August Gazette and Diary 2015 by jenna hopkins

Gazette DiaryMagazine Magazine Gazette&&Diary

Childrens Clothes

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Motocycle and Car MOT | Servicing and Repair Church Lane Govilon, Monmouthshire NP7 9RP Telephone Abergavenny - 01873 831696

MOT Trade Centre

Computer Specialists

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Business Enquiries 01873 770007 | Retail Sales and Repairs 01873 859988

Hand Carved Memorials • Granite Worktops • Additional Inscriptions • Vanity Tops Renovations & Cleaning • Shower Cladding • House Names • Fireplaces Family Run Firm

Vision Computer Centre has retail units in Abergavenny, Cwmbran and Caerphilly offering value, choice and personal service

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2 August/Septmeber 2015 - The Summer Issue

CLIVE FRANCIS Tech Cert (Arbor.A.) All aspects of Tree Work Undertaken - Arboricultural Contractor Report Writing and Consultancy 31 Chapel Road, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 7DN Tel: 01873 859273 Mobile: 07976 515722 e-mail: clive4trees@aol.com

Gazette and Diary Magazine

Nick Ramsay AM

Assembly Member for Monmouth Hospitals - Schools - Transport Environment - Housing Write to: Nick Ramsay AM, Constituency Office, 16 Maryport Street, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1AB

01291 674898

E-mail: nicholas.ramsay@wales.gov.uk

For Nicholas.Ramsay@Assembly.Wales further information call: 03002089 200 7211 01291 674 898 orTel:029 8735

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Put the sparkle back into Your kitchen today! August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 3

Gazette and Diary Magazine

‘ The best show in South Wales’ U

SK Show falls on 12th September this year. Held at The Usk Showground (NP15 1DD), the Show maintains its reputation as a Traditional Agricultural Show by only accepting agricultural exhibits from Usk Farmers’ Club members farming within the old County of Gwent. However, there is so much more to this Show Day than just Livestock. Alongside the Cows, Sheep, Pigs and Goats, you can see Horses and Show Jumping, visit the Poultry, Rabbits, Horticulture and Homecraft marquees. There’s Vintage Tractors, a Steam Corner, plus a fun Companion Dog Show that is open to all and will this year be raising money for 'Face Up Cymru' which offers support to people who have neck and head cancers. New for this year in the Main Ring we are welcoming Powys Carriage Driving Group. Club members made up the entire Welsh team at the Scurry & Trials World Championships in 2014 and they will be demonstrating all the thrills and spills of Sports

Carriage Driving! The traditional Parade of Hounds will be made by the Curre and Llangibby Hunt once again, and the Grand Parade of Livestock and Horses gives visitors the chance to celebrate our local farmers and talented exhibitors. In the Countryside Ring we are pleased to welcome back Ceffyl Du Carriage Driving for the Disabled Group, who are celebrating their 30th year. Hywel Davies and The Runner Pack, dog and duck display, are also returning and will be joining our regular contributors from Black Mountain Falconry, Rowan Working Horses and Wye Valley Working Gundogs. Tractor fans can enjoy watching the Ferguson Club’s demonstration of Vintage Working Machinery in our Main Ring and our Vintage Tractor section will be on display all day and then will pa-

rade in the Countryside Ring. For those that like to shop, there are over 300 traders outside and under canvas, selling everything from agricultural supplies to fashion. New to entertain the little ones this year is Junkfish, a dedicated marquee where children can enjoy making and crafting all for FREE! It is a great opportunity for children to have fun getting creative. We also

have inflatables, fair rides and side shows available. There is Free On-Site Car Parking, or you can catch the Free Shuttle Bus that runs from Usk Square, or use our Free Park & Ride Car Park at The Rhadyr. Adult and Family (2 Adults & up to 3 children aged 515) discount tickets can be purchased now via our website, www.uskshow.co.uk.

11 pages of great things to do out and about this summer 4-14

“The Best Show In South Wales!”

SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER USK SHOWGROUND, NP15 1DD MAIN RING & COUNTRYSIDE ARENA DEMONSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Livestock ● Horses ● Show Jumping Companion Dog Show Goats ● Poultry ● Rabbits Homecraft & Horticulture Vintage Tractors ● Steam Corner Food Hall ● Shopping Mall ● Craft Fayre

Full Details & Pre-Show Discount Tickets Available Now At www.uskshow.co.uk 4 August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue

Camp Cynrig Glamping Tipi Village is the ideal place to escape the stresses of everyday life and enjoy a unique and very cool glamping experience in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Fully equipped, well‐lit, ventilated and cosy, the tipi is an opulent way to experience living with nature. All you need to do is arrive to a deluxe canopy under the stars, with everything ready and waiting for you, the hassle of normal camping has vanished. The tipis are fully equipped with futon beds, fire pits, coolbox, cooking equipment, firewood and outdoor bbq, seating and hammock area. The site itself has a toilet and shower block with hot showers and flush toilets and a fully equipped kitchen block. Perfect for either a romantic getaway or family vacation, adults and children alike will never forget their glamping adventure at Camp Cynrig. Cyclists, hikers. fishers, and leisure‐lovers will all have the time of their lives at this wildlife rich location.

Prices start from £140 for a two night, midweek break. Contact Email: info@breconbeaconstipis.co.uk Tel: 07790 043202 Web: www.breconbeaconstipis.co.uk

Out and About for FUN in the SUN!

LL those ‘in the know’ will be heading to Llangynidr this Bank Holiday Sunday August 30th. If you are looking for something to fill your day and a traditional agricultural show with lots of main-ring entertainment and demonstrations sounds ideal, then look no further. Show chairman and local farmer David Mantle said: “It is with great pleasure that I will be welcoming everyone to our village; there really will be something for everyone.” There will be competition classes for sheep, cattle and horses (ridden, working hunter, in-hand and show jumping), as well as dog and pet shows. Children and adults can join in the fancy dress and scarecrow competitions (cash prizes) and any one arriving by Land Rover can enter a range of fun categories. The committee is delighted to have been able to expand this year’s cattle event to include both commercial and native stock, and anyone bringing sheep or cattle will also be eligible to gain points towards the Gwynne Griffiths Tregaer Livestock Exhibitor of the Year competition. All competitions can be entered on the day and are open to everyone regardless of where you live. Located between Brecon and Crickhowell, Llangynidr (SatNav NP8 1LS) is easy to

reach from both south Powys and the Heads of the Valleys. Gates open to the public from 9:00am with the official opening (around noon) by Mr Trebor Edwards, welsh tenor and past president of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show. The Show committee organises a regular farmers’ market (last Sunday of every month in the village hall) and many of the local producers will be at the Show along with other trade and exhibition stands. Llangynidr Garden Association will hold its annual garden and craft show in the

village hall alongside the agricultural show (doors open around 1.30pm once judging is complete). With classes in horticulture, floral art, domestic and craft for adults and children (also open to those outside the area), the Show has broad appeal. Growing year on year, the 2015 Llangynidr Agricultural Show once again promises to provide a great day out. For more information including schedules for both the agricultural and garden/craft shows please visit

www.llangynidrshow.org or follow on Twitter @LlangynidrShow Tickets are £5 for adults, £2 O.A.Ps & 516yr olds. Under fives go free and there is complimentary entry for the driver and one person in vehicles transporting livestock. There are no parking charges. Gates open to the public at 9am.

A grreeat day out foor alll agees

AGRICULTURAL SHOW Sunday 30th August (Bank Holiday Weeekend) Cattle sheep and horse competitions · Garden show · Vintage displays · Family dog and pet shows · Food and craftt marquee · Main ring entertainment

Something for everyone at Llangynidr Show

Llangynidr Village Hall and Fields £5.00, OAPs & 5-16yr olds £2.00, Under 5s Free FREE PA ARKING Gates Open 9:00am Dog Friendly

SatNav NP8 1LS. Just offf the A40 betw ween Brecon & Crickhowell

ww ww.llangyynidrshow.org

August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 5

Gazette and Diary Magazine

Get the kids out in the great outdoors

Triley Fieldss Equestrian Cen ntre Upper Triley Farm Tel: 01873 890523 Email: suzanne@trifec.com m (On the A465 to Hereford, 3.5 miles north of Abergavenny)

Riding Lessons, BHS Exam training, Live eries and Pony L P Loans, Sh Show J Jumping Shows, Sh D Dressa age Shows.

Cross Country and Working Hunter C Courses available for hire

nantyderry garden centre Family business (Established 1956) in beautiful rural setting. SPECIAL SUMMER OFFERS on Glazed Pots, Seeds, Wild Birdcare and lots more!

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6 August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue

HEME parks, the seaside, cinema you name the obvious ways to entertain children over the school summer holidays, and most involve parents putting their hands into very deep pockets. Indeed, new research has found that families spend an average of ÂŁ440 per year on days out, and two thirds say the high cost of activities simply stops them from going. That means having to think of something cheaper and more imaginative to head off the calls of "I'm bored!" But there's no need to despair. The Enid Blyton Estate, for example, is urging children to simply get outside and be more adventurous over the holidays as part of its Summer of Adventure campaign.

The campaign found that today's children spend much less time outdoors having adventures than their parents did as youngsters. Anne McNeil, publishing director of Hodder Children's Books, which publishes Enid Blyton stories, says tips on everything from getting creative in the kitchen to taking great pictures of children's adventures, are available on the Enid Blyton Summer of Adventure campaign website www.enidblyton.co.uk/ adventureday, which also lists events taking place throughout the country over the summer, and competitions. She suggests kids try building a den in the garden and camping out for the night, telling stories and star gazing in the evening, pointing out that the

Out and About for FUN in the SUN!

Perseid meteor shower is a great opportunity to see shooting stars this summer, peaking around August 11. "Having fun and being active needn't be expensive or complicated, and Enid Blyton's adventure stories, like The Famous Five, are great for inspiring children," she adds. Another adventure kids will love is a real-life treasure hunt, in the form of geocaching. It's an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices, where children and/or adults navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache container hidden at that location. There are two and a half million geocaches worldwide, and in their simplest form, a cache always contains a logbook to log your find. Larger caches may hold a logbook and any number of items - you never know what the cache owner or visitors may have left. But if you take something from a geocache, you need to leave something of equal or greater value in return. To start your hunt, simply create a free account on your phone or GPS device at www.geocaching.com, then enter your postcode or location to establish the rough locations of geocaches in your area, and use GPS to find one. But if the kids don't fancy treasure hunting and are nagging to visit expensive attractions, there are still ways of cutting the costs, says Rachel Burrows from the parenting site Netmums. She advises checking for deals and discount codes before booking attractions

like theme parks, and says many food brands and newspapers also issue money-off coupons, so if you cut them out and collect them, you'll have a ready-made money-off stock when needed. "If you have a loyalty card like Tesco Clubcard or Nectar, see if they're doing a points swap on days out. And sign up to cashback sites too, as they can have great deals," she says.

"Combining these tricks means you'll rarely have to pay full price again. "You can't put a price on family time together, but luckily there are lots of creative ways to make your money go further and ensure even those families on the tightest budgets can join in the fun." For even cheaper entertainment, she suggests teaming up with another family and hosting picnics at each other's

homes, planning a themed dressing-up day, or getting out the hose and sprinkler to create a back garden water park. "If the weather's bad, try a build-aden day inside the house or old school games day with hula hoops and hopscotch. You can find hundreds more ideas on Netmums," she says. "If you can't stretch the budget to pay for a family day out, just get creative."

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07968 855288 August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 7

Gazette and Diary Magazine

BRECON JAZZ ATTRACTS ITS MOST T

HE Brecon Jazz 2015 programme (August 7-9) has been announced, boasting the most international line-up in the event’s 31 year history, with tickets on sale through breconjazz.com. Big name American headliners, exclusive performances, intriguing crossovers and global artists from Scandinavia through Romania, Brittany and Catalonia to Brazil that reflect jazz music’s global reach, are all prominent features of this summer’s event in the beauty of the Brecon Beacons. New for 2015 is an additional venue, Brecon Elim Church, with a 200 capacity and a pedigree in staging concerts of its own, where the Western Power Kid Zone will engage local children in making music. Plus there will be a Brecon Jam late night Dr John opportunity for musicians to unwind and and Robert show off their improv skills. Glasper HEADLINE ACTS Ray Davies CBE, one of the most successful songwriting figures of British rock music in the past 50 years will headline the Grolsch Market Hall on the Friday night of Brecon Jazz, as the major mainstream artist on this year’s bill. The Grolsch Market Hall is also the venue on Saturday August 8 for the iconic JazzFM Blues Artist of 2015, Dr. John, who brings to Wales his critically acclaimed Ske-Dat-DeDat: The Spirit of Satch show - a tribute to New Orleans music legend Louis Armstrong. The six-time Grammy Award-winning musician and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee is known throughout the world as the embodiment

of New Orleans’ musical legacy, making this Satchmo performance one not to be missed. It will also involve a horn section of local musicians in Brecon for the festival. Headlining Sunday night at Brecon Jazz is Robert Glasper who is fast bringing jazz to a whole new generation. The pianist, bandleader, composer and producer, Robert combines the language of the jazz mainstream with an edgy command of the urban music, bagging a Grammy for Black Radio 1 on Blue Note, and setting a new benchmark for jazz in the 21st century. At Brecon this August, Glasper returns to the acoustic piano trio format that characterised his early breakthrough. Brecon Jazz operator Orchard holds the reins for its fourth year, with Director Pablo Janczur saying this as he announced the 2015 programme: “The journey of jazz is a fascinating and very human one, from its ancestral origins in Africa through its flourishing in the streets of New Orleans and across the world, and I believe this year we have assembled the most international programme in the history of this great festival. It’s music that keeps reinventing itself, and we want to represent that this summer. In the words of the great Louis Armstrong, whose spirit will be

very much with us this year at Brecon: “if you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.” And that is just for starters. SPECIAL APPEARANCES The Phronesis star is very much in the ascendant, with a reputation for spell-binding roller-coaster live performances and the Anglo-Scandinavian trio’s second MOBO Awards nomination for Best Jazz Act. Courtney Pine makes a welcome return to his beloved Brecon, presenting Song (The Ballad Book) in an intimate, stripped back performance of his favourite ballads in the sublime setting of the Chapter Stage @ Brecon Cathedral, Courtney’s favoured venue for the gig. Pianist Kenny Barron and bassist Dave Holland have been major stalwarts on the jazz scene for years, with over a dozen Grammy Award nominations between them. GoGo Penguin’s album V2.0 was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2014, and this 21st century piano trio will treat us with their unique and exciting acoustic-electronica sound of skittering break-beats. There is the serene beauty of the Grammy nominated trio of jazz voice Norma Winstone MBE, Italian pianist Glauco Venier and German reeds player Klaus Gesing, presenting music from their highly acclaimed ECM album Stories Yet to Tell. Special performances include multiple award-winning composer, pianist and lifelong Dudley Moore fan, Neil Cowley returning to Theatr Brycheiniog with a special homage to the pianist, comedian and film star in what would have been his 80th birthday year in a show entitled The Other Side of Dudley Moore. Songs for Quintet features Stan Sulzmann, John Parricelli, Chris Laurence, Martin France and special guest Gwilym Simcock performing the music from the Kenny Wheeler 2015 ECM release after his death last year. Former Perrier Jazz Vocalist of the Year winner, singer,

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8 August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue

Out and About for FUN in the SUN!

INTERNATIONAL LINE-UP EVER songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Julia Biel blends vocals reminiscent of the greats of jazz's golden age with a poetic yet conversational lyrical style, a uniquely sharp perspective on contemporary life and love, and accessible chorus-led songwriting. Loose Tubes came back to their roots at Brecon Jazz 2014, and this year UK composer, saxophonist and bandleader Julian Argüelles brings Tetra to Brecon, with Kit Downes on piano, Sam Lasserson on bass, and James Maddren on drums. Partisans will thrill the Brecon audience with their ferociously energetic performance of tightly knit themes and great freedom founded on their years of playing together. Pigfoot’s wide-ranging repertoire swings from Verdi arias to Elvis hits, vintage Motown tunes and avant-trad excursions, all transformed by the band's spontaneity, panache and wry humour. To celebrate their twentieth anniversary, Digby Fairweather’s Half Dozen bring their newest show The Swing's the Thing to Brecon, promising an unforgettable evening of swinging sounds, favourite songs, Latin jazz and gorgeous selections from the Great American and British Songbooks. Julia Scott Hamilton is a true favourite Biel of Brecon fans having performed there for pretty much all of its 30 years, and he brings his great Quartet to the mid Wales town once again to reinforce the tradition of the classic jazz tenor saxophone.

MOBO award winners Sons of Kemet are four of the UK jazz scene’s brightest stars, whose electrifying live performance of rhythm from a tuba, saxophone and two drum kits spans jazz, rock, dub, Caribbean folk and traditional African diasporan history. The Gareth Williams Power Trio brings an electrifying presence to a repertoire that ranges from melancholy ballads to biting funk, all with their customary intensity and integrity. GLOBAL REACH A feature of Brecon Jazz in recent years has been the World Wide Wales series, international collaborations set up by the festival artist-in-residence and accomplished Welsh musician and composer Huw Warren. This year Wales Meets Brazil with the grooves of São Paulo born percussionist and composer Adriano Adewale in a trio with bassist Dudley Phillips. Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Adriano Adewale will engage an audience of children in a special KidZone in Elim Church with Catapluf’s Musical Journey through samba, jazz, and klezmer. This event is sponsored by Western Power Distribution. Romanian Taraf de Haïdouks is a group of Gypsy “Lautari” (traditional musicians) whose show will burst with intense passion and overflowing energy. The Timo Lassy Band features one of the leading artists on the vivid Helsinki jazz scene, composer and sax player Timo Lassy who arrives in Brecon with his quintet ensemble. Barcelona’s Andrea Motis & Joan Chamorro bridge the musical generations with a catalogue of five albums and plaudits around the world, like this from John Fordham: “Motis has the kind of pearly, barely exhaled voice, paced with canny improv swerves and casual timing, from which jazz celebs are made.”

BEST OF WALES Brecon Jazz has always been keen to promote Welsh jazz talent, and this year is no exception. Wales’ own Huw V Williams presents HON, an exciting new project by the double bassist and composer who is the latest recipient of the Jazz4Jed bursary in honour of Brecon’s great artistic director Jed Willia Huw’s original music is played by a phenomenal collective of London’s finest young improvisers featuring Laura Jurd on trumpet, Alam Nathoo on tenor saxophone, Elliot Galvin on accordion and Pete Ibbetson on drums The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama has always been a terrific source of talent, and the Cardiff-based college once again presents some of the best contemporary and curative jazz performance in Wales from students and new graduates. Huw Warren’s Tails for Wales reunites the artist-in-residence with fellow Perfect Houseplant Mark Lockheart, multi-instrumentalist Mara Lamburn, and a Welsh rhythm section of Huw V Williams and Zoot Warren. Nia Lynn’s Bannau Trio is very close to home, as Nia is a native of Brecon and former nominee for Jazz Musician of the Year at the Globe Music Foundation Awards. Capital City Jazz Orchestra is a 16 piece Big Band was formed in 2007 and features some of the finest jazz musicians in south Wales playing a fantastic mix of Big Band classics and modern chart hits. In a regular series at Brecon’s Guildhall, The Guildhall Welsh Jazz Club Concerts curated by Brecon Jazz Club in association with Jazz Heritage Wales, Café Jazz Cardiff, North Wales Jazz, AberJazz (West Wales) and the Association Jazz Kreiz Breizh this year have as their theme The Jazz Guitar, with a Sunday line-up that includes Major Swing (Brittany) with guest Remi Harris; Martin Taylor Solo; and Deirdre Cartwright Band & Friends. These are sold as individual tickets, or as part of a special £35 Sunday Stroller ticket.

Theatr Brycheiniog g Box Offfice fice | Swyddfa Docynnau

01874 611 622 breconjazz.com

7/8/9 9 Aug/Awst 2015 “SPIRIT OF SA ATCH” TCH” DR. JOHN INTERPRETS LOUIS ARMSTRONG ROBERT GLASPER TRIO RA AY DA AVIES VIES & BAND KENNY BARRON DA AVE VE HOLLAND DUO ANDREA MOTIS & JOAN CHAMORRO

‘‘In the beautiful s setting of the B Brecon Beacons...’

CAPIT TAL CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA

COURTNEY PINE PRESENTS ‘SONG (THE BALLAD BOOK)’ FEA ATURING TURING ZOE RAHMAN DIGBY FAIR FAIRWEA ATHER’S HALF DOZEN JULIAN ARGÜELLES TETRA

GOGO PENGUIN

PAR RTISANS

PHRONESIS

SONGS FOR QUINTET

SONS OF KEMET

TARAF DE HAÏDOUKS

WINSTONE / GESING / VENIER

JULIA BIEL PIGFOOT

TAILS FOR WALES WALES

SCOTT HAMIL LTON TON QUAR RTET TET

TIMO LASSY BAND

PLUS MUCH MORE...

August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 9

Gazette and Diary Magazine

Perfect summer pasta I

One of the joys of being out and about in summer is eating outdoors

talian chef Gennaro Contaldo is enjoying another busy summer involved in Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant chain and has just released The Pasta Book - his second cookery title this year - which is tied in with the younger chef's online Food Tube channel. Oliver's Italian restaurant chain and has just released The Pasta Book - his second cookery title this year - which is tied in with the younger chef's online Food Tube channel. "A chef will always be a chef, it doesn't matter what kind of weather it is," reasons the 66-year-old Gennaro, who splits his time between London and Norfolk, with his wife Liz and their 11-year-old twin daughters. "It's nice to have a rest in the summer, but summer is also a nice time in the restaurant. The market stalls are full of incredible fresh vegetables, fish, herbs... People walk around with a big smile on their faces. It makes you happy." To make you happy why not try one of the delicious summer pastas from Gennaro’s pasta book? PARMA HAM & RED PEPPER WITH TAGLIERINI (Serves 2) 1/2 a red or white onion, peeled 1 red pepper, deseeded 90g slices of Parma ham 1/4 of a fresh red chilli 1 large firm tomato 1/2 a bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked 200g taglierini pasta Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Extra virgin olive oil Zest and juice from 1/2 an unwaxed lemon Parmesan cheese, for grating

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Start by preparing your ingredients. Very finely slice the onion, pepper and half the Parma ham. Finely slice the chilli. Quarter the tomato, cut out the seeds and finely dice the flesh. Finely chop the parsley leaves. Put the finely sliced Parma ham into a large dry frying pan over a high heat and cook for five minutes, or until crispy. Transfer to a double layer of kitchen paper to drain. Cook the taglierini in a large pan of boiling salted water until al dente. Meanwhile, return the frying pan to a medium-high heat with three tablespoons of oil. Add the onion, pepper and chilli and cook for a minute or so. Roughly slice the remaining Parma ham and add to the pan, stir in most of the parsley leaves and season lightly with salt and pepper. Reserving some of the cooking water, drain the taglierini and add to the sauce. Add the lemon juice, diced tomato and a good grating of Parmesan. Toss well over the heat until lovely and glossy, adding a splash of the cooking water to loosen, if needed. Divide between your plates, sprinkle over the crispy Parma ham and add an extra grating of Parmesan. Finish by sprinkling over the lemon zest and the rest of the chopped parsley.

And how about a summer cocktail? LITTLE BLACK DRESS: lbd is a light and refreshing vodka based drink aimed at thirsty fashionistas looking for a lighter style of spirit at 20% abv. Available in Peach & Raspberry, Apple & Cranberry and Lime & Watermelon, lbd (£9.48, 50cl, Asda) is deliciously fresh and fruity and easy to serve. Simply fill a highball with ice, add your favourite lbd flavour and top with lemonade. Or, try it with tonic water for a bitter sweet taste.

LLanwernath 257770

Out and About for FUN in the SUN!

Holidays on home turf JAMES TAPSFIELD BUILDS BRIDGES WITH WITH HIS DAUGHTER IN WINDSOR

If you're going at a busy time, remember to sign up for the Q-Bot device to minimise the inevitable queuing. But apart from that, as the Lego Movie anthem has it: Everything Is Awesome. â&#x2014;? Themed family rooms available from ÂŁ289, with Premium LEGO Friends packages from ÂŁ369. Price includes breakfast and park tickets for two days, plus early bird access to selected rides. Visit www.legoland.co.uk/hotel/shortbreak

OME people still say Lego is for boys - but my five-year-old daughter Evie just can't get enough of those little plastic bricks. So she was overjoyed to learn we were heading for the corner of Windsor that is forever Denmark. Legoland, like the brand itself, is growing fast. There are now more than 50 rides to

THE new equestrian themed waltzer at Legoland

try out across the picturesque 150 acre site, plus a Lego-tastic hotel if you're travelling from distance - or just want to spoil the kids. This season's additions include the Heartlake City area, home to the Lego Friends characters beloved of primary schoolgirls. Mia's Riding Adventure - a new equestrianthemed waltzer that zooms up and down a curved track - will leave your head spinning, and the acrobatic pirate show in the harbour is slapstick genius. One smart thing about the park is that it knows who it's for. Children over 0.9m tall can go on pretty much everything, meaning less traipsing around seek ing age appropriate entertainment. Thrill-seekers won't find major roller coasters, but we had great fun on the Pirate Boat Slipway descent and Viking Rapids Ride - both of which involved getting utterly soaked.

Cl wellll Clearw Caves

CLAIRE SPREADBURY ENJOYS A STRESS-FREE HOLIDAY IN SOMERSET

flatscreen TVs and en suite bathrooms, make a great base for families. With excellent kids' club facilities, a bar (with outdoor play area), golf simulator, bowling alley, restaurant, spa, pool and gym, all set on a 25-acre site overlooking an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there's rather a lot to occupy the average clan. And if claustrophobia does set in, the luscious rolling hills of Somerset will come a calling. â&#x2014;? Lodges start from ÂŁ299 per week and retail from ÂŁ79,995. Visit www.cheddarwoods.co.uk

RIVING into Cheddar Woods - one of Hoseasons' more luxury resorts, it's easy to wince snobbily at the static homes, all laid out next to each other, between the flowerbeds and open green spaces. But scratch the surface and the modern lodges, decked out with trendy kitchens,

THE living area at Cheddar Woods in Somerset

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a great underrground experience for fo all the family!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

9 impressive caverns Caving activities Giftshop C fĂŠ Ca Ochre & blacksmith workshops Picnic area Ample free parking Educational groups welcome

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August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 11

Gazette and Diary Magazine

Celebrating 25 years in business T

HE Old Railway Line Garden Centre, located in Three Cocks between Brecon and Hay-on-Wye, is this year celebrating its 25th year in business. In 1990, husband and wife team, Mark and Christina Cleary started the business from a small greenhouse. Today they stand in a combined Garden Centre, Farm Shop and Restaurant crowned ‘Best Garden Centre in Wales and West’ for the fourth consecutive year. Garden Centre owner Mark said: “We are delighted to have been awarded such a prestigious title from the Garden Centre Association again this year. We could not have been given a better gift 25 years after planting the seeds of what the garden centre has grown into today! “We thank our staff for their hard work and commitment but also to our customers, old and new, for their continued support. “We are hosting an event to celebrate on Saturday 22nd August when we have lots planned including live music from The Whiskey River Boys, bar, food and drink tasters and entertainment for children. We will have a bouncy castle, face painting and lots more to keep them entertained! We are really looking forward to the day and we hope lots of people can make it.” The award-winning, independent, fam-

ily-run garden centre provides customers with quality plants, gardening products, indoor and outdoor living goods, pet care products, giftware and furniture. The Old Railway Line is also home to a farm shop stocking products from over 60 local and Welsh suppliers and a 150 seater restaurant offering delicious home cooked food.

AWARD WINNING: The staff of The Old Railway Line Garden Centre with their Garden Centre Association certificates

12 August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue

Out and About for FUN in the SUN! Cheap Monday Light Sunglasses, Specsavers

Shady times for cool cats

Life’s a beach O

VER a quarter of women treat themselves to a top-to-toe makeover before hitting the beach on holiday, including manis, pedis, facials and fake tans, according to a survey by QVC. But if you barely have time to even write a pre-holiday to-do list, or your vacation prep is more likely to include a last-minute dash around the beauty aisles in Duty Free, fear not - simply go for a cheat option instead. YOU HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO TAN CHEAT WITH Fake Bake 5 Minute Mousse, £20 (Boots.com) Self tan is the instant route to a slimmer silhouette. This genius speed-dry mousse eliminates the need for the overnight biscuit pong wait. Just five minutes is all you need for the tan to develop, meaning you can apply on the morning of your departure flight. YOU HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO WAX CHEAT WITH Nair Argan Oil Bikini & Underarm Glide-on, £5.10 (Boots stores) Stray hairs and swimsuits are not a good mix. If you haven't had time to book in for

a professional wax, this roll-on formula is a happy hair removal fix for fuzz-free skin that lasts for up to seven days.

ID you know sunglasses were used as far back as 12th century China? But shades as we know them - metal frames with glass lenses - were invented in the 1920s in the US, quickly gaining popularity after they were initially adopted by Hollywood movie stars. Since then, all manner of sunnies have come in and out of fashion, prompted by celebs, subcultures and catwalk collections. But now, there are a handful of designs that so epitomise a particular era, they're pretty much permanently in vogue - and in the shops. A descendant of the 'browline' style, cat eye sunglasses, as above, are characterised by their tear-drop shaped frames, sometimes with embellishments on the corners. They were beloved of beehive-sporting ladies in the Fifties, and frequently seen on iconic actresses like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Originally designed by Ray-Ban for US military pilots in the 1930s, aviator sunglasses have had spikes of popularity in almost every decade - the most notable being a major sales uplift after the re-

Tom Ford Eva Gold aviator sunglasses lease of the box office smash Top Gun in 1986 - and they're still going strong.

Karen Millen wrap visor sunglasses When the backlash against the excess of the Eighties hit, sunglasses were downsized as sporty wrap-around styles reigned - and with the current Nineties resurgence in full swing, it's about time the era's eyewear got a look-in. Luckily, this season's Nineties and Noughties-homage sunnies are more minimal (and therefore more wearable) than their predecessors.

YOU HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO PEDI CHEAT WITH Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi Electronic Foot File, currently reduced to £29.99 from £39.99 (Boots.com) If you've found time to shop for new sandals, fancy feet are a must. For the next best thing to a date with a beauty therapist, see off sandpaper soles with this nifty DIY tool. Smooth the rotating roller over hard skin for baby soft tootsies in five minutes flat. YOU HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO POLISH CHEAT WITH Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint & Topcoat, £4.99 each (barrym.com) Never make the mistake of painting your fingernails right before you pack. Paint with this Barry M formula, which comes in eight shades, from the comfort of your hotel balcony. To achieve a gel-like finish, the polish and two-step top coat cures in natural daylight, for super-glossy nails that'll be chip-free for up to 10 days.

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August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 13

Gazette and Diary Magazine

mouthshire MonSHOW

ome along and have a fantastic time with us at Monmouthshire Show on Thursday August 27, 2015. The Monmouthshire Show is one of the largest one-day shows in Wales and has been running since 1790! It is mainly run by volunteers, who help set up the show weeks before, and then help to steward on the day. It is held on the last Thursday in August every year, you might wonder why, but when it was originally set up by local farmers, they worked 7 days a week, so they chose this day. We have main ring attractions galore. Kangaroo Kids are with us on their quads doing acrobatic daredevil displays. There is scurry racing and showjumping for the equine enthusiasts, but without doubt the Grand parade of livestock and horses is a spectacular to be seen! Enter a cake or a carrot in the Homecrafts & Horticulture section. There are many competitions – view the schedule on the website. Have a look you may be surprised

to see what classes we have, there are lots for the children to enter to. It isn’t for professionals these competitions are for all to take part in. The Country Matters area is showcasing a sheep display, rural crafts and wildlife, vintage tractors and cars, along with the dog show and fun fair. As always there is a huge selection of 400 tradestands selling tractors to t-shirts. There will be entertainment for all, from the Rock Choir to The Van Buren Magic Show! The Food Hall, Craft Marquee and Shopping Mall, will be full of goodies to taste and buy, with something for everyone, ice creams, cheeses, olives, handbags and jewellery. TICKETS CAN BE BOUGHT IN ADVANCE AND SAVE YOURSELF MONEY, VIA THE WWW.MONMOUTHSHOW.CO.UK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE SHOW SECRETARY LIZ EGERTON ON 01873 890365.

14 August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue

LIVESTOCK • HOMECRAFT HORSES • ENTERTAINMENT DOG SHOW • FOOD HALL HORTICULTURE • SHOPPING COUNTRY MATTERS

THURSDAY 27th AUG 2015 A great day out for all the family!

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NEW YEAR HAPPYand Gardens Summer Homes

It’s not too late for a summer bloom A

S summer progresses, some containers will lose momentum by late July and August, particularly if they haven't been fed and watered religiously.

But horticulturist Christine Walkden, a regular on TV and radio, reckons there's still plenty of scope for enjoying colour throughout late summer and beyond. The key to longevity is continuous deadheading, watering and feeding, she insists, and if your bedding lobelia and bacopa is looking a bit straggly, give it a trim with scissors and a good feed and it should perk up again. If, however, some of your pots look like they're not going to recover, particularly if they have dried out, it may be time to visit the garden centre to replenish those specimens with some healthier ones, which you might even be able to buy in the sale. "We are past the summer equinox, so we're less than 12 weeks away before the clocks go back, but how long our late summer blooms last largely depends on what the weather does," she says. "But you can buy late-flowering chrysanthemums - you can get dwarf bedding ones - and some garden centres still have dahlias

which have some way to go. August is a funny month for in-between plants." If you want bright, strong colours, try Dahlia 'Roxy', a deep magenta-pink, and 'Bishop of Oxford' a deep marmalade-orange. Alternatively, replace one with the crimson-black-flowered and beautiful 'Bishop of Auckland', which will need supporting with twiggy hazel but is still suitable for pots. "Other plants that will be around in late summer include Cyclamen coum, C. hederifolium, hesperantha, lots of violas, lilies, cosmos, colchicums, dwarf rudbeckia and dwarf asters, so there's quite a lot of choice. "You need a good solid foundation of foliage colour in your late summer pots," she advises. "Hebes work really well at this time of year. 'James Stirling' has beautiful, rusty orange foliage and looks great with hesperantha or rudbeckia. "Always go for contrast. If I have a dark foliage bottom, I would go for a light top. The best advice is to go into a garden centre or nursery and see what's there and really what's looking good at this time." Other good foliage colour for late season pots comes from heucheras, ferns and hostas, if they haven't been chomped by

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snails, as well as a variety of smaller euonymus. If you're replanting, use John Innes No 2, Christine advises, which has better structure, better drainage, more nutrients in it and greater stability so your pots are less likely to blow over, she says. Of course, if you want late summer colour and you're planting afresh, you will need to water new plants regularly, says Christine, who will be giving a talk on waterwise gardening at Stockport Flower Show in August. "What's going wrong in a lot of people's gardens at the moment is that we're getting that very fine rain and people think it's wet the soil - but the

soil's bone dry! Pots are drying out. They still need to be watered thoroughly and regularly." Don't plant anything new if you are going away this summer and don't have anyone to take over that watering, she advises. You'll be better off waiting till you come back and then make a head start on autumn planting.

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www.stonewayspaving.co.uk August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 15

Gazette & Diary Magazine YELLOW'S THE colour of sunshine, lemons, sunflowers and buttercups, and even just a small dose of its golden hues will inject rooms with light and energy.

With so many shades to choose from think citrus bright through to champagne or buttery gold - it's easy to liven up a space with uplifting zingy colour pop, or bring a warm glow to your space by plundering this palette. "Yellows are shades like no other; their tones are associated with warmth, optimism and happiness and they're able to brighten any space in an instant," says Julie Yarwood, interior designer for Manchester-based furniture specialist, Housing Units. "Naturally, the popularity of yellow interiors peaks in the summer - especially if we're feeling somewhat starved of bright, sunny days - but there are ways to incorporate yellow into your decor which will work all year round." Pale yellows, she points out, can open up a space and are particularly effective in small rooms or those with a lack of natural light. "Softer yellows, such as buttercup and lemon, can have a calming influence, and make for a great backdrop for dark woods and accent furniture. Deeper, golden yellows are timeless and versatile, lending themselves well to various aesthetics, both traditional and contemporary." So play with the power of yellow and tap into sunshine style.

Splash out YELLOW POWER

Invest in the power of yellow by working the walls with yellow paint or wallpaper, or simply make a statement with a stunning piece of yellow furniture. "Our eyes can see more yellows than any other colour in the spectrum, and so it's one of the most versatile colours for expressing different styles in interiors," enthuses Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux. "And if positivity, creativity and joy were colours, they would be shades of yellow.

16 August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue

"From deep complex mustard tones to baby chick pastels, yellow keeps surprising us with its rich complexity and ability to delight. If you like your yellow sharp and sweet, try our Sunny Savannah 6 [from the Layer + Layer Collection, £24.49 for 2.5L], or if you prefer a more creamy, dreamy yellow, you'll love Sunny Day [from the Travels In Colour Collection, £21.98 for 2.5L]." ✹ SUNSHINE PICKS: Florals and yellow work brilliantly together, as Mazarine wallpaper by Albany Festival, currently reduced to £17.50 from £25 a roll, Wallpaper Direct, ably demonstrates with red flowers on a bright yellow background. Alternatively, another of the company's papers provides an easy way to pick up on the current geometric trend: Widenor Chevron Yellow wallpaper by Thibaut is £56 a roll. If you're prepared to be bold, paint woodwork in a bright yellow shade, such as Crown Paints Tibetan Gold non-drip gloss, from £13.92 for 750ml,

from B&Q and Homebase. Let a sofa take centre stage by upholstering it in the fabulous yellow Cube velvet fabric, £32 a metre from Voyage Decoration. Embrace the colour in the bedroom with a Jonah bed, upholstered in a deep, yolky yellow, from £549 at Made.com. ✹ SUNSHINE SNIPS: Revamp a chest of drawers with Lemon Yellow Knobs, £9 each, Etsy, and accessorise with a Pasadena Ceramic Table Lamp, in sulphur yellow, £29, Tesco.

MELLOW YELLOW

Tone down the effect - too much yellow can be garish - but still achieve a stylish impact by introducing pops of yellow in well-chosen pieces and accessories. "If used in abundance, vibrant

on sunshine yellows can overtake a room, making it appear smaller than it is. Yellow is, after all, the colour of caution, so proceed with care when using it," advises Julie Yarwood at Housing Units. "When choosing brighter shades of yellow, it's best to pair with neutral tones and greys, as this will help to balance out your colour palette. Using yellow as an accent colour is a great way of injecting life into rooms, which with the ever-popular tonal neutral schemes can lack that 'special' something. Adding cushions, artwork or even yellow blooms can make a huge difference."

scheme and furniture in pale creamy shades. The Calista furniture range from Housing Units, currently reduced, has sleek good looks and its soft white upholstery is made

✹ SUNSHINE PICKS: Show off lemon or glossy yellow touches to best effect in a room with a neutral colour

for this look. 3 Seater Chaise Sofa, £899 from £1299; 2 Seater Sofa, £499 from £799; Armchair, £349 from £499. A Yellow Hare Cushion, £40, In Spaces, could be perfect for that splash of colour on seating. Digetex Home is never slow to pick up on a trend, and their Isabella Yellow Roller Blind, £119, scattered with blowsy yellow roses on a yellow wash background, could win compliments for a well-dressed window. Go on a supermarket sweep and jazz up a dining area with Marseille Metal Dining Chair in sulphur yellow, a bargain at £49 each, Tesco Direct. Yellow is Habitat's bestselling colour, so there's plenty to plunder from its range. One of its most useful pieces is a Blossom Yellow Side Table, £50, with yellow top and dipdye-style yellow legs. Quirky touches always catch the eye and raise a smile. The French Bedroom Company's

NEW YEAR HAPPYand Gardens Summer Homes

My Yellow Deer Head, £45, is a welcome whacky take on this ubiquitous accessory. Alternatively, dress up a table, or a wall, with a Trapeze Boy Bone China Dinner Plate, £48, Melody Rose. ✹ SUNSHINE SNIPS: Get this season's essential tropical vibe with a Yellow Parrot Statue, just reduced to £7.50 from £15, Bhs. A delightful yellow Retro Milk Bottle With Handmade Paper Roses, £20, Gift Wrapped & Gorgeous.

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August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 17

Gazette & Diary Magazine

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NEW YEAR HAPPYand Gardens Summer Homes

Save money with Renewables P

Local renewables company Green Park Power rounds up the most recent energy saving technologies for residential and commercial properties

OWER storage is the biggest challenge to our energy infrastructure, despite great steps forward in battery technology, driven by Mobile and Tablet devices, affordable and reliable battery storage for generated energy has been slow to emerge. Green Park Power are Certified installers of ‘Power Router’ battery back-up systems. This technology optimises the energy generated by putting unused energy into batteries to be used in the home through the evening. The system also provides home owners and small businesses peace of mind by providing electricity in a power blackout situation. Another means of storing, otherwise wasted, energy is using it to heat water which can be stored in a well insulated tank. ‘Intelligent Switching’ has quickly become the must-have PV system accessory in the UK. Thousands of households are already benefitting from free hot water using this simple, economical technology. Using your existing immersion tank, the ‘Intelligent Switch’ can be fitted alongside a new PV system or retro-fitted to existing systems. It

simply switches unused energy into the immersion element. So instead of losing the energy to the National Grid you get free hot water. If you do not have an immersion tank a brand new British designed unit is making intelligent switching an option

for homes that use a ‘combi-boiler’ to heat water. The technology uses a heat exchanger and crystal phase change processes to store and release energy. This is a very new and promising development. Anyone familiar with hand warmers, where one clicks the

metal disc to start a reaction within the crystals enclosed, giving a heat energy release, will already be familiar with the principle. Large scale versions for commercial settings are also available. The best way to reduce waste energy, reduce your bills, reduce your ‘carbon footprint’ and make your home more comfortable is by ensuring you have the optimal insulation and heating. It is not always easy to know what needs doing, what will save the most money (for the least expenditure) and what to do first. A home energy survey (‘EPC’) is inexpensive and swift and gives a guide to what will work for your home. The survey is also essential should you come to sell or rent out the property and provides entry to the governments ‘Green Deal’ scheme. Whilst the Green Deal is not without its ‘issues’ it can, in many cases, be a fair means of funding home energy improvements. Call us to book a survey or find out more. For more information visit www.greenparkpower.co.uk or call us on 01873 269031 or 07792 970406.

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August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 19

Gazette & Diary Magazine

Come dine with me

The joys of a proper dining room LAURENCE LLEWELYN-BOWEN, TV PERSONALITY AND INTERIOR DESIGNER "DINING rooms, once shunned and viewed as over, are enjoying a revival which I welcome hugely. Latest surveys show that people who were seduced by the idea of seamless living in one glass space are now scuttling back under the protective hem of traditionalism and opting for a separate entertaining area. Basically, we're much more likely these days to have a mini-Downton rather than a Kevin McCloud

style-design.I believe it's because there's some part of us hankering after a degree of formality and some rules in our lives, which I think is a reaction against the anything-goes, 'throw your knickers in the air' atmosphere so prevalent currently. "Dining areas have more significance than they're given credit for. They're where the family gathers for special occasions and so associated with good memories, and this is a wonderful area for housing memorabilia. This room can almost be a decorative shrine to heirlooms and pieces with relevance and emotions attached, from granny's ashes to antiques." TIP: Avoid falling into the realm of ghastly 'good taste', he advises. "Spread your decor wings and fly beyond the conventional box and be confident about what you like. Who cares if it clashes or stands out, and stop obsessing about storage. If you need masses of cupboards you have too much stuff and if you can't see it, why do you want it?" MY BEST BUYS: "I'm in love with Chesterfield sofas which look serious, imposing and are ultra-comfortable - none of that sloppy, slouch seating for me! Mine is velvet with chrome buttoning, from The Chesterfield Company." (£760, pictured www.thechesterfield company.com).

holds my growing collection of china, decorative plates and containers, collected on my travels sourcing for Habitat. Just outside the back door I have a plethora of pots of herbs and a butler sink crammed with tomato plants, so vital ingredients are on hand and fill the room with scent." TIP: A monochrome framework for walls and floors allows you the freedom to introduce colour wherever you want. "Apart from my bright orange kitchen floor, all the other floors in my home are carpeted or painted black, and the walls are white. I have red sofas, colourful rugs, and a constantly changing display of colourful accessories." MY BEST BUYS: Coates multi-coloured hand woven cushion, £36 (from £45); Cubist medium multi-coloured wool rug, £150 (www.habitat.co.uk).

My kitchen is my sanctuary

POLLY DICKENS, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, HABITAT "HOME for me is about entertaining, relaxing and hands-on creativity. In my working life, I'm constantly generating ideas with a team working alongside me so it's a treat in my time off to do my own thing, roll up my sleeves and focus on preparing beautiful meals. "My kitchen's my sanctuary and is a wonderful convivial space, with a huge sofa, and room for family, friends and my poodle, Otto. One wall of open shelving

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Gazette and Diary Magazine

Jackie to fill with edit

August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 21

Gazette and Diary Magazine

Meet the planners ... CHRIS Morgan, pictured, is the director of planning at the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority – a position he has held for the past five years. Previously he worked as head of environmental planning within a department of Welsh Government. In his column Chris will be providing readers with an insight into the work of his team at the National Park and dealing important issues of the day.

HIS month my theme is community plans. If you spend any time this summer engaging more actively with your community, the idea of developing a community plan may appeal to you. When we produced the Local Development Plan (which describes what development is suitable across the National Park from 2007 to 2022) we consulted widely with local communities. Frustratingly, it became apparent that we could not address their particular concerns through that higher level, park wide plan and a more appropriate tool would be needed. Here in Wales the idea of community plans is gaining in popularity and we in the National Park are proud to have been piloting the concept. Our first plan has been developed with a steering group of forward thinking and enthusiastic people in Hay-on-Wye. We have learnt a great deal from working with the Hay group, which is letting us refine the process, which in turn will allow us to work with more communities across the National Park on their plans. And in fact, we have started working with Crickhowell on their plan. Community plans were introduced in England in 2000 –where they are known as village plans. The idea was that village plans would help ensure local people could set out their views on how change could be managed within their towns and villages. The plans would include, for example, how new development should fit into the existing town, what design and quality standards it should meet and local needs and priorities for facilities and services. The idea was that a community could take broad policies set out in the Local Development Plan and describe how these should be implemented for their settlement. The white paper (The Rural White Paper Our Countryside: the future: A fair deal for rural England) introduced powers which let local planning authorities in England

adopt the resultant village plans as Supplementary Planning Guidance. In other words the paper described how local viewpoints would become part of the statutory regulatory framework a local planning authority uses when it comes to making decisions on planning applications. Thousands of village plans have since been written in England. The process has become “community led planning” which devolves more power to the local level and gives communities a legitimate voice in the planning system. The first thing that has become clear from our pilot project is that the process must be led by the community – officers from the National Park Authority can facilitate and advise - but the composition and commitment of the steering group is the most important element in producing a successful plan which genuinely reflects the preferences of the town or village it covers. Once a town or community council decide they want to have a plan we can help them to consider its likely scope and draw up proposals and a timetable to deliver it. The next step is to form a steering group and agree its terms of reference. The steering group

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

AUGUST

6,13,20,27 - Govilon Car Boot. Main Road, every Thursday. Morning, weather permitting. 01873 830834. 7 – WHERE SHOULD THE BIRDS FLY. A moving provocative film about two young Palestine women struggling in the cruel siege of Gaza. Melville Theatre, Pen-Y-Pound, Abergavenny. 7pm. Free entry. Tel: 01873 812541.

holiday read THE LOOKING GLASS HOUSE by Vanessa Tait is published by Corvus, priced £14.99 (ebook £3.99). Available now

1,8,15,22,29 - Car Boots every Saturday! Llyncytrych Farm, Glangrwyney, Crickhowell NP8 1EE opposite the Army Camp just passed the Bell Pub. Any enquiries please call Mike 07975535521 2,9,16,23,30,31 – Pen Y Fal Car Boot Sale, sellers 10am. Buyers 11am. Weather permitting. Tel: 09784251332/07761363090

then publicises the process to the rest of the community to give them the chance to get involved. The middle stage involves reviewing any relevant existing plans and designing and implementing wider consultation. Finally a draft plan is produced, reviewed and re-drafted before the final version of the plan is adopted by the town or community council . The advantage of engaging with the creation of a plan is that local views on how their town or village should develop will directly impact on the planning process. If the final plan fits within the policies described in the Local Development Plan it will be recognised by this Authority as Supplementary Planning Guidance. However the aspirations a community has for its plan are broader than the impact on planning. We have found that the community plan describes their key issues and raises concerns on matters which neither the National Park Authority nor the local town or community council can change - for example public transport, dealing with rubbish and recycling or holiday homes. It is important that the appropriate authorities engage with the community during the making of the plan. In the Hay on Wye pilot project a member of Powys regeneration team is part of the committee and a member of the National Park Authority’s sustainable communities team is offering advice on possible funding options which might be used to address the key concerns the community has raised. The Hay on Wye community plan is now in being finalised for publication as a Draft Plan and we hope it will be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance (early next year). Their plan has taken two years to produce – we think the minimum time to take account of the need for consultation would be nine months. I look forward to reporting on more plans as time goes by and if you are interested in taking one forward for your community please contact Helen Lucoq in the Strategy team via our reception 01874 624437. Finally I would like to wind up this month’s column by reporting on the our statistics – from April to June 2015 over 80% of our planning applications were determined within the statutory eight week time limit and around 90% of all applications were approved.

15 – V J Day, 70th Anniversary Service at 3pm, at the Cenotaph, Frogmore St, all welcome. 15 – Crickhowell & District, Annual Garden, Craft & Produce Show, 2pm, at the Clarence Hall, Crickhowell. Admission 50p. Accompanied children free. 27 - Abergavenny Farmers Market, Market Hall, Abergavenny. Fresh local produce

22 August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue

VANESSA Tait, the great granddaughter of Alice Liddell (of Alice in Wonderland fame) brings to light the imaginings of Carroll's famous tale. Condensed into the short time frame of one year, Tait explores the struggle between childhood and womanhood in the face of romance and adventure. Alice, the grotesque outspoken 10-yearold, is in competition with Mary Prickett, her surly jealous governess, for the love of Charles Dodgson.

Tait captures the turning of Victorian society and childhood literature, raising questions of religion, Darwin and more overtly, morality and etiquette. Alice's stubbornness towards chastisement, reproach and manners clearly mark the path for adventure in a topsy-turvy world where the idiom is play and adult rules are made to be broken. Prickett however, is a tragic tale of broken hopes and heart but one that is enticing and relatable for woman today. Overall, it's a stimulating observation of the beginnings of Alice's Adventure and the underworld of Oxford's elite.

NEW YEAR HAPPYEDUCATION Gazette

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August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 23

How to handle your holiday budgeting

Gazette & Diary Magazine

LEGAL AND FINANCE

LOOKING forward to a well-earned break this summer? If you are planning a trip away, it's worth making sure you don't come back with a financial holiday hangover. Nearly two-thirds (60%) of us get carried away when it comes to holiday spending, with holidaymakers blowing the budget

by £220 on average, according to new research by Government-backed body, the Money Advice Service (MAS). The findings suggest that if you go into debt to pay for your holiday this summer, you could still find yourself paying it off when Christmas arrives. More than one in three (39%) holiday-

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24 Augus/September 2015 - The Summer Issue

makers say they usually return home with a debt as a result of their trip - which it takes them, on average, five months to pay off. Many of us are also going on holidays we can't really afford in the first place. Nearly one quarter (24%) of the people surveyed have been on a holiday in the past year which stretched them beyond their means, with 25% of these people going into debt to pay for it. Often, people went on trips that went beyond their budget because they felt they deserved a break. Meanwhile, others showed signs of feeling under pressure to splash out on a holiday, saying they felt obliged to go or that they felt it was their duty to provide a family holiday. One in five (18%) people have booked a holiday knowing it will cause them financial difficulty, with young people being particularly likely to do this. More than one in three (37%) 25 to 34year-olds have booked a trip, knowing that they can't really afford it. Expensive stag and hen trips were a particular pressure point for young people's finances. Across all ages, the average debt generated solely due to holiday spending is £421, according to the MAS, whose research was based on two surveys involving more than 4,000 people. •••••••••• SO, IF money's tight, how can you make sure you stick to your budget? Well, planning ahead is a good start. The MAS found that a savvy 68% of people save up for either some, or all, of their holiday and 58% put a budget in place for certain elements of their holiday. Andy Webb, a money expert at the MAS says: "There are plenty of ways that you can avoid paying over the odds for holiday essentials and still have a great time, for example, buying items or exchanging money before you leave the UK. "Even if your holiday is just a few weeks away, it's not too late to start planning and putting some money aside for those unexpected costs."

TIPS FOR HOLIDAY SAVING £ SET a budget - and make it realistic. Work out how much everything will cost, from insurance to spending money and car hire. Don't just look at the brochure price, consider the full cost of the holiday. £ SET a savings target each month. It might be a bit late to do this for this year's holiday, but it could cover the cost of next summer's trip. Once you've worked out the full cost of your holiday, divide this into monthly chunks and put aside this amount each month to save for your break. Breaking up the costs into bite-sized chunks could also make the thought of saving up for an expensive holiday a bit less daunting. £ RING-FENCE your holiday money. Try putting your holiday money into a separate savings account. That way, it will be easier to see it grow and it should lessen the temptation to dip into it. £ MARK your progress. You could try sticking a chart on the fridge to get the whole family involved. £ STICK to your budget. Cut costs by shopping around before your holiday for the items and currency you'll need when you're away. £ KEEP track of spending on food and activities while you're away as these purchases are what people commonly get caught out and exceed their budget. More holiday tips can be found at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk.

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frustrating, and we therefore aim to make the experience as friendly and personal as possible. All potential clients are visited in their own homes. We talk them through the service, explain exactly how things work and answer any questions which they may have. We encourage relatives to be present at this visit so that they can satisfy themselves that their family members are not pushed into signing up for our services if they are unsure as to whether or not it is right for them. We appreciate that each individual, however old, frail or disabled, has the right to consider the pros and cons of our services before signing on the dotted line so we are happy to visit more than once should that be necessary. We appreciate that people lead busy lives and often find it difficult (if not virtually impossible) to provide the amount of support which their elderly relatives require. This leads to stress and guilt, with relationships becoming fractured and sometimes damaged beyond repair. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t suffer in silence; pick up the phone and use the power of two.

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August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 25

Honda’s hot HR-V is a joyful new drive NEW from the ground up, the HR-V is Honda's interpretation of an affordable yet premium compact SUV. Tasked with battling with the likes of Nissan's Qashqai and Mazda's CX-3, the HR-V blends familiar Honda technology and versatility with bold design themes. And while the 'compact' term is being bandied around, like the Japanese firm's hugely popular Jazz supermini, the HR-V is bigger than it looks. Boasting a spacious cabin, clever folding rear seats and an easily accessible load bay, it's targeted firmly at families seeking an active yet upmarket lifestyle.

Looks and image

LOOK hard enough and you can see elements of Honda's existing Civic and CR-V models in the design of this HR-V. This is a good thing, as it promotes a sense of corporate family values and the latest Honda design language is pleasingly bold for a once-conservative company. That said, many Hondas are bought on the strength

of reputation, which centres around dependability and reliability. There's certainly more than a sense of those attributes in the HR-V.

Space and practicality

HONDA'S Jazz is a good demonstration of the supermini done right: spacious cabin, clever packaging and thoughtfully engineered details. The HR-V is no different, as it offers owners the same trick folding rear seats from the Jazz and a cabin large enough to accommodate a three-metrelong load. Elsewhere there's more than

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enough oddment storage space, while head and legroom in the rear is easily a match for cars a class above.

Behind the wheel

ALTHOUGH famous for cars like the NSX supercar and Civic Type-R hot hatch, Honda doesn't forget its bread and butter models when it comes to driver enjoyment. Weighty steering, good ride quality over a variety of road surfaces and a comprehensively adjustable driving position all help to ensure a HR-V driver will be a happy driver. Key to the car's appeal are its two engines, a familiar 1.6-litre diesel and new 1.5-litre petrol unit. The former is mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox, while the latter can also be had with a city-friendly CVT auto transmission. The diesel turns the HRV into a great all-rounder, as it's just at home on the highway as it is chugging along in the city. In petrol guise, the car is a good choice for predominately urban use and there's no questioning the CVT gearbox's role as a labour saving device for the morning commute.

infotainment system. Cabin build quality is well above average, while it's hard to put a figure on Honda's long-standing reliability reputation. Modest emissions and fuel consumption performance from both engines should also do wonders for your bank balance.

Who would buy one?

HONDA loyalists keen to move up from, say, a Jazz or even a Civic will no doubt be pleased by the arrival of a suitable lifestyle-focused crossover displaying familiar attributes and packing proven comfort and safety kit. Even if you're not an especially passionate Honda fan, it's difficult not to be i m pressed by the car's ability to offer above average levels of space despite its compact footprint and keep a firm lid on running costs. The car's Germanic build quality is also worthy of note, yet it's not short of visual character.

Value for money

HONDA doesn't 'do' bargain basement, but the HR-V strikes a good balance if you're after a premium ambience for sensible money. Standard kit levels are high, with all bar the base model getting a flash-looking colour touchscreen as part of the

FACTS AT A GLANCE Honda HR-V SE Navi, £22,105 ■

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26 August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue

■ ■ ■

Engine: 1.6-litre diesel unit producing 120bhp Transmission: six-speed manual driving the front wheels Performance: Top speed 119mph, 0-62mph in 10.2 seconds Economy: 68.9mpg combined ■ Emissions:108g/km of CO2

Gazette MOTORING

August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 27

28 August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue

Gazette MOTORING

Volvo plugs-in petrol hybrid for Car Grant VOLVO'S first petrol plug-in hybrid, the XC90 T8 Twin Engine, has qualified for the UK Plug-in Car Grant (PICG) scheme from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). The Swedish firm's new XC90 T8 Twin Engine is now available with an on-road price of £54,955 (including PICG). The XC90 is the first car to be built on Volvo's first in-house designed and built platform, and powered by Volvo's new Drive-E powertrains. With a combined output of 407hp, this seven-seat SUV emits just 49g/km of CO2, at the same time being able to go from zero to 60mph in 5.3 seconds. The car's platform is designed to incorporate the hybrid hardware without encroaching on interior space, with the necessary battery pack being neatly concealed within the

centre console. The Drive-E powertrain in the XC90 utilises both a 320hp petrol engine and 87hp electric motor. The Plug-in Car Grant (PICG) has been designed to encourage manufacturers to decrease the level of outputted CO2 exhaust emissions. To achieve this, hybrid vehicles must emit less than 75g/km, a minimal travelling range of 10 miles and must reach a speed of at least 60mph. Companies choosing the XC90 T8 Twin Engine can benefit by writing down as much as 100% of the cost against their income tax liability. Drivers who choose the XC90 T8 Momentum, for example, pay as little as £99.83 BIK a month (40% tax payer) whilst enjoying a full 7-seat SUV with 407hp.

Largest ever Lego caravan at Motorhome Show THE LARGEST ever caravan model made from Lego bricks will be unveiled at the National Motorhome and Caravan Show in October. It will be made up from more than 150,000 individual LEGO pieces. The LEGO caravan will have a fully fitted interior, featuring working lights, sink, bed and seating that visitors to the show will be able to try out for themselves. It will take a full-time team of eight professional LEGO builders more than 1,000 hours to create the caravan. The shape is based on the 'teardrop' design of the T@B 320RS caravan. As part of the build process, every stage will be photographed and recorded so the finished caravan can qualify for a Guinness World Record. James Bissett, organiser of the show, said: "We wanted to create something unique and truly exciting to celebrate 130 years of leisure caravanning and I can't wait to unveil our, hopefully, Guinness World Record-breaking, LEGO brick caravan at the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015. "People of all ages are fans of LEGO, and the same goes for caravanning - it appeals to both

Seat keep Italian Polizia looking sharp THE NOTORIOUSLY stylish Italian police forces have chosen a new general service vehicle - and no surprises, it's the best-looking of their options. Seat will deliver as many as 4,000 sharpsuited Leons to the Polizia di Stato and the Carabinieri, but these aren't normal customer-spec cars. After being built to specification at Seat's Martorell factory near Barcelona, these Leons will be adapted within Italy for the Italian forces with "extensive special equipment" and armoured panels to resist small arms fire. Codenamed 'panther' for the Polizia di Stato and 'gazelle' for the Carabinieri, the special Leon models will be fitted with the Volkswagen Group's excellent 148bhp 2.0litre diesel engine. The cars will be heavier than standard, so pulling power is essential.

Special tyres and uprated suspension help keep the Leons on the straight and narrow over their predicted lifetimes of abuse at the hands of law enforcement officers. Meanwhile, suspected criminals can be detained in the rear of the car thanks to a handy metal partition between the officers and the 'prisoner cell'. "We are honoured by the trust given by the Italian police in Seat and the Leon. And we are very proud to be able to contribute thanks to reliable, secure and high quality vehicles to public safety," said Jurgen Stackmann, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Seat. During testing the armoured doors were opened and closed 100,000 times. The test mules were also driven continuously for 18,000 miles, stopping only for refuelling and driver swaps.

WHEELS & DEALS

young and old alike and creates memories that last forever. Leisure caravanning has such a strong 130-year heritage and it continues to be popular, with more than 50 million nights spent in caravans in the UK, and a £6 billion a year contribution to the economy, each year. "The Show will be the first place to see our LEGO brick caravan and we believe it will be a fantastic attraction for our visitors as something like this has never been done before anywhere in the world."

August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 29

PRECIOUS PETS

Gazette & Diary Magazine

HE current attempt by the Government to provide same day access to appointments and local out-of-hours care from your GP is an topic that as a vet I watch with interest. Vets are obliged to provide 24-hour cover for patients under their care and the availability of a skilled and experienced vet and nurse able to deal with medical and surgical emergencies is something we work ex-

24-hour commitment to our clients

tremely hard to provide. In the last decade, as with GPs many veterinary practices in England and Wales have passed on their out-of-hours duties to centralised city based centres. Abbey Vets have worked very hard to en-

“A caring, friendly, professional vets”

sure we provide a serviced staffed 24h-hours a day with staff on site the attend to inpatients. This avoids the alternative which would be a long journey to Cardiff, Gloucester or Bristol or the continued use of agency staff unfamiliar with your pets. For small animal emergencies, Abbey Vets and Riverside Vets work together in order to provide a service for accidents from a cut to a true emergency like gastric bloat or whelping bitches that may require a Caesarean. We believe strongly by keeping emergency provision local, staffed by highly qualified and experienced vets and nurses we can provide the 24-hours cover for our patients they deserve.

In return we ask is you have registered you pets beforehand to make to process as efficient as possible. For equine emergencies the dedicated team of Abbey Equine vets from our Llansabbath Equine Centre provide cover to their patients even if it is 3am or Christmas day! Our commitment to clients has always been based on the premise that if you have a horse emergency you need a horse vet. Accident and emergency provision can be hard - mentally and physically, and especially after a full days “normal” veterinary work but it is also some of the most rewarding and exciting work in veterinary medicine. We appreciate you hope not having to use it; but it’s comforting to know its there.

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Wood treatment is a hot topic, and one local, family run company is telling you about their procedures of effectively treating and selling timber for fencing. Woodland Services, based on Hereford Road, Abergavenny, has been trading for over 50 years with the current owners entering their fourth year in the business and are ensuring the quality continues. They specialise in providing quality, locally sourced and appropriately treated wood for both agricultural and domestic use, and pride themselves on their endeavour to bring their treatment process as up to date as possible with a lot of money invested into their programme for machinery and tools. Tracey O’Leary from Woodland Services said, “Before we treat our timber in house in our fully upgraded, computerised treatment plant we ensure that the wood is dried to 28% or less moisture content. It is then pressure treated soil or fresh water contact using Koppers Celcure AC500 – giving it a 15

year life. This whole process is computer linked and closely monitored by our treatment suppliers Koppers who support the projected 15 year life of the product. “Even though certain chemicals have been removed from the treatment solution by EU legislation in the past, this means that it is very important that the wood is dried to 28% or less moisture content then the penetration and the treatment will be as effective as it was prior to the change, and here at Woodland Services we ensure this procedure is adhered to.” Tracey has spoken about her experience with peoples concerned about the treatment of wood, and wants to let the people of the local area know that at Woodland Services they can get properly treated wood from them for a great price. A high percentage of our business is repeat business which makes it even more important that we maintain the quality of our treatment process. Tracey said, “I go to market on

Wednesdays and I hear a lot of peoples concerns about timber treatment, so we wanted to show that we have put a lot of time, money and expertise into our treatment programme and assure people that our service is safe and effective.” They also put a lot of emphasis on locally sourcing their timber that they prepare and treat, to go back to the local community. Tracey said, “When dealing with natural resources, it is important to stay as local as you can, and by using local businesses in our supply chain it benefits the whole community.”

So to find out more about their work, contact Woodland Services (Abergavenny) Ltd on 01873 855431 or email Tracey on tracey@woodland-sa.co.uk.

30 August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue

PRESENTING the final cheques worth £25,000 each to Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith were former FUW president Emyr Jones and FUW president Glyn Roberts

FUW raises £50,000 for children’s hospices THE Farmers’ Union of Wales has formally presented two children’s hospices with cheques of £25,000 each after fundraising activities were brought to a close after two years. Presenting the cheque to the charities was former FUW president Emyr Jones, who said: “As our fundraising commitment comes to a close, I am proud to announce that we have raised £50,000 for the president’s charitable cause, which will be split equally between the two hospices – Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith – and there is still money coming in, which we will of course also donate to the causes. “Members of FUW staff and friends of the union have been relentless in their efforts to raise money for these two children’s hospices and have arranged some fantastic

events such as an all Wales coast path walk, a Noson Lawen, copious breakfast functions, raffles, competitions including a Christmas card design competition for primary school children in Wales and have tackled the three highest peaks in Wales within 24 hours to boost our fundraising efforts. “Having visited the hospices myself, I cannot think of a more worthwhile cause to donate this money to and I wish the hospices all the very best of luck in the future.” Tŷ Hafan’s head of business and community fundraising, Alison Stallard, said:“We would like to say a massive thank you to the FUW for their unstinting support and are so pleased they were successful in once again reaching their ambitious fundraising target.”

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August/September 2015 - The Summer Issue 31

The watch door Batteries, Straps and Clock, Watch and Jewellery repair.

Come and visit us on Market days

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Socks, Pants and Fashion Clothes. Come and see us at Abergavenny Market.

A rIbbOn cuTting bY sTePheN tErRy Chef at the Hardwick Restaurant, Abergavenny, signalled the reopening of the cafe in Abergavenny Market. The referbished cafe, renamed Hel's Kitchen, is now under the management of Helen and Mike Todhunter. Helen and Mike have run the popular Nice Bites market stall, selling bread and homemade cakes, for over twelve years and are excited to be increasing their prescence in the market by taking on the cafe. Their delicious cakes and pies feature in the extensive, new, eat-in or takeaway menu, which also includes traditional breakfasts, roast lunches, a fresh salad bar, sandwiches and afternoon teas. The food is reasonably priced and freshly prepared using locally sourced produce where available. The cafe is open from 7am to 5pm on market days, which are Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays for a general market and Wednesdays for a flea market. On Fridays there is a pick-up service where spaces are available at the rear of the Market Hall for customers to collect their shopping. Stephen Terry, proud to support our local market, wishes Helen and Mike success in their new venture.

Celtic Leather Tel: 01633 680623

(Wales)

Cwmglo Handmade Jewellery

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Retail and Trade Open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday Indoor Market Hall Cross Street Abergavenny 07866 080028 simon.elliot@live.co.uk

S J Phillips Greengrocer and fruiterer Rhos Gwyn, Pandy

Steve and June wish Helen and Mike all the best with their new venture in the new market cafe.