Cardiff Times - February 2024

Cardiff Times February 2024

Advertising Feature

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*According to a survey of 2,000 UK adults, conducted by OnePoll between 25th September and 2nd October 2023.

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Future Options

byWyn Evans

After a couple of months noteworthy primarily passing away recently. I took her out of lesson for the significant gap in the family left by as she was crying.’ Angharad was given the death of The Boss’s mum, a return to time in the quiet room and offered further quotidian concerns; not the least of which support, she improved later in the day. Please is helping The Girl decide whether or not to let me know if you’d like Angharad to have attend college this September and, if so, which dedicated ELSA sessions to help deal with college. Or should she opt for one of the job- her bereavement or would you prefer that we experience options which so many kids with continue to offer support only as and when it learning difficulties find attractive. The Girl, is required? We understand that it’s still early our daughter who has Down Syndrome, turns days in terms of dealing with the grief and we eighteen in March, which brings its own set of hope that you’re all coping as well as can be challenges, not the least being where she will expected as a family.” want her party to be held, and will we get a handle on the numbers!

I’m grateful to https://www.twinkl.co.uk/ teaching-wiki/elsa for the following First though, I’d like to mention a form of information. In schools, ELSA stands for teaching input called ELSA. Quite how The Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. ELSA Girl has reached year 13 without my having support in schools is a project designed to noticed anything about ELSA before now says help schools support the emotional needs of nothing positive about my levels of attention. their pupils. ELSA acknowledges that children Last week, we were sent a note from our and young people learn best when they feel daughter’s form teacher: happier and their emotional needs are being addressed. The initiative was developed and “I’d like to make you aware of a report that supported by educational psychologists who was sent to me today by Angharad’s Teaching used knowledge of how children develop Assistant: ‘We have been in a first aid lesson socially and emotionally and apply this with AE (13E) and the topic was based on knowledge to the needs of pupils. ELSAs are having strokes and cardiac arrests and AE got trained to plan and deliver programmes of very upset as it reminded her about her nan support to pupils in their school who may 4 CARDIFF TIMES

be experiencing temporary or long term additional emotional needs. A lot of work that ELSAs do will be on an individual basis with one child, however, there are cases where group sessions may be appropriate such as when working on social skills and friendship skills. The role title of ELSA may only be taken by someone who: •Has attended a full ELSA training course; •Regularly attends supervision groups led by educational psychologists; •Currently, are developing bespoke programmes to support the emotional needs of children in their school.

There, that’s ELSA. We had a chat with The Girl about it and she agreed to give it a go.

It pleased us that her school spotted and reacted so positively.

Let me move on now to consider college options for the autumn. Based on visits The Girl, The Boss, and I made to colleges over the past couple of years, and having taken on board the opinions of her teachers and career advisers, there appear to be two options from September 2024. One option would be to attend Coleg Y Cymoedd at Nantgarw (https://www.cymoedd.ac.uk/); or, alternatively, to join Cardiff and Vale College (https://cavc.ac.uk/en/about). The Boss, in particular, and I feel that Cardiff and Vale College will better fit The Girl’s personality and consequently are entering the Annual Review process with this as our number one option.

The advice that we have been given is that one year would be studying and developing Work Skills and a second year would be doing Working in Childcare. On its website CAVC says it “is one of the largest colleges in the UK, delivering high quality education and training within the Capital Region of Wales. We have more than 30,000 learners each year across full-time and part-time

college courses, university qualifications and apprenticeship programmes, along with dedicated training provision for employers.

We develop skilled and employable people – with some of the best student success rates in the sector and a focus on experiences that ensure our learners stand out and progress”.

Now that sounds fun! The Girl’s courses would be at the Dumballs Road site in the town centre and at the East Cardiff Campus in Trowbridge.

The Work Skills course covers areas such as: self-assessment and personal development; working in a team; entrepreneurship; Employee rights and responsibilities; health and safety; preparing for and learning from work placements; building a CV and applying for jobs; and building resilience. The Working in Childcare qualification is a programme of accelerated learning that covers a level 1 and level 2 qualification. The course is designed for learners looking to progress quickly into the workplace and offers the learners the opportunity to develop softer care and employability skills alongside the core elements of the childcare qualification. Areas of study will include: equality and diversity, communication, and personal development skills, along with the principles of children’s care, play learning and development, safeguarding and children’s health, wellbeing, and learning and development.

So, it’s all very exciting. The Boss and I will have to learn to let go, especially when it comes to our Girl’s travelling to and from college. Both courses will require eighteen hours a week at the college full time.

Now, did I mention 18th birthdays? I have to get on with the arrangements for our daughter’s 18th at the end of March: date, venue, caterers, invites, gifts; it’s all to do! So excuse me as I use every minute to get on top of things!

CARDIFF TIMES 5

Join us this Half Term

Enjoy a family break with us here at The Angel Hotel from £139.

Check into our family room for bed and breakfast for up to 2 adults and 2 children. Spend time exploring Cardiff then return to dine with us in Castell's Restaurant where the kids eat free when the adults have dinner!

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6 CARDIFF TIMES

LOVE ON THE BRAIN Thu 15 February, 7pm Tickets £15

Welcome Drink Star Tours Pay Bar 100+ Hands-on Exhibits Live Science and more…

Supported by

Book now

techniquest.org

ALTERNATIVE DATE NIGHT AT TECHNIQUEST If you’re looking for something a bit more unusual than roses and chocolates to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, or just on the look-out for a fun night out with friends, Techniquest has the answer this February…

After Hours: Love on the Brain, supported by Admiral is an adults-only evening where you can explore all of the hands-on exhibits without a child in sight.

Focused around the science of love, doors open at 7pm on Thursday 15 February. Tickets cost £15 each and include a welcome drink on arrival.

Theatre all about the science of attraction, a crossword competition and a few surprise science-based busking activities on the floor too.

If you want to star-gaze and fall under the spell of some virtual moonlight, early bookers can grab a seat in the Planetarium too — but capacity is limited so you’ll need to secure a spot when booking your entry tickets in advance online.

To find out more and to book tickets visit techniquest.org.

There’ll be a pay-bar and food station on site, a presentation in the Science CARDIFF-TIMES.CO.UK 7

‘And Another Thing...’

The Blind Leading the Partially Sighted Here we go again with the US reality TV show more commonly known as “The Race for the Whitehouse.” Viewed from this side of the Pond, in the one corner we have Democrat, Joe Biden, who at 81 is already struggling to speak coherently, never mind convincingly lead the most powerful nation on earth. In the other, our old favourite Republican, Donald Trump, probably. A very wise US based journalist recently wrote that anyone else facing criminal charges for trying to overrturn the 2020 election, allegations of retaining classified documents after leaving the Whitehouse, falsifying records over paying hush money to a porn star and being accused of sexual assault might see all this as taking the edge off their reputation, a tad. Not a bit of it. Not sure whether this is thick skin or thick, or fake news, remember that? Unfortunately there was an accident last night and Trump’s personal library burnt down. This was a huge catastrophe because both of his books were lost and he had only coloured in one of them.

Meanwhile back in Blighty, I like a glass of wine as much as the next person but I just read with some astonishment that the UK Gov spent £27,000 of taxpayers money during COVID topping up the Number 10 wine cellar.

8 CARDIFF TIMES

byVince Nolan

That must have been some party Boris.

I was doing our shopping list on the notes facility on the phone recently and autocorrect kept changing camomile and honey tea to camouflage and honey tea. An interesting concept. So I went to a well-known local supermarket but couldn’t find camouflage tea anywhere so it must work. Same store and took a look at their labelling: “Chicken Stock made with chicken stock.” Who’d have known? In their café, relaxing after a tough food shop and I watched and heard a lady order poached eggs on toast. They duly arrived. She then folded the toast over each egg and attempted to eat them in a sandwich style. Of course the eggs were properly poached and ran all down her chin and her jumper. She used her sleeve to wipe her chin and carried on chewing away with her mouth wide open whilst conversing with her egg and spittle covered husband. No manners some folk. Talking of which………..

Green Beard the pirate got his name due his poor table manners and lack of proper beard hygiene. However, he loved chocolate.

He loved chocolate more than diamonds. He even loved chocolate more than gold - and there isn’t anything most pirates love more than gold as you know. However, a problem came with the great chocolate shortage of 1721 (don’t look it up – it’s nearly half-past five). Apparently, all the chocolate in the world was on a boat that was stuck sideways on the River Thames and none of it was available down in the pirate coves of Nassau.

Green Beard was desperate and did not know how he would survive without chocolate. “Arr, matey, have ye heard of carob?” said his first

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 of the honey trap, they tookonthe wewas found athey City centre hotelkind predictions based theirSupreme existence have rt cancelled ofa their routines unless are given mate (who clearly Welsh).

“Carob be a 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 and a has stream of “furious debate.” fickle finger been confi rmed experimentally.”

Oh The world taken a down strange –please! at leastWith ruled he could turn iftwist he wanted ecial £80, dispensation by oursubstitute.

First Minister. popular chocolate It interruptions be growed scene, 5pm onasa for sunny our socially local, The Funky Furlough, ccident?

Nohere eyeindeer. of fateright (presumably the islands, middle one), 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 these grows on in trees to.

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

“IRugby don’t intervened and cancelled thespecials offibeans ce lunch here allabout night. aw this Trump init adoes, local pub board: reading a proposal for the 2027 they harvest these and grind when a lady close by to us asked the Bar Manager when dies, Ion willtheir give whichentrance comics have usedonto deal with modern day to the Brewery us to wander lonely as some clouds they We leaving Love them Local and local farms World Cup which will prevent any team in “but red I have arthritis, Father,” the drunk said, up intochampion a fair chocolate substitute, iffacilities the toilets were still upstairs.

He ofother course “He it is today how he as hecklers: IStreet was at the hairdressers the day for my Caroline where four ey: time tried to around the Castle and itswas outdoor bar do.”

“Shiver me timbers!” exclaimed Green densure fisheries.”

All very laudable but the first shirts and green shirts playing each other that we had properly warmed 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 Beard.

“Let’s golying steal some it!”Olives.

Andup that’s until frostbite got the better offront us forced usand confi rmed that they were but Ipeople thought thisNail to song be ato earing make-up and m on their menu was Mediterranean because colour blind often struggle . Unfortunately, only sixin of usofand turned 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?” how Green Beard and hisrope firstMuch mate became stand were onto back to a the hotel we did not need. fun, but verheard in same pub: “Every time we distinguish between the two.

Not criticising Staying with the drink, there has always the 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 the of thethat Carob Bean (sorry). ahow lamppost, for rather we quickly foundfour out there is asay. limit to here wePirates 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, Many of us seem to have a fascination for 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 Soap on Cheap designer and premium brands. 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 butat we e the heart to say my was genuine.

Cautiously, agreed tolast join us.

Picture the knock-off equivalents simply don’t float they they all started dancing inof the queue the a rope famously said during one 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 our boat and we can all be guilty from 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 on a brains month.

No wait,forthat’s not it.minutes I’m giving time to time of beingPope driven by wanton the out………getting an extra helping ofup. adand some doubt were downed a is few short and then Itsausage does not whether need me to suggest the uncanny and white, the pink next to the green.” seges. weekday evening at the side brewery got on a bus and sat the car park many consumerism. With this in mindmouth.”

I wrote this brings holiday adverts aplenty plus those Wine every dayThe all month! without further comment, just like in a musical, r for the journey home. rope down next to a priest.

Tomlinson or of vice versa. entrance to Brewery short annoying magazine articles where week ekyhad months ago aslike aonthe ale, (heenough was verse: affectionately everybody wentwe back to the their day job Interesting lyric heard on the wireless s nothing to do with EU drunk's shirt was stained, his by week you can build a scale model Two people out on a first date.

“Do you Caroline Street where four nothing had happened.

Lockdown has a lot to no other day: “Sports bra and aconsequence Maserati car.” you know, ifbright you wore soundproof trousers direct because ofglasses his likeness e-buy to home school face was full of red are my watch is amy TAG of something.

This one caught my eye dates before butOakley, a recent trip“Do to local supermarket ction ofMy the packaging answer for but that was very funny. like Merlot Tammy?”

“Yes, but you don’t Who would have thought ofWar that combination? pensioners could barely once owned one of the chewed pencils which one would hear a word saying.” recently. is a World Two lipstick and he had aThere half-you’re of who Covid19.”

Perhaps nperishables leader), involved a tripImake light ofMy the that the following Monday.

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

“Oh, Ok.” Looks at car is an Audi, does that make me a Lancaster Bomber magazine and for only stand were seen hanging onto bottle of wine sticking Shakespeare empty usedDave to his famous works. used Thewrite Leader of The Opposition andI He I were this is why do not run ales play France.

We Cox whom I have just “discovered”. these comestibles slag? £10.99 per week and you can build an 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 itquoting amazingly realistic replica of a Lancaster to chew on with it so much that Istarted couldn’t whether was atell pub.

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

Waste levels must be astronomical. his newspaper and s, picked, He interviewing Donny Osmond who EU supply issues? inspec@on of the packaging the excitement. mum of tenpackaged, were required or aHalloween?” than illumination.

An any of his work here but I encourage you Staying with designer brands friend of ours with many working parts.

However, to do soto 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 had been appearing in panto at the London 2B not 2B. Staying with Bard, days gone by, distributed around UK recent WalesOnline article bizarrely claimed look A130 real comedy genius and hugely has just taken up cold water swimming.

This willhim takeup. you weeks and cost you only fruit and veg like Tanzania and Argen@na.

So 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 her alcohol, a bottle of red wine.

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

Be under it.” husband aquote romantic ernational weekends.

On at GPs were working 40new months anUK. hour refreshing. required a whole wardrobe including ais women, £1,428.

You will be broke and confined o the shops and put on in order to attract I used to use this from the The list endless but here is a small sample: Pringles (Belgium), Sm in the bar (could have beentaken the o@c climes, picked, packaged, tothat," the port or airport, your fellow man," the priest replied.

"Imagine theformer drunk muttered.

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

I was sat phrase we Dry-Robe designer waterproof coverall to the house for the better of two and a half 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 toLancaster the following: “Theatre isyou the only place where ioned from the “Well, it’s night for 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 warm her upbut after plunging into the briny.he years.

Aout real took 12-18 weeks ses then delivered to40 the shops and put on the shelves with etched at present, 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 me your dreams.

If you are laughing, send me your aogised: bus to Dover, ferry crossing autobiography which I also strongly Of course this particular friend will never go to make and you can go explore a real one 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 drunk who smelled like a sipped a glass of sense wine tofor deliver thatFunny, dream” which we thought was don't have arthritis, Father," the drunk said, "but I just read invery the paper that poignant again and has all him. the gear and nosmile. idea. little money.

Doesn’t make to recommend. and very clever, Picture the poor student trying to learn English. o spare.

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

If you are s.

I this was sitting next to At Here’s one for Golf you: “Knock knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“LiKle old lady.” rewery tour and free beer for the brewery got on amuch, bus and sat “LiKle o and she said, “I love you so you rather good.

Oh yes it is. s." was the same and paddle-boarding and me. 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 thisyouyou “Idrinking, need like Van Gogh needed stereo.” had no idea could yodel.” send me adown sip.

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

Of horse and other things.

Having toI could acrying, priest.

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

I don’t know how live ould be like driving at 40many hours a mile which I was reading about a court case where the accused Thanks to my cousin Lawrence for this joke. knew thatHer the shirt New Zealand basketball said this I prefer warm water reminded the drink, there has always been some convincing that my offer which was both embarrassing and atwork times tears.

IWho love you.” husband texted back: “ as Just hold up your passports brushing benease your carpet and zen drunk's was stained, his ould be quite slow but not unlike towalked I trying amwhich awas man ofyou awithout certain age so my tolerance does aswine well thare the related you.”

Icalled said, “Isthreshold that you or the Iyour into our local The Moaning Monet anit een doing some research What do you callbar, aThe Frenchman wearing team were Tall Blacks?

Quite me ofpaint the story about two monkeys in a bath. 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 of bright red talking?”

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

Phillipe Quickly by a I h Van Gogh sitting atwas the end on afollowed bar stool. clever eh?

Saw aFlop! cryptic crossword clue The monkey says: Oe-aa-ie-aa-oe.

The infirst the UK. The aactured living from it, but I am making alanessaw went to the Doctors who managed to “release ty Centre as they impose bike on the e scene, 5pmword a sunny weekday She Who Be Obeyed suggested I“Rugby download anothing newtaking app called what I writ: the other day: forwards second monkey says: I put some cold quite topoem learn that had to doWhat3Wo lipstick and hequotes had athe halfost me and said “Ion didn’t know Staying with games, I Shall completed aMust word wine.” shouted “Hey Vince do you want a drink?” emall of the lockdowns.

I’m giving up disappointed the pressure” forthis him.

He Doctor sample: Pringles of us. et’s call her Dr a long time with packages.”

Answer: in then?

You will all know that H20 is water, naviga@on aid which divides the World into 3 metre squares and gives each s the side entrance to the Brewery myNophone I correctly guessed asRoses saying: “Better an empty house than a empty bottle of wine sticking ay, all month. wait, that’s not Happy New Yearcan Dear Reader, the Year of the ortpuzzle and Ion haven’t got and one.”

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

Just “Scrummages.” but what is H204?

Well, for swimming 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. and drinking, of course. weOx. are no on system Apparently this year is going toHe be lucky words to that effect.

Then, inWhilst a Having Chocolate Orange Hadron as in the Hadron Collider. assured that this 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 I picked thishas up recently which is so the subject of“Do water I have been going to TapmyFinally, Finally, news, friend David lost ID. his newspaper andhis started out on awhat first date. 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. amany top bathroom tip: Never leave and Littlereasons: fools will drink too apt forsmall. current “If we eraseyour Classes with Therather Current than Mrs Nolan. SogreatFinally, mppost, for support, y?”

“Yes, but look itpinned. up.

I don’t wishforIpronounce hadront bovvered (see .ducked Atocouple ofyou minutes later, he asked the priest, "Father, what causes arthritis?" ote was rted it out and paid it.footwell She inAre turn Now he iskindly just Dav. Lost!” fault or user error? pile ointment next to your toothpaste! and honesty.

Not for going to be Trump’s year down into the history it will repeat itself.”

Good innit. far, we have done two bathrooms andDesign don’t Adios Amigos much and fools none at all. My round. n.

An they would Oh, Ok.” Looks atthere 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 living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, and forget thatloose are two reasons why you door.

Live Radio then is it? ed his coat and mine on top of subatomic particles that areisbuilt from quarksIone eremember. and Ammy.”

Yamas Chums Hasta LaNumber Vista Chums mail: “Thank you, thedrink Monet in the bank.”

Adios Amigos should never toilet water: kpt knock.”

“Who’s there?” for your fellow man," the priest replied.

"Imagine that," the drunk muttered. He and thus react through the agency of the be outdone we ocourse move, whilst we were both countered this with “There was really and number two.

H has trained her dog Daisy to bring her a bottle of red wine.

No surprise dy who?”

“I had no idea dneed to reading his paper.

The priest, thinking about what he had said, turned to the strong The hadrons embrace ho smelled apriceless brewery got mesons, to force. give like me a impressionist gng uncontrollably.

The note: “Please Bordeaux collie.

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

Trouble As you know, the just after Christmas but thank you sorry, anyway.” dinting apologised: "I'm I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had and sat down next toperiod 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.CO.UK 9

LIGHT UP CURIOUS MINDS Feel the force of a hurricane, create colour shadows, launch a rocket, generate some light and bring science to life!

Open every weekend 10am – 5pm

Half-term Holiday Hours 9am – 6pm

Book now

techniquest.org

LIGHT UP CURIOUS MINDS AT TECHNIQUEST February is a great month to explore family-friendly indoor spaces in the city, and the science discovery centre in Cardiff Bay always has a real buzz about it at this time of year.

With over 100 interactive exhibits to have fun with —and learn a little more about science in the process — a visit to Techniquest will keep curious minds thoroughly entertained over the half-term break and beyond.

As well as the mind-boggling machines and peculiar puzzles, there are live science shows in the theatre: Don’t Do This at Home, Star Tours in the Planetarium, and hands-on workshops in the KLA Lab for anyone aged seven or 10 CARDIFF-TIMES.CO.UK

or above, tackling DNA Decoded.

On the exhibition floor, you can try out the new plasma sphere, create colour shadows in the low-light zone, launch a new hot air balloon, feel the full force of a hurricane, compete with friends to launch the air rockets, play the giant piano — and much, much more.

Half-term at Techniquest is always a popular time, so book ahead online at techniquest.org to avoid disappointment.

Opening hours have been extended across the whole of the half-term holiday, so you can plan to come from 9am onwards, with doors closing at 6pm.

To find out more and to book tickets visit techniquest.org.

The sooner you’re better, the better At Spire Cardiff Hospital you can see a leading medical expert in as little as 48 hours – so you can get back to doing what you love. With us you’ll get access to over 300 tests and treatments, your choice of consultant, and the latest technology and techniques wherever possible.

Book to see an expert today Search ‘Spire Cardiff Hospital’ Call 029 2060 8137

Spire Healthcare offers over 300 treatments. See our website for the available treatments at each hospital. Timings given are indicative, actual timings may vary based on consultant and tests required.

CARL WATTS

by Ralph Oates

Carl Watts In 1992. I am 31 Years Young.

Ralph Oates What first drew you to unlicensed boxing?

Carl Watts I boxed as an amateur when I was younger. Then I got offered a fight on an unlicensed show and fell back in love with the sport. The rest as they say is history.

Ralph Oates In which weight division do you box?

Carl Watts Mostly the light-welterweight division. However, I have also won a title at super-lightweight.

Ralph Oates Have any members of your family ever boxed?

Carl Watts My uncle and great uncle trained when they were youngsters. However, I have taken box-ing the most seriously in my family.

In this edition I have interviewed Carl Watts a boxer who fights in the unlicensed ranks. Carl is an exciting fighter who gives value for money whenever he performs in the ring. In this column Carl gives his interesting views on the fight game, which I am sure readers will more than enjoy.

Ralph Oates In which part of Wales do you live?

Carl Watts Best place in Wales, Swansea.

Ralph Oates Where were you born?

Ralph Oates How many bouts have you had to date?

Carl Watts To be honest I am not so sure about my younger days when competing but since being with a new coach and Gym, post Covid, I would say 9 bouts. 6-3.

Ralph Oates Did you ever participate in amateur boxing?

Carl Watts Yes I did participate in the amateurs when I was a kid.

Ralph Oates Who was the most difficult opponent you ever fought?

Carl Watts

Ralph Oates

I give credit to all the opponents I have shared the ring with, but I have to say the most awkward style that I have encountered was probably Ash Williams. He really caught me off guard. Ash has now moved on to BKA as a pro (Bare Knuckle Boxing).

In which year were you born?

Ralph Oates

Carl Watts Swansea.

Who do you train with?

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Muhammed Ali the first man to win the world heavyweight crown on three separate occasions.

Ralph Oates What was the best world heavyweight title fight you have seen?

Carl Watts It was before my time but I have watched it. The fight which I am referring to is the Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazer contest which took place on the 1 October 1975. The Thriller in Manila which was staged at the Araneta Coliseum. Ali retained the world crown when Frazier retired in round 14.

Make no mistake the fight really was a thriller in every sense of the word.

Ralph Oates Carl Watts

Do you have a favourite boxing film?

The Best in the Business, Jason Williams aka Boxer Tricks.

Carl Watts

Ralph Oates

I Love All the Rocky Films which of course starred Sylvester Stallone. I have to say that Rocky 4 is my Favourite in the Rocky series.

Did you think you will move into licensed boxing in the future?

Carl Watts No I am on the unlicensed scene and that’s where I will remain.

Ralph Oates Which is your favourite weight division?

Carl Watts I would say welterweight.

Ralph Oates Who is your favourite male boxer?

Carl Watts Looking at the past my all-time favourite is Joe Calzaghe who retired from the sport undefeated in 46 professional bouts. He was outstanding. Looking at the sport today I would have to say Tyson Fury the reigning WBC world heavyweight champion.

Ralph Oates Apart from boxing which other sports are you involved in?

Carl Watts Only boxing at this present time but I did participate in a number of sports in past years like Karate, Football and MMA. Ralph Oates Do you have any hobbies?

Carl Watts Boxing and training in general.

Ralph Oates What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Carl Watts Believe in yourself.

Ralph Oates

Ralph Oates

Who is your favourite female boxer?

What are your future ambitions?

Carl Watts

Carl Watts

Lauren Price who is the present British welterweight champion and at the time of this interview is undefeated in 6 professional contests. Amongst many other honours she won a gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games which took place in Tokyo, Japan. Lauren was also awarded the MBE in 2022.

Win a few more titles but mainly, be a good role model for my young son.

Ralph Oates Who do you feel in the history of boxing is the best world heavyweight champion?

Carl Watts

Carl is without a doubt is a man who loves his boxing and has the skills and dedication to go on and win more titles in the future. He brings excitement into the ring whenever he boxes. We at Cardiff Times wish Carl the very best for the future and thank him for taking the time to answer the respective questions.

CARDIFF-TIMES.CO.UK 13

WELSH DIVING

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14 CARDIFF TIMES

New Book by Ralph Oates: Muhammad Ali: The Man Who Changed Boxing A number of fighters in boxing history have been considered great over the years.

However, it must be said that in some cases their respected claims to greatness do not stand up when closely scrutinised.

The same cannot be said of Muhammad Ali. Now this man was a true great, no argument. Ali would often state when in his pomp that he was the greatest of all time.

Many experts even today agree with that statement.

Ali changed the way the general public viewed the sport. He in fact changed boxing, shook it up in a way that it had never been shaken before.

Ali was different, he was special, he talked a good fight, making bold statements prior to his fights which he backed up with his outstanding talent. The man was a master in the ring, a craftsman who often overcame the odds when in combat.

Ali fought the very best fighters available – he dodged no man, a true champion in every sense of the word, he gave every contender their chance.

Ali became the first boxer to win the world heavyweight crown on three different occasions. Whenever heavyweight boxing is discussed, the name Muhammad Ali is mentioned – how can it not be when considering his magnificent record? This book covers the many achievements of

the fighter and those associated with him during his long career in an interesting way which fight fans will find informative.

This title will be released on February 28, 2024. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Muhammad-AliMan-Changed-Boxing/dp/1399047280

CARDIFF-TIMES.CO.UK 15

In The Words Of by Carl Marsh February 2024 How was January for you all?

It’s jokingly classed as the longest month of the year in that it seems never to end!

As I am writing this, it feels like week nine of January!

February will just come and go in the blink of an eye.

I had plans to put my trip to Michigan review in this month, but I will do that for March as I often find that nobody I know - myself included - plans any holidays for the year in February. And as February is for that money pit called Valentine’s Day… I’ll keep it until next month.

There is a varied mix of interviews this month, yet as I am being offered so many interviews these days, I am trying to be more selective even though - and I’m not silly to believe - all will interest everyone. I am always happy if one does the trick, but if all of them appeal, then that’s immense.

MUSIC REVIEW Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine: 1992 The Love Album (3CD/1DVD) Box Set [£23.95]

MOVIE REVIEW Marmalade - In Cinemas and on demand on 9 February 2024.

The debut directorial debut from Keir O’Donnell [whom I interviewed this month] is a heist film that I would say is similar to ‘Bonnie and Clyde’, yet there’s a twist. I can’t even begin to mention this twist, as it would give the film’s whole premise away. It stars Joe Kerry (Stranger Things - Steve Harrington) and Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & the Six), who create a love relationship leading to an ill-fated bank robbery. It’s a quirky film that will make you smile once you discover how its story pans out. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

CONCERT REVIEW

The Libertines - Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff - January 2024 A band that has garnered a lot of positivity and negativity in equal measures since they appeared on the scene in the early 2000s, The Libertines have produced some of the best music of the last twenty years. Two albums were released relatively close to each other [2002 & 2004], with the third being in 2015 once they’d all reunited for some reunion shows in 2010.

Now we have album number four, ‘All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade’, out in March this year, and if this album isn’t a huge success, then I’ll be astounded. For this new album, the band is touring the UK, playing only small venues [which all sold out within minutes] as they wanted the intimacy of the crowd close to the stage.

Formed in 1987 by Les “Fruitbat” Carter and Jim “Jim Bob” Morrison, ‘1992 The Love Album’ reached the No.1 spot on the UK Album Chart, giving the band pop The gig - the afternoon before the evening main one - was - infamously - stardom. I put “infamously” as the band acoustic, consisting of only singers Carl Barât and Pete is often remembered for its anti-establishment lyrics, Doherty; drummer Gary Powell and guitarist John Hassall were explosive stage performances, and who cannot forget the in the building, but they were on stage later that night in the time Philip Schofield was floored by one of the band after a TV awards ceremony performance! What did they know? main gig. This smaller one was a private performance for Spiller Records, and only a select number of people were present. I Ha! I interviewed “Jim Bob” recently, and he told me they am so glad I was one of them! Songs from the new album were didn’t know anything about Mr Schofield then, and it was all innocent playfulness. This new release is full of oddities performed, but this wasn’t the main emphasis for this earlier and goodies, so much so that I’d need a whole page to state performance; it was mainly all about those fan favourites from the whole repertoire. Seeing them in a small venue was pretty what’s in the box set. If you’re a fan, this is a must, as it’s surreal, as this band could sell out big arenas. And to cap it off, most definitely for the aficionados.

I got to interview them straight after the gig!

Enjoy February!

Carl Marsh Twitter - @InTheWordsOf_CM YouTube - InTheWordsOf

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Interview with Dr Michael Mosley and Dr Clare Bailey

Words by Carl Marsh

And you were working back when I last did a tour; Clare was still working fairly full-time as a GP, so she’s scaled back since then. So, I think she didn’t have the time or the energy. And yeah, so no, it’s something I’m looking forward to. The trouble is, as you can already tell, I can talk across Clare, which she resents. [Laughter] Dr Clare Bailey Yeah, because he’s doing it again, even on Zoom! [Both are on separate links from different locations] Carl Marsh Between the two of you, who was the first to be interested in all the benefits of a good lifestyle and eating healthily?

Dr Clare Bailey It wasn’t until Michael found out he was diabetic that we really got interested in that area. And I have to say, as a GP, and I’m embarrassed to say it, but I think it was the case then and to some extent now that we were given no training in nutrition, we had no concept of the value of it. We weren’t buried in ultra-processed foods at that time. Well, not as much as we are now. And so, most doctors, like me, basically said, “Eat less. Move more.

Off you go. Bye”. And essentially, the reason for that was because the diets that they had, you know, traditionally Husband and wife, Dr Michael Mosley and Dr for decades, did not work. People lost weight and then Clare Bailey are embarking on a joint tour, gained it all again. So it wasn’t satisfying for anybody talking all things ‘EAT (Well), SLEEP (Better), to do, and people’s waistlines were just continually expanding. So, I had no real interest in it until Mike got LIVE (Longer!) Known for all things about it out on the agenda. And I think he did an amazing job diet and nutrition, you’d be crazy to avoid in terms of following the evidence and getting the advice this show. out there.

Carl Marsh I’ve been wanting to ask you why you haven’t done a tour together before because you’re both singing from the same hymn sheet regarding health, fitness, lifestyle, and everything else. And you’re husband and wife!

Dr Michael Mosley I was going to say one of the things is Clare and I met at medical school. And the first day of medical school.

This was in September 1980. The Dean said two things.

One was that - and there were 100 of us in the year statistically, four of us would marry people who had never Dr Michael Mosley met before, who were in that room, and Clare and I were I was in Cardiff about four years ago. And at that point, one of the couple and the other couple of close friends of I had also wrecked my knee, I think… no, I tore my ours, Tim and Clare, who live in Australia. Now, they went Achilles tendon. So, I was actually on crutches. But I out there many years ago. But the other thing he said was don’t know, you’ll have to ask Claire. Claire, why haven’t that we would learn a huge amount over the next five or you come out on the road with me before? six years, but most of it would be out of date within ten years. So, that was the kind of warning sign if you like.

Dr Clare Bailey Clare and I, I think, were genuinely interested in nutrition I don’t know. I think we’ve just been really busy. Because at medical school; Clare was much more interested there’s so much exciting stuff going on. So yes, I think in food than I was. I used to live largely on salami it’s time. And I’ve just written another book, which I’m sandwiches at lunchtime, whereas Clare has always been really excited about, a book on treats. It will come out a bit of a foodie. We are different in the sense that I’m after Mike’s barrage of vast amounts of filming. So life’s more of a Labrador, and she’s more of a Grey Hound. just been busy.

Dr Michael Mosley

Check out the tour at New Theatre, Cardiff, on Thursday, 22 February 2024.

CARDIFF-TIMES.CO.UK 17

Interview with Martin Fry

Martin Fry’s music career spans more than 40 years. He came to prominence in the early 1980s as co-founder and lead vocalist of the pop band ABC, which released songs such as “Poison Arrow”, “The Look of Love”, and “When Smokey Sings”. He is the only member of ABC throughout its history and currently its only official member. I chatted with Martin before his gig at the Utilitia Arena on Friday, 2nd February, for ‘The Lexicon of Love’ Orchestral Tour with the Southbank Sinfonia, conducted

by Anne Dudley.

Carl Marsh At what point did you come up with the idea for ABC to start performing with an orchestra?

Martin Fry About 12 years ago. We played the Albert Hall, an experiment where we played it with the orchestra. It worked out well playing ‘The Lexicon of Love’ in its entirety and then playing a bunch of other ABC Songs from the back catalogue. And over the years, we’ve developed a show that’s gotten a little bit more sparkly, a bit more glitzy, and bigger each time. We were initially gonna play ten shows, but the tour expanded to 21 shows. So, over recent years, the popularity of the show has grown. I guess, you know, people enjoy coming out and, on a large scale, having that kind of deluxe night out with the orchestra. And that’s how I play a lot of shows, with the band and an orchestra. It’s been an interesting ride. It’s fun to do.

Carl Marsh I get that. If I were to be honest, of any album from the 1980s, ‘The Lexicon of Love’ would have been outstanding with an orchestra back then, so I understand why it works.

Martin Fry It’s funny because we play the whole song cycle of “The Lexicon of Love’, and it kind of now feels a bit weird to play other shows without playing all of the songs. There’s a

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Words by Carl Marsh

song called ‘Date Stamp’… and there are ones with different angles and slants on the same theme. I suppose. It’s not a concept album, I should say, even though I was a punk rocker, but my friends and I used to listen to ‘The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway’ by Genesis, and I loved ‘Quadrophenia’

by The Who. So, the idea of doing a sort of album… it was not a concept album because that would be too prog [Progressive Rock] for me, but when I think back, that’s probably what was going on there.

Carl Marsh It was very much at a time of the ‘New Romantic’ music era that was coming to its end, yet ABC has often been described as ‘New Romantic’, yet that’s not the case.

Martin Fry I grew up seeing The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Siouxsie and the Banshees. And then I was really into post-punk stuff like Magazine and Joy Division, and in Sheffield at the time, there was Cabaret Voltaire and the early Human League.

So, when it came to developing when ABC was growing, I thought writing more emotional songs would be a great idea. You know, we played small clubs, but we were trying to do songs like how Smokey Robinson wrote songs or The Temptations and mixing that in with our sort of post-punk ineptitude as well, as musicians. Still, for some reason, we wanted to make people dance back in the early 80s, which was a novel idea because disco was a bit select and had its kind of critique. “Disco sucks!” is what people used to say and stuff like that, but I thought it was time to bring the beats back. Unfortunately, many other people felt the same way in the early 80s. You know, when I look at the sort of hip hop stuff, Duran Duran and Haricut 100. Yet, although some people were singing about no future, telegraph poles, pylons, electricity, and stuff, it felt nice to sing about emotional love songs.

ABC are at the Utilitia Arena on Friday, 2nd February, for ‘The Lexicon of Love’ Orchestral Tour with the Southbank Sinfonia, conducted by Anne Dudley.

Interview with Chris Jericho

Having held a total of 35 wrestling championships, including 8 World titles and 10 Intercontinental Championships with the likes of WWE, WCW and AEW: the legend that is Chris Jericho has also been the frontman for rock band FOZZY for the past 20+ years, and they are coming to the UK in February for their Spotlight on UK headline tour.

Carl Marsh How did the band initially come about?

Chris Jericho It’s just like any band; you start playing covers and figuring out your style and vibe. There were three stages to the band. There was the beginning from 2000 to 2004, where we did covers. Then, from 2005 to 2010, we did some original stuff, but in 2010, we said, “Why don’t we go fulltime and really give this a go?”

In 2016, we started getting played on Rock Radio here in the States, which is a huge deal. And that took the band to a completely different level to where we’re now, a mainstream rock and roll band with seven top 20 hits in a row. So, you can see the band’s growth from the popularity and mainstream success we’ve had over the last five or six years. Twenty-three years on, we’re bigger than we’ve ever been. And I don’t think a lot of bands can say that. So, it’s been a cool journey for us to be where we’re at right here in 2023, about to be in 2024.

Words by Carl Marsh

When I first started (wrestling), I wasn’t the biggest guy in 1990, but I realised I could have the biggest personality. I looked at Mick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, David Lee Roth, and these great frontmen who can control the crowd and have them in the palm of their hands at all times. So, that’s basically what wrestling is: whether you’re a good guy or a bad guy, you want people to react to what you’re doing at the highest level. That’s the basic concept, bottom line, and secret to making it in show business, whether you’re an actor, singer, wrestler, comedian, news broadcaster, or whatever it is. When you’re in front of a crowd, you have to connect with them and ensure they are interested in and get behind what you’re doing. If you can do that, you’ll always have a gig because people will be excited to hear what you’re going to do and be involved in what you have going on. And that’s the most important thing about the whole show business.

Carl Marsh When you signed for AEW [All Elite Wrestling] a couple of years ago, was there any hesitation about signing a contract with them, as they were a brand new outfit, in essence, taking on the big boys at WWE?

Chris Jericho I’ve always believed in myself. There was hesitation to start Fozzy or get into pro wrestling in the first place at 19 years old when I did. When you believe in yourself, you know you can always count on your instincts. I just felt that was the right thing to do; I felt that AEW had a real shot at doing something big. And we did! Less than four years into our Carl Marsh existence, here we are, putting 80,000 people in Wembley There’s a connection with the audience when you’re Stadium. And we’re returning in August [2024], and that’s just wrestling, right? And you can bring that into the music because you have that rockstar persona as a wrestler whilst from the UK standpoint. There are so many huge things that we’ve done and so many huge things that we have left to do, being a rockstar in real life. but the bottom line is we took a chance. We quickly created something great and continue to build and grow on it.

Chris Jericho Absolutely. It’s a rockstar persona in wrestling and a wrestling persona in rock’ n’ roll. They’re all reciprocal.

FOZZY will be appearing at Tramshed on Friday, 16th February.

CARDIFF-TIMES.CO.UK 19

Interview with Keir O’Donnell

Keir O’Donnell is known for his acting roles in ‘Wedding Crashers’, ‘American Sniper’, and most recently in Michael Bay’s ‘Ambulance’, but he’s got his debut directorial film out called ‘Marmalade’. It’s a heist movie similar to a modern-day Bonnie & Clyde vibe. Or is it?

Carl Marsh For a first directing movie, you’ve got some natural talent on board. The two leads are Stranger Things actor Joe Keery and ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’ Camila Morrone. Have you worked with them before to get them in the movie, to pull some favours?

Keir O’Donnell I had not worked with them before. I think that was part of it. I am an actor, and I have been doing that for 20-plus years. I instinctually wanted to go with people I had never worked with, I think, just so that it didn’t look like, “Ah, he’s just called all of his friends to put in the movie”. [Laughs] But also, as a first-time director, I wanted to be taken seriously, which I think my friends might not have taken me seriously in a different profession all of a sudden!

It’s just about finding the right people for the roles.

And, you know, Joe especially immediately came to mind. I have always been a fan of his work, even in these early stages of his career, and his likability on screen. I think his just innate charm was something that the character ‘Baron’ really required. But that being said, Joe, I hadn’t seen him do an accent before. I hadn’t seen him do the character stuff.

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Words by Carl Marsh

So that was kind of a leap to go to him, but I knew that sending him the script that he was going to read it and think, I can do this or I can’t do this, you know, so it was a sort of, it was quite an easy ask, I think in that regard, and he did thankfully respond to it. And I think one of the first questions he asked me when we met was, “I’m flattered, but why did you possibly think of me for this role?” And I was like, “I just know that you can do it. I’d just seen something in your work… in pieces of it that you know, if we can sort of, take a swing for the fences, then I think we’ve got something here”. He was so game along the way and worked with the dialect coach, and we built the character together.

Carl Marsh

And then there’s Camilla Morrone?

Keir O’Donnell

We found Camilla after we’d read some people for the role. She just came in and had exactly what I always envisioned, which is this magnetic, dangerous, charismatic sort of wildness, you know, again, also very game to play around with different looks. It was her idea that she wanted to dye her hair, and we’d just talked about that to the bitter end, trying to figure out exactly what colour and kind of all these references and things, and she was just incredible. And again, talk about an early career! I mean, she’s just getting started. I think she’s really blossoming towards a very successful profession ahead of her, but this will undoubtedly show people, you know, her range.

She’s fascinating.

Marmalade is in cinemas and on-demand on 9 February 2024.

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.CO.UK 21

22 CARDIFF TIMES

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WHY WEAR CLOTHES?

by Sara John

“The Apparel oft proclaims the man.” Hamlet 1. 3.

And why do we wear those particular clothes festooned with all the other paraphernalia we believe to be important?

Maybe this is a topic that can be quickly and easily answered? Or not. How deep do you want to delve?

This is not a subject that concerns all sections of the population at all times in their lives. Many of us, after some decades eventually, grow out of “following fashion.”

Confession: I (almost) have!

As a teenager in the mid-fifties, so-called fashionable clothing slowly filtered into both town and local shops. Up until that time clothing had been rationed, that is, the general public were issued with coupons, never enough of course, that had to be produced when buying something new. Afterwards the availability of more modern or “up-to-date” garments put some joy back into shopping for women’s clothes. Men’s fashions took a lot longer to change, mainly because of the restrictions imposed by employers. In fact, most pre-war items had been far too well made and therefore expensive to be suddenly abandoned. Gentlemen tended to be more conservative in their taste and went on wearing the same familiar garments for years to come. Harris tweed jackets, cavalry twill trousers, home knitted heavy wool aran sweaters, Oh! and a proper length heavyweight top coat, which you could curl up and sleep in if there was an emergency,

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and a proper raincoat. None of your gentlemen’s “car coats” or anoraks before the coronation.

The first point I am making is that the choice of clothing, availability of items coupled with the poverty of fresh ideas, and clothes designed for younger people, would take up most of the fifties decade before real changes came about.

What people select to wear for the different phases of their life, work, relaxation, holidays and their leisure time was, and still is, affected by the availability of work, well paid or otherwise, their own personal circumstances, taste and how they want the rest of the world to recognise them.

To attempt to answer the headline question there are a number of aspects.

We wear clothes to show WHO we are. The options are male or female (today that does not matter so much. It did in the fifties and sixties).

Are we comfortably off? (that mattered then) Are we gainfully employed?

We wear clothes to show where we are going, where we are heading, and we may be carrying “props” to further clarify. I remember seeing young people (that is older than me) with their dance shoes, or skates, or very high heels with straw woven bags getting on the local bus. I was very envious but about eight years old.

They were going dancing or skating.

First of all, we wear clothes to stay warm, keep cool, keep clean and stay dry.

We wear clothes to underline our background, our age, our position in the organisation or in society.

We wear clothes to facilitate “success” in sports, games, adventures and so on.

We wear clothes to show we ‘Belong’, to the group, the organisation, the club or the school.

We wear clothes to confirm our occupation.

Military Uniforms must conform to the published Rules.

Ecclesiastical Robes equally so.

Academic Robes may not be required that often but there are still very serious rules about who wears what and when.

We wear clothes to hide body flaws or show off parts of ourselves rarely seen except on the beach. When President Franco had just begun to welcome, frequently nervous visitors to his country in the early 1960’s, the Spanish police were featured in newspapers in the UK, arresting female visitors for wearing two-piece bathing suits. Not much of a lure to go to Spain for your beach holidays. Topless beaches were unheard of!

We wear clothes to underline why we are attending an event, such as a wedding. The Mother of the bride is always easily recognisable and nowadays shops cater exclusively for her, but how do mere guests choose what to wear? And will it rain?

Added to the dilemma about wearing the appropriate garments for the event, whether a wedding, funeral, formal or other social occasion, there are a number of options to consider: which garment, what colour, which accompaniments? Will there be name badges?

In the armed forces, for instance, there is no choice. All has been predetermined by service, rank and occasion including further insignia, badges, stripes and medals.

Interesting that other ranks have insignia worn CARDIFF-TIMES.CO.UK 25

on the sleeve while officers wear their insignia on the epaulet.

Then there is the question of headgear which in the Army varies enormously between regiments. For example, all the Scots Regiments have their own very distinctive style including the Glengarry, Tam O’Shanter, Forage Cap, Bearskin, Bonnet and so on.

It is useful to bear in mind the military insistence on wearing the correct form of dress to suit the occasion when considering how civilians make their choices, if they really do or are we equally controlled by heritage, history, indoctrination and authority (parent or employer or organisation).

Similarly, many organisations have opted for a policy not dissimilar to the forces. Clearly distinctive garments are very prominent in the health service. In hospitals and clinics, each employee not only wears a distinctive garment but also displays an “easy to read” label providing information about their job titles, their levels of seniority, and their areas of responsibility.

When the new hospital in Church Village opened in the late 1930’s it was overwhelmingly styled in keeping with the decade. Ultra clean, very modern, “like being in the pictures” commented an older cousin who had been accepted there. Sitting with my mother in the large and airy waiting areas, when we were visiting a relative who was recovering from brain surgery, I was mesmerised by not just the range of colours worn by the nursing staff, very much according to rank, department and responsibilities, but by the “head dresses”! I thought they were made of stiff drawing paper but was too small to recognise that they were starched linen. Any hairclips to ensure they stayed put, had to be very well hidden, or else!

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I drew my mother’s attention to two ladies approaching us. They were wearing a linen arrangement on their heads, with lace as decoration, which would have given them direct access into any convent in Northern France no bother! “Matrons” my mother whispered to me. “That is what I would want to be,” I whispered back.

This topic has covered many offshoots to add to the intriguing and fascinating examination of how we dress and why. It might be useful if I remind readers of possible tangents they may wish to research for themselves.

Avoiding any discussions regarding fashion, the political messages behind changes in what was considered ‘fashionable’ at a particular time and what was not, including the growth since the 1970’s, of the ‘interference’ of the huge global and influencers. Not everyone is affected directly by what is in this year and what is not.

How often, these days does anyone set aside a magazine that has in the past offered advice which is reasonable, reliable and realistic about clothes for work, travel, season or weather?

Instead, the fashion pages feature photographs of emaciated models looking ridiculous in garments made of tinsel, with one sleeve missing, plastic fur around the neck and the side seam from floor to armpit NOT stitched up. How daft can you look? As an art student still living at home, what seems now to be a hundred years ago, I would “present” myself to my mother’s gaze before setting off out. Her comment was usually in the form of a question such as, “You Are Not Going Out Looking Like That Are You?” If that was what she said I knew I had got it right again!

Nevertheless, bear in mind when making your decisions about what to wear the fundamental motives of wearing clothes are:

Protection (from the weather, the unknown, the unwanted and from situations you might not be able to escape from).

Decoration (very personal taste – if any!).

Modesty (it comes and goes).

If this topic has whetted your appetite for more information and understanding then you may wish to explore Sumptuary Laws, the laws drawn up by the Church and the Government permitting the wearing of what and by whom over the centuries. There was once a strict limit on wearing anything purple for instance. You had to be “worth it” like it says on the advert!

There was the great Masculine Renunciation at the end of the French Revolution.

Some costume historians still refer to the three systems for studying clothing and the reasons for doing so which are worth investigating.

1 Primitive 2 Tropical 3 Artic Professor J.C. Flugel’s book originally published in German in the late 1920’s was published in 1930 in English. It is out of print but there are still some copies to be found. The Hogarth Press were the original publishers, and it was Professor Ernest Jones’ German wife who did the translation. Professor Jones admits to a greater fluency in Welsh than in German.

Just as a footnote: in my research I have found a recommendation from Professor Flugel that the best book on these topics is Thomas Carlyle’s Sartor Resartus. It is my next book hunt and I have the title written down in capitals and safe in my purse.

CARDIFF-TIMES.CO.UK 27

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Fashion Done Your Way The Trend Forecast The January blues are considered to be some of the most miserable moments of the year, with ‘Blue Monday’ reflecting the cold, gloomy weather conditions.

But I am a firm believer that we cannot sit around waiting for the warm feeling of Spring and must have some fun in the meantime. Last year saw some huge shifts in trend culture; vintage became a priority over large fast fashion companies, trends stayed relevant for longer and we began to see a lot of pop culture influences in day-to-day outfits. Whilst the fashion community is constantly surprising us with new obsessions, there is no harm in forecasting some of the trends that we might see showing up on our social media in the following months. What I love about TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest is the inspiration they provide, so you can incorporate elements of what you see into everyday outfits that you will actually wear.

Luxury dressing has been a consistent theme over the past few seasons, with the term “old money” being thrown around. This suggests to me a country club lifestyle with yacht holidays, European trips, and skiing adventures (a lifestyle that does not comply with my budget at all). Despite the inaccessibility of that royal life, dressing well does not have to go hand in hand with a huge clothing fund; well-made, trendy clothes can be found for a small price tag.

Ballet pumps have had a full circle moment. I remember being desperate to own a pair of black Clarks’ pumps when I started secondary school, and now I want them all over again. Chanel have been putting their classic black flats on our wish list for a very long time, but most of us do not have the budget to splash out on these beauties which is why I have been doing some market research so we can all have a taste of luxury. If you’d have told me last year that I would be regularly browsing in my local M&S I would have giggled, but this high street brand is quickly becoming my go to for all things glamorous, and their ballet pumps are no exception. The beauty of shoes like this is their ability to be worn in different situations, making them worth every penny! I have been known to wear mine to work, the pub and when out and about shopping. They match most outfits due to their simple design and colour. If you want to experiment a little bit more, cherry red pumps are a great option as they can still be worn with so many colour combinations but create much more of a conversation. The online shop Cider have created a collection with a range of shades including a deep burgundy and a vibrant red. For a stunning £18, you cannot go wrong.

Bows are back on the agenda for 2024 which makes my heart very happy. As a certified girly girl, I have

By Molly Dutton

been looking for the perfect hair accessories for a very long time. Wearing something as simple as a bow can elevate your whole outfit and make a rushed hair do look incredibly effortless in a matter of seconds. The difficulty is that we all have very different hair types, and some bows aren’t going to work on all looks, but thankfully as they have grown in popularity, brands have extended their collections to meet everyone’s needs. Primark have always been a personal favourite for accessories, and they are well known for their recognition of trends. When I popped in to see what they had to offer, I was amazed by their selection of hair bits and bobs. As someone with very thick (and somewhat untameable) hair, I bought the largest bow in black to wear with a slicked back bun or a ponytail and I can firmly state that it will stay in your hair for the longest time. For my work hair dos, I opted for a pack of pearl bow hair ties so that I can keep my hair off my face and have the lovely addition of a little bow to make it seem fancier. It is not just hair bows that have captured the hearts of the nation, clothing items have been given that extra flair recently with added bows. ASOS have jumped onto the trend and have a page dedicated to bow items, with so many beautiful tops and dresses. If you aren’t quite ready to wear a top that consists of one giant bow, they have some everyday t shirts that look just as wonderful!

With the recent success of the Barbie movie and the impact it has had on society’s understanding of girlhood, it is no surprise that people have ran to try and recreate some of Barbie’s looks. I have always been a huge fan of pink, so this trend has filled me with so much excitement; it feels as though everyone has become very proud to wear the most extravagant, pink attire in their everyday lives. For this section, if you’re looking for some inspiration, I have created a list of some of my favourite pink outfits. When looking for what to buy, I turned to Amazon fashion for affordable options and it was here that I found a long sleeve, bodycon dress in a subtle baby pink (because not everyone wants to wear hot pink to the shops apparently). I also rummaged around the shops in Leeds to see if anything caught my eye. Sports Direct provided a wonderful USA PRO bright pink leggings and sport bra set which fits in nicely with many of our New Year sports journeys. One thing I love about this brand is their affordability, when so many other gymwear companies have seen major price increases.

It’s time to spice up the wardrobe for the year ahead and make the most of our creativity!

CARDIFF-TIMES.CO.UK 31

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A shout out to the ladies!

It is estimated that in the UK alone: •1 in 8 people in the UK live with mental health issues.

•Over 700,000 people take their own life each year (that’s one person every 40 seconds).

•15% of women are receiving treatment for depression.

(The workplace health report, 2023)

Shocking estimations, you may agree, and this is just a glimpse into the reality of mental health issues.

But one thing that the nation is striving to achieve, is that people experiencing mental health problems need not do so alone and that everyone recognises that “its ok not to be ok.”

In 2019 the Welsh Government launched a 10-year cross governmental strategy to improve mental health and well being across all ages known as ‘Together for mental health’. This strategy is aimed to improve poor mental heath status, educate others on the complex effects and causes of mental health issues, and improve the quality and accessibility of services to all.

As with many things, we still have a way to go, but thanks to amazing charity funded organisations, such as ‘Brawd’ and ‘Chwaer’ we are one step closer to the goal. Luckily for Cardiffians, these are both right on our doorsteps!

Brawd offers a safe and confidential space for men aged 18+ from any background to share feelings, thoughts, and experiences with other men who understand what each other are going through. Their group meetings are held four times a week here in Cardiff, they run various activities including music groups, climbing sessions, walking football and they can refer people onto experienced counsellors because, in their words, “they’ve been there too”. In its first year of starting up, Brawd received its first nomination for “volunteer group of the year” through Cardiff’s third sector council.

Following the success of the men’s group ‘Brawd’ came ‘Chwaer’. A female version of ‘Brawd’ with similar goals and premise. Chwaer, which translates from Welsh to mean ‘sister, mate or a female fellow group member’ began in July 2023 and recognises that women need support too.

According to the UK governments ‘tackling loneliness’ strategy review, loneliness is highest reported in females, especially those between 16-24, with limited neighbourhood belonging or living with a mental health condition.

Chwaer aims to chip away at this!

Chwaer recognise that “you can’t always tell your loved one’s things on your mind, or you might not have loved ones to share with” and that’s one of the building blocks of their groups. They are keen to create a non-judgmental

By Natalie McCulloch

space for ladies to listen to each other, talk about their own issues (if they wish), build friendships and recognise they aren’t alone. Because, you’ve always got a sister to reach out to, at Chwaer.

The group runs every Tuesday 5.30-7 in MAC MEDIA CENTRE, 3-7 COLOMBUS WALK, BRIGANTINE PLACE, CF10 4BY and sees 7-12 women turn up to chat and talk about everything and anything they want to, or just listen if that feels better for them. There is always a cuppa and biscuits too! These group of ladies are passionate about supporting other woman and spreading the message that “you are not alone”. Everyone has a unique set of circumstances bringing them to Chwaer, but everyone is welcomed and encouraged to attend, its FREE and there is no obligation to attend every week.

In 2024, Chwaer hope to welcome more ladies to the group, spread the word about the great work they do and engage the community in some fundraising activities to raise vital funds to provide the ladies with more social activities and treats.

As the basketball player and coach, Phil Jackson, once said ““The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” So, if women can come together to socialise and share mental health struggles, surely the team message of Mental health is nothing to be ashamed of and can be spread in abundance.

But don’t take our word for it, here is what the service users say: “After covid I really struggled with being social again.

Full of anxiety and suddenly finding myself once a huge extrovert now fully introverted. Finding Chwaer and meeting with these beautiful women once a week has started to make me feel more like myself again.”

“Having a safe space to go to, being able to escape the prison I had put myself in at home, has meant I have started coming out of my shell and making positive changes and improvements outside of the group too, I couldn’t recommend the group more!”

“I feel right at home when I go in, the girls are very welcoming, and I feel comfortable talking to them about anything. In fact, sometimes I don’t stop, its great to feel supported.”

If you are interested in finding out more, or attending a session please don’t hesistate to contact the teams: @chwaersisters on “X” (twitter) Chwaer on facebook Chwaer1 on Instagram www.Brawd.org.uk 07746244497 Brawd1@outlook.com

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