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Issue 31 Dec‘14/Jan‘15
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@LivingMags
Welcome Croeso
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News Letters Meet Lulu Quiz Short Story Cardiff Castle Guest Feature Short Story ws Community Ne Recipes Column
As I sit here, putting the finishing touches to WARDS TO A R U O G N TI A DEDIC your Christmas issue of Whitchurch and Llandaff READERS Living, I feel very much that Christmas is over. OUR FANTASTIC It is in fact, still November. But looking back the on t ou ab ad re through my records, I can see that I laid down the ill w As you ed ht lig de are template for this issue back at the end of August. opposite page, we K U p to o tw up ed And every time I’ve come to work on it, I’ve had to have pick year. is th ds ar aw to put some unseasonal Christmas tunes on to get e in az mag is me in the mood. When Christmas really comes, I’m We’d like to take th k those going to be all Christmassed out. opportunity to than articles ted In spite of that, I’m pretty sure that we’ve got a who have contribu agazines m e th suitably festive edition for you to enjoy before the and features to really ey year is out. over the years - th part in the We spoke to music legend Lulu a few weeks ago. have played a huge azines, and I have to admit that I forgot she was calling and success of the mag the judges. had to pull the car over and write my notes down was duly noted by te our two on a cardboard box. Don’t tell her I said that. She e We therefore dedica ers and Our first ever issu read reminisces about her time in Cardiff - and looks 08 awards to you, the ntributed. 20 from co forward to her return - on page 9. to those who have Local authors have stepped up this year and we have two festive short stories to enjoy - on pages 15 and 23. If you think you know everything there is to know about Whitchurch and Llandaff, you’ll want to get your brain around our Big Quiz on page 13. Let us know ardiff how you get on! ad, Rhiwbina, C Ro h c a tb n Pa 2 A: 22 Local vet Chris Troughton is on hand to lend you CF14 6AG pet advice on page 25 and on page 30, there are some 022920 081775 / 07974 2 77 07 T: tempting recipes for an early Christmas morning frymags.co.uk E: editor@living up. Yummy! ags.co.uk W: www.livingm We’d like to thank all our advertisers who have publisher of the contents, the ing e the accuracyfor any way arisrigh sur in r en tte to ma de y ma an t en s be s, or marketed their services through us this year. contact any. copy ors or omission to err While every effortanha de for ty ma bili en nsi be po s res on ha cept y of this material. Every effort endent, apolitical publicati ac ot nn ca And that just leaves us to wish you all a very happy blication d Llandaff Living is an indep from the puitch an e for holders. Wh urch d copy deadlin and peaceful Christmas. See you in the spring. n a g n ki o o b g rtisin 15. Patric and Danielle (editors) Adve 30th January 20 2015. y a id Fr 32 e Issu ry 16th ion date - Februa ar. Issue 32 publicat 2 ed 5 times a ye ish bl aff Living is pu
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WWI SERVICE HELD AT LLANDAFF A World War I Commemoration Service was recently held at the memorial in Llandaff village
STUDENTS ‘EVACUATED’ IN LATEST SCHOOL PROJECT Radyr’s Bryn Deri Primary school pupils got a taste of wartime life when they took part in their very own evacuation. The Year Six pupils were ‘evacuated’ to nearby Danescourt Primary School and handed over to their new families. It all formed part of the project that the children have been studying. In Year 6, they started looking at different aspects of World War Two. Since then, they have made poppies, visited the Cenotaph in Cardiff, written soldiers’ poems and learned all about land girls, the Blitz and rationing. This latest adventure saw 24 pupils dressed up like wartime children, complete with gas masks, suitcases and teddies. They waved off their parents at the station and got ready for a new life in the fictional town of ‘Danesbridge’.
CHURCHILLS UP FOR SALE Brewer SA Brain & Co is selling Churchills Hotel in Llandaff as it is no longer commercially viable. The Grade II listed 36 bedroom hotel is being sold with the potential for redevelopment. Scott Waddington, chief executive of SA Brain & Co, said that they were reluctant to sell.
news LIVING MAGAZINES CARDIFF SCOOP TWO PRESTIGIOUS UK AWARDS Our Living Magazines have scooped two prestigious awards at the UK Independent Publisher Awards held at the Heart of England Conference Centre. Judged by industry experts, we picked up the Best Website Award and the Best Editorial Award from hundreds of entries. The judges said about our website: “It’s vibrant and talks to both readers and advertisers. Format friendly – easy to navigate – we liked the non standard format with most of the tabs and menu removed.” About our editorial content, the judges said: “A fantastic breadth and depth of editorial, business, historical and celebrity. We love the involvement of readers in
creating content, and careful handling of contributed editorial.” Editor Patric Morgan said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received these two awards. We know our readers love our magazines but it was great to have received recognition from a panel of industry experts. We can now continue our good work with the confidence that awards bring.” This is the third award that Patric has won in the last two years – he won Best Writing On a Blog at the 2012 Wales Blog Awards. Rhiwbina Living was set up in 2007 by Patric Morgan and Dr Danielle Dummett, followed a year later by Whitchurch and Llandaff Living.
ATTACK IN LLANDAFF PARK
have happened sometime between 10pm on Thursday, October 16, and 2.30am on Friday, October 17. Anyone with information or anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Up to six people were involved in the alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl in a Llandaff park, police say. South Wales Police detectives say the attack is reported to
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POLICE APPEAL FOR HELP AND INFORMATION
Police are investigating a spate of commercial burglaries in the north of Cardiff. Several businesses in Whitchurch and Llandaff North have been target ted by burglars in the last few months and police are appealing to the public to help catch the culprits. In late September, a butcher’s shop in Whitchurch was broken into and had a van stolen. The van was later recovered and a 36-year-old local man was arrested. In early November, Gee and Hayes hairdressers in Park Road, was broken into. Access was gained through a smashed rear window and cash was removed from the till. New business the Play Loft in Bishop’s Road, Whitchurch, has also been targeted. It was broken into sometime between 5.30pm
on Thursday, November 6, and 9.20am the following morning and a number of power tools were removed. A hairdresser’s salon in Station Road, Llandaff North, was also broken into sometime between 5am and 8.55am on Friday, November 7. Fairwater local policing inspector Paul Arkontopoulos said: “We have made an arrest with regard to the burglary of the butcher’s shop in Whitchurch. A 36-year-old man from Whitchurch has been arrested in connection with two offences. “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area surrounding the businesses in Whitchurch and Radyr to contact us with any information they may have – however small they may think it may be.” Anyone with any information can contact South Wales Police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 quoting reference 1400417180.
ARRIVE TRAINS APOLOGISE FOR CROWDED TRAINS Arriva Trains have recently apologised to Llandaff commuters who could not board their trains due to overcrowding
STORE PLANS CRITICISED Plans to build a Tesco in North Cardiff could put school children at risk and cause an increase in illegal parking, concerned residents have warned. Cardiff Council’s planning committee recently voted to inspect the controversial plans for a Tesco Express opening in Birchgrove. The committee discussed whether to approve Tesco’s request to install a condenser, three air conditioning units, a replacement shop front and two internally illuminated fascia signs. But the proposals have now been deferred until the committee visit the site in December. Residents said they were very unhappy by the supermarket’s plans, citing traffic dangers and a rise in illegal parking. Councillor Graham Hinchey appeared before committee members to warn them about the impact of the site on local parents and schoolchildren.
K2 COFFEE SHOP OPENS ITS DOORS TO LATE DINERS Llandaff coffee house K2 has opened its doors to evening diners. Staff at the much-loved High Street coffee shop will now be offering restaurant-quality meals to visitors who fancy eating out in the village. Owner Kim Geary told Living Magazines: “Both Kev and I are delighted to announce our evening opening hours. We have an experienced chef on board who’s bringing 4
his talent to our dishes. With his help, we’ve got a delicious evening menu to choose from, ranging from Cajun-spiced butterfly chicken through to home-made burgers.” K2 is open from 6.30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. “We’re not the sort of establishment that will rush you out the door. We want our customers to come in, eat, chat and most of all, relax. The food
is delicious – when I was tasting them, I wouldn’t let anyone near my plate!”
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
lletters tters
TAFF TRAIL? MORE LIKE BRANDS HATCH!
My husband and I decided to take an autumn walk down the Taff Trail several weeks ago. It’s something we haven’t done for years. We set off from Hailey Park and made our way down towards Blackweir. Our intention was to head on down to Sophia Gardens where there is a coffee shop. We thought we would enjoy a coffee and head back. But it was as we approached the subway that crosses under the A48 (near Tesco Extra), we almost had a collision with a cyclist, who came haring through. Now I understand that the Taff Trail is for both pedestrians and cyclists - but this is a fact that seems to be lost on the cyclists. In fact, it’s almost as if we are made to feel that we are invading
PARKING PROBLEMS MAR MEMORIES
their space! The cyclist, wearing what can only be described as a Sir Bradley Wiggins type outfit, came flying into the subway at such speed, that I didn’t have time to move. As a result, ‘Sir Bradley’ skidded on his brakes and nearly hit the wall. He cussed and cursed under his breath before cycling off. It was only when he had cleared the subway that I heard him say something very loudly that I would not want to repeat in your magazine. Despite this, my husband and I carried on our walk, only to be harassed (those blooming bicycle bells have come to haunt me!) by speeding cyclists in both directions. Ultimately, we decided to turn and head for home, never reaching our coffee in Sophia Gardens. I find it such a shame in this day and age that people like us can’t take a simple stroll into town on the Taff Trail. It has become a
race track for cyclists whose rudeness is beyond belief! The times we stood aside to let them past and not one word of ‘thank you’! As mentioned, I understand that the trail is there for all to use. But come on cyclists - please show some manners! The trail has become more of a Brands Hatch than anything else. Please bear in mind that there could be some mothers out with their prams! PAULA SULLIVAN LLANDAFF NORTH
I recently visited Llandaff after moving away 30 years ago and was delighted to see that the village has retained much of its charm. I was particularly taken in by the boutiques and coffee shops that have sprung up but the one thing I was not expecting was the amount of traffic! I remember the day when you used to be able to park up without having to worry about finding a space to park! I don’t know how you all manage! CHRIS THOMAS Email 5
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An Audience with Steven Berkoff 2 December
Johnny Cash Roadshow 17 January
Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra A Night at the Movies - 5 December
Beyond The Barricade 30 January
Handel Messiah 14 December
Russian Ballet Festival 20 December - 3 January
The African Children’s Choir 14 January
The Music of John Barry WNO Orchestra - 12 December
The Sixteen 7 December
Lulu: Why Cardiff holds so many special memories for me
“
Oh my GOD!” shrieks Lulu. “I’ve just remembered coming to Cardiff and watching the All Blacks play at the Cardiff Arms Park!” 60s legend Lulu can’t stop squealing. “Ah. It’s all coming back to me now! I used to be in Cardiff a lot when I first started my career because I spent a fair amount of time with Tom Jones. But this memory of watching the All Blacks jumps out at me! I think we all went to the Angel Hotel after as that’s where the All Blacks were staying. God! That was a long time ago!” Singer, actress and TV personality Lulu is excited at the thought of returning to the Welsh capital after a long time away. “But I did a gig in Cardiff when I first started out and it was the first audience in my career that participated in my show. It’s something that’s stayed with my shows since, but it’s one of the gigs that I’ll always remember.” Lulu shot to fame in 1964 at the age of just 15. Her version of The Isley Brothers’ ‘Shout’, (as Lulu & the Luvvers) was delivered in a raucous but mature voice. It peaked in the UK charts at No.7. “I’d had a tough upbringing. It was a difficult childhood. I had loving parents but my father was a very violent man. As a result, I think I grew up pretty quickly emotionally. I became selfsufficient but looking back, it was probably the best thing for me.”
“The woman who discovered me and managed me for the first 25 years of my career, Marion Massey, had the biggest impact on me. She became my surrogate mother and guided me when my career could have gone down the plughole. She’s passed away now and I feel a great sadness when I talk about her – but happy at the same time, if that makes sense.” In 1967, she made her film debut in ‘To Sir, with Love’, a British vehicle for Sidney Poitier. Lulu both acted in the film and provided the title song, with which she had a major hit in the United States, reaching No. 1. ‘To Sir With Love’ became one of the best-selling singles of 1967 in the US, selling well in excess of a million copies; it was awarded a gold disc in the UK. After appearing on the BBC in 1967 in a successful TV series that featured music and comedy, Three of a Kind, Lulu was given her own TV series in 1968, which ran annually until 1975 under various titles including Lulu’s Back in Town, Happening For Lulu, Lulu and It’s Lulu, which featured Adrienne Posta. Her BBC series included music and comedy sketches and appearances by star guests. Lulu began 1970 by appearing on the BBC’s highly rated review of the 1960s music scene Pop Go The Sixties, performing ‘Boom Bang-A-Bang’ live on BBC1, 31 December 1969.
In 1974, she performed the title song for the James Bond film ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ and in 1977, she married hairdresser John Frieda. She is one of only two performers (Cliff Richard being the other) to have sung on Top of the Pops in each of the five decades that the show ran and in 2000, she was awarded an OBE. “People say ‘but won’t you get tired?’ Hell, of course I will! But that’s the point – it re-energises me. If someone had told me at the beginning that at the age of 66, I’d be recording a new album and touring, I’d have told them to shut right up! Someone up there’s been looking after me – I’ve got angels looking out for me, that’s for sure!” In August 2014 Lulu opened the closing ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and in 2015, she visits Cardiff as part of her new tour. On Monday 18th May 2015, you can spend an Evening With Lulu in the Welsh capital. “You’re going to have a great time if you come to the show. I’m going right back to my roots – there’ll be some songs from my new album but there’ll also be the songs that people know and love.” To book tickets, visit St David’s Hall website at www. stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on 029 2087 8444 9
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Harris Tweed, Brogue Shoes and a Model Steam Boat My brother and I were given a model steam boat for Christmas by my grandfather. It had a sleek wooden hull with a brass boiler, a meths burner and a two-piston engine. Our neighbour, ‘Uncle’ Dick Dicker (a jolly man with rolling gait) came on Christmas morning, saw the boat and decided that it should be launched on Boxing Day (Uncle Dick always wanted to be the first in all things!). After breakfast on Boxing Day, the party departed to Roath Park lake. The party consisted of Uncle Dick (leader and skipper), resplendent in Harris Tweed Norfolk Jacket (with matching plus fours), heavy socks, heavy
Bob Lewis recalls a Christmas in the 1930s
brogue shoes and a matching cap. My father Brin, John and myself and Eileen and Richard, the Dicker children. “Don’t let the children fall in!” was the cry! Heartbroken, we discovered that the lake had been drained for the winter. The alternative site was the canal at the rear of the Cow and Snuffers in Llandaff North. The water level was about two feet below the bank and was a little bit dirty, shall we say. Steam was raised, the engine tested and our pride and joy was launched by Uncle Dick with Brin looking after the children. The boat was sailing well, aimed at the far bank to return in a wide arc. With Captain Dick in charge, all was well and quite a few people followed to watch. The
boat was turned several times in a continuous voyage until Captain Dick failed to notice a fault in the bank – missed his footing and fell, with a very large splash, into the mucky water. The spectators erupted with laughter at a very wet Captain Dick, standing in the mud and sludge – his tweed cap floating away after the boat. When all were recovered, the boat stored, we made for home. The tweed clothing took weeks to dry and Mrs Dicker forgave him for his loss of dignity. Although this happened a long time ago, the memories are very clear. Eileen and I talked about it last year on one of our rare meetings.
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The Great Big Christmas Quiz
Think you know 5 Whitchurch and Llandaff pretty well? Test yourself 6 right here!
Who planted the line of trees on Whitchurch Common? a) Owain Glyndŵr’s soldiers b) Norman soldiers 12 c) American soldiers
b) Pear Tree Viaduct c) Walnut Tree Viaduct Which local musical group can justifiably claim to be the oldest band in Wales? a) City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) Brass Band b) Cardiff Arms Park Male Choir c) Caerphilly Male Voice Choir
What years are commemorated on the War Memorial outside Whitchurch Library Whitchurch Hospital offi cially 1 a) 1914-1917 opened in which year? b) 1914-1918 a. 1907 c) 1914-1919 13 Who designed Castell Coch? b. 1908 a) John Stuart, 1st Marquess of c. 1909 Bute 7 Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Magazine was launched b) John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Llandaff Cathedral is dedicated 2 in which year? Marquess of Bute to which two saints? a) 2010 c) William Burges a) Peter and Paul b) 2009 b) Cadoc and Dyfrig c) 2008 c) David and Patrick 14 Which historical Welsh prince is said to have been killed near Insole Court was built during Rhiwbina? 8 In which year was Llandaff 3 which decade? a) Iestyn ap Gwrgant incorporated into the City of a) 1830-1840 b) Gruffydd ap Llywelyn Cardiff ? b) 1850-1860 c) Owain Glyndŵr a) 1912 c) 1870-1880 b) 1918 For answers, visit http:// c) 1922 livingmags.co.uk/whitchurch9 Football superstar Gareth Bale played for which school side? llandaff-christmas-quiz-answers In which road was author Roald 4 a) Llanishen Fach Dahl born? b) Eglwys Newydd a) Heol Don c) Hawthorns b) Fairwater Road c) Merthyr Road 10 Which former Prime Minister is said to have visited the Cow and Snuffers pub in Llandaff North? a) Benjamin Disraeli b) William Gladstone c) Robert Peel 11 What was the name of the viaduct that once stretched out near Taffs Well? a) Apple Tree Viaduct
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Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral Choir Christmas Concert
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the harbour lights
C
hrissie turned on the lamps in the front room as the darkness drew in around the harbour. Her children were lying on the sofa, top to tail, wrapped in blankets. Their eyelids fluttered every now and again as sleep called them to shut tight. They fought its charm each time. Waiting…waiting… Flames flickered in the fireplace as the wind roared down the chimney and the smell of bacon filled the house. Nico was finishing late because it was Christmas Eve and Chrissie had decided that they would have bacon and egg sandwiches for supper when he arrived home. And inevitably, after they had put the children to bed, they would open a packet of chocolate digestives and eat the whole lot between them. A Christmas tradition that the children still believed was Father Christmas’ doing. She pulled back the curtain to see if Nico’s little boat was coming into the harbour. The other houses that sat along the waterfront were all lit from within, the yellow light spilling out on to the pavement. The Price children’s bedroom was in darkness. They were eagerly awaiting Father Christmas’ visit, awaiting the crinkle of wrapping paper at the bottom of the bed as they wriggled their toes. The Joyce children were probably doing the same. The only ones who were still awake were Chrissie’s children who were waiting for their own father to come home first. In the distance, Chrissie could see a small yellow light weaving
its way through the waves. He was coming home at last. She hoped he wouldn’t be bringing any tales of woe with him this Christmas. Last year, Johnny Price had swung from the edge of a local pier, hands barely gripping on to the railings, threatening to throw himself down into the black sea below. As the local coastguard and a good friend, Nico had been called to talk him down. Luckily, he succeeded in reminding Johnny what he had to live for and now Johnny Price was singing ‘Last Christmas’ at the top of his voice as he stumbled back from the pub. As if anyone needed reminding about last Christmas… Nico’s boat floated through the dark harbour and he alighted at the steps while Paul Joyce steered the dinghy towards the coastguard station. With a wave of his arm, Chrissie faintly heard Nico wishing Paul a ‘Happy Christmas!’ and then he turned towards her. She watched him make his way past the other houses…the Price’s…the Joyce’s…until he finally stood on the other side of the window. ‘Daddy’s home,’ she whispered to the children who were barely clinging on to consciousness. They sat up as she opened the
BY Alice morgan door to Nico and he stepped out of the cold, shivering. The children rushed to him, knowing that as soon as they had given him a hug, they would be able to go to bed and wait for Father Christmas. Their father sat by the fire to thaw out while they told him, one last time, about all the gifts they were waiting for. Chrissie shut the door on the
icy wind that threatened to rid her home of its warmth. The bacon sizzled in the kitchen and the chocolate digestives lay out in wait for Father Christmas. While the sea crashed against the harbour walls and rain began to lash at the windows, Chrissie’s family were safely gathered around the fireside for Christmas. Alice Morgan is an awardwinning writer. You can read more of her work at www.alicemariarose. wordpress.com/ 15
A focus for the city of Cardiff at Christmas, Cardiff Castle’s history stretches all the way back to Roman times. Commissioned by either William the Conqueror or by Robert Fitzhamon, the castle was repeatedly involved in the conflicts between the Anglo-Normans and the Welsh, as well as other clashes
E
xcavations have raised the possibility that Cardiff Castle has a history that stretches back to the reign of the Emperor Nero (A.D. 54-68). The Roman occupation of south Wales began following the defeat of the war-like Silures tribe and the exiling of their great leader Caractacus to Rome. Their first fort, built on this strategically important site where the River Taff nears the Bristol Channel, was a campaign base constructed in still-hostile territory. Their defensive works surrounded a site even larger than the present ten-acres, on which were built their timber barracks, stores and workshops. Around the year 300AD, another new fort was built on the site with 10 foot thick stone walls backed by an earth bank. Its position gave new strategic importance as a naval base protecting the Empire against the menace of seaborne attacks by 16
savage raiders from the west and north. This fort served until the Roman Army withdrew from the area in the early 5th century AD. Little is known of the castle during the centuries that followed the Roman departure. Perhaps for long periods, the raiders from the sea made it untenable. The native princes of Glamorgan based themselves to the north and the ruined fort waited for a new army of occupation. The Normans began to make incursions into South Wales from the late 1060s onwards, pushing westwards from their bases in recently occupied England. Their advance was marked by the construction of castles, frequently on old Roman sites, and the creation of regional lordships. The reuse of Roman sites produced considerable savings in the manpower required to construct large earth fortifications. Cardiff Castle was built during this period.
There are two possible dates for the construction; it is possible that William the Conqueror built a castle at Cardiff as early as 1081 on his return from his pilgrimage to St Davids. Alternatively the first Norman fortification may have been constructed around 1091 by Robert Fitzhamon, the lord of Gloucester. Fitzhamon invaded the region in 1090, and used the castle as a base for the occupation of the rest of southern Glamorgan over the next few years. The site was close to the sea and could be easily supplied by ship, was well protected by the Rivers Taff and Rhymney and also controlled the old Roman road running along the coast. The castle was a motte-andbailey design. The old Roman walls had collapsed and the Normans used their remains as the basis for the outer castle perimeter, digging a defensive trench and throwing up a 27-foot (8.2 m) high bank of earth over
A Castle Fit for a Capital the Roman fortifications. The Normans further divided the castle with an internal wall to form an inner and an outer bailey. In the north-west corner of the castle a wooden keep was constructed on top of a 40-foot (12 m) tall earth motte, surrounded by a 30-foot (9.1m) wide moat. The motte was the largest built in Wales. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Cardiff Castle fell out of favour with the larger Caerphilly Castle utilised more. In the 1770’s, ‘Capability’ Brown and his son-in-law, Henry Holland embarked upon an ambitious plan to landscape the grounds and modernise the lodgings. Brown cleared away the Lodgings of the Norman Knights and the Shire Hall, from the green. Brown stripped the Keep of its ivy and cut down all the trees growing on the ancient mound. He also filled in the moat. Holland remodelled 16th century Herbert additions and rebuilt to the north and south of the hall, the greater and lesser wings. The Great Hall was partitioned off into a new Entrance Hall, a Library and a Dining Room. Above the Hall, the bedrooms were modernised and given such names as the Red Room, the Velvet Room etc. In 1814 Lord Bute’s grandson, John, inherited his title and the castle. In 1825, the new Marquess began a sequence of investments in the Cardiff Docks, an expensive programme of work that would enable Cardiff to become a major coal exporting port. Although the Docks were not particularly profitable, they transformed the value of the Butes’ mining and land interests,
making the family immensely wealthy. By 1900, the family estate owned 22,000 acres (8,900 ha) of land in Glamorgan. The second Marquess preferred to live on the Isle of Bute in Scotland and only used Cardiff Castle occasionally. The castle saw little investment and only four full-time servants were maintained on the premises, meaning that cooked food had to be brought across from the kitchens at a nearby hotel. The castle remained at the centre of the Butes’ political power base in Cardiff, however, with their faction sometimes termed as “the Castle party”. During the violent protests of the Merthyr Rising of 1831, the Marquess based himself at Cardiff Castle, from where he directed operations and kept Whitehall informed of the unfolding events. The governance of the city of Cardiff was finally reformed by an act of Parliament in the 1835, introducing a town council and a mayor, severing the link with the castle constable. The third Marquess of Bute, also called John, inherited the title and castle in 1848. He was then less than a year old, and as he grew up, he came to despise the existing castle. Bute eventually engaged the architect William Burges, to undertake the remodelling of the castle. The two shared a passion in medieval Gothic Revivalism and this, combined with Bute’s huge financial resources, enabled Burges to rebuild the property on a grand scale. Burges brought with him almost of all of the team that
had supported him on earlier projects, including John Starling Chapple, William Frame and Horatio Lonsdale. The Clock Tower was built on the site of a Roman bastion and completed in 1875. In 1872 Lord Bute married Gwendolen FitzAlan Howard. The couple had four children, and Burges designed a nursery especially for them. Burges also created a library and the Banqueting Hall within the late medieval residential block. Burges died in 1881 and his work was continued by his former assistant William Frame. Frame built the Animal Wall and restored the newly discovered Roman remains. The 3rd Marquess died in 1900 and during 1922-25, his son, the 4th Marquess, continued to restore the Castle Walls and oversaw the reconstruction of the Roman Wall to Duke Street. He also overlooked the building of the Barbican Tower. A new entrance hall was added in 1927. During World War II, the castle mostly escaped major damage two lodges were destroyed and the outer walls were used as airraid shelters In 1947 the 5th Marquess of Bute donated the castle to the people of Cardiff.
17
SPONSORED FEATURE It might be your worst nightmare. It is Christmas Eve and the mother-in-law is on her way to stay for the festive period. The true horror of what hides behind the oven door is just waiting to be exposed through fumes and smoke when it’s time to cook the turkey. How will she ever be able to live with the shame? But never fear, because the experts at The Clean Oven Co. are on hand to rescue you in your hour of need. They explain: “We are always fully booked at this time of year and it’s all because of the visit of the mother
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Why I (don’t) Love Christmas by Brian Jones ‘Tis the season to be jolly? Not according to Rhiwbina resident Brian Jones THE TREE So let’s get this straight - we head out to buy a tree that up until a few weeks ago, was a perfectly healthy tree minding its own business in a field somewhere. What’s worse, is that we want to bring it into our house? Would you bring a tree into your house at any other time of the year? Of course not. So what are we doing? ‘It’s Christmas!’ I hear you plea. Hm. Did Jesus ever put a spruce up in his house? I’d say probably not. Especially as he wasn’t in Norway. I’m sure he’d not be in favour of us ripping all these healthy trees out of the ground. After all, he made them all. Probably the worst bit of it all is the actual choosing of the tree. Getting someone to stand there with it while you decide, and then deciding to have a look at another one to compare. Then another. Then another. Then going back to the one you looked at in the beginning. PRESENTS Let’s look at this from an objective point of view. You work hard all year round. Times are hard. You don’t even think about Christmas until Bonfire Night has come and gone. So then you panic. You panic about what you’re going to buy everyone for Christmas. You head to the shops and before you know it,
you’ve blown the money that you thought you could get everyone’s presents with - and that was only on that lavender bubble bath set from Marks and Spencer. You then go into the money you’ve kept for food and the mortgage. You reassure yourself that you’ll feel better once the presents are done. And then, after many weeks of stressing and panicking, it’s all done. Time to wrap them up and have done with them. Feel better? No. There’s the big stress of getting the correct presents to the correct people in time for the big day. You can’t wait to hand over that lavender bubble bath set from Marks and Spencer. You just can’t wait to see the excitement on their face. But it never comes. Instead, you get a short thank you and a dreary pair of socks in return. Worse still, when you run the gauntlet the following year, you get the lavender bubble bath set given back to you from the person you’ve given it to this year. What’s it all about? THE NATIVITY PLAY It’s every parent’s proudest moment. Their little one has been chosen to be in the nativity play. Excitement reaches fever pitch when you hear that they’ve been chosen to play one of the starring roles. But then it all goes belly up. The other mothers express their annoyance that their child has not been chosen to play one of those leading roles. How could anyone overlook their 2 year-old’s mastery of amateur
dramatics? What is wrong with these teachers? And what? You have to make the costumes yourself? Don’t you realise how busy I am? All that is long forgotten when the show finally gets underway. With enough ‘ooos’ and ‘ahhhs’ to challenge the local firework display, the only thing missing is a sick bucket being passed around. CHRISTMAS PARTIES As a self-employed salesman, my Christmas parties these days have only two guests - me and the cat. It’s wonderful. I don’t have to speak to anyone I don’t like and best of all, I can get as off my face as I like and no-one will notice. Apart from the cat. Even better, if I feel like a lie down, I can go to my bedroom and do just that. Who needs people for a party? CAROL SINGERS There comes a knock on the door. For a split second, the excitement that someone has taken the time to visit you at Christmas makes your head go dizzy. But then you hear it - that drawn-out drawl. Oh no. It’s them again. After ten minutes of excruciatingly toe-curling embarrassment as they finish another song, you hand them the 10 pence piece you had in your pocket. Surely there are easier and less painful ways to earn some money. 21
Evie’s Long Wait by Emma Price
“
I’ll prove it. Just you wait and see.” Evie was a very wise 5 year-old. She had not long started school - not that she needed to go of course - she knew everything. She knew what Christmas was all about and this year, she was going to prove her point. Dad dipped his final sausage roll into the dollop of brown sauce on the edge of his plate. “You’ll be up all night.” he said. “Santa only comes when you’re asleep.” Then he popped the sausage roll into his mouth and smiled. It had only been a few days earlier that her new friend Charlotte told her that Santa didn’t exist. “You do know that it’s your Mum and Dad who gives you presents.” she had said. Evie believed Charlotte. She had once told Evie that milk comes from cows. When questioned, Mum admitted the whole damn thing. Evie excused herself, climbed down from the dining table and headed over to the Christmas tree that sat in the front room window. This was the family’s first Christmas in Y Groes. They had moved in on a searing summer’s day. But tonight was a perfect Christmas Eve - snow had started falling earlier in the day. Evie looked at the porcelain Santa that hung from the tree. She lifted her hand and held it gently between her thumb and forefinger. She smiled at it, and
then promptly said: “I’m sorry but you don’t exist.” *** Mum had called Evie to bed three times before she eventually moved from her warm spot on the sofa. Within the space of five minutes, she’d brushed her teeth, had a wee and shouted ‘N’night’ to Dad downstairs. Evie pulled back the sheets and climbed into bed. Clean sheets always for Christmas Eve. They felt divine. Mum gave her a hug and a kiss and disappeared out the room, pulling the door, leaving Evie in near darkness. At first, it was easy to stay awake. She listened to the TV and imagined the faces that matched the voices she could hear. At long last, she could hear Mum and Dad locking the house up for the night. Within a few minutes, she could hear them slowly coming up the stairs. Evie snuggled down under the duvet as quickly and as quietly as she could. Then the moment she had been waiting for – her bedroom door opened slightly. Even with her eyes closed, she could tell it was Dad – the room became slightly lighter. Then, as slowly as she could, she slightly opened one beady eye. In the mixture of light and shadows, she could clearly make out Dad’s head peeping around the door. He stayed there an extraordinarily long time, to the point where she thought that she should say something. But finally, he disappeared.
Now it was only a matter of time before he’d come tip-toeing into the room with all the gifts. And as soon as he did, Evie would pretend to wake up and catch him red-handed. Evie rolled over onto her back, lay very still and waited. And waited. And waited. It must have been a good half hour before she had had enough. Stepping out onto the cold wooden floor, she tip-toed across to the window and peered out. The square was quiet now and the snow fell silently. She raised his eyes to the sky but with the swirling snow, it was hard to see any further. No Santa. Definitely no Santa. Climbing back into bed, she pulled her duvet up tight under her chin and sighed. It was going to be a long, long night. Maybe Dad had set an alarm for the small hours. That meant that she’d have to wait up ALL night. She had think of a way to keep her mind occupied. She decided to make up a story in her head. It was going to be about a fairy called Fidget Heartfrost who lived in the Dingley Dell. Fidget had a fairy friend called Dancer who always... “Merry Christmas!!!” Evie opened her eyes wide. There stood at the foot of her bed in the bright morning light were Mum and Dad. At Evie’s feet were gifts and presents galore. “Looks like Santa’s been!” said Dad, smiling. 23
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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 picked up a 2 month old puppy several weeks ago and when we took him to the vet for a checkup, he was found to have ear mites. We were given treatment which worked but a few months on, he seems to be scratching his ears again, although not as much as he did when we first got him. Do ear mites come back and if so, would using the same treatment lessen its effectiveness? Ear mites are little parasites which live in the ear canals of dogs and cats and cause an intense itch, particularly in young animals. They are reasonably common in puppies and kittens, but because they need close contact to spread from one animal to another, once you have got rid of them you don’t often get recurring problems. There are three key points for successful treatment: 1. Use an effective drug. Over-the-counter pet shop remedies are rarely effective. You need to see your vet. We usually use ear drops, sometimes a spot-on insecticide as well. 2. Treat for sufficient time. Ear mites lay eggs which cannot be killed, so you must keep treating until they have all hatched out and been killed. In practical terms, this means treating for at least 4 weeks. 3. Treat all in-contact dogs and cats for the same duration to avoid the problem passing back and forth. So, to answer your question, the ear mites could have come back if they weren’t treated for an adequate time or if an in-contact animal also has them. Equally, there could be a different problem. Either way, you need to get them looked at. Using the same treatment again will not reduce its effectiveness – just make sure you do it for a sufficient time. Page is sponsored by Heath Vets 02920 621511
Is it possible for my cat to get flu? Several weeks ago, she was sneezing like crazy and looked like I felt when I have a cold! She was ok after a few days but it got me wondering! Yes cats certainly do get flu – it is one of the main infectious diseases we have to deal with. Cat flu is different to human flu and we can’t catch it, nor can we infect our cats. It can be a very nasty disease, lasting several weeks and sometimes leaving permanent damage in the nose or eyes. But if you are lucky and your cat has a strong immune system, symptoms can be quite mild, as in your case. Cat flu used to be a very common problem 40 years ago, but now, thanks to widespread use of effective and safe vaccines, we don’t see so many serious cases. There seems to be an increasing trend of dressing pets up in Christmas outfits. Do you think it’s unnatural and cruel? I agree, there is a growing trend to dress pets up, and not just for Christmas. Unnatural? Yes, for the pet of course it is. But for many people these days, their pets are their children and it’s natural to want to ‘spoil’ them by giving them presents – edible treats, toys, or new outfits! However, I don’t think it’s cruel – animals are not embarrassed by the way they look, and the clothes are not uncomfortable; it they were, they would not be tolerated by the pet. Warm and waterproof coats can very useful for elderly animals or those with very thin fur.
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Local News
News in the Community NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH With Bill Farnham We have been very busy again since the last issue of this magazine with various activities taking place. I have launched six new Neighbourhood Watch groups around the city, two in Fairwater, one in Pontprennau, one in Whitchurch, one in Gwaelod-y-Garth and the whole of Creigiau Village. Why I say ‘I’ have is because everyone on our committee, be they Officers or Committee Members, has a dual role and my ‘dual role’ is Launch Coordinator for new Neighbourhood Watch groups. What this entails is that when someone expresses an interest in setting up a new watch I am contacted and informed, usually by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team but sometimes by the person concerned. I then arrange to visit that person, explain to them what Neighbourhood watch is about and then in partnership with the Local Neighbourhood Policing Team, carry out door to door visits (although not in every case) talking to the residents and telling them about the benefits of belonging to a watch. A meeting is then arranged and all interested parties attend, including myself. I then explain in more detail to everyone what Neighbourhood is all about, including the benefits of being in a watch, then the coordinator for the new watch registers the watch with our Association and the watch is then up and running. South Wales Police held a Property Marking event in the Pentyrch Village Hall car park on Sunday 5th October 2014, using a Mobile Police Station as
their base at which I represented our Association. The event went very well with people being made aware of property marking and how to carry this out, this advice included bicycle security. For the second year in succession we took part in the Suzy Lamplugh Trust National Personal Safety event which this year was spread over a week last year was held on a specific day. This is the trust set up by the family of Suzy who, sadly whilst working for an estate agent, visited a property to meet a ‘prospective’ customer and was never seen again. In fact, her body has never been found. The family set up the Trust in the format it is today with the sole aim of making everyone aware of how to keep themselves safe, especially younger members of the community. This year, they supplied posters, leaflets and information cards and I applied to the Trust for a quantity of each of these. These were then taken and distributed to the sites that were visited by us which were fifteen High Schools, Cardiff University Students Union, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. I finished the week off by visiting Asda Superstore, Pontprennau, where there was a Mobile Police station on site, which I used as my base. Working in conjunction with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, we engaged with several hundred members of the community handing out leaflets and cards and advising on personal safety. If anyone is interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch group please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team or contact our office on 02920 527301.
ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD COURSES Rotary in South Wales organises Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) courses every year in the summer holidays. These are held at the residential Outdoor Activity & Education Centre at Dolygaer in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Many of the activities undertaken, such as abseiling and caving, are new to candidates and stretch their abilities to cope, whilst helping to build and develop their personal confidence. The Rotary Club of Cardiff Breakfast has been sponsoring candidates to RYLA for the last six years. The Club believes it is one of the best opportunities Rotary offers to develop young people as well as showing what the Rotary family offers to individuals and communities. This year our two candidates were Anna Curle from Howells School and Harri Lang from Whitchurch High School. Anna is seventeen and has recently been elected as President of her Rotary Interact (Rotary for 14-18 year olds) club, while Harri is a keen rugby player. The Club meets every Wednesday morning at 7.30am in the Whitchurch Golf Club. Visitors are always welcome. More information about the Club can be found at www.cardifbreakfastrotary.org
29
recipes
p U y r F g in n r o M Christmas The warm waft of dinner drifts through the house. Christmas music meanders around the rooms. But before the day’s activities start properly, it’s an early morning fry-up that will warm your belly and your soul.
Sausage and Egg Rolls with Spicy Tomato Sauce 12 Cumberland sausages 1 tsp vegetable oil 4 large eggs 4 large soft white or wholemeal baps
For the sauce 4 large, ripe plum tomatoes, chopped 1 tsp English mustard powder ½ tsp chilli flakes 1 tbsp each red wine vinegar, soft brown sugar, tomato ketchup 1. Place all the ingredients for the sauce in a large pan. Cook over a medium-high heat for 10-12 mins until most of the liquid has evaporated and the tomatoes have broken down, leaving you with a thick, spoonable sauce. 2. Squeeze the sausagemeat from the skins and shape into 4 flat patties. Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Cook the patties for 4 mins each side, squashing them down with the back of a spatula, until crisp and golden on both sides. Remove from the pan and keep warm. 3. Heat the grill. Crack the eggs into the pan and cook to your liking. Meanwhile, slice open the baps and lightly toast, cut-side up, under the grill. Add a spoonful of the spicy tomato sauce to each bap, then a sausage patty, then top with a fried egg.
Eggs Benedict
3 tbsp white wine vinegar 4 large free range eggs 2 toasting muffins 1 batch hot hollandaise sauce 4 slices Parma ham (or Serrano or Bayonne) 1. Bring a deep saucepan of water to the boil (at least 2 litres) and add the vinegar. Break the eggs into 4 separate coffee cups or ramekins. Split the muffins, toast them and warm some plates. 2. Swirl the vinegared water briskly to form a vortex and slide in an egg. It will curl round and set to a neat round shape. Cook for 2-3 mins, then remove with a slotted spoon. 3. Repeat with the other eggs, one at a time, reswirling the water as you slide in the eggs. Spread some sauce on each muffin, scrunch a slice of ham on top, then top with an egg. Spoon over the remaining hollandaise and serve at once.
Spicy Scrambled Eggs
6 eggs 2 fluid oz milk 1 tablespoon oil 4 mushrooms, sliced 2 slices hot salami, chopped 1 slice ham, roughly chopped 2 cherry tomatoes, diced shaved tasty cheese, 1 spring onion ¼ teaspoon wholegrain mustard Break eggs into a bowl and whisk in milk, add to fry pan on low heat and stir constantly until cooked as desired. Add oil to a separate frying pan. Add mushrooms and fry on medium - low heat for 2-3 minutes, then add ham. Add salami to the eggs and toss to warm. Serve eggs on toasted light rye bread with butter, top with cheese, spring onion and tomato. Serve mushroom and ham onto plate and top ham with mustard.
Guest Columnists PATRIC MORGAN
CHRISTMAS PAST, CHRISTMAS PRESENT AND CHRISTMAS FUTURE
I
t was just about a year ago that I was sat on my settee late at night. Earlier in the evening, my wife and I had put the Christmas tree up and dressed it in its finery. It sat silently glowing in the corner of the darkened room. It seemed as if an old friend was home with us. After my wife had wearily climbed the stairs to bed, I poured myself a large Baileys on ice and plonked myself down on the settee in front of the telly. The first show that come on was a festive episode of The Royale Family. It was a jolly, uplifting show but as the camera pulled out, there was a picture of ‘Nana’, who had passed away in the previous series. Admittedly, I’d had a few glasses of red so I was feeling a little emotional anyway, but it was an old Christmas episode of Top of the Pops that followed that set me off. It wasn’t any of the songs that did it. In fact, it wasn’t anything in particular. It was the fact that this particular show happened 40 years ago. I would have been celebrating my first ever Christmas when this show was being aired. As my father passed away last year, and it was our first Christmas without him, watching this festive episode of Top of the Pops got me thinking: “I wonder what Mum and Dad were doing when this show was on for its first broadcast?” No doubt, they would have been very excited about the fact that it was their first Christmas with a child. I wondered what their Christmas tree looked like; I wondered what they did on that Christmas Eve together. I wondered if they had watched Top of the Pops like I was doing 40 years later. As Top of the Pops moved through the years, it brought back memories of Christmasses
past - the one where we all had recorders for Christmas and we drove everyone mad; the one where Dad had bought an extra large Christmas tree and trudged 3 miles home with it - only to find that it was too big for the living room and Mum made him trudge 3 miles back to get a smaller one; the one where I’d found the stash where Mum and Dad kept our Christmas presents - and couldn’t say a word when they forgot to give me my Superman annual as I would have given the game away. Mum always got us our presents from the catalogue and it was the arrival of these catalogues in September that heralded the start of the Christmas season. For me at least. It was the thought of my Lego sets that kept me going through those darkening autumn nights. Each night, I’d take the catalogue to bed and thumb my way to the same page to look at what Santa would be bringing me. Church played a big part of our childhood. My two brothers and my sister all sang in the church choir. As a result, we had to attend most, if not all of the services over the Christmas period. Christmas was truly here when the church organised its yearly tableau. It was a candlelit service and the players, dressed as the figures in the nativity, made their way to the altar to the strains of ‘O Come O Come, Emmanuel’. Incense was used by one of the men playing one of the kings. He was the church organist and if anyone anywhere was to get excited about Christmas, it would be John the organist. I still remember the fausty smell of the robes that made just the once yearly appearance. Dad played the part of Joseph once on account of his moustache. The beard that was
glued to his face was totally the wrong colour and he wasn’t too happy about having to walk barefoot throughout the church. They were good days, they were happy days. I’m sure you’ve got your own memories that you look back on with fondness. I’m not the only one to look back on Christmasses of yesteryear. One of the biggest charms about Christmas is its ‘happy golden days’ - the Christmasses we look back on with fondness. Most of these go back to when we were children ourselves. They were the magical Christmasses, the ones that we smile about when their memories nestle in our consciousness. They were the ones when everyone we loved was there. As life passes, so too do some of our loved ones. Christmasses aren’t the ones we used to know and love. In some instances, they change beyond all recognition. I think back to my parents celebrating their Christmas 40 years ago. I’m pretty sure that at the time, they too would have been looking back on their childhood Christmasses. Enjoy this Christmas. In years to come, it’ll be one to look back on.
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