONAL WATERFRONT MUSEUM, 10.30AM

NEW THEATRE, CARDIFF, UNTIL MAY 26

HAY-ON-WYE, UNTIL JUNE 3

GWYN HALL, NEATH, UNTIL MAY 27

17 18 19 20

PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST: KÄTHE KOLLWITZ

21 22 23 24 25 SATURDAY

SUNDAY

BBC MUSIC’S THE BIGGEST WEEKEND

GUIDED TOUR: DYLAN’S SWANSEA

SINGLETON PARK, UNTIL MAY 27

FROM THE DYLAN THOMAS CENTRE, 10.30AM - 12.30PM

26 27

MONDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

ART

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE

JETHRO: THE COUNT OF CORNWALL (16+),

SARAH MILLICAN (16+),

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, UNTIL JUNE 2

ST DAVID’S HALL, CARDIFF, 9PM

FFWRNES, LLANELLI, 7.30PM

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE, UNTIL JUNE 1

28 29 30

SATURDAY

WHAT’S ON

CRAZY FOR YOU

WHERE: Swansea Grand Theatre WHEN: Tuesday, May 1 - Saturday, May 5 Claire Sweeney will star alongside Tom Chambers when Crazy for You arrives in Swansea this month. A high energy, high-kicking show, the touring production is described as “the ultimate feel-good musical.” With a fabulous score from the Gershwin brothers’ songbook, there’ll be mistaken identities, plot twists, heartbreak, happiness and some memorable tunes including I Got Rhythm, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It and Embraceable You.

SWANSEA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL

WHERE: Museum Park, Victoria Road WHEN: Saturday, May 5, until Monday, May 7, and will be open from noon until 10pm each day. Swansea Street Food Festival returns to the city for three days this May, and organisers promise that it will be “bigger, better, and more delicious than last year”. Following 2017’s inaugural festival, the celebration of outdoor food and drink will take over Museum Park outside the National Waterfront Museum for three days this May Bank Holiday weekend. Event organiser Tudor Barber from Street Food Warehouse, who also hosts a similar large-scale event in Pembrokeshire , said: “There is nothing like this in Swansea, and we are really pleased to be bringing the team back to our favourite city for 2018.”

JURASSIC DINOSAURS IN THE PARK

WHERE: Margam Country Park, Port Talbot WHEN: Monday, May 7, from 10am. Do you remember the scene in Jurassic Park when our intrepid heroes first laid eyes on a field full of free-roaming dinosaurs? Well, we could be seeing something similar in Port Talbot this May Bank Holiday at Jurassic Dinosaurs in the Park. The event at Margam Country Park will see a selection of dinos, from a lifesize baby Tyrannosaurus Rex to a spiny stegosaurus, roaring their way around the castle and grounds for a family day of “Jurassic larks.”

160 swansealife.co.uk

WHY NOT...

...take the family to the Hay Festival? The Hay Festival is back, and more than 600 of the “world’s greatest writers,” global policy makers, pioneers and innovators are heading to Wales for 11 days this month. A few of the stand-out names include Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former US President — and former Hay speaker — Bill Clinton; actress Rose McGowan; author Michael Wolff, who wrote the revealing The Fire and the Fury on Donald Trump’s presidency; and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. There’ll also be a few famous faces from this part of the world, such as Swansea’s former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and Port Talbot acting star Michael Sheen. Taking place between Thursday, May 24 and Sunday, June 3, in the Welsh “town of books,” it will feature 800 events showcasing the latest ideas in the arts, sciences and current affairs, alongside a schedule of music, comedy and entertainment for all ages. In fact, there are more authors there for the little ones than their parents this year, with children’s heroes likes of David Walliams, Michael Morpurgo, Judith Kerr and Jacqueline Wilson. For families, there’ll be the Haydays and #HAYYA strands, which will give young readers the opportunity to meet their heroes and get creative. Julia Eccleshare, Hay Festival Haydays director, said: “This year’s Haydays and #HAYYA programmes are brain-expanding feasts of amazing events. From rebel girls to robotics, from coding to creativity, from dinosaurs to drumming, from stargazing to skulduggery the programme is a perfect mixture of inspiration and fun. And there’s space in it for reflection on some of the major issues of the time, too. Hay Festival is a place for listening, talking, thinking and making things happen.” The Festival site is free to enter, with ticketed events in 10 tented venues, plus a range of sites to explore, including the Festival Bookshop, the Haydays courtyard, the Hay Festival Wild Garden, and creative workshops in the Make and Take Tent. What: Hay Festival 2018 Where: Hay-on-Wye When: Thursday, May 24 — Sunday, June 3

HEAD TO... Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival 2018 What? The much anticipated and highly popular Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival returns this summer, with exhibitors and food demos taking place across several locations from within the picturesque town just west of Cardiff.In its 14th year, this awardwinning event boasts more 100 exhibition stands and attracts over 15,000 visitors to the town over an action-packed bank holiday weekend. It is one of the premiere events of the Welsh food calendar and is a must visit for anybody with a passion for Welsh produce and great- tasting cuisine from across the globe. When? Sunday, May 27 and Monday May 28, 9.30am to 5pm Where? The bustling market town of Cowbridge - the main festival site is at Arthur John’s on North Road and a park and ride service is provided free for everyone. Many of the local shops and restaurants get involved with the festivities throughout the weekend and other festival fun will be taking place at different sites including the Old Hall Gardens. Price: Pre-booked tickets available at http:// cowbridgefoodanddrink.org, On the day: £5 per day or £8 for weekend tickets. 12 years and under admitted free but will be issued tickets to access any discounts. Pre-booked will receive discount vouchers from town traders when they pick up their wristbands

WHAT’S ON

interview

Bill Bailey is buzzing After a gap of two years the comedian is very excited about returning to the live stage — and returning to Swansea with a new show entitled Larks in Transit.

ombining his trademark comedy and music, he’ll be drawing on some new songs and routines as he addresses politics, philosophy and the pursuit of happiness. Talking about the show, the funnyman insists that nothing beats the heady feeling that comes from live comedy.

“There’s nothing quite like it,” he says. “It’s a singular experience. I don’t think there is anything that quite matches up to it in all of performance art. When you’re in a play or a band, it’s still a collaborative thing. “When everything comes together and you think of an idea, a joke or routine that connects with people, it’s incredible. It’s the most amazingly satisfying experience hearing an arena full of people laughing at something you’ve thought up. It’s a tremendous buzz. “The best of those times come when you’re laughing along with them. It’s like you’ve hit on a bit of funny. It’s a bit of funny that was out there, a bit of universal funny that you’re just lucky enough to have plucked and shared with everyone. Those moments rare, but they are wonderful. “There’s a great folk singer who said that the tunes are out there. You just have to tap into them or capture them before someone else gets them.” Larks in Transit features long-form stories about the weird and wondrous places that Bill has visited. He recounts to one particularly amusing traveller’s tale: “We were on a birding trip in the jungles of Indonesia. I cannot tell you how remote this place was. It was like some sort of Eden. I was just standing there naked in this river. I was the only person there, and I was thinking, ‘This is one place where I won’t meet anyone’. “Then out of the blue, a couple of Aussies just came out of the bush and shouted, ‘Oh, look at that - it’s Bill Bailey! What the bloody hell are you

doing here?’ That just suddenly brought me back down to earth.” The comic, who has starred in such widely-adored TV comedies as Black Books, Spaced and Is It Bill Bailey?, will be combining these kind of tales in the stand-up. Bill, who for 11 series was a team captain on BBC2’s comedy pop quiz show Never Mind the Buzzcocks, adds that it has some thought-provoking things to say about the merits of perseverance. “My grandfather was a great influence on me. He was a stonemason, and he had a very strong work ethic. Somehow, through all the chats I had with him, I get the feeling that’s rubbed off on me. He used to tell me about the dignity of work and really developing a craft. He taught me you shouldn’t give up too easily. You continue, you endure, you keep moving forward and somehow work gains its own meaning. You don’t have to think too much about it. You just keep going. I hope I have been true to the spirit of what my grandfather said.” The tour will include some of Bill’s inimitable musical flights of fantasy. He will, for example, create a symphony out of ringtones. “It’s another dynamic really, it’s a bit of light and shade. I always think it’s a tremendous art and a tremendous skill to keep people’s attention with the spoken word for a couple of hours. I’m always aware of that. So when I was starting out in stand-up, I was looking for ways to break it up. I think music works on a different level to language. Some of the words create a picture and can feed people’s imaginations. Often slow-burn, great, long routines can build up to great crescendos. But music gets you on the gut level. It gets you straight away. It’s a more instantaneous kind of reaction.” Another stand-out characteristic of Bill’s comedy is his use of language. That will once again be evident in Larks in Transit. “My priority is always funny first. If you have the time and the experience to refine it to the level where maybe the odd phrase does get through – that’s as good as it can get really,” he said.

What: Larks In Transit Where: Swansea Grand Theatre When:Tuesday, May 8 - Thursday, May 10 162 swansealife.co.uk

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW...

ABOUT RADIO 1 BIGGEST WEEKEND THIS MONTH

When is the festival?

The festival will be held on Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27 - which is the last May bank holiday weekend. Gates will open on both days at 11am.

Who is performing? Florence + the Machine and Sam Smith will headline the festival. Other acts performing include Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift Jess Glynne, Craig David, J Hus, Niall Horan, Wolf Alice, James Bay, Years & Years, Sam Smith, George Ezra, Liam Payne, Rita Ora, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Camila Cabello, Clean Bandit, AnneMarie, Florence + the Machine, Shawn Mendes, Jason Derulo, Demi Lovato and Bastille. Sam Smith will headline on Saturday with Ed Sheeran, Craig David, Jess Glynne, Wolf Alice and Years & Years, George Ezra, Liam Payne, Clean Bandit and Anne-Marie. Playing the "other stage" will be: Bastille, Wolf Alice, Chvrches, MĂ&#x2DC;, Mabel, Not3s, Sigrid, Jorja Smith and Steel Banglez. Florence + the Machine will top the bill on Sunday with Taylor Swift, Niall Horan, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Camila Cabello, Rita Ora, Florence + the Machine, Shawn Mendes, Niall Horan, Jason Derulo and Demi Lovato also taking to the stage that day. Playing on the "other stage" on Sunday will be: James Bay, J Hus, Panic! at the Disco, Christine and the Queens, J Hus, Jessie Ware, Stefflon Don, Hailee Steinfeld, Jax Jones and Tom Walker.

When will we know the full line up? Radio 1 will announce more acts in the coming weeks, we will be updating you as soon as we know who has been added to the bill. Speaking to WalesOnline, DJ Nick Grimshaw promised us the 'best lineup ever' .

Will more tickets be released? Unfortunately, all tickets for Swansea have sold out.

Can I sell my tickets? The BBC's website states that tickets may not be sold, traded, or offered for sale; and may not be used as a prize or for any other promotional or trade purpose by any organisation other than the BBC. Those trying to use resold or cancelled tickets will be refused entry into the venue. The holder of the card used to buy MUST enter the event at the same time as all guests as their card will be needed to gain entry.

Travel information By Car There will be limited public car parking available, tickets for this will be sold on a first come first served basis.

Park & Ride There will also be a regular shuttle bus serving the event site. Costs and information on how to book car parking and the shuttle bus will be confirmed on Swansea's event information website .

By Bus Singleton Park is less than a mile from the City centre and is served by several public buses.

On Foot Singleton Park is approximately 25 minute walk from Swansea City Centre. Further information will be sent to all ticket holders using the email used at the time of purchase.

Disabled access You can apply for the disabled access scheme by completing and submitting an access requirements application form which consists of a number of questions regarding your requirements at the event. The scheme allows you to to apply for Wheelchair Accessible Viewing Platform for event Main Stage and Stage 2, accessible car parking, PA (Personal Assistant) ticket â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at no extra charge and accessible toilet facilities

Security Security measures will be in place during the weekend, this may include the use of security wands and sniffer dogs. Large bags are not allowed to be taken into the festival as there is no cloakroom. Small bags, the size of A4 paper, one per ticket holder, are allowed into the event

Food and drink There will be catering units selling hot and cold food as well as a range of snacks (including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options). There will be bars and stalls selling beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks and hot drinks. You may bring in food and soft drinks to the event provided that any soft drinks are in unopened and sealed plastic or paper containers with a capacity of 500ml or less, restricted to one per person.

swansealife.co.uk 163

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SOCIAL DIARY â&#x20AC;˘ COMMUNITY AWARDS

Evening Post Community Awards 2018 WHERE Brangwyn Hall, Swansea Tell Me More: A gala evening was held to recognise individuals in the community who had gone the extra mile. Pictures: Hoosh Arabi

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SOCIAL DIARY â&#x20AC;˘ prosecco FESTIVAL

prosecco FESTIVAL at: Brangwyn Hall, Swansea Tell Me More: The second Swansea Prosecco Festival took place at the Brangwyn Hall, which featured more than 40 types of fizz, live entertainment, and street food areas. Pictures: Hoosh Arabi

168 swansealife.co.uk

swansealife.co.uk 169

SOCIAL DIARY â&#x20AC;¢ PROSECCO FESTIVAL

prosecco FESTIVAL (Continued)

170 swansealife.co.uk

SOCIAL DIARY • annual ball

PURPLE BALL WHERE: Village Hotel, Swansea Tell Me More: The Purple Ball is an annual charity event organised by the National Autistic Society Swansea. This year’s Purple Ball took place at the Village Hotel in Swansea. Pictures: VK PHOTOGRAPHY

swansealife.co.uk 171

SOCIAL DIARY • annual ball

PURPLE BALL (CONTINUED)

OIL 4 WALES COMMUNITY DAY WHERE: Maesteg Garage, Llwydarth Road, Maesteg, Tell Me More: Rugby fans had the chance to meet their Six Nations heroes including Gareth Davies and Ken Owens at a special event organised by national oil distributor Oil 4 Wales. It took place at the community’s relaunched garage, which houses a full deli and bakery along with a modern and spacious new café. Pictures: Hoosh Arabi

172 swansealife.co.uk

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Sophie Allport Harry and Meghan Royal Wedding Mug, £13, Sophieallport.com Ginger Ray 10m Union Jack Bunting, £7, Paperchase at Next, Morfa Retail Park

Royal Wedding Tee, £7, George at Asda, Parc Trostre Ginger Ray Royalty Backdrop Banner, £5.99, Paperchase, Cardiff

Royal Slogan Tee, £15, Next, Morfa Retail Park

Union Jack Glasses, £3.99, New Look, Swansea te, an Pla egh dM an rry Ha

Mr Kipling Bridal Fancies, £1, Asda, Gorseinon and Llanelli

Royal Wedding Luxe Biscuit Tin, £45, Biscuiteersbaking.co.uk

£10, Cath Ki ds t o n ,C ard iff

THE R YAL Celebrate the Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan on May 19, with LAURA DAVIES’ pick of British themed foods and partywear, novelty clothing and commemorative gifts Union Jack Napkins, £3.99, New Look, Swansea

Royal Wedding Edition Gü Lemon & Elderflower Cheesecakes, £1, Tesco, Parc Fforestfach and Llansamlet

Heck Sausages, £2 per pack, Sainsbury’s, Swansea

Partridges No 2 Chelsea Flower Gin,£29.95, Partridges.co.uk

Emma Bridgewater Royal Wedding Mug, £19.95, Emmabridgewater.co.uk.

174 swansealife.co.uk

Party Like Royalty, from Paperchase at Next, Morfa Retail Park

Harry and Meghan Royal Wedding Tote, £16, Cath Kidston, Cardiff

Milly Green Royal Wedding Biscuit Tin, £7.99, Lakeland, Parc Pemberton

Milly Green Royal Baby Tea Towel, £12, John Lewis, Cardiff

Spiral Travel Toy, £19, Mamas and Papas, Cardiff BabaBing! Float Baby Bouncer, £29.99, JoJo Maman Bebe, Cardiff

Bluezoo Babies Light blue ‘Little Prince’ Sleepsuit, £7, Debenhams, Swansea

SnüzPod 3-in-1 Bedside Crib with Mattress, £199.95, Mothercare, Parc Tawe

Three sizes Matchstick Monkey Plush Monkey, £11- £27, Matchstick Monkey, www.matchstickmonkey.com

Peter Rabbit Folded New Baby Frame, £25, Paperchase, Cardiff

EDITION

Sophie Allport Royal Baby ‘New Arrival’ 2018 Mug, £12, Sophieallport.com Ginger Ray Baby Block Guestbook, £13, Paperchase, Cardiff

Crown Charm, £70, Links of London, Cardiff

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have just welcomed a new royal baby boy into the world. LAURA DAVIES picks out a range of newborn essentials, gifts and souvenirs fit for a prince and princesses Winnie the

Peter Rabbit Booties, £12.99, M&Co, Cardiff

My 1st Years Personalised Royal Rocking Chair, £55, www.my1styears.com

Pooh Classic Eeyore Comfort Blanket, £15, Debenhams, Swansea

Rainbow Lights and Sounds Playmat, £89, Mamas and Papas, Cardiff

My 1st Years Limited Edition Personalised Ivory Fleece Robe with Crown Detail, £25, www.my1styears.com

Changing Bag, £50, Cath Kidston, Cardiff

Silver Cross Wayfarer Chelsea, £725, Mothercare, Parc Tawe

Childs Farm Baby Moisturiser 500ml, £8, Baby Oil 75ml, £8, Childsfarm.com

swansealife.co.uk 175

TIME FOR YOU

“Look to the Sky”

BY INVITATION W I T H

E D D I E

W H I T N E Y

Swansea businessman Eddie Whitney keeps us up to date with his charity work and social diary...

f you want to spot the brightest stars in the galaxy you have to Look to the Sky. I saw the brightest stars this month at the Taliesin theatre, where the Rising Stars theatre company put on their latest and greatest production.

Each artist gave their all and showed what could be achieved if you put your heart and soul into a project. These are theatre groups for people with additional learning needs and it only makes their achievements all the more special. The evening got off to an amazing start as Dragon Heart and Dragon soul gave us a dramatic and moving piece called Where the Heart Is, a piece full of character and emotion. I wish them luck as they jet off to Malta to perform in front of an international audience. I have a special place in my heart for the Rising Stars as two of my grandchildren are now performing with this incredible group. You can’t underestimate how difficult it is to put on a show in such a short amount of time, but once you add all the challenges these remarkable people have to face every day it brings everything into perspective about what can be achieved. This year’s show had a space theme but as always, with a twist. A trio of youngsters face the every day challenges that we all face, they are transported to three planets whose inhabitants all face a different but

equally impossible challenge to overcome. With the help of our intergalactic guides we are transported from planet to planet and as we all know the only way to succeed is to help one another in reaching our goals. A story of friendship and discovery and making your wishes a reality. With the support and encouragement of the background team this group have indeed reached the moon and stars. It would be impossible to pick out any individuals in this galactic cast As we are transported through space and time it’s the group who support and encourage each other to reach new heights that shine through. With amazing and colourful costumes to the dance and drama this is a show that will linger long in the mind. I never cease to be amazed at the comic timing and sense of fun that pours off the stage and when I look around the full auditorium it is the smiles and tears of laughter and joy that are a wonder to behold. If you missed out on this sell out performance you can catch it again at the Pontardawe Arts Centre on May 20. Another sell out is guaranteed, so get your tickets while you can. I am proud and honoured along side Kev Johns to be a patron of this humbling group and I am proud to see them go from strength to strength.

Eddie x 176 swansealife.co.uk

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177 swansealife.co.uk

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ASK Peter Lynn & Partners

WHAT IS AN LPA? Ian Walker, Solicitor and Specialist in Wills, Probate & LPA’s at Peter Lynn Solicitors talks this month about LPA

An LPA is a powerful legal document that allows a person to appoint trusted individuals to make important decisions about care and finances on their behalf, in the event of a loss of mental capacity through an accident or illness such as dementia. Ian commented “An LPA can be a positive and effective legal tool, which ensures your wishes are respected should you ever lose capacity. While individuals are entitled to complete their own LPA, we strongly advise seeking professional advice when considering powerful legal documents of this nature.” Top tips for drafting a lasting power of attorney Plan early – While you have the capacity, it’s vital that you get your affairs in order and choose the best people to manage them on your behalf in case of an accident or illness. Choose carefully – Think carefully who you want to appoint as your attorney and have an open conversation with them so they understand your wishes and what their responsibilities will include. Consider appointing more than one person as your attorney so they can share the responsibility. Consider appointing a professional – A family member might not always be the best person to act as your attorney. Instead, you can appoint a professional such as a solicitor. They can act as a neutral third party and make unbiased decisions that are in your best interests.

Think about different circumstances – Consider how you would like your attorney to manage your property and financial affairs in different situations. For example, are you happy for your property to be sold to pay for your care costs? Address the difficult questions – Your attorney might have to make difficult decisions about your health and welfare. If you have specific wishes around your care plans, medical treatment, or end of life wishes, make sure you discuss this with them and make your choices clear in your document. Seek professional advice – Shop-bought and online LPA kits may be suitable for those with very straightforward financial situations or with considerable legal experience, but for most people, seeking professional legal advice is the best way of ensuring that an LPA is effective, legally robust and safe. Keep your plans current – Make sure you keep your LPA updated if your circumstances change. Your choices around the people you want to be responsible for your finances and wellbeing may change, such as following a marriage or divorce, when children reach adulthood, or if parents pass away. For expert advice on Lasting Powers of Attorney or to answer any questions, you may have, contact Ian Walker on 01792 369303 or email advice@plandp.co.uk

PREVENTING LEGAL PROBLEMS To arrange a meeting with one of the team, call 01792 450010 or email advice@plandp.co.uk 186 swansealife.co.uk

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