Gazette & Diary Magazine
Christmas Party Nights 2014 7pm until midnight
Book early to avoid disappointment. A £10.00 per person non refundable deposit is required upon booking.
Friday 12th December
Full payment for your booking must be received by 1st December 2014.
Johnny Cash Tribute Two Course Festive Dinner with Entertainment £25 per person
A pre order form for dinner and wine will be sent out when booking.
Tuesday 16th December 70’s Disco Party Night - Fancy Dress
To request a menu or make a booking please contact us.
Two Course Festive Dinner & Disco £20 per person
Wednesday 17th December 80’s Disco Party Night - Fancy Dress Two Course Festive Dinner & Disco £20 per person
Christmas & Ne2w014Year
Thursday 18th December Black Rat Effect Live Band Two Course Festive Dinner with Entertainment £25 per person
Friday 19th December The Ultimate Tribute to Soul & Motown Two Course Festive Dinner with Entertainment £25 per person
Saturday 20th December Waterloo Road Live Band 60’s/70’s Night Two Course Festive Dinner with Entertainment £25 per person
Wedding Offer 2015 - £2500 This all inclusive offer is available throughout 2015* For 40 guests. • Red Carpet Arrival with Canapés & House Champagne**
• One glass of Red or White House Wine Per Person served with meal**
• 40 beautiful chair covers – in your choice of colour**
• House Champagne Brut to toast The Bride & Groom, one glass per person**
• Room Hire of our Hatteral function suite*
• Evening finger buffet for a maximum of 100 guests**
• White Linen Table Clothes & Napkins** • Cake Stand & Brides knife provided
• Local DJ Regan Dugan Disco
• Silver service
• Overnight accommodation for the bride and groom in our Bridal Suite
• A special three course wedding breakfast menu**
• Special Accommodation Rates for your Family & Wedding Guests
*Subject to availability **Additional guests are chargeable at the full menu price
Sunday Lunch from £8.95 The Park Hotel, Pandy, Abergavenny NP7 8DS To make a booking please telephone 01873 890 271
email: enquiries@theparkhotelwales.com l www.theparkhotelwales.com 2 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Merry Christmas to you all ... NEVER TOO T OO LA LATE ATE TE TO T O PLA PLAY AY Y THE PIANO!
Baylis C.T., C.T., A.B.R.S.M., A.B.R.S.M., has Dorothy D orrothy h Baylis a few few vacancies vacancies for for childr children ren en (aged 7y years ears an and d up upwards) warrds) an and d adults wishing to play the Piano, either for pleasure or to take the A.B.R.S.M. or Trinity Grade Practical Piano examinations. All aspects of these exams are covered. Specialises in the formative years of children 7 years and upwards. I also specialise in teaching the Aural section of either the A.B.R.S.M. or Trinity for students already learning; strings, woodwind, brass, percussion or organ, who wish to have extra coaching in this section of the exam as valuable marks can be gained towards a pass or higher mark for a successful result. Transport can be arranged to collect children from Cross Ash Primary school at 3.30pm, children have refreshments and are collected by parents after the lesson at a pre-arranged time from New Inn Farm, Cross Ash. Freelance Church organist available for weddings, per g funerals ((£50 p service) Christenings servic e) and and C hristenings (n ((no o charge). char h ge). German pianos 2G erman pian p os for for sale. often stock oft en have have German German pianos pianos in st ock
P Please lease ring D Dorothy orothy on 01873 821264
I
T’S Christmas time and there’s no need to be afraid. That is unless you’re a prize turkey waiting to be plucked, stuffed, roasted and dished up on a plate surrounded by pigs in blankets and hot potatoes. But putting that little ‘poultry’ matter to one side (get it?) it’s best not to dwell on the grim fate which awaits our little feathered friends every Yuletide and instead celebrate all that is great and good about Christmas. It’s not all about squeezing as many gaudy gifts and token trinkets as you can into your grubby little stockings you know. The real reason for the season is all about giving, and we’re a generous bunch here at the G&D. In fact you could call us the gift that keeps giving. You could also call us a lot of other things, but we don’t talk about that, and if we do, only on Facebook. Look! Just keep it civil alright? Moving on, as Santa says ad infinitum to Rudolph every Christmas Eve, we’ve got a cracker of a G&D for you to end the year on. If you’re guilty of drinking far too much sherry, gorging on too many pork pies, and having it large with the
Stilton at this time of year, then who are we too judge, but if Christmas is your thing, then you’ll find all you need to know about the party season in our special Christmas feature which has got more tinsel than you can shake a stick at. If that wasn’t enough you’d be a fool to miss our essential Expert Services guide, which lists the names and numbers of all the professionals who know their chosen subject matter inside out. So if your oven breaks down, your pipes burst, or your car won’t start this Christmas, the solution to any emergency is at hand
courtesy of the G&D. Finally, if you’re getting married this December, congratulations, and even if you’re not, all you brides to be and grooms still waiting at the altars, be sure to check out our Winter Weddings feature. It’s got all you need to know about getting married this time of year. Well that’s about it for another month and another year folks. We’ll see you in 2015. Remember! If it doesn’t look like a cracker, don’t waste your time pulling it. Chin! Chin! and say hello to Santa for us.
D & M Watk kins NISA SHOP CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS MONDAY 22nd TUESDAY 23rd WEDNESDAY 24th THURSDAY 25th FRIDAY 26th SATURDAY 27th SUNDAY 28th MONDAY 29th TUESDAY 30th WEDNESDAY 31st December THURSDAY 1ST January
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8.00am to 8.00am to 8.00am to CLOSED CLOSED 8.00am to 9.00am to 8.00am to 8.00am to 8.00am to CLOSED
6.30pm 6.30pm 5.30pm 5.30pm 1.00pm 5.30pm 5.30pm 5.30pm
NEWSAGENTS CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS MONDAY 22nd TUESDAY 23rd WEDNESDAY 24th THURSDAY 25th FRIDAY 26th SATURDAY 27th SUNDAY 28th MONDAY 29th TUESDAY 30th WEDNESDAY 31st December THURSDAY 1ST January
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7.00am to 7.00am to 7.00am to CLOSED 8.00am to 7.00am to 7.00am to 7.00am to 7.00am to 7.00am to CLOSED
6.30pm 6.30pm 5.30pm 1 11.00am 1.00am 5.30pm 1.00pm 5.30pm 5.30pm 5.30pm
We wish all our customers a very Happy p Christmas and New Year
High Street, Raglan Te el: 01291 01 690215
MONMOUTH MP DAVID DAVIES holds regular advice surgeries throughout the constituency. To make an appointment telephone 01291 672817 or email daviesd@parliament.uk www.david-daviesmp.co.uk Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year
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 E-mail: nicholas.ramsay@wales.gov.uk
For further information call: 01291 674 898 or 029 2089 8735
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 3
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Light-up Wooden Advent - £29.95 festive-sparkle.co.uk The variety of non-chocolate bearing advent calendars increases every year - now there are ones hiding toys, perfumes, make-up, and there's even one devoted to a different daily dram of whiskey. The best calendars though, are those where you can put your own treats and trinkets inside, for that extra personal touch. This charming, old-fashioned one with wooden drawers also has the added bonus of light and music the party advent calendar, if you will.
There's no need-les
Clearwell Caves Christrmas Fantasy
Light-Up Green Acrylic Tree £74.95 festive-sparkle.co.uk Real trees might smell and feel nice, but let's be honest, those needle trails do sort of cancel out all those benefits. When you compare a 'proper' tree against this impressive 57cm colourful acrylic version, with its 200 white LED lights, you also realise real can never be as luminously brilliant as fake. Perfect for the corner of a room, the front door, or standing in your garden - wherever you put it though, Santa is sure to find you.
For those who like a lit-up Christmas! Sizeable set-up
Inflatable Santa and Reindeers - £89.95 woolworths.co.uk We're not entirely sure how two reindeers alone would be able to tow the sleigh but, logistics aside, this garden based blow-up will attract plenty of attention. This 8ft affair is certainly going to light up a few kids' faces and, when dusk sets in, the inflatable has internal lights for evening illuminations. A classic Christmas installation.
Open 10.00am 5.00pm (8.00pm Fridays) 29th Nov 23rd Dec (24th 10.00am-4.00pm) Open for displays only 27th December - 4th January 10.00am - 4.00pm
Tel: 01594
832535
4 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Oh yes...
Nodding Reindeer - £44.99 homebase.co.uk This mains powered animal is created from a sturdy wire frame wrapped with a rope light and, as a result, looks superb. It's not even your ordinary static garden reindeer decoration either, this one has an additional powered nod, saying a big 'yes' to the ultimate festive cheer. All you need now is a red nose.
www.clearwellcaves.com
It’s the final countdown
Bearing gifts
Red Soft Glow Freestanding Present Trio - £32 DIY.com An installation in its own right, or lined up as a landing strip for Father Christmas' sleigh - however you position these cute glowing gifts, they'll look brilliant. Well, not too brilliant if you don't want them too - multiple light settings mean you can choose how the intensity of the hue, adjustable for indoors or outdoors, night or day, and sunshine or, fingers crossed, snow...
The better sweater
Santa's Cabin Knitted Sweater - £35.99 morphsuits.co.uk So here's the scene: a snow-clad cabin in the woods and wait, there's a flickering fire and, yes, that's Father Christmas himself popping up and waving hello... Welcome to the smartphone powered woollen wear that's a dead cert to dominate any Christmas jumper gathering. Just download the dedicated app to your device, pop it inside the pouch, press play and marvel at the grinning faces gathering round you.
Gazette & Diary Magazine
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 5
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Stocking treats for grown-ups
Divine Milk Chocolate Coins, £2
(www.divinechocolate.com) When Cadbury announced their chocolate coins were coming to an end, it seemed we may as well cancel Christmas. But then those lovely people at Divine reminded us, there are other people who make them and these are just as delicious!
Grand Ferrero Rocher, £5
Taste The Difference Belgian Salted Caramels, £5
Welcome to
The Bridge End Inn Crickhowell
Food and Drink at Christmas
(www.tesco.com) Big kids will go nuts when they find this giant Ferrero Rocher popping out of their stocking. The crunchy, hazelnut-studded chocolate shell contains two individual Ferrero Rocher treats. Just don't let it spoil Christmas lunch!
(www.sainsburys.co.uk) Salted caramel is still flavour of the month and these little balls of creamy chocolate, with a gooey caramel centre, just melt in your mouth. Be warned though; once opened, you might not be able to put that lid back on again.
The snow fell heavy on the winter sod, In his hand a twisted hazel rod, The road had many hills; and long. Though his heart was sad, still he sang a song. A song he’d learnt when he was very small; How Christ was born on Earth to save us all. Michael, with head bent, staggering in the cold, No longer young, his body worn and old His mate Bernard had told him on the seat, About a Church, a bed, and food; a treat. At last he reached a turning on the road, The Church was there. It was how Bernie told. A heaven for the traveller at last, Where one could talk of times, and Christmas past, Warm clothes supplied, and lovely food to eat, No need to huddle on the wooden seat; The hall was warm with mattress for a bed He could relax and rest his weary head.
Lunch and evening meals served Monday to Monday Traditional Sunday roast
The food was good with many pots of tea, In a corner stood a decorated Christmas tree, With paper chains, bright colours in the hall, The streamers across from wall to wall, A crowd was gathered of many creeds and race, Each one found joy, a smile upon each face.
The Bridge End Inn is quite an exceptional public house of some quality, set on the edge of the Brecon National Park right next to the river Usk - one of the principality’s best fishing rivers.
◆ Restaurant
◆ Bar
◆ Accommodation
Not all the guests were aged, some were young, Quick of limb, nimble fast with tongue Enjoying games. Ping pong, cards and pool, Mike helped the boys not long left school; Tricks and ways to play the games, Specially table tennis, how to win the game.
◆ Fishing
Bridge Street. Crickhowell. Powys. NP8 1AR Tel: 01873 810338 Fax: 01873 810338 Email: info@thebridgeendinn.com www.thebridgeendinn.com
By David Weaving
PlasDerwen New Lunch offer Mon - Fri 12 - 5pm 2 courses £10.95 | 3 courses £13.95
Christmas Parties £22 for 3 courses
Party Nights | Saturday 6th, 13th, 20th December with Live Music
pre-orders are required New Years Eve Cocktail Party with free entertainment from 9pm. Dinning is being served between 6pm to 9pm, please book your tables direct, we will have free petit fours and prosecco for all guests joining us to see in the New Year!
Monmouth Road, Abergavenny, Gwent. NP7 9SP Tel: 01873 853144 | Email: plasderwen@sabrain.com | Web: www.plasderwenhotel.com 6 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
C.H.I. CRICKHOWELL
HOME
SPECIALISTS FOR FULL INSULATION OR SUPPLY ONLY
IMPROVEMENTS
Free planning & Design Kitchen. Bathroom - Bedroom General Carpentry - Plumbing - Electrical - Tiling Commercial and Home Maintenance WAYNE THOMAS H 01873 811544 M 07890 158409 Email: waynechi@talktalk.net
Merry Christmas to all our customers
All the staff at
elsh Gifts W
The Barber Shop GET CHECKED FOR WINTER
MiLLENNiUM
TS LTD TYRES AND EXHA US USTS LTD
Wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to all our customers
Unit 6B Mill Street, Industrial, Estate, Abergavenny NP7 5HE 1196491
Tyre, Exhaust and WheelAlignment Centre
All Make Servicing & Diagnostics
Tel: 01873 850000
would like to wish our customers a Very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 37 Frogmore Street, Abergavenny Ring us now on 01873 850855
Welsh Gifts - Love Spoons Welsh Clothing - Welsh Jewellery - Souvenirs Celtic Gifts - Welsh Corporate Gifts Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our customers Cariad Wales, 56 Cross Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5EU
TEL: 01873 851330
www.welshgifts.co.uk
gartsides SOLICITORS
Gartsides is a long-established local practice with expertise across a whole range ofareas including property, wills, probate, commercial, crime and family work. Whether you have a legal problem, are moving house or needing advice about a will, our experienced team is on hand to help. In the Family Department, solicitors with specialist accreditations are available to advise across all aspects of family work to include relationship breakdown, divorce, financial disputes and issues involving children.
NO MORE LEGAL AID? Competitive Fixed Fee Packages are now available for all family work at Gartsides. Call us on 01873 857555 for details. Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Also with offices in Newport (01633 213411) and Ebbw Vale (01495 302109)
A Merry Christmas to all our customers - shop will be closed Midday 24th December and reopen 2nd January 2015. Any whole cake orders need to be in by 15th December 2014.
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 7
Gazette & Diary Magazine
From the steam a Garden Centre is born… C
ELEBRATIONS are just around the corner as the Old Railway Line Garden Centre’s 25th birthday approaches in January. The family run, independent garden centre, located between Brecon and Hay-OnWye, was established by Mark & Christina Cleary in 1990 on the site of the old Brecon to Hereford Branch of the Midland Railway. The garden centre has continually grown since and has now become one of the UK’s premier, destination garden centres being awarded ‘Best Garden Centre in Wales & West’ by the Garden Centre Association in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Christina explained the history of the site the garden centre stands on today: “Three Cocks was a major junction within the Midland Railway where the main line entered from Hereford and continued to either Brecon or branched off to Builth Wells. Following the lines closure in 1964 as part of Dr Beeching’s national modernisation of the railway network my father purchased the land where he ran a small piggery. “In 1990 my husband, Mark and I started selling home grown bedding plants from a small 8x6ft greenhouse next to the entrance and Mark attended local markets including Builth and Brecon. Customer numbers and demand for quality plants were constantly increasing so the decision was made to open a small plant area and build a couple of poly tunnels. “As the reputation and demand grew, a number of production and retail tunnels were added over the years. “In 2000 a new plant area was developed
the new garden centre was opened by celebrity gardener David Domoney on the 29th September 2012. “We are always looking to the future and investing in ways to improve our product offer and standards of customer service. Christina and I are pleased to see our children showing a keen interest in various areas of the business so the future of the Old Railway Line Garden Centre will carry on through the next generation of the family.” The award-winning, independent, familyrun garden centre offers customers a destination to meet friends and family for a day out with regular events including fun workshops for children, talks, information days and evening events. Details of all upcoming events and further information about the Old Railway Line Garden Centre can be found at www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk or by calling 01497 847055.
FROM the disused Three Cocks railway junction through humble beginnings - to today’s award winning Garden Centre. and plans were already being produced for a new Coffee Shop which was built and opened in 2001. When the existing poly tunnels starting to show signs of wear and tear in 2009 a new retail space called Platform 1 was developed which was the first permanent, insulated retail building to be built on site which today houses our garden care, pet and wild bird care departments.” Mark Cleary talked about the garden centre’s most recent development to date and the business’ bright future: “In 2011 the diggers moved in to build what was going to be the biggest and most exciting project to date. A new retail building that joined onto
-
8 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
the Platform 1 building was completed in 2009 which would house a new gift area, floristry counter, farm shop, new till area, reception desk and offices as well as a new 150 cover restaurant. The building was completed on time and
Gazette & Diary Magazine
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 9
Gazette & Diary Magazine
SPECIALIST COOKERY BREAKS FROM BRISTOL AIRPORT
Miles Morgan Travel, your local award winning local Travel Agent in Abergavenny, offer a huge range of specialist holidays, including cooking. You can stay in some of the most beautiful areas whilst learning how to cook various local dishes from the best local chefs.
Umbria Umbr ia – Ital Italy ly y
From only £744pp
Bordeaux Bor deaux – FFrance rance
From only £876pp
Contact C ontact our Travel Travel Specialists ffor or these and other special inter interest est br breaks eaks 01873 566004
Phone lines open until 10pm 70 FFrogmore rogmore Str Street, eet, www.milesmorgantravel.co.uk www.milesmorgantravel.co.uk Aber Abergavenny, gavenny, NP7 5A 5AU U Prices and offers are subject to availability and based on 2 sharing a room for various departure dates in 2014. Terms and conditions apply please ask for details.
10 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Shop ‘til you drop or just enjoy the sights M
TRY skating outside the Natural History Museum
OST children have been counting down the days to Christmas since... well, since last Christmas, and as December approaches, they're probably reaching some sort of transient, tinsel-themed higher state. Indulge their excitement with a trip to London where the streets really do appear to be paved with gold - if you stand underneath the displays on Regent Street for long enough. One patch in particular appears to glow more brightly, at least in the eyes of children, so don't be surprised to see them flutter like moths in the direction of Santa's one-stop shop, Hamley's. A trip to the toy Mecca is also part of a new Dukes And Duchesses package offered by townhouse hotel, Dukes, with wide-eyed young shoppers transported through Mayfair in a royal rickshaw. Once they've complied their stocking wish lists, they can visit M&M's World, finishing off with a family trip to see Matilda The Musical. To really make children feel special, they'll also be presented with lavish outfits (a pink gown or a three-piece costume with sash and military hat) and an afternoon tea of cakes and flavoured milks. Although Dukes is a polished five-star property, it's also refreshingly relaxed and tolerant; a few sticky fingerprints on the mahogany banisters, or the sound of little feet thundering along plush carpeted corridors won't raise any eyebrows. Nigel Mendham's THIRTY SIX restau-
rant welcomes young diners for breakfast, and after dark, parents can escape to the Perrier Jouet lounge, a drawing room sparkling in fizzy lime tones, to find some festive cheer of their own. ● The Mini Dukes And Duchesses package costs from £390 (for a family of four) per night with breakfast. Afternoon Tea for children and costumes included. Visit www.dukeshotel.com or call 020 7491 4840.
Y
OU don't need to be based in the West End to appreciate London's illuminations. As darkness falls, the city skyline beams brightly, putting on a year-round show to rival any Christmas display. The best place to survey the dazzling scene is from one of the Thames-view rooms at the Shangri-La Shard hotel, which opened earlier this year. Occupying the upper section of the capital's tallest building, the slick Bond-style rooms teeter high above some of London's most famous landmarks. From the wall-length windows on all sides, guests
can enjoy a panorama of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the more modern Cheese Grater and Gherkin. Watch commuters charge like ants as they board trains that snake slowly from London Bridge station, or take a voyeuristic peek into nearby office buildings, with the aid of binoculars provided in each room. Even the bathrooms have a view to the outside world, with a narrow window placed strategically in front of the toilet. For a real taste of Christmas, head to nearby Borough Market, where the smell of pork roast mingles with the sweet scent of fresh pine from Christmas trees stacked up for sale. Even if you have no intention of doing a weekly shop, the food stalls piled high with artisan cheeses, organic fruits and exotic meats are a feast for the eyes. Thankfully, all cooking needs are taken care of at Shangri-La's TING restaurant, serving an elegant festive menu (a fourcourse lunch will cost £40; five course dinner £65). But the real star on top of the Shard's pointy Christmas tree is the 52nd floor cocktail bar, Gong. Order The Nutcracker cocktail (a whisky and sherry blend with mulled wine), and perch on one of the low stools in a room that's a cross between a Chinese emporium and a Seventies nightspot. Enjoy a few too many and, while gazing blearyeyed out of the window, you might even see Rudolph and his gang zip past. ● Rooms from £450 per night. Visit www.shangri-la.com/london or call 020 7234 8088.
The B Bear H Hotel
High Street
Criick kho k ho h owelll
NP8 1BW W
01873 810408
CChristmas hri ristmas 22014 0 13 Party Menu Paarttyy m enu nnow ow aavailable vailable Evening and lunch parties catered for throughout December mee andd enjoy the atmossphere inn the award winninng Be B ar otel, E Exxcellent ffoo ood an and ndd comfforrttablee accommoddaation. Autumnn fflow lowerinng baskets andd llog ogg ffir irres adddd to the charminng surroundinngs. www.bearhotel.co.uk
Please contact us ffor orr a copy of of our festtiive menu
info@bearhotel.co.uk
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 11
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Have yourself a Berry Mary Christmas ... S
HE'S the firm but fair baking queen who isn't impressed by shop-bought fondant icing or binned Baked Alaska, but Mary Berry insists her loved ones won't be nervous when they present her with their own home-made offerings this Christmas. "As a family, we all get together. Usually, I host it, and various members of the family bring a pudding, or they help me on Christmas morning or bring a batch of shortbread - even though I'm a cook, they love to bring their own things to share," she says in that warm but no-nonsense voice, now so familiar thanks to the mammoth success of The Great British Bake Off. Aren't her relatives and friends worried she'll shoot them that disappointed look if they're cooking's not up to scratch - you know, the one she reserves for underproofed bread or shoddily presented pies on the hit TV show? "Good friends who I've known for a long time, they're never nervous," insists the judge. "We often go around to friends' places for supper. They often say, 'This is my mother's recipe, you might want to share it with your readers', or whatever. Our friends are very generous." Bath-born Berry, who lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband Paul, is wellversed when it comes to avoiding festive hosting headaches. "I think it's a good idea to get organised
MARY Berry Cooks The Perfect... is published by DK, priced ÂŁ25 and know what you're up to," she says. "The first thing is to rally your family and find out where you are for Christmas, and how many there are. Then you can start to buy some of your heavier things like tinned goods, and order your turkey. "A big sheet of paper of what you plan
12 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
does help. And then you can do some dishes you can freeze - you may choose to make something you can have after Christmas." When it comes to turkey, Berry recommends "the best you can afford", and she'll also rustle up different stuffings, mince
pies and Christmas pudding - although, she notes: "I nearly always find people nowadays don't choose to have Christmas pudding; they choose to have the lovely fruit salad with lots of exotic fruits in it, because they're quite full by the end of the meal." The 79-year-old has plenty of little helpers at Christmas, in the form of her five grandchildren: "They really do help, they're jolly good." She insists life is all about balance. Berry makes time to play tennis every week ("not very well") and gets her nails done every three weeks ("my one treat"), but is incredibly busy day-to-day. On top of Bake Off, public appearances and product ranges, she also released a new book this autumn, Mary Berry Cooks The Perfect..., featuring new flavour combinations and modern twists on tried and tested favourites. Berry, who, aged 21, trained at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, insists she still finds culinary inspiration after all these years. "When I think of my lifetime, even recently, things like butternut squash have come in. People are now enjoying fennel, and there are different pastas, different rices," she notes. "Things change, new ingredients come; there are always things to learn." Here are two recipes from Berry's new book to try at home...
Gazette & Diary Magazine MARY’S DOLCELATTE AND LEEK SOUP WITH PARMESAN CRISPS (Serves 4) 600ml full-fat or semi-skimmed milk 2 bay leaves 2 sprigs of fresh thyme 1/4tsp grated nutmeg Freshly ground black pepper 45g butter 1 large fluffy potato, such as King Edward (about 300g), peeled and cut into 2.5cm cubes 2 large leeks, trimmed and finely sliced 400ml vegetable stock or chicken stock 85g Dolcelatte cheese, cut into small cubes For the Parmesan Crisps: 50g Parmesan cheese, coarsely grated To serve: Double cream Pour the milk into a small pan and add the
bay leaves, thyme, nutmeg, and a grinding of pepper. Bring just to the boil, until you see tiny bubbles appear around the edge of the pan. Remove from the heat and set aside to infuse for 20 minutes. While the milk is infusing, make the Parmesan crisps: preheat the grill on its highest setting. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Make eight circles from the grated Parmesan, each about 6cm in diameter, on the baking parchment. Place a cutter over each Parmesan circle and spread out the cheese so it fills the cutter. Place the baking sheet under the grill and cook
for about four minutes, or until the cheese is melted and pale golden. Transfer the crisps to a wire rack to cool. Melt 25g of the butter in a large pan, add the potato cubes, and cook over a very low heat for five minutes, or until starting to soften but not turn brown. Increase the heat, add the rest of the butter and the leeks, and cook for three to four minutes, stirring often, until almost tender. Pour in the stock and strain the infused milk into the pan. Bring the liquid to the boil, then simmer for eight to 10 minutes to
MARY’S SPICED DORSET APPLE TRAYBAKE (Serves 12) 225g butter (room temperature), plus extra for greasing 550g cooking apples, such as Bramley Juice of 1/2 lemon 225g light muscovado sugar 300g self-raising flour 2tsp baking powder 1tsp ground cinnamon 4 large eggs 1tbsp full-fat or semi-skimmed milk Icing sugar, to dust
Preheat the oven to 180C (fan 160C/350F/Gas 4). Grease the traybake tin with butter and line with baking parchment. Quarter, peel, core, and thinly slice the apples, and put them in a shallow dish. Pour
over the lemon juice and toss gently together. Put the butter, muscovado sugar, flour, baking powder, half a teaspoon of the cinnamon, the eggs, and milk in a large bowl. Beat thoroughly using an electric hand whisk for about two minutes (or use a wooden spoon for about three minutes) until smooth and light. Spoon half the mixture into the prepared tin and spread it out evenly. Lay half the apple slices on top and sprinkle over the remaining half-teaspoon
14 4 Christmas 2014 at P go Bistro tro Prego Pr 2 ccourses ourses £20.50 3 ccourses ourses £25.50 £10 per head non rrefundable efundable deposit rrequired equired Potato P otato & por porcini cini mushr mushroom oom soup with truffle Home cur ed salmon g ravlax with honey & mustar d cured gravlax mustard dr essing & ttoasted oasted sough dough dressing P ressed ham hock tterrine errine with pick led damsons Pressed pickled Gr iddled goa ts cheese oot & rrocket ocket salad with Griddled goats cheese,, beetr beetroot aged balsamic vinegar
R oast tur key with sausage yme & apple stuffing & Roast turkey sausage,, th thyme rroasted oasted pota toes potatoes Slo w rroasted oasted por eleriac pur ee & Slow porkk belly with cceleriac puree car amelised apples caramelised R oast sir loin of Her effordshire beef with Y orkshire Roast sirloin Herefordshire Yorkshire pudding & horser adish cr isps horseradish crisps S eabass with wilt ed spinach, crushed pota toes & Seabass wilted potatoes sauc e pastis sauce T wice baked blue cheese soufflé with sautéed sautéed Twice spinach Homemade Chr istmas pudding with br andy sauc e Christmas brandy sauce Choc olate & br andy mar quise with vvanilla anilla ic e cr eam Chocolate brandy marquise ice cream P anettone br ead & butt er pudding with cr ème fr aiche Panettone bread butter crème fraiche Clemen tine panna ccotta otta with lemon shor tbread Clementine shortbread A ourses will be ac companied with rroasted oasted Allll main ccourses accompanied rroot oot vvegetables egetables
7 Chur ch S treet, M onmouth NP25 3BX Church Street, Monmouth T elephone 01600 712600 Telephone www.pregomonmouth.co.uk www.pregomonmouth.co.uk
of cinnamon. Spoon the remaining cake mixture on top and carefully level the surface. Scatter the rest of the apple slices over the cake mixture and press them lightly into the surface. Bake for 40 minutes, or until well risen and golden brown on top. The cake will feel spongy but firm, and will be starting to come away slightly from the edges of the tin. Also, the apples should be soft. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then loosen the sides with a small palette knife and turn out the cake, peel off the parchment paper, and leave to cool on a wire rack. Sift icing sugar over the top of the cake.
finish cooking the vegetables. Using a blender or food processor, puree the soup until smooth. Pour it back into the pan. Reheat the soup and stir in the cubes of Dolcelatte. Remove from the heat and season to taste. Serve topped with a drizzle of cream, with the Parmesan crisps on the side. y zy kra z e krazy ne on gone ha s g olf has Golf K r a zy G Krazy
E CE RIC PRICE ½P
ENTRANCE ENTRANCE 01 4 2014 EC E M B E R 2 DECEMBER ND IIN Y LLY NLY N ONLY OLF O GOLF RAZY G KRAZY OR K FFOR
ww.krazygolflydney.co.uk www.krazygolflydney.co.uk w 82 082 40 0 840 48 94 1 59 01594 n0 on so us all u call rc or o ca
ESC
PE
to the great outdoors! YOUR LOCAL OUTDOOR SPECIALIST
Rab Paramo Scarpa Meindl Buffalo 3 CROFT COURT (off Broad Street) ROSS-ON-WYE – (01989) 565676
LLANWENARTH HOTEL & RIVERSIDE RESTAURANT Brecon Road A40, Abergavenny, NP8 1EP 01873 810550
Christmas Lunch/Dinner Party Menu
Festive F estive menu is aavailable vailable fr from om Monday M onday 1st December December tto o Tuesday T uesday 23r 23rd dD December. ecember. ((Closed Closed Chr Christmas istmas E Eve ve and Chr Christmas istmas Da Day) y)
We W e are are pleased to to w welcome elcome yyou ou tto o Bistro Bistro Prego, Prego, To elebrate the ffestive estive season. T o ccelebrate We W e ar are e offering offering a pr pre e Chr Christmas three istmas thr ee ccourse ourse menu tto o enjo enjoyy with fr friends, iends, family family, y, clien clients ts and ccolleagues. olleagues. The T he menu will be available available thr throughout oughout December December with our full a la car carte te menu also available. available. When W hen compiling compiling our menus w we e ha have ve in in-ccorporated orporated a balanc balance e of ffestive estive fla flavours vours which w we e ffeel eel will appeal tto o ev everyone. eryone. W We e will be pleased tto o adapt an anyy of the menus ffor or diners with special dietar dietaryy rrequirements. equirements. A pre-order pre-order will be rrequired. equired. Lynnette our restaurant restaurant manager ess Lynnette manageress happy tto o help yyou ou with an will be happy anyy queries you you ma ve. queries mayy ha have. discount off the ffood ood bill will A 5% discount you book bef ore the 1st be applied if you before November. November. Large Parties Parties W elcome Large Welcome Christmas Menu Menu A vailable Christmas Available Monday – Sunday Sunday LLunch unch 12.00 – 2.30 Monday Monday – Sunday Sunday Dinner 18.30 – 21.30 Monday Special Christmas Party Accommodation Rates, Why Not Make A Night Of It? Take advantage of our special deals, enjoy your meal & spend the night with us and then enjoy a full Welsh breakfast in the morning to start the day. Single Room - £35.00 Double Room - £55.00
-oo Starters oo-
LEEK AND POTATO SOUP Y Fenni rarebit crouton PANT-YS-GAWN GOAT’S CHEESE AND RED ONION MARMALADE TARLET Rocket, beetroot salad with beetroot glaze LOCAL SMOKED MECKEREL PATE Crusty bread and lemon dressing DUCK AND ORANGE BALLOTINE Apple & mint chutney and homemade walnut bread
-oo Main Courses oo-
ROAST PEMBROKESHIRE TURKEY BREAST Apricot & sage stuffing pigs in blankets, turkey gravy BAKED VAR SALMON SUPREME ON A LEMON AND ROCKET RISOTTO Pea and mint pesto SLOW ROASTED BRECON BEACONS LAMB SHOULDER Bubble & squeak, rosemary jus GRILLED FILLETS OF CORNISH SOLE With a cockle and laver bread sauce
CHICKEN BREAST WRAPPED IN BACON Wholegrain mustard on a wild mushroom sauce BUTTERNUT SQUASH, PARSNIP, SPINACH AND CHESTNUT WELLINGTON Lightly spiced tomato sauce
-oo Desserts oo-
TRADITIONAL STEAMED CHRISTMAS PUDDING Earl grey soaked raisins and brandy sauce PASSION FRUIT CREME BRULEE Shortbread biscuit INDIVIDUAL BARA BRITH Ginger ice cream and macerated fruits DARK CHOCOLATE AND ORANGE CHEESECAKE Cointreau cream and white chocolate sauce COCONUT PANNACOTTA Carpaccio of pineapple and mint syrup POCACHED PEAR Mulled wine jelly and Brecon honey ice cream SELECTION OF ICE CREAMS OR SORBETS WELSH CHEESE SELECTION With celery, apple and biscuits Included - COFFEE AND MINCE PIES
Please Book to avoid disappointment! RESTAURANT/HOTEL RESERVATIONS 01873 810550 / info@llanwenarthhotel.com December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 13
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Don’t get Frozen out this Christmas
Disney Frozen Sparkle Doll Matte
AS the weather turns colder, parents need to be careful not to miss out on getting Frozen this Christmas. Toy industry experts predict that toys linked to the hit Disney film Frozen will be flying off the shelves during the festive season, and mums and dads whose little girls have set their hearts on items such as the Disney Frozen Snow Glow Elsa doll, which sings Elsa's signature song Let It Go, would be wise to snap it up as soon as possible. Elsa is one of two Frozen dolls in the Top 12 of this year's DreamToys list of the 72 predicted bestselling toys for Christmas, selected by a panel from the Toy Retailers Association. Toy shop owner Gary Grant, chairman of the DreamToys committee, says: "We could sell empty boxes with Frozen written on them at the moment - the demand for Frozen products is exceptional, and not just for the two dolls in the Top 12, but all of them. "Parents will be racing round trying to track down all the Frozen items this Christmas. I would really recommend that if children have got Frozen items on their Christmas list, parents get them early and hide them away." And it's not just little girls who run the risk of missing out on the toy they've set their hearts on this Christmas. Grant says some of the 'techy toys' that boys might have on their wish-lists, like the Zoomer Dino - Boomer - a radio-controlled dinosaur - and the Teksta T-Rex dinosaur, which responds to voices, lights and sounds, "potentially run the risk of being short".
6T TH H & 7TH TH 1 13 3TH TH & 1 14 4TH T
FOOD&DRINK ARTS&CRAFTS GIFTS&TOYS 10A M 5.30PM 10AM 5.30PM FREE FRE EE PARKING PAR K ING HIGH H IGH QUALITY, QU Q UA LIT Y, FRESH FR ESH CUT, CUT, LOCAL CHRISTMAS L OC A L C HR ISTM A S TREES TR EES TAURUS T AURUS CR CR AFTS, AFTS, LYDNEY, L LY YDNEY, GLOS, GLOS, GL15 GL15 6BU 6BU W W W.TAURUSCR AFTS.CO.UK AFTS.CO.UK 01594 01594 844841 844841 WWW.TAURUSCR FIND US US ON ON THE FIND THE A48 A48 WEST WEST OF OF LYDNEY LY L YDNEY
14 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
The ten most wanted toys this Christmas are: ● Disney Frozen Snow Glow Elsa (Jakks Pacific £34.99) ● Disney Frozen Sparkle Doll (assorted) (Mattel £16.99) ● Kidizoom Smart Watch (VTech £39.99) ● Transformers Stomp & Chomp Grimlock (Hasbro £89.99) ● Little Live Pets Bird Cage (Character £19.99) ● Minecraft Figures (Character £7.99) ● Nerf Demolisher 2-in-1 (Hasbro £44.99) ● The LEGO Movie - Benny's Spaceship (LEGO £79.99) ● Toot-Toot Animals Safari Park (VTech £39.99) ● Zoomer Dino - Boomer (Spin Master £99.99)
Toot Toot Animals Safari Park, VTech
Nerf Demolisher 2 in 1, Hasbro.
Transformers Stomp & Chomp Grimlock, Hasbro Little Live Pets Bird Cage
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Hafren Furnishers - Golden Anniversary Sale
H
AFREN Furnishers (named after the River Severn - Afon Hafren, running through Llanidloes) proudly reach their 50th year of trading as an independent furniture retailer in 2015. They have earnt an enviable reputation over many years and still trade as a family business, run by Mike Morgan and his sons Tim and Paul. They are located in scenic Llanidloes, Mid Wales, just off the A470, with free parking and lift access. To celebrate this achievement, they will be holding a 'Golden 50th Anniversary Sale' commencing on Saturday 20th December until the end of January 2016, with the BIGGEST EVER reductions across the showroom on all leading brands. There will be celebrationary in-store events and promotions taking place, such as a 'Golden' Prize Draw to win a Stressless Orion chair and stool set in Batick Latte, plus the chance to win many more prizes for every in-store purchase made. With FREE immediate delivery throughout Wales and England, it continues to offer the best choice of contemporary and traditional leading furniture brands at the most competitive prices to suit all budgets. Furniture is available for every room in the house set over seven floors covering 70,000 square meters - you won’t encounter more choice anywhere! All famous brand names feature such as; GPlan, Parker Knoll, Duresta, Stressless, Sealy and Tempur to name a few. They proudly host Wales’ largest Bed
MEMORIES from our last 50 years Comfort Studio, where expert staff can offer impartial advice in choosing the right mattress or bed for your needs and budget. Hafren Furnishers place great importance on taking your time to select a bed, after all it’s an important decision. They encourage customers to relax and try the range of beds in comfort before making a purchase. The newly extended Stressless Studio, now the largest in Wales, offers the widest range of reclining chairs, sofas and ottomans. Enjoy the comfort of Stressless whilst working from home with the new Stressless Office collection, already proving very popular. In addition, they offer furniture for the living room, dining room, home office and conservatory. They have a wide variety of smaller items such as bedding, throws and accessories; cushions; mirrors; pictures; lamps, chil-
dren’s toy boxes and beanbags plus many more - all ideal Christmas gifts for family or loved ones. Or, if you simply can’t decide you can purchase a Gift Voucher. Hafren’s own staff are noted for their vast experience and knowledge of the industry, many of them working for the business for years. Customers have developed long standing relationships with the company and this is passed down to the next generation who are setting up home themselves. CarpetRight and Hammonds Fitted Bedroom concessions are also located in store. Allow yourself plenty of time, visit the in store café with daily homemade specials, cappuccinos, lattes or hot chocolate and marshamallows, whilst admiring the impressive views. Hafren Furnishers are open Mon- Fri 9am-5pm, open until 8pm every Thursday and open Saturday 9am-5.30pm. Our Christmas opening hours are Wed 24th Dec 9am – 5pm Thurs 25th Dec Closed Fri 26th Dec Closed Sat 27th Dec 9am – 5.30pm Sun 28th Dec Closed Mon 29th Dec 9am – 6pm Tues 30th Dec 9am – 6pm Wed 31st Dec 9am – 5.30pm Thurs 1st Jan 2015 10am – 5pm We look forward to welcoming you.
ABERGAVENNY ABERG GAV VENN NY
GARDEN CENTRE L LTD TD D COMBINING NA AT T U R E A N D N U RT U R E
Since 1957
At Abergavenny Garden Centre, we pride ourselv ourselves ves on being a traditional market garden centre nursery, wi with ith over 50 years of experience. Combined with our knowledge and expertise, ou our ur customer service is five star rated and our advice advice, hints aand tips we offer, comes from three family generations of experimenting and experience. END E ND OF OF SEASON SEA S ASO AS ON SALE SA ALE NOW NO OW ON: ON: Fantastic Fa an nta ta ast sttic c savings sa av ving gs on on hundreds hund dre ed ds of o products pro rod du d uc ctts Selected Se le ect cte ted llines ine es of shrubs shrrub bs as a much muc ch as a 50% 50 0% % off offf o Other Ot the er selected se ele ectte ted dp plant la ant material ma ate at teria r al up up to 25% 25 5% % off offf Selected Se le ect cte ted llines ine es of ttre trees re ee es u up p to HALF HA ALLF P PRICE RIC CE Spring S pring bulbs p bulbs now no ow available ava av vaila ab ble e Winter Wi W nter p planting la anti t ng g onion onio on sets set se etts just just in in Orders O rde rd derrs no now ow being be eing ta taken ken for for winter wint w nte ter flowering flow flo owe weri r ng g baskets ba b asske ket etts Discounts D isc countts available ava av aila able e for for bulk bulk order ord rde der on on cut cutt flowers flow flo owe werrs
ABERGAVENNY GARDEN CENTRE LTD Evesham Gardens Llanfoist Abergavenny, NP7 9LF
abergavennygardencentre.com 01873 853839
mail@abergavennygardencentre.com
XMAS OPENING HOURS:
1965 -2015
24th Dec 9am- 5pm 25th/26th Dec Closed 27th Dec 9am- 5.30pm 28th Dec Closed 29th -30th Dec 9am-6pm 31st Dec 9am - 5.30pm 1st Jan 10am - 5pm
GOLDEN 50 TH ANNIVERSARY SALE
Mamhilad FAMILY RUN GARDEN CENTRE FOR 20 YEARS
Cut Trees from 3' - 9' Nordman • Noble Norway Spruce Potted Trees from 2' to 6'
PLENTY OF GIFT IDEAS AND CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS TO BROWSE THROUGH WHILST YOUR HERE!
Hot Meat
Baguettes
Starts on Saturday 20th December and will run throughout January
7 floors of furniture for every room in your home, all leading brands at best possible prices Open 9am - 6pm weekdays | Saturday until 5.30pm | Late night Thursday 8pm | Closed Sunday | Cafe
01686 414000 FREE DELIVERY in England & Wales
www.hafrenfurnishers.co.uk Llanidloes, Powys SY18 6ES Mid Wales just off A470
throughout
December NP4 OJE
Mon-Sat: 9am - 5.30pm Sun: 10.30am - 4.30pm
SECRET GARDEN < ABERGA VENNY
>
Christmas Lunches available every Sunday
USK
WE’RE CELEBRATING OUR 50TH YEAR WITH BIGGEST EVER REDUCTIONS ACROSS ALL BRANDS
Whilst you’re here, enjoy the wonderful view and spoil Whilst yourself to a home cooked meal followed by home made cakes at
PONTYPOOL
>
Telephone: 01495 785237 www.thesecretgarden.co.uk email: info@thesecretgardenwales.co.uk
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 15
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Have a wonderful Christmas but keep your pets safe
T
HE presence of animals is an essential part of every Nativity scene and a timely reminder of our relationship with animals even at the most significant events. I cannot recall exactly whether the dog and cat characters that made it into my kids’ nativity play were in the New Testa-
ment however, they never seemed out of place in my favourite school performance of the year. Dogs and cats have always been part of my family’s Christmas Day and looking through the albums it is incredible how often the pets of my childhood made it into the photographs with wrapping
“A caring, friendly, professional vets”
Puppy & Kitten Starter Packs £49.99 Puppy & Kitten Starter Packs..............................................£49.99 PetPlan nominated Practice & Vet of the Year 2014
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24 hour Onsite Nursing Care 24hr Onsite Nursing Grooming Room nowCare open Appointments 0900 1830hrs (Mon Fri) 0900 -- 1230 1230 (Sat) (Sat) Appointments 0900 - 1830hrs (Mon-Fri) 0900 www.abbeyvets.co.uk 01873852391 852391 www.abbeyvets.co.uk •●Tel: Tel 01873
16 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
paper, bow or a cardboard box on their head. Yet again I would like to remind you that dogs are more sensitive to the effects of chocolate so please make sure chocolate containing decorations on the tree are well out of reach. It is particularly the dark chocolate , because of its high cocoa solid content, that presents the real toxic danger. Grapes and raisins are also poisonous to dogs so that Christmas pudding must never be given as a table scrap treat! Cats seem to be specifically targeted by Christmas floral decorations. The poisonous effects of lilies can be lethal and it takes only a few chews of even one flower to affect their kidneys. Holly and mistletoe also contain toxins but seem less attractive to cats or perhaps
are just hung out of reach. Finally, cats are prone to playing with tinsel and ribbons and when ingested these are incredibly dangerous. The patient presents with lethargy and vomiting due to the ensuing blockage of the bowel. A blocked stomach is a true Xmas emergency however, the symptoms mimic the commonest problem for both dogs and cats who have scavenged something they should not have and just upset their stomachs. Have a wonderful Christmas and please do not forget to post those (safely) decorated pet photos on our Facebook site Facebook.com/abbeyvet. Ben the Vet
Gazette & Diary Magazine
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 17
Gazette & Diary Magazine
THREE OF THE BEST...
Mince pies
HESTON FROM WAITROSE 6 SPICED SHORTCRUST MINCE PIES, £3.50, Waitrose Filled with mincemeat, lemon curd, rose water and apple puree, with a sachet of tangerineflavoured sugar to sprinkle on top, these tartlets elicited groans of pleasure - even from non-mince pie fans. TRULY IRRESISTIBLE MINI MINCE PIES, £2.50 for nine, The Co-operative These bite-size treats make a perfect party snack. With buttery pastry and three delicious toppings of pecan nuts, brandy buttercream or a pastry star, it's hard to stop at just the one. TASTE THE DIFFERENCE ALL BUTTER BLACKCURRANT & MULLED CASSIS MINCE PIES, £3.50 for four, Sainsbury's Delicious, traditional tasting, hand-crafted mince pies topped with star-shaped, melt-in-the-mouth pastry.
Cuppa load A
PPARENTLY, 11 per cent of UK workers (that's seven million) have never made their colleagues a cuppa, and 19% confess they've snuck into the kitchen to make themselves a brew, hoping their workmates won't notice. According to Russell Hobbs, who commissioned the survey to launch their new super-quiet Buckingham kettle, 20% of workers reckon they're just too busy to sort the drinks out. For tea-lovers like me, these figures are actually quite reassuring - because it still means the vast majority of us are taking part in the wonderful thing that is workplace tea rounds. As for the 11% who aren't - and the 19% who are brewing up on the down-low - well, they're missing out. The humble tea round is one of my greatest weapons in the battle to stay well, happy and manage stress at work. Here are some reasons why... IT GIVES EYES A REST Not everybody works at a computer all day but many of us do, and staring at a screen for long periods can contribute to eye strain, headaches and dry eye syndrome. Experts recommend giving our eyes regular breaks (some say as often as every 1530 minutes), even if it just means looking away from the screen for a couple of minutes and gazing at something in the distance instead, in order to ensure our eyes keep hydrated and eye muscles get a rest.
To book call 01874 730223 Homemade Mushroom, Stilton & Port Soup served with a Roll Homemade Chicken Liver Pate with Onion Chutney served with Toast & Salad Garnish Spicy Prawn Cocktail with Wholemeal Bread ~~~~~ Roast Turkey with all the festive trimmings
Festive Duck Breast served with Greens Beans, Sauté Potatoes and a Marsala & Cranberry Sauce
Smoked Fish Chowder served with a Crusty Roll & Butter
10oz Rib Eye Steak (cooked to your liking) served with Chips, Tomato, Onion Rings & Mushrooms with a choice of Peppercorn or Stilton Sauce
La Tua Beetroot & Ricotta Tortelloni with Melted Butter & Grated Parmesan served with Salad & Garlic Bread ~~~~~ Lemon Cheesecake | Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce Yule Log | Spiced Apple Crumble | Sticky Toffee Pudding ---------------------------
Available throughout December for small or large groups, orders must be placed in advance
£18.95 3 Course | £15.95 2 Course £12.95 1 Course
Llangynidr • To book call 01874 730223
sarah_farr@btinternet.com • www.theredlion1.vpweb.co.uk Roast Turkey with all the trimmings will be served every Sunday Lunchtime in December
18 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Gazette & Diary Magazine
of goodness . . . Get up to put the kettle on a couple of times a day, and your eyes and head will thank you for it. IT GETS YOU OFF YOUR BACKSIDE It's not only our eyes and heads that can suffer; our bodies weren't really designed to spend all day working at a desk, but that's the reality for millions of office workers, and it's contributing to a rise in obesity, posture problems, backache and a range of other musculoskeletal complaints. Getting up from your desk a few times a
day can really help. It might not seem like much, but even a short walk over to the tea station means your circulation's being given a much-needed boost and your limbs and joints are moving. So don't shy away from those big rounds - you could even do some quick stretches while the kettle boils. IT HELPS REDUCE STRESS Tea makes everything better, and there's even plenty of science that backs up the fact that tea can help us feel calm and less stressed. It's not just the contents of our
Weekends & Midweek in Tenby
mugs working its magic, but the very act of taking a little breather and diverting your attention away from that overwhelming to-do list for a couple of minutes. This can be extremely beneficial, helping rebalance and refocus the mind, possibly resulting in greater productivity as you'll be less frazzled. So you think you're too busy to make a cup of tea? You could be missing a trick... IT BOOSTS HYDRATION This relates to those productivity levels too - tea rounds help ensure we stay well hydrated. Never underestimate the impact of being dehydrated; it can make us feel physically rubbish (tiredness, headaches, etc) and can affect concentration levels. So 'forgetting' to drink - or just ignoring your thirst - because you're too busy is actually, again, very counterproductive. You'll get things done more efficiently and possibly to a better standard if you just look after your basic needs and drink plenty of fluids. So grab that tray, and get to the kitchen. IT CONNECTS YOU WITH COLLEAGUES Even little interactions with people around us can have a significant impact on our sense of wellbeing. I don't care how important you think your job is; nobody is too busy to say, 'Fancy a cuppa?' every once in a while. Life - and work - can be a lonely place for many people. The small gesture of including somebody in a tea round could really brighten their day, as well as your own. Plus, a relaxed, friendly atmosphere is never a bad thing. Productivity and staff loyalty might increase too; bosses take note.
BELGRAVE HOTEL Enjoy 2 nights dinner, Bed & Breakfast from £95pp 3 nights £120pp. B&B from £37.50ppn
Entertainment every evening
Candlelit Stay extra Dinner & night Thurs Dance or Sun B&B er nn Di Gala Menu n. pp 0p £1 B&B £25pppn Thursday & Saturday
Tel: Tenby 01834 842377 email: info@thebelgrave hotel.co.uk Something to celebrate... ring now for birthdays, anniversaries and other special breaks in December, Christmas and New Year
nantyderry garden centre Family business (Established 1956) in beautiful rural setting.
Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year Take the Chainbridge turn off the A4042 Abergavenny Pontypool road - and follow the brown signs
Open 7 days a week 10am -5pm
01873 880377 www.nantyderryGC.co.uk
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 19
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Christmas at CRIC
C
LITTLE OWL AND HOPS by Rowan Mconegal
WATCHING SNOW in acrylic by Sue Morgan
RICKHOWELL is donning a festive mantel this Christmas and the Oriel CRiC Gallery upstairs in the Crickhowell Resource & Information Centre is no exception. Curator Suzette Pratten said, “From 26 November onwards we will be showcasing the work of popular previous exhibitors and welcoming a few exciting newcomers. The range of work includes painting, prints, sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewellery, gifts and cards and is certain to offer both choice and enjoyment to our many visitors. Alongside the traditional a touch of the nostalgic, the quirky and the unusual will add to the festive atmosphere. She added,” “This seasonal exhibition will complement the ever expanding range of gifts – many with a local flavour – which can be found downstairs in the retail and coffee bar area. We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to what promises to be a lovely exhibition.” The gallery hosts six exhibitions per year and organises the annual Open Studio weekend which will in 2015 again include
20 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
an Open Art Competition. The winter exhibition will continue until 24 January 2015. Further information on the gallery which is open seven days per week and is fully accessible can be found on www.visitcrickhowell.co.uk Ceramics by Jane Blair
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Meet the planners T
HE subject of this month’s column is our enforcement work which investigates and resolves complaints about development taking place without planning permission within the Brecon Beacons National Park. Enforcement often gets a bad rap and is poorly understood, not to mention a thankless task so I welcome the opportunity to throw some more light on how it works. Enforcement is a usually a reactive service. We investigate because an enquiry or complaint has been received or one of our Officers has seen something that they suspect might breach planning regulations. (You should remember that we don’t receive anonymous complaints.) When we have all the relevant information we register the case and then we check what constraints apply to the site. This will usually include a site visit by an Enforcement Officer in order to assess if there has been a breach. If we do not think there is a breach we will write a report explaining why. If we do think there has been a breach we will start work to deal with the problem. Usually this means working with the person who owns the land. If you are the person who owns the land you will get a formal letter from us detailing the issues we have concerns about. Enforcement cases can end up in court so you should take this letter seriously- but don’t panic, our intention
is to negotiate with you to solve the problem. If we think it is likely that the development in question could have received planning permission if there had been an application we may ask that a retrospective planning application be submitted to ensure that the development has the appropriate permissions. Many of the complaints we have are about caravans on agricultural land. The presence of a caravan in a field may change the use of the field from agriculture to storage (of a caravan), or even to housing if someone is living in it. Both of these scenarios would need planning permission. Without planning permission it is quite likely we would ask for the caravan to be moved. We have the power to initiate direct action of this kind and to recoup the costs from the landowner. We prefer not to go to court as we hope we can resolve issues without costly legal battles, however if we have to, we do. For example, in October we achieved a successful prosecution in a case involving a storage container in someone’s back garden. The landowner refused to negotiate with us and as a result of the court case they are now required to remove the container and have been ordered to pay our legal costs and the fine imposed by the court. It is not unusual for the complaints we receive to be a symptom of on-going
Christmas centrepiece
neighbour disputes and a tit-for-tat approach often develops with neighbours complaining and counter complaining about each other’s properties. These situations are difficult and time consuming for our Officers to unpick. As a public body any action we take is expected to be proportionate to the breach so sometimes, although something may technically be a breach, we can use our discretion and decide not to take formal action. Our actions are expected to remedy the problem not to punish the person responsible. When tensions are riding high you will imagine this can be a difficult situation to explain. Should you want to complain about anything you think might be a breach of planning regulations you will need to fill in a form which you will find on our website here: www.beacons-npa.gov.uk/theauthority/report-it/ There are also guidance notes relating to enforcement and making a complaint on the website or you can call us on 01874 620431 to get a form. If we agree that there is a breach the Welsh Government allows us 12 weeks to conclude our investigations. We will keep you informed of the progress of an investigation. In recent months we have halved the number of complaints waiting for investigation and we currently have 76 complaints on our books.
by Chris Morgan One of the more tricky subjects governed by planning regulations is placement of signs and adverts. With Christmas around the corner many businesses across the park are keen to advertise – my advice is that you have a quick read through the regulations (available on our website here www.beacons-npa.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/Advertisements-andSigns.pdf to make sure your sign or advert isn’t in breach. If you aren’t sure we are always happy to offer advice you can call us on 01874 620431. Finally, I offer my usual round up on our performance – the statistics we sent to the Welsh Government - covering July to September 2014 - showed we had processed 92% of all applications from householders within the statutory eight week period, a figure which we expect will keep us among the best performing Planning Authorities in Wales.
martin’s framing & gallery
Bring the outdoors indoors
HOW simple is this centerpiece? Buy a garland of greenery (available at garden centers) to run down the length of your table. Send your children out to collect pinecones, and use them as rustic toppers - you can also buy pinecones at garden or craft stores. If you want to make them a little more festive spread some glue on the pine cones and dip them in glitter.
Acrylics • Watercolours • Oils on canvas Pencil/sketch/pen • Oil on board Prints • Pastels
High quality framing at affordable prices String up some starlight
Wind a strand of battery-powered fairy lights around a medium Styrofoam ball. Tie it off, then tape the end of the strand to the ceiling or loop it around a curtain rod. Suspend three or four balls of varying sizes together for an even brighter arrangement.
The Old Police Station, Baker Street, Abergavenny
Mobile 07854 843017 Gallery 01873 856633
www.martinsframing.co.uk martin.framing@btconnect.com December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 21
Gazette & Diary Magazine
DATES TO REMEMBER
Meat from a Real Farm Beef - Lamb - Free Range Pork Free Range Chicken
Sausages, Burgers & Dry Cured Bacon - Made on the Farm Opening hours Mon & Wed & Fri 10am - 4pm Sat 10am - 5pm
Stockists of the Award Winning Local Crickhowell Apple Juice and Llyswen Honey
Tel: 01874 730 696
Why not visit our Farm Shop on the B4560 road (just off A40) between Llangynidr & Bwlch Proprietor - John Powell Pantybeili lBwich lBrecon lPowys lLD3 7NX Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
December 5 – Phoenix Singers Charity Christmas Concert, 7.30pm, Llanwenarth Chapel, Govilon, Tickets Adults £5, Children Free, includes Refreshments, Tel: 01873 830417. 6 – Pandy and Monnowside Ploughing Society Christmas Fun Bingo, light refreshments, children’s games, Pandy Hall, 7.30pm for 8pm, enquiries Tel: 01873 890591. 6 – Crickhowell Xmas Vintage & Antiques Fair, Clarence Hall, NP8 1BN, 10-4. Tea Room. We support Cancer Research UK. 07977 846509. 6 – Xmas Fair Pandy Village Hall, 1-4, refreshments available. For a table Tel: 01873 890691. 7 – Glangrwyney Baptist Chapel Carol Service at 6.30pm, Chairman Mr Malcolm Watts. All Welcome. 9 – 7.30pm Abergavenny Catholic Church UNICORN SINGERS “O Magnum Mysterium” Choral Music for Advent & Christmas. Tickets from Abergavenny
Music 01873 853394 or at door. 12 – Abergavenny Alzheimers Carers GroupMarket Stall, 8am – 4pm. Last chance for a Christmas bargain. Come and support us. 13 – 7-9pm Mardy Hall, Abergavenny. Coffee & Carol Concert with the Rhymney Silurian Male Voice Choir and Cor Ysgol Y Fenni. Tickets £5 inclusive. Phone Mrs M Tucker 01873 852176 23 – 7.30 pm St Catwg's Church Llangattock nr Crickhowell, UNICORN SINGERS, Annual Christmas Concert. Tickets from Abergavenny Music. 01873 853394 or at door. 23- Llangynidr Village Hall Xmas Whist Drive, usual prizes and refreshments. 7.30pm. 01874 730287, 730228, 730469. 31 - Llangynidr Village Hall New Year's Eve Ceilidh with Morris Ponk and The Ticker Fixers. 7.30pm. Shared party food. 01874 730287, 730228, 730469.
WALES ON
ACTION
Llangorse Riding Centre
Indoor & Outdoor Activities
Our riding centre is open all year: We have new spaces on our weekend and after-school Riding Lessons - call to book Christmas Riding Gift Vouchers are available to buy Visit www.activityuk.com or call 01874 658 272 for details
Indoor Multi Activities & Rock Climbing: Spaces available on our after-school Rock Climbing Clubs Climbing Taster Sessions only £20 Saturday Night Member’s Discounts (5-8pm) Visit www.activityuk.com or call 01874 658 272 for details
HORSEBACK IN THE BRECON BEACONS
The Gilfach, Llangorse, LD3 7UH
CHRISTMAS GIFT
VOUCHERS
Vouchers can be purchased with us in person, over the phone or online - just visit www.activityuk.com/gifts
22 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
PACKED ADVENTURES
Open allll yea r!
at Llangorse Multi Activity Centre
CHRISTMAS GIFT
VOUCHERS
Vouchers can be purchased with us in person, over the phone or online - just visit www.activityuk.com/gifts
EXPERT Services
Vehicle Repair
Sandwich Bar
Bailey Bros MOT TEST CENTRE Cars, Vans & Motorcycle (Free Retest) - Servicing & Reairs all makes Old Hereford Road, Abergavenny
01873 853058 Ford Dealership
Debt Collection
RAGLAN FORD Your Local Ford Dealer - For All Your New and Used Cars
SERVICING MOT TESTING STATION AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALIST
IUI Debt Collectors We are old school
High Street, Raglan, Monmouthshire Tel: (01291) 690423 Email: raglanford@lineone.net www.raglanford.com
Granite Supplier
01873 851998 Tree Surgery
TREETOP SERVICES All aspects of treework and landscape gardening Hand Carved Memorials
■
Granite Worktops
■
Additional Inscriptions
■
Vanity Tops
Tel: 01594 562535 / 562570 Fax: 01594 560613 www.medamsell.co.uk
Fully insured Free estimates
Tel: 01873 858988 Mob: 07896 969175
1216599
Rose Cottage, Lydney Road Bream, Glos GL15 6EW Allaston Grove Saw Mills Allaston Road, Lydney, Glos GL15 4EX
• Felling • Pruning • Lopping • Hedge Trimming
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 23
EXPERT & Services Gazette Diary Magazine
Damp Proofing
Carpenter
Monmouthshire Damp proofing Dry rot, Wet rot treatment
Garry Hill • All Damp roofing & general building work • All aspects of roof work undertaken Telephone 07989 589398 garryhill118@hotmail.co.uk
Specialist in fitting kitchens and wood flooring - Any make of kitchen fitted. Design service available - All aspects of carpentry undertaken www.bobjonescarpentry.co.uk
01594 839010 / 07718486135
Garden Machinery
Painter and Decorater
MARK A AR MORRIS
15%F
Painting & Decorating of Distinction since 1985
OF
costs bour All la e end of th until uary Jan
Find us on Facebook
Farrow & Ball • Dulux Tyy-Mawr Lime Paints Earthborn Claypaints
01873 831071 | 07710 619550 Garden Service Sales and Repairs
Dog Grooming
DEAN JONES GARDEN MACHINERY Machinery Repairs, Sales and Servicing Collection and Delivery NOW TRADING FROM NEW PREMISES AND GOING STRONGER THAN EVER Find us at: Building 1, Unit 6, The Park Farm, Goytre NP4 0AL Tel: 01495 785096 Mobile 07961 975295 or 07971 680030 Email: jonesgardenmachinery@gmail.com
Kennels
Dog Walking Service
PET BUDDY Wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2015 Wishing would like to thank all my customers old and new
Dog Walking • Holiday Pet Feeding • Pet Transportation
Janet Bambr Bambrough rough ough Lower Maescoed, M Longtown , Herefordshir Herefordshire re HR2 0HP
For Dogs, Cats, Small Hutch Animal and Birds. BTEC 1st Diploma in Small Animal Care.
01873 860237 Nursing Home
AVENUE ROAD NURSING HOME Becoming part of your family Our core values of care:
• Privacy • Dignity • Rights • Independence • Choice • Fulfilment • Security • Respect • Equality
28 Avenue Road, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 7DB Tel: 01873 857607 Fax: 01873 857607 Mob: 07830 385435 (Dr. A. Bansal)
24 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Contact Vicky 07977059041
Taxi Service
TAXI EXECUTIVE CARS ● MINIBUS HIRE
01873 811764 01873 810479 C T E CRICKHOWELL TAXIS ●
●
info@crickhowelltaxis.com AIRPORT TRANSFERS ● WEDDINGS
EXPERT Services
Plasterer
Glass Services
BLORENGE PLASTERING Traditional Lime Plastering • Dry Lining Covering Artex a Speciality • Home Improvements • Renovations • House Repairs • Insurance Work • Tiling • All types of building work undertaken
FREE ESTIMATES | COMPETITIVE PRICES Tel: 01873-737680 | Mob: 07870-648109
MOT Station
Building Developments
SWG BUILDING DEVELOPMENT
The MOT STATION
Class 4,5,& 7 MOTS
Hackney Testing Service and Repairs carried out to any make of vehicle
SUSTAINABLE HOMES DEVELOPER
All your building and renovation needs
Tel: 01873 852126
Mill Street Industrial Est, Abergavenny (behind Aldi) abergavennyautorepairs@aol.com
• New Build • Extensions • Kitchens • Loft Conversions • Plans drawn up on request • Local References
Tel 07952 108955
889225
Window Services
Building you sustainable homes for the future
Business Solutions
Tel: 01874 712247 Mob: 07770 563020
Mark Alder Window Wizard Maintenance and repairs to: windows, doors, conservatories, sky & roof lights, guttering, handles, hinges and locks, any age any make Supplier and installer of: windows, doors, conservatories, electronic roller garage doors, fascia, guttering and glass.
Replacing misted up/broken down units Over 20 years experience
Pest Control
Carpet Cleaners
Gavenny Pest Control G • Agricultural • Domestic • Commercial P C Traditional & modern methods used • Mole Control Specialists • Wasps Nests Treated within 12 hrs 20% OFF WITH THIS ADVERT OAP Special Rate Any general quote beaten
Matthew Jones
tel: 01873 856035 / 07772 186159 mjones@gavennypestcontrol.co.uk
Elecricians 12 Elliot Street Elliots Town NEW TREDEGAR NP24 6DP Quality and professional electrical services to domestic, commercial and industrial properties throughout South Wales. With over 40 years experience we pride ourselves on the quality and reliablity of the services that we provide
Affordable Small Business Solutions No hardware. No software. No hassle. Tel: 01873 852898 ● 07538 781619 info@mangoho.com ● www.mangoho.com
Telephone: 07832 168 370 E-mail:
firstphaseelectrical@gmail.com
Web:
www.firstphaseelectricalwales.co.uk
Aberg venny
C rpet Cleaning
Professional Carpet Cleaning Services Call us on 07710 462863 for a free quotation Email: info@abercarpets.co.uk Web: www.abercarpets.co.uk
Dog Kennels
Wyndee Kennels
Individual Care ~ Attention Guaranteed Open 9am-6pm Newbury, Abergavenny, Blaenavon 01495 790571
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 25
EXPERT & Services Gazette Diary Magazine
Cycle Repairs
W NO EN OP
Cleaning and Dog Walking
MAID IN YOUR AREA
The Cycle Repair Centre
Domestic cleaning and dog walking service Friendly and reliable
Offering Off Of ffe fe ering Professional: Pro rof ofe fess ssiona al:
Telephone Moira 07585 079 760
325 Springvale Ind. Est. Cwmbran, NP44 5BR
Pet Store
Body Shop
Dentech Body Repairs
PAWS PASSIONATE ABOUT PETS
■
• Specialist Pet & Aquatic Supplies & Accessories • Unique Products • Small Animal Boarding • Local Deliveries • Nutrition and Animal Advice
Paws Pets 6-7 Oldway Centre, Monnow Street, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 3PS (near the Co-op) - 01600 715367 - WWW.PAWSPETS.CO.UK Chepstow Pet Supplies 4/5 Riflemans Walk, Old Bell Chambers, Welsh Street, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 5EJ, on the car park by Chepstow library - 01291 625460 WWW.CHEPSTOWPETSUPPLIES.CO.UK
Accupuncture
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■ ■ ■
Competitive labour rates Cars, commercials, caravans & motorcycles Alloy wheels refurbished Colour coding Classic car restoration
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Buff & polishing Welding Free estimates 30 years + experience ATA qualified
01873 850895 or 07588 150354 Computer Service
ABERGAVENNY ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC Lynda Bransbury LicAc
Celtic Computer Systems
NEW LAPTOPS with manufacturers 12 mth warranties wherever you are in the UK starting from £399 incl. VAT with legal software BEST BROADBAND DEAL! go to www.utilitysavers.org.uk Reduced pricing on legal Microsoft Servicing, Repairs, Updates Office with CD and licence Virus Problems
Clean up junk, erase confidential information
01873 858686
Not just added to computer as other suppliers do
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our customers Telephone: 01873 858111 - Email: celticcomputers@uwclub.net - www.celticcomputers.co.uk
Car Garage
Childrens Wear
GOVILON GARAGE
Cuddle & Cwtch
Motocycle and Car MOT | Servicing and Repair Church Lane Govilon, Monmouthshire NP7 9RP Telephone Abergavenny - 01873 831696
MOT Trade Centre
Quality clothing for babies and children 54A Frogmore St, Abergavenny - 01873 850524
Chainsaws
BLACKWOOD CHAINSAWS H. Waters & Sons
Lawnmowers • Chainsaws • Garden Machinery RIDE-ON MOWERS FREE DEMONSTRATIONS
SALES • SERVICE • REPAIRS
45 years experience serving our community. We accept part exchange / new & reconditioned. Demonstrations available
01495 226657
www.blackwoodchainsaws.co.uk
Mill Garage, Gelli Groes, Blackwood, Gwent NP12 2HY
Wishing all my customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
26 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Removals MIKE GEDDES
REMOVALS OF MONMOUTH
Top quality friendly personal service at rock bottom prices...
BUDGET MAN + VAN SERVICE AVAILABLE
References available - 30 Years experience
Telephone 01600 715509 07860 736755
Winter Weddings
Winter Weddings
Why it’s cool to wed in winter Stand out from the crowd with designer dresses, hats and accessories from
Ladies Designerwear Agency
Tel: 01600 772323 or 07766608214
“The Venue for the Clever Shopper”
Email: carolkerrinjones@hotmail.com
at Monmouth
There are so many reasons why you should consider a winter wedding but here are just 10 . . . IT’S COOL! Winter is undoubtedly the most romantic season; cold weather is the perfect excuse to snuggle up to the one you love, and when better than on your wedding day? Plus, grooms will be much more comfortable in their suits, and more importantly, you brides won’t need to worry about your make-up melting in the heat! ACCESSORISE YOUR WEDDING DRESS What better opportunity to buy yourself something pretty like a fur wrap or bolero, or a silk velvet cloak. Especially for any self-conscious brides, these accessories will cover you up and look super stylish. CREATIVE BOUQUETS Winter means you can get really creative with your bouquet. Instead of going for fresh flowers, how about introducing feather, silk flowers, crystals, or even Christmas baubles if the timing is right? Better still, you can even keep it and treasure it for life. IT’S DIFFERENT A winter date makes a wedding special in more ways than one. It will brighten up the dark days of your winter, and your guests are more likely to remember it, as winter weddings are few and far between compared with weddings in the summertime. BETTER FOR GUESTS You’re more likely to get all the people you really want at your wedding, as there is less likelihood that your wedding clashes with another,
or someone’s summer holidays. AVAILABILITY IS BETTER You’re more likely to secure your hairdresser, your favourite bridal photographer, and perhaps even your dream venue because there are less weddings taking place at this time of year. MORE TIME Less brides asking questions means that every wedding supplier that you use will have more time, meaning more time to be given to providing you with a higher level of personalised service than usual. FUN AND QUIRKY There are so many fun and quirky elements you can introduce to a winter wedding, such as cute little earmuffs for your flowergirls, a snow globe as a cake topper, or a delicious and warming hot cocoa or mulled wine instead of Champagne at your drinks reception.
Designer, nearly new garments and accessories accepted and sold on a commission basis
Monmouthshire Registration Service Our new Register Office in Usk is the perfect venue for your Wedding or Civil Partnership With seating capacity for 30 guests, the stunning, contemporary colours of The Old Parlour are perfect for a modern ceremony. Courtyard and garden available for photographs and conveniently situated in the historic town of Usk with its many restaurants and hotels.
RUN TO THE SUN Think about it: as a bride and groom that overseas honeymoon is going to be so much more appreciated when you’re escaping the depths of a British winter! VALUE FOR MONEY Most services – venues, photographers and so on – may be prepared to offer a discount during the off-peak winter months, making a winter wedding perfect for those brides on a budget. For more information go to www.weddingideasmag.com
Contact the Superintendent Registrar on 01873 735435 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 27
New season stock now in
The latest look from our new season stock The perfect outfit for this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding Specialising in Mother of the Bride. Groom and Guests. Matching hats, shoes & bags. Also available a wide selection of smart and casual wear in sizes 10-24
Susanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 26a Castle Street, Tredegar, Gwent NP22 3DG
01495 724390 28 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Winter Weddings
G
ET Christmassy with baubles - Your wedding may not be Christmasthemed, but how about using pretty baubles as place card holders? A gold or silver bauble makes the perfect token for your guests to put on their tree, and will ensure your wedding is remembered year after year. ● Something old, something borrowed - Perhaps your granny has a special fur that she loved, that’s been stored away for many, many years. Ask to borrow it, and it could be a practical ‘something old’ and ‘something borrowed’! Remember to air it though – you don’t want to smell like mothballs! ● Flowers are so important for wedding, particularly in the winter when they can add a much-needed touch of brightness. There are plenty of scented roses, which look amazing with beautiful grey foliage and whose fragrance will always remind you of your special day.
Warm up that winter wedding ● Remember – warm guests are happy guests! How about welcoming them with a warm mug of cocoa or glass of hot mulled wine? Who could turn down a delicious hot beverage after coming in from the cold? ● A winter wedding is the perfect place for mistletoe. If you’re having a civil ceremony, hang it above the location of your first kiss for a cute photo opportunity, or get guests in the romantic mood and have some suspended from the ceiling at ● Keep toastie with blankets - churches can be freezing at the best of times, so your reception. you have bear this in mind during a win● If your family has hours of camcorder ter wedding! How about leaving a numfootage that’s never seen the light of day, ber of blankets at the end of pews for edit your Christmas footage to show you those who might get a little chilly? You and your intended excitedly opening could also leave some by your reception presents, and play it on a projector during doors for those younger guests (or at least young at heart!) who want to go dinner or the evening reception. outside and play in the snow. ● Expect the unexpected. Whether it be snow, hail or sunshine, plan ahead. Buy pretty wellies and remember to plan at least some of your festivities inside! For more top weather tips, check out our articles on how to keep wedding guests warm and how to beat wedding day rain!
● How about a tinsel photobooth? Buy metres of tinsel and drape over a spare curtain rail to create a sparkly festive photo backdrop Attach with glue or elastic bands and you’re good to go. The longer you need the booth to be, the more tinsel you’ll need.
N NEW EW LOOK LOOK BEAUTY BEAU TY CARE New N ew In
• Vi Vinylux nylux - New New Weekly Weeekly eek Polish Poolish Dry D ry in 8 mins •N New ew Physique Phyysique Ultima Ultim Face Face and Body TTreatment reatment • Individual eyelash eyelash extensions extensions • Shellac Nails •S Stockist tockist of MD & bare minerals (box (box sets available) avvailable) • Manicures, Pedicures, Pedicures, Waxing Wa W axing and many many more treatments available available • Sunbeds • Secret of the Stars Stars Slimming ttablets ablets
GIFT VOUCHERS A VAILABLE A AVAILABLE
TAKING CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS NOW
Bill Child Formal Wear
Gift Sets
Herefordshire’s leading specialist in men’s and boys’ formal wear to hire. Wedding, evening and highland wear. A superb selection of waistcoats, neckwear and accessories, all available to hire or buy. Guaranteed friendly professional advice. Individual attention. Top quality outfits and service. No deposit, easy parking Come and see us at 17 King Street, Hereford, HR4 9BX Telephone: 01432 344700 Everything to dress men and boys from head to toe for every occasion
www.billchildfromalwear.co.uk December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 29
Caer Llan, a hidden gem of a wedding venue! A
stylish, private country house with impeccable eco-credentials and stunning views set in private grounds amidst beautiful Welsh border countryside, that’s a good start! A location that’s readily accessible and easily found whether you’re travelling from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff or beyond and things just get better. Yet the fact that the venue we’re talking about is elegant, characterful and superbly renovated to the best of contemporary standards and offers exclusive-use accommodation for up to 50 residential guests (with a total capacity for 120 day visitors) might make you wonder why you haven’t heard of it before? Caer Llan, near Monmouth, is the home of the Carpenter family whose vision and commitment over the last 45 years has been to patiently and lovingly develop their historic home from a respected field-study and conference centre into a fully-licenced wedding and celebration venue where the customer comes first and hospitality and attention to detail are the highest priorities. For example, there’s no accidentally bumping into another wedding party here, guests are guaranteed exclusive use of the property and all its facilities. The accommodation is of a very high standard too – 5-stars according to Visit Wales – yet the atmosphere is homely and relaxed and the superb food on offer is homecooked by Vicky Carpenter and her hospitality team with a level of attention to detail that many a hotel would envy. Vicky and her husband Jake’s vision for Caer Llan is independently reaffirmed over and over again by the comments left in their guest book and on TripAdvisor.com of which the following are just a few examples: ”A superb location, friendly hosts, great food, fantastic atmosphere...”; “We didn’t want to feel like we were on a wedding conveyor belt, and just when we thought there was nowhere that would suit us we found Caer Llan!”; “We wanted an informal affair and billed it as a party with a wedding thrown in. Vicky and Jake took great care of the day leaving us with nothing to do but enjoy ourselves. If you’re looking for a place that takes time to understand what you want and help along the way Caer Llan is for you.”. You can find out more about what Caer Llan has to offer at www.caerllan.co.uk. Call or email to make an appointment so you can go along and see for yourselves. Highly recommended!
30 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Gazette & Diary Magazine
TheManor
Siimpply Magical Simply Maggical W Weddings edd eddings dd dinggs
Wedding dd g Open p n Dayy Offer Offer 60 Day & Evening Guests
Welcome Drink on Arrival 3 Course Wedding ng Breakfast Breakfasst Glass of Wine with the Meal al Drink to TToast oast wi with ith Speechess Hog Baps in the Evening Complimentary Bridal Suite e
fromÂŁ2399.00 Valid for Dates Booked January to June 2015 Januar a ry & Febu burary 2016 6
Wedding W edding ddi g O d dding Open p D y Day
Sunday day 14th h D December e ecember b 1pm till t 4pm
Brecon Road, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1SE www.manorhotel.co.uk/weddings weddings@manorhotel.co.uk Tel: 01873 810212
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 31
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and not a saucepan in sight! What more could you want for Christmas?
C
HRISTMAS is a time for relaxing, so leave mealtimes to us. We’ve created a range of classic Christmas meals and desserts to celebrate the festive season that will really excite your taste-buds, all delivered by your regular local driver. Our Hearty Roast Turkey with all the trimmings, followed by a Luxury Christmas Pudding is the perfect choice for a winter meal. If you fancy something different this Christmas, we offer a delicious Roast Pork with Cranberry Stuffing - succulent pork loin with a port sauce, and seasonal vegetables, a great alternative to turkey. For dessert our Sherry Trifle is sure to hit the spot, layers of silky custard, fruity raspberry jelly and sherry soaked sponge, topped with cream. A delicious way to celebrate the sea-
son! To start you off, you might like to order our Christmas Selection Pack, with 6 festive meals and 4 desserts plus a FREE Christmas tea towel (available while stocks last) all for just £29.95! It’s a great way to try a variety of our favourite meals. Established for more than 20 years, Wiltshire Farm Foods creates and delivers a delicious range of frozen meals that can be cooked in minutes. From the field, to the freezer, every detail is considered in order to offer nutrition, value, flavor, all this and Award-Winning personal service. Ingredients are selected from carefully-approved suppliers and are then prepared by a team of nutritionists and award-winning chefs in our Wiltshire kitchens. Once cooked, the meals are placed into handy trays that fit easily into the freezer, then frozen almost immediately to lock in the freshness. Wiltshire Farm Foods regularly deliv-
Roast Pork with Cranberry Stuffing
ers meals to many satisfied customers living throughout Abergavenny and the surrounding area. Delivery is free and there is no minimum order.
Christmas Pudding
For your copy of our Wiltshire Farm Foods Christmas Menu 2014 or to order the Christmas Selection Pack for £29.95, call 01600 892855 or visit www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com to
A full festive menu, delivered to your door. Relax. It’s Christmas. CHRISTMAS SELECTION PACK
for only £29.95 + FREE Tea Towel
FREE * C
HRISTMAS TEA T TO OWEL worth £3.95
6 Main Courses, all with vegetables: • Gammon in Cranberry & Orange Sauce • Honey Roast Turkey Breast • Beef with Roast Potatoes & Yorkshire Pudding • Roast Pork with Cranberry Stuffing • Steak & Mushroom Casserole • Chicken, Bacon & Thyme Hotpot 4 Desserts: • Luxury Christmas Pudding • Sherry Trifle • Brandy in Clotted Cream Ice Cream • Mincemeat & Apple Crumble Available to order from 13/10/14 to 31/12/14 *With every Christmas selection pack, while stocks last.
32 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Christmas is a time ffor Christmas or rrelaxing elaxing with yyour our loved ones. So S o this yyear, ear, why why not not leave mealtimes to to Wiltshire Wiltshire Farm Farm Foods? Foods? With over 260 individually individually portioned dishes tto o choose from, from, including C Christmas hristmas options, options, you you can put yyour our ffeet eet up as delicious meals are are delivered delivered dir ect tto o yyour our fr eezer. direct freezer. When When you’re you’re ready ready to to eat, simpl simplyy pop yyour our meal in the microwave microwave or oven and enjo enjoy. y. for yyour our FREE br ochure ttoday, oday, and or der Ask for brochure order over the phone or online. This This Christmas, Christmas, let Wiltshire Wiltshire Farm Farm Foods Foods do the dishes. Tasty T asty M Meals eals fr from om £2.95
For a FREE br For brochure ochure or to order order your your C Christmas hristmas Selection S election Pack Pack call us on
01600 892855 8 92 8 5 5
wiltshirefarmfoods.com wil tshirefarmfoods.com
FREE Delivery Delivery
Golden Years
A World Of Freedom Is Only A Phone Call Away
SAY IT WITH DIAMONDS THIS CHRISTMAS! Home Assist Service
STAIRLIFTS • SCOOTER REPAIRS WHEELCHAIRS • SCOOTERS CHAIRS & BEDS • TRI-WALKERS THROUGH FLOOR LIFTS
Help is Back! D HelpingTheyouHome to remain independent
O you have an elderly or disabled tency of having the same worker visit each friend or relative who is finding week, month or fortnight. those little household tasks too We recognise that sometimes people find much to cope with? it difficult to admit that they need help and Then give them the gift of diamonds this therefore aim to make the expe- rience as We offer services: Christmas.......Diamond Home Sup- the port! following friendly and personal as possi- ble. All poOur Home Assist Service aims to provide tential clients are visited in their own appointments and social activities support Escorting for the elderlytoand less able homes so that we can talk them through gardening, ironing laundry through our Cleaning, Home Help services in a the service, and explain how things work and friendly, caring and professional manner. Light meal preparation answer any questions which they may All of our workers are thoroughly vetted have. Bed making/changing and are chosen primarily for their personWe service are happy for relatives to be present Respite sitting ality, ethos and attitude. They are given at the time of the initial visit should they so plenty of time between appointments, so Medication wish. reminders We appreciate that everyone has the there is never the need for visits Companionship to be cut right to consider the pros and cons of our short in order for the worker to be on time service before signing on the dotted line Shopping for their next appointment. We are client driven and our service is delivered in a and, to this end, we are happy to visit more oncepersonal should that becare necessary. note wewhich do notthan offer friendly and Please professional manner We guarantee ongoing support and are suits the client rather than the company. Our aim is for the client and the worker to always available to discuss any problems, build and develop a relationship; there- issues or concerns which may arise. We will fore we do not send a succession of differ- resolve these in the best way possible. So, say it with diamonds this Christmas. .... ent workers to our clients. We feel that trust can only be achieved through the consis- Diamond Home Support! heidi@diamondhomesupport.com
01873 859 289 or 07581 747 328
Home Assist Service
The Home Help is Back! Helping you to remain independent We offer the following services: Escorting to appointments and social activities Cleaning, gardening, ironing and laundry Light meal preparation Bed making/changing Respite sitting service Medication reminders Companionship Shopping Please note we do not offer personal care
01873 859 289 or 07581 747 328 heidi@diamondhomesupport.com
Ample Parking
Tel: 01633 861717 Fax: 01633 866777 Mobile: 07968 755960 www.havenmobility.co.uk Unit 14, Caldicot Way, Avondale Industrial Estate, Cwmbran, South Wales. NP44 1UF
Merry Christmas to all our customers
AVENUE ROAD NURSING HOME Becoming part of your family Our core values of care: • PRIVACY • DIGNITY • RIGHTS • INDEPENDENCE • CHOICE • FULFILMENT • SECURITY • RESPECT • EQUALITY 28 Avenue Road, Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 7DB Tel: 01873 857607 Fax: 01873 857607 Mob: 07830 385435 (Dr. A. Bansal) December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 33
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Are worries keeping you awake at night? M
ANY of us probably knew this already, but now it's official - women are fretting far more frequently than men. A lot more, in fact. An enormous survey by YouGov has revealed that 4.5 million women are losing sleep over financial fears, compared to 2.9 million men - that's nearly 1.5 million more. If that worry is not worrying enough, it's not the only thing us women are losing sleep over, either... MONEY - Gone are the days when men were in charge of the finances. Many women now take control when it comes to budgeting at home, squirreling away savings and checking out comparison websites to ensure they're on the best deals. The YouGov poll found that paying for household bills is causing the biggest worry, and that women are also fretting about the future, with more than half of us concerned about our lack of savings and a quarter stressing about debt. The fact the pay-gap between men and women remains such a gulf can't help either - the latest figures show women in fulltime work still earn 15.7% less than their male counterparts. CHILDREN - There's a funny little saying about when the baby comes out, the guilt gene goes in - and it couldn't be more true. As mothers, women worry about the health of their children, their general ability, whether they're well-liked or being bullied, if they'll do well in exams, what they get up to once they're old enough to go out, whether they'll get a job and be able to pay their own bills, if they're falling in love with
FRIENDS - Women love to have friends. We look out for them, offer advice, laugh with them, chat to them - the world is a better place for these friends. However, they also make us worry more. We might fret about inclusion or exclusion, and we might also worry about any personal circumstances affecting them. So although Jayne's divorce isn't physically going on in your own life, because you're chatting to her for hours on end and checking she's OK every other day, you will also naturally worry about them - often at bedtime.
someone terrible, whether they're happy the list is endless. So if the kids aren't physically waking you up in the night, either because they're tiny, toddlers or teens, they'll be creeping into your mind and stirring your slumber with worry. WORK - When was the last time you sat bolt upright in your sleep gasping about some-
thing you'd forgotten to do at work? Last night? Me too. Since the recession hit and workplaces clamped down on jobs and people, our workloads increased enormously - and then proceeded to stay that way. Many working women have a 'to-do' list as long as their arm and our brains are often so full that the only way to remember something is during the night.
HORMONES - And as if all that wasn't enough, the crazy hormones women have to put up with also keep us awake at night. First there's that trusty menstrual cycle, which can affect sleep and make you dream more, then as we age, the changes in our bodies affect the quality of our sleep. Sadly, older women get less deep sleep and are more likely to wake up. Then comes the perimenopause, a big biological shift which tends to hit around your 40th birthday, when you wake up sweating. Then comes the actual menopause, when the spiking and falling levels of oestrogen and progesterone wake the brain during sleep, often accompanied by lovely night sweats. More proof, if ever it was needed, that women are amazing for coping with all this stress and with the lack of shut-eye that comes with it...
Louise Price BA (Hons) Dip Hyp. THA
Integrative Therapy & Coaching 07790 166943 louprice@outlook.com
STOP SMOKING FOR LIFE! With the ISIS Stop Smoking for Life Programme
The ISIS Stop Smoking for Life Programme has enabled hundreds of people to kick the habit –and kick it for good. With a 95% success rate, this tried and tested, step by step process, simply and painlessly turns you into a non-smoker. Here’s how it works... Abergavenny Rugby Club, Bailey Park, Abergavenny Mondays 5.00pm and 7.00pm Tel Sarah 07798 503837 Abergavenny Rugby Club, Tuesdays - 9.30am Tel Cheryll 07796 615477 Usk Conservative Club Wednesdays 5.30pm from 23rd Dec Tuesdays 5.30pm (and from 6th Jan a 7.30pm session aswell) Tel Cheryl 07828 765682 Glangrwyney village hall, Wednesdays 6.30pm Tel Joan 01873 812053 Gilwern Community Centre Tuesdays 5.30pm Tel Kelly 07964 587841 Please contact the Consultants to confirm possible Christmas/new year day/time changes)
Your initial free 30 minute Consultation: Even from this initial session, you might find that you’re already thinking about the habit in a very different way. Your Coaching Session: To help you prepare for becoming a non-smoker, by supporting and encouraging you through the process. Research has shown that if you prepare properly, you have a much better probability for success Your 2 Hour Hypnotherapy Session: A pleasant and relaxing experience similar to daydreaming. Much more importantly, this dissolves those strong subconscious chains that have tied you to the habit for so long. Your Follow Up Session: To help you iron out any problems (and there mostly isn’t) and give you some more hypnotherapy to reinforce your new habit of being a healthy and happy non smoker I will be available to offer telephone or email support throughout the programme. To help you make 2015 the year that you became a non-smoker, I am offering a £30 discount throughout January and February. To book your initial consultation, either contact me directly or Abergavenny Natural Therapy Centre on 01873 858391 Email aberhealing@gmail.com “You will be pleased to know that nearly a year on I am still a non-smoker and am very proud of myself! I can’t thank you enough for your help with this and will be eternally grateful” ‘Stop Smoking for Life Programme’ ©ISIS Training Centre
34 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Winter Homes
T
HERE aren't many who'd disagree; the festive feast is the highlight of Christmas Day. But whether you're going for turkey, goose, nut-roast or something even more exotic as the focus of your meal, it's the trimmings that really make it - and I'm not just talking roasties and honey-glazed parsnips. A glass bowl, filled with colourful baubles or pine cones and deep, red berries or springs of holly makes a striking centrepiece, and carefully-draped fairy lights can also be very effective. But whatever you do - don't forget the crackers. Here are some popular Christmas Day dining deco themes to help you serve up some style...
Gold table setting, Wilko
GO FOR GOLD It may sometimes have a reputation for being a little ostentatious, but if there's one day of the year when being flash and over-the-top is perfectly allowed - it's Christmas. More importantly, gold doesn't have to be pompous; in fact it can be extremely subtle and sophisticated, especially if used in a softly-lit, romantic setting. You can dig up plenty of gold on the high street which, thankfully, doesn't include price tags like can easily stock up on a red those of the real thing. Gold And paper tablecloth and napkins, Black Dinner Party Crackers, £7 for while some strategically pack of six; Gold Charger Plate, £2, placed baubles and tinsel can Tesco. be all you need to create a Talking Tables is a fantastic onestriking scene. stop-shop for all your table-setIf you prefer Christmas in Villeroy & Boch ting-heart could possibly desire. subtle doses, just adding acBoston Coloured Party Porcelain Gold Table Top cents of red to your table will Goblet, Amazon Tree Decoration, £11; Party inject some festive spirit and Porcelain Gold Individcolour. A candelabra or trio ual Cracker, £20 for of tall candle sticks are easy ways to pack of 20, Talking Tamake an impact. Antique Cut Glass bles. Candelabra, £45; Snowflake ChristAnother top dining mas Table Runner, £15, M&S deco destination is Match your glassware with the theme; Wilko, where you Villeroy & Boch have a wide choice, can really go to and their Boston Coloured Red Wine town with a theme. Goblet, from £11.48, Amazon, would Their Let's Celeadd a touch of drama. brate range fea12 Red Heart Crackers, £12, Next. tures an endless Wilko comes up trumps again in the array of gold red lane: Foil Tree Decoration items: Plates, from Spotty, £1.25; Poppy £3; Star Dish, from Fields Bowls and Plates, £3; ChamSitting stag from £1.50 each; Red pagne Flute, tealights holder, Blush Glasses, from £15 for pack of Marks and £1 each; Paper four; Table runSpencer Snowflake Decoraner, £7; Teapot, tion, from £1; Honey£8; 2 Tier Cake Stand, £10. comb Ball Decoration, Christmas is certainly a time to pull from £1; Table Runner out those fancy accessories; OKA has a Red, £4. beautiful selection, including Skeleton Leaf these Skeleton Leaf Coasters, Coasters, brass, A HINT OF SILVER £76 for set of four. set of 4, OKA If there isn't enough Nothing says 'special occasparkle on that tree, sion' like eating by candlemake the dining table light, but make sure your candles dazzle with a silvery are housed stylishly. Sitting Stag theme. This is a Tealights Holder, £79; Woodland shade that can inScene Cut-Out Tealight Holder, stantly evoke a £7.50, Marks & Spencer. party feel, but can equally look subtle SEEING RED and charming, particularly It's bold, it's bright, and it's 'the' colour of Christmas. For fans of a Snowflake Christmas if combined with crisp, cool traditional setting, red is the go-to table runner, Marks white. and Spencer Give your setting a subtle, festive shade. The good news is silver edge with some that shops are always bursting at the seams with red decorations, which makes gleaming bargain buys, like Poundland's it ideal for those on a tight budget, as you Silver Charger Plate, £1. House of Fraser's Linea range is a good
A feast for the eyes . . . port of call for silver-fishers: Silver Goblet Tealight Holder, £9.50-£10.50; Luxury Crystal Palace Ice Prism Crackers, currently £21 for set of six (reduced from £30). For a chic approach, Next's silver accessories are ideal: Sequin Runner, £20; 12 Piece Metropolitan Stripe Dinner Set, £50; Set Of 4 Sequin Napkins, £8; Set Of 4 Metropolitan Wine Glasses, £26; Set Of 4 Silver
Scratch Coasters, £8. Make it all (silver and) white on the night, with a little help from The White Company. Their collection includes: Silver Concertina Balls, £15 for set of three; Snowflake Paper Decorations, £12 for set of three; Large Pillar Candle Holder, £45; Mini Star Etched Hurricane, £10; Pinecone Tealight Holder, £6.
T r a i n i n g
PARAGLIDING and PARAMOTORING
Over 15 years experience Fully skilled and qualified instructors.
Look at Abergavenny from a new perspective
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01873 850111 07970 421373 35 Mount Street, Abergavenny NP7 7DT www.paraglide.co.uk December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 35
Gazette & Diary Magazine
36 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Winter Homes
A
S the evenings get darker the lighting in your home takes on more importance. Lighting should be at three levels in a room - the floor, walls and ceiling. Plan your scheme in advance - if you're having electrical work done, make sure the sockets are fitted where you want your table and floor lamps to be. Wall lights and target lighting should also be planned at this stage. Lighting can be much more creative, and useful, than just an overhead light in each room. In the bedrooms, do you want wall lights over the beds for reading, or just bedside lamps? Don't forget wall lights in the bathroom, perhaps for creating a relaxing atmosphere when you're soaking in the tub, and on either side of the mirror for shaving and applying makeup. An illuminated mirror is another option. Target lighting, such as over-counter lights in kitchens, can be both practical and attractive. "Consider how the room will be used and at what time of day," says Hector Finch, owner of lighting store Hector Finch (www.hectorfinch.com). "This has an influence on whether the lighting should be overhead, localised for reading, or purely for atmosphere. Lighting should be considered in relation to the use of the room and the times that good light will be most needed." f you want to focus attention on a feature, light it up. This is often best achieved with a low-level lighting scheme, where walls are 'washed' with light, or where an area is accented with spotlights. Statement pieces, such as chandeliers, can be a stunning feature, but give them room to
Get the l ght right 'breathe'. "Think of lighting as a means of adding personality and atmosphere to a room and home," says Finch. "Table lamps can be beautiful objects in their own right, not just used to provide light, and shades can be chosen to echo other colours in the room." In a room with a high ceiling, think carefully about the height and size of the ceiling light - a small one may look silly. Most plastic ceiling roses come with short flexes, but you can buy longer flexes so the light isn't 'stranded' too close to the ceiling. A longer flex will make it look more in proportion to the room and create more of a feature, especially with a large light fitting or shade.
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 37
Gazette & Diary Magazine
Award-winning B-Warm Heated Seat Cover
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The cover is suitable for most styles of chair and some sofas with the product wrapped around the furniture and secured at the back to prevent it from slipping when being used. The four heat settings are easily adjusted with the one-button controller while an automatic switch off feature ensures user safety should they not be able to manually switch it off themselves. The creator, Martin Lewis, researched and designed the B-Warm after his wife found the heated car seats in the coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SAAB were extremely comforting while recovering from a hospital stay and suffering with arthritis. By combining the technology of a heated car seat and an electric blanket, the B-Warm is able to provide efficient heating over a long period of time with low running cost. Explaining his design process, Martin Lewis commented: â&#x20AC;&#x153;By calculating how much heat a body generates in watts while active and inactive and then reworking electric blanket designs, I came up with a model which I found could be run for just 0.5 pence an hour.â&#x20AC;? The B-Warm retails at just ÂŁ79.95, making it an affordable investment that has immediate results in both reducing energy bills and giving therapeutic benefits. B-Warm is available to purchase online at www.homeglowproducts.co.uk, or retailers Shackletons of Abergavenny and Home Electric of Usk. Further information is available from Homeglow on 01291 672974 or by emailing info@homeglowproducts.co.uk or visiting the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website www.homeglowproducts.co.uk
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HOMEGLOW Products recently won two awards for Innovation & Most Promising Start Up Business for its B-Warm heated seat cover at Monmouthshire Business Awards Dinner held at St. Pierre, Chepstow. The B-Warm heated seat cover from Homeglow provides individual heat that allows homeowners to save money on heating bills by reducing the background temperature. The mains powered heated covers cost half a pence (or less) an hour to run while ensuring consistent therapeutic warmth for the user. The lightweight portable cover fits most styles of chair and some sofas while being stain resistant and machine washable so requiring minimal maintenance. The low level heat is adjusted by a single button controller for easy use and also features an automatic switch off for maximum user safety. Winter is on the approach with many people worried about how to afford the heat they vitally need in order to combat common health problems such as arthritis or the common cold, the elderly being at particularly high risk. Heating bills will continue to rise causing many people to turn down their heating to below their comfort level and as a result their general health is affected. The B-Warm from Homeglow provides a simple solution to reduce the cost of heat home by allowing the thermostat ing the to be turned down by a few degrees while receiving the necessary warmth from the heated seat cover that ensures the usersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; comfort and health is not compromised. A low level, gentle heat is provided from the neck to the knees giving an overall sense of wellbeing.
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38 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Winter Homes
Christmas comes early for trees
T
HE festive season for Christmas trees seems to have jumped a month, as retailers have now been selling real trees for several weeks to the public, despite advice from the British Christmas Tree Growers Association not to buy your tree earlier than December 1. Homebase, B&Q and Asda have had trees in some of their stores for several weeks and even John Lewis has started selling real trees online for the first time. Buying a Christmas tree online is risky as shapes do vary and there is limited scope for returning it if it's too wide, dense or simply doesn't fit the shape of your space. But if you've already decked the halls with boughs of holly and put the baubles and tinsel on your Christmas tree, how are you going to stop it from looking like a dried-up old offering by December 25, with more needles on the floor than on the branches? Well, if you are still looking for a cut real tree, make sure you saw around an inch off the base before you buy, which will open the pores of the tree, albeit temporarily. You need to plunge the tree butt in a bucket of water immediately after cutting it, so the tree can absorb moisture and the pores don't have a chance to close up again. When the tree is brought indoors, mount it in a water-holding stand and place it away from direct heat, such as a radiator. Keep the container topped up with water every day; you will be sur-
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Quote Ref AC1415 For Special Offers prised how much the tree drinks. When buying your tree, Harry Brightwell, secretary of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association, advises: "A fresh tree will have a healthy green appearance with few browning needles. "Needles should be flexible and not fall off if you run a branch through your hand. Raise the tree a few inches off the ground and drop it on the butt end. Very few green needles should drop off the tree but it is normal for a few inner brown needles to drop off."
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Home Improvement & Maintenance H-I-M
Registered installer to the B.S.I and B.R.E standards in Damp Proofing, Timber Treatments, Condensation Control, Structural Water Proofing and Damp Surveys. ALSO General Property Maintenance, Patios Stonework and EPDM Flat Roofs December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 39
Gazette & Diary Magazine THE ARMCHAIR GARDENER
A feast of festive gifts
● For those who want inspiration from gardens at home and abroad, The Gardener's Garden (£49.95, Phaidon Press) will provide it in spades. This is surely the ultimate coffee table tome on the world's most outstanding gardens, featuring gardens from every continent by designers in- Gifts for the gardeners are everywhere, catering for everyone from armchair enthusiasts to green-fingered gadget lovers. Here are just a few ideas to suit different gardening types cluding Beth Chatto, Christopher Bradley-Hole, Capability Brown and Tom Stuart-Smith. It's spice sachets from the National Trust (£4.50 illustrated with per pack, www.shop.nationaltrust.org.uk and more than 1,000 selected National Trust shops across England, photocolour Wales and Northern Ireland). graphs - a beauti● If armchair gardeners can drag themselves ful gift. into the kitchen, they may enjoy making a tip● While browsing ple of their own with a Kilner eight-piece Sloe through a gardenGin gift set, designed to provide all the essening book, the tials needed to make sloe gin or any other armchair garfruit liqueurs. Use natural hedgerow produce dener may also with traditional recipes (£22.95, www.harrodenjoy a hot toddy. horticultural.com). Enjoy the aroTHE PAMPERED GARDENER matic scent of ● Bring the fragrance of Christmas into the Christmas with a pampered gardener's home with a stylish and mulled wine or subtle pine and eucalyptus scented bauble whisky toddy from Jo Malone, which will happily adorn any from ready-mixed SLOE Gin Kit, harrodhorticultual.com tree and make the scent of Christmas last well into the New Year (£32, www.jomalone.co.uk). ● The pampered gardener will appreciate a pile of soothing goodies after a hard day in the garden, including hand lotion, hand wash and body soap in a Woodlands Watering Can Gardener's Gift (£26, www.gardendivas.co.uk). The set includes a handy wooden nail brush and a pair of floral gardening gloves.
THE GADGET LOVER
NATIONAL Trust festive spice sachets, shop.nationaltrust.org.uk
● Keep hands warm with a pair of Briers Warm Ups, gloves which you stick in the microwave to heat up the micro gel within them to keep hands warm. They should stay warm for up to an hour and you can dry24/09/2014 them naturally and wipe with 13:57 Page 1 a damp cloth (£24.99, www.briersltd.co.uk).
JO MALONE Christmas Bauble
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01291 690873 | WWW.TOWNANDCOUNTRYHEATINGRAGLAN.CO.UK 40 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
Winter Homes
for gardeners ● Save space in the shed with Handigger, a Swedish product used to dig, plant, scoop, level or just break up compacted soil. With an ergonomically comfortable handle recommended for people with osteoarthritis and rheumatic pain and two different shaped blades, this multi tool took two years of testing to develop it to suit both amateur and professional gardeners (£9.99, www.chaselink.co.uk).
THE OUTDOOR STYLIST
● Create an illusion of space with a garden mirror. An ornate Gothic Mirror from Harrod Horticultural will be an eye-catching addition to any garden wall and make the area seem bigger. The cream mirror is made from wood and painted with an antique wash, waterproof paint to withstand the elements. The mirror is 85cm high x 66cm wide (£49.95, www.harrodhorticultural.com).
THE WILDLIFE LOVER
● A new idea comes from the Eden Project in the form of Wildlife Seedbombs (£3.50 each, www.edenprojectshop.com), which you soak first then throw on to a section of your garden and simply watch it burst into life. These are ideal for adding colour and attracting pollinating insects to sections of neglected garden. Choose from Cornflower Fieldbomb, Pollinator Beebomb, Poppy Peacebomb, Sunflower Powerbomb or Thyme Bomb. :: Bird lovers will appreciate a classy bird feeder which you can also personalise. Check out the Oak Hanging Bird Feeder from Getting Personal, which comes with a thick, twisted rustic rope so that you can hang it from a tree branch or other support. Featuring a shallow bowl for seeds and nuts, the wide edge of the feeder can be engraved with a short message or name (£84.99, www.gettingpersonal.co.uk). ● The designs on these Funky Laundry bags makes you think of wildlife every time you look at them. Store garden cushions in them, choosing designs ranging from bluebells and wild flower meadow, to chilli, nuts and bolts and roses. The bags are also ideal for collecting and depositing garden leaves (£6.99, www.funkylaundry.co.uk).
BOOT shaped chalkboard plaque, rhsshop.co.uk.
● Are you always tripping over tools in your shed? If so, you need the new Tool Track Rack from Nether Wallop, as its ingenious sliding elements enable it to hold at least 15 tools. It comes supplied with fixings for both wood and brick. (£29.95, www.netherwalloptrading.uk).
THE SHED ENTHUSIAST
SEEDBOMBS edenprojectshop.com
OAK Bird Feeder, gettingpersonal.co.uk.
● The man - or woman - who finds solace in his shed can chalk up some gardening reminders on a quirky Slate Welly Boot Chalk Board with a rope handle from the RHS, a must for the shed or outhouse (£9.99, www.rhsshop.co.uk)
BRIERS heated gloves
CHRISTMAS
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December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 41
42 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
HYUNDAI has revealed pricing and specification details for its new generation i20. Designed, engineered and built in Europe, the i20 range will be priced from £10,695 on the road when it hits the showrooms in January. Available in five trim levels, the entry-level S boasts the likes of electric front windows, remote central locking, six airbags, tinted windows and RDS radio with USB connectivity.
Further up the range Hyundai has included air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth, parking sensors, auto headlights and wipers plus heated front seats and steering wheel and opening panoramic glass sunroof. The flagship Premium SE model tops out at £16,725. Power comes from 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engines plus 1.1 and 1.4-litre diesel units, with the former offered in tax-busting 84g/km CO2 guise.
A
WHEELS & DEALS
SUPERMODEL and a rejuvenated classic Porsche have joined forces for an episode of new TV series following successful British career women - and both are for sale. Oxfordshire-based Autofarm, which specialises in Porsche 911s from yesteryear, provided their original light yellow 911 Carrera 2.7 RS Touring for the series called Brit Chickz, where supermodel, presenter and brand ambassador Harriadnie Beau takes charge of it for a day. The car is now up for sale, although a similar car prepared by Autofarm fetched £500,000 earlier this year. Ms Beau's services are for sale in promoting brands, mainly in the fashion industry, and the likes of Vogue, Elle and OK! Magazine have already taken advantage. Autofarm described the 2.7 Carrera RS Touring in a press release. "The stun-
ning example of this rare breed was imported to the UK from Germany in 1985, and has recently been subject to a detail re-commission of the highest order ahead of its sale. "First launched as a 210bhp homologation special, for Porsche to gain entry into production car racing classes, only 1580 were ever produced. Its combination of light weight, nimble handling and rarity has given the model an almost legendary status amongst enthusiasts, and for many the 2.7 RS has become the ultimate classic 911." The 21-year-old model added: "I was thrilled to have the opportunity to include the Carrera in the part of the show dedicated to my working life." "The car does not need any introduction to its fans, but its presence in the series highlights my philosophy as a career woman: do not settle for less than the best."
YOUR LOCAL LEADING INDEPENDENT SPECIALISTS SINCE 1996 FOR RANGE ROVER, DISCOVERY, DEFENDER, FREELANDER
Service 01600 891201 Fax 01600 891200 Parts 01600 891202 Mobile 07860 843419 or visit www.bg4x4.co.uk email bglandrovers@aol.com
Run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts
FOLLOWING its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, Suzuki has announced that its new Celerio city car will go on sale in the UK from February 2015. The Japanese car maker boasts a good reputation for producing small cars, and the firm is claiming a level of interior space that surpasses most conventional small car cars, and also a class leading luggage capacity of 254 litres. Standard specification highlights
for the range will include six airbags, ESP, air conditioning, alloy wheels, DAB Radio, CD Tuner, USB and Bluetooth connectivity. Final specification and pricing details have yet to be fixed but Suzuki is already promoting the car's low CO2 emissions of 99g/km and fuel consumption of 65.7mpg. In the summer of 2015 a new engine will be available offering even higher fuel economy and CO2 emissions that fall to just 84g/km.
Here at BG Landrovers we offer more than just great servicing and repair deals on all Land Rover models. Our customers tell us we provide higher standards of service and we save them money.
Hillcrest Works, Crockers Ash, Whitchurch, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 6DW. We are located near Whitchurch just off the main A40 between Ross and Monmouth.
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 43
FIRST DRIVE: Vauxhall Corsa ● WHAT'S NEW?: The revisions to the Corsa are extensive, and while Vauxhall's engineers have retained the previous car's basic platform, much work has been done on the way the car drives as well as how it looks. Visually the Corsa's been influenced by the funky Adam, while there's been an increased focus on boosting the green credential of the car's engine range. And to improve the 'big car' feel, there's now a wealth of added value safety kit and creature comforts available. ● LOOKS AND IMAGE: It's hardly a surprise that the new Corsa looks a little bit like the Adam. From the front at least, Vauxhall's mainstream supermini now boasts a little more character and is easier to spot in the supermarket car park. And being Vauxhall's volume-selling car, it's got to perform for a wide variety of customers, be they private buyers or company car users. As such, the major selling point is low running costs, thanks in part to new and revised engines, plus a greener approach to motoring. ● SPACE AND PRACTICALITY: In supermini terms the Corsa offers a good level of cabin space and practicality. It's available in three and five-door form, and there's ample boot space for a car of this size. And for a car that has to
work for a wide variety of users, cabin oddment storage space is more than enough for mobile phones, drinks, maps and the like. ● BEHIND THE WHEEL: Previously the Corsa was rarely top of keen drivers' shopping lists, but Vauxhall's engineers have done a good job of closing the gap on the likes of Ford's Fiesta. A thorough overhaul of suspension and steering elements has resulted in a more engaging experience, while refinement and the ability to cope with poorly surfaced roads have also been greatly improved. Vauxhall has also spent a lot of time improving the Corsa's engine range, with the result being a greater focus on economy and ease of driving. Some existing units have been improved, such as the firm's 1.3-litre diesel units - now offering sub-100g/km CO2 figures, while an allnew 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol motor has been introduced in two states of tune: 90 and 115 horsepower. The latter is pleasantly smooth and quiet, yet punches well above its weight performance-wise.
advanced safety kit and a high-end infotainment system previously only found on more expensive cars higher up the Vauxhall food chain. Factor in the greener and more economical engines, plus the ability to save money at the pumps and reduce the amount you give to the taxman each year, and the Corsa's value for money status is pleasingly more attractive than before. ● WHO WOULD BUY ONE?: The Corsa has always appealed to a wide audience, and it's likely to be the same with this new model. Private buyers form a significant proportion of the market and there's no shortage of choice when it comes to engine and trim combinations. Offering both three and five-door bodystyles does much to further boost its chances in a crowded market. Vaux-
hall hasn't forgotten business users either. Low CO2 rated engines and fleetspecific trim levels should make the business of buying company cars an easy one. ● THIS CAR SUMMED UP IN A SINGLE WORD: Dependable ●IF THIS CAR WAS: An item of clothing, it would be a comfortable pair of shoes.
● VALUE FOR MONEY: Vauxhall's not been shy in adding a considerable amount of kit, with the highlights being a heated windscreen, the choice of heated seats and steering wheel, plus
VAUXHALL CORSA: Like a comfortable pair of shoes
JON WILDING AUTO REPAIRS
VW AUDI SPECIALIST Servicing all makes MOT Prep
(01873 853774)
RAGLAN FORD Your Local Ford Dealer For All Your New And Used Cars
SERVICING MOT TESTING STATION AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALIST High Street, Raglan, Monmouthshire Tel: (01291) 690423
Email: raglanford@lineone.net www.raglanford.com
44 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 45
Farming cards support children’s hospices
T
HE Farmers' Union of Wales president's chosen charities - Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith children's hospices will be the big winners thanks to the union's annual children's competition to design a Christmas card with a farming theme that once again attracted hundreds of entries. A selection of cards formed a colourful centrepiece to the FUW's stand at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells at the beginning of December. FUW president Emyr Jones said: "The competition was a great success again, attracting hundreds of entries from across Wales. "I would like to thank every child who entered and tell them that without their participation the contest would not have been such a success. I would also like to express my gratitude to the staff at the schools up and down the country that assisted the FUW in the running of the competition. "It gave children in urban and rural areas of Wales an opportunity to connect with the farming industry and express their thoughts in a creative and colourful way. I believe it is vital that we as farmers maintain a strong link with young people so that they understand the way that food is produced in this country." The competition was split into two categories - English and Welsh designs. The Welsh category was won by nine-year-old Lucy Beddowes from Ysgol Llanarth, Ceredigion, whose design shows Santa Claus driving a blue tractor through the snow accompanied by a red robin with the
46 December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue
wheels of the tractor decorated like a Christmas bauble. The winner of the English category was 10-year-old Drew Morris from Ysgol yr Eglwys yng Nghymru, Llangors, Breconshire, whose design shows a farmer dressed as Santa Claus riding a "Merry Ferguson" tractor in the snow followed by ducks wearing Christmas hats. Both win a £30 gift voucher for themselves, a packet of the cards depicting their design and a £50 cheque for their school.
THE winning designs - from Lucy Beddowes in Wales, above and Drew Morris in England, below
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December/January 2014 - The Christmas Issue 47
Christmas Party Nights 2014 Wednesday 3rd December - £35pp
Take That Tribute Act
Plus our resident DJ (includes 2 course meal)
Saturday 6th December - £28pp
The Black Rat Effect Band (includes 2 course meal) Thursday 11th December - £28pp
Olly Murrs Tribute Act
Plus our resident DJ (includes 2 course meal)
Friday 5th December - £25pp
Traditional Party Night
Plus our resident DJ (includes 3 course meal)
Saturday 13th December - £25pp
Traditional Party Night
Plus our resident DJ (includes 3 course meal)
Thursday 18th December - £28pp
Rhianna Tribute Act
Plus our resident DJ (includes 2 course meal) a
Friday 19th & Saturday 20th December - £25pp
Traditional Party Night
Plus our resident DJ (includes 3 course meal)
Christmas Day - £70pp (includes 3 course meal)
New Years Eve - £65pp
(Includes 3 course meal, half bottle of wine, glass of bubbly and fireworks at midnight, plus a disco
Brecon Road, Crickhowell, NP8 1SE www.manorhotel.co.uk info@manorhouse.co.uk Tel: 01873 810212