Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Issue 35 by Whitchurch and Llandaff Living

WHITCHURCH AND LLANDAFF

Living

Issue 35 Oct/Nov 2015

Plans To Close Local Hospital YOUR FREE AWARD-WINNING CH, MAGAZINE FOR WHITCHURO H T R N FF A D N A LL D N A FF A D N A LL

contents

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Welcome Croeso Autumn is perhaps one of the most beautiful of seasons. It only takes one glance around us to catch sight of the blaze of colours that the season brings. Summer’s been packed away for another year and we prepare ourselves for the colder months ahead. Here at Living Magazines, we’ve decided that our magazines need an injection of life and colour into them so we are looking for contributors who can pen great articles of local interest. Specifically, we are looking to add more lifestyle interest to our magazines - people stories and real-life news. If you’d like to get involved, you don’t need to have any previous experience of writing. And if you have any feature ideas, or any fab ideas on how we can improve our publications, please drop us an email at the address below. In this our autumn issue, we’ve put together some fine features for you. As we hear news that Rookwood Hospital is set to close, we take a look at the history of the building and its surroundings. Read all about it on page 8. On page 16, we take a look at nearby Rhiwbina and in particular, its Garden Village. Find out what it takes to keep a 100 year old area looking like it did when it was first built. There is plenty going on in the area too - our Community News highlights some of the events. We’ve got another great gardening feature from Kevin Revell and as usual, local vet Chris Troughton answers your pet questions on page 25. All the latest news can be found in our first few pages and you might want to check out our letters page on page 5. Our Christmas issue will be out in late November - keep an eye out for that! Until then, enjoy the autumn months and wrap up warm! Patric and Danielle (editors) 2

3 News 5 Letters Hospital 8 Rookwoody News 13 Communit age 16 Garden Vill ood Watch 21 Neighbourhns 25 Pet Questio 26 Gardening 31 Column

GAZINES A M R U O O T E IB SUBSCR ELIVERED D M E H T E V A H AND HE UK ANYWHERE IN T w offering unce that we are no no an to ed ht lig de We are to Whitchurch yearly subscriptions . and Llandaff Living ar, we will send ye r pe For just £9.99 to any UK address. one copy per issue g to loved ones It’s ideal for sendin still like to keep in who live away but touch with home. es of We publish five issu ff Living each anda Whitchurch and Ll copy as soon ta year. We’ll send ou rop us a line at D d. te ils. as they are prin o.uk for more deta s.c ag gm in liv r@ edito

ardiff ad, Rhiwbina, C Ro h c a tb n Pa 2 A: 22 CF14 6AG / 07974 022920 T: 07772 081775 ags.co.uk m E: editor@living ags.co.uk m g W: www.livin nts, the publisher

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CARDIFF RANKED HIGHLY IN AFFLUENCE INDEX Cardiff has been ranked 7th in a recent survey compiling the top affluent cities in the UK

ROOKWOOD HOSPITAL PLANS

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Plans are in place to close down one of Llandaff ’s wellknown hospitals. Rookwood Hospital has been caring for patients since it opened in 1886. The plans include closing Rookwood Hospital and moving patients to two sites in Cardiff. It forms part of the £16.3m Welsh Government investment that would see Rookwood’s specialist neurological and spinal rehabilitation services being relocated to a new facility at the University Hospital Llandough from the summer of 2017. The elderly care services will be moved to St David’s Hospital in Canton. First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Rookwood Hospital has played a vital role in delivering rehabilitation services over many decades. From the soldiers returning from conflict during the Second World War to the patients there today, generations of people from across Wales have relied on Rookwood’s hardworking and dedicated staff to help them recover from often life-changing injuries. “I’m very pleased to be able to approve initial plans for a £16.3m investment that will allow the re-location of these services to modern facilities.”

news

SLIM BINS SET TO FEATURE IN NORTH CARDIFF Areas of North Cardiff can expect to receive smaller black wheelie bins over the next few months as Cardiff Council aims to increase the amount of recycling we do. Whitchurch, Llandaff and Llandaff North can expect to receive their new bins throughout October and November. Homes that are not suitable for bins have been issued with unique red and white bags for their general waste. The Council have said that they are in their final ‘out of the black, and into the green’ part of their large waste management programme. Earlier this year, they avoided an £800k fine by convincing the Welsh Assembly that they had adequate recycling plans in place. In a statement to the press, the Council said: “Reducing capacity for general household waste is an essential part of measures designed to ensure that we meet our recycling targets. “We have learned from

FALLEN MASONRY AT CATHEDRAL An inspection had to be carried out at Llandaff Cathedral in July after fallen masonry was reported. Cardiff Council confirmed

other authorities who have implemented similar measures with very positive results. “When Trafford and Salford councils introduced smaller wheeled bins in 2013, it led to an overall 10% increase in household recycling. But we’re mindful of the needs of our residents and larger families and that’s why we’ve introduced measures specifically for them.” Larger families will be allowed to keep their current 240l bins instead of the new 140l bins. A large family will be considered as having six or more members, and will be visited by Council officials to ensure that they are recycling adequately. Other areas of Cardiff have not been too impressed with the new bins. Residents of Roath marched on City Hall to complain over the summer. All councils in Wales have been set a statutory recycling target of 58% by the Welsh Government for 2015/16 and this rises to 70% by 2025. it was notified of the falling stonework by two members of the public. An environmental health officer went to the cathedral and inspected the area. A Council spokesman said: “The officer visited immediately and we were satisfied with the actions that were being taken.” 3

news

CARDIFF NORTH MP VISITS WHITCHURCH HIGH SCHOOL

Craig Williams recently visited Whitchurch High School where he was grilled by students during a Q&A session

CARDIFF MET SHOWCASES NEW SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN

Cardiff Metropolitan University recently showcased its purposebuilt £14 million School of Art and Design building as part of ‘Open Doors’. Organised by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, Open Doors offers both local people and visitors alike the chance to explore the hidden treasures of Wales’ culture and history. Cardiff School of Art and Design welcomed a number of visitors to a unique behind-the-scenes look at its new base in Llandaff which is home to 1,200 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The visitors viewed this year’s Masters and Inc Space shows – which showcased the work of graduating Masters students from: MA Art & Design; MA Ceramics; Master of Fine Art; and MSc Advanced Product Design. The Inc Space show highlighted the work created by recent graduates who have taken advantage of the School’s incubation unit, ‘Inc. Space’, which provides an opportunity to spend an additional year with the School to launch their own

business or a sustainable career as a practicing artist or designer. In addition to the shows, the Open Doors tour looked behind the scenes at the School’s highly successful MIT-accredited FabLab. Short for ‘fabrication laboratory’, this facility is linked to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology network of global FabLabs, and is equipped with technologies for 3D printing, laser cutting, vinyl plotting, electronics and programing. The Cardiff FabLab recently hit the headlines with the production of a low-cost prosthetic hand which it 3D printed for a five-year-old Cardiff school boy. Dean of Cardiff School of Art & Design, Professor Olwen Moseley said: “We were delighted to take part in this year’s Llandaff Open Doors and host a tour of our new home. “As a working School of Art and Design it’s hugely important that local community members and visitors alike get to see our range of facilities and get a better understanding of the high-quality teaching and research that is carried out here every day.”

WHITCHURCH WRITER PENS THRILLER A former Whitchurch resident has published his debut novel to coincide with the Rugby World Cup. “Crossing The Whitewash is the name of my debut suspense novel – a thriller that pitches gangland London on a collision course with rugby-mad Wales against the backdrop of this global sporting festival.” says Nick Rippington. “When I first embarked on the project four years ago, I was in a state of flux. I had just been handed all my office possessions in a black bin liner in a Wapping car park, having been given 48 hours notice by my former employer Rupert Murdoch that the News of the World was closing because of the phonehacking scandal.” The journalist began his project when the last Rugby World Cup was taking place. “Having been a sports journalist for all of my working life the question was: what was I going to do next? It was only when the Rugby World Cup came around in New Zealand later that year that a glimmer of an idea flickered across my brain.” he says. Crossing The Whitewash is available from Amazon in both Kindle and paperback format. It is also on sale with Kobo and Nook and can be downloaded from iBooks for iPad. You can follow Nick on Twitter @nickripp

If you’d like to get in touch, you can find our address on the inside front cover. Alternatively, you can email us at editor@livingmags.co.uk

letters

TREE MENACE

Like David Manning, I also live in College Road, Llandaff North with the menace of the sycamore trees. Not only during the spring do we have to put up with the sticky sap falling onto cars’ paintwork and windscreens, we also have to put up with leaves blocking our gutters, which costs us money to have unblocked. If you live in a council house, they do this free of charge.

Other problems caused by these trees are the roots undermining the pavements, making them very uneven and quite a hazard. They also damage the sewer system. I have in the past, asked Cardiff City Council to trim the trees back, only to be informed that they are reviewed every four years. Ken Davey Llandaff North

Rookwood Memories I read with interest, and some great sadness, that Rookwood Hospital looks set to be moved. Many years ago, my wife was involved in a serious car crash which left her with injuries to her back and her brain. After several months at the Heath Hospital, she was transferred to Rookwood where she had to learn how to read,

LLANDAFF FIELDS POOL

Re: Letter ‘Hot Hot Hot’ by Kay Bullen Issue 34, in which she states that the open air pool in Llandaff Fields was drained and never filled up again after 1976. This is not true. I worked at the pool in 1986. The staff came from the Empire Pool each summer to lifeguard and run the pool. AR Evans Kyle Avenue Whitchurch

DO YOU REMEMBER THESE SHOPS?

Sweet Shop – opposite Harris’s Vet – in the lane behind the barbers Cartwrights – fruit and veg shop Gift Shop – opposite the Royal Exchange I very much enjoy reading your magazines. J Roche Mynachdy Cardiff

CYCLE RAGE

I lived in Llandaff North in the 1950s and 1960s (Ty Mawr Road) and loved it there. We had eight shops in Ty Mawr Road alone! I wondered if any of your readers remembered these: Hollylands – a sweet shop Harris’s – sold mostly everything! Howes – fish and chip shop Marios – barber shop

It’s been a pleasure over the summer months to walk to work in town from Llandaff via the Taff Trail. The only thing I haven’t enjoyed is the rudeness of the cyclists who never seem to say ‘thank you’ whenever I took the trouble to move out of their way. Cyclists - thanking people isn’t hard! Geraint Lewis Llandaff

write and how to walk again. Within a month, she was walking with the help of a zimmer frame and within six months, her speech was ‘getting there’. I’ll never forget that time in my life and it was credit to the staff at the hospital that my wife was able to survive and go some way towards a full recovery. While I appreciate that the new proposals are aimed at improving patient care, it would be sad to see the old place go. Although the memories I have

of the place were harrowing at times, it was also a place of hope and renewal. I’d like to think that a new hospital would continue in this tradition. B Hardy Pontypridd 5

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history

Rookwood

Rookwood Hospital looks set to close in the near future. The hospital has been taking care of patients for generations. This is the history of the local landmark. History

Rookwood Hospital was built Sir Edward Stock Hill in 1866. Sir Edward was a Conservative Party politician who served as Member of Parliament for Bristol South from 1886 to 1900. He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) on 10 May 1892. He built Rookwood for his own private accommodation and both him and subsequently Lady Hill, lived there. The son of the founder of Hill’s Dry Docks in Cardiff, Sir Edward died in 1902 and Lady Hill continued her occupation at Rookwood until 1917. She died two years later. Monograms of both Sir Edward and Lady Hill are visible on the gate pillars and in the house. In early 1918, Rookwood was taken over for use as a hospital. The First World War had taken its toll on the men who had left to fight and Rookwood Hospital was turned into an auxiliary hospital. It became known as 8

Rookwood Officer’s Hospital. It was one of several across Cardiff that included Radyr Red Cross Hospital, Samuel House, St Pierre’s and Old Mansion House. At the end of the war, Sir Lawrence Phillips MP, approached the Statutory Committee who were then responsible for providing treatment for disabled ex-servicemen. His wish was to help the injured and disabled ex-servicemen who had returned from battle. As a result, he subsequently purchased Rookwood for £25,000 and presented it to the Ministry as a home for Welsh Paraplegic Pensioner cases. His instruction was that patients could stay there for as long as they needed to. In 1932, an extension was added to the hospital, thus allowing it to become a general hospital. Throughout World War II, Rookwood was used to care once again for injured personnel returning from the line of duty. During the 1970s and 80s, Rookwood had eight wards caring for people with spinal injuries, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. In 2001 the Spinal Unit moved to Wards 4 and 5 with 31 beds for Spinal Injuries and 5 beds for Amputees.

Features

The name ‘Rookwood’ was apparently given to the house during its course of construction by Lady Hill. Before her marriage, she was brought to see the building construction and was asked to find a suitable name for it. When she came on to the property, a number of rooks were flying overhead and she immediately thought of ‘Rookwood’, deciding that that should be the name. To this day, a large number of rooks can still be seen around the hospital, giving the story of its name some credibility. The house itself stands in gardens of approximately 26 acres and built in the early 13th century English Gothic style. It was extended in 1881 by Mr J Pritchard, well known as the architect employed in the restoration of Llandaff Cathedral. The beautiful ‘Porte Cochere’ and the North Lodge were also designed by him, the latter being a very fine example of half timbered work. On the front of the Porte Cochere, there are three carved stone panels, each representing one of the late Sir Edward’s activities. One is a carving of a ship at sea, another of an eighteen pounder being fired by a gun team and the remaining

one of the House of Commons. The house is built of Radyr stone with Bath stone facings and red tile roofing. The internal decorations and painted ceilings were carried out under the direction of Mr J.O. Grace, the artist and designer of the Great Stair in the National Gallery. Most of this internal painting has never been touched since its completion, is still in perfect order and represents some of the finest work of its kind. The old Camellia House, now converted into the Medical Officer’s Quarters, was built entirely of teak with panels of mosaic. The summer house overlooking the lawns was brought from the outskirts of Cardiff and appears in an old view of the City dating back to the 13th century. Sir Edward was a great lover of trees and these form a feature of the extensive grounds. These grounds are remarkable for wonderful specimens of Camellia, Rhododendron, Azalea and a most valuable collection of beautiful Japanese Maples. The timbered parkland contains remarkable specimens of Conifers, Wellingtonias, Cedars, Lime, Beech, Elm etc. It is said that there is one specimen of almost every known non-tropical tree to be found in the grounds. The larger trees are said to have been planted to commemorate family events and the two Wellingtonias on the main lawn mark the birth of Sir Edward and Lady Hill’s son.

airwaves on 31st October 1987 with founder member Julian Brinkworth in the hot seat. Ken Bruce from BBC Radio 2, who is an ambassador of the Hospital Broadcasting Association was on hand to open the station. It had been the result of three years of fundraising and obtaining permission from the hospital authorities. Over £30,000 was raised - anything from attending school fetes to company sponsorship was utilised to raise the money. The biggest fundraising effort ever undertaken by the station was to hire Concorde for the day. In 2002, Rookwood began broadcasting programmes 24 hours a day. There was also the opening of a new studio called ‘The Julian Brinkworth Studio’. Until his death in July 2004, Julian remained vice president of the station and a valued member of the Rookwood Sound team. 2002 also saw the launch of their own website, which now offers news and information for listeners at home and in the hospitals. Another raft of technological improvements was made in 2006.

In June 2011, Rookwood Sound opened its new studio at Llandough Hospital, heralding a new chapter in the radio station’s history. Whitchurch’s Huw Stephens, who is now a Radio One DJ, started his career at Rookwood Radio as a teenager. “I didn’t get paid but I was doing what I loved.” he says. “I was told not to play anything gloomy or depressing- they wanted their patients to be uplifted and kept happy.” Huw crafted his art for two years at Rookwood, before managing to land the position of Radio One DJ – at the age of just 17. “It was the time in the nineties when Welsh talent was in big demand. The Stereophonics, the Manic Street Preachers and Catatonia were really leading the way for Wales. Bethan [copresenter] and I beat off the competition and there I was – a Radio One DJ before I’d even left school. I even opened my A level results live on-air. Ironically enough, my grades were B, B and C!”

Rookwood Sound The hospital is also famed for its own radio station, Rookwood Sound. The station first hit the 9

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News from the Community ROTAKIDS TAKES OFF AT SCHOOL The 11th September was a special day in the calendar for Whitchurch Primary School, Cardiff as it held a special Assembly to establish its very own Rotakids Club, involving the youngest members of Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland. The Assembly was attended by the Rotary District Governor Chris Williams who presented Rotakids certificates to all the committee members and gave the President of Rotakids a ‘Charter Certificate’. The President then thanked the District Governor and gave a presentation to a packed hall of enthusiastic pupils, teachers and Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Cardiff Breakfast, who will provide sponsorship and work in partnership with the Rotakids. The President said that during the coming year they will carry out three projects to improve the quality of life and make a positive difference in their school, their local community and internationally. The school’s motto is ‘Work together, play together and succeed together’. The Rotakids’ pledge is ‘I endeavour to be fair to all, to serve my community and to show respect for others’. By following these principles, the members of the Whitchurch Rotakids Club will participate in active citizenship projects that will benefit a large number of people. The picture shows some of the RotaKids committee, together with, in the back row, Deputy Headteacher Ken Lomax, (far left), District Governor Chris Williams (3rd from left), and Headteacher Ann Griffin (on the

right), together with members of the Rotary Club. The Rotary Club of Cardiff Breakfast wishes Whitchurch Primary School Rotakids every success in their new venture. The Club meets every Wednesday morning at 7.30am in the Whitchurch Golf Club. Visitors are always welcome. More information about the Club can be found at www. cardifbreakfastrotary.org

ARO LING BUDDHIST CENTRE Aro Ling Cardiff is a small Buddhist Centre in the heart of Whitchurch Village. It is run by Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin, a married teaching couple of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. They are ordained as a ngakma and ngakpa, authorised to teach, and have extensive practical knowledge and experience of applying Buddhist teachings to everyday life. Ngakma Nor’dzin is the author of Spacious Passion and Relaxing

into Meditation (Aro Books worldwide, 2006 and 2010). Illusory Advice (2015) is their first jointly written publication, and is a compilation of question and answer sessions with their students. The Aro gTer Lineage is a small Nyingma family tradition. Based in Vajrayana, the methods of practice offer a practical means of understanding how our lives work. The methods of transformation enable us to live as good-natured and good-humoured individuals, respecting everyone and everything in our environment. A hearty enjoyment of life is encouraged and a sense of humour, whilst focusing on developing kindness and awareness. This form of Buddhism is ideally suited to those who wish to embrace their everyday circumstances as the path to realisation. The Cardiff Aro Ling Centre is an extraordinary room, decorated in the traditional style of a Nyingma temple. It offers a range of events and courses presenting Vajrayana Buddhism in a friendly and open manner using ordinary language. Aro Ling Buddhist Centre, rear of 35 Merthyr Road, Cardiff CF14 1DB http://aro-ling.org/cardiff 07875 716644

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Tuesday 20 October Dydd Mawrth 20 Hydref

Saturday 7 November Dydd Sadwrn 7 Tachwedd

Monday 9 November Dydd Llun 9 Tachwedd

Friday 30 October Dydd Gwener 30 Hydref

Friday 16 October Dydd Gwener 16 Hydref

Saturday 28 November Dydd Sadwrn 28 Tachwedd

Wednesday 7 October Dydd Mercher 7 Hydref

out and about

Conservation & Preservation Rhiwbina’s Historic Garden Village has been recognised around the world for its unique history and architecture. But what does it take to keep the village looking like it did over 100 years ago? The Garden Village movement began in the 1890s in response to the industrial revolution’s side-effects of slums and poor living conditions. Its rhetoric championed better living conditions for the working class as well as the middle class, and by the turn of the century several Garden Villages existed in Britain. Its principle of co-operative ownership appealed to many and in 1911, a group of Cardiffians met to consider the idea of their own Garden Village. It has since gone on to become the village that all Rhiwbina residents have come to call home. The main objective of the Rhiwbina Garden Village Ltd. was the provision of modern houses located in pleasant and healthy surroundings in the Rhiwbina 16

area. They bought 110 acres of land from the Pentwyn Estate, at £200 per acre, and by Christmas 1913, 34 houses had been built. Each house was fitted with running water and gas for lighting and cooking, a boiler, a water storage tank and even a dustbin. Hedges and fences were put up and paths were laid. The village continued to grow and by 1920, tenders were accepted to build 83 more houses. Business during the 1930s eventually recovered from a mixture of a sluggish economy and flooding. Events took an unexpected turn in 1939 though with the outbreak of war. The Wendy Hut suddenly became an Air Raid Warden’s post and the village also accepted a lot of evacuees, the village being considered a safe place to be. Stories abound that the children viewed the air raid sirens as welcome breaks to school lessons. Their ignorance seemed justified as no bombs ever fell on Rhiwbina. For the Garden Village Ltd though, their position was strengthened by the fact that all of their houses remained intact. Post-war, Garden Village Ltd. found themselves with increasing costs. By 1947, production costs

had risen to four times the level they were pre-war. Maintenance works were kept to a bare minimum. Rhiwbina Village was no longer in a position to develop. In fact, by 1952, the only way that the village could keep up with maintenance was to sell some of their houses. By the 1960s, Welsh Town Planning was urging the Rhiwbina Village company to pay back the capital that had been borrowed to pay for the construction. Since the company was a non-profit making organisation, they had cleared their debts and held substantial assets in the form of the property they had built. A special AGM was called in September 1968 where the chairman announced to the unsuspecting tenant holders that they could buy the leasehold to their properties on very favourable terms. Tenant holders were seen running to the office the following day to take up the company’s excellent offer. By 1978, it was decided to dissolve the company since it had served its purpose. In 1981, the committee announced that all company assets had been disposed of, but had a surplus

of £6,742. Under the rules of the company, no one person was allowed to profit and so the surplus money was distributed to local charities. The Garden Village had proved to be a popular and pleasant place to live in. To this very day, Rhiwbina is still considered one of the most desirable places to live in South Wales. Y Groes is still perhaps considered the hub of the Garden Village. The 1977 Conservation document said of the square: “This is the central core of the Garden Village and contains the village green, surrounded by houses of character. Little alteration to the buildings is visible and the original features have been maintained including a sundial which is mounted on the front façade on one of the dwellings.” In addition to the houses and buildings, the village has managed to keep its pathways and lanes that connect some of the streets. Out of sight is the garage complex - one snapshot of history that is perhaps often overlooked by locals. By 2001, most buildings within the Conservation Area were listed by Cadw for their special architectural and historical interest. Listed Building Consent (LBC) is now needed for any demolition, any alteration or extension which would affect the character if the building is one of architectural or historic interest. This applies to all parts of the building including objects and structures, interior or exterior, whether or not the feature is mentioned in the list description prepared by Cadw. Due to the nature of preservation, Cardiff Council have issued advice for anyone living in the Garden Village:

Restoration

If you plan to restore original details that have been lost prior to controls being in place, original plans of many houses are available together with typical joinery detail plans.

Roofs

Original roofing materials should be maintained and repaired rather than replaced. Two sizes of slate are used on roofs in the Conservation Area. The earlier houses have an unusual 7”x14” slates, whilst 10”x20” slates were used on the houses built between 1919-23. If re-roofing is essential or for new work, it is important to match the size and quality of the original and to follow the gauge and layout of slate coursing.

Chimneys

The original stacks are an integral part of the design of buildings. If these become unsafe and require repair, they should be rebuilt to the original height and design, even if no longer in use.

Dormers & Roof Lights

The addition of dormer windows or rooflights is unlikely to be supported where they would be visible from the street. On listed buildings it is unlikely that roof lights would be supported as they do not preserve character or appearance.

Satellite Dishes

Satellite dishes require planning permission where they are visible from a highway (fee payable). They also require Listed Building Consent if proposed to be attached to a listed building. They are unlikely to be supported if attached to a listed building or visible from a highway.

Enclosures

Hedges surrounding front or side gardens should be retained and not replaced with uncoordinated varieties of brickwork, blocking or fencing. Most new fences or walls will require planning permission. The Council’s Tree Protection Officer can offer advice on suitable hedge species for new or reinstated hedgerows.

Wall Surfaces

The covering of brickwork/ stonework with any artificial stone facing, render or other surface treatment requires planning permission (fee payable) and possibly listed building consent. Rerendering to the same appearance may not require permission, but you should check first. Care should be taken when repointing to avoid damaging the appearance of brickwork.

Painting

Planning permission is required for the covering of original walling material by painting and the changing of the colour of existing painted exterior walls, masonry or windows where they front a highway. The painting of brick properties will not be supported.

Porches

Original porches, canopies and openings should be retained or renovated where necessary using materials to match the original. The loss of original features will require Listed Building Consent and is unlikely to be supported.

Hard-standings

The provision of new hard surfaces requires planning permission. If these are within the curtilage of the Listed Building, such applications will incur a fee. 17

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News in the Community NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH With Bill Farnham We at Neighbourhood Watch have been very busy again since the last issue of this magazine. As I mentioned in that issue, we had a very successful National Neighbourhood Watch Week which ran from 20th June to the 28th June, during which we held seven events to make members of the public aware of scams, frauds, rogue traders etc. We held a display table at Whitchurch Library on the morning of Saturday 27th June, which went very well indeed with a very large number of people given information on these topics. Many also signed up to the South Wales Police Community Messaging Service. I took part in an Operation Perception exercise in the Michaelstone area of Ely with the Local Neighbourhood Policing Team last month where we ‘targeted’ three roads and, as well as discussing police matters with the residents, I advised them about Neighbourhood Watch and its benefits. The response was very encouraging and I now await the results of the Police questionnaire that we left with the residents. On the 1st August, I attended a meeting at the ACE Community Room, The Ely Hub, Cowbridge Road West, where the local Neighbourhood Policing Team had arranged for the residents of Hollycroft Road, Cherrydale Road, St Margarets Park, Heol-y-Felin and Mill Road to gather with a view to setting up Neighbourhood Watch Groups in all of these roads. The attendance was very good indeed and the interest that was expressed was very encouraging so I await the follow-up meeting which will be

in a few weeks time. South Wales Police held their Open Day at St Fagans Castle on Sunday 16th August, where we had a display table again. This year, we were upstairs in the concert hall of the Oakdale Institute and, I must admit, for a while I thought we were not going to busy at all. The event was open to the public from 10am and I only spoke to two people between then and 11am but from then until 4.30 pm, it was so busy I didn’t have time for lunch. This is the third such event that I have participated in and this was by far the busiest. I took three large bags of literature with me and came away at the end of the afternoon with a few booklets left in one of the bags. I was so pleased with the way the day went, a vast number of people came and spoke to us and we able to offer advice to so many of them. I had also arranged for British Transport Police to attend the event with us. A police constable and a PCSO came along to the event and they did an excellent job although they did tell me that at the end of the day that they were exhausted. We had a display table at a South Wales Police International Day which was held at the Oasis Centre, Splott Road on Saturday 22nd August. This was an excellent day where we spoke to people of many nationalities and offered help and advice on many subjects that was very much appreciated. I also attended the South Wales Police Open Day at Roath Police Station, Clifton Street, on Monday 24th August, working again with one of the PCSOs from the British Transport Police. It was a very well organised event with every piece of available space utilised to great effect. My display table was in Cell 5; in Cell 4 were the ladies from Communities First

and in Cell 6 was a lady from Clifton Street Pharmacy. There were other activities in the other cells eg. face painting and finger printing for the children to name but two. The event was very well attended and we were all extremely busy even though the weather was dreadful. We are very hopeful that we will be able to establish our first Junior Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the not too distant future so very exciting times lay ahead. In my role of New Watch Launch Coordinator, I have also launched a new watch in Homelands Road, Rhiwbina and one in Ryder Street, Pontcanna. If anyone is interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch Group, please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team or call our office on 02920 527301. Bill Farnham, Chairman

MacMillan Cancer Coffee Morning A Great Success On behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support, I would like to thank your readers for their amazing efforts to ensure the success of World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. We know that thousands of coffee mornings were held in schools, workplaces, community centres and homes all over North Cardiff to raise money to support people affected by cancer. This year was the 25th anniversary of World’s Biggest Coffee Morning and what a fantastic celebration it has been! We have seen photos of the most amazing cakes but we have also seen the most brilliant photos of people getting together with friends and colleagues for a chat, a cup of coffee and a slice of cake to raise money for Macmillan. Susan Morris Head of Services for Macmillan 21

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Pet problems CHRIS TROUGHTON OF HEATH VETS ANSWERS YOUR PET-RELATED QUESTIONS

IF YOU HAVE ANY PET-RELATED QUESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE CHRIS TO ANSWER, PLEASE EMAIL US AT EDITOR@LIVINGMAGS.CO.UK AND WE’LL PASS THEM ON. My dog has suddenly taken a dislike to travelling by car. We often take her out in the car so that she can have nice long walks and up until now, she’s been totally fine with the car. I now have to sit in the back with her, with her head out of the window. Is there anything else you can suggest? For your dog to suddenly take a dislike to car travel, she must have experienced some sort of adverse event. If your dog is showing signs of nausea, with drooling, restlessness and maybe even vomit, true motion sickness may be at the root. There are a variety of ‘herbal’ type remedies available in pet shops, and they may help in mild cases. There are also some very effective and safe drug treatments, and your vet will be able to advise you about these. However, judging from your description, the most likely cause of your dog’s behaviour is fear, rather than nausea. Again, there are several herbal remedies that may help her, and an interesting approach uses a tight-fitting shirt-type garment which seems to calm many anxious dogs. Several brands are marketed – Google for ‘anxiety shirts for dogs’ or talk to your vet. To overcome her fear, you need to get your dog to associate the car with pleasant experiences, such as feeding. You could start to give her meals in the car, with all the doors open and the engine switched off. Reward and praise her only when she is behaving calmly. Move on to meals eaten with the doors closed. When she has learned that the car is a nice place to be, you can progress to just sitting with her (not with a meal) and rewarding her calm behaviour. Then start the engine but don’t go anywhere. Lots of very small steps over a period of time will overcome her fear, and you will be able to travel again without distress. During this learning period, it’s important to avoid going anywhere in the car, as a negative experience (ie. her fear) will undo all the positive experiences you’ve worked hard to give her. If you need professional help, your vet will be able to recommend a local behaviour expert to assist. It’s important to remember that it is very dangerous to travel with your dog’s head out of the car window – serious eye injury could easily happen.

Do cats get arthritis? My 11 year old cat has had an active life but over the last year or so, she’s slowed down a lot. I appreciate that everyone slows down as they get older but my cat has spent most of this summer lying in the sun (not that I blame her of course!). I just wondered if there may be an underlying issue that might need attending to. Cats certainly do get arthritis, and 11 years is not too young to see this condition. Unlike in dogs, where the commonest sign would be limping and stiff joints, cats often adjust their lifestyles to accommodate the disease. They become more sedentary, so lameness and stiffness is often not observed. However, a number of other illnesses could make her less active, so it’s important not to assume the diagnosis. Your vet will be able to examine her joints and assess the likelihood of arthritis, but I often find that the best way to see if your cat is suffering in silence is to try a course of one of the very effective anti-inflammatories which are now available for cats. (Please note that human anti-inflammatories and painkillers can be lethal to cats and you should never try home treatment)

Are there non-surgical options for spaying or neutering a pet? We are considering getting a puppy for our family and we are considering our options. Thanks.

Neutering pets is done for a number of reasons, the obvious one being birth control. However, there are several long-term medical benefits to neutering, which are not gained by non-surgical control of fertility, so this factor should be taken into account when making your decision. There are a few hormone treatments which temporarily prevent breeding in dogs. For males, an implant which lasts 6 or 12 months is used. This is highly effective and safe, but must be replaced regularly. For bitches, an injection lasting a few months is available, or there are tablets. These are not as safe as the male’s implant. These treatments need to be given for the whole of the pet’s life and over that time will cost considerably more than neutering. There are no drugs which can safely be used for long-term breeding control in cats. Surgical neutering is a very safe procedure that causes little discomfort to the patient, who recovers fully in a few days, and is recommended in all but a very small number of individuals. Most vet surgeries will do this for their patients. It’s probably best to leave it to an expert. Page is sponsored by Heath Vets 02920 621511 25

gardening

Garden Therapy by Kevin Revell

Llandaffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kevin Revell Shows How You Can Use Your Garden To Help You Get The Best Out Of Life Can Gardening Ease a Troubled Mind?

Being at one with the garden, cast adrift in a calming sea of green, is most peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s idea of gentle repose. But what if the neighbour has a new lawn mower and delights in using it on a Sunday morning? It is easy to see how minor irritations assume major proportions. Some people were born to worry - is that tree getting too big and what if it fell on the house? We live in a world that is increasingly beyond our control; from the worry of paying the mortgage and utility bills, to increased pressure in our workplace, we feel under stress. In our gardens, we are free, or at least we should be. Some will seek peace and solitude in a tranquil corner of the garden surrounded by fragrant plants 26

and the industry of bees; others will seek the good company and laughter of a garden party. Whatever you choose, enjoy the garden; it is after all what it is intended for. Even trundling a lawn mower around once a week can give a warm glow of satisfaction. Similarly, raking moss from a lawn or sweeping up leaves provides useful cardiac exercise. A fit body can help lead to a fit, content mind. The gentle exercise provided by gardening has been found to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, helping to prevent Type 2 diabetes and strokes. The garden is a sanctuary for both mind and body and can prove therapeutic to someone recovering from drug or alcohol abuse or those who suffer from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. It can be a very useful way to get people with learning difficulties or certain disabilities out of care homes and into the community; doing real exercise while producing something useful, whether it is tangible in the form of a crop or merely the feeling of satisfaction that comes from seeing a physical task through. The rituals of the

year are devoutly followed; the first primrose of spring or the first rose of summer maintains a positive, forward-thinking outlook for young and old. A positive mental attitude is half the battle in overcoming a range of physical and mental ailments. Young adults who have become disassociated from the world of work can be eased back in, to the benefit of the wider society. Some would claim that being autistic is a positive benefit in being able to focus on the job in hand and see it through to the end. Perhaps those of us who obsessively mow stripes on our lawns or who spend countless hours cultivating the perfect show bloom, should question where we are on the autistic spectrum.

Community Spirit

Community gardens are a great way to bring outsiders back into society with shared benefits for all. Different ethnic backgrounds, different creeds and religions, those coming out of the criminal justice system and those with physical or mental health problems can be united by a love of horticulture. People can all

get along together in a way that is seldom seen by politicians and city planners. Not all participants are equally capable or active, but the shared ownership and community fellowship engendered are powerful tools. Previously abandoned sites are thus brought back into use and blighted; litter strewn areas made beautiful and productive once more. There is a palpable sense of pride for all concerned, a valuable recreational and educational resource given to the community with opportunities for exercise, fresh air and socialising that were previously denied. This function is often provided by all too scarce allotments but waiting lists are long and procedures to remove those who are not pulling their weight are tortuous.

The Sensory Garden

We are sensitive creatures and respond to certain stimuli which help to make us feel alive and at one with ourselves. In the garden, our senses can be awakened we just need to take the time to appreciate what is around us and not take our surroundings for granted. Walking barefoot on the lawn can be a pleasurable, relaxing experience which has been demonstrated to lower blood pressure by stimulating several senses at once. Scent is the most evocative of all the senses and can trigger memories of times and places past; whether that is by smelling the roses, it is an important component of any garden. Herbs will yield a pleasant aroma when touched, brushing past hedges or pots of lavender releases oils from the leaves that immediately take you off to sunnier climes. The sense of touch is perhaps the least appreciated in the garden - running fingers through soft tussocks of ornamental grass is a sensation that most people are denied. The sound of gravel underfoot or the soft give of bark paths can be pleasing, changes of flooring

material will help the visually impaired gain an understanding of where they are on a regular journey around the garden. The sound of running water from a water feature working off a self-contained hidden reservoir can also be relaxing. Hearing the harmonious birdsong as we work can block out the more routine background noise of passing traffic or the hubbub of a nearby school. The high pitched buzz as bees strive to release pollen from poppy flowers or foxgloves can prove hugely entertaining and the general hum that emanates from wisteria covered pergola can be immensely relaxing. Even the slightest breeze can elicit a rustle from tall grass and bamboo. Seeing the flowers of spring and summer for most people is what a good garden is all about. Whether tasteful, harmonious tones in pastel shades or a riot of clashing colours, when the garden is in full bloom, satisfaction is guaranteed. Tasting home-grown strawberries warm from the summer sun or freshly dug new potatoes is one of the joys of growing your own and one of many reasons for gardening in the first place. Such experiences and memories imprinted in young minds will hopefully give rise to another generation of gardeners.

Kevin Revell is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Plant Area Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at Caerphilly Garden Centre

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PATRIC MORGAN

Harry Secombe, a trans-Atlantic radio interview and a small piece of paper I was recently asked to be interviewed on an American radio show. The show was called the Jay Thomas Radio show - the guy who was hosting it is a two-time Emmy-Award winning actor and comedian who used to star in the TV show Cheers. You can imagine how nervous I was. The interview was to be conducted over the telephone since they were based in New York. This also meant that I was to expect my call between 9pm and 10pm our time. I could feel the apprehension building within me all day so at 9pm, I sent my wife upstairs with the dog so that I had no distractions. At 9.20, the phone rang. I took a big breath and lifted the receiver. In my poshest and most confident voice, I spoke. “Hello? Patric speaking.” There was a pause. In a second, my worst fears had come true there was a huge time lapse. I hate speaking on the telephone at the best of times and this was going to make things ten times worse. “Only meeeeeeeee!” came a squeaky voice. It was followed by a ‘woof ’ and instantly, the penny dropped that my lovely wife had called me from her mobile phone upstairs. Grrr. The real phone call came at 10pm on the dot and I spoke to his producer, who put me on hold. I had to sit and listen to Jay Thomas berating a caller from Texas. He eventually cut this caller off, making my anxiety a little worse than it already was. Eventually, I was introduced and the rest is history as they say. It was quite a surreal experience but ultimately an enjoyable one. We spoke of Wales, and we spoke of writing. We spoke about being grumpy and not liking the radio on first thing in the morning, even though Jay had run a breakfast show for many years. I was on the telephone for 25 minutes. As I lay in bed that night, my mind took me back to when I was a kid and how the radio played its

part in my life. As Freddie Mercury smashed out during Queen’s song, Radio GaGa “I’d sit alone and watch your light. My only friend through teenage nights.” I remember we had an old Waltham stereo when we were kids. It had a turntable, a cassette deck, and of course, a radio - its dial would glow a funky light blue and I’m sure a little light would come on when you hit a strong FM signal. The radio played a major part in our childhood and when I’m out walking my dog these days, I often pass a house that has a radio playing constantly. I’m guessing that the owner of the radio is in need of some kind of company throughout the day like I did when I was a teenager. Red Dragon Radio was the station to listen to back in the 1980s. It was situated down on West Canal Wharf, most of which has now been concreted over with a large roundabout. After 10pm, teenagers would sit up and listen to ‘The Love Hour’. And if you were lucky in love, which I wasn’t, you could send in your sickeningly gushy comments to your other half. There were the odd phone-ins too. The one I remember most was from a kid called Darren, who was 16. He was in tears because his girlfriend of three days had dumped him. The DJ told him to man up and then he stuck on some Kenny G. I went to meet Harry Secombe once at Red Dragon Radio when I was about 11 years old. Harry had become a bit of a cult figure amongst my school class and I wanted his autograph to show off to my friends. One Saturday morning, my dad and I set out in our blue Morris Marina for Cardiff. We sat in the car for over two hours, listening to Red Dragon Radio to give us some indication as to when he’d be leaving the studio. Finally, he came on, did his bit and the DJ

thanked him for his time. It was our time to get ready. When Harry’s chauffeur pulled up outside the doors in Harry’s Rolls Royce (I vaguely remember the registration plate reading something like ‘Harry 1’), Dad and I got out of the car and nipped over to the studio door to await Harry. We timed it just right as soon as we got there, Harry burst out the doors seeming very flustered. “Excuse me Harry. Could I have your autograph?” I squeaked with a pre-pubescent peep. “Oh for God’s sake.” Harry bellowed. “Don’t you know I’ve got another appointment?” he scowled. He snatched the small bit of paper and pen that I had held out for him, furiously scribbled down his name and then shoved the paper and pen back into my hand. Without another word, he pushed past my father and got into his Rolls Royce, slamming the door behind him. Dad and I looked at each other. Three hours of waiting and that was all we got. Still, I had his autograph to impress my mates with in school. The following day, I carefully packed Harry’s autograph in one of my exercise books and got to school early. After building up an unbearable amount of suspense, I finally brought out the small piece of paper that Harry had scrawled all over. It wasn’t a particularly lavish autograph by any means but it was Harry’s. “That’s not real. Your dad probably wrote that.” said Dean Nash who then walked off. My heart sank. 31

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