WHITCHURCH AND LLANDAFF
Living
FR
EE
Issue 24
Aug/Sept ’13
From Llandaff To Daleks:
Terry Nation A Knight of the Realm:
Sir David Mathew
E N I Z A G A M E E R F YOUR F F A D N A L L , H C R U H C T I H W R O F H T R O N F F A D N A AND LL
!
3
news
5 6
letters
people
10 15 16 20 25 gardening
adventure
history
sir david mathew
Welcome Croeso Ah summer. We’ve been waiting for it so long. And as we sit here writing this, Cardiff is basking in one of the longest heatwaves for many years. We’ve got some great features in this issue. Several years ago, we had a call from a lady who said she used to play with the man who invented Daleks. At the time, we were stood in a superstore car park in Bridgend, and weren’t really sure what she was going on about. It was only as we were researching one of our features for this issue did we realise that Terry Nation, writer and inventor of the Daleks, hailed from Llandaff. If the lady in question happens to be reading this please forgive our confusion! We cover Terry’s influential career on page 6. Kevin Revell takes us through summer lawns on page 10 and on page 15, Leela Dutt meets Mari Williams. Mari has an incredible story to tell after cycling around the world. On page 16, Gareth Neale charts the history of our local railway stations, while the story of Sir David Mathew, one of the most formidable names in Welsh history is on page 20. Local vet Chris Troughton answers your pet problems on page 25 and Bill Farnham keeps us updated on local Neighbourhood Watch news on page 27. Our next issue will be published as the mellow colours of autumn stretch across Cardiff so until then, enjoy the summer! Patric and Danielle (editors)
pets page
27 31
your news
column 2
A: 222 Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AG T: 07772 081775 / 07974 022920 E: editor@livingmags.co.uk W: www.livingmags.co.uk 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.
Advertising booking and copy deadline for Issue 25 Friday 6th September 2013. Issue 25 publication date - late September 2013. Whitchurch and Llandaff Living is published 5 times a year. Cover by Lewis Fackrell www.facebook.com/Lewisfackrellphotographer
OBE for services to disadvantaged children, young people and carers Catriona Williams of Radyr has been awarded the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for her services to Children in Wales.
NEW FARMERS’ MARKET OPENS A new farmers’ market in Whitchurch has started on a three-month trial basis, bringing fresh local produce to another of Cardiff ’s communities. The market takes place every Wednesday outside The Three Elms pub in Whitchurch. The market came about through collaboration between the current shop owners in Whitchurch and RCMA, the organisation behind Riverside, Roath and Rhiwbina Farmers’ Markets. The aim of the market is to bring fresh produce to the area in an exciting way, while also hopefully increasing footfall for the shops that are permanent fixtures in Whitchurch. The market is all part of an initiative to encourage people to be enthusiastic about their local high street. Naomi Gropetis, who runs Top Gun fish and chip shop in Whitchurch was one of the key trader in approaching RCMA Social Enterprise regarding a farmers market in the area. She said of this initiative; “Whitchurch does feel vibrant, but it is definitely not as busy as it has been in the past. Sitting back and doing nothing is not an option and we have to get across to people that it is use us or lose us.”
news LLANDAFF LINKS TO POSSIBLE UNDISCOVERED HERITAGE
Cardiff could soon become a worldwide place of pilgrimage if details in a newly-published book are proved true. It has been generally agreed over the years that Joseph of Arimathea was buried in the Isle of Avalon. St John the Baptist Church in Glastonbury, has an empty tomb, once said to be his grave, but author Michael A Clark claims that Jesus’ great uncle actually lies buried beneath Cardiff ’s Bute Park. The revelation is made in a new book, Maelgwn of Llandaff and Joseph of Arimathea. Mr Clark, 72, from Birmingham, says Maelgwn, brother of a sixth century Welsh ruler, identified Joseph’s grave as being in an ancient church near the River Taff. He claims the grave is intact and is in the open, lying within the ruins of the Chapel of St Mary which is now surrounded by the civic park. Mr Clark told the press: “The purpose of this book is: look South Wales, you have got
your Assembly but you have also got a heritage here. “In many respects, everything has centred on Glastonbury and Somerset with all the traditions there. “The other side of the estuary has been left out of the story and yet, basically, this is where the centre of power was going back to the first century AD.” Joseph is said to have been a trader in minerals, which Mr Clark says makes his presence in South Wales understandable. He said: “Joseph was like the Carnegie of the ancient world – the great uncle of Christ, trading all the metal of the Roman empire. He was a very powerful man. He was a man that the Romans feared. “They used to come here for all the minerals in South Wales, it was on the trade route. It’s quite logical this happened you see – it has just been forgotten.” Llandaff was one of the first bishoprics – with London and Wroxeter in Shropshire said to be the others. 3
news
WWII DAY HELD AT INSOLE COURT
It was a cold and blustery Saturday in June, when the Insole Court Trust held its biggest event to date. The aim was to show Insole Court as it was used during World War II, with a little extra help from re-enactors and entertainers. However, the event grew and grew until there were more than 100 volunteers contributing to the day and enjoying the fun. Resplendent in bowler hat and dark suit, WWII expert Geoffrey Barton-Greenwood gave the opening speech, joined by his wife Jennifer. As Daniel Welch played the fanfare, the flag was raised and the fun began.
The entry ticket was a replica ration book which included a ration picnic – a spam sandwich, authentic jam tart (prepared by the History Chef) and a nice cup of tea or a glass of Georgio’s lovely Insole Court lemonade. Lucky children were also entitled to a sweet ration – barley sugar or pear drops – carefully weighed by Linda of Sweet Tooth, Victoria Park. Everything was marked off the ration book, of course. It was difficult to choose a winner for the Best Costume of the Day as so many had worked hard to get their outfits just right. There were GIs, home guard, land army girls, a policeman, workers in the WVS canteen and even a spiv. The Dining Room at Insole Court was used by the Royal Observer Corps to plot aircraft flying over South Wales, and this room was carefully reproduced by John Prior-Morris and Geoffrey, who explained the various aircraft to visitors. And Eileen Younghusband gave her popular talk about working for the WAAF on radar operations during WWII.
GATEWAY OF INDIA STRIKES GOLD
Rhiwbina’s Gateway of India has scooped the only GOLD Healthy Options Award by Cardiff County Council. Owner Moslaur Rahman told Whitchurch and Llandaff Living: “I am absolutely delighted by this award. My duty since I started has been to serve the community and everything I do 4
SCHOOLBOYS TURN UP AT SCHOOL IN SKIRTS Boys at a North Cardiff school swapped trousers for skirts during the recent heatwave – to take a stand against a ban on shorts.
Get On Your Bike For Ty Hafan Tŷ Hafan’s popular Taff Trail Cycle Challenge has been launched with new routes to tempt everyone to join in. Hundreds of participants will enjoy some of Wales’ most picturesque scenery along the Taff Trail before reaching the finish line at Bute Park in Cardiff on Sunday 1 September. Riders can choose from a 52 mile bike ride from Brecon to Cardiff, or a less energetic six mile route, perfect for beginners and families. The new six mile challenge, from Castell Coch to Cardiff Castle, will take cyclists along the path overlooking Tongwynlais and the stunning Cardiff Beech Woods. Sali Thomas, Event Organiser said: “The challenge is the perfect excuse to explore beautiful Welsh scenery whilst raising much-needed funds.”
here is built around that. This award is the result of hard work and a continuous and consistent ambition to serve delicious, healthy food to the people of North Cardiff.” The Healthy Options Award has been developed to reward caterers throughout Wales who make it easier for their customers to make healthy choices. More details can be found at their website: www.gateway-of-india.co.uk
If you’d like to get in touch, you can find our address on the inside front cover. Alternatively, you can email us at editor@livingmags.co.uk
letters
NEW SCHOOL UNIFORM ANGER
Like many others in Rhiwbina, my children attend Whitchurch High School, where yet again, a new uniform has been announced. This includes the requirement to wear a formal blazer. In my opinion, this is a huge backward step for Whitchurch High School. The proposed new uniform is like something from the dark ages - of which many schools including Whitchurch High School had moved away from in recent times. The current uniform is by far the more practical of the two in many ways -it is comfortable to wear; it is easy to clean and doesn’t generally need ironing. What’s more, it is already owned by the pupils. The new uniform will need constant care and will not be as easy to clean quickly overnight. When schools finally moved forward to polo shirts and sweat shirts, I though “Finally! Schools are in touch with modern times!” Not so! I currently have three children
COFFEE ON THE ROUNDABOUT
A new café has opened in Whitchurch to serve the top end of the village by the Whitchurch library. It has been built in the grounds of the Methodist church, alongside the roundabout, and is appropriately named the Roundabout Café. So what is different about this one? Well, the cafe is intended to provide a welcoming and warm place where local people can meet to enjoy good coffee, food and company. Furthermore, the café has attracted funding from
in the school with two more to follow; I also have other family members in the school. This means that the hundreds of pounds worth of uniform that we currently own are now fit for the bin. I have spoken to many parents recently who either didn’t know or knew very little of the planned uniform change. I therefore believe that their consultation period has been highly flawed. There should have had a complete ballot of the parents for a start. The school sent letters home knowing full well that not many reach the parents. I strongly believe that the school’s only purpose for changing the uniform is one of financial gain. As a school, they are already making money from the uniform by being the exclusive seller when most of the neighbouring schools use the same supplier but can buy direct from the shop. I’m sure that someone at the school will have already done the sums and knows exactly how much the school stands to make. JOHN McCARTHY Birchgrove
I share John McCarthy’s concerns about the introduction of new school uniform. I understand there was a consultation regarding the new uniform but I am yet to meet anyone who thinks that blazers are a good idea. I understand that the consultation took the form of a Surveymonkey questionnaire but we are yet to see the results of this. It feels that the change was a foregone conclusion. I would like to see the full results of the survey, which could at least demonstrate whether or not the majority were in favour. I also feel that the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting where the decision was made should be published. Finally, I would like to know the school’s plans to support those who will find the additional financial outlay extremely challenging. TRACY OGDEN-DAVIES Cardiff
the Welsh Assembly and Veolia as a means of supporting and enhancing the local community and the facilities available to them. It is open from 10am to 3.30pm serving refreshments and light meals. During this time, it is staffed by the Innovate Trust. The Innovate Trust (www. innovate-trust.org.uk) runs a number of cafés around Cardiff where young people with learning difficulties are trained and employed in catering and hospitality. In the evening, the café is open from 7-9pm when it is run by staff appointed by the Methodist Church. It is hoped that the café
will provide a meeting place for all the local community, and potentially for any young people who have hitherto had few venues in which to meet. So the next time you are in the area, why not drop in for a coffee and meet the staff? JOHN SALAMAN Whitchurch
5
Terry Nation Born in Llandaff, Terry Nation went on to influence British television in ways that other writers only dream of - and left behind a legacy of unforgettable TV characters Terry Nation was born in 1930 in Llandaff to Gilbert and Susan Nation. Terry’s father, known to everyone as Bert, trained as an upholsterer. By trade, he sold furniture, but later he ventured into a multitude of business ideas, ranging from chicken farming to the stock markets. His mother was a devoted housewife and although Terry’s parents both had very different personalities, they both passed their positive attributes down to him. “I was a wartime child. My Dad went off to the army and my mother was an ARP - an air-raid warden. I was an only child, and I used to spend nights alone in an air-raid shelter. And I would make up stories for myself — I was entertaining myself in those days! I seem to remember I was always believed to be a terrible liar. Nowadays they would say ‘He’s got a wonderful imagination’, but in those days I was just ‘that liar’, you see. So I think I always made up stories, mostly with me as the hero! There was no television of 6
course, but I used to listen to the radio, and I also read a great deal.” Reading was Terry’s great childhood pastime, his parents constantly reminding him that it was bad manners to read at the dinner table. When his books were taken away, he would study the labels on boxes and jars. This love of books was something that he would carry with him until the end of his life. At school, Terry was often accused of daydreaming and being lazy. He put little effort into school and as a consequence of his mediocre success, he decided not to pursue higher education. Despite this, he began expressing his vivid imagination through writing. He began to write for, and appear in, local plays, becoming an active part of the local theatre scene. American radio was introduced to Terry during World War II. He became a big fan of the American stars – stars like Bob Hope and Jack Benny. Terry’s focus now turned to comedy writing. At the age of 22, he upped sticks and
moved to London to chance his arm as a comedian. His attempts at standup comedy however, were far from successful: “I wrote my own material, performed it - and died a death! By this time, I was living in London, starving, trying to be an actor, trying to be a standup and trying to write. Then somebody told me: ‘Hey, the jokes are terrific - it’s you that’s terrible!’ That was a bad moment for me.” At that low point in his career, someone suggested that he seek out Associated London Scripts, who were looking for young comedy writers. The agency had been set up by, among others, Spike Milligan and Eric Sykes. Terry duly went along and was told to bring back a script for Spike’s radio play the ‘Goon Show’. That night Terry wrote a script and brought it back the next day. Within a few weeks he was hired to do a thirteen week comedy radio show called ‘All My Eye and Kitty Belwitt’. However, Terry was finding comedy writing extremely difficult. As he put it:
“Comedy writing is the toughest, toughest writing in the world.” Those days were really tough for him, but he soon gained a name for himself as a writer and Terry began realising that being a writer, not a comedian, was his strength. Over the following few years, Terry would go on to write for some of the biggest radio names of the time - Tony Hancock, Spike Milligan, Frankie Howard, Ted Ray and many more. He became prolific in his work, helping to write over 200 radio shows. Although Terry accompanied Hancock as his chief screenwriter on tour in 1963, Hancock would regularly neglect Terry’s scripts in favour of recycling his old material. Following an argument, Hancock fired the Welshman. It was around this time that Terry met his future wife Kate. She was studying the piano at the Royal College of Music, winning many awards as a gifted musician. Terry was 27. Not long after, they had a baby girl named Rebecca and took an apartment in London. Prior to his sacking by Hancock, Terry had declined an offer from scriptwriter David Whitaker to write for a new science-fiction programme that was entering production at the BBC called Dr Who. Now unemployed, and with a young family to support, Terry contacted Whitaker and accepted the offer, writing the second Doctor Who serial, The Daleks (also known as The Mutants and The Dead Planet). The serial introduced the eponymous extraterrestrial villains that would quickly become the series’ most popular and enduring monsters, and resulted in a major merchandising success for the BBC. “The Daleks had to be something mechanical. And in order to make it non-human what you have to do is take the legs off. That’s the only way you can make it not look like a person dressed up. I had seen the Georgian state dancers, where the girls do this wonderful routine. They wore
people
floor-brushing skirts and took very tiny steps and appeared to glide, really glide across the floor. That’s the movement I wanted for the Daleks.” Having risen in the public consciousness, Terry went on to contribute further scripts to Doctor Who but also worked in commercial TV, contributing scripts to series such as The Avengers, The Baron, The Champions, Department S, The Persuaders! and The Saint. The production of Terry’s next BBC creation, Blake’s 7, followed a group of criminals and political prisoners who are on the run from the evil “Terran Federation”, piloting a stolen spaceship of unknown origin. Running for four seasons from 1978 to 1981, Blake’s 7 acquired a worldwide fan following. During the 1970s, Terry also wrote a children’s novel for his daughter Rebecca (after whom he named the character of Rebec in the 1973 Doctor Who serial Planet of the Daleks) titled Rebecca’s World: Journey to the Forbidden Planet, as well as a novel based on Survivors. In 1980, Terry moved to Los Angeles, where he developed programme ideas and worked for various production studios. Little of his work from this time was as successful as that of his earlier period in Britain. He penned scripts for the TV series MacGyver, in addition to A Masterpiece of Murder and A Fine Romance. Terry suffered from poor health in his final years, and died from
emphysema in Los Angeles on 9 March 1997. Shortly before his death, he had been collaborating with actor Paul Darrow on another attempt to revive Blake’s 7. The Llandaff Society is hoping to celebrate the life of Terry Nation, with a blue plaque on the home he grew up. The group’s chairman, Geoff Barton-Greenwood, said: “We are trying to get a blue plaque put up at the time of the 50th anniversary on the house where Terry Nation came from.” The anniversary is being marked by the BBC with a special episode on November 23. “At the moment we are seeking permission from the owner of the house in Fairwater Grove West, and in addition, we want the BBC to take an interest in this, and possibly get one of the main characters from the Doctor Who series to do the unveiling.”
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gardening
g n i p kee reen g e h t
by Kevin Revell
If an Englishman’s (or Welshman’s) home is his castle, the greensward surrounding it must surely be protected in times of adversity, though perhaps not with burning oil against broadswords and arrows but you get my drift. Nothing sets off the appearance of the house and garden plants better than the calming sea of green tranquillity that is a lawn - imagine the stately homes we love to visit surrounded by rivers of gravel and seas of concrete paving - you might as well stay in the city! Every year, Britain irretrievably loses swathes of ground to concrete and tarmac – an area that radiates uncomfortable heat in summer and causes problems with water runoff in err...summer and at other more usually wet times. Lawns and borders on the other hand will absorb rainfall and let it percolate slowly into watercourses the way it was meant to be. My family spends many happy hours sprawled over or walking barefoot on the lawn - one of the joys of summer - something I would not recommend on paving or gravel. Come the cold days of autumn and winter nothing beats getting out in the garden for a warming workout with a rake or aerating fork. A great deal of nonsense is written about how lawns require constant watering with 10
hosepipes and sprinklers; that they need frequent treatment with fertilisers and weedkillers. Grass has evolved to cope with dry conditions and comes back perfectly well after the late summer rains - have you ever seen a sprinkler being used in the parched grasslands of the Serengeti National Park? The wildebeest wouldn’t stand for it and neither should we! Of course a lawn does not have to consist of grass and may be comprised of a low growing herb such as thyme or chamomile, This will be a fragrant delight when dreamily passing through but will not tolerate heavy traffic and is better looked at from afar or restricted to raised infilled benches or small features within larger areas of paving. Well drained soil topped with grit will give the sharp drainage which is required. When it comes to choosing a lawn mower, cost is obviously a consideration and the machine will have to be large enough to cope with the area of lawn you have - but think about the costs of ongoing maintenance and servicing of the machine. Remember the polluting aspects of a powered mower both in terms of fuel and noise, show a bit of consideration to your neighbours (electric mowers can be just as annoying on a Sunday morning!). Gardening is an active pastime so we should be prepared for a bit of hard work. My lawn is my green gym and
its health correlates remarkably well with my own, the trusty push-along mower keeps me fit (with zero emissions on the pollution front), cuttings are added to the compost heap, speeding the decomposition of other materials (reducing landfill at the same time), and frequent mowing encourages healthy grass growth to suppress weed growth (reducing or negating the need for weedkillers). In summer, the growth rate slows (no watering is needed), by raising the cutting height of the mower in hot weather the lawn is left to grow longer, appears greener and is better able to withstand the stress of drought. If it takes more than an hour a week to mow the lawn there is a good chance that it is too big, or perhaps your mower is too small. Either way, it might be time to review the size of your borders or plant a tree or two. Lawns are often described as green deserts in terms of their ability to attract wildlife but provided you avoid pesticides nothing could be further from the truth. Look closely within the sward and you will often find it teeming with invertebrate life which in turn attracts larger creatures and birds to peck away for worms and grubs, so by maintaining a lawn you are doing your bit for the biodiversity of the area. The ability to tolerate the odd weed
gardening is a distinct advantage – rather a lot of weeds actually, as daisies spangle the lawn like stardust and attract bees and hoverflies from far and wide. Small children should not be denied the opportunity to practice their floral crafts while making daisy chains, bracelets and crowns for fairy queens. The reflective golden chalices of buttercups are a delight and experiences with then are accumulated in childhood memory banks like so much bullion. Far off reminiscences cannot be bought - in truth they are worth far more than the perfect gardens we strive for. Consider leaving areas to grow long which can be cut down once or twice a year, perhaps with access paths mown through. Wildflower meadows may look out of place in suburbia but wilder, woollier lawns will grow interesting plants to attract a wide range of insects and eventually bring more birds into the garden. The appearance of clover and bugle would once have provoked an armed toxic
response but the scent of the flowers is beguiling and attracts the attentions of many species of wild bees on which we may come to depend if honey bees continue to decline. Apart from mowing the only regular maintenance required is the occasional removal of moss with a scarifying rake and the addition of fertiliser to green up the lawn and suppress weeds in spring. Frequent feeding leads to a vigorous green lawn which needs regular mowing but rapidly outgrows weeds and moss. Weeds favour poor fertility so if it is a wildflower meadow you are after give up feeding the lawn and cut it a little less frequently. Weedkillers should only be used as a last resort because at the end of the day what harm to a few weeds do? Under heavy usage it may be that a compacted lawn develops bald patches and poor drainage leads to reduced growth. This is best alleviated with spiking which involves using a fork, hollow tine aerator or powered machine to make holes which can be filled
with top dressing, a mixture of fine soil and sand. The improved drainage discourages moss without the need for using toxic moss killers. Another autumn job is the removal of leaves as they fall. Don’t leave it too long for grass won’t enjoy the lack of light and may turn yellow and succumb to disease if left too long. Once upon a time lawn enthusiasts would treat their verdant perfection with vermicides designed to kill worms and prevent unsightly worm casts, this has now been proven to be as useful as trepanning to cure headaches, but remains the preserve of the keepers of golf courses and bowling greens. If worm casts cause offense they are easily dispersed with a besom on a dry day, remember the good they do by aerating and improving the soil and providing food for birds and hedgehogs. Similarly it is pointless trying to kill mushrooms and toadstools in lawns they are merely the evidence of decomposition going on in the soil.
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By Leela Dutt I’m trundling my bike along Heol-y-Felin on a hot day, hoping to meet up with Mari Williams because I’ve heard she cycled round the world – and there she is, cycling brightly towards me. I’m intrigued – why would someone give up a job she loved, that she was clearly good at? She was deputy head of the City Academy in Hackney, but last year after ten years successfully teaching history she decided it was now or never. A year ago she and a friend flew out to New York. They assembled their bikes in the arrivals lounge of JFK, then cycled across Brooklyn Bridge at ten o’clock at night – and there the adventure begins. One thing that shines out
d n u o r A d l r o W the My - On Bike
from Mari’s story is her fascination with people. She talks to everyone she meets – and you do tend to meet more people when you’re on a bike, especially if you break down. Mari records all their encounters in her blog www. twoteacherstwobikesoneworld. blogspot.com They spent two months crossing America, doing about sixty miles a day, sleeping mostly in their tent. There were endless hills, and much rain in Kentucky. Much varied and good food was offered, and there were plenty of politics – the second Obama campaign was in full flow. Mari felt proud of our free NHS, unlike what Americans have. Then on to Hawaii; Mari is a keen ocean-swimmer and she was able to go out swimming with the local ocean-swimming club. After three weeks in the relaxed atmosphere of Hawaii, they flew on to Auckland and cycled down to Christchurch, where they met survivors from the recent earthquake. The place had a Welsh feel to it, what with the sheep-farming and a tea shop run by Welsh folk at the southern tip of South Island. Mari has a strong sense of place, and feels a deep connection with Rhiwbina, where she grew up. Travelling so far, and moving on so often, has made her even more aware of what home means to her, and why it is important. Her friend went back, and Mari went on alone to Australia, where her parents joined her for
Christmas. In her blog, there are some wonderful accounts of cycling along the Great Ocean Road, and the many people she met and stayed with. Mari is keen to see places from the point of view of the people who live there. After some mountainous cycling in Thailand, Mari sent her bike home and travelled round Vietnam by public transport. A special moment was joining the free open-air aerobics in early mornings in Ho Chi Minh City, but she was struck by the lack of democracy and freedom of speech in Vietnam. Mari’s odyssey was abruptly interrupted during her stay in India, when she heard that Cardiff North Labour Party was about to select its parliamentary candidate. Should she carry on around the world, or throw her hat into the ring in a once-ina-lifetime chance? Home – and Rhiwbina in particular – seems to have won that one… Leela Dutt Leeladutt.co.uk 15
What Became of Rhyd y Walla Halt?
by Gareth Neale Walla Halt was the original name proposed by the Cardiff Railway Company for the halt they were going to build close to Beulah Chapel on the corner of Heol Rhyd y Walla (now known as Beulah Road). The little group of cottages that existed in this location was known as Rhyd Nant y Walla (later transposed into Rhyd y Waedlwydd). Walla incidentally is the Norse word for ‘ford’ so we must have had Norse settlement here in Rhiwbina. There was another small group of cottages together with the farm in the area of the now Rhiwbina Reservoir that were known as Rhiwbrein in the Norman period. By the beginning of the 17th century this had become Rhiwbina or Rhubina. The Railway Company intended to open their line (originally only intended to carry coal from the Rhondda to Cardiff Docks) to passengers in 1910, but it failed a safety inspection. However, it was passed as suitable in early 1911 and started operations from The Parade in Cardiff to Rhydyfelin on March 1st 1911 stopping at The Heath, the now more suitably named Rhiwbina Halt, Whitchurch, Coryton, Tongwynlais, and Rhydyfelin. There were a few Edwardian villas built close to Beulah Chapel in 1911, now converted 16
to the shops on Heol y Deri, but there was no large scale plan. However, living in Woodhull House, Rhiwbina was Professor H Stanley Jevons who had a great interest in social housing. With his own money, he set up the Housing Reform Company and from that sprang early in 1912 the Cardiff Workers Cooperative Garden Village Society Ltd. With that were plans to create a Garden Village on the lines of Welwyn Garden City as advocated locally by Lord Howard of Llanelli and other forward looking citizens. A Committee of eight was selected to look for potential sites and after looking at several locations, they decided that 110 acres belonging to the Pentwyn Estate, north of the Railway line between Rhiwbina Halt and Whitchurch Station, was the preferred location. Expressions of interest were invited in the local papers and in May 1912 a public meeting was held with Mr J T Clatworthy as Chairman. This meeting agreed to raise a fund to purchase of 10 acres at £200 per acre and to exercise an option on a further 20 acres at £220 per acre. This was achieved by the issue of shares to prospective tenants, inviting investors to subscribe in 4½% stocks while the remainder would be obtained
from the Public Works Loan Commissioners. It was also agreed to ask Mr Raymond Unwin, Britain’s most eminent town planning architect, to prepare a plan of the whole proposed estate, which he did. In the Autumn of 1912, real work began and the first sod was dug on the 10 acre site, where 34 houses, 22 3-bedroom houses in Y Groes for rent at 5/6d to 8/9d per week (26p to 33p) and 12 4 bedroom houses in Lon y Dail at annual rents of £28 to £45 per annum, were to be built. Spring 1913 saw building apace and on July 19th 1913, a formal ceremony was carried out on the Village Green (the centre of Y Groes). The Earl of Plymouth unveiled the date panel on 7 Y Groes and Lady Howard unveiled the sundial next door. The first house to be declared open by the Countess of Plymouth was No 5 Y Groes, with Mr Ben Thomas as the first tenant. Building continued during the 1914–1918 war, 18 houses by the Society in Lon Isa, two by Professor Jevons personally in Heol y Deri and 18 by Avery Tipping in Pomfrey Road (now Pen y Dre). But in the autumn of 1914, the Society became insolvent and to make matters worse, Professor Jevons left to take up a post in Allahabad. The Welsh Town Housing Trust, set up by Lord
David Davies, stepped in with financial support to build more houses here and also in the Garden Suburb Barry, where my grandparents were the 2nd tenants on that estate, as well as in Newtown Montgomery. Houses were then built in Heol y Deri, Pen y Dre, Lon y Dail and Lon Isa. In 1920 the 1st lease of land for private development was given at 34 Pen y Dre and Rhiwbina as we now know it began to take shape. Further development up Heol y Deri took place in the 1920s as well as in the areas around Lon Y Deri and Porthamal Road. The Railway line that in many ways was the catalyst for the founding of Rhiwbina played an important part in the lives of the residents as many used it to commute to their places of work particularly as railway staff, as civil servants or university staff. In 1922, ownership of the Railway passed to the Great Western Railway. Whitchurch station, which is of course actually in Rhiwbina, was enlarged and sidings were added in that year. In 1928 The Parade station was closed and all trains went via Queen Street Station and in 1929 Birchgrove Halt was opened. Rhiwbina now had three stations available to its residents within its boundaries. By the outbreak of World War II, the centre of Rhiwbina was very much as it is today. The extensive development as envisaged by Raymond Unwin, never materialised and the final seal was set when the land designated for a duplicate of Y Groes was given to the Cardiff Rural District Council and opened as Parc y Pentre on April 1st 1961. The Local Authorities responsible for administering Rhiwbina were, at that time, the Cardiff RDC and Glamorgan County Council but in 1967,
history
Rhiwbina was absorbed into the Manor Way and down as far and City of Cardiff despite strong including Cae Maen. local opposition. This southerly part of Rhiwbina Our parliamentary constituency was transferred into the until the General Election of Heath Ward in a general ward 1974 was the Barry constituency, redistribution in the 1980s. In when we became part of Cardiff 2001, what was the Rhiwbina North West later renamed Garden Village Conservation Cardiff North. Area Houses, with some Until 1976, the Garden Village additional adjacent houses, were houses remained under the listed by Cadw as Grade II in ownership of the Garden Village a wider resurvey of all listed Cooperative, with rental as a buildings in Cardiff. Cadw is basis and repairs and decorations responsible for protecting our being the responsibility of historic environment so our the Garden Village Limited Garden Village, a vision of Company. In that year, the just eight ordinary citizens, is houses were sold to the tenants regarded to be of national and and the houses were put into international significance. a Conservation Area. This was Also from that Garden Village, overlooked by a supervising the rest of our delightful suburb committee selected by the was developed gradually over the residents together with the years to be declared by Prince elected Cardiff City Councillors Charles ‘as a Jewel in the crown and the Planning Officer of that beautiful City of Cardiff.’ responsible for the Rhiwbina Ward. The Rhiwbina Ward then covered the whole of Rhiwbina including Pantmawr and the area down to St Thomas Church in Pantbach Rd, including the houses behind the Monico Cinema The old signal box at Heath Junction. It was (now flats) demolished in 1984 across to 17
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WJEC opens its doors to locals WJEC’s headquarters in Llandaff is a building you can’t miss and in September members of the public will be able to have a tour of the site as part of the Open Doors project. As one of the UK’s main awarding bodies, WJEC provides examinations, assessment, professional development, educational resources, and access to youth arts activities. Jonathan Adams, the architect behind the striking building by Llandaff Fields will lead a tour on Tuesday 17th September from 11.00am. The development was completed in 2010 and occupies an important gate-way site alongside Cardiff ’s busiest road, Western Avenue. It was designed to fit alongside WJEC’s old building, so that the organisation could move from the old to the new building without any break in their vital operations. The design reflects the duality of the site: the dual carriageway
to the north and Llandaff Fields to the south. The distinctive exterior is inspired by the pattern of multi-coloured stonework that is synonymous with Llandaff, and it incorporates the stone of older buildings and boundary walls that previously stood on the site. Other Open Doors projects are planned in the Llandaff area including the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral Open Day which will
start following the WJEC tour. To book a place on the tour, please contact dafydd.wyn@wjec. co.uk. Booking is essential as spaces are limited. For more details about all Open Doors projects, please visit www.opendoorsdays.org.uk. Further information about WJEC can be found at www.wjec.co.uk.
A Knight of the Realm A short story by Whitchurch novelist Rhys Thomas
Sir David Mathew, Lord of Llandaff and Seneschal of Llandaff Cathedral, was one of the most distinguished men of his age Lying silently in the north aisle of Llandaff Cathedral is Sir David Mathew. The effigy of him that guards his tomb measures 6ft 7 - said to be his height. Born in 1400, he was to go on to become a formidable name in Welsh history, and had a particular influence in the creation of Llandaff and Radyr. Sir David was the first to adopt the surname of Mathew. David ap Mathew took his name from his father, Sir Mathew ap Ievan (Evan), according to Welsh custom, which was to use the father’s first name as the son’s last name. “Ap” means ‘son of.’ The name, properly ‘Mathew’ had been spelt by Sir David’s descendants in various forms. He married Gwenllian, daughter of Sir George Herbert and had a grant of 2,232 acres of land from Henry VI, the reversion of Caneton, and from William Earl of Pembroke, lands at St. Fagan’s and in Pentyrch. It is said that he saved the life 20
of King Edward IV at the Battle of Towton, on Palm Sunday, 29 March 1461. As a result, he was appointed Grand Standard Bearer of England. The Genealogy of the Earls of Landaff tells us that: “He was a great and zealous Yorkist chieftain, whose extraordinary prowess and daring in the field, even at a very advanced age, were, contrarily to the majority of his countryment, who favoured the red rose of Lancaster, used on behalf of the white rose of York.” Sir David was one of the Ten Great Barons of Glamorgan, and a Marcher Lord. He received from Edward IV, the grant of the use of the word “Towton” as an augmentation over his crest. In 1480 he restored the shrine of Saint Teilo which had been pillaged and desecrated by a gang of pirates from Biston, and was presented by Bishop Marshall with St. Teilo’s skull, set in a costly reliquary, to be
an heirloom in his family, who carefully preserved it for about 200 years, until the death of William Mathew in 1658 at Llandeilo. His son, also David (b. 1425) (d. unknown), married Ann Myddletonn (b. 1430), with whom he one son, Jenkyn Mathew. The ‘Mathews’ line, would eventually arrive in the new world with Thomas Mathews (b. 1660), Thomas arriving in Halifax, Virginia, circa 1700. Thomas was the grandfather of the patriot Moses Mathews, an American gunsmith and a notable figure of the American Revolution. He supplied the Continental Army with guns and was granted hundreds of acres by George Washington. David’s grandson, Sir William Mathew of Radyr, was knighted for his participation at Bosworth in the victory over Richard III. Sir David himself was killed by the Turbervilles of Coity Castle,
Glamorgan. The castle itself was abandoned around the 17th century and the castle ruins are now in the care of Cadw. Sir David was buried in Llandaff Cathedral and his tomb can still be seen today. The tomb, ornamented with his full-length figure in alabaster, in St. Mary’s Chapel, in the Llandaff Cathedral, (which has ever since been the property and burialplace of the family of Mathews) is one of the most interesting extant monuments of that time. An accurate description of the various monuments of the family in this Chapel may be found in Browne Willis’s 1718 Survey, one of which records that Sir David was murdered by some of the Turbervilles. Two different arms are recorded as having been used by the Mathew family, both consisting of a lion rampant, but with differing tinctures. The branch seated at Llandaff, thus the senior line, is generally ascribed ‘Or, a lion rampant sable’, whilst the branch seated at Radyr, descended from Sir David
history
Mathew’s younger brother, is generally ascribed a ‘Sable, a lion rampant argent’. Yet confusingly, the 1980 heraldic restoration of the Mathew tombs at Llandaff carried out by Hugh P. Mathew, who was recognised by the College of Arms as having proved his direct descent from Sir David Mathew, has resulted in the Radyr coat being painted on
the tomb of Sir Christopher, who was head of the Llandaff branch. The crest is also not without confusion, being given variously as a ‘heathcock’ (another name for partridge, of the pheasant family), a ‘moorcock’, a ‘fieldcock’, (a vague term possibly denoting grouse), a blackcock, (of the grouse family) and is shown on the Earl Landaff memorial in a form akin to a rooster. The effigy of Sir David does however show most of the bird forming the crest of his helm upon which he rests his head, but it is missing the head. The feet are short and sturdy, suggesting a grouse-type bird and are not the long legs of a rooster. A gilded bird, probably a dove, is used as a foot-rest in the effigy.
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Pet problems CHRIS TROUGHTON OF HEATH VETS ANSWERS YOUR PET-RELATED QUESTIONS
IF YOU HAVE ANY PET-RELATED QUESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE CHRIS TO ANSWER, PLEASE EMAIL US AT EDITOR@LIVINGMAGS.CO.UK AND WE’LL PASS THEM ON. We found a rabbit in our garden a few months ago and have no idea where he/she came from. We’ve made sure he’s ok by building him a hutch and securing the garden but he’s started grinding his teeth which goes right through me and I’m sure is no good for the rabbit. Is this normal behaviour? Happy rabbits will make a quiet ‘purring’ sort of noise by gently chattering their teeth, particularly when they are being petted, but I don’t think you would notice this unless you were quite close, and it certainly shouldn’t “go right through” you. Proper tooth-grinding making a noticeable noise is usually a sign of pain or discomfort in rabbits. It’s probably worth getting him checked over, even if he’s showing no other signs of ill-health. Bunnies are very good at hiding their symptoms!
My dog has just turned 18 months and over the last few weeks, has turned from a sprightly young dog to a grumpy old man! He seems ok in himself, is eating fine and doesn’t seem to be in any distress - he just seems to have turned into my husband! Is this part of ‘growing up’? Your dog is at an age when he should be growing up, maturing into a sensible adult, but being grumpy isn’t part of being grown up (… or is it?!). So I think you should look at him closely for anything that might be giving him some discomfort – for example, tummy ache (loss of appetite, loose bowel motions, sickness), tooth ache (red gums, bad breath), back ache (stiffness, reluctance to go up steps or jump onto furniture) – and if you have any doubt, get him checked out. Alternatively, the grumpiness may be to do with raising his status in your ‘pack’. He might be saying Page is sponsored by Heath Vets 02920 621511
“push off and don’t bother me – I’m more important than you”. If that’s happening, consider getting professional help before things get any worse. Your vet will be able to recommend a good local dog behaviourist.
My four year old cat has been getting into a few fights lately. I’m not sure what’s brought it on – there may be a new cat in our area. She’s had a few nips and grazes but I’m worried that things could escalate. I don’t want to restrict her by not letting her out and am in two minds what to do. I know it’s natural for cats to guard their territory but I don’t want her getting hurt. This is a perennial problem, one that I frequently find myself discussing with clients, as they bring Puss in for treatment to the third fight wound in as many months! You are right - it is natural for cats to guard their territory, and you won’t be able to stop it. However, most fights seem to happen at night, so keeping your cat indoors at night would be a sensible start. If you do spot a wound, have a close look at it – if it is just a graze, clean it and apply a suitable antiseptic (not TCP, which is poisonous to cats). But if there is any suspicion of a puncture from a tooth, get your vet to have a look. Early treatment could save a lot of pain and discomfort, as bite wounds have a high risk of going septic and forming an abscess. After a while, the new cat will have settled in and established his own territory, and the fighting will stop … at least until another newcomer arrives.
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News in the Community NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH With Bill Farnham I am afraid that I have to start this article on a solemn note and that is to announce the death of Terry Lewis who was our Secretary for very many years. Terry was involved in Neighbourhood Watch from 1985 and, then in 1995, he became Secretary of the Cardiff West Neighbourhood Watch Association (we changed our title in September 2011) and stayed in that post until severe health problems forced him to stand down in November 2011. He was so dedicated to Neighbourhood Watch and gave countless hours of his time to this cause and his passing will leave a large hole, not
only in our Association, but in Neighbourhood Watch overall. We send our condolences to Terry’s wife Zinnia and their family. We intend to keep the memory of Terry very much alive and, as such, we are in the process of organising an annual competition to find the best Neighbourhood Watch Group in our Association, the winners to receive The Terry Lewis Shield. National Neighbourhood Watch Week (15th to 23rd June, 2013) was a great success with our Association taking part in 14 events throughout the week in various parts of the city. We launched five new Neighbourhood Watch Groups and signed up approximately 100 people on to the Community Messaging Service. On the Saturday 22nd June we worked
in conjunction with the Gwent Neighbourhood Watch Association at Blooms Garden Centre which was very successful indeed. We have now launched nine new Neighbourhood Watch Groups since the last issue of this magazine and have a further definite six meetings arranged so these should be launched by the end of July. We are very pleased with the way that interest in Neighbourhood Watch is continuing to grow and intend to build on these successes. If you are interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch Group in your locality please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team or contact us on 02920 20527301. Bill Farnham Chairman
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Marriage breakdown? Try collaborative law A marriage breakdown is a lifechanging event that needs to be carefully managed for all those involved. At Watkins & Gunn we are committed to taking a constructive approach when it comes to divorce proceedings. The Collaborative approach to resolving disputes means the clients choose to settle on an agreement outside of the courts with the help of specially trained lawyers. Research has shown that Collaborative Law can be cheaper, quicker and equips the former couple and any children better for life beyond divorce. Even if you haven’t made a firm decision about the future of your relationship, Watkins & Gunn can give you helpful advice with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity. Leah Rhydderch is a Welsh
speaking solicitor within the family law team at Watkins & Gunn. For more information call our Llandaff office on 029 2115 4313 or visit www. watkinsandgunn.co.uk Tor priodas? Ceisiwch gyfraith gydweithredol Y mae tor priodas yn brofiad sydd yn newid bywyd ac o ganlyniad y mae’n hanfodol fod y sefyllfa yn cael triniaeth ofalus iawn. Y mae gan Watkins a Gunn agwedd ymarferol wrth ddelio gydag ysgariad. Y mae ysgariad yn sefyllfa drist yn aml i’r unigolyn a does dim yn hawdd amdano. Gyda chymorth cyfreithiwr arbennigol yn y maes , golyga trin â’r mater yn defnyddio dull gydweithredol, fod cwpl yn dod i gytundeb parthed arian, eiddo a/neu blant heb fynd i’r llys. Dengys ymchwil fod trin â mater yn defnyddio dull/cyfraith gydweithredol fod achosion yn rhatach, cyflymach ac hefyd yn
paratoi’r teulu wedi’r ysgariad. Hyd yn oed os nad ydych wedi penderfynu ar ddyfodol eich perthynas boed yn briod neu mewn perthynas sifil, gall Watkins a Gunn gynnig cyngor arbennigol, cyfrinachol sy’n hollol sensitif. Y mae Leah Rhydderch sydd yn aelod o adran deulu Watkins a Gunn, yn rhygl yn y Gymraeg. Am fwy o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â’n Swyddfa yn Llandaf – 02921 154 313 neu beth am ymweld â’n gwefan www.watkinsandgunn. co.uk.
Exceeding Expectations...
Getting Divorced?
Ydych Chi’n Ysgaru?
There is another way... resolving disputes constructively.
Beth am ddatrys pethau yn defnyddio dull ymarferol.
Our specialist team can advise on all aspects of a relationship breakdown.
Gall ein tîm arbennigol gynhori ar bob agwedd o dor perthynas.
Divorce Unmarried couples Separation agreements Financial settlements Residence/contract arrangements for children Change of name deed Living together agreements
029 2115 4313
www.watkinsandgunn.co.uk
Ysgariad Cyplau di briod Cytundebau gwahanu Cytundebau ariannol yn sgîl ysgariad Trefniadau ar gyfer plant wedi ysgariad Trefniadau cyd-fyw Gweithred newid enw
46-48 Cardiff Road, Llandaff, Cardiff. CF5 2DT
South Wales’ Premier Bathroom And Tile Centre. Everything you need to make that room feel special
Our NEW showroom is now open to the trade and public. We currently have over 30 displays of bathrooms and shower enclosures from some of the leading manufacturers in Europe. We also have on display a large range of Porcelain and Ceramic wall and floor tiles. Our shower displays range from small enclosures to large wet rooms and we are confident we can accommodate your needs.
We are conveniently located just off Ocean Way in Regents Trade Park and are open 6 days a week.
Unit 4 Regents Trade Park Galdames Place Cardiff CF24 5PS
Tel: 029 2046 4234
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Cardiff-raised Andrea Howell graduated from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic, followed by two years post-graduate study. She started her career working with the longest practicing chiropractors in South Wales. Andrea established The Whitchurch Clinic early 2013. She is passionate about the benefits of chiropractic treatment, finding great satisfaction in helping people out of pain, and improving the quality of their lives. Chiropractic specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and management of conditions related to joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves such as back pain, neck pain, migraines, repetitive strain injury, osteoarthritis pain, general tension and postural problems.
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PATRIC MORGAN DOGS Vs CATS Vs ME
I
n February of this year, my wife and I headed to a farm in Lampeter. We were going to ‘see’ some puppies to suss out what sort of dog we’d like to buy in the coming months. When we arrived there, we found a little bundle of fluff curled up in a basket - his siblings all sold to others, he was the only one left. Without thinking, my wife lifted him up and he snuggled straight in to her. Several hours later, he’s sat in the middle of our living room. He’s looking at us. We’re looking at him. This isn’t what we were expecting. After an expensive visit to the pet shop to get him everything he’s ever needed (including numerous teddies, beds, food, things to chew on, poo bags etc), he’s all made up and settling down for the night. His first night in the house was perfect - not a noise was muttered. But things soon changed on the following night. Ah yes. He realised that he was here to stay and he also now realised that we slept upstairs. First it was a whimper. Then a cry. Then constant barking. Traipsing downstairs in an attempt to appease him, I spent most of the following evenings on the settee. The training book we bought said to ignore him but the neighbours weren’t going to be best pleased with that course of action. Rather conveniently, my wife headed back to work the following week, leaving me bedraggled and heavy-eyed, to look after him. I thought it might be an idea to finally let him into the garden. He was nervous at first but quickly realised that this was all his - he could do what he want
in it. And the first thing he did was to find a rotting cat poo and promptly eat it. Then stones. Then berries. Then wood. Then the fence. Meanwhile, his posh food from the pet shop lay untouched in the kitchen. The garden routine needed an overhaul. I set about clearing the garden of any potential threats and let him out once again. Within seconds, he’d found more cat poo and wolfed it down. Needless to say, his tummy was by now taking a turn for the worse. Having not been litter trained fully, and not realising that it was best to ‘do his stuff ’ in the garden, he’d spend the best part of an hour just sitting in the garden before trotting in and doing his business all over our rug. Working from home has its benefits but this was not one of them. Trying to work at the desk with one hand while trying to placate a needy puppy on the other was beginning to take its toll. I had to wait until the evenings when my wife came home from her work to take care of him while I got on with the work I should have been doing during the day. I’m a more of a cat person. Sadly, I lost my beloved cat late last year. But he was the business - no constant requests for attention, no noise - and best of all - he cleaned up his poo after him. He’d wander over every now and then to remind me that he loved me. And then he’d do his own thing. This new fella took a lot of getting used to. One thing I now have to factor into my day is taking the little fella out for walks twice a day. Not only that, but being the responsible citizen that I am, I also clean up once he’s ‘dropped his load’ - usually in front of a
large crowd of people. You’d think they’d be a bit more discreet about it but no - outside a shop, in the middle of a busy road - that’s where he likes to go. These days, he’s maturing into more of a young man. With it comes his sense of duty - that is - barking at any little sound or anybody who happens to walk past our window. My wife tells me that it’s cute that such a little creature should feel protective of us. I’m not so sure. It’s usually just as I’m drifting off to sleep that he’ll suddenly let rip with a barrage of bark. As I sit here writing, fortunately for me, he’s feeling the effects of the heatwave and staying indoors. He has his food, plenty of fresh water and he even has a fan on him. When the wife comes home, he’ll have plenty of cuddles and have his tea prepared for him. Then he’ll be taken out for a cool summer’s evening walk. Then he’ll come home, claim the only armchair we have as his and relax for the night in front of the telly. Meanwhile, Ill be trudging back upstairs back to the office to get on with the work I had been meaning to do earlier. It’s a dog’s life isn’t it?