Gazette & Diary Magazine
... look out for ... BIG HERO 6 in cinemas this week (PG)
THE YEAR OF THE SHEEP FEBRUARY 22 welcomes Chinese New Year. And the good news is, it should bring you peace. According to The Astrology Club the Sheep is ‘a Yin energy, a symbol of peace, harmonious co-existence and tranquility. That is the primary and fundamental mood for this year. ‘A l t h o u g h are there cries for war
LIVE SIX NATIONS RUGBY UNION
NEVER underestimate the soothing power of a hug. With one simple squish, you can provide comfort, encouragement or a simple how-do-you-do that transcends a thousand wellchosen words. Big Hero 6 is the cinematic equivalent of a warm hug, embracing the old-fashioned family values of the Walt Disney brand alongside cutting-edge computer technology that audiences now expect to dazzle their senses.
Every child will want their own marshmallow man to snuggle at night and keep them safe from the harsh realities of modern life that weigh heavily on the film's grief-stricken adolescent hero. Based on an obscure title from the Marvel Comics universe, Big Hero 6 is a rip-roaring opening salvo in a potential new franchise.. Grown men will be choking back tears.
begins on Friday, February 6. One of the fiercest rivalries in international rugby is the perfect choice for the starting point for the opening match of this year's Six Nations championship, with Wales welcoming England to the Millennium Stadium. There is little love lost between the sides, even with club team-mates and British Lions colleagues lining up against each other, and there is the added intensity of knowing that defeat for either will blow a huge hole in their plans of winning the championship.
and a countdown is soon to begin, war will be averted and a period of mending and compromise will be undertaken to ensure peace is maintained. ‘The Sheep is the symbol of the Arts. It relates to passive and nurturing times. It will help the healing process with regard to past events caused by individuals who have little respect for the human race or life itself. ‘It will be a year of banding together in faith and in belief that good will prevail and win out over the forces that refuse to comply to a peaceful way of life. For those who trust in goodness, happiness and success will follow.’
Throw in the fact that the nations will meet later this year in the pool stage of the World Cup, and the knowledge that there are few people less welcome on the Cardiff turf than an English rugby player, then the ingredients are all there for an edge-of-the-seat sporting occasion. The visitors may be missing a host of injured players, but few will give coach Stuart Lancaster much more time as he aims to find the perfect blend ahead of bigger challenges to come this year. BBC1 7.30pm
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Happy Valentine’s Day
Greetings, dear Readers
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OVE is in the air and the mood is right as all thoughts in our dark, dank, and slightly damp office turn to one date and one date only February 14! That’s right, Valentine’s Day! We may be an ungainly and sometimes crude bunch here at the G&D, but we’re romantic souls and deep down, admit-
what the lyrical lush should write next, so we offer you the much better prospect of reader David Hinkley’s poem below. No matter if you’re a lover or a hater, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about declaring your undying love and eternal devotion to that significant other in your life, it’s also about dinner, dates, bouquets of flowers, exotic perfume, expensive jewellery, designer dresses, chocolate, and holding hands. You’ll find no shortage of Valentine Day features in this month’s G&D, and when you’re done reading it, you can also use it to carefully wrap some greasy fish n’ chips in before serving it up to your lady love on February 14
tedly, you’d have to find a crack team of miners to find it, we’ve got a heart of gold. We did give serious thought to writing you a Valentine’s Day poem this month but our resident poet got somewhat stuck after writing the lines ‘Roses are red, Violets are blue….’ Try as we might none of us could offer any advice as to
Reader’s Poem
A Dream of Love by David Hinkley
with a smirk, a wink and a withered red rose. How well it’ll go down is another thing altogether. But remember this please ladies and gentlemen. The greatest love of all is learning how to love yourself. It’s something the crew at the G&D mastered a long, long time ago. It just involved taking down all the mirrors in the building. Boom! Boom! That’a it for this month - the black hole that is January is finally behind us instead of looming ahead of us like some sort of ungodly trial. Before you know it spring will arrive on her chariots of promise and pomp. Until then, carry us in your hearts dear reader and when February 14 rolls around could you kindly find it in your gentle souls to send us some Valentine cards to call our own - PLEASE!
Nick Ramsay AM
I saw you riding backward on the silver steed of time With your long curling tresses sweetness like old wine Pale blue eyes morning light Your smile made darkness bright Golden sunlight around you Awoke in me this rhyme Floating across my dreams Sparks of yellow blue and green An explosion in my mind Pale blue eyes light morning light Your smile made darkness right
Assembly Member for Monmouth Hospitals - Schools - Transport Environment - Housing Write to: Nick Ramsay AM, Constituency Office, 16 Maryport Street, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1AB E-mail: nicholas.ramsay@wales.gov.uk
For further information call: 01291 674 898 or 029 2089 8735
ABACUS DAY NURSERY
At Abacus, we care for children from birth to 8 years, in a safe, secure and stimulating environment Abacus Day Nursery and Kids club is fully registered with Estyn and CSSIW to care for and educate 32 children from birth till their 8th birthday. We offer a broad balanced curriculum which cover experiences beyond what can be offered at home but in ways that compliment family life.
Freshly prepared food daily Large secure garden
4 bright, colourful and fully equipped play rooms All staff are qualified to at least level 3 NVQ
Our Vision
Our Values
To provide a welcoming, secure and stimulating inclusive environment for all children. To allow children to make their own choices and decisions and to be heard. To work closely alongside and support families and staff in their development for their own and the children’s needs. To embrace new initiatives.
Listen to what people say, celebrate and value their contributions and achievements. This includes parents, children and staff. To encourage educational and moral development and a sense of right and wrong. Encourage confidence, independence and expression of staff and children. l
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abacusinaber@btinternet.com February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue 3
Gazette & Diary Magazine
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Milk, white and dark chocolate hearts, a bottle of prosecco and six red roses £50. Order now for delivery on February 14 www.marksandspencer.com
Hotel Chocolat Valentine Collection £25 www.johnlewis.com
ONVERSATION hearts, truffles galore and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates—these are the symbols of Valentine’s Day for many lovers around the world. But why do we have a “sweets to the sweet” tradition every February 14? While the roots of Valentine’s Day go all the way back to Roman times, chocolate gift giving is a much more recent development. Is it because of chocolate’s reputed aphrodisiac qualities, or just a way for companies to sell more sweets in the lull between Christmas and Easter? Whatever the reason, those ubiquitous little red boxes flood shelves every year. By the 1840s, the notion of Valentine’s Day as a holiday to celebrate romantic love had taken over most of the Englishspeaking world. It was Cupid’s golden age -the prudish Victorians adored the notion of courtly love and showered each other with elaborate cards and gifts. Into this love-crazed fray came Richard Cadbury, scion of the British chocolate manufacturing family and responsible for sales at a crucial point in his company’s history. Cadbury had recently improved its chocolate making technique so as to extract pure cocoa butter from whole beans, producing a more palatable drinking chocolate than most Britons had ever tasted. This process resulted in an excess amount of cocoa butter, which Cadbury used to produce many more varieties of what was then called “eating chocolate.” Richard recognised a great marketing opportunity for the new chocolates and started selling them in beautifully decorated boxes that he designed himself.
Why we love a Valentine
chocolate
From that point, it was a quick jump to taking the familiar images of Cupids and roses and putting them on hear t-shaped boxes. While Richard Cadbury didn’t actually patent the heart-shaped box, it’s widely believed that he was the first to produce one. Cadbury marketed the boxes as having a dual purpose. When the chocolates had all been
eaten, the box itself was so pretty that it could be used again and again to store mementos, from locks of hair to love letters. The boxes grew increasingly elaborate until the outbreak of World War II, when sugar was rationed and Valentine’s Day celebrations were scaled down. But Victorian-era Cadbury boxes still exist, and many are treasured family heirlooms or valuable items prized by collectors.
... Did you know ... THE saint we celebrate on Valentine’s Day is known officially as St. Valentine of Rome in order to differentiate him from the dozen or so other Valentines on the list. Because Valentinus -from the Latin word for worthy, strong or powerful - was a popular name between the second and eighth centuries AD, several martyrs over the centuries have carried this name. The official Roman Catholic roster of saints shows about a dozen who were named Valentine or some variation thereof. VALENTINE is the patron saint of beekeepers and epilepsy, among many other things. Saints are certainly expected to keep busy in the afterlife. Their holy duties include interceding in earthly affairs and entertaining petitions from living souls. In this respect, St Valentine has wide-ranging spiritual responsibilities. People call on him to watch over the lives of lovers, of course, but also for interventions regarding beekeeping and epilepsy, as well as the plague, fainting and travelling. As you might expect, he’s also the patron saint of engaged couples and happy marriages. YOU can find Valentine’s skull in Rome. The floweradorned skull of St Valentine is on display in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome. In the early 1800s, the excavation of a catacomb near Rome yielded skeletal remains and other relics now associated with St Valentine. THE medieval English poet Geoffrey Chaucer often took liberties with history, placing his poetic characters into fictitious historical contexts that he represented as real. No record exists of romantic celebrations on Valentine’s Day prior to a poem Chaucer wrote around 1375. In his work “Parliament of Foules,” he links a tradition of courtly love with the celebration of St. Valentine’s Feast Day.
4 February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue
Happy Valentine’s Day
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Personalised heart shaped tray filled with Love Hearts £14.95
And finally for the really serious Valentine a personalised heart shaped, silver plated trinket box, engraved with your own message £14.95
How to be a Good Husband. Snippets of advice fromthe 1930s still relevant today £4.95
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Gazette & Diary Magazine
6 February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue
Winter Homes & Gardens
Help T feather some nests
BLUE tits have moved up to number two
HE RSPB is warning that birds which have benefited from a mild autumn will begin to struggle as the weather changes. Results from the findings of the 2014 Big Garden Birdwatch event, in which almost half a million people recorded the birds they saw over the two days, revealed some interesting changes among our most popular garden birds, with some species that benefit from a bit of extra help creeping up the rankings. Blue tits emerged in their highest position since Big Garden Birdwatch began, at number two. The previous occupiers of the second spot, blackbirds, dropped to number four. Goldfinches climbed another place since the previous year and reached number seven while the robin dropped back to number 10. There was a new entrant to the top 20 - for the first time ever the great spotted woodpecker squeezed in at number 20. The organisation is asking people to do their bit to protect our birds through the winter by topping up their bird feeders and providing fresh water and shelter for wildlife in their gardens during the frosty weather. The nature charity says there are three key things that birds will need this winter: food, unfrozen water and shelter. ● In chilly weather, birds will appreciate a variety of food, but fatty food will be especially helpful. For example, fat balls, or homemade bird cakes made with lard and packed with seeds, fruit or dried mealworms are great treats to put out in your garden. Kitchen scraps will work well, and a recipe for successfully feeding birds over winter might include chopped fat from unsalted meat, cheese, dried fruit and pastry. ● Unfrozen water for drinking and bathing may be hard for birds to find when there's been a frost, but with a simple trick you can help to keep a patch of water ice-free. Float a small ball, such as a ping-pong ball, on the surface of the water. Even the lightest breeze will keep it moving and stop an area of the water freezing. ● Provide shelter by planting dense hedges such
as privet or hawthorn, or allowing ivy or holly to grow. These all provide great cover for birds to roost in. Nestboxes can also be good roosting sites. Roofs are also a popular spot for birds trying to keep warm. If birds are getting into a hole in your roof and you need to get the hole fixed, consider putting up a nestbox to replace the gap. Find out more about giving nature a home in your garden here: rspb.org.uk/homes RSPB wildlife advisor Richard James says: "People can make a real difference to garden birds and improve their chances of surviving the winter. "Birds don't need much and by providing a supply of food, a patch of unfrozen water and somewhere to shelter from the elements, you will be rewarded with great views of wildlife in your back garden. "While birds need fatty foods, you shouldn't put out fat from a roasting tin, such as turkey fat from Christmas, as this runny fat can WHERE are all coat birds' feathers, making the robins? it difficult for them to move or fly."
‘Wild Wednesday’ half term fun…
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Katie Cleary explained: “As it is ‘National Nest Box Week’ from the 14th – 21st February we thought we would give our first Wild Wednesday of the year a wild bird theme. “We have lots of wooden bird boxes for children to decorate as they wish. They can also make a suet treat to feed the birds when they come to visit their garden. We are also planning a bird hunt around the plant area which children can enjoy throughout the week long school break. One lucky participant will win a hamper full of goodies! “Our Wild Wednesday workshops have been very popular since we started them in 2013 and we have already planned all of the Mathew events for 2015. shows how You can find information it’s done about each of these in our Wild Wednesday 2015 booklet or on the events page on our website.” The workshop costs just £3 per child including all materials needed to take part. Pre booking is recommended by calling 01497 847055 as spaces are limited and please be aware that all children must be accompanied by an adult when attending the workshop. For more information about the Old Railway Line Garden Centre or the Wild Wednesday workshop please contact the Old Railway Line directly by calling 01497 847055 or visiting their website www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk.
RAFTY youngsters from Powys and Herefordshire are invited to visit a local garden centre to enjoy a fun craft workshop this half term school break. The workshop will give children the opportunity to decorate a bird nest box and make a suet treat to take home and put in the garden. There will also be a fun bird hunt around the plant area and other wildlife themed craft activities. This Wild Bird Themed Wild Wednesday will take place at The Old Railway Line Garden Centre on Wednesday 18th February at 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm. Shop Manager of the garden centre located at Three Cocks near Hay-on-Wye,
February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue 7
Gazette & Diary Magazine
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Family run business celebrates a golden anniversary
HE year 2015 marks an important milestone for family run business Hafren Furnishers of Llanidloes, just off the A470 in Mid Wales. They celebrate trading for half a century as an independent furniture business. The Golden 50th Anniversary Sale, which began before Christmas, has been a resounding success. The sale offer has been extended and will run throughout the month. Everything in the store is significantly reduced including all leading brands. A prize draw is currently running, whereby if you spend over £250 in store you may be in with the chance of winning a Stressless chair worth over £1,500 plus other great prizes. Led by Mike Morgan and his sons Paul and Tim the company has maintained an enviable position in the market place. Mike Morgan explained the concept behind the creation: “The business evolved when I began to sell the odd piece of furniture on the back of my milk float back in 1965. My milk round customers used to ask for matching pieces such as a chair or a stool and I soon realised there was a gap in the market for quality, competitively priced furniture. Subsequently, the Hafren Furnishers concept was born”. Set over seven floors covering 70,000 square feet Hafren offers furniture for the living room, dining room, SMALL BEGINNINGS: Mike Morgan began by selling pieces of furniture from the back of his milk float
bedroom, home office and conservatory as well as an array of accessories, such as bedding, cushions, clocks and lamps. A wealth of famous brand names feature such as: GPlan, Parker Knoll, Ercol, Stressless, Tempur and Silent Night - you won’t encounter a greater choice anywhere. Mike Morgan said of the business: “Our customer base spans a wide area and they have developed long standing relationships with us which is passed down to the next generation who are setting up home for themselves. We still offer free delivery throughout England and Wales so represent excellent value.” “Our staff are noted for their vast experience and knowledge of the industry; many of them have worked for the business for a considerable time”.
MIKE now leads the business with sons Paul and Tim
7 Floors of Furniture for your Entire Home, Brands to Suit all Budgets
Llanidloes,, Powys y jjust off the A470 SY18 6ES
8 February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue
Winter Homes & Gardens
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by Hannah Stephenson
'M not wanting to put a dampener on romance, but I really begrudge my husband paying a fortune for roses on Valentine's Day when the same money could have gone on a living rose that I can plant in my garden and enjoy for years to come. Indeed, roses may not be in bloom naturally in February, but they will provide you with plenty of colour and scent in the summer months if you give them a little TLC and plant them where they're happy. It's also now a perfect time to order bare-root roses to plant during the dormant season so they can get a head-start for summer. There are so many types of roses but if you want to plant them among other specimens in beds and borders, then English Roses by David Austin are probably your best bet, they are repeat-flowering, reliable and often disease resistant (although always check on the label or ask someone if you're not sure). Many are good for cutting although personally I can't bear to cut my own roses. I would much rather they flourish in the garden, outside for all to see. Good red roses are difficult to breed. The challenge is to get a good combination of both fragrance and health and dark red roses in particular are subject to burning in the sun. But if you have your heart set on one, look out for 'Darcey Bussell', a compact, bushy variety which flowers all summer, producing clusters of rosette-shaped flowers of deep crimson and a fruity scent. It's ideal for a smaller garden, a narrow border or even a large pot. I always find red quite a hard colour to match, preferring the pinks and pastel
A ROSE is not just for Valentine’s Day
the stems should be about 3in (7.5cm) below ground level. Newly-planted roses will also need to be kept well watered when they are trying to establish. Add rose fertiliser in March or April, at the start of the growing season, and again in June to repeat-flowering varieties and mulch them with compost in spring. All roses need four or five hours of sunshine a day during the growing season to thrive, although some can take more shade than others. Avoid areas where there are overhanging branches and dry places where there would be too much competition from the roots of other trees and shrubs. Climbing roses such as 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles Climbing' should do well on an open north-facing wall.
WINTER FLOWERING JASMINE
shades of other English roses including the fragrant 'Gertrude Jekyll', which I grow up an obelisk in my mixed border with Clematis 'Nelly Moser', a beautiful pink and white-striped hybrid. Together, they provide a stunning display in June and beyond. Roses are hungry feeders, so make sure you add plenty of organic matter such as well-rotted manure or compost to the soil
before planting, digging a hole This easy-to-grow, reliable shrub gives a burst of good much bigger than cheer in mid-winter, thanks to its bright yellow tubular the roots so that flowers which appear on bare stems. they can easily Growing to 3m (10ft) in height and spread, spread out and make it can be trained against a wall or fence sure the surrounding soil winter jasmine prefers a sunny site is cultivated, not comin humus-rich, pacted, or the roots won't well-drained soil. spread. When planted, the base of
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February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue 9
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Sowing chillies IF you want to get a head start with some hot favourites you can start to sow chillies now indoors in a heated propagator or on a heated mat, which should produce stronger plants by the time the flowers appear in early summer. These plants have a long growing season so can be started off on a warm windowsill, with additional heat, or in the greenhouse or conservatory. They're easy to sow - just fill a seed tray with peatfree compost and scatter the seeds thinly over the surface, placing them on a heated bench to germinate. By early summer you should have strong plants which will produce more fruits.
A winter miracle N
AOMI Slade has always had a soft spot for snowdrops. Growing up in west Wales where winters are cold and damp, she would gather a little posy of snowdrops for her mother on Valentine's Day, when little else was in flower. Years later, the keen horticulturist and author has charted her love of these pintsized beauties in The Plant Lover's Guide To Snowdrops, where she not only examines the many different varieties, but offers design ideas on where they can be shown off to their best. "Very often people leave snowdrops to make the best of things unaided," she observes. "If they are lucky, they get divided or fed, but the predominant regimen is one of benign neglect. "A little care pays dividends, however, and to elevate the show from just delightful to simply fabulous, it is worth thinking about plants to accompany snowdrops as a background or counterpoint." While snowdrops look amazing naturalised in a woodland area, if you have a medium-sized garden they look best with other plants, says Naomi. "Ultimately, the trick is to use your snowdrops well. Put them where you can see them, let them spread and multiply and they will repay you generously with your own personal winter spectacle." ● The Plant Lover's Guide To Snowdrops by Naomi Slade is published by Timber Press, priced £17.99
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Forcing rhubarb IF you are growing rhubarb and fancy harvesting some a little earlier than normal, place a rhubarb forcer or upturned bucket or dustbin over one of your well-established crowns now. The combination of darkness and warmth will help to produce the sticks earlier and should ensure they are tender. Forced rhubarb should be ready to harvest around eight weeks after covering. Don't force the same crowns two years in a row. Alternate them for the best results.
Winter Homes & Gardens
Save money with Renewables Local renewables company Green Park Power rounds up the most recent energy saving technologies for residential and commercial properties.
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REEN Park Power are Certified installers of ‘Power Router’ battery back-up systems. This emerging 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. A government report, by Ofgem, has warned that Wales faces power cuts by the winter of 2015 as ageing power plants are shut down. Disruption to electricity supplies is a very real threat to our safety at home and at work. Do you have stables or remote buildings that have no services? Do you require off grid lighting and/or security? A simple off grid system can supply reliable energy for LED lighting and security cameras. Where appropriate a small turbine can be added to top up the batteries in more wintery weather. The recent launch of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has caused quite a buzz. The incentive means that investment in Low Carbon forms of home heat-
ing (such as Heat Exchangers or Biomass Burners for example) attracts a generous financial reward over several years – as well as saving you money on fuel for your home heating. The RHI is particularly rewarding if your home is off the gas mains and is reasonably well insulated. ‘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. Green Park Power are proud to be the accredited installation company for Abergavenny Energy Community Interest
Company Gwent Energy Community Interest Company and Summit Energies.
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info@greenparkpower.co.uk www.greenparkpower.co.uk February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue 11
Gazette & Diary Magazine ● INSULATING an uninsulated loft could save you around £250 a year for a detached house, £150 for a semi and £140 for a mid-terraced house. Before you start, check for things like damp and rot in the loft. If you spot anything that concerns you, call in an expert, unless you're confident you can deal with it yourself. ● MINERAL wool insulation is often used in lofts, but it can irritate the skin, throat and eyes (unless encased in foil), so wear gloves, goggles, a dust mask and overalls when fitting it. You may prefer eco alternatives, such as insulation made from sheep's wool or recycled newspapers or plastic bottles - try B&Q for these. ● BEFORE buying insulation, measure the floor joists in the loft and try to get insulation the same width or bigger - cut it with a saw when it's rolled up to make life easier. The first layer of insulation should be laid between the joists, with a second layer on top, laid at 90 degrees, up to the required depth which is usually 27cm, but this may vary for other types of insulation, so check the packaging or direct with the manufacturer. You don't have to start from scratch if you already have insulation (in good condition) in place - just put the new stuff on top. ● IF you want to use the loft for storage, you'll need to board it, but don't put boards directly on top of the insulation because they will compress it and make it less effective. Instead, use loft legs, which raise the boards above the insulation so it's not compressed, or rigid insulation, which can't be compressed. ● FIT special weatherstripping tape to make windows less draughty. Weatherstripping (typically self-adhesive foam
Top tips for a warmer home
tape) helps to fill the gap between the frame and the moving part of the window. The same tape can be used on exterior doors. Bear in mind though, original sash windows are notoriously draughty, and you may prefer to get a pro to draughtproof and refurbish them more thoroughly. ● MINIMISE draughts at the bottom of an exterior door with a brush-style strip - sim-
ply cut it to fit and screw it in place, but don't fit it too low or it will drag on the floor. ● FOR extra insulation at this time of year, fit a curtain pole above an exterior door and hang a heavy curtain across it, especially if the door is partially or fully glazed. ● INTERIOR doors should be draughtproofed if they lead to a room that isn't heated. Keep the door closed so the cold
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9.9%
12 February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue
air stays in the unheated room, and block any gap at the bottom of the door with a fabric 'sausage' draught excluder. ● CHIMNEYS can be a source of draughts, so if you have an unused fireplace, get the chimney capped on the roof (by a roofer) and fit a chimney balloon, which inflates inside the chimney to keep warm air in the room and block cold air coming down the chimney - just make sure you remove the balloon before using the fireplace. ● IF a radiator's hot at the bottom but cold further up, it's not working properly because there's air inside. To get rid of the air, put a radiator key or small screwdriver (depending on the type of hole) into the radiator's bleed valve and open it. Don't do this when the heating is on or the radiators are still hot. ● IF you want to replace the radiators or add more radiators and you're not replacing the boiler, check with a heating engineer that the boiler has sufficient capacity. When choosing new radiators, go on the btus rather than the size - powerful radiators no longer need to be big. ● THE position of the radiators can affect how well they work. Radiators are traditionally placed under windows, but be careful not to block the heat with curtains. To bounce heat back into the room, fit radiator foil behind your radiators. ● OLD heating systems often lack adequate controls, such as adjustable radiator valves, so you can't turn the radiators up or down - they're either on or off. You also need the right controls for the boiler, to improve its performance and efficiency. Upto-date controls enable the boiler and radiators to communicate, giving you a much better central heating system.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Crickhowell Walking Festival Inspirational Events
C
RICKHOWELL Walking Festival is not just for walkers there is a full programme of Inspirational Events ranging from talks by adventurers, who have completed amazing feats of endurance and courage, to music from acclaimed performers to amazing local people who have had an adventure – there is even a rocking film! For true Inspiration try Tim Emmett, climber extraordinaire, or Tori James, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Ambassador and local girl – both young adventurers with astonishing stories to tell. For action filled fun and daredevil accomplishments, with a touch of hu-
mour, sit back with your popcorn and enjoy the award winning outdoor adventure film, BRITROCK. Be transported to heights of musical delight at the St David’s Day Concert by Crickhowell Choral Society and Welsh harpist Katherine Thomas. And there is much, much, more – Himalayan treks, adventures in Sierra Leone, Alpine flowers, learning to sketch with technology, composing poetry and prose, history, archeology – an amazing picture of our world packed into a single week! Tickets for all these events are available on line at www.crickhowellfestival.com or call CRiC on 01873 811970.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
FEBRUARY 5, 12, 19 and 26 – Abergavenny Local History Society, Professor Chris Evans will talk about Wales and the Atlantic Slave Trade Borough Theatre, 7.30pm. Non-members are welcome to join on the night. 19 – Rachel Podger, Internationally acclaimed violinist, “Plays for Palestine”. An evening of music and poetry, plus Ann Farr’s Eyewitness Account of Life under Military Occupation, Clarence Hall, Crickhowell, 7pm, Free Entry, Tel: 01873 812541. 26 - 26 - Abergavenny Farmers Market, Market Hall, Abergavenny. Fresh local produce.
21 – Fun bingo night, Llanwernarth Village Hall, 7pm for 7.30pm start, £3 entry including ploughman’s, ball proceeds to St Peters Church, Tel: 01873 853271. 21 – Vintage sale and bric ‘a’ brac, St Faiths Hall/ post office, Merthyr Rd, Llanfoist from 10am onwards. Refreshments available. Come along and make a difference! 28 – Pandy & Monnowside Ploughing Society Fun Bingo, Pandy Hall, 7.30 – 8pm. Details 01873 890591. 28 – Llangattock Community Hall, St Davids Day concert featuring Talgarth Male Voice choir. Doors open 7.30pm, concert starts 8pm, admission £6, Details 07812 538067.
February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue 13
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Are you sticking to the New Year diet?
H
OW'S that New Year's resolution of myself totting up how many 'points' my losing weight coming along? If the enviably slim and non-dieting lunch date sweet treats have crept back into was consuming, while staring miserably at Yeo Valley 0% Fat your daily routine, or Dry January has be- my Crispbreads. But working out the tastiGreek Style Lemon come awash with weekend wine, don't de- est way to consume just 500 calories - and Yogurt, £1.80 sticking to it by telling myself I can eat spair. Still in need of sweet In 2012, there was a point when every- whatever I want tomorrow - is something hit on a Fast Day? This one seemed to be talking about the 5:2 I can just about manage, especially if it's new yoghurt by Yeo diet. More of an eating plan than a diet, only for two days out of seven. Valley is utterly it simply involves two 'fasting' days a "On a weekly basis, you're slashing at scrumptious, and with week, when your calorie intake needs to least 3,000 calories from what you'd noronly 80 calories for a be a maximum of 500 for women or 600 mally eat, which is equal to a pound of whopping 100g for men, and five blissfully normal defi- real weight loss - not water loss," says (almost a quarter of diet and fitness expert Laura Williams nitely-not-on-a-diet days. a big tub), you can Three years on and the New Year book- (www.laurawilliamsonline.co.uk). "It's a properly indulge. shelves are still groaning under the weight simple question of sums and creating of new titles; Kate Harrison's 5:2 Good Food deficits." Kitchen, for one. And that's because it works. "From the first day I did it, I realised it was the easiest apFOLLOWING the launch of Public proach to controlling Health England's 'Sugar Swap' my weight I'd ever campaign, offering families lots tried," notes Harriof simple and achievable tips for son. "I lost 31lbs, cutting down on sugar in their gained energy, daily diets - like swapping ice c o n fi d e n c e cream for yoghurt at pudding and a comSainsbury's My Goodness! Sweet 'n' Smoky BBQ time, the Co-operative have just plete loss of announced they're making all Chicken & Sweetcorn Rice, £3 guilt about Waitrose Chargrilled Peppers & Soft Cheese their own-brand fruit squashes With only 396 calories and three green food food. And it inBagel, currently on an introductory 'sugar free' or with 'no added traffic lights for Fat, Saturates and Sugar spired me to offer of £1.65. If you've managed to keep sugar' this year. Apparently, how tasty could this be? Very! write four books." your breakfast and lunch intake to overall, the chain's removed On a bed of yummy rice, spinach and Now, I'm not much of a around 200 calories, this bagel feels almost 100 million teaspoons sweetcorn, the smoky chicken is calorie counter. Weight like a really indulgent dinner. of sugar from its shelves, deliciously light but surprisingly Watchers put paid to that It's deliciously tasty and helping cut 1.5 billion calories filling. A real winner. about 15 years ago, when I found fills you up nicely. from its products.
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Golden Years
NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN!
D
IAMOND Home Support opened an office in Abergavenny in 2014 and we’re bringing back the Home
Help! Due to Local Authority budget cuts many elderly and disabled people now have to find their own domestic support. Our Home Assist Service provides vital support for the elderly and less able in a friendly, caring and professional manner. We aim to challenge the preconceptions of domestic care by providing a client-led rather than a company-led service.
All of our workers are thoroughly vetted and are chosen more for their personality, ethos and attitude than anything else. They are given plenty of time between appointments, so there is never the need for visits to be cut short in order for the worker to be on time for their next appointment. The same worker visits each week, month or fortnight, allowing the client and the worker to build trust and develop a relationship. Loss of independence can be humiliating and frustrating, and we therefore aim to make the experience as friendly and personal as possible. We visit all potential clients in their own homes so that we can talk them through the service, explain exactly how things work and answer any questions which they may have. Relatives need not be concerned that their family members will be pushed into signing up for our services if they are unsure as to whether or not it is right for them. We respect the fact 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 and, to this end, we are happy to visit more than once should that be necessary. We guarantee ongoing support; we are always available to discuss any problems, issues or concerns which may arise and will do our utmost to resolve these in the best way possible. So, out with the old, and in with the new! Let Diamond Home Support sweep your house clean!
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01873 859 289 or 07581 747 328 heidi@diamondhomesupport.com
February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue 15
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Everybody has F
ROM harrowing wartime memories, across the country to help children find to how to have fun before tele- out more about the older people in their phones, televisions, computers and communities, and special teaching guide cars became part of everyday life - older packs, designed to deliver key National people have so much valuable experience Curriculum learning outcomes for children and knowledge to share with today's chil- in Years Five and Six (ages nine to 11), have been issued to 15,000 head teachers. dren. The project is being supported by the Yet three quarters of the elderly think their life experiences won't be passed on, veteran actor Bernard Cribbins, 85, whose despite them having advice they'd like to 70-year career has included Carry On films, Jackanory and Dr Who. The actor, who is share with younger generations. In a bid to ensure as many of these often known to today's children as the star of the CBeebies series Old unique and valuable acJack's Boat, says: "Everycounts of recent history body has a story to tell, are not lost forever, a and children love to lisnew initiative has been ten to stories. launched in schools to "It's so important to enget children and the courage new generaelderly together to chat tions to spend time about the past. speaking with their senIt's hoped that, as well iors. It's not just sitting as preserving individual with your gran for 10 accounts of life minutes at Christmas throughout the 20th time; it's about building century, the Life Histomore contact with older ries scheme, created by people into everyday the care home provider Anchor, will also help re- ACTOR BERNARD CRIBBINS: lives." duce some of the loneli- ‘Older people still have impor- Cribbins stresses that ness felt by older tant things to say and deserve the idea is for both older people and children to generations. Indeed, 92 to be listened to’ swap stories - something per cent of older people questioned by Anchor agreed that spend- each generation will benefit from. "Older people still have important things ing time with younger people could help to say and deserve to be listened to - as do those who are lonely. The initiative is encouraging schools children," he stresses.
16 February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue
Golden Years
a story to tell "We can all learn a lot by listening to each other's stories, and I strongly believe the older generation have a wealth of life experience and knowledge to pass on. "Encouraging a child to take part in this initiative will help them to interact more with older people, which is hugely important for both young and old." The Anchor research found nearly half of older people think younger people are simply not interested in what they have to say, and a third of children questioned said they didn't know what their grandparents had done for a living, with 37 per cent having no idea where their gran and grandad grew up. Sadly, 14 per cent of older people say they never see the children in their family, and 68 per cent don't have any regular contact with children outside their family. Steve Allen, chief executive of the charity Friends of the Elderly, agrees that facilitating the sharing of stories between the old and young is a valuable exercise, pointing out that recent Friends of the Elderly research found more than five million older people in the UK are affected by loneliness, and talking to children could help combat this. "Alarmingly, the number of lonely people is set to rise by 40 per cent over the next
15 years, unless we do something now," he says. "We believe that the opportunity exists to change the future of loneliness by encouraging families and whole communities to stay connected. We know that cross-generational contact is especially important in combating loneliness, and sharing stories is a wonderful way to connect the generations.” A child from Fairfield Road Primary School in Manchester, who visited residents at the nearbynFairfield Court retirement housing scheme, commented: "I really enjoyed learning stuff from them, like what happened when they were little. I really liked looking at the old photograph of the football team." ● For more on the Life Histories initiative, including how to arrange children's visits to elderly people, visit www.anchor.org.uk/lifehistories
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Can you afford to go back to work?
T
HE high cost of looking after children means many working parents take a temporary break from work to have a baby before returning through financial necessity. However, going back to work often means paying for childcare - and figures show childcare costs have risen 27 per cent since 2009. As a result, two recent polls have suggested increasing numbers of parents are either unable to return to work because of high childcare costs, or are reducing their existing working hours or quitting work altogether to look after their kids themselves. The new Annual Childcare Report by Findababysitter.com found that childcare policies have stopped more than 300,000 parents returning to work in the last 12 months, with cost being the biggest barrier to parents using childcare, ahead of safety concerns, availability or location. Indeed, the poll found that a quarter of unemployed UK mums would like to work, but childcare costs are stopping them.ster And as well as stopping parents returning to work at all, additional research by the charity 4Children has found that one in five working parents who pay for childcare are planning to reduce their working hours or give up work altogether because they can't afford childcare. The 4Children survey also revealed that many parents will be reducing treats in order to meet high childcare costs, while 16 per cent admit they'll have to cut back
18 February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue
on essentials over the next 12 months. Anne Longfield, chief executive of the charity, says: "Childcare represents a huge financial challenge for most parents and our poll shows the real impact costs are having on family life - from giving up work to cutting back on essentials. "Removing parents' choice as to whether or not they continue to work after having children is not the answer for families or for the economy." With four months to go until the General Election, parents with young children (aged 0-4) in particular are in real need of support - with almost three quarters calling on political parties to offer them more help with the cost of childcare, and more than half believing it should be an election priority. "Parents of the youngest children are feeling the pressures most acutely and are calling on politicians to do more to help, particularly with the cost of childcare," says Longfield. "The family vote will be key at the ballot box in May.
Next month, the Family and Childcare Trust will publish its latest childcare costs report - and all the signs are that it will show an increase in already high costs. The last Trust Childcare Report found that even part-time childcare costs outstripped the average mortgage - for a family of two children, the cost for one child in part-time nursery care and one in an after-school club was £7,549 a year, compared to the average UK mortgage payments of £7,207 annually. "We think day nurseries and childcarers have got more expensive in the last year, although after-school provision has fallen in price," says Jill Rutter, head of policy and research at the Trust.
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February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue 19
20 February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue
Gazette MOTORING
WHEELS & DEALS Moving on Up!
pillar back, "Club" badging, wing mirrors in silver, black roof lining, carpet mats and unique "Club" Tartan Tonic cloth upholstery. Both new cars are powered by the 75 horsepower 1.0-litre petrol engine, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
VOLKSWAGEN is to begin taking orders for two new versions of its Up city car, the Street Up and Club Up. First deliveries are expected in March, with prices starting from ÂŁ11,995. Both variants are based on the firm's flagship High Up trim, which includes front fog lights, heated front seats and a Maps & More portable infotainment device. However, the Street and Club Up are loaded with more styling features for an extra ÂŁ610. 2015 Volkswagen Club Up The Street Up adds 16-inch 'Upsilon' alloy wheels, standard Pure White, Black Pearl or Reflex Silver paint, privacy glass from the B-pillar back, various "Street" badging, body coloured bumpers, leather steering wheel, black roof lining, carpet mats and "Street" branded cloth upholstery. The Club Up adds 16-inch 'Triangle' alloy wheels, a choice of Blueberry metallic or Black Pearl paint, privacy glass from the B-
Pre-owned Caterhams
2014 Caterham Seven 160 BRITISH sports car brand Caterham has announced a new pre-owned car scheme, making it even easier for fans of the brand to get behind the wheel. All cars sold under the scheme will receive an 81-point vehicle inspection drawn up by Caterham's own engineering team, a 12 months parts and labour warranty, 12 months AA breakdown cover including Home Start, free MOTs throughout the vehicle's life and a HPI certificate.
Graham Macdonald, Caterham Group CEO, said: "Purchasing a sportscar is no small decision, but, as well as offering cast-iron residual values, we now offer a wide range of pre-owned Caterham cars with market leading benefits designed to provide as much reassurance as possible. "Caterham's customers are enthusiasts at heart; they want to concentrate on enjoying the thrilling driving experience, while we can look after the rest."
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February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue 21
The power of social media - by Abergavenny’s Lambing Live star
L
AMBING has either already started, or is fast approaching, on farms up and down the country, but how many farmers would agree to being constantly watched by a film crew of 70 people, having millions of pounds worth of satellite trucks parked taking over all the yard – and a catering tent serving food all day and night long? “Well the food tent was certainly a bonus!” explained Kate Beavan, the star of the first ever Lambing Live series on the BBC, when she addressed a large crowd of NFU Cymru members at the Glamorgan Annual Conference earlier this week. Up until five years ago, Kate and Jim Beavan with their family, farmed quietly in a 300 acre traditional mixed farm near Abergavenny. The entire family exploded onto our TV screens in March 2010 and Kate in particular has had a successful spell in the media ever since, doing short films for the BBC’s One Show as their resident farmer, and presenting Channel 4’s Crufts, whilst continuing to farm at Great Tre-Rhew. Kate explained: “We weren’t sure how the programme would be received, especially as it was the first ‘live’ programme on TV. Nothing had been done like this before. We were particularly nervous that consumers wouldn’t like seeing their ‘food being born’. The response we got was phenomenal however, we had boxes of letters and hundreds of emails of support after the series ended.” Abi Reader, NFU Cymru Glamorgan County Chairman, congratulated Kate and Jim Beavan on the superb work they have done as ambassadors for the farming in-
JIM and Kate Beavan with NFU Cymru chairman Abi Reader dustry in the UK. She said: “We all have to take some responsibility in marketing the work we do to the wider public and Kate has shown how that is possible. Kate and I actually met through Twitter and I believe that social media is an extremely powerful method of getting our message out there about how we produce the nation’s food and drink.” Abi continued: “Social media is the only way, I know, how you can talk directly to politicians, decision makers, even celebrities and use it to promote your business and the farming industry as a whole. Not only that, we all know that farming can be
Sales, Spares and After Sales Service
22 February/March 2015 - The Winter Issue
a lonely occupation but social media makes you feel like you’re part of a worldwide community.” Kate went on to explain to the large crowd present that having no mobile reception meant communications were difficult at the home farm, in Monmouthshire, however, she is a huge fan of twitter and now uses it to promote her new diversification – Glamorgan county Kate’s Country School. With a zero marketing budget, Kate uses social media and the internet to promote her courses, including lambing, cider making, wildlife identification and animal husbandry. “The power of social media and the internet means we have visitors from all over the world coming to Great Tre-Rhiw to do the courses.” John Davies, NFU Cymru’s Deputy President thanked Kate and Jim Beavan for being such good ambassadors for the farming industry in Wales. He gave high praise indeed when he explained his father would sneak off from their own lambing shed at home, five years ago, in order to watch the Beavan family on ‘Lambing Live’.
Fears for the future of the dairy industry IN the face of the current dairy crisis, the Farmers’ Union of Wales is once again calling on major UK supermarkets to commit to the procurement of Welsh dairy produce, and to ensure that the prices paid for dairy products are such that confidence in the long term future of the sector is revived. FUWchairman Dai Davies said: “The FUW has written to the leading supermarkets in the UK to highlight that last year saw many months of consecutive downward milk pricing, which has caused major problems for the sector. “Failure to secure commitment by providing sustainable prices for dairy should be a major concern for all those within the supply chain. Between January and September 2014, UK dairy imports of cheddar cheese, speciality cheese and butter were around 77,000, 271,000 and 42,000 tonnes respectively and the union is therefore urging the supermarkets to ensure that a concerted effort is made to source dairy products from within our own shores,” added Mr Davies.
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VETERINARY CARE I THINK the pet owners in Monmouthshire and Powys have the fittest pets I have come across on my veterinary travels across Britain in my many years of work. As I may have mentioned before, my career has followed a long trajectory before happily landing me in Wales. With my first job I endured isolation in the Arctic-like tundra of Thetford, Norfolk (please don’t make me go back), then on to the twee, middle-England beauty of Stroud in the Cotswolds to the wonderful, welcoming Scots (second only in hospitality to yourselves, of course). However, in each of these places I have faced sadly year upon year of an increasing pet obesity epidemic. Well, credit where credit is due to the Welsh, your pets are actually pretty fit. Perhaps this oasis of fitness is unsurprising when you live in an area where cats have the freedom to ex-
plore, hunt and roam and dogs have only to step outside to visit not just a park but a National Park! Each year and with advancing age, I reset my own personal fitness goals and have a chat with Freddie, our Spaniel about his. Dogs are natural athletes and it is one of the greatest joys of dog ownership to watch your pet demonstrate their energetic prowess. If I happen to remark on your pets body condition in a consultation then I promise it is only to help them get even fitter, faster and live longer lives; perhaps even avoiding conditions like arthritis that obesity can make many times worse. So enjoy this winter wonderland, and congratulations once again on your achievement of owning (in my opinion, at least) Britain’s fittest best friends! Ben the Vet
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Tel: 01873 810373 Email: oldrrectoryhotel@live.com Web: ww ww.rectoryhotel.co.uk NOW UNDER NE EW MANAGEMENT The Old Rectory y Hotel in LLangattock, Crickhowell is now under new management. gement. Head Chef David d Chamberlain has putt together some delicious menus for the forthcoming thcoming Va alentines Day and a for Mothers Day on n 15th March.
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Fennel & Salmon, Pickled Cured Beetrroot Oysters (G) d ed ess Dr d d with Mustar et Salad
Rock
e Fondant, s Sausage, Pomm rouse Montro ingerette (G) V fl fle ff f ru T & uck Egg Poached Du er and Vine ed Pimento Pepp te R to Oil (V) (G) sto Pe P h th i wi up Tomato So Gras Terrine d Duck and Fois Smoked utney & Ch l m h Spiced Plu with h gh ug D Do ur So d ste Toa Salmon, , Langoustine & Ravioli of Lobster ree P Pu il sil Ba ster Bisque with Lobs e de ad en ap T ive Ol & s salem Artichoke d Scallops, Jeru Pan Fried k ac Bl & d Ham wiith Air Driied B ns Pudding Bon Bo
nfit Leg, n en Supreme, Co Cor n Fed Chick a Sauce (G) Madeira
th Morell & Dauphinoise wi
k Cheek, – Braised Pork Assiette of Pork f Loin, Stuffed t ot oo t etr Be B & el Apple, Fenn h T rufffle th wi ed rv se B lly Cid P essed Be Pickled & l ple and Ap Mash, Caponata ) (G y ey ne t ut Ch ut Waln n ington, Classic Beef Well t to t Pota an nd Fo & e ivr Au Po La Ratte utéed L Fried Salmon, Sa Muss h (G) s el Broth
Dessserts
th s Lemon Tart wi Classic Davey’s eam Cr ed ot ott Cl & e ss Blackberry Mous o, cotta with Mang V illa Panacc (G) up So t it ui Fr F n Jasmine & Passio s in with Calvado Tattin t Ta Tarrtte l Ta ch Apple m ea F Cr Ice n isi Ra R m& Ru Torte Sauce with are C ocolate to Sh Assiette of Ch eam (G) hocolate and Cr Strawberries, Ch
P Peas with dP Potatoes Feves an
c le, ss, Cock Pan Fried Sea Ba sotto (G) Ri e r hi mp Sa d Shrimp an , Chorizo ted Guinea Fowl R ate Jus (G) a an gr Pome hP with Gratin Potatoes c Riisotto with l iiac C ler d Ce ( ) ((G) French Cèpe an isps (V) n Cr an sa es Par me and P Deep Fried Sage
e glass of Bucks Fizz Free | on rs pe r pe 5 £5 nu en Course Chefs Taster M 7 | on rs le. pe 5 bble for £150 per coup a 3 Coursees for £3 il v va a s ge a ck a P t st n Breakffa Dinner Bed and Feebruary 1111 till 4 th 15 on e yr Fa g in d Wed
u n e M y a D s r Mothe
Starters
& Potato Soup Homemade Leek hantilly (v)(G) with Chive Ch , with Crab Salad P kled Mackerel Pic uts (G) ln ze Ha ied nd P ar Puree & Ca Pe le ne with Pineapp Ham Hock Terri ck Egg Du y isp Cr & y Chutne e Valley se Pickled Wye (v) Herb Goats Chee ce in Qu & lad l utt Sa eetroot with Waln Be sh adis lmon with Horser B llentine of Sa Ba ed kle Pic & g sin es Dr D rd C antilly, Musta Ch s priing Vegetable Sp
Mains
w th Yorkshire of Beef wi Roasted Sirloin g in i dd Pu d pple Stufffing an rk with Ap Roast Loin of Po Crackling C mb and Braised Roast Leg Of La d r (G) Shoulde n with Tiger Praw ared Cod Loin w Pan Sea ) (G se is Bouillaba
Desserts
rbet th Raspberry So Chocolate Tart wi hed Rhubarb accotta with Poac Vanilla Pana d ad ea re r tb & Shor ème Anglaise pple Pie with Cr Classic Ap eesecake berry & Cream Ch Strawb Cream & Sorbet Selecttion of Ice
a Tortellini with tta Spinach and Rico am (v) ea Cr t Pesto
f r a menu call or email fo se ea pl s ng ki ok bo ch - Now taking p r head. Mothers Day 15th Mar up to 1122 £6.95 pe n re ild Ch , d ad he h r pe £2 1.50 Price for Motthers Day