Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Issue 53

News | People | Features | Competitions | Lifestyle

Whitchurch &

Llandaff Living At the heart of the community

Issue 53 May/Jun '19

THE GREAT

OUTDOORS

Your multi award-winning community magazine

Inside this issue

Welcome / Croeso

Interview

Llandaff Society's Chairman Geoff BartonGreenwood reflects on his life and work in the village

Interview

Maggie Harries talks about the inspirational local charity she created and her drive to provide its members with a special trip

Garden Party

Outdoor essentials for the perfect garden party this summer

Whitchurch and Llandaff North through time

Photographs and memories of local businesses from yesteryear

High Summer deadline: 19th June 2019

Published mid July 2019

a: 222 Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AG t: 07772 081775 / 07974 022920 w: www.livingmags.co.uk e: editor@livingmags.co.uk or danielle@livingmags.co.uk Distribution: 6,000 copies of Whitchurch and Llandaff Living are distributed to retail outlets and public places across Whitchurch, Llandaff and Llandaff North five times a year.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any matter in any way arising from the publication of this material.

Every effort has been made to contact any copyright holders.

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living is an independent, apolitical publication.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publishers.

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Summer is well and truly here and to celebrate that fact, we've themed this issue around The Great Outdoors.

Being outside can provide us with many benefits, both physical and mental. With the warmer, sunnier weather being here, it is the perfect opportunity to really take time to enjoy all that being outdoors has to offer.

We have written a series of features to help inspire you to spend time outside and to maximise wellbeing.

Local children introduce the theme by telling us what they love about being outside and why they think it is important.

The scientific evidence behind the claims that being outside is good for us is presented in our feature on the benefits of being outdoors. The proof is there!

We have complied a guide to camping and for any budding astronomers, a feature on stargazing. Maybe you could combine the two?

Two local inspirational characters are interviewed for our people features. Maggie Harries reflects on her life work and how her Whitchurch-based charity has provided so much to its members with special needs over 37 years. She told us about her current mission and the dilemma she faces. Might you

be able to help?

Geoff Barton-Greenwood is well-known in Llandaff circles.

As Chair of the Llandaff Society, Geoff has helped shape the vibrant community of Llandaff.

He speaks about his love for the village, and his hopes for the future.

In a new historical series, local author Steve Nicholas takes us on a journey into the past. Both Whitchurch and Llandaff North have well-known businesses that are now just a memory. Through a series of old photographs we explore some of these gems.

The Taff Trail is also steeped in history, so we have compiled a feature that highlights some of the local landmarks along the way and the stories behind them.

Summer would not be summer without garden parties and we showcase some must-have products to make your outdoor party a success.

With a fantastic competition and all our other usual features, this is one to enjoy reading. In your garden of course!

Danielle and Patric

Editors

@WhitchurchandLlandaffLiving www.facebook.com/ whitchurchandllandaffliving

What’s on Whitchurch & Tongwynlais Festival 26th June - 6th July Whitchurch/Tongwynlais Two weeks of concerts, picnics, dog walks and lots, lots more.

Llandaff North Festival Saturday 29th June 11am onwards Hailey Park, Llandaff North Family entertainment, live music, charity and craft stalls.

Rhiwbina Summer Festival Saturday 29th June 11am - 5pm Rhiwbina Village The highlight in the Rhiwbina calendar with family fun for all.

Vintage For Victory Friday 12th - Sunday 14th July Whitchurch Library Gardens Vintage Festival including live music, food, drink and lots of nostalgia.

news

Village set for Vintage Festival Whitchurch's Vintage For Victory festival is returning to the village for its fourth year.

Celebrating the fashion, music and lifestyle from the 1940s, 50s and 60s, the festival draws in guests from all over Europe.

As well as full-size replicas of a Hurricane and a Spitfire, this year's event sees a flypast by an RAF Lancaster bomber for the first time.

Organisers say that the familyfriendly event has taken on a life of its own: "There will be some fantastic performers playing in the Big NAAFI

Calls for safer crossings in Llandaff North Tent, as well as food and drink stalls and the Village Emporium. Children under 16 are free this year so it's a great excuse to take the whole family out for the day, or even the weekend."

Early bird tickets are now on sale and there will be a limited number of tickets on sale at the gate at full price. Find out more at www.vintageforvictory.co.uk

New school proposals discussed A report which recommends that a public consultation is held on proposals for new primary school provision to serve parts of northwest Cardiff has been considered by the local authority's Cabinet.

The consultation considered proposals to establish a new two-form entry primary school, serving Creigiau, St Fagans, Radyr, Morganstown and Fairwater. The proposed type of school would be dual stream, organised as one-form of entry offering Welsh-medium education and one-form of entry offering English-medium places

with significant use of Welsh. The school would also offer 96 parttime nursery places with half of the places being Welsh-medium and half English-medium.

A number of new housing developments have commenced in north-west Cardiff in recent years. These include the Plasdŵr development on land north and south of Llantrisant Road, south of Pentrebane Road and at Goitre Fach Farm. The new homes will increase the number of children in the area needing school places.

Llandaff Pound preparation work starts

It's been two years since Cardiff Council offered Llandaff's derelict toilet block to Llandaff 50+ and preparation work has been going on behind the scenes in advance of construction.

April saw Bob Matthews and his team from RMC (with a little help from Cllr. Sean Driscoll) digging test holes for the foundations, which are apparently in very good order. The group's archaeologist, Dr Tim Young, reported that there

is evidence of building materials from the 13th to the 18th century.

A community dig, involving local schools will possibly be held in the autumn.

Hywel John from Hywel John Surveys Ltd also visited the site to undertake a 3D laser scan of the building and courtyard.

Progress is now well underway following February's news that the Welsh Government's Community Facilities Programme had offered a grant of £200,000 for the conversion of the toilet block.

The Pound Founders scheme has also launched recently. It aims to embed the 'Founders' into the project. Members will be able to attend Founders' events and have their name hand-painted onto a Pound Mug, which will be used and displayed in the kitchen area. To date, there are 21 Pound Founders and £4,110 has been raised.

Residents are calling for a pedestrian crossing in Llandaff North to be moved after a 15 year old boy was knocked off his bicycle.

The boy was making his way home from school when he was hit by a black car on the crossing.

He was left with cuts and bruises and was shaken up.

The crossing between Heol Don in Whitchurch and Station Road in Llandaff North was the subject of residents' concerns several years ago, resulting in new lighting being installed.

But some residents say that it's still not enough, and that an accident is 'waiting to happen'.

Jennifer Burke-Davies, Labour Councillor for Llandaff North, said: “In 2018, we worked with the community on a traffic consultation for Llandaff North Ward where it was made clear that there is a strong feeling from residents to reduce the speed of Station Road from 30mph to 20mph, especially at this crossing to further reduce the risk of accident.

“Originally, the crossing was moved to its current position in the hope that drivers would slow on approach, as this was already being used as a crossing.

“There is ongoing work to address the traffic and parking issues currently experienced in Llandaff North Ward and a change of speed limit would be considered as part of these.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford has recently announced that speed limits of 20mph could be introduced in all residential areas in Wales.

Wales has been accused of being behind the times with introducing a 20mph speed limit, which has been introduced in several English and Scottish cities.

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news

PACT concern at Whitchurch Hospital dangers

Whitchurch & Tongwynlais PACT has given an update on the work that they are doing to secure Whitchurch Hospital from vandals and trespassers.

Residents are worried that the deterioration of the site could lead to injury or worse.

Whitchurch PACT issued a statement that read: "Whitchurch Hospital has been poorly managed since its closure and the damage caused to this Grade II listed building is evidence of that.

Arson remains the biggest concern along with children and urban explorers entering the site. Areas within the buildings could be described as a 'death trap' to those that choose to enter the buildings and may well require other emergency services being called other than the police.

With doors and gates left wide open, this surely is an enticement to those that want to explore.

"Given that the hospital is in close proximity to Velindre Hospital, the City Hospice and Parc Hafod, in the event of arson, this would have a major effect on these sites, and they would have to be evacuated."

Whitchurch & Tongwynlais PACT has published a list of the actions that they have taken to make the site safe again. The list includes involvement with local MPs, AMs and other authorities over the last few months.

The hospital closed its doors for good in 2016 and has been left abandoned since.

Urban photographers have visited the site, as well as young vandals.

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Thousands turn out for Cardiff 5k

Thousands turned out to watch the annual Cardiff 5k, which took place through the streets of Whitchurch and Llandaff North.

The race was the fourth annual run, which incorporates the Welsh 5km Road Running Championships and the Inter-Area Championships.

Organisers said that the race was a great success and builds on the three previous runs in the North Cardiff area.

Organisers said: "This year's event was a great success. The weather was kind to us and we were very happy that the race was full to capacity. Everyone looked as though they had a great time."

The Senior race was won by Charlotte Arter of Cardiff AAC.

School hits half century Llandaff's Church In Wales Primary School is celebrating 50 years at its present site this year.

The school celebrated its first half century with a number of events recalling the school's history, including a re-enactment of events and changes over the last 50 years.

The school is currently looking to hear from past pupils to contribute to their celebrations. The school can be contacted on 02920 565932.

Pub Watch Scheme formed Seven pubs in Whitchurch have got together to form a Pub Watch with the purpose of keeping the area safe of trouble.

The scheme involves using an app called ‘Schemelink’ which works to keep all members updated with each other. The app is designed with functions to help groups tackle local crime and anti-social behaviour.

The seven pubs involved in the scheme are The Fox and Hounds, The Hollybush, The Maltsters, The Three Elms, The Plough, The Three Horseshoes and The Royal Oak.

Photography Competition winners We had three winners for our online Children's Photography Competition, that was run during March.

The competition was divided into three age categories and each photographic entry had to represent the theme of happiness. The competition drew in many entries for each category and ranged from pictures of icecream to loved ones.

The three winners were Ffion Osbaldeston (7-10 years), Lia Baldwin (11-14 years) and Lydia James (15-18 years). Each winner won a £30 Argos voucher.

The competition was judged

by Sarah Barnes of Sarah Barnes Photography.

Constituency News

with Julie Morgan AM

In March, I attended the St David’s Day Awards, which were presented by the First Minister. It was great to see two constituents nominated.

Bobath founder Glenys Evans was shortlisted for the Citizenship Award. I’ve known Glenys for many years and have long admired her quiet determination and commitment to helping children with cerebral palsy.

Richard Niinemae, from Whitchurch, was the award winner in the Bravery category. Richard risked his life in July 2018 trying to stop a car from driving into a crowd of around 20 people outside The Royal Oak on Merthyr Road. He suffered serious injuries but his actions prevented other people from being seriously injured. It was great to meet Richard and his wife at the awards.

It was wonderful to be at the Senedd for the official celebration of Wales’ Grand Slam win in the Six Nations Championship.

It was an honour to welcome the rugby players to the Senedd and I was very lucky to meet some of them, including the captain Alun Wyn Jones and coach Warren Gatland. We were all slightly awestruck to meet these Welsh rugby heroes and it was a great occasion.

I have now visited the fully furnished Maggie’s Centre in Velindre Hospital, due to be opened any day. The beautiful wooden walls, restful colours and big windows filled with greenery give a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere that I know will be welcomed by cancer patients and their families. What an asset to have Maggie’s in the Whitchurch area! Although, of course, it will be available for people from much further afield too.

Well done to AWEN for organising an Easter egg hunt at the Library Park in Whitchurch. More than 60 children attended, plus their parents or grandparents.

It was a nice sunny day, with tea and homemade cakes available, so a good time was had by all.

I have been pleased to support a recent performance of the Forget-me-Not Chorus, which organises choirs in various locations for people suffering from dementia and their carers. It is deeply moving to see the pleasure all the participants take in performing along with the Welsh National Opera. I am proud to be a regular supporter.

Finally, improvements are being made to the crossing facilities for pedestrians at the four-armed junction in Whitchurch village. Many constituents have approached me about this, so it is good to see the work underway!

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Maths Problems are a Problem

by Rebecca Salter of Kip McGrath Cardiff West

Maths word problems are a common area of concern for parents because they don’t know how to help their child. Here are some strategies to use so that problem solving is not a problem anymore.

1. My child does not understand the question.

If reading comprehension is weak, your child will struggle to see what they need to do. A weak reader reads mechanically and approaches a sentence word by word, missing out on the bigger picture. It may be the reading that is the problem not the maths.

Draw Method This will help children understand a question. For example: There are 4 boys with 4 apples each. How many apples are there altogether?'

Flow Chart Model This might be more suitable for older children, where they have to work out problems involving more than one step. Change the sentence into a flow chart or diagram where each step is connected by an arrow.

For the following problem, you might need to teach your child how to half a number.

David had 6 stickers. His Mum gave him 10 more. He then gave half to his brother. How many did he have left?

Translate it Understanding the key words in a question can help your child ‘decode’ what they have to do: Add Total Increase

Multiply Times Lots of

Subtract Less than Decrease

Divide Share Split

2. My child cannot do the maths required for the problem.

After ensuring that your child can understand what to do, you then have to make sure they can do the working out. Problem solving questions usually involve the four basic operators in Maths – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It is essential that they know a written method confidently for each of these.

If you think that your child may need assistance or a confidence boost in any areas of Maths or English, you can contact Rebecca and Aziz on 02920 628568. Find out more on our website.

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kids

Why we love the outdoors We asked local children what they love about being outside

Dylan aged 6 What is your favourite thing to do outdoors and why?

I love to go to the park on my bike because I don’t have to walk and I can go really fast!

Who do you like to spend time outdoors with?

My friends and family because I always have fun.

What is your favourite outdoor weather?

Snow! Because you can go sledding and make snow angels.

What are some of the good things about being outdoors?

Having fun, running around, seeing my friends in the park.

Why is it important to spend time outdoors?

So you don’t watch too much TV and you get exercise.

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Evie aged 8 What is your favourite thing to do outdoors and why?

My favourite thing is to go to the park on my scooter with my little brother because it's fun having his company.

Who do you like to spend time outdoors with?

My family and especially Barnaby my little brother.

What is your favourite outdoor weather?

I like the rain as it feels refreshing on my face.

What are some of the good things about being outdoors?

It's nice to go different places and to get fresh air instead of being stuck in.

Why is it important to spend time outdoors?

It's good to be in the sun to get vitamin D and to move around and be healthy.

Lule aged 9

Ela aged 12

What is your favourite thing to do outdoors and why?

What is your favourite thing to do outdoors and why?

Going into the woods because I like adventures.

Who do you like to spend time outdoors with?

All of the family.

What is your favourite outdoor weather?

Spring because it's not too cold or hot.

Finding new places to visit and making up adventures with my cousins because I have the best time when I am with them.

Who do you like to spend time outdoors with?

My family and friends.

What is your favourite outdoor weather?

Sunny.

What are some of the good things about being What are some of the good things about outdoors? being outdoors?

Having fun.

Why is it important to spend time outdoors?

To have some fresh air.

Molly aged 8 What is your favourite thing to do outdoors and why?

Going to the beach because I love to play in the water and build sandcastles.

Who do you like to spend time outdoors with?

I love to spend time with my family and my best friends. Also my cousins and my puppy Buddy.

What is your favourite outdoor weather?

I love being outside when it is really, really sunny. I also love the snow but the sun is my favourite weather.

Fresh air and that feeling of calm.

Why is it important to spend time outdoors?

To clear your head. Being outdoors makes me happy and relaxed.

Holly aged 8 What is your favourite thing to do outdoors and why?

I like playing in the garden and climbing trees because I can see everything from high above.

Who do you like to spend time outdoors with?

My Sister Lily because she is my best friend.

What is your favourite outdoor weather?

The sunshine.

What are some of the good things about being What are some of the good things about being outdoors? outdoors?

Having fresh air on my skin, seeing nature and freedom Being outdoors helps us get fresh air and stay healthy.

It makes us more active because we can run around.

Why is it important to spend time outdoors?

You get more exercise and stay healthy and fit. You can always meet more people outdoors.

Seb aged 8 What is your favourite thing to do outdoors and why?

I like making things out of stuff outside, like a den out of sticks or a dam from the stones in a stream. It's great fun and creative.

Who do you like to spend time outdoors with?

My friends and family.

What is your favourite outdoor weather?

I think it's best when it's windy and sunny because if I'm

to run around.

Why is it important to spend time outdoors?

Because you need fresh air and Vitamin D from the sun.

running around lots, the wind cools me down.

What are some of the good things about being outdoors?

You could ride your bike, climb trees, go to lands that you can't get inside like a beach, mountains or waterfalls.

Why is it important to spend time outdoors?

It keeps you off electronics and you can explore.

Maggie's Mission The North Cardiff woman who has changed the lives of hundreds of local people with special needs and her mission to grant them the trip of a lifetime She's had lunch with Prince Charles and Yehudi Menuhin. She's carried the Olympic Torch. She's defeated cancer, twice. She's even got an MBE. But for Maggie Harries, none of these compare to the little things in her life that make her happy.

For the last 37 years, Maggie has been running a youth provision for young people with a wide variety of learning disabilities.

"I've always considered myself as a carer. My dad was severely disabled with arthritis later in life. My mum was also an inspiration. She was always doing things, always busy.

A friend of hers took her to a day centre once and before long, she started working with adults with learning difficulties. She'd come home with such fantastic stories.

She would take them all out on day trips and she always said that was the best thing she’d ever done in her life."

Her mother's work with adults was to ignite Maggie's enthusiasm for helping others. Brought up in Caerleon, Maggie left home for university in Liverpool before starting a career in teaching.

"I then met the man who would become my future husband and we moved down to Cornwall for a year.

I fell pregnant and didn’t want to go back into teaching so set up Castle Sports in Castle Arcade. I felt like a mole, going to work in the dark and coming home during the dark, winter months."

After another few years living in

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Trinidad, Maggie returned to Cardiff where she started working at Whitchurch Youth Centre as a youth worker.

"We had a little girl who lived next door to us at the time. She had cerebral palsy and never seemed to go anywhere. She'd go to school in the daytime, come home afterwards and that was it. It also meant that her parents could never go anywhere. So in one of our staff meetings in the Youth Club, I suggested that we set up a part of the club for special needs.

"I'd visit youngsters with special needs in their schools and I think I became a bit of a nuisance because one day, I had a phone call from the Education Authority who said that they wanted to chat to me. I thought it would just be about the Youth Club but I walked out of the meeting with a job in a Special School. I only started for a term but ended up working at Riverbank School in Ely for 22 years."

Maggie started what was to become Sunday Circle at Whitchurch Youth Centre in May 1981.

“We left there after about 15 years because wheelchair access wasn’t great. We moved to Ty Celyn and were there for another 12 years but then we had to leave because the building was turned into a Sixth Form common room. We started off with eight local children but we were soon getting 90 and couldn’t get the staffing. We have about 50 come every week now.”

The weekly club offered facilities for the youngsters, including table tennis, pool and basic crafts. But Maggie has always pushed to provide extra experiences for her members.

"Over the years, we've done all sorts of things. We go on days out, we go camping, we go and stay at Storey Arms," says Maggie, beaming.

"But there's more. We've been skiing in the United States, kayaking in the fjords in Greenland, we've climbed in the Dolomites, and we've been to Norway and camped within sight of the ice cap. I stand back sometimes and think 'this is bloody lovely.'"

Maggie and the club have helped transform the lives of the members in a positive way.

"I’ve been at my happiest with the members at Storey Arms," says Maggie. "I see little ones with not much confidence in their physical capabilities, worrying about climbing a grass bank and getting their hands dirty when we first arrive. I then see them the next day, jumping around in the yomping pools, getting mucky and laughing their heads off."

The experiences help develop the club's members in ways that would never seem possible.

"One little girl from Whitchurch had severe learning difficulties and lots of issues. We got her to the top of Pen-y-Fan and to see the smile on her face was a pure joy. There was also one boy who was in two leg

people callipers and was registered blind.

He wanted to climb Pen-y-Fan too so off he went with his callipers and white stick. You could take a normal group of children up there and half of them drop out two thirds of the way up because they can’t be bothered. But this boy did it. And when he got to the top, he turned to me and said: ‘Maggie. Have I been a pleasure to have?’"

Maggie reels off story after story.

There's the autistic boy who found his confidence skiing on the slopes in the US. Then there’s the child who was an elective mute and barely spoke, who started shouting out in the Dolomite mountains so that he could hear his own echo.

Each and every story doesn't sound like much to the casual observer, but to Maggie, and more importantly, to the individual, it means the world.

"We stayed in a log cabin in Margam once and what you need to remember is that children in wheelchairs don't experience the things that we do. They don’t know what mud or cold water feels like.

So we took them out of their chairs and put their feet in the cold water, sat them in the wet grass and wrecked a few wheelchairs.

"People would ask me how many children I had and I’d say 74 before realising that they were asking how many I actually had of my own."

Maggie's two children grew up with the club.

"They never got fazed by the members of the club. In fact, they'd often go up to children with special needs in public and tell them all about the club. My children gained massively from it all.”

For Maggie, her devotion to her cause has been unrelenting, but one that she has undertaken with gratitude.

"For 35 years, we never had any regular staff. In a Special School for 100 children, you would need to have about 70 members of staff to look after them. It's only recently that authorities have given me money to employ three part-time youth workers and that makes a massive difference. I’m very much tied to the youth club – I can’t go away when I want to."

In 1995, Maggie was awarded an MBE for her work.

"I was given the award by Prince Charles at Cardiff Castle on St David's Day. Everyone was turning up in their posh cars and I turned up in our Variety Club minibus with some of our members! In 2001, I also picked up a Welsh Woman of the Year Award. That meant a lot to me because I’m proud of being a woman and proud of being Welsh. I wouldn’t want to be anything else."

Now retired from teaching, Maggie is also reflecting on the club and its future.

"South Wales Classic Car Club have supported us for many years.

Last year, I went to pick up the cheque that they give us annually and there was a girl from Ty Hafan there. She was talking about end of life and how Ty Hafan make a difference. It made me realise that our club was not about end of life, but more ‘whole of life’.

"I was told nearly 40 years ago that there wouldn't be much call for a special needs department at Whitchurch Youth Club as 'there weren't that many children around.'

You see a lot more children with needs out and about these days.”

Looking ahead, Maggie is considering life after the club.

"I’m 67. At some stage, I’m going to have to say that enough is enough and leave it to the youngsters to carry on." But for now, as usual, Maggie and the team are planning for Christmas.

"My best and my worst night of the year is our Christmas party and I’m always worried that somebody’s going to turn up that hasn’t been since last year and you need to have a present for everybody. We buy presents and wrap them up throughout the year. The volunteers are fantastic in this respect and the club wouldn't survive without them. Some have been with me for 30 years and that’s a massive commitment.

“We always have a ‘visitor’ every Christmas and every member still believes."

Maggie's dream is to see out her tenure with one last hurrah that involves every member of the club.

"I want to take all the members to see Santa in Lapland this Christmas.

For past trips, we’ve had to limit places to who you think would enjoy that particular activity. But this time, I want to take all of them.

That’s 60 members, but with the staff required, would be 100 people in total. I've even looked into chartering a plane. It would work out at about £400 per person just for the day. ” But Maggie is faced with a huge dilemma.

"Our 17 year-old mini bus broke down and had to be scrapped.

Do we take the money out of the money that we’ve already raised?

But that would set the trip back by years. I'd already spoken to all the members and asked if there was anyone who didn't want to go. Not one person put their hand up.

“They all want to go."

Maggie and her team are looking at various ways of raising the money to make the trip a reality.

“We’ve got a concert coming up where we hope to raise some funds.”

For now, members continue to meet on Sunday evenings in Gabalfa to enjoy what Maggie has been able to provide for the last 37 years.

Hopefully, with a lot of generosity and dose of good luck, Maggie’s members will be smiling again this Christmas.

If you’d like to help Maggie in her quest, you can visit her Just Giving Page and search for Sunday Circle City Voices Cardiff Friday 27th September 2019 Cyncoed Methodist Hall 7pm www.sundaycircle.org.uk

Celebrating the 1940s to the 1960s

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Vintage for Victory Festival

Inspired by the romance and glamour of vintage fashion and nostalgia, we are delighted to announce the return of the Vintage For Victory weekend to The Library Gardens in Whitchurch Village this July.

Live music

The hub of the Vintage for Victory Festival is the NAAFI Tent, where you will be able to see and hear some fantastic vintage-inspired performers, with plenty to get your feet tapping. If you are feeling brave, get out there and dance the night away!

This summer sees the muchloved Vintage For Victory Festival celebrating its fourth year in the village of Whitchurch.

It's the highlight of the summer calendar and draws in crowds from all over the UK and beyond. And the best bit about it is that it's right here on your doorstep!

This iconic festival oozes nostalgia, helped along by guests embracing fashion from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. This is your chance to switch off, sink into a summer deck chair with a cool drink, and lap up the live music that's on offer all weekend.

There will be everything from whimsical wartime songs through to toe-tapping rock and roll classics that are guaranteed to get you up and dancing. You can even learn to jive, swing or lindy hop on the day.

Who knows - you may find a new hobby!

Food and drink are provided courtesy of artisan vendors serving up handmade burgers, street food and crepes. And to accompany that, there are bars and drinks available

to quench even the driest thirst.

The Emporium is also a great place to while away an hour or two - a place where you can pick up a retro outfit or even get your hair and nails done - vintage-style of course.

A traditional carnival with fairground rides and sides shows can keep the kids entertained while for adults, two World War II replica planes - a Hurricane and a Spitfire will be on display. It was these famous fighters that could be spotted high up in the summer sky during 1940, battling to fend off the Nazi threat. Re-enactors will be on hand to provide you with the history of the aircraft.

On Saturday, you'll hear the unmistakable rumble of a Lancaster bomber in the distance before it casts its shadow over the festival during its flyover.

If you fancy making an entire weekend out of this family, dogfriendly event, camping is also available with early booking advisable. Don't forget your dancing shoes!

For tickets and information, go to www.vintageforvictory.co.uk

What to wear

The 40s, 50s and 60s were all key periods for fashion, much of which wouldn’t look out of place on the high street today. So let your imagination go wild and bring some glitz and glamour to the village.

Vintage vehicles and Lancaster flypast

An iconic full sized replica Spitfire and Hurricane will be on display, along with a re-enactment RAF flight crew to tell you all about the Battle of Britain, the people and the planes.

This year's event also sees a flypast by a Lancaster bomber.

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outdoors

The Great Outdoors Spending time outdoors is fun but it also nourishes your body and soul. Here are just a few scientifically-proven reasons why you should spend more time in the company of Mother Nature

Being outdoors is good for children

A medical paper published in 2009 found that the benefits of living close to nature were particularly strong for children.

The researchers found significant relationships between a lower number of childhood complaints of vertigo and severe stomach complaints.

Walking to school through a park or spending plenty of time in the backyard was found to be beneficial for a child’s overall health, as well as alleviating levels of depression.

The researchers said: "There is increasing evidence for a positive relation between green space in people’s living environment and self-reported indicators of physical and mental health. The study stresses the importance of green space close to home for children and lower socioeconomic groups."

It feels easier to exercise outdoors

The colour green has been proven to help concentration. It may even help you exercise. In one small study, researchers had cyclists pedal in front of green, grey, and red video footage. The bikers who exercised in front of the green reported feeling less physical exertion and more positive moods - meaning that grass, trees, and plants could add a psychological boost to your workout.

Sunshine is vital for vitamin D

When the skin is exposed to sunlight, a reaction begins that starts vitamin D production inside the human body.

This particular vitamin is essential for healthy tissues, skin, and bones. It also helps to manage insulin production and protect against diabetes; it supports cardiovascular and lung health, and provides many other benefits to human health.

Being outside also helps maintain our vitamin D levels and can regulate our body clock, meaning we sleep better too.

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Being outside relieves stress and depression

High levels of stress are associated with depression, obesity and high blood pressure.

Stress is unhealthy when not managed properly but luckily, there is a natural stress reliever right outside your front door.

Bloodstream levels of the stress hormone cortisol have been proven to be lowered after spending time outside. These lower cortisol levels persist for several days.

A 2012 study also looked at mood levels of adults with a major depressive disorder, comparing those that took a walk in nature with those who took an urban walk.

Participants showed greater increases in mood levels from walking in nature and the study concluded that 'interacting with nature may be useful clinically as a supplement to existing treatments for major depressive disorder.'

Being outside can keep you fit

Getting outside doesn't have to cost you a penny!

Walking is the ultimate no-cost activity and in addition to being a practical method of transport, it’s also great for your heart. The British Heart Foundation advocates regular walking to reduce the chance of developing a heart condition and to keep healthy.

You can burn 149 calories each half hour of walking in the park, and 372 calories every half hour by riding your bike. To encourage kids to get exercise outside, find a fun activity to do as a family.

It can help you live longer

Air quality is known to increase longevity and is better in areas of more dense vegetation. Being close to parks and nature trails can encourage more frequent exercise, which helps maintain heart health. Time spent outside also increases social engagement and can improve mental health.

Some GPs now prescribe getting outdoors in a bid to help people increase their physical activity and improve their overall health.

Being outside strengthens our immune system

For a group of adults that took part in a study in 2010, a threeday trip to the forest increased the number of white blood cells in their blood. These levels of white blood cells stayed elevated for more than 30 days after their adventure in the woods. White blood cells are crucial to your immune system.

Nature encourages creativity

A study in 2012 called Creativity in the Wild looked at the effects of four days of being immersed in nature, away from all modern technology. The subjects were a mixed-age, mixed-gender group and the results of the study showed some remarkable results.

Participants were given a higher order creative problem-solving task known as the Remote Associates Test (RAT).

A sample was taken before they undertook a four-day hike through the wilderness in Colorado or Alaska. All access to electronic technology was forbidden during this time.

At the end of the hike, all participants took the RAT and a whopping 50% increase in performance was shown over the same tasks they have given before they went for the hike.

Of course, not all of us can take four days out on this scale but the results showed that 'there is a cognitive advantage to be realised if we spend time immersed in a natural setting'.

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penning the hit football song Three Lions with Lightning Seeds.

In recent years, he has become a familiar face on our TV screens presenting Room 101 and hosts his own Saturday show with Alun Cochrane on Absolute Radio.

Yet, it is on the stand-up stage where Frank first made his name and where he is most loved. Way back in 1987, he spent £400 of his last £435 booking a room at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Four years later, he returned to beat Jack Dee and Eddie Izzard to take home the prestigious Perrier Award.

Over three decades later, Frank Skinner remains one of the very best in Showbiz!

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets in this exclusive competition, please answer the following question: Stand-up legend Frank Skinner returns to St David’s Hall on Saturday 28th September with his hilarious new show Showbiz.

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Llandaff Boy Geoffrey Barton-Greenwood is a familiar face around Llandaff. He is also important to the village's continued progression and prosperity Llandaff wouldn't be Llandaff without Geoff Barton-Greenwood.

The retired chartered surveyor and current Chair of the Llandaff Society has Llandaff running through his veins.

"I was born in 1943, at which point, my mother had rooms at Insole Gardens. I came home from Nurse Howells Nursing Home in Whitchurch to that address and I lived there until there was a later fear of Nazi raids in Cardiff. My father was away with the 8th Army at the time.

"My gran came around to the house one day and said to my mother ‘Joan. You’re not living here anymore. You’ve got to take that boy to the countryside where it’s safe'. So she took me to Rhiwbina, to live near the Monico cinema."

As one of the largest coal ports in the world at that time, Cardiff continued to be the target for the Luftwaffe who continued their bombing raids. For Geoff's family, the nearby Royal Ordnance Factory was a bit too close for comfort.

"We were there for two years but then we moved out to Twyn-yrOdyn, near Wenvoe, where my father was born. My grandfather owned a quarry there. My brother came eight years later when we’d moved to the Heath."

Geoff's formative years were to have a great impact on his later life.

"I remember my grandfather driving me from Rhiwbina through

20

Gabalfa, which was just a set of traffic lights at that point. I was very small and as we dropped down onto Western Avenue, I remember looking over and seeing the steeple of Llandaff Cathedral lopped off."

The cathedral had been hit by a parachute mine in January 1941. Its steeple was not replaced until the 1950s.

"My great Aunt lived in Llandaff's Ely Road. She had an air raid shelter at that time and I distinctly remember going into it. Strangely enough, I had the chance to go into the same air raid shelter only about six years ago. It's still there!"

The sight of aircraft flying low over Cardiff was commonplace at that time, even into the 1950s.

"I was standing in the playground of my school one day and two American planes came flying over at about 1,000ft. The first plane was a Martin Mariner Flying Boat and the second was a Convair B-36 Peacemaker, which was a huge plane. Its nickname was 'Big Stick' and it had eight engines in total - six pusher propellers on the back of its wings and two jets that sat in pods underneath the wing tips. As you can imagine, they made an incredible and unique noise."

It was moments like these that helped start Geoff's direction in life.

"I was intent on becoming an RAF officer when I was at

school. I was especially interested in aviation and had been since I was a child."

Geoff eventually moved away to live in Central London at the age of 18, joining the Ministry of Aviation.

"I was an Executive Officer dealing with aviation policy matters."

But it wasn't long before Geoff found his true lifelong vocation.

"I then left to train as a chartered surveyor and valuer. I’d always loved Geography in school; I was very interested in maps and in geology. I became a Valuer for the Inland Revenue, working in Cardiff, Pontypridd and London."

Geoff met his wife-to-be Jennifer at the Young Conservatives in London. They were married at Christchurch, Brondesbury Park, North West London.

"We had our first home in Lon Ysgybor in Rhiwbina where we had our two children. It was lovely there, on the side of the Wenallt. We'd let the kids out to play on their own and trusted them to stay safe. We

A Convair B-36 (below) pictured with a B-50 bomber

people then moved to Radyr where we were supposed to be for three years but were there for 18!"

From 1980 to 1991, whilst having a second career as a Commissioned Officer in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, Geoff was Flight Lieutenant in command at 2213 (City 0f Llandaff) Squadron Air Training Corps, based at the TA Centre in Llandaff North. During this period, many young people passed through the Squadron, reaching a maximum strength of +45 cadets.

"Through our training programme, doors opened to free flying, gliding, overseas travel, sport and adventure training for young people aged 13 to 22 years, many of whom have achieved great things," says Geoff.

But it was the family's move to Llandaff in 2001 that was to become a blessing for the village.

"It was our son who asked us to look around Llandaff for a place for him to live. We came to look at the house that we're in now. The first thing we saw were a load of trees as the house was almost out of sight behind them. But the moment we walked through the door, we knew that we had to have it.

"The clincher for me was when I stepped out into the back garden and saw a concrete air raid bunker.

It measured 12ft x 8ft and had been there since World War II. The previous owner was an architect so when Llandaff was bombed, naturally, he got straight to it and built it. He then buried it under a mound of earth. It's still here today."

Both Geoff and Jenny slotted into Llandaff life: "In a sense, it seemed like home as I’d never lost contact with the village. My great aunt lived on the Green and we were all here for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.

In fact, we still have photos and even film footage of that day."

1977 was the year that the Llandaff Society also came into being.

Unbeknown to Geoff, he would come to play an important role within the Society.

"The Llandaff Society existed when we moved here but we didn’t know anything about it. We came to establish contact with them and were invited quite quickly to join the committee. It was in decline at that time with Lisbeth David, who was the champion of pedestrian and all good causes.

"I went along for a couple of committee meetings and then they had an AGM and I got myself elected as vice-chair and before Photo courtesy of Rosemary Scaddon

Geoff and Jennifer at the Llandaff's Medieval May Fayre (photo Alan Salisbury) long, I found myself having to take over as chair and haven’t looked back since. Jennifer is the Society's Honorary Secretary."

Today, the Society exists in part to stimulate public interest and civic pride.

"We look after the civic aspect of Llandaff and safeguard its history.

We try to create social interaction by building bridges with all elements of the community."

The Society also promotes the provision of public and community facilities. As well as raising money for the annual Christmas lights, it also publishes Occasional Papers, reflecting the history of the area.

"We’re privileged to live in a place that has such enormous history. I feel that we, as a village, need to project ourselves and our history so that we aren’t consumed by the Great Wen of Cardiff. After all, we were literally on the map way back in the 16th century. Llandaff is clearly marked on one of the maps that I’ve seen from the time of Henry VIII whereas Cardiff wasn’t.

The history of Llandaff stretches back to Roman times."

In fact, Llandaff was named as one of the best urban places to live in the UK by the Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide in 2015.

"The quality of life is fantastic here.

We’ve got a very busy High Street as our core, and we’ve got a great variety of places to eat and drink."

Despite that, the village still has its challenges ahead.

"Llandaff’s biggest threat is the possibility of it being submerged by traffic as a consequence of up to 11,000 houses being built nearby.

The Society has spent 3 months at the Inspector's LDP Inquiry, pressing for adequate infrastructure."

Despite their worries, both Geoff and Jennifer are grateful for their surroundings and their community.

"We’re so lucky to have such lovely areas around us in a city location.

The Society has stimulated new life in the village and encouraged people like Brains to invest in the pubs to lift them out of 'spit and sawdust' to what they are today.

We've persuaded the Council to invest a lot of money in the High Street, we've got rid of the overhead telephone wires, had the Victorian street lights put back and introduced new benches and flowers.

"And I keep getting re-elected as Chair," he says.

It's not hard to see why.

Geoff (centre) with wife Jennifer and Tim Hancock at the unveiling of the Terry Nation's Blue Plaque

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outdoors

Let's Go Camping Camping is a great way to experience the great outdoors.

It'll provide you with quality time with friends and family, lungfuls of fresh air and some wonderful memories that will last a lifetime Tent, caravan or motorhome?

There are several ways to go camping, each with their own pros and cons. Whether you are looking to stay in a tent, a caravan or motorhome, getting away from it all needs a good deal of preparation.

Camping in a tent usually means that you have to take account of your cooking, sleeping and sanitation needs.

You will need to consider things like sleeping bags, outdoor cooking equipment and even things like torches.

Caravans and motorhomes are more equipped and there are a good deal of places where you can hire them. Check to see if they come with adequate bedding for your needs and what provisions are on board for cooking. One positive (or negative!) is that you should have electricity in caravan or motorhome.

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What to look for in a campsite

If you have never camped before, the best advice is to stay in the UK and choose a campsite that either has very good facilities or is close to a town or village. This way, you can always be able to top up on supplies or find somewhere to eat if things don't go quite to plan.

Take into consideration whether your campsite is child-friendly and whether the facilities include showers and toilets.

There are a number of other different aspects to look at before making a decision on where to stay: • Does the campsite allow barbecues and camp fires?

• Does the campsite have a water view, whether it be coastal or a lake. Remember that moving water attracts flying insects.

• What are their rules about noise?

• What are the parking facilities like? Not all campsites allow you to park beside your pitch, meaning you may need to carry your tent and camping gear.

• Is the campsite within a 3 hour drive from home? You may feel more relaxed if you know that you're not too far away from home comforts.

• Does the campsite charge for the amount of people or the amount of tents?

• Are there good walks in the surrounding area? Are there nice places to take photographs?

What you'll need

Sleeping

You can sleep warm and comfortable in a sleeping bag and there are now a variety of different shapes and styles. There's the traditional 'mummy' bag, which are available in double sizes but there are also body-shaped bags. If you move around a lot in your sleep, sleeping pods - wider shaped sleeping bags, are also available.

Remember to get yourself a quality mat to go underneath.

Choosing a tent

Choosing a tent can be fun but tent berths are based around how many people the tent can hold without any luggage.

Therefore, you'll need to bear in mind how many people are going, how much gear you are planning on taking, and whether you need any separate bedrooms for any of your campers.

Take into account too whether your chosen campsite has limitations on large tents. Always pitch your tent at home to iron out any faults that need fixing.

Cooking

With the right tools and preparation, cooking outdoors can be as easy as cooking at home. Before you leave home, decide how you are going to heat your food. You can either prepare food at home to reheat, or you can take food with you to actually cook. Either way, you'll need some sort of cooker. Never use these in your tent.

Many campers use a basic two burner camp stove, which is powered by propane canisters. Simply light the flame and cook your food in pots as you would at home.

If you are wanting to use an actual camp fire, remember to cook over the coals and not the actual flames.

Keep things simple if it's your first time. Cook food you'd normally eat, keep cold foods cold (bring a quality cooler or freeze before leaving) and remember to bring plenty of water with designated bottles for each camper.

Avoiding bugs

It's easy to be put off by the idea of camping because of the thought of flies and midges buzzing around but you can minimise this by camping in areas that aren't damp or near water.

Keep the inside door of your tent closed, even if you are just popping in to grab something. It's also worth wearing clothing that can help avoid bites - long sleeved tops and bottoms.

Using insect repellent around your ankles, wrists and neck will also help keep the bugs at bay.

Smoke from camp fires is a natural deterrent to flies and keeping food wrapped up, especially sugary food, is recommended. Inflated brown paper bags also keep wasps away because they think it's a rival nest.

Remember to take plenty of photos

Part of the adventure of camping are the memories that you create. Most mobile phones have cameras inbuilt and there's no excuse for not taking a few pictures along the way to remind yourself of the time you had.

You can also print them out when you get home and put them in an album to keep for years to come.

Staying safe

Of utmost importance must be the safety of you and your campers.

Be prepared as much as you can, including checking the weather forecasts. Keep hydrated, pack and store your food properly and remember to always be aware of any potential medical risks such as allergic reactions to bites and stings.

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Garden Party

Whether you want to spend time with friends or with loved-ones, holding a garden party is a great way to while away summer days

Garden Lights

Firepit

Dancing in the moonlight! From fairy lights to festoon strings, garden lights create the perfect atmosphere for a garden party. Garden lanterns can also be placed around the lawn and solar-powered options mean that they can be left maintenance free all year round. www.lights4fun.co.uk

Firepits bring warmth to your garden party, as well as a focal point for your guests. There are many options available, including gas-fired pits that are adjustable and can be lit in an instant. www.thefirepitcentre.co.uk

Garden Bar

Have your own pub in your garden with a garden bar. Perfect for cool drinks with friends. www.sustainable-furniture.co.uk

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outdoors

Drinks trough

Keeping drinks cool in the garden means you can sit back and not worry about popping back indoors to your fridge every now and then. A drinks trough can be loaded up with ice, keeping your wines and beers ice cold. You can build it into your existing garden set up or just use one individually as and when you need it. www.gardentrading.co.uk

BBQ

Cooking outdoors is a must for any garden party. The Weber Barbecue Centre has recently opened up in Pugh’s Wenvoe. They have a full range of some of the leading Weber brand barbecues available including the Mastertouch Premium, Genesis II and Spirit II, plus all the accessories you need.

Pughs Garden Village, Wenvoe

Tables and seating

Making sure that your guests can relax in style means that you'll need to think about seating arrangements. If your garden can take it, and depending on how many guests you have, a table is recommended if you are planning on eating.

If space is limited, get yourself some deck chairs that can be easily collapsed away for easy storage when not in use. www.johnlewis.com

Heaters

Despite the onset of summer, it can get a little bit chilly when the sun sets so it's always worth investing in an outdoor heater. They can be economic to run with long lasting bulbs and some use clever infrared technology that heats the body as well as the surrounding air. Perfect for extending those evenings! www.leekes.co.uk

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history

History on the Taff From its origins in the Brecon Beacons, the River Taff is a beautiful part of North Cardiff.

Its banks are teeming with historic relics and stories. Here are some of its most important landmarks along its route

Melingriffith Tinplate Works

A housing estate now sits where the Melingriffith Tinplate Works was once a hive of industrial activity.

There are some surviving elements in the vicinity, including the water wheel and pump. The original works were developed from an iron forge established about 1749 on the site of a medieval mill. It is believed that the water supply from the Taff was used for both the medieval and post-medieval mills.

The works were the largest in the tin-plate trade until 1806. In 1906, there were approximately 530 employees, and the annual output was over 17,500 tons of tin-plates. The works were forced to close in 1957.

Castle Coch

Resting on ancient foundations, the current Castle Coch is a 19th century Gothic revival construction. The site's history goes back a long way though. The first castle on the site was built by the Normans after 1081, and it was built to protect the newly conquered town of Cardiff. Abandoned shortly afterwards, the castle's earth motte was reused by Gilbert de Clare as the basis for a new stone fortification, which he built between 1267 and 1277 to control his freshly annexed Welsh lands.

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Hailey Park

Work began on Llandaff North’s new park in April 1925.

By the end of that year, the bowling green was turfed, the site for the tennis courts was levelled and the walks had been formed and completed. Seats had also been Main photo by Lewis Fackrell

Llandaff Fields

Llandaff Fields were purchased for Cardiff Council from the mill-owning Thompson Family in 1898.

In 1860, an extension of the park northwards for athletic purposes was announced, and took place in 1879, merging with nearby Pontcanna Fields.

It's part of an extensive network of Grade II listed parkland extending from the city centre northwards, on either side of the River Taff. The parkland is lined with avenues of trees and large grassed areas and becomes a very popular place in the summer with visitors wanting to enjoy the sun in the city. fixed along the river walk and the two hedges that originally divided the fields had been removed.

On May 3rd 1926, Hailey Park was opened to the public for the first time.

Llandaff Weir

Once a site of rapids, the construction of the weir in the nineteenth century made the new course of the Taff a permanent one, away from the cathedral where it once ran. It was originally designed to take water to the Corn and Tucking Mills downstream.

Pontcanna Fields

Llandaff Bridge

Until the late nineteenth century, Pontcanna Fields was open farmland, with Pontcanna Farm occupying the space between Pontcanna Fields and Llandaff Fields. After the Council's purchase of Pontcanna Fields in October 1948, the farm buildings remained and in the 1950s, some were converted for use as television studios. They have since been demolished and replaced with a housing estate. Pope John Paul II visited held a mass in Pontcanna Fields in 1982.

Llandaff and Llandaff North have been connected to each other via a bridge for hundreds of years.

At one point, the bridge became the most important bridge across the lower reaches of the Taff. The original bridge, built in the mid-eighteenth century, was constructed as a three-arched stone structure. By the end of the nineteenth century, it was replaced by a flat metal deck resting on the old stone piers and arches.

The 1980s saw the bridge being replaced by the single-span concrete structure that exists today.

The bridge sits near Hailey Park and the Taff Trail cycle route passes underneath it.

Blackweir

Blackweir was built in 1834 to supply water to the dock feeder and to flush the docks of sediment. It replaced an earlier weir that dated back to the 12th century.

It's now home to an adjacent sports fields and a suspension bridge that joins the two sides of the river.

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outdoors

Look up to the stars Do you ever look up at the night sky and wonder what you're looking at? Taking up astronomy is one outdoor activity that can be a fascinating and educational pastime What is Astronomy?

Astronomy is the branch of science that deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.

We tend to use the term to describe the study of the planets and stars through the use of telescopes.

Early astronomers noticed the patterns in the night sky and attempted to classify and organise them so that they could predict their movements.

These patterns, known as constellations became useful because people could measure seasons, which helped grow food.

The movement of the stars and other heavenly bodies was tracked around the world, but was prevalent in China, Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia, Central America and India.

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Where do I start?

One look at the equipment and information that's on offer can be overwhelming at first. It's therefore best to start small.

Your first step will be to head outside at night and get familiar with the names of some of the constellations and the brightest stars. If you live in a denselypopulated area, you may want to head out to the countryside where there is less light pollution.

It's also worth investing in sky maps and guide books to help you. In astronomy, you'll always be learning but guidebooks can show you the basics and where to start.

You can learn a lot from other astronomers, especially in dedicated clubs. Stargazing clubs often hold star parties, where you can find out more about telescopes, what to look for, and other skills and tips.

When it's time to get a telescope

Before long, you'll want to get your first telescope. It's always worth doing your research before you commit to buying one because they do vary. Don't skimp on cost - your telescope should have high-quality optics and a sturdy, smoothly working mount.

You'll also need to think about practicalities like portability.

Whatever one you choose, make sure it's one that you'll want to use over and over again.

What to look out for

The Plough

Working your way around the sky can be daunting at first so a good place to start is with The Plough. It's a group of seven bright stars that are always visible in the Northern Hemisphere. It also has two stars called the Pointers that point to Polaris, the North Star.

Polaris is positioned almost exactly above the Earth’s axis at the North Pole, so unlike the rest of the sky, it doesn’t move and shows which way is north.

The moon

First things first - be careful!

Looking at the moon through a telescope can be very uncomfortable, especially when it's a full moon. The brightness can cause eye damage so look to get yourself a moon filter, which you can place over the eyepiece of the telescope.

Getting hold of a lunar map will help you work out what's what. The moon's craters and mountains will be perfectly visible, even using binoculars.

The planets

It's not just stars you'll be looking at. You can also view planets through a telescope or even a pair of binoculars. Each planet can be seen with differing clarity. Venus can often be picked out due to its brightness, and is therefore best viewed during the evenings or early mornings.

Mars has a distinctive red hue about it but giant sandstorms often cover the detail that one would expect to see. Jupiter, on the other hand, is well worth a look. Its atmospheric bands, which fluctuate constantly, can be clearly viewed, as too can its Great Red Spot.

You can see Saturn itself through a pair of binoculars but if you'd like to see its ring system, you're better off with a telescope.

Further out, Uranus and Neptune look like small greenish discs through a small telescope and you'll need a powerful telescope to see Pluto.

Comets

Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases, rock and dust that orbit the Sun. When frozen, they are the size of a small town. When a comet's orbit brings it close to the Sun, it heats up and spews dust and gases into a giant glowing head larger than most planets.

Comets are visible through telescopes and a good pair of binoculars. Often marked by a distinct greenish-blue haze, they are not to be missed. Unlike shooting stars, which can't be caught with a telescope, comets don't zip across the night sky at speed. Search the internet to find out where you can find the latest comets.

The Milky Way

Deep space

Stars and planets aren't the only things that fill the galaxy. There are also many nebulae - giant clouds of dust and gas. These are the places where stars are born. Deep space is also filled with other galaxies, varying in sizes and shapes. Some are spiral-shaped, some are spherical and others don't have any particular shape at all.

What you'll be able to see will depend on the quality of your telescope and the darkness of your environment.

Escape the city lights to see our galaxy in all its glory. You'll be better off heading right out into the country to view the Milky Way, which rises after sunset and will span the sky by midnight.

It is best viewed during the summer months when almost 2,000 stars are visible to the naked eye on a clear night. The Milky Way actually contains about 100 billion stars in total and every star you can see with the unaided eye is located within the Milky Way.

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FREE TINNITUS MANAGEMENT DAY Thursday 27th June Worried about ringing in your ears?

Do you hear a ringing, roaring, clicking, or hissing sound in your ears? Do you hear this sound often or all the time? Does the sound bother you a lot?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have tinnitus and you should see a hearing professional. Tinnitus affects 1 in 10 people in the UK. Tinnitus has many causes and can severely disrupt people’s lives and that’s why it’s important to know what’s causing it and how to manage it.

If you are curious, distressed or concerned, we can help so please call to book your FREE session.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a noise that you can hear in your head that isn’t coming from the environment around you. One in ten people in the UK suffers with some degree of tinnitus.

What causes tinnitus?

Tinnitus is a symptom associated with many forms of hearing problems (It can also be a symptom of other health problems). Tinnitus is typically caused by: Blocked ears/ear infections, Hearing loss, loud noise, illness and more than 200 medicines.

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Finding out what exactly is going on will help to allay your fears. The condition is very common; we can diagnose the potential causes and advise on the suitable treatment and management options available. Booking an appointment is your first step towards tinnitus relief.

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Early summer sees our gardens burst into life and colour. Kevin Revell looks at some of the perennials that can transform the look and smell of your garden

I

f spring comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, as the old saying goes, then the bleating should be deafening by now.

The danger of frost has past, and warm spring weather drives a surge of growth in some of our most popular garden herbaceous perennial flowers which rapidly race up to flower. This spring saw some unseasonably early warmth but on the whole, plants have flowered at much the same time.

Spring bulbs are still a source of colour; as the daffodils and tulips fade, so alliums come to the

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fore, their purple or sometimes white globes of flowers punching through the emerging herbaceous groundcover and remaining through the rest of the year as attractive seed heads.

One plant which grows rapidly in late spring and early summer is Columbine or Granny’s Bonnets, a typical cottage garden plant which seeds readily and spreads around the garden with little invitation. Progeny from favoured colours rarely come true to type but interesting new forms will often spring up. The romantic common names allude to the dove of St Columba or some antiquated Victorian headgear which the flowers are said to resemble.

The Latin name of Aquilegia refers to eagle’s talons in which the large flowered hybrids in particular, exhibit large spurs projecting behind the flower. ‘McKanna hybrids’ are a popular variety along with the ‘State’ series, named after

American states such as Louisiana and Virginia with bright bi-coloured flowers. The ‘Barlow’ series are unusual in that the flowers are overly double and resemble little pom poms; Nora Barlow is a purple brown colour while Black Barlow or Blue Barlow are alternatives.

Geums are a popular cottage garden plant and seem to be pretty much indestructible, a trait which sees them survive in long abandoned gardens. Traditional varieties such as the red ‘Mrs Bradshaw’ and the yellow ‘Lady Stratheden’ are staples of garden centres, the green rosettes of coarse leaves sending up flower spikes with many small flowers.

In recent years, these stalwarts have been joined by the brightly coloured ‘Totally Tangerine’ which produces a profusion of pale orange flowers on tall airy stems up to a metre high and has justifiably become one of the best-selling plants. This has been helped no doubt by its inclusion in many RHS

gardens

Chelsea Flower Show gardens and featuring strongly in television coverage. The semi-double flowers of ‘Scarlet Tempest,’ another new cultivar with large flowers and improved colouration have also proved to be a winner.

Paeonies are a darling of the garden designer set and are frequently seen at flower shows but in truth, the blousy flowers, though impressive, are outrageously shortlived. The plants themselves go on for decades and they take a few years to build up sufficient size to produce more than two or three blooms. These are easily damaged by windy weather, so it pays to support them as they grow, rather than after the collapse to protect the display.

They seem to like neither too much sun nor too much shade so success with these plants is far from guaranteed. They resent disturbance and are relatively expensive too but if you are not easily put off then you cannot go far wrong with the variety ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ which is a lovely soft pink with double fragrant flowers or the deep pink ‘Bowl of Beauty.’

The red ‘Sword Dance’ or ‘Krinkled White’ are preferable for bees and pollinating insects having easily accessible single flowers. The easily pleased cottage garden favourite, Paeonia officinalis is sadly rarely found for sale in garden centres; most of what is on offer is the taller

Paeonia lactiflora.

Another long-lived plant with a short flowering display is the Iris. Much breeding work has gone into these over the years to produce voluptuous blooms in fabulous colours but the holy grail of breeding a flowering spike that lasts more than a week or so remains frustratingly out of reach.

It's another plant that flowers at about the time of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show; its beauty guarantees plenty of television coverage but sadly few satisfied gardeners. A sunny position in well-drained soil is a must to ensure the occasional flower. The variety ‘Kent Pride’ is an unusual orange brown colour while the near black Iris chrysographes is much sought after.

Late spring is the main season of interest for flowering alpines which are small herbaceous perennials usually grown on rockeries or raised beds but more often these days, in pots and containers. A common request at this time of year is for the blue flowers which trail over many walls around Cardiff. This turns out to be a form of bell flower or Campanula which is well adapted to old walls, the old porous, mortar is often colonised by seedlings which soon gain a foothold.

Although attractive, this is not a look that

is easy to replicate in a modern wall as it takes many decades of aging and weathering to create the right conditions.

Campanula muralis, as its name suggests, is a good variety while Campanula portenschiagiana ‘Resholdt’s Variety’, although difficult to pronounce, is worth seeking out as it has the best deep purple blue colour and seems to flower for many months. Alpine phlox is at its best now; dense carpets of evergreen foliage become studded with many small flowers in shades of pink and white.

‘Candy stripe’ is a colourful pink and white form, ‘McDaniel’s Cushion’ a good strong pink while ‘Early Purple’ offers a darker colour form. Alpine plants are available right through the spring and summer so it is worth selecting a few every month or so to keep the interest running through the year, safe in the knowledge that given a sunny spot and a gritty freedraining compost, they will come back year after year, gradually increasing in size and impact.

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Whitchurch & Llandaff

Through Time

In a new series, Steve Nicholas takes a look at life in Whitchurch and Llandaff North in bygone eras, featuring this issue on business

Jupps Confectionery, Whitchurch

Jupps confectionery was located on Brook Road, Whitchurch. The factory was started in 1921 by Charles John Jupp and the cost to build it was ÂŁ2,000. It closed down in 1966 and was rented to the Fish Fryers Association until it was sold for ÂŁ20,000. The factory manufactured numerous kinds of sweets and these were distributed throughout the South Wales area.

Gwyn Nicholls & Winfield Victoria Laundry

Gwyn Nicholls & Winfield Ltd Victoria Laundry. Their premises were in Andrews Road, Llandaff North c.1950s

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Melingriffith Tinplate Works

history

Employees of Melingriffith c.1940. From left to right, back row: Charlie Larcombe, Sid Abbot, Tom Robbins, Johnny Yorath. From left to right, front row: Steve Evans, Buller Wright, Stan Blakemore, Ted Phillips.

The great flywheel at the Melingriffith Tinplate Works.

This photo was taken at its installation in the late 19th century. The wheel weighed 120 tons and was 36 feet in diameter and revolved at 60mph. At that time, it was believed to be the second largest cogged wheel in the world. Sitting at the bottom far left of the photo are the works manager, Mr. John Thomas and his wife.

A view of the Melingriffith Works with the Glamorganshire Canal alongside. The white building on the top of the hill is where Whitchurch Sports and Social club is today, at the end of Velindre Road.

Reunion of former employees of the Melingriffith Works which was held at Taff's Well Rugby club c.1970. On the right hand of the photo is Florence, the only woman present.

Steve Nicholas was born in Llandaff North and has published several photographic books about Whitchurch and Llandaff North.

He also runs a website which is full of historical information about the area and lots of photos. You can find more at www.whitchurchandllandaff.co.uk

Another view of the Melingriffith Works, this time around 1900. It had been the largest tin-plate works in the world by the end of the 18th century.

45

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pets

Your pet questions answered

Chris Troughton is clinical director of Heath Vets. He’s here to answer all your pet questions. If you’d like to ask Chris a pet-related question, drop us a line Last year’s heatwave gave my dog sunburn, something I never even thought about. I keep her out of the sun during the hottest part of the days but is there any sort of pet sun cream that I can use?

It was a great summer last year, wasn’t it? – but not so good if your skin is sensitive. Fortunately, sunburn is rare in dogs, because their hair shields the skin from the worst of the rays, and there is only trouble if the coat is thin and the skin unpigmented, and the sun is very strong. Areas particularly at risk are the bridge of the nose and the ears.

Cats suffer more from sun, and those with white ears or nose are very prone to sun-induced skin cancer.

Some human sun-protection products are safe to use, but avoid ones with scent which can irritate, and especially avoid any containing zinc oxide which is toxic if licked. It is safest to use a product formulated specially for pets. These are usually a bit more expensive, but they will not put your pet at any risk; they are also easier to use on a hairy dog than human products which are designed for hairless skin.

precautions should we take to avoid our dog getting it?

How awful to go away on holiday and then have that dreadful news!

Bloat, otherwise known as ‘twisted stomach’ or ‘gastric dilationvolvulus’ (GDV), is a very serious problem that affects mainly large breed, deep-chested dogs. The stomach fills with air, then twists so the air cannot be released by vomiting or burping. It then distends more and more and eventually causes severe disruption of the circulation resulting in shock and death if not treated in time.

Symptoms can appear very rapidly and the dog can go from being perfectly well to dying in a matter of a few hours. Treatment involves emergency decompression of the stomach, vigorous antishock treatment and surgery to replace the stomach in the correct position and fix it there to prevent recurrence. The success rate is much better these days than it used to be, but many dogs still die.

The exact cause is not known so it’s very hard to advise how to prevent it. However, avoiding exercise and drinking large amounts after eating seems sensible. It is better to feed several small meals a day rather than one large one.

Stress is believed to play a part in the development of bloat, so be alert if your dog is extra stressed for any reason. There is an operation that aims to fix the stomach in the correct position to prevent the twist, and this may be worthwhile for particular at-risk breeds.

How do I go about cleaning my cat’s ears? Or do they clean themselves?

A friend recently lost their dog when they put it in kennels.

Apparently, the dog died of bloat and it all sounded horrific.

Why does this occur and what Sponsored feature

All cats and dogs (and people) produce wax in their ears, and this is normal in healthy ears; they shouldn’t need cleaning as the wax works its way out

naturally. However, if it is produced excessively, it can accumulate and cause problems, and then should be removed. To do this, use a liquid ear cleaner formulated for the pet in question. Squeeze a generous amount into the ear canal and massage the canal (which runs downwards from the ear-hole that you put the cleaner in). This will loosen up the wax, which will then come out of the ear in time. Wipe away any excess liquid and wax with a tissue or cotton wool. DO NOT attempt to clean deeper in the ear with a cotton bud. Repeat once a day or every few days until the ear is clean. If there is any smell or discomfort or itch, you must get the ears checked by a vet. If the wax accumulation recurs quickly, again you must get the ears checked by your vet.

Does lungworm pass from pets to humans?

No. There are parasites known as ‘lungworm’ that affect dogs and cats, but they are different worms and neither affects the other, and none of them can infect people.

Lungworm in pets can be a lifethreatening illness, so it’s important to de-worm them regularly. Be careful because many over-thecounter worming treatments do not treat lungworm – it’s best to get the worming treatment from your vet.

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Time to throw away the mower?

Artificial grass is set to be the must-have garden trend this summer Carpet Castle in Caerphilly are quickly becoming one of the leading artificial grass brands in Wales. As people across the region are embracing this gardening revolution, we caught up with Andrew Graham - one of the directors of this rapidly growing local company, to answer a few common questions people have when deciding whether to take the leap and reclaim their weekends!

What do you think is driving the popularity of artificial grass?

No more weekends spent mowing the lawn is obviously a big motivation. I know a lot of people enjoy lawn mowing - but not everyone! Customers who buy artificial grass from us are typically busy people who want to regain their weekends or retired people who want to take it a bit easier. The product looks so realistic that in a lot of cases the lawn looks even better than real turf!

Sponsored feature

Is it difficult to install?

Not at all. We have a great team of installation experts who can do all the necessary groundwork and fitting for you. But a lot of our customers just do it themselves.

We’ve added a ‘how to fit’ guide on our website which details the whole process, including ground preparation and how to install a weed membrane underneath.

Is the product durable?

Yes it’s incredibly robust. The products we sell come with a nine year UV guarantee and the builtin drainage holes mean that any rain just drains away - like it would do with regular turf. We have a display in store, on which hundreds of customers have walked and it still looks fantastic. It’s completely suitable for pets and it can be easily hosed down.

Are there any pitfalls which customers should look out for?

You just need to ensure you’re buying a quality product. We supply products from the best artificial grass manufacturers in Europe but there is a lot of cheap Chinese grass on the market, particularly online which customers should definitely be wary about. The whole point of installing artificial grass is to remove stress from your life, so really you would want a product that is going to last many, many years and not cause you problems.

What maintenance is required?

Not much to be honest. It depends on how perfect you want your garden to look. If you want to you could brush any leaves off and any marks can be removed with water and a bit of detergent.

Does it really look like the real thing?

Absolutely! The technology has developed substantially in the last few years. People are often amazed

when we show them the products.

We have hundreds of rolls in stock and plenty of samples for customers to take home. We realise some customers will have lots of questions but our great team in-store will happily guide anyone through the entire process.

What made you expand into artificial grass?

My Dad started our carpet business almost 50 years ago but about 5 years ago we noticed the huge potential in artificial grass and just went for it really. We went into grass in a big way because we felt that customers need confidence and want to deal with a specialist. As the region’s biggest retailer, we now get preferential treatment from the big suppliers in Europe and we can pass all that advantage onto our customers. I think the huge number of amazing reviews that we receive on social media stands for itself.

Have you found the number of people buying artificial grass increasing?

Absolutely! Every year we are amazed at the growth in customer numbers and this year has got off to a great start, so I think we’re on target to break our own records again!

Andrew Graham is a director at Carpet Castle

Nantgarw Road, Caerphilly 029 20884951 www.carpetcastlecaerphilly.co.uk

Carpet Castle is open 7 days a week and has the largest selection of artificial grass in South Wales

A-Z of the Great Outdoors

The summer months give us the opportunity to get out of the house and to explore all that the outdoors has to offer.

Here's our tongue-in-cheek look at some of them Adventure

Leaving the house and venturing to new places will always be full of adventure. Even putting the bins out can lead to new adventures.

Not very exciting ones, granted. But adventures nonetheless.

Backpacking

Often an extended journey, backpacking is outdoor walking but with all your gear carried on your back. It may or may not include camping, depending on whether the wife has had enough and just wants to go home.

Camping

Otherwise known as Divorce-ina-Bag. The traditions of camping are quite clear. You put everything in a bag, relocate to a field, empty your bag to find that you don't have everything and then you argue about who packed what and why the tent isn't up yet. Most men will readily assume all responsibility and try to patch things up by making a barbeque (providing he's remembered to pack the food).

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Diving

Don't get this confused with the theatrical antics of Premier football players. Diving in its traditional form means swimming under the water to discover new worlds. If you're diving in the tropics, you can discover beautiful fish, coral reefs and exotic shipwrecks. Closer to home, you're more likely to get your flippers tangled up in a discarded Tesco trolley.

Environment

Emotionally, it really does you the world of good to step out of your everyday environment and discover new ones. Practise new things and view the world from different perspectives.

Firewalking

Not a traditional outdoor activity but always best to try it outdoors.

It's the act of walking barefoot over a bed of hot embers or stones and is often used as a rite of passage or for teambuilding exercises. A handful of hardcore walkers have gone on to walk barefoot on Lego bricks.

Gliding

Recreational gliding involves sitting in a powerless aircraft and using updrafts of warm air called thermals to lift you up into the sky where you can soar for hours with no-one around to bother you. Apart from the odd seagull and a confusedlooking swallow.

Hiking

Nothing can beat a long, vigorous walk through the country can it?

Also known as rambling, a bit like this feature.

Insects

You don't even have to go looking for these little fellas. All you need to do is unpack your picnic and they'll find you.

Jacuzzi

One of the more pleasurable outdoor activities known to man.

Add champagne and strawberries to get the best of out it.

Kitesurfing

This is a cross between snowboarding, wakeboarding,

feature windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, skateboarding and sailing. Stand on a small surfboard, stick a large kite up in the air and hold on for dear life. In 2017, Nick Jacobsen achieved the world record for the highest kite jump measured during a session with 40-knot winds. Jacobsen's jump reached 28.6 metres high.

Lazing

An outdoor activity for those with too much time on their hands.

Metal detecting

You can often spot beach combers at Barry Island during the winter months. Sweeping their magic devices across the sand, they often come across great discoveries such as 2 pence coins, Fanta cans and hordes of Roman treasures.

Navigation

Back in the day, outdoor navigation relied on a map, a compass and a dose of good fortune. These days of course, we rely on GPS, Google maps and a dose of good fortune.

Orienteering

Orienteering is an outdoor sport where participants use the aforementioned map and a compass to reach a certain point on unfamiliar terrain at speed. It's a bit like doing a supermarket sweep in an unfamiliar superstore.

People watching

This is one outdoor activity that can be done at any time of the day, in any place in the world. Apart from places where there are no people, obviously.

Quad biking

Here in Wales, these four-wheeled bikes are best suited to the rugged terrain of the mountains and you'll often see farmers using them to round up their animals. In the Mediterranean, almost anyone can ride them almost anywhere they want.

Rafting

This is one of the more leisurely of the outdoor pursuits.

All you need to do is sit in a big dinghy-type thing and float leisurely downstream, just avoiding any 40mph rapids and 50ft waterfalls where you can.

Survival

When you're in the Great Outdoors, your primal survival instinct kicks in. Your brain automatically starts figuring out where the next Starbucks is and how long you can go before you need another wee.

Tombstoning

Often seen during the summer months, tombstoning requires the participant to jump into the sea from a cliff or other high point.

Points aren't awarded for entry into the water but you do need to get it right or you'll end up with broken legs or worse.

Undergrowth

If you are out exploring the countryside, beware of dangerous creatures hiding in the undergrowth. North Cardiff has a particular problem at this time of year with tigers, who sit and wait to pounce on unsuspecting passersby. Only last year, one woman was mauled by a huge tiger that leapt out from the undergrowth alongside the Taff Trail. Actually, it may have been a squirrel but don't let a few facts get in the way of a good story, eh?

Viewpoints

One of the great benefits of the great outdoors are the wonderful viewpoints you can come across on your travels. Stand there for a moment and take in the sheer beauty of what's before you.

Look out over vales and valleys.

Breathe in the fresh air. Take in a sunrise, or maybe a sunset; and tut at someone dumping an old mattress and speeding off in their Ford Mondeo.

very first windsurfer was no different and thus decided to attach a sail to his surfboard and see what happened. Windsurfers can move in almost any direction on the water, apart from about 45 degrees each side of the wind direction. They can also fall into the water, which is a common occurrence for those learning.

Xeriscaping

An outdoor landscaping method that employs drought-resistant plants and special techniques to conserve water. Useful for such tropical places as Llandaff North and Gabalfa.

Yoga

This is a bit like indoor yoga. Except it's outdoors. In fact, it's exactly like indoor yoga, except it's outdoors.

Zorbing

Who'd have thought that there was an outdoor pursuit beginning with the letter Z. But yes - there is!

It's called zorbing and it's basically rolling down a hill inside a large (usually inflatable plastic) ball. You can do it on water too but it's more fun rolling down a hill at speeds of up to 30mph and not being able to stop yourself.

Windsurfing

Windsurfers are people who can't decide whether to go sailing or to become surfers. The world's

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Jane Clarke Hypnotherapy

Calling all Over 60s Keep Fit and Flexible with Rubicon Dance

Photograph taken by Sian Trenberth

After a recent successful taster session initiated by Julie Morgan, Rubicon will be running weekly dance sessions for over 60s.

Where? Whitchurch Community Centre (Old Church Road) When? Every Monday from 1.30-2.30pm (term time) Gentle exercise to music for £3.50 per session.

All over 60s Welcome! Contact Sharon Teear:

Tel: 07868 258605 / 02920 491477

info@rubicondance.co.uk / www.rubiconcdance.co.uk

Help with weight loss, body confidence, self-confidence, relationship issues, smoking, addictions, fears, phobias & anxiety Appointments in Rhiwbina or online via Skype

janeclarkehypnotherapy.com jane@janeclarkehypnotherapy.com

07538 474807

Providing full tree, grounds and estate maintenance and landscaping services.

We’re very proud of what we do for our clients and like most people who work in nature we spend a lot of time on our knees in one way or another. This is always humbling.

Now, whether you call it humility or respect or admiration for nature, if you’re looking to work with a company that cares about these things TR33 could be what you’re after.

For a free no obligation quote please contact

0800 298 3686 I info@tr33.co.uk www.tr33.co.uk

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Building & Property Maintenance Interior & Exterior Painting Wallpaper Hanging Carpentry & Decking Patios Plumbing

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Varnishing Small Building Work Tiling UPVC Gutters & Downpipes cleared (of all rubbish, debris, moss etc) Public Liability

or l e be slim fwith

Slimming World

Call Gary on

02922 472160 or 07717 154011 garywoldfield@hotmail.co.uk

WHITCHURCH COMMUNITY CENTRE Wednesdays 3pm 5pm & 7pm Thursdays 10am & 12pm Fridays 9.30am & 11.30am Saturdays 7.30am 9.30am & 11.30am

Contact your consultant Nat 07736 740585 slimmingworld.co.uk 0344 897 8000

Let's go al fresco The late spring storms have passed. Lighter, warmer days are here.

Time to rustle up some recipes and enjoy them in the sun 2 avocados, chopped 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon honey ½ teaspoon chilli powder

Shrimp and avocado salad 455g jumbo shrimp 3 limes salt, to taste pepper, to taste 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped 100g cherry tomato, halved 15g fresh coriander, roughly chopped

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☐ Toss the shrimp, salt, pepper, and juice from one lime into a medium bowl and mix thoroughly to form a quick marinade. ☐ Sauté the shrimp in its marinade for around 1-2 minutes on each side. The shrimp should be pink and cooked through. You may need to sauté the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Once cooked, set to one side. ☐ Place the chopped lettuce, tomatoes, coriander and avocados into a large salad bowl. ☐ In a separate small bowl, place the olive oil, the juice from two limes, honey, chilli powder, salt and pepper to form the dressing. Mix the dressing thoroughly so that there are no lumps of chilli powder. ☐ Pour the dressing over the salad and toss. ☐ Add the shrimp and toss. Serve with a glass of cold white wine.

Summer vegetable panini 60g Parmesan cheese, shaved 8 large fresh basil leaves 1 small yellow or red pepper, seeded and cut into 6 wedges 1 small courgette, thinly sliced 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced 1 small French baguette, halved 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 minced garlic clove ☐ Preheat a sandwich grill. In a small bowl, stir the oil and garlic together.

Brush both sides of the pepper, the courgette and onion with about half of the garlic oil. Season them with salt and pepper and then place the vegetables in the grill. Cook until just tender and lightly charred before transferring to a plate. ☐ Brush the crust sides of the baguette with the remaining garlic oil.

On the bottom half of each baguette, layer a quarter of the Parmesan, 2 basil leaves, and half of the vegetables.

Divide the remaining Parmesan and basil leaves on the top. Cover with the top halves of the baguette, oiled sides up, and press gently until warmed.

food

Pasta and creamy spinach sauce 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 garlic cloves sliced 450g fresh baby spinach, washed salt and pepper to taste 450g pasta of choice optional grated Parmesan cheese ☐ Heat the olive oil in a large deep frying pan on a medium-high heat.

Add the garlic and cook it until soft. ☐ Add the spinach and sauté with the garlic until the spinach is wilted.

Season with salt and pepper, then remove it from the heat and set aside. ☐ Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve 250ml of the pasta water before draining.

Drain, and set the pasta aside. ☐ Add the spinach and garlic mixture to a food processor or blender with the cheese (if desired) and half of the pasta water until it forms a sauce.

Add the sauce back into the pan to combine and heat through, adding more pasta water if needed. ☐ Once thoroughly heated through, season with more salt and pepper if necessary and sprinkle with cheese if desired.

Grilled salmon 450g salmon fillets 70ml soy sauce 70ml brown sugar 70ml water garlic powder to taste lemon pepper to taste ☐ Season the salmon fillets with the lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt. ☐ In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and vegetable oil until the sugar is dissolved. Place the fish into a large resealable plastic bag with the soy sauce mixture. Seal it and turn to coat the fish. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours. ☐ Preheat a grill to a medium heat.

Lightly oil the grate and place the salmon onto the preheated grill. Cook the salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

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