WHITCHURCH AND LLANDAFF
Living
At the heart of the community
FR EE
Issue 11 Dec’10/Jan ‘11
WHAT’S INSIDE
History: Llandaff Cathedral Out and About: Radyr
Your Whitchurch and Llandaff More Memories of Melingriffith Schools’ News Pets’ Page
Short Story: The Christmas Eve Visitor
Christmas Recipes Local News
Shoppers hustle and bustle around the villages as we start to prepare our homes for this magical season. Logs are put on fires, and tempting feasts are created in the kitchens. Whitchurch and Llandaff Living wishes you all a very Happy Christmas.
Welcome 3, 4 News The latest news from the area 5
7
10
15 16 20 25
26
29
31
Letters Letters to the Editors Schools’ News
Your Whitchurch and Llandaff Penned by Living Magazine readers More Memories of Melingriffith by Les Gibbon
History Llandaff Cathedral
Out and About Radyr and Morganstown
Pets’ Page Local vet Chris Troughton answers your pet questions Short Story The Christmas Eve Visitor by M. Beasley
Christmas Recipes
Welcome Croeso
Welcome to your Winter Issue of Whitchurch and Llandaff Living - the official magazine for Whitchurch, Llandaff and Llandaff North. Winter has most certainly arrived and already the villages of Whitchurch, Llandaff and Llandaff North are preparing for the holiday season. We have been receiving a lot of submissions from residents so we’ve decided to devote a page to printing some of your articles in this issue. This is your magazine, so feel free to get in touch if are feeling creative and would like to see your name in print. Your Whitchurch and Llandaff is on page 10. Our history feature this issue looks at the marvel that is Llandaff Cathedral. The site of this great church has long been used as a place of worship. The building itself has undergone many restorations over the centuries. Read the complete history of it on page 16. Radyr is the subject of our Out and About feature on page 20. It’s a suburb of Cardiff that always looks beautiful at Christmas. Local vet Chris Troughton answers more of your animal questions on page 25, while there’s a great Christmas story from a local author to get you into the festive mood on page 26. Don’t forget that you can keep up-to-date with all our news and features on our webspace - www.livingmags.co.uk/blog. Enjoy your Winter Issue of Whitchurch and Llandaff Living, and remember to support your local advertisers who keep our magazines alive! Have yourselves a wonderful Christmas!
Crossword
Patric and Danielle
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living & Rhiwbina Living Editors/Advertising: Patric Morgan & Danielle Dummett Address: 222 Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AG Tel: 07772 081775 and 07974 022920 Email: editor@livingmags.co.uk Web: www.livingmags.co.uk
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 2
Editors
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 12 4th February 2011. Issue 12 publication date - late February 2011. Whitchurch and Llandaff Living is published 5 times a year.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH UPDATE
with Bill Farnham
The first quarterly meeting of all co-ordinators in the Whitchurch and Tongwynlais area was held in October and was very well attended. I intend to hold the second meeting in late January 2011, and all co-ordinators will be notified of meeting details. The new member of Whitchurch and Tongwynlais Neighbourhood Policing Team, PC Paul Tebbutt, is settling in well and is becoming better known to residents. PC Tebbutt is also the Wildlife Officer for the area, so if you have any queries in that respect, please contact him on 07584 771217. I have been asked about cold telephone calls and how to stop them. If you are having problems, please contact the telephone preference service on 0845 0700707 and register with them. The date of the next PACT meeting in the Whitchurch and Tongwynlais area is the 18th January 2011, at the Cardiff International Hotel, Tongwynlais, followed by 1st March 2011, at the Whitchurch Community Centre, Old Church Road. Both meetings start at 7pm. The next meeting of the Cardiff West Neighbourhood Watch Association is on 21st February 2011, at Fairwater Conservative Club, Ely Road, Llandaff at 7pm. A member of the Community Payback Team will be our guest speaker for all co-ordinators and Watch Members are invited to come.
BILL PICKS UP PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
Living Magazines columnist Bill Farnham, who writes the regular Neighbourhood Watch Update column (left), has won the prestigious Community Safety Volunteer of the Year Award 2010. Bill, who has been involved
News
with the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme since 2001, picked up his award at a glittering ceremony at the Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot, on the 30th September. Bill told Whitchurch and Llandaff Living: “Wherever I go, I try to ‘sell’ the idea of setting up a Neighbourhood Watch. I have had some very satisfying results.” Bill beat off competition from three other impressive nominees to pick up the prize at the awards ceremony.
LLANDAFF SET TO SPARKLE AT CHRISTMAS
Llandaff is set to be turned into a Winter Wonderland this month when the official Christmas lights get switched on. This year’s Christmas Tree Lighting event will take place on Wednesday 8th December. Visitors are advised to arrive early as Llandaff High Street will be closed off to all traffic. The lights will be lit at 7.30pm. The Guest of Honour this year is former First Minister Rhodri Morgan. Father Christmas
himself is also hoping to make an appearance. Music will be provided by Oriana, and the Cathedral School Band. Last year’s event was an admirable success, when the lights were turned on by TV’s weather experts, Derek Brockway and Sian Lloyd. It is hoped that the weather this year will remain dry and crisp, to give the residents of Llandaff a night to remember, and to mark the start of their festive period.
The big switch-on at last year’s event
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 3
News
WHITCHURCH COMES ALIVE IN ITS FIRST-EVER ONLINE MAP
FORMER WHITCHURCH MAN HONOURED
Jeff (right) receives his award from Thury's Mayor Former Whitchurch resident Jeff Day has recently received a remarkable double honour by becoming the Citizen of the Year in both his home town of Seaton, and also in the French town of Thury-Harcourt in the same week. Jeff has worked hard over the last 27 years to twin Seaton to various towns across Europe through the Seaton & District Twinning Association. Thury's Mayor, Paul Chandelier (seen with Jeff above) presented him with the award at a special reception. He congratulated Jeff’s association on having an excellent website and explained that through it, his Council had discovered the award bestowed on Jeff. Subsequently, they decided that they too wanted to recognise Jeff for his great work for international friendship and understanding. They made him Thury's ‘Citizen of the Year’ as well, and had a special medal produced. Jeff, formerly of Heol Penlan, attended Whitchurch Grammar School between 1959 and 1964.
Whitchurch has become one of the first suburbs of Cardiff to be featured in the city’s first interactive map. The website includes a full street-by-street map of Whitchurch, and highlights all places of interest to both residents and visitors. Users can also benefit from the full interactive element that has been incorporated into the site. All train stations and bus stops are included and times of the next train or bus will pop up when the stop is clicked on.
The website is the brain-child of Whitchurch resident Paul Sims. He is aiming to develop the map further and to extend it to all areas of Cardiff. The map can be found at www.whitchurchmap.com
ARE YOU ONE OF THE CLASS OF 1972?
A local historian is looking for readers of Whitchurch and Llandaff Living to help put names to faces. Steve Nicholas, who has several books published about the local area, is in possession of a photograph featuring Rhiwbina Junior School Choir. The photo was taken around 1972. Steve told Living Magazines: “I received a copy of the photo by email on the 25th October 2010 from Chris Bourne, who
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 4
now lives in Hampshire. He visits Cardiff a fair bit and often pops into the Plough and the Fox & Hounds in Whitchurch. He is pictured in the photo. Many of the children in the photo would have attended Whitchurch High School after leaving the Juniors.” Readers can get in touch with Steve via his website at www.whitchurchandllandaff.co. uk. The site also contains other photographs of historic interest to locals.
Letters to the Editors
Dear Editors My name is Judith Hunt and I recently completed a Cycle Challenge in China on behalf of Professor Winston’s Genesis Trust. The charity supports important research into the causes of infertility, miscarriage, premature births, still births and all female diseases including cancer. The event took place between 10th and 18th September and entailed a 300 mile cycle ride around the Bejing Province in China. Eighty women from all over the UK and Ireland took part in the event which was the first of four trips to China. We all followed a recommended training plan for six months prior to the event, but nothing could prepare you for the forty degree heat in which we started our challenge. We cycled sixty miles daily for five days and got to see some incredible sights within China. The local villagers were very bemused to see so many Western women cycling
through their countryside. The local guides told us that we were considered ‘heroes’. The photo (below) was taken after the finishing line in monsoon conditions. It was an adventure of a lifetime and I was privileged to meet some very courageous women. As well as the difficult physical challenge of preparing myself for the event, I had to raise a minimum of £3,300. To date, I have collected £3,500. I am still collecting after the event, and if anyone would like to make a donation, they can visit my web page at www.justgiving.com. Simply search for Judith Hunt in the ‘Search for a Friend’ box. Alternatively, cheques may be sent to Women for Women Charity, Wolfson and Weston Research Centre for Family Health, Imperial College, Faculty of Medicine, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN. Judith Hunt Whitchurch
Letters
Keep your letters coming! Address on the inside front cover
Dear Editors I was very interested in Les Gibbon’s article on the Melingriffith Tin Plate Works and his comments concerning the Melingriffith Well. Since this article was published, volunteers from the Friends of Forest Farm Nature Reserve have cleared the rubbish from the well and surrounding areas. In future months, we will be looking to remove the trees that are damaging the walls and also repair them. I have also been in contact with CADW to see if anything can be done to protect the well for future generations. Hopefully, now that the area has been cleared, it will no longer be used for dumping rubbish. This project was one of the monthly projects undertaken by the Friends Of Forest Farm as part of our 20th Anniversary. Volunteer events take place on the last Sunday of each month (excluding December and August) between 10.30am and 1.30pm, meeting at the Warden’s Centre, Forest Farm Road,Whitchurch. Projects vary but are suitable for all ages and abilities. We are always looking for volunteers to help us maintain and protect our local nature reserve. Martin Chamberlain Secretary Friends of Forest Farm
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 5
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N U R T U R I N G
E X C E L L E N C E
Howell’s School
On one Wednesday in the autumn, the whole of Howell’s School trailed out of the familiar school buildings and made our way to Llandaff Cathedral. Firstly, we crossed the road and walked to Llandaff fields. We all trudged along, so the leaves made a rustling noise and we swished our feet so that the autumnal foliage soared into the air and we got loads of it in our hair! As we trekked along further, it was almost as if we’d formed a human barrier across Llandaff Fields! When we had ventured out of the fields we passed various buildings before approaching the long bridge. We strolled over the bridge peering under and watching all the vehicles drive through. Eventually, we
all jumped off the steps and after a while we reached a woodland path and went through. When we reached the cathedral we were all amazed at the immensity of it. We all filtered in and sat down. From our seats we could see the high windows, the flags – some tattered, some brand new – the altar and the choir. The Thanksgiving Service was great. The Bishop was interesting when he talked about the connection between the cathedral and Howell’s and how we should keep it strong in the future. We all thoroughly enjoyed the whole afternoon and would love to go again next year. We all realise how important the service is to our school. Pippa and Ella, Year 6
Miss Christmas's Christmas Pudding
(Miss Christmas is Howells’ cookery teacher) Preparation Time: 20 mins Cooking Time: 4 Hours Ingredients: 10 oz butter 10 oz soft brown sugar 2 tbsp black treacle 5 eggs 10 oz brown bread crumbs 1lb sultanas 1lb raisins 4 oz currants 4 oz glacé cherries 4 oz chopped almonds ½ oz angelica 4 oz chopped mixed peel 1 oz chopped crystalised pineapple 1½ oz crystalised or stem ginger 1 tsp ground ginger 3 tbsp dark ale
Schools’ News
Method: Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and treacle – mix. Add all dry ingredients and breadcrumbs. Add liquid. Put in a pudding basin and steam for 4 hours. This makes two very large Christmas puddings or three medium ones!
Whitchurch HS
NASA astronaut Michael Good recently made a flying visit to Whitchurch High School. Michael was part of the six person NASA team visiting Cardiff as the first leg of their World Tour having returned from space some four weeks earlier. Michael had a distinguished career in the US Air Force before becoming an astronaut, logging over 3000 hours in more than 30 aircraft. He has served on two space shuttle missions and has logged over 24 days in space as an astronaut. Years 7, 8 and 9 had individual assemblies in the morning and watched a film of the missions. Afterwards, there was an opportunity to put some questions to Michael, which he expertly answered.
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 7
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When I opened my new Lighterlife centre in Whitchurch I was looking for the very best way to get the news out to local people - Living Magazines was the answer. I found the help from the editors invaluable in identifying how to best reach local residents and let them know all about my weight loss/weight management business. This coupled with a beautiful, interesting and top end glossy magazine made it a fantastic tool to use to promote my business. Many local people have changed their lives at Lighterlife thanks to reading the articles in Rhiwbina Living and Whitchurch and Llandaff Living. Janet Pardue-Wood, Lighterlife
Your Whitchurch and Llanda
December for a 10 day visit to the UK. We explored London, took a trip to Scotland but kept Wales until last. And oh boy, was it worth the wait! We both agreed that Wales has all the best castles and certainly the best mountains in the UK. But neither of us could have been prepared for the beauty that was Llandaff Cathedral. As it was coming up to Christmas, the main street was busy and both my husband and I were surprised to see people still drinking coffee on tables and chairs out on the sidewalk! It was freezing! We visited the cathedral and although it was a lot smaller than we had imagined, it was
Letter from America Many years ago, I watched a documentary on TV about your lovely country of Wales. The show featured Llandaff Cathedral and as an American, I always made it my intention to pay a visit if I ever made it to Wales. In the winter of 2009, I was fortunate enough, at long last, to make the journey across The Pond. My husband and I landed in London early
COME AND JOIN US AT....
Christchurch U.R.Church Bellevue Crescent Llandaff North
Christmas Service 19th December 3pm
still so beautiful. We were delighted to attend a Christmas Carol concert there. The service was incredibly moving - the music seemed to have come from another world. The choir were fantastic! After the service, we headed into a local bar opposite where we were told that some of your legendary rugby stars hang out. We saw an interview with John Dawes that you ran, hanging on the wall and took a photo. We were later to find out that Llandaff was used as a set for Dr. Who, which is big here in the States. Meredith Calbrese, New Jersey, USA
MAY THE LIGHT OF THE CHRIST CHILD SHINE UPON YOU THIS CHRISTMAS
Whitchurch Methodist Church Whitchurch
Christingle Service 24th December 4pm
Llandaff North Methodist Church Copleston Road
Christmas Day Celebration Service 25th December 11am
Your Whitchurch and Llandaff
Coronel in the South Atlantic on November 1st 1914. This was the first British naval defeat since 1812. The Good Hope and HMS Monmouth were both sunk by a German naval squadron and 1,600 men by Paul Walden were lost. There is a memorial to them in the Falkland Islands. Many Whitchurch residents will From the Second World War have noticed the War Memorial list, one name that sprang out next to the library. was Marcel Amerlinck of the I recently decided to have a Welsh Guards. Marcel was the closer look at the stories son of Whitchurch resident behind the names, and was Alice Jenkins, who met and shocked by the number of married Henry Amerlinck, a Whitchurch residents who wounded Belgian soldier, in gave their lives in both World Cardiff. They moved to Wars. Brussels where Marcel was To my surprise (and shame, born. Sadly, Marcel’s father never having looked at it died of his wounds and Alice properly despite walking past returned to Whitchurch with it daily) the Memorial has the her son where she married names of the fallen on three William Thomas. Marcel met sides and also lists the names and married a Polish refugee of ten residents of the village in France in 1940 after she had killed in air raids in WWII. escaped from Cracow The monument lists 127 following the Nazi invasion. He casualties in the WWI and 143 was the first BEF soldier to killed in action during WWII. marry in France since the start Even without doing research of the war. His bride, Mariana, into individual casualties, the came to the UK at the end of mere sight of the names is their honeymoon to join her deeply moving. Alec and Albert mother in law. Tragically, Sprudd of Davies Place both Marcel was killed in action on died in 1918, Albert in April and 22nd May 1940. He is buried Alec in October, just a month at the Arras Communal before the end of the war. One Cemetery. can only guess at the grief Harry Watkins was a Petty experienced by their parents, Officer on the minesweeper Harry and Emily. HMS Cromarty and died in Thomas Jenkins was 1943 when the ship struck a assistant cook on the SS mine in Bonaficio Strait near Rapallo and died on 13th Sardinia. January 1918, aged just This Christmas, or the next fifteen. The ship was time you pass the monument, torpedoed and sunk off the stop for a few minutes, have a coast of Sicily en route from good look at it and think about Taranto to Messina. the sacrifices that were made, Hugo Webber served as an the debt that we owe to the able seaman on HMS Good men and the individual stories Hope and died in the Battle of behind every name.
Eglwys Newydd
It is of older Whitchurch I often think As I journey back through time And put down my thoughts in pen and ink And try to make them rhyme Those were the days of Edwards stores The Maypole shop and Charlie Yung, The rugby field and Elyn’s scores And Jimmy Armer’s fields and dung Bill Flay ‘The Move’ and Joe Pring ‘The Fruit’ Are both remembered well So is ‘Cabby Hill’ in his age worn suit On his horse drawn hearse with a bell
Idris Evans who baked our cakes and pud Dan Phillips, a draper proper Midwife Nurse Green - she was so good So was ‘Foggy’ Farr, the carpenter So many memories now flooding back Of Sunday School and Whitsun treats Of walks along the railway track And the Rialto Cinema’s tuppenny seats Melingriffith Works - its band was great Tom Powell quite the master Turning up for practice a minute late Was, to him, a real disaster
The omnibuses, all open topped With their winding stairs outside Were only quiet when the engine stopped But the drivers beamed with pride Gazooka bands they did abound In costume bright and neat And made the most unusual sound Marching up and down the street
Those far off days of strikes and floods And the foot and mouth disease Of us building dens in the Rhiwbina Woods And swinging from the trees
An airman in a biplane bright Would buzz across the sky The word ‘Persil’ in smoke he’d write And to finish, dot the ‘i’ Tim Burke
Do you have any memories of our local villages? Drop us a line with your story or poem. Contact details on inside front cover.
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 11
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Memories
I
was talking to my good friend Mr Harry Davies a while ago and he told me about a piece of ground you come to which lies in front of the houses of Sunny Banks. It was quaintly called ‘The Dungle’. This was where people put their household refuse. They covered it with ashes which was then cleared up by the Council every few weeks. The rents were three shillings and sixpence in the 1930s. I have a photograph of me standing at the back of Mr Evans’ WHAT’S house which was No.7. The pantry can clearly be seen INSIDE bricked up in the hospital wall, which was knowninterview as the ‘White Exclusive Wall’ at that time.rock Coming with down tolegend the New Andy Houses, thereFairweather-Low used to be a shop at No.11 owned by Mr Alf Robins. History: In this shop, the people paid a Whitchurch penny a week towards the Common by Peter annual outing to Barry Island. Finch There was also a shop at No.17, which was run by two Pets’ Page
sisters – Aunt Mary and Aunt Cassie Richards. When we lived at No.7, there was a family tragedy. My older brother Gordon, who was two years old, ran out into the snow with nothing on his feet. He caught pneumonia and died on Christmas Day. Going up the road, there was a weighbridge. It was called ‘Cox’s Cabin’ after the man who worked there. I don’t remember him very well, but the man I do remember was Mr Bill Warrington who lived on Pantmawr Road. He would always give us a wave as we passed by. A little further on, there was a large house called Forest Hall, where the manager of the Works lived.
His name was Mr Shirley Gazard. It is now a picnic area. Across the road stands Forest Farm, which was run by Mr Sam Perry. I still remember the Sunday morning he caught a bunch of us groping apples in his orchard. He was a small man, but what a temper! Going up to the weir, there was a man known as ‘Harry the Herbalist’. He lived down the salmon trap in the late 1930s. Issue 8 He made a living by collecting June/July ‘10 herbs around Melingriffith and selling them – mainly to Dranes the Chemist on Queen Street. Some of the residents of Velindre Road would sometimes ask him in for a cup of tea and bite to eat.
FR EE
At the heart of the community
The Kitchen Garden Local Schools
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 15
History
Llandaff Cathedral is one of two cathedrals in Cardiff, yet has become recognised throughout the world for its beauty. Its outline on the city’s skyline has etched itself into the memory of passers-by for centuries Evidence of ancient Celtic Christian worship exists on the site of Llandaff Cathedral. The original church is believed to have been built by St Teilo in 560 AD. The site, on the banks of the River Taff, was to become a shrine for the saint after his passing. The subsequent monastic settlement remained for many centuries before the establishment of the Diocese of Llandaff at some point shortly after 1020. The original church no longer exists, but
Within these stones
the standing Celtic cross testifies to the presence of Christian worship at the site in pre-Norman times. By the early 1100s, the Normans were occupying the area of Glamorgan. They appointed Urban as their first bishop in 1107. He instigated the construction of the cathedral in 1120. Urban sent for the remains of Saint Dyfrig, who lay in Bardsey. The work on the cathedral however, was not completed until 1290. The west front dates from 1220, and contains a statue of Teilo. The statues of the cathedral were donated by Bishop Henry de Abergavenny. The Lady Chapel was built by William de Braose, who was bishop from 1266 to 1287. Later in the 13th century, the Chapter House was built and before the century ended, the Lady Chapel, which has largely escaped the damage and decay that the cathedral sustained over the following 700 years. In the 14th century came the replacement of the Norman windows by new ones in the
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 16
‘Decorated’ style. Then, before the end of the 15th Century came the building of the North West tower by Jasper Tudor. The tower was a new home for the bells which had previously been housed in a detached bell tower. This bell tower had been built two hundred years earlier at the top of a small hill. In pre-Norman times, this bell tower provided the original church and community that lived around it with security from the unwelcome attention of marauders sailing up the Bristol Channel little more than a mile away. Jasper Tudor assumed the lordship of Cardiff after the accession to the throne of his nephew, King Henry VII of England. Until the time of King Henry VIII, pilgrims thronged to the shrine of St Teilo whose tomb still stands in the sanctuary, and their gifts supported the church. When pilgrims were forbidden and other revenues taken away, it was no longer possible to maintain the building adequately and over the next 200 years it fell into a state of near-ruin.
In 1734, a large restoration project was started. The popular style of the day was the ‘Italian Temple’ style. John Wood, the Bath architect, planned to rebuild the cathedral in this style using the fabric of the medieval stones. The construction was never entirely finished and the original walls and pillars those that were still standing still remained. A hundred years later, new life and growing prosperity in the diocese, made possible a fresh restoration undertaken by J F Seddon and John Pritchard. Much of the present structure including the South West tower and spire, completed in 1869, is owed to them. These structures replaced the early-12th century tower which had collapsed in 1722. On the evening of 2nd January 1941, a landmine was dropped by Nazi bombers near the cathedral during the Cardiff Blitz, blowing the roof off the nave, south aisle and Chapter House. The top of the spire also had to be reconstructed and there was also damage to the organ. Of British cathedrals, only Coventry Cathedral was damaged more, during the infamous Coventry Blitz. No-one was killed but a great deal of the 19th century work inside was lost. The restoration was entrusted to George Pace who aimed at blending new work with what remained of the old and at giving the cathedral a sense of spaciousness which it had previously lacked. The High Altar was lowered and the triptych of the Seed of David by D G Rossetti which stood behind it was moved to a new
position in the St Illtyd Chapel at the foot of the North West tower. Pace built the Welch Regiment Memorial Chapel but his greatest achievement is the reinforced concrete arch surmounted by Sir Jacob Epstein's aluminium statue of Christ in Majesty. It stands between the Nave and the choir without interrupting the view of the whole building from the top of the steps inside the West door, to Geoffrey Webb's Jesse Window at the East end of the Lady Chapel. Today, the choir consists of choristers, lay clerks and choral scholars. The boys (and girls) are selected at voice trials and awarded scholarships at the Cathedral School which cover a large proportion of the fees. The modern choir has a large repertoire of music from the sixteenth century to the present day and sings six full choral services every week of term. In February 2007, the cathedral suffered a severe lightning strike. Particular damage was caused to the electrics of the organ, which was already in poor condition. This prompted the launch, on 13th July 2007 (the 50th anniversary of the re-hallowing of the nave following the wartime damage), of an appeal to raise £1.5 million for the construction of an entirely new organ. Work on installing the new organ, by the Nicholson's of Malvern firm of organ builders, began in autumn 2008. Though not fully completed, it was brought to a playable stage by Easter 2010 and had its inaugural performance (the Gloria of Louis Vierne's Messe
Information and pictures courtesy of Llandaff Cathedral
History
Solennelle) at the Easter Vigil service on 3 April 2010. The stops still lacking are those of the enclosed solo and some pedal stops, due to the necessary funding not yet having been acquired. This is the first entirely new organ for a British cathedral since that built for Coventry. The Cathedral Church of SS Peter & Paul, Dyfrig, Teilo and Euddogwy (to give it its full title) is now 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 also serves as a Parish Church, the Dean also being the Vicar of the Parish of Llandaff.
The damaged spire after the landmine hit in 1941
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 17
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Out and About
Radyr
R
adyr and its close neighbour Morganstown lie six miles north west of Cardiff. Geographically, it sits to the west of the River Taff, mostly on high ground, and situated on a point which marks the boundary of the coastal plain of Glamorgan. These days of course, it is a pleasant residential community, which reaps the benefits of good road and rail communications. But its history, like other villages in North Cardiff, start in prehistoric times. Its rock formations show indications of desert rock debris from 275 million years ago. At this point in time, Radyr, like the rest of South Wales, lay on the same latitude as the modern-day Sahara. As the glaciers retreated at the end of the last Ice Age, the glacial valley of the River Taff cut through this rock, and woodlands began to
flourish on the new fertile lands that spread down from the valleys. Archaeological discoveries in the early 20th century confirm that early man had been dwelling in the area in the Stone Ages (5000BC3000BC). Worked flint that would have been used by hunters was discovered in a local cave in 1912. Fragments of pottery dating from the Bronze Age (1000BC) were found in later excavations along with needles and combs made from animal bones. The cave seems to have been abandoned not long after this, although there was some evidence of its use in the Dark Ages (5th-7th centuries). At the Southern end of Taff Terrace (and to the east of Woodland Avenue) lies a mound of burned stones which would have been used by prehistoric man to assist in cooking animals after a hunt in the early Bronze Age.
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 20
The first recorded reference to Radyr can be found in the Life of St Cadog, which was written in the 11th century. It was written by the son of Bishop Herewald of Llandaff, who later became Archdeacon of Glamorgan. Lifris wrote about events in 530AD when Cadog was beckoned to his father who lay dying. His route can be traced from the old church in Whitchurch and St John the Baptist at Radyr. Cadog’s servant, Istan described how they found the river at Radyr impossible to cross, but they were helped by a hermit who lived in the river bank. The hermit was also said to strike his staff into the ground, creating a spring of healing water near St John’s Church. A spring still exists in local woodland at the southern end of the marshalling yard at Radyr railway station. It was referred to by railway workers in the 19th century as the ‘Pitcher Cooler’. The historical
Adapted from information provided by the New Horizons History Group
account by Lifris confirms the existence of a settlement and possibly an early church in the 11th century. The effects of agriculture were already having an impact on North Cardiff by the time of the Norman conquest of South Wales. ‘Commotes’, or hamlets were grouped into larger areas and protected by a local Welsh chieftan. These ‘cantrefs’ extended from the Brecon Beacons down to the coast. The Normans were quick to realise the benefit of the fertile land and between 1081 and 1095, took control under Robert Fitzhamon. Complete Norman rule was achieved in 1247, when Earl Richard de Clare brought together all the neighbouring commotes. It was around this time, in 1254, that the church of St John the Baptist was officially recognised in an official document, being valued for taxation purposes at £4. The river Taff would have played an important part in the life of Radyr. In addition to fishing, the river also powered the mill which was an essential part of everyday life. The people of Radyr would have diverted the current into the mill stream to what would become known as Melin Griffith. It was named after Griffith, son of Ifor Bach, whose infamous raids on Cardiff Castle are welldocumented. Devastation to Radyr was brought about by revolts by the Welsh lords in 1316 (Llewellyn Bren) and 1400 (Owain Glyndwr). The villages were rebuilt and for the 150 years leading up to 1469, were administered by descendants
of Iestyn ap Gwrgant, the last Welsh Lord of Morgannwg. After this, Radyr passed into the hands of Thomas Mathew. There were two large manorial houses in Radyr around this time: the original manor house of Radyr Isha near the church, and Radyr Ucha, on the site now occupied by the entrance to the Radyr Comprehensive School. Much of the land surrounding them became a deer park at that time, whilst Radyr Ucha itself became a farmhouse. Radyr Isha eventually fell into ruin and a new house, which became known as Radyr Court, was constructed by the Mathews. The Mathews had become one of the leading families in the area. David Mathew was renowned for his hospitality to travellers. Pilgrims who often passed through Radyr on their way to the shrine at Penrhys would be entertained and tended to at the Radyr Court. From 1801 onwards, a census was carried out, enabling a more accurate picture of the area to be kept. A tithe map made in 1841 showed that there was a group of cottages facing Heol Isaf which are no longer visible.
Out and About
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the village was served by only a small number of roads, of which the main ones were the highway to Llantrisant and the present Heol Isaf leading to the Taff Gorge. With the birth of industrialisation in the late 1800s, ironworks became a leading industry. Furthermore, the Glamorganshire Canal was constructed through the area to supply the docks of Cardiff with coal from the valleys. Gas lighting saw increasing usage and in 1907, the Radyr Electric Company was created to provide a number of houses with electric lighting. Some of the middle class residents had maids, while larger houses employed fulltime staff. Cars began to appear in the village. At first, these were mostly driven by chauffeurs for the rich. Social, educational and business venues were soon established, and provided services to the residents of Radyr and Morganstown through the years of war and peace during the 20th century. The area has thus settled to become the community that exists to this day.
Engine Sheds, Radyr 1930s
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 21
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Dear Chris My 11 year old cat Maisie has been litter trained since she was a kitten but she still insists on using corners of the room as a toilet. Why would she continue to do this? Emma West Plymouth
You don’t say if this is a new problem, or if Maisie has always used corners of the room, in spite of using the litter tray too. If it has always been a problem, it is likely that something is putting her off using the tray on the occasions she chooses to use the corner. Some cats are very fastidious, and won’t use a litter box again until it has been cleaned out, particularly if another cat has used it, so she might prefer to use the carpet. Others are very private about toileting and chose not to use the litter tray if there are other animals or people in the vicinity when they want to go. I would suggest having two litter trays in different areas of the house. That way, it is more likely that one or the other of them will be clean and private for Maisie to use. If Maisie’s toileting behaviour is a new problem and relates to her urination, it could be that she has a medical problem such as cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) or kidney problems. This could make her want to urinate frequently and with some urgency, so she may not be
Pets
Local Pets Our Pets Page gives you the chance to put your questions to your local vet, Chris Troughton of the Heath Veterinary Group. Drop us a line if you have a question for Chris to editor@livingmags.co.uk
able to make it to the litter tray in time. Unless you are sure that the cause is as suggested in the previous paragraph, you should get her checked over first. If it turns out she doesn’t have a medical problem, detailed discussion with your vet might help to reveal the cause of the behaviour and find ways to alleviate it. Whatever the cause, it is essential that you remove the scent of urine/faeces from the areas she has used, as the lingering odour will encourage her to use the same spot again. Because her nose is much more sensitive than yours, just using a disinfectant is unlikely to work; you need to use a biological cleaner which will actually digest away the odour-causing particles. These are available from your vet or local pet shop.
Dear Chris I bought a very lively 2 year old springer spaniel earlier this year. I’m beginning to regret it as his energy levels are way above mine. I’m especially worried with the run up to Christmas as I’m worried that he might try and eat things he shouldn’t. What can I do? Stanley Tudor Whitchurch Oh dear! This is not an easy one to solve, as your dog
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doesn’t have a problem – it’s you! As you have found out, springers are very active dogs and require plenty of regular exercise to keep them happy. If you are unable to give him sufficient exercise, it could be worth employing a dog-walker to help – there are plenty of reputable people offering this service (although of course, you must satisfy yourself as to their credentials). As far as the risk of him eating things he shouldn’t is concerned, it goes without saying that you must not leave anything which could possibly harm him within reach. Particular festive risks include chocolate, grapes and fruit cake. Without enough exercise, he could be bored when left alone, and this could lead to stealing food or destructive behaviour. You could try one of the ‘puzzle’ toys, where a few biscuits are hidden in the middle of a toy; playing with it gradually dislodges the biscuits and rewards the dog.
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Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 25
Short Story
The Christmas Eve Visitor by Michaela Beasley
T
he old man made his way slowly up Llandaff High Street. It was getting dark and the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve shopping had subsided. Shopkeepers were closing their doors early, rolling in their awnings and pulling down the window sashes. Snow had been forecast, and they were keen to be home with their loved ones before it set in. The old man was certainly dressed for the cold. His hands were buried deep in his long grey coat, and his winter hat was pulled down well over his face. An expensive-looking scarf was wrapped around his neck, and served to stop the biting wind from getting to him. But he seemed in no rush. He had been here before. A long time ago though. And he hadn’t stopped. He’d wanted to come back for many, many
years. This year was the first year that he was free to make the journey. Looking around the street, he watched as the shop-keepers rushed to close their shops - an empty restaurant with a lonelylooking manager peering out of the window; the last of the glamour girls coming out of the hair salon; and the middleaged woman totting up the day’s takings in the gift shop. People were heading into the glowing warmth of the Butcher’s Arms, embracing each other on the door before heading inside for the evening. The man smiled to himself. Approaching the top of the street, the man noticed a flower shop. The lights were on and it still looked open. Steadying himself, he ascended the steps, opened the door, and stepped inside the shop.
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 26
“Hullo!” said the young girl behind the counter. She was finishing off a large display of red and white flowers. “Good evening.” replied the man. His voice was quivering. The girl couldn’t tell whether it was the cold or his age that contributed to his fragile voice. “Anything I can help you with?” she asked, pushing down another flower into the vase. “Erm…I vaz ‘oping zat you might have….errrr…what you call?….errr a reet.” “A reet?” “Yus. Ze thing you put on errr..gravestones.” “Ah. You mean a wreath?” “Ah! Yus! The round……” The man gestured a round bouquet of flowers. “Well I’m afraid that we don’t have any of those left and it is too late to make one up for you as they take some time.”
The man’s face fell. “Oh. Oh. Erm….” He looked around the shop. The containers of flowers were mostly empty. He went on. “Erm…. Do you have anything left at all?” The girl looked around. “I’m sorry- that’s all that we have.” An older lady appeared from a small door behind the counter. “Good evening!”. Her voice was sharp and shrill. She was clearly excited that Christmas was very nearly upon them. “Do we have anything else apart from these?” asked the girl. “The gentleman wanted something to lay on a gravestone but that’s all we have.” The older woman thought for a while, then disappeared into the door. She immediately reappeared with a large bouquet of lillies. “These were supposed to be collected earlier but no-one has collected them - they’re yours if you’d like them.” She held them out to him. “Oh. Sankyou.” said the man. He took out a small leather wallet and put it on the counter while he counted up his coins in his hand. “That’ll be seven pounds please.” said the girl, holding out her hand to take the money. “Sankyou so much.” “You’re not from around these parts, no?” asked the girl. The man chuckled as he counted out his coins. “No. I am from some place else.” A short while later, after
wishing the staff of the flower shop a Happy Christmas, the man was heading down the steps leading to the Cathedral. Across his chest, he carried the large bouquet of lillies. A few families brushed past him, on their way to an Evening Carol Concert. As the man approached the Cathedral, he stopped for a few minutes to admire the large building that filled his vision. Then he moved slowly to the semicircular memorial for those lost during the bombing raids of World War II. He stood there. Carols floated from the Cathedral. He dropped his head. Inside the Cathedral, the majestic organ fell silent. In silence, the man stood there thinking. His frozen breath rose up over his hat and into the cold night. Then, he lowered himself slowly down onto one knee and lay the flowers at the memorial. Under his breath, he muttered the words “I’m sorry.” Suddenly, he found himself surrounded by a group of people. “Who are you?” asked a man impatiently. The old man turned. Behind him were three woman and two men, all middle-aged. The man who had spoken moved towards him. “I asked you who you were.” said the man. His Cardiff accent was strong. The old man spoke softly. “My name is Henrich. I have come to say sorry.” One of the women clasped her hand over her mouth. “I didn’t mean it. It voz a mistake. We didn’t mean to destroy your beautiful building,
Information partly provided by the Rhiwbina Civic Society
Short Story
and most certainly not to kill anyone....I...I...” His voice faded to nothing. The Cardiff man’s frown melted and he purged his bottom lip up. “Well....thankyou. Thankyou for coming to say sorry. We were there too. It was a long time ago.” Up at the top of the steps, the young girl from the flower shop was searching. She grabbed a passing family. “Excuse me. Have you seen an old man? – long coat, hat. He’s left his wallet in our shop.” The family couldn’t help, but the girl assumed that he may have headed to the graveyard. Her guess was right. As she moved quickly down the steps, she could see over the wall. At the foot of the memorial, she could see the old man and the group around him. One by one, they took it in turns to hug him. The old man patted each one of them on the back and didn’t seem to want to let go. The man kept repeating the words,“I’m so sorry”. The girl got to the bottom of the steps. She moved quietly, not wanting to disturb the group. But as she moved slowly towards them, both the group, and the old man,simply vanished. All that was left was a bouquet of lillies.
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 27
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Recipes
Christmas Eve Supper Festive Ham and Vegetable Soup
2 tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 200g/8oz chopped raw gammon 1tsp turmeric 2 tsp English mustard 2 tbsp flour 900ml/half a pint hot ham or chicken stock 140g/5oz cauliflower florets, cut into bite-sized pieces 200g/8oz mix equal quantities of diced carrot, celery, red and green pepper 1 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp white wine vinegar sauce 2 tsp chilli sauce Handful of coriander or parsley, chopped
Heat the oil in a pan, adding the onion, garlic and gammon, then cook over a gentle heat until the onions are soft but not coloured. Add the turmeric and mustard and cook for two minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for a further two minutes. Stir in the heated stock, then
gradually add the vegetables, sugar, vinegar and chilli sauce. Stir well and simmer until the vegetables are just cooked but still crisp – about five minutes. Check the seasoning. Add the coriander or parsley just before serving with plenty of warm, crusty bread.
Maple and Mustard Glazed Ham To save time on the day, boil the gammon two days ahead.
1 whole leg of gammon, smoked or un-smoked around 5 kg in weight 1 cinnamon stick 1 tsp peppercorns 1 tsp coriander seeds 2 bay leaves 25 whole garlic cloves
Glaze 200 ml maple syrup 2 tbsp coarse-grain mustard 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp soy sauce Put the gammon in a very large pan and cover with cold water. Add the spices and bay
leaves. Bring to the boil, then turn down and simmer for around 1 hour 50 minutes, topping up the water level with boiling water if necessary. Scoop off any scum that rises to the top every now and then. Carefully pour the liquid away (or keep it for the soup above), then let the ham cool a little while you heat the oven to 190˚c/Fan 170˚c/ Gas 5. Lift the ham into a large roasting tin, then cut away the skin leaving behind an even layer of fat. Score the fat all over in a criss-cross pattern, then stud cloves all over the ham. This can now be chilled for up to two days if necessary. Mix the glaze ingredients in a jug. Pour half over the fat, roast for 15 minutes, then pour over the rest and return to the oven for another 35 minutes, basting with the pan juices 3-4 times as it bakes. Turn the pan around a few times during cooking so that the fat colours evenly. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes before carving. This can be done on the day or up to two days ahead and served cold.
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 29
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Crossword
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1. Are you taking the digestive? 6. On the floor 8. Wrapped around a letter 11. And proper 12. Hapless 13. No can do 14. Against the sand 17. Of the nose 18. Collective childs 20. Not complicated 22. Mathematical pastry 23. No feeling 25. That cold white stuff 27. Hello 28. Animated movie 30. Of him
32. Box or master? 33. Toilet 34. Repeat that again? 35. Transport 36. Large 37. Hot roof has got a cat on it 38. Winton’s field 40. Without fancy 41. Individual of a club 45. Superhero mouse 47. Slided 49. Grizzly or brown?
Down
2. Catalyst for motivation 3. Item of equipment 4. 1,2,3 5. Earth is one
6. Myself and I 7. Two of these goes nice on chicken 9. To win 10. To create 11. A length of time 15. Midday 16. Small amount 19. Not very smooth 21. Emits fumes 22. Part of an army 24. Therefore 26. Small children’s character 29. Wood 31. Aflame 32. Romans were good at building these 34. Large bird of prey 39. Hangs in your room
41. Belonging to me 42. Dart or ex? 43. The first garden 44. Above low 46. Dump 48. Human creativity 49. Next to Last Issue’s Answers
Across 1 rumbling; 6 sleep; 8 slick; 10 below; 11 savour; 12 teabag; 14 envelope; 17 dark; 18 raining; 20 oversight; 22 relief; 23 dab; 24 adapt; 25 plug; 27 tor; 28 everyone; 31 rose; 33 gadget; 34 grey; 35 his; 36 cartwheel; 39 insane; 42 via; 43 cash; 45 timber 47 rye Down 2 mallard; 3 lowly; 4 guttering; 5 blob; 7 level; 9 cage; 13 anvil; 15 never; 16 posh; 18 refuge; 19 go; 21 indoors; 23 day; 25 producer; 26 my; 29 end; 30 daylight; 32 elegant; 33 gravy; 37 river; 38 whinge; 40 arab; 41 ever; 43 car; 46 me
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 31
THE PERFECT WAY FROM A TO B. Jenkins Suzuki: • Largest Suzuki Dealership in Europe • New Cars from £6,795 • Road Taxes from £35 per Year • Fuel Consumptions up to 65mpg Combined • Large Selection of Used Cars • While You Wait MOT Test Station • From Group 1 Insurance • All Makes Serviced
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