Cardiff Times - April 2024

CARDIFF TIMES April 2024

CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL SPORTS STADIUM SUNDAY 21st JULY www.ultimatestrongman.tv

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Llys Cyncoed care home, Cyncoed

Dementia Friends event During this friendly and interactive session you’ll learn more about dementia, how it can affect individuals, and what you can do to help people living with dementia in your community. Book your free space and become an Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friend: Tuesday 16th April at 11am Thursday 25th April at 3pm Tuesday 20th April at 3pm Thursday 2nd May at 11am

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Harrowby Street, Cardiff Bay CARDIFF TIMES 3

Meet former Commonwealth and Team GB athlete, Sheree Phelps Sheree offers everything from a relaxing, more holistic massage to the functional and fixing sports massage treatments.

And is now the only qualified Clinical massage therapist based in Cardiff!

Based in Maindy, Sheree works from within the Cardiff personal training studio, where she offers a calm and tranquil treatment environment for people to take a break from the everyday stresses of life.

Understanding what an athlete needs, and the want to recover quickly is what sets Podium Therapies above the rest. Being a clinical massage therapist means cutting edge treatment techniques and modalities are used for each unique and personalised treatment.

An award-winning clinic, having just won Sports massage clinic of the year 2024 in the Prestige business awards, Sheree strives to offer the best and most up to date research, knowledge, and education for her clients to recover and help with rehab at home between treatments too.

As 2024 gets under way, Sheree is excited to offer clinical massage to her range of treatments, bridging the gap between sports massage and physiotherapy. Performing a range of orthopaedic diagnostic tests first and foremost, clinical massage can save the endless waiting on physiotherapy waiting times and get you on the road to recovery more quickly.

So, what does a clinical massage entail?

It is an in-depth treatment using a variety of orthopaedic testing for chronic pain or acute injuries, similar to Physiotherapists. This helps rule out and diagnose musculoskeletal 4 CARDIFF TIMES

pathologies such as the common frozen shoulder or joint sprains. Or how clinical massage can help more systemic pathologies such as asthma and Parkinson’s disease.

Sheree specialises in Parkinson’s disease treatment, having just completed a research project on how myofascial release can help Parkinson’s related tremor as part of her clinical massage degree.

Podium Therapies also has an interest in breathing conditions and mental health and offers a range of techniques to help with a range of relating conditions.

“Having had a 13-year career in sport, competing all over the world at a Commonwealth and World series level, I understand how frustrating an injury or chronic pain can be. I appreciate how today the levels of stress we are under from work life, family life, society pressures, most of us are living with elevated levels of anxiety. At the age of 25 I had a breakdown and going through this has left me with a new outlook on life and empathy for my clients. It allows me to utilize the biopsychosocial model and look past “just” the injury and see how my client may respond to treatments. I have developed distinct aspects of a treatment and often give out “homework” to continue the treatment at home.”

As part of a clinical massage treatment, it is not just the hands-on part that counts. To start, the orthopaedic testing is paramount. Only then can a treatment plan be brought to life and personalised to what injury or pathology is at hand. This and the rehabilitation programme are what changes an average sports massage, to an elevated elite clinical massage. Clients are given stretches, strength and conditioning plans and often leave the clinic with foam rollers, resistance bands and other gym equipment to help them at home.

“Clinical massage is a treatment plan to fix.

Often, I have had a massage, felt great, left, and had the same problem occur a few days or weeks later. I always found it hard to find a treatment that was right for me or in-depth enough to look at my lifestyle and look at my body as a whole. I want to offer the highest level of massage in the UK, it makes me strive hard to give my clients the best possible treatment.”

Sadly, many people have heard the phrase “harder is better,” or “sports massage has to hurt.” This is NOT true and should not be the case. Often this is because the therapist is not properly trained or has an improper understanding of massage and the body. Using a mixture of Eastern and Western practices, clinical massage uses treatment modalities such as myofascial release, acupuncture and hot stones, things that you do not associate with a typical sports massage.

“Made an appointment to sort out a knee and shoulder issue that’s been affecting my exercise routine for a few months. Sheree assessed and diagnosed the issue within minutes and then treated the areas. 24 hrs on, pain has largely gone, and I was able to exercise as normal. I’d highly recommend Sheree, an expert in her field, empathetic, a

great communicator, and an all-round lovely person.” L. Evans 2024 Podium Therapies is here for everyone. Any lifestyle, chronic pain condition, pathology, or injury. To relax, restore and renew - Sheree will look after you as a whole and treat you as an individual and most importantly, listen!

If you would like to book in with Sheree to relax and unwind or fix that niggle that has been nagging, head to www.podiumtherapies.co.uk and book online using CARDIFFTIMES10 for 10% off!

Podium Therapies 135 Maindy Road Cardiff CF24 4HN 07540 864380 www.podiumtherapies.co.uk

CARDIFF TIMES 5

Key to the door

A few pictures for you all this month, in tribute to my daughter, The Girl, who turned eighteen yesterday at the end of March.

We had a wonderful celebration, who’da thunk that she was only 3lb 9oz and could be held in the palm of The Boss’s (my wife’s) hand when she was born by way of an emergency caesarean. She has Down Syndrome (DS), which was a big scary unknown when it was confirmed after her birth. Scarier still, however, were the three holes in her heart, which were successfully operated on in Bristol Children’s Hospital before she was five months old.

The Girl had the same developmental milestones as every other child: eating without the aid of a feeding tube, first word (“dad,” natch!), first steps, first driving lesson, first backward somersault on the trampoline, first GCSE, Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards (with Gold to follow). Whoops, I’ve evidently jumped ahead a few years, in my excitement!

She starts further education at the Cardiff and Vale College this autumn; The Boss and I are looking forward to that with a healthy mix of fear and dread. The Girl, on the other hand, can’t wait and is more than ready to take on new challenges and responsibilities.

There have been moments of sadness and frustration. The doctors and nurses who thought it appropriate to tell us how sorry they were that we had a “Down’s baby;” the bloody cheek of it. The Midwives who reminded us at every visit that abortions could be carried out in cases of DS up until full term.

The battles with authorities to ensure that our Girl received the same opportunities as typically developing kids – making sure that people see her and not just her condition.

The ‘primary’ years were more or less straightforward. The Girl was mainstream educated in Marlborough Primary School with 1:1 support (a big thank you to Mary) and a weekly Speech Therapist we put our hands in our pockets for (and still do, fortnightly now) because the official service was so patchy (not a criticism of individual staff but of the uneven nature of provision and funding). Her friends were drawn

6 CARDIFF TIMES

byWyn Evans

from her school-mates and from the kids that she met doing her activities. In no particular order she joined Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, Water babies, Tatty Bumpkin storytelling, judo, ballet, trampolining, climbing, athletics and so many more. We also ensured that she was a member of clubs and societies that were for typically-developing kids as well as those with special educational needs and who were non-typically developing. And, of course, all the various groups that catered for the DS community (including the fabulous 21Plus).

Things changed when the secondary years came around. For various reasons, she mostly lost the friendship groups that had been with her in Primary School. But she has attended two excellent secondary schools where she has had access to specialist provision alongside peers who have special needs. Cardiff High School and Whitchurch High School have each worked hard to identify and meet our Girl’s needs. Out of school, she sees friends regularly, particularly those drawn from DS-groups, trampolining, and ballet. She competes and often wins in UK and Regional trampolining competitions and will be sitting her Grade 7 ballet examination this summer.

In one of my very first columns, I cited Simon Barnes, a journalist, and father to Eddie, who has DS. As proof that all things come around full circle, Simon has this month posted a sort-of follow-up article to the one that inspired me years ago: “And yes, sure, he has Down’s syndrome, but that’s a medical term and I don’t live with a medical term. I live with Eddie, and Eddie is not a syndrome. He has a personality, his likes and dislikes, his various passions, and a taste for spectacular jokes. Some stuff makes him happy, other stuff upsets him. I trust this won’t come as a shock, but he’s a human being.”

Well, I have watched our Girl grow into a beautiful and gifted young woman, Angharad is her name. She works hard, never gives up, loves maths! and delights in the company of colleagues and friends. Her first eighteen years have given us so much joy and pleasure. Here’s to the next eighteen, about which I promise to keep you all posted!

CARDIFF TIMES 7

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‘And Another Thing...’

From the Sublime to the Ridiculous

byVince Nolan

Exciting times in the Nolan world since we last met. We journeyed across “The Pond” to see Son and Heir and Wife and New Grandson in New York. What an adventure!

They live in a beautiful beachside village called Breezy Point. Pretty idyllic. Would be residents have to be recommended, vetted and compliant as good citizens or they are bought out and physically removed. Security barriers and security patrols and their own beach. Quite how our Tom got in remains a mystery. Our adventures also included visits to: Tiffany’s, Wall Street, and another place opposite it. Hence the title of this article. By the time you read this Mr T may have been removed from all his alleged assets not just this one.

impressive but got progressively worse as the punters kept buying him large Irish whiskies.

He became more and more incoherent as the day progressed and more inappropriate with the ladies until he slowly slid down the wall to a standing ovation from some of us customers.

Saw this about Irish diplomacy: “The ability to tell someone to go to hell so that they will look forward to the trip.”

We also experienced a typical NY street vended hot-dog, hold the mustard. The onions were particularly good. Top tip for you from Jimmy Carr on this subject: “A lot of people cry when they chop onions. Apparently, the trick is not to form an emotional bond.”

We were also lucky enough to be in town for St. Patrick’s Day or more like St. Patrick’s I always thought that Vive la Différence was week. Every shop, bar and building was French for Vive la Différence, but it equally draped in the Irish Tricolour, or it could have applied to our NY experience. Cannabis been the Mexican flag, they are quite similar appears to be tolerated over there (not for us (apart from being different colours, so don’t you understand but it was noticeably in use). look it up). Fast-forward to an Irish Bar in We embarked on one of the most bizarre taxi Central New York with a Tony Bennett/Frank rides we have ever experienced. We used a Sinatra type crooner out on the sidewalk recommended cab company and our driver (see what I did there). He was very turned up high as a kite on weed, but he 10 CARDIFF TIMES

Just tohanging. beten clear: Didrefused youorhear about the urologist a pardon inpostulated 1833 ortunately, only six of us turned up and abeing of wereHe required theelectric inminimum thedue early 19th century.

As the hecklers toiled in the Stereophonics and Tom Jones a fractional charge, under 14’s t bad news forold-timers the Cardiff a carrying grave error?

Between typos and autocorrect Ig,engaged four who were in the bar (could have been the who was eaten by a bear?

He was a meteorologist if I were illegally hunting for at the Principality Stadium which had sold as building blocks of the hadrons.

Quarks Andrew Jackson andthe from President derhosen Formation Slap Dancing Ensemble it’sone getting harder to post stuff read these out days.

One the whether factory, of the team would days edout ones from Taff Vale) and asked were them they fancied having a Citythe hotels.

The concerts then have not been directly observed but theoretical (meaty urologist, oh please yourselves).

I have questionable morels? ho will the no longer be slapping each other as tiny mistake and your whole post is urined. news and others would butt in with constant was executed after Court and free beerand for the afternoon.

Fearing some kind of the honey trap, they tookonthe found athey City centre hotelto predictions based theirSupreme existence have rt cancelled ofa their routines unless are given also had we a computer screen mounted capsule.

The Leader of the Opposition and I were sitting in all deer who has lost both ingfor that myhurrah! offer wasHowever, genuine. the Cautiously, they agreed to join us.

Picture theit interruptions and a has stream of “furious debate.” fiTV cklefootage finger been confi rmed experimentally.”

Oh world taken a down strange –please! at leastWith he could turn iftwist he wanted ecial £80, dispensation by playing our First the dashboard liveMinister. of ruled an The scene, 5pm onasa for sunny ourinsocially local, The Funky Furlough, ccident?

No eye Preacher deer. of fateEvangelist (presumably the middle then And mesons and baryons, we could be the parts I collated seem to occupy.

Iquality have been this mind Idistanced have some put-downs takingone), us through the to.

No pleasing some folk. weekday evening at the side How long have you had arthritis?”

“IRugby don’t intervened and cancelled the office lunch here allabout night. aw this Trump inBook a local pub board: reading a proposal for the 2027 ofdies, Revelations.

Allspecials this aswhich we weaved when a lady close by to us asked the Bar Manager when Ion willtheir give comics have usedonto deal with modern day to the Brewery us toand wander lonely as some clouds We leaving Love drunkenly Local champion local farms Cup which will prevent any team in “but red I arthritis, Father,” the drunk said, through the downtown traffic.entrance I have felt World iffacilities the toilets were still upstairs.

He ofother course “He it is today how he was aswarmed hecklers: IStreet was at the hairdressers the day for my Caroline where four ey: time tried to around the Castle and its outdoor bar atthat the time that no one would believe me if I densure fisheries.”

All very laudable but the first shirts and green shirts playing each other we had properly up since we didn’t want to pull any drinking just read in scalping the paper that the Pope does.”

Continuing January when the Jimmy pensioners who could barely toldmenu them this story and see

by Olives. your silence until frostbite got the better ofIfront us forced usand confi rmed that they were but Ipeople thought thisNail to song be ato earing make-up and lying inof m on their was Mediterranean because colour blind often struggle . Unfortunately, only six us and turned up a minimum of ten were required or he other three “Ain’t Nohanging Doubt - She’s Lying” came on thethe “What size ofseen shoe does your mouth take?” that I was right. stand were onto back to a the hotel we did not need.

Much fun, but verheard in same pub: “Every time we distinguish between the two.

Not criticising Staying with the drink, there has always the rope very stupid question.

I would have said something mlinson sme off.

I engaged old-timers who were inthem the bar (could have been the wireless.

Totally unscripted, the Wales, masked ahow lamppost, for rather we quickly foundfour out that there is asay. limit to here we come here.”

You don’t of support, course but thisattached wouldwe, affect been much snobbery to wine. like: “I don’t know d by the son of a good friend singers in the chairs and our masked stylists theme: “This is what comes from drinking on an empty entioned oneswine fromone the Taff Vale) and asked them whether they fancied a much mulled can drink before falling than illumination.

An Canada, Ireland, Tonga, Russia,having South Africa tyrite sell-buy dates before Indeed, people make a living from it, Staying briefly with religion, I love this short all started to sway and sing to the music in a over. afternoon they would and Japan.

This had me in mind of that quote when madam was a urology forbeer his Dad’s head.” tour and free for the afternoon.

Fearing some kind of honey trap, they took Soaponon quote from Billy Connolly the subject.

He scene reminiscent from The Full Monty when butfrom I am making a stand because thewho supermarket on offer aeulogy Friday 3onvincing shops I that really BBC snooker commentator Ted of Lowe never…… remember. with us e the heart say my was genuine.

Cautiously, they agreed tolast join us.

Picture the said: to “I don’t necessarily believe in God, but they What day outdancing to go on board all ofbut these. allastarted in the queue atwe the a rope famously said during one of his commentaries: lockdowns.

I’m giving up wine, every day, all “I know where you were when they were handing les that would make the with Mark Dacey (on the leS) who is the dynamic CEO of oots and I believe in people who do.”

What his views Remarkable and humbling at the same time. job centre.

Fortunately all sharp implements scene, 5pm onare a them sunny moved out to meant. Anyway, here is “And for those of you who watching in black A drunk who smelled like a Pope onthe a ourbrains wait, not it.minutes I’m giving would have in cabmonth.

HowNo crews can live inan the small confines of then out………getting extra helping ofup. adand some doubt whether were downed forthat’s a is few short and Itsausage does not been, needhad mehetobeen suggest the uncanny and white, the pink next to the green.” seges. weekday evening at the side brewery got on a bus and sat theoncar park manyme that day, we can only guess. Billy’s words a submarine for weeks end is beyond Wine every dayThe all month! without further comment, just like in a musical, mouth.” r for the journey home. rope down next to aI have priest.

Tomlinson orbettered vice versa. entrance to the Brewery were by those of Oscar Wilde and nothing but for ekyhad of months ago asthem. aonthe ale, (heenough was only affectionately everybody went back toadmiration their day job like Interesting lyric we heard on the wireless s nothing with EUcause happinessdrunk's shirt was stained, his whento hedo said: “Some Similarly, how anyone can land a jet on Two people out on a first date.

“Do you Caroline Street four nothing had happened.

Lockdown has a lot to no other day: “Sports bra and awhere Maserati car.”

“Do you know, ifbright you wore soundproof trousers because of before his likeness e-buy to home school face was full red theybut go;aothers cause theof rolling deck of andirect aircraftconsequence carrier, every dates recent triphappiness to my local supermarket ction ofwherever the packaging answer for but that was very funny. like Merlot Tammy?”

“Yes, but you don’t Who would thought of which that combination? pensioners who could barely once owned one of the chewed pencils one would hear a word you’re saying.” they How appropriate……. day, is quite amazing. talking of lipstick and he had ahave halfofAnyway, Covid19.”

Perhaps nperishables leader), involved a go.” tripImake light ofwhenever the that would the following Monday.

In fact I or fruit and veg like Apparently many have including a poet called pronounce the “t.”

“Oh, Ok.” Looks at Taxi! the Space Shuttle, reminded me that I was stand were seen hanging onto empty bottle of wine sticking Shakespeare usedDave to his works. used Thewrite Leader of famous The Opposition andI He I were this is why do not run ales play France.

We Cox whom I have just “discovered”. these comestibles given a bit of moon rock once.

When I broke would make it to the car for the journey home.

What is going one day leS on the sell-buy date.

It takes an inordinate amount of skill to sup hen it’s serious, “Is that real face or are you still celebrating outwaiter: ofyour hislistening pocket.

He opened “Two Merlots for me and Ammy.” to Michael Ball on the wireless. a lamppost, for support, rather Intellectual property rules prevent me quoting Next up, I have a confession toon make.

Son ittoopen itIhad “Moon” all wayit to chew it so much that couldn’t tell whether was awritten pub.

0th year relationship with in-@me” with 24 hours spare.

Waste levels must be the astronomical. his newspaper and started s, picked, packaged, He was interviewing Donny Osmond who EU supply issues?

Closer inspec@on of the packaging the excitement. mum of ten were required or Halloween?” than illumination.

An any of his work here but I encourage you to and Heir married into the Mackay family who through it.

Our friend Drthe H has trained her dog Daisy uple of minutes later, he asked theorpriest, "Father, what causes arthritis?"

A in wife sent her played them home and hadhim been appearing in panto at the London 2B. Staying with Bard, days gone by, distributed around UK2B recent WalesOnline article bizarrely claimed look up.

A real comedy genius and hugely have proud Scottish roots (innot addition to all So fruit and veg like Tanzania and Argen@na. these Staying with food, I have been doing some research into what is no longer ma as off.

I engaged four old-timers afternoon they would aused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much and to bring herI alcohol, a bottle ofhusband red wine.

No surprise Palladium. was speaking about a “Your bus leaves inDonny 10 minutes...

Be under it.” aquote romantic ernational weekends.

On at GPs were working 40 months an hour refreshing. being cops).

Asput Nolans, we have proud Irish Finally, spotted this wonderful work from o the shops and on in order to attract women, I used to use this from the UK. The list is endless but here is a small sample: Pringles (Belgium), Sm in the bar (could have been the o@c climes, picked, packaged, taken tothat," the port or airport, your fellow man," thespellchecked priest replied.

"Imagine theformer drunk muttered.

He never…… remember. acting mentor of his who told him sat the really, she’s a Bordeaux collie.

I was phrase we origins (this as Irish organs Scottish poet and novelist Andrew Lang: ertime.

I have no doubt they are ridiculously text message.

She wrote: “Ifhim.. are sleeping, send Mike’s fiones rst), we didpriest, it in Taff the on the sell-buy date.

It Vale) Colman’s English Mustard (Act Germany), Terrys Chocolate (France) eading his paper.

The thinking about what had said, turned tofor the following: “Theatre isyou the only place where ioned from the “Well, it’s night out and aOrange night offyou forand his Shakespeare’s Hamlet, III, Scene IV, line 82: Ia have also been reading Bob Mortimer’s Recent crossword clue: “Brush under the which is probably funnier).

Anyway, as a he gift ses then delivered to40 the shops and put on the shelves with etched at present, but months an hour? with She Who Must Be Obeyed the other he 18th Century Parliament) Sauce (The Netherlands).

Staggering.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come on so strong.

How long have you had can dream in public.

Your job as an actor is of skill to supply goods “O grant me a house by the beach of a bay, me your dreams.

If you are laughing, send me your aogised: bus to Dover, ferry crossing autobiography which I also strongly we ordered two flags online, one with the carpet 5 and 4.”

The answer was “gloss over.” them they at’s overwhether three years an fancied hour. The only way day whilst she family.”

A waves drunk who smelled like a sipped asurly glass of very wine Where the can bewhich inwe winter, and play to deliver that dream” thought was don't have arthritis, Father," the drunk said,smile. just read in the paper that Mackay crest and tartan adorning it"but and Ione recommend.

Funny, poignant and clever, Picture the poor student trying to maybe learn English. o spare.

Waste levels straight was do would be to time travel so If you are eating, send me a bite.

If you are s.

I this was sitting next to him.

At Here’s one for you: “Knock knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“LiKle old lady.” rewery tour and free beer for the With the seaweed in summer, yeabountiful powers! brewery got on bus and sat “LiKle o and she said, “I love you so much, you rather good.

Oh yes it is. s." with the Nolan crest and tartan as souvenirs but enough about me.

In it he recalls a tale “Hello.”

Student – try it in a German accent: “If I ey were referring to Dr Who. In “Imy world this And I’d leave all the hurry, the noise, and the fray, “I need you like Van Gogh needed stereo.” had no idea you could yodel.” drinking, send me adown sip.

If next you are send me Offi cer came onto Fearing kind of trap, pCustoms and weft).

Of for some their houses. merchandise duly toI could aacrying, priest.

The about having chronic flatulence asever child understand zis correctly, inhoney ze afirst place you know.

Icourt don’t how live ould be like driving at 40The hours mile which For a houseknow full of books, and garden ofaflowers.”

I was reading about a case where the accused Thanks to my cousin Lawrence for this joke. arrived, and we pitched up withand these and the drink, there hasbut always been some convincing that my offer which was both embarrassing and atwork times tears.

I love Her husband texted back: “ as Just hold up your passports brushing benease your carpet zen you drunk's shirt was stained, his ould be quite slow not unlike towalked I trying am awas man of awithout certain age soyou.” my does aswine well thare the related you.”

Itolerance said, “Isthreshold that you or the Iyour into our local The Moaning Monet anit een doing some research What do you callbar, a Frenchman wearing they paint were well-received.

However, I later ery attached to wine.

Indeed, very painful.

During one particular attack he add shiny over it.

You British!” was described as “having murderous intent.”

I was Cautiously, they agreed to join us. the recent traffic carnage in Cardiff par@cularly when being asked to embrace new technology.

I was therefore I’m in the toilet, please advise.” egotiate along and count them and face full ofon bright red talking?”

She said, “It’s me talking to the sandals?

Phillipe Flop!

Quickly by a I h saw Van Gogh sitting atwas the end afollowed bar stool. noticed theyUK. were made ain Nova Scotia, sent init,they the The aactured living from but I am making went to the Doctors who managed to “release ty Centre as impose bike lanes on the e scene, 5pm aand sunny weekday She Whoacross Be Obeyed suggested I download anothing new app called what I writ: over to word Wales then flew back the quite disappointed topoem learn that had to doWhat3Wo lipstick and hequotes had athe halfost me and said “Ion didn’t know Staying with games, I completed aMust wordwine.” shouted “Hey Vince do you want a drink?” emall of the lockdowns.

I’m giving up the pressure” forthis him.

He Doctor sample: Pringles of us. et’s call her Dr Atlantic with us, some two weeks later.

Not naviga@on aid which divides the World into 3 metre squares and gives each s the side entrance to the Brewery myNophone and I correctly guessed asRoses saying: “Better an empty house than a empty bottle of wine sticking ay, all month. wait, that’s not Happy InNew Yearcan Dear Reader, the Year of the ortpuzzle and Ion haven’t got one.”

I camping. with a), Colman’s English be red, Violets are purple.

Just too good for our green footprint methinks. combina@on ofFinally, three words.

I s@ll“No drivethanks, about a lot for business, believe it or atenant” blessing for the drink: God,good. ingot his one theevery they were looking for was with Dr Rword who ee that Street where four pensioners He shouted back: I’ve already Sainted Mother-In-Law was looking for car noisy which I thought was very up.

Wine day all month! out of his pocket. opened saying. other Scottish/American matters: What’s the Ox. Apparently this year is going toHe be lucky words to that effect.

Then, in a Having Chocolate Orange Hadron as in the Hadron Collider. no assured that this system would be much more accurate than using our sat na goodness, sent the grapes, to cheer both surance now that her stunt driving days are Presumably this was in the days before the barely stand were seen hanging ear.” ing.

We recently difference between Bing Crosby andnews, Walt my friendhis Finally, David has lost ID. newspaper andhis started out on awhat first date.

“Do you this was really alllike about Isad decided with the Ox representing diligence, persistence of aclue War 2 prisoner of war Parliament) Sauce (The the first @me the other day and the unique three word loca@on I was looking er.

IWorld managed to find a reasonable policy, Doctors were working 40 months an hour. a top bathroom tip: Never leave your greatFinally, and small.

Little fools will drink too Disney?

Bing sings and Walt Disney (sorry). mppost, for support, rather than y?”

“Yes, but look itpinned. up.

I don’t wishforIpronounce hadront (see .ducked Atocouple ofyou minutes later, he asked the priest, "Father, what causes arthritis?" ote was rted it outdown and paid it.footwell She bovvered inAre turn Now he iskindly just Dav. Lost!”

Design fault or user error? pile ointment next to your toothpaste! and honesty.

Not for going to be Trump’s year into the Adios Amigos much and fools none at all. My round. n.

An they would Oh, Ok.” Looks at waiter: “Two what Iafternoon did there): “Any member of a class of Hasta la great Vista. mbursed me with this immortal covering it's caused by loose living, with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, and Meanwhile one of ourtop Bigbeing Days Out (are door.

Live Radio Until the next time Chums from Breezy Point, then is it? ed his coat and mine on of subatomic particles arewas from quarksI Chums eremember. and Ammy.”

Yamas Chums Hasta La Vista mail: “Thank you, theallthat Monet isbuilt intothe bank.” you following this), The Intrepid kpt knock.”

“Who’s there?” for your fellow man," the priest replied. "Imagine New Yorkthat," the drunk muttered. He and thus react through agency ofRiver the be outdone we ocourse move, whilst we were both countered this with “There was really Museum Center onthe the Hudson which H has trained her dog Daisy to bring her a bottle of red wine. surprise dy who?”

“I had no idea dneed to reading his paper.

The priest, thinking about No what he had said, turned to the strong force.

The hadrons embrace mesons, ho smelled apriceless brewery got tohoused give like me a impressionist an aircraft carrier, submarine, gng uncontrollably.

The Customs note: “Please Bordeaux collie.

I was sat with She Who Must Be Obeyed the other day whilst baryons and their many resonances.”

Trouble Concorde aircraft Space mean Shuttle to come on so strong. How long have you had but thank"I'm you anyway.” dinting apologised: sorry, I adidn't and sat down next to and a priest. , did is I the thencount, wantedmissed to knowMike what a quark was. ?" shirt "I don't arthritis, Father," the drunk said, "but I just read in the paper that ’s washave stained, his face when people type ewe sohave my observed tolerance

ebright does."red lipstick and he had well as it used to pty bottle of wine sticking out of ed to embrace new .with He opened histhere newspaper and been the drink, has always

CARDIFF TIMES 11

MUSIC FOR YOUR MIND

The Elvis World Tour 7 May 2024

Thirty Seconds to Mars

James 11 June 2024

10 June 2024

The Postal Service & Death Cab for Cutie 24 August 2024

Jungle

Within Temptation

10 September 2024

15 November 2024

Tiësto_Cardiff_A5Ad.indd 1

28/03/2024 16:32

In The Words Of by Carl Marsh April 2024 Happy Easter! Perhaps you’ve had or given lots of Easter Eggs and gifts, and rightly so! For most of us, it’s the second most crucial time of the year after Christmas; for some, it’s the first holiday away.

So, whatever you did, I hope it was a lovely time, whether at home or away.

The interviews for your perusal this month range from a young new band [The K’s] to an old legend in the music business [Pete Waterman], with a couple of comedians [Emmanuel Sonubi & Paul Foot] thrown into the mix. There is a good variety; I hope you enjoy them.

MUSIC REVIEW All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade - The Libertines - 5th April In what is only the band’s fourth album, the last, ‘Anthems for Doomed Youth’ a whole nine years before in 2015, with the band’s self-titled debut being in 2004, this new release is more of a surprise that it exists at all based on the personal issues of its band members over the years. Yet, here we are with a masterpiece.

Whether you’re blasting out the high tempo track ‘Run Run Run’, or listening to the more sedate yet politically charged, ‘Merry Old England’, you’d be at fault trying to find anything on this record that isn’t class. For me, it’s the lyrics in some of the songs that I thought I’d never hear on a track. I even told Pete Doherty and Carl Barât this when I interviewed them backstage recently, and both sang the song back to me. I even got two alternative versions of ‘Shiver’ sung to me by Pete. This album is - and should be - on everyone’s purchase/ stream list for 2024.

TV REVIEW Slow Horses - Apple TV+ It has been a show on my radar since series one and two aired in 2022; only this year, after series three dropped in November 2023 through to January 2024, I got to sit down and watch them all over a week.

Based on Mick Herron’s novels about MI5 rejects that have been carted out of the main building doing ‘proper’ security and intelligence work for some misdemeanor or another. The characters find themselves in a dull, dank building called ‘Slough House’. It’s sort of a middle-ground between employment and the Job Centre! This place is where the fun begins when the disgraced and unwanted agents stumble upon national security issues, often embarrassing the HQ at MI5 and beyond. I am told that season four will be released at the end of this And before I forget, the long-hoped-for sequel to one year, and it’s also been renewed for season five/six. I of the best movies from the 1980s is finally here. At the love that this series depicts the world of espionage in end of this year, we have Beetlejuice 2. No doubt it will a dog-eat-dog fashion, with everyone seemingly out be out circa Halloween. Do check out the trailer if you for themselves. Based on one of my former careers, haven’t done so already.

I can relate to this, so I did appreciate the realism, even though it is done in a dark-comedy way.

Enjoy April!

Carl Marsh Twitter - @InTheWordsOf_CM YouTube - InTheWordsOf 14 CARDIFF TIMES

Interview with Pete Waterman

‘I Should Be So Lucky’ - the Stock Aitken and Waterman musical is coming to the Hippodrome Theatre in Bristol, Tuesday, 9th April to Saturday, 13th April. And yes, I know it’s over the bridge, but why not? I chatted with Pete Waterman, who, along with Mike Stock and Matt Aitken, played a massive part in pop music while growing up.

Carl Marsh

‘I Should Be So Lucky’, I’m surprised it’s taken this long for anything like this to appear on a stage and then tour.

Pete Waterman

Well, over the last ten years, we have been constantly chased by quite a few good writers. But the only one I ever really worked with who I thought might work, and he was very honest, was Peter Kay. And he just said that he just couldn’t do it. He said that the songs were too difficult to work into a narrative. And it was only when Debbie Isitt, because of (her work on) ‘Nativity’, that we got that she quite understood the feelings in the songs, and when we met, we’d just done a Channel Five documentary. So, sometimes, it just clicks. You just feel the time’s right. And this time, it just felt right. It really did. And I think, in all honesty, we’ve worked hard, for five years, to make this work. The last 18 months, and I’m not saying it’s not hard work. It’s incredibly hard work. But at least we all knew that everybody wanted it, which in itself is a massive thing.

Carl Marsh

With the songs in the show, had you always been dead set on which were to go in it, or has that list changed many times?

Pete Waterman

Oh, well, that’s… [Laughs] It’s still working. I mean,

Words by Carl Marsh

that is obviously our input. They are our songs, so the treatment of those songs, any change in the lyrics, the choice of which songs to use, and how long you can use them for. We have all of that. So, we’ve had input from day one, in that respect. Since that opening night in Manchester, we’ve changed quite a lot. We had 12 days of previews, and it changed pretty drastically. It’s changed again since and will probably change again. And the reason is that I know this sounds silly, but you don’t know the public reaction until you actually see it. So, I thought I knew what it would be. But the producers, writer, and director had not done ‘The Hitman and Her’ [TV show hosted by Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan - 1988-1992: ITV]. So, they haven’t been in the clubs and seen the reaction. They see the songs as like, “Well, they were Number One”, but they don’t understand why. You know yourself, if you’re on a stage in a club and play a record, everybody sings along; that’s their moment. And it’s taken a while for the director and the writer to understand that ‘her story’ [main protagonist in the musical] is not important. Once the song starts, the audience is in their comfort zone. When the guy goes, “We’re not strangers to love”, the whole audience goes, “You know the rules, and so do I”. And the writer looked at us going, “Why are they doing it?” It’s because they know the songs better than you do! If you change them [the songs], you change the memory, which is another problem of why we’ve never allowed them to be used for commercials. Because you know that people fall in love with them.

People fell out with them, and people made up with them.

And they were always classed as lighthearted, fluffy pop songs. Of course, they’re not because there’s a hard lyric behind them. Getting somebody who’s not understanding of teenage culture to see them not as just pop songs…

These are people’s memories. You know, these songs; people sang to people because this was their voice of sadness or happiness.

‘I Should Be So Lucky’ - Bristol Hippodrome Theatre 9th-13th April 2024.

CARDIFF TIMES 15

Interview with Emmanuel Sonubi

Words by Carl Marsh

Emmanuel Sonubi is a comedian who’s had many ‘very’ different careers before hitting the big time onto the comedy circuit. I asked him about a few ahead of his show at The Glee Club Cardiff on Wednesday, 17th April.

Carl Marsh Your new tour is called ‘Curriculum Vitae’. Can I assume that it’s all about the jobs and careers you’ve had over the years?

Emmanuel Sonubi Yeah, this is very much the journey to stand-up. And what each of those jobs did as an influence towards doing the stand-up as well. So, it’s a little more about each job I’ve done.

Carl Marsh Can you give me an example of some of the crazy ones that you’ve done? I know you’ve been a doorman, but there has to be something you can tell me that’s more outlandish than being a comedian.

Interview with Paul Foot

There aren’t many comedians like Paul Foot, who is a trailblazer and can go off on a comedy tangent like no other. He’s ace. He’s hilarious. Check out his latest show ‘Dissolve’ at The Glee Club Cardiff on Sunday, 7th April.

Carl Marsh I know you’ve - at times - been very observant about your comedy, as I recall a few years back when, in one of your routines, you made fun of those ‘BABY ON BOARD’ stickers.

Whenever I see one, I can’t fail to think of you making fun of them.

Paul Foot I suppose that was the idea of comedy, in a way, isn’t it?

It’s like when other people say to me, “Oh, we had some cake. And every time we get a bit of cake, we always say it’s moist”, which is one of my things. I suppose one of the reasons for being reasonably successful as a comedian is if people can keep anchoring back to things. And every time they hear something, thinking, “Oh, yes, that reminds me of that joke by Paul Foot’.

So, the laughter isn’t just on that night, but spread out. The little things remind people of the show and make them laugh Emmanuel Sonubi about things again. This (new) show, ‘Dissolve’, is different Oh, God, I mention them in the show, so I won’t go to any show I’ve done before. It’s very personal. And I’ve into too much detail. But I used to…. actually, the real never done anything even remotely personal before. It’s story is that I owned a barber shop. And I’ve got no basically about how 28 years of terrible depression just all experience of cutting hair. This is the haircut I can do, disappeared in an amazing event that occurred on 20th the one you’re looking at [via the video link, I can see he March 2022. has a shaved head], And the plan was because I started this as a business was to rent out the six chairs that I It’s a show where I’m getting lots of people writing in or had in there to barbers. And then they would work in coming up to me afterwards and saying how they were there as a profit share between me and them. But when affected by it. I think any people who have been affected it got towards opening, I’d underestimated how easy either directly or indirectly by mental illness or mental health it was to find barbers. And about a week before I was issues are finding a great resonance with it. They’re also ready to open, I hadn’t found a single barber! So, rather finding the show uplifting because it’s got a happy ending about how all these problems have disappeared. I talk about than delay the opening like a normal person would do. quite personal things like depression and the anxiety that I I said, “Do you know what? You can learn anything had for so many years. Obviously, I’m a comedian, so I do on YouTube!” [Laughter] and I just sat there for hours kneeling, watching YouTube tutorials, ensuring I had all find a way to make that funny. So, the sort of challenge for the right equipment, and then opening the store. I now the show was to take quite serious subjects and work out know how to actually cut hair, but it was trial and error! how to make them funny or work out how to undercut things by pulling the rug from under people’s feet, and they never [Laughs] quite knew. It’s that balance between the funny and the Emmanuel Sonubi - The Glee Club Cardiff - 17th April. profound, and it all ties in together.

Paul Foot - The Glee Club Cardiff - 7th April.

16 CARDIFF TIMES

Interview with Ryan Breslin

Words by Carl Marsh

it seems like it’s been non-stop for you guys. Yet, Every couple of years, I get introduced musically to a band that is a breath of fresh I, and maybe many of your fans, can only assume you’ve taken seven years to release your debut air for me. I listened to a few tracks by The K’s… and then listened to all they’d released record because it wasn’t the right time any sooner. over the last seven years. All are standout.

Ryan Breslin [The K’s] I chatted with the band’s guitarist, Ryan That’s it! And that’s the one question that we get Breslin, ahead of the release of their debut asked all the time: “When’s the album coming out? album, ‘I Wonder If The World Knows’, and When’s the album coming out?” We’ve got two or their gig at Tramshed on Friday, 12th April. three albums ready, but you can release them yet

waste them at the same time. I know COVID had a Carl Marsh big play on it because just before, we were in talks Your first track - and still fan favourite - ‘Sarajevo’ about an album deal, and then obviously, COVID hit came out in 2017, yet wasn’t that the year the band and messed everything up. So, I think everything had only gotten together? That’s impressive stuff happens for a reason, and now I’m sort of glad that for a band with its first-ever track. the album is happening because it feels right, it’s the right time, and people are buzzing for it. The hype Ryan Breslin [The K’s] around it so far has been incredible.

Yeah, that’s when we first got together. So, Jamie [Boyle: Lead Singer] and me were out on different Carl Marsh nights and ended up back at the same house party.

Why did you only select songs from the last few We knew each other as we’d grown up together years, along with some brand new ones, instead of in school. Me, Jamie, and Dexter [Baker: Bass the fan favourites from throughout the seven years?

Guitar]. But yeah, we just met at the start of this after-party, and we sort of stood around and said, Ryan Breslin [The K’s] while drunk, “Shall we just start a band?” Then we I don’t know. It’s just a question that everyone asks got in the rehearsal room and wrote ‘Sarajevo’ that us. We felt that with the track listing and the album next week! [Laughs] When we released it, it did vibe, four or five of the originals fit the best. And really well on playlists and stuff like that and was we’re buzzing with every single track, and I don’t getting listened to in and around a few places. And think we would change any of them, so yeah, we’re then we were like, “We can do something with this ecstatic. (band)”.

Watch The K’s at Tramshed on Friday, 12th April, Carl Marsh while they are still doing smaller venues!

From what I’ve read and the songs I’ve listened to, CARDIFF TIMES 17

18 CARDIFF TIMES

FRI 11TH OCTOBER 2024

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CARDIFF TIMES 19

Fast and Furious Food

by Sara John

Some Simple and Useful Recipes for All A number of recent lunch and supper guests have, a few mouthfuls in, congratulated me on the combination of tastes and textures on their plates and have interrogated me about the ingredients before asking “please could they have the recipe.” My answer invariably is: “it is very simple; this dish is ready in minutes; the ingredients are all probably in your cupboard; if you can fry an egg, you can cook this!”

My boys were all taught to cook by me before they ventured out into the big world, so that they would not run off with the first person they met who could cook. Nowadays, having guests over, for us or for them, is no big deal.

I thought that perhaps some of these tried and tested dishes may be useful for readers and benefit their always hungry and eager families.

So here are a few fast and easy recipes worth trying.

Cranachan A proper posh and Scottish puddin.’

If you can stir your coffee with a spoon, you can easily make this 18th century recipe. No cooking required! Just stirring.

Ingredients: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Carton of plain yogurt Tin of Ambrosia Devon custard Fresh raspberries or blueberries or chopped up strawberries Toasted medium oatmeal A goodly big dollop of Honey (clear runny honey) The traditional dish should contain a wee dram of Scotch whisky. (Optional)

Put all the above ingredients into a large bowl and mix everything together slowly and thoroughly.

Serve in generous stemmed glasses, or ice cream dishes with dry wafer biscuits or thin oatcakes.

Note. There are at least three different categories of oatmeal, fine oatmeal is “dusty” and not suitable for toasting for this recipe. Medium oatmeal is perfect. Other oatmeal’s are better suited to adding to cereal dishes for breakfast.

To prepare the oatmeal, put a heavy bottomed fry pan on a lowish heat and cover with a light snowfall of medium oatmeal. Using a decent sized fish slice, turn the oatmeal over and over in the pan so that it smells toasted, looks toasted and is toasted. A word to the wise from Aunty Sara. If the phone rings - let it! The moment you leave the cooker the oatmeal will burn and will have to be thrown out. Stay in charge! Do not trust it, it is very crafty.

Cranachan will not be so good the next day.

Finish it off tonight.

20 CARDIFF TIMES

West Indian Chicken

3.

Ingredients: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Left-over cooked chicken chopped up ready to use.

Two ripe bananas, peeled and chopped.

Good handful of purchased toasted ready cashew nuts.

Good handful of sultanas or raisins (leave in hot water to ‘fatten’ and drain before using) Any leftover ready-to-eat fruits, tinned is okay.

Green vegetables, chopped up and cooked ready.

Tin of chicken soup.

Curry paste mixed with coconut milk.

4.

5.

Method: 1.

2.

Put soup into a saucepan and warm through thoroughly, stir well.

Add all the ingredients, numbers 1-6 as listed above to the hot and ready soup. Stir thoroughly. Serve, preferably with exotic breads.

Thai Green Curry As an alternative this recipe can be varied as Thai Green Curry by using a desert spoonful of Green Thai curry paste instead of the curry paste with coconut milk From Thailand.

Chicken Stew with Cardamom and Apricots Ingredients: 1.

2.

You will need chicken Breasts without skin or bones, just cut with kitchen scissors into mouth sized pieces. Wash and dry. Dust over with Powered Cardamom. Do not be stingy with the cardamom. Lay aside.

Open a packet of chopped and assorted

frozen vegetables.

Peel and cut potatoes into small pieces.

Put these with the frozen vegetables in a saucepan of hot to boiling water and cook so they are ready to eat. Add the contents including about half of the juice, of a tin of apricots. Cut the half apricots again into quarters.

Put a quarter pint of water into a glass (if you have one) jug. Add a flat dessert spoonful of plain flour, (NOT self-raising) or, if you have cornflower use that. Add a goodly dollop of Heinz tomato ketchup and a smaller dollop of Blue Dragon Sweet chilli sauce. Mix carefully, stirring thoroughly. No lumps! Set to one side.

Put a splash of rapeseed oil in a frying pan or a sauté pan and as the oil heats up add the small chicken pieces. Stir and mix and ensure all pieces are thoroughly cooked through. Pour over the contents of number 4 above. Stir carefully. Add the vegetables to the chicken and sauce mix.

Stir thoroughly. A goodly dollop of Kefir (a very pure simple and original plain yogurt) now available from shops everywhere and exceptionally good for you. This goes well on top of the portion.

Serve to your guests in what I call pasta dishes, with high sides.

Pretty Instant Pudding 1.

2.

You will need some Mars bars according to the numbers of guests or just one if you are new to all this and are just experimenting. You also need a decent sized carton of ice cream.

When everything else is almost ready, place a Pyrex basin into a saucepan of hot water and bring the water gradually to the boil. Cut up the Mars bars and drop the pieces into the Basin. No pinching and eating chocolate pieces. Stir, with a clean wooden spoon to help the mars bar pieces melt into an excellent chocolate sauce.

You have just cooked your own homemade Bain Marie! Well done.

CARDIFF TIMES 21

3.

When all is ready place a measure of icecream into the pudding dishes and drench in warm melted chocolate sauce.

A fishy lunch I suggest Salmon fishcakes available from most supermarkets or make your own.

While they are cooking or heating, try your hand at what cooks still say is the most difficult item to prepare - namely the sauce - and I offer a choice.

A. Lemon and Rose sauce You will need: 1.

2.

3.

4.

A goodly dollop of Lemon curd, yes! Lemon curd, - Bonne Maman is the BEST! A level dessert spoonful of plain flour Half a pint or a little less of water Decent dollop of Heinz tomato ketchup

Put everything (1 to 4) above into a decent sized jug and stir thoroughly. Warm gently in a small frying pan stirring all the time. It will thicken into a splendid sauce.

B. Orange Sauce For a nice and mysterious change, prepare Orange Sauce for the fishcakes but equally appetizing with white fish.

shallow pan, until cooked through and douse in the previously prepared orange sauce, French fries, and green vegetables (broccoli, peas, green beans, or French beans all work well with the above). You can also use this sauce with fishcakes.

Latkes

Years ago, when I was travelling frequently to London, I often had lunch in Soho. It was central to all the suppliers I needed to visit, it was full of life and just a little bit frightening! It was also very affordable – in those far off days.

I was introduced to Latkes by a Jewish colleague, her name was Veronica, and I can hear her now saying loudly (she was loud), “you’ll love them, you’ll love them!” all down Wardour Street.

And I did. There are many variations. They take no time at all to prepare, and you can vary the ingredients according to taste. Try them and see.

Ingredients: 2 medium potatoes 1 beaten egg ¼ cup of flour Vegetable oil They are this fast to make!!!

You will need:

1.

2.

3.

1.

4.

2.

3.

4.

A goodly dollop of quality orange marmalade A level dessert spoonful of plain flour Half a pint of water or a little less Hand squeezed juice from two halves of a decent size orange

Put everything (1 – 4) above into a decent sized jug and stir thoroughly. Warm gently in a small pan stirring all the time.

Fry half inch slices of chicken breasts in a 22 CARDIFF TIMES

Peel and coarsely grate the potatoes.

Mix with the egg and flour Heat a heavy saucepan with a little cooking oil. Not olive oil!

Drop a dessert spoon full of the mix into the hot oil. Flatten it out and cook both sides until they are light brown.

The classic accompaniments are stewed cooking apples! Try them and see for yourself.

Look them up on a computer, there are many variations to try.

(This recipe is not suited to cooks who cannot resist answering the phone.)

Florentines This recipe is a real treat, fast and easy to make, make the day before if you have chums coming for coffee. Cut the large trayful into easy-to-handle pieces. They are a lovely surprise for guests who are tasting them for the first time.

Ingredients: 5-6 oz unsalted butter 5oz sugar Half a box of dates i.e., 4ozs destoned and chopped up.

3-4 oz sultanas 3-4 oz of chopped glace cherries.

3-4 oz Rice Krispies 1-2 oz of flaked almonds Dark cooking chocolate

6.

7.

covered with the sticky mix and there are no ‘holes’ showing through.

Leave to set for about half an hour in a cool place NOT the fridge.

When nicely set cut into squares or oblongs, lift out of the tray and place upside down on a flat surface. Paint the underside of the Florentines now revealed with melted chocolate using a clean pastry brush. Store in an airtight tin. They will keep well for two weeks or so BUT not if you eat them!

Utensils required: Flat bottomed nonstick saucepan of goodly size Wooden spoon and pastry brush Buttered baking tray 12” x 15”

Method: Method: 1. Very gently melt the butter with the sugar in the warm to hot saucepan.

2. Add dates, sultanas, cherries, and almonds.

3. Spend enough time stirring this mixture gently over a lowish to medium heat until all the sugar has been absorbed in the melted butter, and all the ingredients are completely coated so they are hot and sticky. You should just be able to smell a slightly caramel smell as the sugar reaches that stage of heating up.

4. Add the rice krispies gently (you will think there is too much) and continue to stir so that the mix is consistent throughout, and all the particles are coated.

5. Carefully tip out onto a greased tray and pat well down with the back of a wooden spoon so that the surface of the tray is

I hope you have enjoyed these recipes and are eager to try them out. I promise they are easy, and I hope the instructions are clear to follow.

You must be patient. And willing to try. Enjoy!

All human history attests.

That happiness for man the hungry sinner, Since Eve ate apples, much depends on dinner.

Lord Byron, Don Juan ii xcix

CARDIFF TIMES 23

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A Milestone for Sports Nutrition in Wales

Nutrivend is proud to announce its acquisition of CSN Formulations, operating as CSN Supplements, marking a significant milestone in the Welsh sports nutrition landscape.

reach, diversify our product offerings, and elevate our level of service. We are confident that this combined force will emerge as a major player in the Welsh sports nutrition market.”

This strategic partnership merges the strengths of both entities, creating a formidable force dedicated to serving athletes and fitness enthusiasts throughout the UK.

This strategic acquisition heralds’ positive developments for the Welsh business landscape.

The amalgamated entity will create new job opportunities, foster growth within the sports nutrition sector in Wales, and establish a prominent Welsh brand as a leader in the UK market.

This collaboration underscores the shared vision of both companies for growth and exceptional customer service. Scott Morgan, Founder and CEO of Nutrivend, expresses enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating: “We are incredibly excited about Nutrivend’s acquisition of CSN Supplements. This move enhances our solutions offering by incorporating CSN’s established e-commerce platform and extensive product range. It signifies a significant leap towards providing our customers with an unparalleled online shopping experience and access to a broader spectrum of premium nutritional supplements. This marks a pivotal moment for us as we merge our strengths to better support everyone’s health and fitness aspirations.”

Nutrivend’s robust national distribution infrastructure and diverse product portfolio will merge seamlessly with CSN Supplements’ loyal customer base and commitment to quality. This integration promises a wider array of products, enhanced online shopping experiences, and exceptional service for all customers.

Marc Robinson, of CSN Supplements, sees the acquisition as a tremendous opportunity: “By joining forces with Nutrivend, we can extend our

Looking ahead, Nutrivend plans to leverage its consolidated resources to invest in a robust online presence, expand its product range, and enhance customer service offerings. This commitment underscores a dedication to building upon the strengths of both companies and exceeding expectations within the sports nutrition industry.

Nutrivend stands as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Sports Nutrition Industry, achieving Fast Growth 50 status for five years and recognised as the Fastest Growing Business to Business in Service in Wales. Committed to supporting individuals in achieving their health and fitness goals, Nutrivend offers innovative solutions, products, and services designed to support every aspect of a healthy lifestyle and simplify operations for business owners.

CSN Supplements: Established as Cardiff’s premier destination for sports nutrition, CSN Supplements has garnered a loyal following by offering toptier sports nutrition supplements at competitive prices. Their team of experienced staff provides personalised advice, ranging from dietary guidance to training tips, ensuring customers receive tailored support on their fitness journey.

CARDIFF TIMES 27

CHRISTOPHER McEWEN by Ralph Oates PART ONE

In this edition of the Cardiff Times I interviewed Christopher McEwen, who is the Chairman of the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Amateur Boxing club.

Christopher should be congratulated for doing a great deal of valuable work through boxing. I feel you will find his views on the sport interesting and inspiring.

Image courtesy of Christopher What drew you to the sport of boxing?

Christopher McEwen My grandad had cancer and he came to live with us my parents nursed him. They made a bed for him in our front room he had a little TV at the foot of his bed. Thus, between the ages of 8 to 10 years old I remember watching the big fights on his TV. When I got a bit older, I used to get bullied due to my height.

So, at 12 years of age, I joined my first boxing club Leigh Park ABC.

Ralph Oates In which part of Wales do you live?

Ralph Oates Did you continue to box in your adult years?

Christopher McEwen I live in Pembrokeshire.

Christopher McEwen Yes, I continued to box when I joined the Royal Air Force.

Ralph Oates Where in Wales were you born?

Christopher McEwen I was born in Portsmouth.

Ralph Oates In which year were you born?

Christopher McEwen I was born on the 27/10/1978.

Ralph Oates 28 CARDIFF TIMES

Ralph Oates Have any members of your family ever boxed?

Christopher McEwen My grandad from my father’s side, boxed when he was in the Army.

Ralph Oates How long have you been the Chairman of Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Amateur Boxing Club?

Christopher McEwen Since 2013. I am also the Chairman of Great Britain Disability Boxing; we help support clubs to be more inclusive and run inclusion projects.

Ralph Oates When was the club first formed?

Christopher McEwen It was first formed in 1967 by Police officer Mr Bryn Phillips.

Ralph Oates How many boxers do you have at the club?

Christopher McEwen We have twenty carded boxers.

We have thirty that use it for fitness.

We also work with Duke of Edinburgh, The Princes Trust, Police working with young offenders, victims of violence, women’s disco boxercise and free disability boxing sessions attended by over seventy individuals of all abilities.

Christopher McEwen I think if you were to increase it to three-minute rounds their pay would have to reflect that. Women professionals have it far harder, without the recognition they duly deserve. Or indeed pay that reflects that very fact.

Ralph Oates At the moment Women’s world title fights are scheduled for ten-rounds do you think they should be increased to twelve or remain at ten?

Christopher McEwen If you’re not going to give them three-minute rounds, then they should 100% have the last two championship rounds when fighting for a world title.

Ralph Oates Which would you say is your favourite weight division?

Christopher McEwen I would have to say Heavyweight division.

Ralph Oates What plans are there for the club, going forward?

Ralph Oates Who is your favourite male boxer?

Christopher McEwen We have a large facility so we are looking into the prospect of extending our back room so we can then hold our home shows in our own facility. We are also thinking about letting other local clubs run their home shows there too, to promote grass roots boxing. We are also thinking about putting in our coffee shop, this would help young people, people with disabilities hence helping the job centre. Teaching healthy eating and starting apprenticeship programmes. We are commu-nity club promoting and supporting all community projects.

Christopher McEwen Oleksandr Usyk who at the time of this interview is the reigning WBA, IBF WBO and IBO world heavyweight title holder and the former undisputed world cruiserweight world king. Not only is he a great champion, but he is also humble, respectful and his footwork is incredible. When you consider everything that is going on within his country at this present time you have to admire what he’s done for his homeland.

I just think he’s an incredible role model. A credit to the sport of boxing.

Ralph Oates How do you feel about the advance of women’s boxing.

Christopher McEwen I saw a massive change in sport for women and inclusion from the 2012 Olympics, I have seen it spike even higher since the pandemic. The fact that these conversations are now taking place is a great thing. Change is happening and female boxers are becoming role models to girls and boys. There are many incredible female boxers out there and there are still more to come, who have the talent to do excellent things in boxing. I know World Boxing will help support the change as well. We see more promoters supporting women so change is happening before our very eyes, perhaps not always at a pace you would like but it’s happening and that’s the main thing.

Ralph Oates At the moment the rounds in women’s professional boxing last for the duration or two-minutes while the men’s last three-minutes. Do you feel the rounds of women’s boxing should be increased to three or stay as they are at two-minutes?

The interview with Christopher will continue in next month’s edition of Cardiff Times.

CARDIFF TIMES 29

30 CARDIFF TIMES

For that early morning cuppa.

For when ‘7 across’ has you stumped.

For peace. For quiet.

For when a custard cream tickles your fancy.

For a hand to hold when it all feels too much.

For when you fall in love, again.

For that fit of giggles after a serious chat.

For “namaste”.

For that homely feeling, even though you just moved in.

For every moment, we’re here.

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Celebrating Roy Orbison, The Traveling Wilburys and so much more in-between

BARRY STEELE'S “True, Identikit Brilliance” The Stage

Thu 23 May 01633 656757 newportlive.co.uk/Riverfront for more Welsh dates visit barrysteele.com 32 CARDIFF TIMES

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A5 Summer Lang Advert_Layout 1 11/03/2024 11:35 Page 1

HOLA

CIAO

Dysgwch iaith newydd dros yr haf

Learn a language this summer

Byddwn yn darparu amrywiaeth o ddosbarthiadau sgwrsio yr haf hwn, gan gynnwys:

We will be providing a variety of conversation classes this summer, including:

Q Ffrangeg

Q French

Q Eidaleg

Q Sbaeneg

Q Chinese

Q Wcreineg

Q Italian

Q Spanish

Q Chinese

Q Ukrainian

Mae ein cyrsiau byr, dwys a diddorol yn cael eu haddysgu gan diwtoriaid sy'n siaradwyr brodorol, ac mae’r cyrsiau yn amrywio o lefelau dechreuwyr i uwch.

Our short, intensive and enjoyable courses are taught by native-speaking tutors and range from beginners to advanced.

Cymerwch ran yn ein cystadleuaeth i ennill lle am ddim ar gwrs.

Enter our competition to win a free course.

Mae'r telerau a'r amodau llawn i'w gweld ar ein gwefan. www.cardiff.ac.uk/learn/summer-languages Ffôn: 029 2087 0000

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Details and terms and conditions are on our website. www.cardiff.ac.uk/learn/summer-languages Telephone: 029 2087 0000

BONJOUR

NI HAO

Beth am ddysgu iaith yr haf hwn?

Learn a language this summer

Mae Dysgu Gydol Oes ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd yn cynnig cyrsiau iaith dwys ym mis Mehefin a mis Gorffennaf i roi hwb i’ch sgiliau sgwrsio.

Lifelong Learning at Cardiff University are providing intensive language courses this June and July to accelerate your language conversation skills.

Byddwn yn cynnal dosbarthiadau wyneb yn wyneb yn y Dsieinëeg, Ffrangeg, Eidaleg, Sbaeneg ac Wcreineg* dros wythnos neu bythefnos a fydd yn cael eu harwain gan diwtor arbenigol sy'n siaradwr brodorol, a hynny mewn ystafell ddosbarth groesawgar, llawn anogaeth.

We will be running Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish and Ukrainian in-person* classes over one or two weeks which will be led by an expert native-speaking tutor in a welcoming and encouraging classroom.

Bob blwyddyn rydym yn cael adborth cadarnhaol gan ein myfyrwyr iaith “Rydw i wedi bod wrth fy modd â’r Ffrangeg ers ei hastudio ar gyfer lefel ‘A’ ddiwedd y 1960au. Ro’n i’n cymryd yn ganiataol fy mod yn weddol rugl yn yr iaith o hyd, ond tua chwe blynedd yn ôl, fe fu’n rhaid imi gydnabod bod safon fy iaith heb fod fel yr oedd yn arfer bod. Felly fy benderfynais i chwilio i weld sut y gallai Prifysgol Caerdydd fod o gymorth i mi. Wedi i mi fod ar sawl cwrs, a dau ymweliad â Nantes ar y rhaglen cyfnewid ar gyfer oedolion, sydd yn rhaglen na allaf ei chanmol ddigon, rwy’n hapus yn siarad yn agored yn y dosbarth unwaith eto.

Maggie Smales I ddathlu, rydym yn lansio cystadleuaeth a gallwch ennill cwrs am ddim. I ymgeisio, mae angen i chi gwblhau arolwg byr iawn sydd ar gael ar ein gwefan, ac mae’r telerau ac amodau ar gael yno hefyd.

Gallwch ymrestru ar-lein. Rydym yn edrych ymlaen at eich croesawu chi, a’r unig beth sydd ei angen arnoch yw eich diddordeb mewn iaith a’r brwdfrydedd i’w dysgu gydag eraill. *Bydd y cwrs Wcreineg yn cael ei gyflwyno ar-lein. https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/cy/part-time-courses-for-adults

Every year we receive positive feedback from our language students ‘“I have always loved French since I studied it at ‘A’ level in the late 1960s. I took it for granted that I could maintain a level of fluency, but about six years ago, I had to acknowledge that standards were slipping. So I looked to the university to rescue me. Several courses later, and two visits to Nantes on the adult exchange programme, which I can’t praise too highly, I am once again happy to speak out in class.”

Maggie Smales To celebrate, we are launching a competition for you to win a free course. To enter you need to complete a very short survey which is available on our website where terms and conditions can also be found.

You can enrol online. We look forward to welcoming you and believe all you need is an interest in a language and the enthusiasm to learn it with others. *Ukrainian will be delivered as an online course. www.cardiff.ac.uk/learn/summer-languages 029 2087 0000

029 2087 0000

CARDIFF TIMES 35

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Mawrth 9 March – Medi 15 September 2024 Sain Ffagan Amgueddfa Werin Cymru St Fagans National Museum of History

36 CARDIFF TIMES

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With more than 35 different traders under one roof it is easy to while away an entire afternoon at this welcoming destination - you can even enjoy a coffee at the onsite coffee shop.

Here at The Pumping Station you will find so many wonderful examples of clothing, jewellery, antiques, furniture and home furnishings from the Victorian era right through to modern day, there really is something here for everyone.

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Monday to Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm Penarth Road, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF11 8TT

CARDIFF TIMES 37

A house is not a home without pawprints!

By Natalie McCulloch

Image credit: Ylanite Koppens

Have you ever heard the saying “A house is not a home without pawprints”? if you are a pet owner you most probably understand this and hopefully agree.

Statistics suggest we are a nation who love our pets with an estimated 53% of UK adults owning a pet according to the PDSA’s 2023 PAW (PDSA ANIMAL WELLBEING) report.

Further to this the research showed that 90% of people felt that having a pet improved their lives with 94% of pet owners stating pets made them happy and 44% citing their pets as being a lifeline during challenging times. And its not just cats and dogs either as people mention rabbits, birds, reptiles and even cows as being a special part of their lives.

It goes without saying that pets are incredible things…

Did you know that just by looking into your pets’ eyes it can help stimulate the chemical oxytocin which helps us feel more optimistic and even lowers our blood pressure?!

Some of the other benefits of pet ownership include, vital companionship, encouraging 38 CARDIFF TIMES

social interaction (especially if walking the dog and chatting to others on your travels) and giving us an excuse to get away from social media/technology for a few moments to spend time fussing over them.

But, as with many things that give us solace, they can also cause concern to us at some points in our lives, especially when there is a level of dependency on us. Pets are not excluded from this concern, especially when we become unwell or unable to provide the level of care that our furry (and nonfurry!) friends require. And this is where The Cinnamon trust, a nationwide registered charity, can step in to help.

The Cinnamon Trust is a specialist national charity offering support for older people, the terminally ill and their pets. Nationally, The Cinnamon Trust helps over 150,000 people a year with over 158,000 animals.

They offer a range of services such as: •Voluntary dog walking to provide essential support for owners who can no longer exercise their pets themselves due to terminal illnesses,

disability or being over the age of 65.

•Practical support for those who find themselves unable to manage physical tasks relating to pet care such as cat grooming, transporting pets to the vets, changing litter trays, and picking up cat food.

•Short-term fostering for those that find themselves admitted to hospital on a temporary basis.

They aim to take a bit of the worry that life as a pet owner can bring when you’re facing health issues or mobility issues and offer support for the VIP’S (Very important Pets) in our lives, when it is needed most.

Equally, they want to help protect our pets, for example, for a pet that is used to the comforts of home and one to one care, kennels and catteries can be frightening and traumatising so The Cinnamon Trust aim to bridge a gap whilst the owner returns to good health.

“If you love them then so do we! Our goal is to match pets to a “like for like” home keeping things as familiar as possible.” (The Cinnamon Trust) How do I find out more?

If you are a pet owner interested in support, please call 01736 757900 or complete the contact form on their website https:// cinnamon.org.uk/ And great news is it’s never too early to consider it!

the trust cannot always meet the needs of multiple sessions or certain days. However, by raising the profile of this pet loving service, we can hopefully recruit more volunteers, so please don’t let that prevent you enquiring!

I am a pet lover, Can I help?

Absolutely!

As with many charities, they could not do this, without the kindness of their volunteers and supporters who offer their time and kindness at no cost.

As a charity they are also reliant on donations, bequests and fundraising that allows them to continue their work and help support the thousands of pets that are in their care.

The Cinnamon Trust is a national charity and cover the whole of the UK. However local availability is entirely dependent on having registered volunteers available to offer help with the task that is required and within the distance they are willing to travel. Could you be that person?

As the saying goes, the more the merrier, and if they can recruit more volunteers, they can help more people and more pets!

Animal loving volunteers go through a thorough but straight forward registration process to make sure the pet owners they support know they are in safe hands! All volunteers are well matched with the owners and pets they help. This ensures that the volunteer/owner experience works well for everyone, but especially the pets!

Anyone of any age can make long term Please join them as a volunteer, without you they provisions with The Cinnamon Trust. They cannot help! are proud to offer a Pet Profile service for any person(s) who have concerns that there will be no one to take on their pet in the event of their death or must move into permanent nursing care.

Amazingly, there is absolutely no charge, as this is a voluntary service, however, as the service is run by amazing volunteers CARDIFF TIMES 39

Ultimate Strongman are proud to host the UK’s Strongest Man in the mighty Welsh capital Cardiff!

Everyone is very excited to bring the iconic show to Wales!

Come and watch the strongest men in the UK pull trucks, flip cars and press crazy implements. They promise it to be the biggest, most exciting strongman show ever!

the UK’s stage this year, Matt Dimond of Bridgend came 2nd at last year’s event.

Can the Welshman take the title this year?

They also have Wales Strongest Man Mark Jeanes trying his hand at gaining his first UK’s Strongest Man title and not forgetting the dark horse Luke Sperdutti of Newport. The youngster proves time and Something for the whole family to enjoy! time again he’s a force to be reckoned with!

Tickets are available at Eventbrite or www.ultimatestrongman.tv.

Who will be crowned the UK’s strongest Man? We will soon see!”

There are 3 mighty Welshmen taking to CARDIFF TIMES 41

Fashion Done Your Way

I am writing this on a fairly moody March Monday, tucked into bed with a cup of tea.

Exactly how it should be on the first morning of the week. Selfcare has become a priority in the post COVID 19 era as many of us were faced with a lot of free time that then had to become incorporated into our new routines.

One of the most prominent discoveries when everyone went back to work was that burn out is real, and horrible. Nobody deserves to be mentally or physically drained in their dayto-day life, but often it can’t be avoided. This article should be enjoyed from a comfortable location with your favourite snack or drink (hot chocolate or wine, there is no judgement here).

National Sleep Day falls on the 15th of March each year and I am mortified that I have only just found out about it. As a seasoned napper (3pm is my snooze time if I can fit it in), a day dedicated to sleeping sounds like something to be celebrated. If you, like myself, missed this glorious global holiday due to the pressures of work and general life, I am encouraging you to take five minutes to delve into the world of sleep.

LUSH Cosmetics have been promoters of 42 CARDIFF TIMES

By Molly Dutton

self-care since they first opened their doors.

From their Book-a-bath experiences all the way through to their five-minute face masks, they dedicate themselves to providing accessible relaxation for everyone. To honour World Sleep Day, the handmade cosmetics company gave away their bestselling Sleepy Body Lotion to anyone (adults only) who popped into their beautifully scented stores wearing their pyjamas. Now it wouldn’t take a lot to convince me to venture out in my Primark pjs but for those of us who are less inclined to do that, their body lotion is worth the momentary face flush.

The Sleepy Body Lotion has had a place in my bathroom cabinet since it was first given to me to help me relax during my GCSEs. Almost five years later, it remains an essential in my bath time regime. The calming lavender oil and ‘tonka absolute’ combination has the power to send even the biggest night owls into a deep slumber, and the added ylang ylang oil just adds to the whole spalike experience. I am all for a viral product, especially one that has stood the test of time when new bath products seem to come out every five minutes. This beauty sold out in 2017 when it first hit the market and the

fabulous LUSH team now handmake over a million of them every single year. The best part is that this lotion was only supposed to be a limited edition, but it now has a permanent place on the shelves, accompanied by the other sleep-inducing items like the shower gel, soap and pillow spray.

We, as human beings, are notoriously good at pulling an all-nighter, and I am not just talking about a night on the town. It is easy to stay up and watch an extra episode of our comfort shows when we’ve had a tough day at work, and don’t get me started on the 24-hour study sessions that plague university students in their exam seasons. Whilst the Sleepy body lotion helps moisturise and cleanse, it also does the far more important task of soothing the mind, and we all need a little bit of that.

To help set the scene, I thought I would share my ultimate night-time set up for a bit of inspiration.

Candles are an absolute essential to help create some ambience in your bathroom. If you’re feeling tired or stressed, the last thing you want is the dreaded big light wreaking havoc in your self care session. Everyone has different taste when it comes to scents; I love a warm, vanilla or a strong cinnamon whereas my mum prefers a lighter cotton fragrance or the smell of fresh linen. If we’re sticking with the theme of sleep, the Lush Twilight candle has the same dreamy ingredients as the body

lotion which accompany each other very nicely. For more of a fresh, clean smell, the Big Blue candle has a fragrance that feels like you’re floating at sea on a comfortable raft (I can see myself drifting off on my unicorn float as we speak).

One of the newest beauty crazes is a temple balm. We’ve all seen or used essential oils, but this is a subtle method to calm your mind and feel fully relaxed in your bath time setting. LUSH’s Dream Time temple balm is a new edition to the growing product family and comes with the lovely smell of ginger, sandalwood, and lavender. The reason I love this product so much is because it’s been a hidden secret within the walls of the Lush Spa and has now been made accessible to the shop’s customers. I love when a brand recognises their buyer’s needs and makes sure they’re met promptly with an affordable price tag. Moving swiftly on, it would not be a LUSH article without a mention of their famous bath bombs. Their vast selection of assorted bath bombs is what drew me in as a teen customer, and they have only got more colourful and exciting since. There are many sleepy themed ones to get your hands on; the Sleepy bubble bar, the Sleepy shower bomb (my favourite because it’s shaped like a cloud), the Deep Sleep bath bomb and the Big Bottle of Calm bubble bar. If that assortment doesn’t prove that LUSH loves sleep, I don’t know what will.

A final product that has caught my attention as an avid skincare fan is the Sleepy Face cleansing balm. It isn’t very often that you see a face cleanser that helps you get to sleep, and I am amazed that this one has encapsulated a feeling of relaxation. It can be wiped away with a reusable cotton pad or cloth which is a bonus for a quick night routine.

Even though World Sleep Day has passed, pop into your local LUSH store and get some goodies because good sleep is deserved every night.

CARDIFF TIMES 43

44 CARDIFF TIMES

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A lot of the general public are unaware that unlike many other areas of the medical profession there is little official regulation over who can actually perform ear wax removal procedures. This means that that someone who has no ear-related background whatsoever can be trained to perform earwax removal one day and be out doing it the next. “We are seeing a wide range of people and places now offering this service. These so-called earwax removers have little or no knowledge and without any clinical experience this could prove quite dangerous.” says Michelle at Viney Hearing Care.

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Everyone’s ears are unique, the person conducting the wax removal procedure needs to understand the anatomy and physiology of the ear and be able to spot referable conditions. Trained hearing professionals are qualified specialists that are able to perform these procedures safely due to their expertise and knowledge of the delicate structures of the ear.

“Regular ear health checks and earwax removal plays an important role in catching far more serious ear conditions. At Viney Hearing Care we see up to 40 microsucution appointments a day and we regularly recognise ear conditions that need to be referred for further investigation and treatment. I wouldn’t expect a person with no background in ear anatomy to be able to identify these conditions that if left untreated could cause serious damage to the ear, your hearing and your balance. It is really concerning to us that someone could do this with such little training.”

ENT consultants and audiologists are working with governing bodies to try to bring these treatments under regulation so hopefully change is coming but in the meantime the public need to be aware who is looking in their ears. “At Viney Hearing Care we were the first in Wales to offer microsuction wax removal. In over 10 years of practice we have helped thousands of patients with their blocked ears. We have 7 qualified experts using the most advanced equipment to remove your wax safely and efficiently. We are then able advise you on any further help needed with the health of your ears. If you are having issues with dull hearing, ear ache, buzzing/ringing in the ears it could be wax blocking the ear canal.”

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Why not try a new hobby this spring by learning to scuba dive?

Welsh Diving is a PADI Five Star Scuba Diving School and Instructor Development Centre. We provide courses from complete beginner to professional dive instructor. From ages 8 years to adults For more information please contact: kmartin@welshdiving.co.uk m 07753 691794

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Over the next couple of months we are going to be running several cat food projects that you undertake at home over several weeks.

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18/03/2024 1:14 pm