WHITCHURCH AND LLANDAFF
Living
FR
EE
Issue 19
August/September 2012
Tanni Grey-Thompson: Why being in the House of Lords is like being in a new school
Llandaff Weddings: Tying the knot in North Cardiff
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
!
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news
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letters
8 15 16 19
interview
your stories
memories
weddings
25 27 28 31 pets page
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Welcome Croeso
do believe that I am the person to blame for the dismal weather we’ve had this summer. Back in May, I stupidly went and bought two sun loungers for my back garden. I also bought some burgers for the barbeque and I also bought some charcoal. Later on that evening, it rained. It rained the following day and the day after that. My burgers were eventually done under the grill and my loungers have never seen the light of day. So sorry about that. Here at Living Magazines we’ve got a lot to cheer you up with though. We spoke to Dame Tanni Grey Thompson. Olympic gold medal winner and legendary paralympian, Tanni recalls her early years at Birchgrove Primary School and her subsequent success on the world stage. We’ve also obtained some rather special photographs of our area during the 1920 and 1930s. They are special in that they are aerial photographs, taken when air travel was less common than it is now. Can you spot your house? Our readers continue to provide us with some first-class stories. You’ll find an excellent piece about the history of local dairies on Page 15 and we’ve even started a new Local Weddings page, which you’ll find on Page 19. As ever, we work hard to make sure that advertisers get a good return on their money so please support them where you can. See you in the autumn! Patric and Danielle (editors)
local issues
recipes
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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 20 Friday 7th September 2012. Issue 20 publication date - late September 2012. Whitchurch and Llandaff Living is published 5 times a year. Cover photograph and photograph of Llandaff Rowing Club by Lewis Fackrell
BOY ARRESTED ON TAFF TRAIL FOR THEFT A 15 year-old boy was recently arrested near Whitchurch Rugby Club for shed burglary
INSOLE COURT TAKES NEXT STEP TOWARDS RESTORATION The Insole Court Trust announced this month that it has secured a substantial grant of £761,724 from the Big Lottery Fund and Welsh Government’s Community Asset Transfer (CAT) programme, to put towards the £5 million restoration project of the Grade II building in Llandaff. The Community Asset Transfer money is the next step in efforts to raise £5 million for the complete restoration of the mansion house. Insole Court dates from 1856. The Trust said that the money will fund the transformation of the house’s stable block into an office space, a community activity centre, horticultural training suite, workspaces for the creative industries and social enterprises, and a new tea room. Cardiff Council has committed around £500,000 to the project, with the Trust itself hoping to raise a similar amount. The Insoles were coal owners and shippers during the three generations in which Welsh steam coal was the world’s dominant industrial resource.
news
London To Mongolia In A VW Buggy
NORTH CARDIFF MAN AND HIS FRIEND DRIVE TO MONGOLIA FOR CHARITY
A North Cardiff man and his colleague are on their way to Mongolia in a VW buggy to raise money for charity. Paul Clark and his friend Glenn Bushnell left London on the 7th July and hope to reach the ancient capital of Ulaanbaatar in about two months’ time. Paul told Living Magazines: “My friend and I acquired a desert racing VW Sandrail dune buggy and created a team called ‘Yeeeah Buggy’. We intend to drive this unrelenting machine
across 24 countries, past angry bandits, uncompromising border guards, racing through several deserts and navigating seemingly impassable mountain passes (Pamir Highway, worth a look on YouTube)! It’s all in aid of the Charity Go Help. They are helping develop the Mongolian Health service, providing an ambulance fleet and training local Mongolian people to run and work within the infrastructure.” Twitter @YeeeahBuggy
A breast-feeding group has launched in Whitchurch, offering information, support and friendship to breast-feeding mothers. ‘Latch On’ is run by volunteer peer supporters – mums who have breast-fed their own babies and undertaken an eight week course in supporting other mothers. The group has an NCT Breast-feeding Counsellor
attending each week, and has the support of local health visitors. “There is a strong social element to the group – it’s a great chance to meet other mums with similar experiences and enjoy a hot cuppa too!” says Clare, one of the peer supporters. Latch On meets at the Ararat Centre for the Community, Thursdays 1-3pm.
Local Breastfeeding Group Launched
www.latchoncardiff.btck.co.uk
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news
Historic Railway Building For Sale
Llandaff Train Station Ticket Office Put Back on Market The former railway station ticket office at Llandaff railway station has been put up for sale. The single-storey building situated on The Parade in Whitchurch was once part of the Isambard Kingdom Brunelengineered Taff Vale Railway which connected Cardiff Docks with the Rhondda Valley. The building already has planning consent for office use, and has a potential 1,740 sq ft of space inside. It is unusual due to its red-brick structure and the fact that it is built over an embankment. Offers are expected to be in the region of £120,000. The building falls within the Church Street Conservation Area although it is not classed as a listed building. Robert Chapman, director of Robert Chapman and Company, which is marketing the property, said that it was already gaining a lot of interest in the market. Mr Chapman said the current local owner bought the property at auction. They were going to turn the building into offices but in the end felt that it was surplus to requirements. “Although the planning permission is for office space, the building could be used for 4
a range of uses. I can imagine something really creative being done with the building. “It has permission for office use but it could be a music studio, cafe, restaurant – these are all just ideas. Someone could even turn it into a house – imagine how sustainable that would be.” A local conservation group made up of local councillors and local representatives from the Victorian or Civic Societies had considered the application around converting the building into a dormer when it was up for sale before. Jayne Cowan, chairwoman of The Cardiff ’s North West Conservation Group said: “The group considered the Llandaff Station application and while not offering any formal comments, discussion took place around the proposed dormer. “I would like to see the building maintained in sympathy for the benefit of the community at large.” The station was originally opened by the Taff Vale Railway in 1840. It continues to prove popular with commuters between Llandaf and Cathays, Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Central.
LIBRARY GETS ITS BOOKS IN ORDER Radyr Library has recently reopened after a seven-month refurbishment.
Funeral for Tom Maynard at Llandaff Cathedral
More than 1,000 mourners attended the funeral of Surrey cricketer Tom Maynard at Llandaff Cathedral in his home city of Cardiff earlier this month. The 23 year-old was hit by a London Underground train on 18 June. Figures from the sporting world, including his teammates from Surrey and former club Glamorgan, attended.
Llandaff resident stand up to be counted
A former Llandaff police sergeant has announced that he will run as an independent candidate in the election of a Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales. In a statement on his website, Michael Baker, 62, said there was an urgent need to restore confidence in the police service. He said: “I feel that over the years the police service has been squeezed in many respects, not only financially due to budget cuts, but because of bad press in relation to several cases. “More importantly I believe the public over the years have been left with the impression that the police are not listening to them and therefore to a large extent have ‘lost the streets’. If this situation is not addressed, there is a danger that we could lose a future generation who have no regard for the law.”
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
WHITCHURCH TENNIS CLUB CELEBRATES 100 YEARS!
letters
Dear Editors Whitchurch’s iconic library and War Memorial are testament of a community steeped in history but tucked away, landlocked between St. Francis Road and Ty’n-yPwll Road, is one of its best-kept secrets. Whitchurch Tennis Club celebrates its centenary in 2012, an incredible milestone considering its humble origins on a small rough patch of grass sandwiched between two private orchards at the back of Park Road. Originally established as Park Lawn Tennis Club (PLTC) in 1912, the club boasted three original grass courts, a marquee masqueraded as the pavilion and, because of the original committee’s links to Bethel Baptist Chapel, play was available from Monday to Saturday - so there was no Sunday service! Somehow or other the club struggled through the First World War and then during the Twenties and Thirties the Club prospered with the increasing popularity of all outdoor games and increased leisure time. Great Britain’s dominance of the Davis Cup in the 1930s under the leadership of the legendary Fred Perry further promoted the club’s cause; membership was up and so were the lady members’ hem-lines ! PLTC was not alone in flying the flag for tennis participation in Whitchurch; there were other well-established clubs in the community - Greenclose, Llandaf, the Civil Service courts behind the Fox & Hounds, St. Mary’s, the YMCA tennis courts
and the strong and fashionable Whitchurch Lawn Tennis Club at St. Francis Road. However, the outbreak of World War II and the following years saw the demise of many of these local clubs. Yet, owing to the dedication and spirit of just 7 or 8 regular players, PLTC continued to operate. Not even a German land mine, which landed just thirty yards from the club pavilion causing severe damage in 1941, could interrupt play. After the war, just as membership was gradually returning to prewar levels, the club’s landlord died and without the financial clout to buy the land itself, the club was to be replaced by a small market garden. So, the Germans could not put an end to PLTC, but the swedes could ! However, with Whitchurch LTC now defunct, a deal was struck which allowed PLTC to relocate to the St. Francis Road site. As one of the current landlords, Christine Synan says. “We are so proud of our family’s association with the club which began in 1946 when the then Park Lawn Tennis club, based in Park Road, was forced to move to St Francis Road site. My grandfather, Walter Hughes, had been ahead of his time in effectively ensuring a community green space as part of the wider housing he developed in
St Francis Rd. He himself became an active member of the club, latterly becoming President, and my father, Neville, followed in his footsteps. I remember him joining my mother as a part of the club’s successful table tennis team. “During the 1964 season the club replaced one grass court with its first hard court and immediately reaped the benefits of a playing surface more suited to the typically unpredictable British weather, so much so, that two more grass courts were replaced by the early 1970s. 1991 saw the beginning of a phase of development which established the club facilities very much as they remain today. Construction of a new clubhouse began and opened in June 1992 with the three remaining grass courts being replaced with three new hard courts with floodlights. The tennis club itself also ran its own table tennis and darts sections and it was no coincidence that during the 1990s membership levels peaked. New members are always welcome and anyone interested should contact: enquiries@ whitchurchtennis club.co.uk. ROB HOLT WHITCHURCH TENNIS CLUB WHITCHURCH
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interview
A Dame and a Lady DAME TANNI-GREY THOMPSON IS A LEGENRDARY NAME IN THE WORLD OF SPORT. CHRISTENED CARYS DAVINA GREY, HER SISTER REFERRED TO HER AS “TINY” WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HER, PRONOUNCING IT “TANNI” AND THE NAME STUCK. DAME TANNI TALKS TO LIVING MAGAZINES ABOUT HER CHILDHOOD, HER SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND HER NEW ROLE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS AS A LIFE PEER.
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t is perhaps fitting that the Cardiff girl who overcame physical challenges is now leading the way for today’s generation of sports people. Considered to be one of the most successful disabled athletes in the UK, Dame Tanni GreyThompson’s career has taken her all over the world, earning the respect. Born in Cardiff, Tanni lived in Heath, just around the corner from the hospital where her father worked. From the age of seven, Tanni had to wear callipers and use a wheelchair. “I attended Birchgrove Primary and then St Cyres comprehensive school – my best memories are of 8
St Cyres and the friends I made there. It didn’t matter that I used a wheelchair, everyone helped me get around, I didn’t feel any different to the other girls in my year, we all used to go into town on a Saturday for Peters Pies.” Tanni’s teachers remembered Tanni as a girl who was determined to push herself to the limit, and it wasn’t long before Tanni became an accomplished all rounder at sports, enjoying swimming, archery and horse riding. Even so, Tanni still had other obstacles to overcome: “Other people’s bias was a problem back then. It still can be. I still get occasions when people
in shops will ignore me and speak to the person behind me, or ask someone with me “What would she like?’ Nowadays I tend to tweet when I’ve had bad service, probably out of frustration and with a view to warning other disabled people
what they might expect if they visit certain shops, restaurants etc. I do feel that attitudes are changing but we still have a long way to go.” It was in Seoul in 1988, that Tanni first represented Great Britain and won her first Paralympic medal, the 400m bronze. Spinal surgery forced Tanni to take a year away from the track but at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics, she stormed to victory taking four gold medals in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres and a silver in the 4x100m relay. The same year, she won her first of six London Wheelchair Marathons. Tanni won the 800 metres gold in the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics along with three silver medals in the 100, 200 and 400 metres. At the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, a 31 year old Tanni returned with a vengeance, striking gold a fabulous four times in the 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres. In Athens 2004, aged 35, she then took first place in the 100 and 400 metres bringing her Paralympic gold medal tally to an astonishing eleven. Her total Paralympic Medal tally is 11 gold, 4 silvers and 1 bronze. “Looking back, the most satisfying aspect of it all was that all the hard work and the training each day was worth it. I have had a great career, met some wonderful people and visited some amazing places, but without all the hard work, dragging myself out of bed on freezing cold mornings to go training, none of it would have happened. I always say to young people starting out, pick a sport that you enjoy, then the training is easier. I always enjoyed my sport.” Since her retirement, Tanni has continued to be involved in sport. She is a director of UK Athletics and a member of the board of the London Marathon. In 2008 Tanni was appointed as
interview
a member of Transport for London, where she chairs the Environment, Corporate and Planning Panel, and is a member of the Surface Transport and Safety, Health and Environment Assurance Panels. In 2010 Tanni was appointed to the House of Lords, where she serves as a non party political crossbench peer. Tanni took the title Baroness Grey-Thompson of Eaglescliffe in the County of Durham. Tanni is a working peer and hopes to use her experience and knowledge to great effect in debates in the House. She has most recently contributed in the Welfare Reform and Legal Aid Bill “My role in the House of Lords is like being at a new school. There are rules and conventions and I am very wary of overstepping the mark. I have been really busy in the last few months examining the Government’s welfare reforms – I feel that my role has been to examine the legislation to try and make sure that it is fair, I’m not sure that we have got there yet.” So what are Tanni’s hopes for this year’s British Olympians and Paralympians? “I think we can see from the reaction to the torch relay that the British people are going to
be enthusiastic about the Games and our athletes. It’s going to be a wonderful experience for everyone competing from the home nations and will, I hope, encourage them to amazing performances.” Dame Tanni still fights the corner for disabled sport. Back in May, she used her considerable clout to back a scheme to tackle the opportunity gap that sees just one in six disabled adults playing sport regularly. Currently 17.6% of disabled people play sport at least once a week, up from 15.1 per cent in 2005/6 when the successful Olympic bid. Challenges still face disabled people wanting to take part in sport. Tanni told the press: “I am delighted that this new allocation of funding is available and is specifically targeted at improving access to grassroots sport to more disabled people. I am confident that this will encourage people who don’t come from a traditional sporting background to participate.” The girl from Cardiff who led the way for many years is now leading the way for others. Twitter: Tanni_GT
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Head three miles north from Cardiff City Centre and you’ll arrive at Whitchurch, possibly one of Cardiff ’s most well-rounded suburbs. Whitchurch draws its name from White Church. The first mention of the area was in 1126 when the land was granted to Llandaff Cathedral and a chapel was built where Old Church Road now stands. It remained a dependency of the cathedral until 1845 when it became a separate parish. With the expansion of Cardiff in the 20th century, Whitchurch is now linked directly to its neighbouring suburbs. Residents, old and new, still refer to is as ‘The Village’. Modern Whitchurch contains a number of schools, a busy shopping centre, Whitchurch Library, Whitchurch Hospital, a psychiatric hospital originally built in the Edwardian era. In addition, adjacent to Whitchurch Hospital is Velindre Hospital, a major cancer hospital in Wales. Whitchurch High School is the largest school in Wales. Only last year, Prime Minister David Cameron personally commended Whitchurch High School on its high output of sporting superstars - Sam Warburton and Gareth Bale to name a few!
HERN & CRABTREE IN THE VILLAGE Hern & Crabtree are Cardiff ’s longest established residential estate agent, selling property throughout the principality for more than 160 years. They take pride on their reputation and service. Things change constantly in the property market. Whether you are buying, selling or letting, with their local knowledge, Hern & Crabtree can help and advise you about what is currently happening in North Cardiff. And the good news for the people of Whitchurch is that Hern & Crabtree will be opening another branch in Merthyr Road this August!
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W
ith the Queens Diamond Jubilee having recently passed, it starts to make you think “60 years - wow a lot can happen in 60 years!” Being a local from the Whitchurch area, I started to think about other institutions that had been part of our communities for 60 years…..or more? Milk… the dairy farms….the dairies… the milk bottles…and the part the local milkman has played in the local areas for 60 years. Or in some cases a lot longer! Who would of thought the Whitchurch, Rhiwbina and Llandaff areas at various points over the last eight decades being quite a hive of farmers, dairymen and milkman alike with over 30 dairies operating at different times? Being from Whitchurch I have fond and familiar memories of Poyners Dairy who operated sites both at Forland Road and on the Philog for well over 60 years with a familiar site being Mr Poyner’s little yellow floats carrying out deliveries around Whitchurch village and surrounding areas. Who can remember the local milkman from the local dairy bringing fresh milk and various other products direct to your door? (yes it was the dairy and the milkman who started it!). This is now a rare tradition that sadly is becoming a distant memory - especially your daily pint a in the familiar glass milk bottle. Or is it? I started collecting
milk bottles nearly 30 years ago when helping my father was on the round. It started with two or three and nearly 11,000 later it has become quite a hobby not just for the bottles but for the social history side of collecting. However unlike stamp collecting, space is a constant restraint so although I have bottles dating back to 1900 from all over the country, I have a particular fondness to the local dairies of Whitchurch, Rhiwbina, Llandaff and Cardiff area in general. There have been some interesting designs used over the years and much of the fun of collecting milk bottles, for me, is hunting out these rarities from the majority which most would regard as plain and uninteresting. The fifties were an interesting time here when, following the war and rationing, a number of dairies put bright and colourful slogans on their bottles in two or three colours generally promoting such products as eggs, cream and butter available from the roundsman. Again, I see this as having reflected the social scene at the time when the country as a whole was trying to liven and brighten life up following the gloomy years of the war and before. A renaissance of bright and colourful milk bottles occurred through the eighties when advertising appeared on the side of bottles. This also started a collecting fad at the time. It started with advertisements for products for which milk would be used such as drinking chocolate and corn flakes but was later to include a whole manner of products and services, anything from horoscope telephone lines to cars. The introduction of infra-red bottles scanners in the early nineties, to check the cleanliness of cleaned bottles, saw the painted bottles disappear almost as suddenly as they appeared. A small number of smaller sized dairies still use colourful bottles to this day, but it may only be a matter of time before the use of glass milk bottles are confined to the history books. Amongst the most favourite of my
If you have any stories or details that are related, contact Marc at Marc.Ling@dairycrest.co.uk
by Marc Ling
local bottles are from Poyner’s and England’s Dairies advertising butter and local farm eggs as shown above. I should also mention that for a number of years my family have been involved in the milk trade with my grandfather completing 40 years in August 1977, another very memorable and important year for the Queen… Silver Jubilee ! My grandfather was the Dairy Manager for Cambrian United Diaries who operated the dairy “Meadowland” that is now the car park of the old cross inn pub at the Gabalfa flyover (photos greatly appreciated). Both my father and myself are still involved in the milk trade and continue to enjoy the business and the challenges that come with the modern dairy trade, and still have fond memories of the local dairies gone by…
Poyners Dairy,Whitchurch Berthlwyd Dairy; Williams Dairy The Philog; Price’s Dairy118 Manor Way; Price’s Dairy 5 Ash Grove; Harris’s Dairy 150 Pant Bach Road; Roberts Dairy Glan y Nant Farm; Bowers Dairy Troaks Dairy 9 Westbourne Road; Caskers Dairy 20 Park Road; Jack Davies 18 Barrington Road; Legg’s Dairy 151 Pant Bach Road; Stones Glan Dale Farm Llanishen; Idris Britton 14 Kyle Avenue; Bill Roberts Whitchurch; Ashdowns Dairy Cardiff; Wrides Dairy Deri Farm; Bassetts Rhiwbina Farm; Whites Dairy Tyn Y Wern Avenue; Fred Harris – Pen y Groes; Ely Farm Llandaff; Englands Dairy Lisvane & Birchgrove; Pentone Dairy Birchgrove; Richards Rhydhelig Avenue; Sage Tyn y Coed Dairy Rhiwbina
Local Dairies of yesteryear
LLANDAFF AND WHITCHURCH FROM THE AIR 1926-1932
Llandaff Cathedral 1930
The Cathedral Church of SS Peter & Paul, Dyfrig, Teilo and Euddogwy is the mother church of the Diocese of Llandaff and is the seat of the Bishop of Llandaff. The Diocese, one of the six dioceses comprising the Province of The Church in Wales, covers the general area of South Wales bounded by Cardiff in the South East to Neath in the South West, the Heads of the Valleys to the North and Rhymney Valley to the East . The Cathedral lies close to the bank of the River Taff in the ancient “City of Llandaff ” much of which is now a conservation area. Despite being surrounded on all sides by the bustling modern city of Cardiff, the Llandaff conservation area remains comparatively unspoilt and surprisingly tranquil.
Llandaf railway station is located in Llandaff North. It serves the areas of Llandaff North and Whitchurch. The station was opened by the Taff Vale Railway in 1840. The station continues to prove popular with commuters between Llandaf and Cathays, Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Central. The train journey time from this station to the city centre is around 7 minutes. Due to the closure of the rail links during the early 1900s, travelling to and from the nearest alternative station Coryton, takes a very long 45 minutes.
Llandaff Railway Station 1930 Llandaff North is quite a small and quiet residential area which is served by a number of village shops. The southern boundary of Llandaff North is formed by the River Taff which also separates Llandaff North from Llandaff. These two areas are linked by a road bridge which spans this river, where Llandaff Rowing Club is located, and which also provides a view of Llandaff Cathedral. The Welsh name, Ystum Taf, means “bend in the River Taff ”. Llandaff North, along with Llandaff, was incorporated into Cardiff in 1922.
Llandaff North 1930 16
Llandaff North 1930
Llandaff North, with St Mary’s Church in the distance. It was not until 1492 that a positive reference to a church in Whitchurch occurs, when an account of Matthew Deio ‘prevost of Whytchurche’ refers to a plot of land taken from the lord’s waste on the North side of the church. Here, undoubtedly, is an ecclesiastical building on the site of what is now the old churchyard in Old Church Road. Half a century later (1547) one Morgan ap David ap Jevan goch of Whitchurch, yeoman, conveyed to his brother Howell a house called Ty Du with gardens is invariably associated with Tyn-y-Pwll and there can be little doubt that the 1547 document refers to a road leading from Tyn-y-Pwll towards the chapel at Whitchurch, a chapel standing on the Old Church Road site and dedicated to St. Dionisus.
Whitchurch draws its name from White Church. The first mention of the area was in 1126 when the land was granted to Llandaff Cathedral and a chapel was built where Old Church Road now stands. It remained a dependency of the cathedral until 1845 when it became a separate parish. After much resistance to the Norman conquest of England, the area succumbed to the Normans in 1266 who created the manor of Whitchurch which included Llandaff North and Rhiwbina, and who built Castell Coch to protect the approach to Cardiff in Tongwynlais. The castle became a ruin by the 16th century, possibly attacked by Owain Glyndŵr.
Merthyr Road, Whitchurch 1932
Whitchurch Hospital 1926
The Cardiff City Asylum opened on the 15th April 1908. The first medical superintendent was Dr Edwin Goodhall, whose then advanced approaches and therapies resulted in the hospital acquiring a reputation at the forefront of mental health care. During World War One, the facility was called the Welsh Metropolitan War Hospital. During World War Two, part of the hospital was turned over to the military, becoming the largest emergency service hospital in South Wales, treating British, US Army and German personnel. 200 beds were retained for civilian use, which enabled early treatment of post traumatic stress disorder of military patients. Whitchurch Hospital now faces an uncertain future.
Photographs reproduced with kind permission © Crown copyright: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales © Hawlfraint y Goron: Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru. More photographs can be viewed at www. http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk
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LLandaff Weddings
The Couple: AimĂŠe Louise Holbrook and Robin Alan Caunce The Venue: Llandaff Cathedral Date: Saturday 12th May
Photography by Si Morgan 07590064000 www.fridaywed.com
GardenVillageGarage.co.uk and just selecting one of the Live Web Cam options! The car is then returned cleaned later in the day.
Service, Service, Service....It’s on the Menu! Since its inception, The Garden Village Garage located on the Rhiwbina High Street at 1A Heol Y Deri has developed itself a healthy reputation for customer delight. Twinned with the Nantgarw Garage, itself an award winning service centre as independently audited via the Good Garage Scheme, the Garden Village Garage offers a bespoke collection and delivery service with on line viewing access right into its workshop. Proprietors Heather and Matthew are delighted at the way this forward thinking and innovative idea has been received and supported by the locals of Rhiwbina with well over two hundred and fifty jobs already completed. Now they want to extend and roll out an invitation to both Whitchurch and Llandaff residents. The office at Heol Y Deri offers a warm and friendly welcome. A focus on the female motorist has been welcomed by the local residents of Rhiwbina and the surrounding CF14 post codes. The environment is different and not intimidating like most other facilities, they understand the female motorist and manage expectations accordingly. They are not only for the female motorists obviously however the female friendly team will handle all enquiries in the appropriate manner. Offering award winning servicing, MOT testing and all other main dealer facilities, the Garden Village Garage is open to welcome you and all your motoring requirements. The collection and deliver service is a free one and operates from 6.30am and is available from either home or workplace. The guest can view their car’s progress throughout the day by logging onto the webiste at www.
Finding service in any industry is sometimes very difficult so, to find great service is even tougher. Matthew said: “Service is at the heart of everything we do. We continually review all customer feed back to help shape and improve our service, any potential new client will be encouraged to check us out before they visit.” Across the page are a number of recent testimonials along with our most recent service menu. There are many others that can be viewed together with more information on what we do at www.GardenVillageGarage.co.uk. Don’t forget we always collect and deliver with a clean car on return and you can view progress on line any time you want!
V p s b w m t R O
W ga fu th T
fa
S H R
Finally do you drive a September registered car? This year sees the first 59 registration plated vehicles needing their first Mot test. So if you drive a 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 or 59 car call us we have a number of slots available for just £40 including free collection and delivery, clean car on return and transparent on line viewing access. Heather the proprietor said “We operate transparently, so put everything on show, we are returning a quality service back onto the high street. If you already have a great service provider then stick with them. However, if you are dissatisfied and don’t feel valued then give us a try? Our number is a free phone one so we will even pay for the call!!!”
1A Heol Y Deri, Rhiwbina, CF14 6HA 0333 121 2012 (call for free) www.GardenVillageGarage.co.uk
As a woman. I have total confidence that they are not trying to ‘rip me off’. Leanne James, Heol Hendre, Rhiwbina
Very prompt, polite helpful service. I shall be back in a few weeks to MOT my second car, thanks. Richard Smith, Oakhill Park Will be using this garage in the future for any work that needs doing. They were really fantastic. Stephanie Williams, Hazel Tree Close, Radyr
The best service I have ever had from any garage! Matthew and Lloyd really look after you and your car. Steven Smith, Heritage Close, Llantarnam
Excellent
service from dedicatedthroughout technical staff. They have taken the worry over servicing and arranging MOTs off of our shoulders. Well done. Margaret Jones, Llwyn Bryn Melyn, Rhiwbina The collection from home was really useful, as the MOT was due but I was unable to drive temporarily. Kenneth Morgan, Heol Llanishen Fach, Rhiwbina
I had an MOT done which I was very pleased with, they carried out the inspection very thoroughly which I watched. Car was then washed and cleaned. Henry Wramba, Gron Fforydd, Rhiwbina
I was really pleased when I received my car back after having its MOT. It had been washed and the interior had been cleaned and an air freshener was provided. I have been driving for over 25 years and have had numerous MOTs, but this was the first one where the service exceeded my expectations. Thank you. I will definitely use you again and recommend you to others. Avril Warlow, Oxford Street, Nantgarw
Great
marketing and presentation. Steve Harrison Maes-Brith Y Garn, Pontprennau
Great service -
plus, the pick up and drop off service is an excellent idea. Sian Shultz Inverness Place, Cardiff
Service Menu • FREE COLLECTION • FREE DELIVERY • FREE CAR CLEAN • FREE ONLINE VIEWING ACCESS • AWARD WINNING SERVICE • FOUR SERVICE PLANS
Bronze Service
£125
• Home or Work Place Collection • Road Test To Garage • New Oil • Replacement Oil Filter & Sump Plug Washer • Industry Standard Service • Comprehensive Tyre Report • Complete Brake Check* • Engine Flush • Battery Check • Under Bonnet Inspection • All Fluids Topped Up • Road Test On Completion • Mini Valet (*Includes removal of all road wheels)
Upgrade To Silver Service
£50
In Addition To Bronze: • Air Filter Replacement • Comprehensive Emission Control Service • Hand Wash/Wax & Vacuum
Upgrade To Gold Service In Addition To Silver: • Fuel Filter Replacement • Pollen Filter Replacement • Complete Diagnostic Check • All Car Glass Cleaned Inside and Out
£100
Mix & Fix Service Why not just ask us to check the things you can’t? Choose from the list below and just let us do the rest!!! • Brake Fluid • Tyre Report • Braking System Inspection • Exhaust Emissions • Under Bonnet Fluids • Power Steering System • Battery/Alternator Inspection
(Mix & Fix Service includes new oil & filter,
Is your car under warranty? Don’t worry we can help!! £80
£5 £10 £35 £10 £10 £10 £5
sump plug washer, engine flush, emission control service, collection/delivery & hand wash & vacuum)
Additional Services • Brake Fluid Change • Mot Testing • Wheel Alignment • Car Valeting • Smart Repairs • Diagnostic Reporting • Replacement Brakes • Emission Control Service • Tyres and Wheel Balancing • Engine Flush • Exhausts Systems & Catalyses (*Price on application)
(All prices exclude VAT at the current rate)
£39.95 £POA* £64.95 from £30 £POA* from £50 £POA* £25 £POA* £25 £POA*
(Supplements may apply to certain engine types/oils) Registered Member
The Heart Beat Walk
Sunday 30th September 2012
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Quality independent eyecare in the heart of Rhiwbina village 3a Beulah Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6LT Fully Qualified ● Fully Insured ● Free Quotations
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Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial contracts undertaken ü ü ü ü ü ü
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● Quality Greetings Cards ● Demdaco Willow Tree ● me-to-you Tatty Teddy ● Terramundi Money Pots ● Balloons for all occasions Open 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat 13 Heol-y-Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff 02920 522424
petspage
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.
Can cats get arthritis? My six year old Shorthair seems to be jumping and moving less over the last years or so and I’m worried that he’s hiding something.
You’re a very observant owner! Many cats do suffer with arthritis as they get older, and the signs are often missed. They rarely limp and only appear stiff when things have got really bad. The main symptoms are exactly as you describe - a reduction in activity which minimises the cat’s discomfort. Lots of elderly cats seem to prefer to sit on the windowsill and watch the garden, rather than being out there in it. Often this is because it hurts to move about, so they stay put. Other signs might be coming downstairs carefully, caution using a cat flap, stopping using a litter tray (especially if it is quite deep, as many are, to stop the litter being scattered), or not jumping up very well. Fortunately, there are now some very effective antiinflammatories for cats, and I’m sure your vet will be able to help your cat. However, he is quite young to be suffering from arthritis, which is usually the result of wear and tear over the years, so your vet may need to take some x-rays to confirm the diagnosis. Please DO NOT be tempted to give your cat aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen from your own medicine cupboard they could easily kill him!
We have two cats who use a cat flap. Some mornings bring a sad little toll of furry bodies. Given the predatory nature of cats, should we keep them in at night?
No matter how gentle and ‘domestic’ your cat is, he will almost always still have that ruthless hunter instinct in him, and it is very upsetting to see the results deposited in your home. The catch and kill behaviour is completely independent of need, as most domestic cats
are so well-fed (even over fed!) that they have no need to consume their catch. Cats often bring home their prey, both alive and dead. This may be because they instinctively prefer to eat in the safety of the den, where they are unlikely to be disturbed. Sometimes dead prey are deposited in a particular place, perhaps near the door, which is interpreted as being a gift for you, the head of the family. Most of the small animals which are prey for the cat are nocturnal, so most hunting is done at night. By shutting the cat-flap, you will reduce the toll on the wildlife. It seems that most cat fights and road traffic accidents happen at night, so keeping the cats in at night will also reduce the risk of them being injured. On the other hand, by preventing them from going out and fulfilling a natural instinct, you may put them under a great deal of frustrated stress. You have to decide!
Chris’s Seasonal Tip: Barbeques We always see lots of dogs with upset stomachs during the barbeque season. I think this is due partly to them scavenging dropped food, but mainly to owners (and their guests) overindulging the pets in the relaxed party atmosphere. Barbeque food is often quite spicy and not what the dog is used to, and unfortunately is not always well cooked! So think before you treat! Of course it goes without saying that you should NEVER give the chop bones to the dog - these are the ones which get stuck in the throat and cause very serious problems. Please think carefully!
Pets Page is sponsored by Heath Vets 02920 621511
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Millennium Blinds Millennium Blinds Wales has now moved to Whitchurch!
“We welcome new and past customers alike. Look out for opening offers. We look forward to seeing you” Brent & Martin
70 Merthyr Rd Whitchurch Cardiff Tel 02920 621111
Blas DEWCH I YMUNO Â NI AR PIAZZA AWYR AGORED NEWYDD BAR FFRESH
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Bwydlen newydd y Bar (£2-£9.50) Cerddoriaeth acwstig byw am ddim nos Wener gyntaf bob mis 3 Awst Lowri Evans, 8pm
New Bar food menu (£2-£9.50) Free live acoustic music first Friday each month 3 Aug Lowri Evans, 8pm
Bwyty ffresh, 8 Awst am 8pm Bwyd a cherddoriaeth ar noson o haf gydag aelodau o Gorws Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. I archebu ffoniwch 029 2063 6465.
ffresh Restaurant, 8 Aug at 8pm Music on a summer evening performed by members of the Chorus of Welsh National Opera To book call 029 2063 6465.
“A LOVELY PLACE… CRACKING VALUE” The Guardian I gadw bwrdd, cysylltwch ar 029 2063 6465 neu ffresh@wmc.org.uk
Contact 029 2063 6465 or ffresh@wmc.org.uk to book a table
Neighbourhood Watch
Digwyddiadau’r haf Summer events
ffresh.org.uk
of our new information leaflets. These are currently making their way to public buildings and to the hands of PCSOs and police stations all over the city. The leaflets were designed by us to outline what the organisation does and most importantly what’s involved in setting up a new Neighbourhood Watch group.
with Matthew Lock
Neighbourhood Watch in Cardiff continues to grow city-wide. Recently we helped celebrate National Neighbourhood Watch Week, a special one this year as it was 30 years that Neighbourhood Watch has been running in the UK. As well as having stands at various events and festivals, we also attended three Community Fundays at Pontprennau, Pentwyn and Llanishen. These were organised by South Wales Police and were all very well attended by all ages of the public. We have just taken delivery
During National NHW Week, we launched a number of new groups such as Hawthorn Road West and Radyr Road in Llandaf North, Hind Close in Tremorfa, Finchley Road in Fairwater and two more in Rhiwbina as well. Shed burglaries and thefts from cars are still common at the
moment so please do make sure your car doors are locked even if it’s just left for a few minutes and taking the time to install a cheap lock on a shed door is probably going to make any unwelcome visitors look elsewhere. Your local PCSO can offer more advice on this. As always you can find more information on our website: www.cardiffnhw.org.uk or keep update with us on Twitter (@ cardiffnhw) and Facebook also. We have our meetings at the All Nations Centre (just off Whitchurch Road) which is a lovely venue and we always welcome our members and co-ordinators. Details of our meetings are posted on the Community Message Service operated by South Wales Police. You can ask any of us or any Police officer to join this service or even do it online via ourbobby. com or our own website. Matthew Lock 27
late summer barby
than 1cm. Grill the burgers under the preheated grill or BBQ for 3-4 minutes on each side until nicely browned, but still just a touch pink in the centre. 4. Split open the buns and place a burger on the base of each. Top with a slice of cheese and a squirt of ketchup or mayonnaise. Serve with salad.
PINEAPPLE EXPLOSION
CHILLI AND CHEESE BURGER
Ingredients 2 red chillies, seeds removed, roughly chopped 1 large handfuls flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped 2 slices white bread, crusts removed 1 egg, lightly beaten 750 g minced beef 2 pickled dill cucumber, finely chopped, or 2 tbsp chopped gherkins 6 seeded burger buns To serve 125 g British Blue cheese, or 6 slices cheddar cheese, crumbled tomato ketchup, or mayonnaise 1 large handfuls mixed salad Method 1. Place the chillies and parsley into a food processor and tear in the white bread. Blend to the consistency of breadcrumbs; then transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Preheat the grill to hot. 2. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the egg, beef, pickled dill cucumbers (or gherkins) and plenty of salt and freshly ground black pepper - you may need to use your hands if you find the mixture difficult to stir. 3. Using your hands, shape the mixture into 6 even-sized burgers with a thickness of no more 28
Ingredients 350ml of pineapple juice 100g of pineapple chunks 1 large peeled and chopped carrot into a blender Method Place in blender for 30 seconds and serve with ice, a straw and a smile! Non-alcoholic!
HONEY POTATO SIDES Ingredients 700g small new potatoes 3 tbsp clear honey 40g butter 2 tsp Dijon mustard Juice of ½ lime To garnish: 1 tbsp chopped coriander
Method 1. Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add potatoes, bring back to the boil, then simmer gently for 12-15 minutes or until just tender. 2. Do not peel potatoes, simply rub any flaky skin gently from the surface. Always put potaoes straight into boiling water to seal in the flavour. 3. Meanwhile, heat together the honey, butter and mustard in a small saucepan, stirring until well blended. Add lime juice. 4. Drain cooked potatoes. Pour honey glaze over and gently toss potatoes in the saucepan until evenly coated. Serve hot or warm, garnished with chopped coriander.
ORANGE SPLASH Ingredients 50ml Absolut Citron vodka 25 ml Cointreau or triple sec 1 splash fresh lime juice 1 splash orange juice Sugar, for garnish Orange slice, for garnish Method Pour all ingredients over ice in a shaker or large glass and shake vigorously. Rim a glass with sugar and serve on the rocks. Garnish with an orange slice.
CARROT AND SESAME BURGERS
Ingredients 750g carrots , peeled and grated 410g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 small onion, roughly chopped 2 tbsp tahini paste, plus 1 tsp to serve 1 tsp ground cumin 1 egg 3 tbsp olive oil 100g wholemeal breadcrumbs zest of 1 lemon, plus 1 tsp juice 150ml pot natural yogurt 6 buns, rocket leaves, sliced red onion, sliced avocado and chilli sauce, to serve 3 tbsp sesame seeds Method 1. Put a third of the grated carrot in a food processor with the chickpeas, onion, 2 tbsp tahini, cumin and egg. Whizz to a thick paste, then scrape into a large bowl. 2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in your largest frying pan, tip in the remaining carrot and cook for 8-10 mins, stirring until the carrot is softened - it will become more golden as it is cooked. Add this cooked carrot to the whizzed paste with the breadcrumbs, lemon zest and sesame seeds. Add seasoning, then mix together well with your hands. 3. Divide the mixture into 6, then using wet hands shape into burgers. Cover and chill until serving. Mix the yogurt with the remaining tahini and lemon juice, then chill. 4. Fire up the barbecue, or heat a non-stick frying pan and brush the burgers with the remaining oil. 5. Cook the burgers for 5 mins on each side, until golden and crisp. Meanwhile warm or toast the buns (or sit them on the barbecue alongside the burgers). 6. When the burgers are ready, spread each bun with some of the lemony sesame yogurt, add the avocado, top with the burger, onion and rocket. Finish with a drizzle of chilli sauce. 29
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deal a f l e s r u o y b Gra 20% Off complementary and sports therapy City Marshall is located in the heart of Queen Street in Cardiff. It is an oasis of tranquillity and a place to seek out therapeutic massage and many other treatments. They have been voted as the Best Therapeutic Massage practice in Wales by Wahanda.com and the Best Complementary Therapy practice in the UK by FreeIndex.co.uk – reading their many reviews on line certainly shows why. They specialise in tailor making each and every treatment session to suit individual needs and stress levels. Treatments range from Shiatsu Acupressure, Reflexology, Sports Therapy to Aromatherapy, Hot Stones massage, Reiki, Crystal Therapy, Hopi Candling and many more! Whichever treatment you opt for, you can be assured of a wealth of therapeutic knowledge and 14 years of professional excellence. Moreover, each client benefits from free access to their spa, sauna and steam rooms as well as use of the gym facilities. Philip Marshall Complementary, Health Practitioner said: “There is a large body of clinical evidence to support the use of Shiatsu massage for many and varied ailments and muscular problems. These range from Fibromyalgia, RSI and Angina to easing Chemotherapy side effects and inducing labour.” To get your generous 20% DISCOUNT, quote Living Magazines when booking a treatment. T: 07502 104 339 (call or text) E: info@citymarshall.co.uk W: www.citymarshall.co.uk A:First Floor of Vitality Health Club 8-16 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3DN twitter: @citymarshall 30
Fundraising Tuesdays at VKB... Hold your fundraising event in the VKB lounge for up to 50 people Let us help you raise money for your chosen cause Call Debs on 029 2062 4000 Both quizzes start at 8.30 pm General Knowledge Quiz is held upstairs. 25 Merthyr Road, Whitchurch | 029 2062 4000 www.facebook.com/TheVillageKitchenandBar | debs@vkbcardiff.co.uk
PATRIC MORGAN
A4 PAPER, ELASTIC BANDS AND PAPER CLIPS
how the workers work
Many years ago, before I started writing magazines, I used to work in a lot of sales jobs. They weren’t particularly exciting or stimulating. In fact, some of my previous jobs drew the very soul out of me. For the best part of a decade, I sat chained to my desk in various call centres. I was never any good at making cold calls to anyone so God knows why I continued to apply for jobs that involved doing just this. So to pass the time of day, and to distract ourselves from the job we were supposed to be doing (despite the Team Leaders telling us how important our jobs were, they weren’t really), we’d invent games to pass the time of day. At first, these were pretty simple games. Games such as ‘Teeth’, where a piece of A4 paper was folded to make a long stiff piece of ‘rope’ that we’d stick in our mouths and have a tug-of-war over. What we weren’t counting on was the girl with the fibreglass jaw (she’d fractured it falling off a balcony) who could literally lock her jaw and rip the paper, and some of our teeth out of our heads. There was also the game called ‘Paper’. Another piece of A4 was pulled from the printer and placed on the desk so that the middle of the paper lined up exactly with the thin gap between desks. Then it was a case of another tug-of-war type game but this time just using your fingers. Then, when the paper had run out, it was a game of ‘Who-can-make-your-face-gothe-reddest?’
Our imagination didn’t end there. Next was the ‘Whocan-fling-an-elastic-band the furthest?’ game. In very much the same as technology develops during a time of warfare, so too was the development of the longrange elastic band. Participants of the game were first to latch on to the fact that thicker bands were a lot more powerful. So much so that we had to start opening the windows and launching them out into the real world. I think it was Clive, the man who took his elastic-bandflinging very seriously, who first had the brainwave of attaching a paper clip to the band, to give it weight and to help it fly further. Clive also devised a new launch pad (a 12 inch ruler) and the mightiest of all missiles - the jumbo elastic band with a jumbo paperclip on it. It wasn’t long before elastic bands were clearing 50 yards or so across the road outside our office. Things reached fever pitch when Dennis (the office mail man) dropped off a load of super-jumbo elastic bands. Clive was quick to acquire a stash of these but it was yours truly who claimed to send an elastic band the furthest when mine landed on a truck that was bound for Holland. Eventually, the elastic bands were becoming too large to fire effectively and the novelty soon wore off. In its place came ‘Guess-who’sgoing-to-pick-up-the-cup-ofwater-from-the-water-coolerwith-the-hole-in-the-cup?’ game. This game required some preplanning by a scout who
would visit the water cooler, take a cup of water and an additional cup. A small pin hole would be made in the second cup, which would then be put back into the pile of cups on the machine. Bets were then placed as to who was the most likely person to go up and pour themselves a cup of water. Hilarity would ensue whether a bet was won or not. Office workers with wet fronts were the cause of much laughter. There was even the case of Justin, who headed back to his desk with his cup, where it took 15 minutes to discharge its load and 15 minutes before Justin had realised that his desk was in fact flooded. The big game of the week was ‘Rename That Tune’, played on Friday afternoons. A specific topic for the day was announced by a selected person. That topic could be for instance curry, and then everyone would take it in turns to rename songs with a curry in the title (‘Please Reheat Me’ was a personal favourite of mine.) You see we did take our work very seriously indeed. In fact, if someone had been paying for us to come up with ideas for games, we would have worked a lot harder and earned a lot more. 31
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