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2 cardiff-times.co.uk
FIONA PALOMO
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TH E G RE AT E S T S TO RY E VE R
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AFFIRM FILMS presents a MONARCH MEDIA production a film by ADAM ANDERS “JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM” FIONA PALOMO MILO MANHEIM OMID DJALILI RIZWAN MANJI GENO SEGERS MORIAH JOEL SMALLBONE LECRAE STEPHANIE GIL and ANTONIO BANDERAS MUSIC COSTUME PRODUCTION CASTING MUSIC BY LISA ZAGORIA, csa LUCI LENOX DESIGNER LENA MOSSUM SUPERVISOR ALEX ANDERS BY ADAM ANDERS NIKKI ANDERS PEER ASTROM EDITOR SABRINA PLISCO, ace DESIGNER EDOU HYDALLGO DIRECTOR OF EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY BRANDT ANDERSEN ADAM ANDERS RYAN BUSSE STEPHEN MEINEN ALAN POWELL STEVE BARNETT PHOTOGRAPHY XAVI GIMÉNEZ, aec PRODUCERS VICKY PATEL PETER BARSOCCHINI DIRECTED STORY SCREENPLAY BY ADAM ANDERS BY ADAM ANDERS BY ADAM ANDERS & PETER BARSOCCHINI SCAN FOR MORE © 2023 Road To Bethlehem, LLC., Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Inc., and TSG Entertainment II LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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Adam Anders new directorial debut film ‘Journey To Bethlehem’ Adam Anders is a Swedish film, television and music producer who has sold more than 100 million albums and in recent years has become one of the most in-demand Executive Producers for music-driven film and television. Best known for his work on Glee and High School Musical, and working alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry; Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, The Backstreet Boys, and many more. Anders is also the CEO of Anders Media, and its record label Deep Well Records, a sub-label of Capitol Music Group. In 2023, Anders will make his directorial debut with the film, Journey To Bethlehem, a musical retelling of The Nativity Story, co-written by Peter Barsocchini and Anders, starring Fiona Palomo, Milo Manheim, and Antonio Banderas.
Journey to Bethlehem will be coming to cinemas across the UK from 17th of November
A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honour. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown. This live-action Christmas musical adventure for the entire family weaves classic Christmas melodies with humour, faith and new pop songs in a retelling of the greatest story ever told, the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. A unique new entry into the collection of holiday classic movies, this epic Christmas musical is unlike any before it. For more information about Journey to Bethlehem, to buy tickets, to enquire about group booking offers and access the fun downloadable CHRISTMAS RESOURCES for children check out www.JOURNEYTOBETHLEHEMFILM.co.uk
Interview with Adam Anders to follow in December issue cardiff-times.co.uk 5
“Through the valley of the shadow of death.” Foreword: This article was first published here in March
byWyn Evans
2015. I have resubmitted it following the Hamas terrorist group’s murder, rape and hostage-taking of Israeli citizens on 7th October 2023. These attacks led to number of anti-Israel and Pro-Hamas demonstrations in the course of which vile comments were made celebrating Hamas’s actions. This article is a reminder to progressive young readers of where knee-jerk anti-Semitism can lead.
“Between August 1939 and September 1941, over 70,000 mentally and physically disabled inmates of sanatoria and asylums in Germany and Austria were murdered after doctors certified them as ‘life unworthy of life’. The victims were transported to one of six clinics equipped with gas chambers where they were poisoned with carbon monoxide gas piped through false shower heads in mock bathrooms.¹” The programme was suspended once relatives and others protested and “instead, the personnel, expertise and technology of mass murder were transferred to the killing of Jews… The commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp experimented with lethal Zyklon-B (cyanide) gas ²”. The Girl, my daughter, has Down Syndrome and would have been included in the Nazis’ medicalised murder of the disabled under this ‘T4’ compulsory euthanasia programme.
on us like a betrayer; it seemed as though the new sun rose as an ally of our enemies to assist in our destruction”. A Polish woman was our official guide to the camp. Gently-spoken, she had been in the job eighteen years. I noticed that she never once referred to ‘the Nazis’ only to ‘the Germans’. She told me of the large number of Poles put to death at this camp. “The Germans regarded us as untermenschen, sub-humans, who would be culled and those left put to work as slave labour”. Levi, again, noted that “to destroy a man is difficult…but you Germans have succeeded. Here we are, docile under your gaze; from our side you have nothing more to fear; no acts of violence, no words of defiance, not even a look of judgement”.
On 11th February this year I visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and death-camps on behalf of the Cardiff Times, at the invitation of the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET)’s Learning from Auschwitz (LFA) Project, along with two hundred or so 17-18 year old students from across Wales. In a complementary article I have detailed the aims of the LFA Project. Next month I shall write a follow-up piece The Auschwitz complex was vast, including 48 sub-camps, and was the largest of the Nazi camps. detailing the reactions of some of the trip’s Cardiff Auschwitz I was a concentration camp used for students. Here, I want to address how it felt being at Auschwitz-Birkenau, drawing also on the reflections of political prisoners, prisoners of war, Roma, Sinti and Jews. It held around 15,000 inmates and had its own those who survived the camps. But I hadn’t expected such a clear link between that dark past and The Girl’s prison (Block 11), gas chamber and crematorium. It was here that Zyklon B was first used to kill present. significant numbers of people (600 Russian PoWs and 250 sick prisoners). Auschwitz II at Birkenau Let me begin at the end. I got home around midnight developed to become the main extermination centre of what had been a long day’s travelling. The Boss and a slave labour camp, eventually expanded to welcomed me home with a hug and asked what it hold up to 200,000 prisoners. Old farmhouses were had been like. Then the tears came. All I could find used as gas chambers until four crematoria and gas the words to say was “vile vile vile”. I imagine that chambers were established. this would be the reaction of any thinking person of reasonable imagination and normal levels of empathy. At this place over 1.2 million people were robbed, degraded, and tortured, broken, gassed, and cremated. Primo Levi ³ writes that even “dawn came
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Entering Auschwitz I we walked beneath the sick joke inscribed above the gates: ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’, Work Makes You Free, where the process of destruction gained momentum. “For the first time we became
aware that our language lacks words to express this offence, the demolition of a man…; we had reached the bottom…Nothing belongs to us any more; they have taken away our clothes, our shoes, even our hair; if we speak they will not listen to us, and if they listen, they will not understand. They will even take away our name: and if we want to keep it, we will have to find ourselves the strength to do so…so that something of us, of us as we were, still remains” (Levi). We saw the piles of shoes, of hair (literally tons of it – think of the numbers murdered, that hair could be weighed in tons), of artificial limbs, personal and household objects stripped from the prisoners. For a father of a little girl, these were of course upsetting. But what left the largest scar on my psyche was Block 11. Here were the mock-trial rooms (nobody was found not guilty). Outside was the Death Wall, where prisoners were shot often after being taunted with ‘jammed’ guns. Next to this wall of death were torture posts where people’s hands were tied behind them before being hauled up to hang from the wrists. Inside were cells where people were starved to death; or gassed; or crammed together four to a bricked space no bigger than a phone box all night long - if suffocation didn’t kill them then the full shift of work they were made to endure each subsequent day probably would. I still cannot assimilate that in the middle of a death machine, the Nazis needed to find ways to make prisoners’ lives even more unbearable. The scale and size of Birkenau is to this day staggering. The stables converted into barrackrooms, poorly built and crammed-full, that inside were the same temperature as outside – whether that was the bitter cold of Polish winter or the sweltering heat and insect-filled furnace of its summer months. The cattle trucks used to transport Jewish families, whole communities, from all over Europe. The stinking, open, unplumbed toilet and washing complex. The railway lines: Auschwitz itself was chosen because of its accessibility to railway lines from across the continent; but these lines were built right into Birkenau itself, the better to speed people to the gas chambers. Elie Wiesel ⁴ remembered the eight fateful words that took his mother to the chambers “Men to the left! Women to the right! …I did not know that in that place, at that moment, I was parting from my mother and [sister] Tzipora forever. I went on walking. My father held onto my hand...”. Kitty Hart-Moxon in ‘Return to Auschwitz’ ⁵ wrote this about disembarkation: “a dank chill caught at us. The
whole area was shrouded in a clinging grey mist. But dawn was breaking. Or was it really the dawn? A reddish glow through the mist was flickering in the weirdest way and there was a sickly, fatty, cloying smell. Mother and I glanced at each other, baffled. Who could be roasting meat, great quantities of it, at this hour of the morning”. ⁴ 11th February 2015 was also a grey, dank, misty day. I thought that if ever I was going to see ghostly spirits it should be there and then, at that moment in that place. We were gathered at the literal ‘end of the line’ at the far side of Birkenau. A few short steps further on were the Holocaust Memorial with its flag in the colours of the “loose, striped, insect-ridden clothing” ⁶ that was the uniform of the prisoners. A few steps in another direction were the remains of the crematoria. As we all lit candles a Rabbi told us that the issue was not “where was god?” but “where was humanity?” and I thought that he was half-right at least. It was almost unbearably affecting when Rabbi Marcus led us in a rendition of Psalm 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd”) noting that we were surely standing in the cold heart of the valley of the shadow of death. I came home and was reminded of books I had read written by survivors of that place, of those places; men and women who had seen the very worst things imaginable - in themselves and in others - and come through both that public hell and their own private inferno. Viktor Frankl ⁷, who wrote “everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. … In some way, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice. … When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves”. Even in Auschwitz-Birkenau he found that “…humour, more than anything else in the human make-up, can…rise above any situation, even if only for a few seconds”. Primo Levi found “that no human experience is without meaning or unworthy of analysis” and Frankl also felt that “man’s main concern is…to see a meaning in his life” and that even in such places “…one must want to survive, to tell the story, to bear witness… we still possess one power – the power to refuse our consent” (Levi). Remembrance, bearing witness, finding meaning even amongst futility and death. And, most of all, holding on to love. Frankl writes: “I saw the truth, the Truth - that love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire…The salvation of man is
CARDIFF TIMES 7
through love and in love. I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world still may know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved. In a position of utter desolation, when man cannot express himself in positive action, when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way – an honourable way – in such a position man can, through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved, achieve fulfillment”. Reading this brought me back to The Girl and an article written some years ago by journalist Simon Barnes, whose son, Eddie, has Down Syndrome. After visiting Auschwitz it seems more relevant than ever. It is about our common humanity; about what links us together as people, whatever our faith, creed, or colour: When I got home that night I told Nikki that the place was vile. Vile is an anagram of ‘evil’. Yet I believe there is no external propagator of evil; it is what happens when “What is Eddie for? …Nazis sent people with humanity is removed from others by those themselves Down’s to the ovens, because they polluted the purity of the race. And… we should remember that lacking in imagination and/or empathy. As I was crying in Nikki’s arms our dog began howling – she never does most women pregnant with a baby with Down’s this. She kept putting her paw onto my hand, eventually syndrome choose to abort. It’s clear that many jumping onto Nik and me, burying her head in my chest. people believe that a child with Down’s has no Knowing how illogical these words are, it still struck me point… [And] shouldn’t an individual contribute that our dog showed more empathy then the whole something to society? Eddie’s function is to of the German High Command; more than all those be loved, and to love in return. Perhaps that is everybody’s ultimate function. Eddie enriches the who attended the Wannsee Conference in January 1942, where the ‘Final Solution’ was launched upon by lives of his family and enriches the lives of those unempathetic humans. Perhaps true evil is what humans he comes into contact with outside. That seems do to one another when they are able to imagine the to me to be a life right on the cutting edge of outcome but choose not to empathise. usefulness” ⁸.
1. David Cesarani, The Holocaust, Holocaust Educational Trust, 2010 2. David Cesarani, ibid 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primo_Levi (See his If This Is a Man (US: Survival in Auschwitz); & The Truce (US: The Reawakening)) 4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elie_ Wiesel#Bibliography (See his Night) 5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitty_HartMoxon 6. http://www.het.org.uk/index.php/survivors-gt (Gena Turgel; see I Light a Candle) 7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl (See his Man’s Search for Meaning. An Introduction to Logotherapy, Beacon Press, Boston, MA, 2006. ISBN 978-0-8070-1427-1 8. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/life/families/ article2462614.ece
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‘And Another Thing...’ Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
byVince Nolan
Of course you will have recognised the above quote from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. However, in my case it means something entirely different. I am a man of a certain age Staying with the ageing process, it had been with the benefit, (at least for the time being), some Summers since I last had my eyes tested of still having some hair. However, it had and so I scurried off to a well-known purveyor of decided to develop a life of its own recently so visual improvement wizardry. Not a bad instead of fighting it I switched my parting to the experience at first and it was decided that I right rather than the left. Despite the picture needed stronger lenses. Alas they could not put below, this does not have any hidden political them into my current expensive frames and so meaning. I paid a considerable sum for some rather natty designer jobbies. After ten days I was invited According to some, a left side parting is to come back in for the fitting. I tried them on associated with masculine tendencies like and couldn’t see the lady who was serving me, assertiveness. In the original Superman films, nor could I see round the shop, nor could I read when Clark Kent became Superman his parting a single word in any font size on the card put would transfer from the right to left, which is in front of me. Clearly someone had made an pretty much all the evidence you need. By error. There was also a nose pad missing from contrast, the right side part is supposedly them and no cleaning cloth. I was then asked associated with feminine tenets like sensitivity to try them for the weekend (walking around and thoughtfulness. Is all of this stuff an exact bumping into things, not reading anything, nor science? Is it hell. Needs must when follically texting anyone), as my eyes “needed time to challenged. (Spellcheck kept correcting this adjust.” If I had needed glasses of that strength to phallically challenged which is something they would have come with a Labrador. Benny entirely different). Nevertheless, those of you Hill used to have a comedy character, Fred old enough to remember the lyrics of The Scuttle, who wore pebble or milk bottle glasses Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” will know that whom I resembled. I did not take them home “the parting on the left is now the parting on the and returned them suggesting that either the right” and twas ever thus. prescription was incorrect or the manufacturer had got it wrong. The opticians reluctantly agreed with me and booked me in (a week later) for a further eye test. Later that day I was asked to complete an online satisfaction survey, oh where to begin? “On a scale from 0-10, based on your experience, how likely are you to recommend us to your friends and family?” Followed by “We look forward to seeing you again.” Trouble is I can’t see you and guess who I bumped into on my way to get my glasses fixed? Everybody. By the time you read this we will have completed Sober October. This was a joint decision with She driven by our desire to cut down and be 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 of the honey trap, they tookonthe we found with athey City centre hotelkind predictions based theirSupreme existence have rt cancelled ofa their routines unless are healthier. However our firstgiven Grandchild gents in Opposition court. Locals derisively calledsitting his The Leader of the and I were in all deer who has lost both ingfor that myhurrah! offer was genuine. the Cautiously, they agreed to join us. Picture theit and a Picadil stream of “furious debate.” fito ckle fiCan’t nger been confi rmed experimentally.” Oh The world has taken a strange –please! at leastWith ruled he could turn down iftwist he wanted due any dayHowever, now, it isFirst goingMinister. beinterruptions mansion Hall, which became Piccadilly. ecial £80, dispensation by our scene, 5pm onasa for sunny ourin socially local, The Funky Furlough, ccident? No eye November. deer. of fateRemember (presumably the middle one),this then And mesons and baryons, we could be the parts I collated seem to occupy. Iquality have been However, with my mind Idistanced have some put-downs to. No pleasing some folk. weekday evening at the side How long have you had arthritis?” “IRugby don’t birthday and the impending arrival of our first Now then Chums, I need to know if you are intervened and cancelled thespecials office lunch here allabout night. aw this Trump in a local pub board: reading a proposal for the 2027 when a lady close by to us asked the Bar Manager when dies, Ion willtheir give whichtoentrance comics have used toNo,deal with modern day to the Brewery onwill due any day now, it farms is going you UFO or UAP? not latest set of in “but us toand wander lonely as some cloudsbe We leaving Love grandchild Local champion local World Cup which prevent any team red I have arthritis, Father,” thethedrunk said, iffacilities theCaroline toilets were still upstairs. He ofother course “He it is today how he aswarmed Can’t Remember November. new categories toshirts identify with. We are talking hecklers: IStreet was at the hairdressers the day for my where four ey: time tried to around the Castle and itswas outdoor bar densure fisheries.” All very laudable but the first shirts and green playing each other that we had properly up since we didn’t want to pull any drinking just read in the paper that the Pope does.” Unidentified Flying Objects versus Unidentified Continuing January scalping when the Jimmy Nail song pensioners who could barely until frostbite got the better us forced usand confiup rmed that they were but Ipeople thought thisstruggle to be ato earing make-up and lying inoffront m on their menu was Mediterranean Olives. because colour blind often . Unfortunately, only six us and turned a minimum of ten were required or he other Sothree the High Speed Trainof(HST) farce has Aerial/Anomalous Phenomena. Try saying “Ain’t Nohanging Doubt - She’s Lying” came on thethe “What size ofseen shoe does your mouth take?” stand were onto back toina the hotelsame we did not need. Much fun, but verheard pub: “Every time we distinguish between the two. Not criticising Staying with the drink, there has always the rope very question. I would have said something mlinson finally turned into Horrendous Spending ofstupid thatbar after(could aTotally few beers. Apparently some US sme off. I engaged four old-timers who were inthem the have been the wireless. unscripted, we, the Wales, masked ahow lamppost, for rather we quickly found out that is asay. limit to here we come You don’t of support, course but thisattached would affect Taxes. Evenhere.” funnier, itthere was announced in scientists are also using the acronym C.R.A.P. been much snobbery to wine. like: “I don’t know d by theManchester son ofwine a at good friend singers in the from chairs and our masked stylists theme: “This is illumination. what comes drinking on an empty entioned ones from the Taff Vale) and asked them whether they fancied having a much mulled one can drink before falling than An Canada, Ireland, Tonga, Russia, South the Tory Party Conference that which stand for Completely Ridiculous AlienAfrica tyrite sell-buy dates before Indeed, people make a living from it, 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 the train would be arriving at Manchester Piffle, which is nice. when madam was a urology hisnever Dad’s head.” tour and freefor beer forSoap the afternoon. Fearing some kind of honey trap, they took on scene reminiscent from The Full Monty when butfrom I am making a stand because thewho I have heard about delays butnever…… never supermarket on aeulogy Friday 3onvincing shopsPiccadilly. I that really BBC snooker commentator Ted of Lowe remember. with us butat we e the heart to say my offer was genuine. Cautiously, they agreed tolast join us. Picture the they all started dancing inand the queue the rope is rather a long one. aI assume that“I next year’s It’s that time ofduring year again we recently famously said one of his commentaries: lockdowns. I’m giving up wine, every day, all 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 job centre. Fortunately all sharp implements come booked tickets forayou me, The Mrs Nolan scene, 5pm onCurrent a them sunny moved out to meant. Conference Anyway, will here is from Birmingham where “And for those of who are watching in black A drunk who smelled like onthe a going month. not it.minutes brains out………getting an extra helping ofup. adand some whether itdoes willdoubt benot announced that be that and No The wait, Sainted Mother-in-Law to I’m go togiving aand then were forthat’s a is few short Itsausage need Pope me ittowon’t suggest the uncanny and the pink next to the green.” seges. weekday evening at the side brewery gotwhite, ondowned a bus and sat the car park many far journey either. I also understand it will not start Christmas light all show at Margam Park Wine every day month! without further comment, just like incalled a musical, r for the home. rope that mouth.” down next to a priest. The Tomlinson or of vice entrance to the Brewery from in theversa. heart of London as planned Luminate. Spell check kept correcting this to ekyhad months ago as aon ale, (heenough wasEuston affectionately everybody went back to their day job like Interesting lyric we heard on the wireless the s nothing to do withCommon, EU some eight miles drunk's shirt was stained, his but from Old Oak Laminate at Mariam Park which might be more Two people out on a first date. “Do you Caroline Street where four nothing had happened. Lockdown has a lot other day: “Sports bra and a Maserati car.” “Do you know, if you wore soundproof trousers direct consequence to no because of before his likeness e-buy to home school facelocal was full central London. Imagine fun.of bright red dates but a recent tripthetocall: my supermarket ction ofoutside the packaging answer for but that was very funny. like Merlot Tammy?” “Yes, but youPerhaps don’t Who would thought of which that combination? pensioners could barely I once owned one of the chewed pencils we have a problem.” one would hear a word saying.” lipstick and he had ahave half-you’re of who Covid19.” nperishables leader), involved a trip light of“Euston, the that make the following Monday. In fact I or fruit and vegwould like Apparently many have a and poet called Finally, the Leader of“Oh, theincluding Opposition I were pronounce the “t.” Ok.”hanging Looks at stand were seen onto empty bottle of wine sticking Shakespeare used to write his famous works. He used The Leader of The Opposition and I were this is why I do not run ales play France. We Dave Cox whom I have just “discovered”. I have had the great good fortune to travel on recently deciding where to go for our weekly these comestibles 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 Japan’s Shinkansen (Bullet Train) on a number Sunday sojourn. The coast was chosen with Intellectual property rules prevent me itquoting 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 and s, picked, packaged, He interviewing Donny Osmond who EU supply issues? inspec@on ofnewspaper the packaging of ten occasions which was originally introduced two candidates, Porthcawl and Weston-Superthe excitement. mum of were required or Halloween?” than illumination. An any of his work here but I encourage you to Our friend Dr H Ihas trained her dog Daisy uple of minutes later, he asked the "Father, what causes arthritis?" A in wife sent her played them home and had been appearing in panto at the London orpriest, not 2B. Staying with the Bard, days by, in veg 1964! It now travels across Japan (some Mare. Iup. know, spoilcomedy that woman. Itgone turned out distributed around UK2B recent WalesOnline article bizarrely claimed look him A real genius and hugely fruit and 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 1758 loosemiles living,atbeing with cheap,with wicked too alcohol, and to bring her a bottle ofhusband red wine. No asurprise up40 tomonths 200 mph), morewomen, lines thatmuch Porthcawl hosting Europe’s largest Palladium. was speaking about “Your bus leaves inDonny 10wasminutes... Be under it.” aquote romantic ernational weekends. On at GPs were working anUK. hour refreshing. o the shops and put on in order to attract women, I used to use this from the The list is endless but here is a small sample: Pringles (Belgium), Sm in the bar (could have beentaken theterrain. o@c climes, picked, packaged, tothat," the port or airport, planned, despite the replied. mountainous Elvis Presley Festival weekend. Iwas know your fellow man," the priest "Imagine theformer drunk muttered. He that never…… remember. acting mentor of his who told him sat the really, she’s a Bordeaux collie. I phrase we ertime. I have no doubt they are ridiculously text message. She wrote: “Ifhim.. are sleeping, send Mike’s fiones rst), we didpriest, itlater in Taff the on the sell-buy date. Itcannot Colman’s English Mustard (Act Germany), Terrys Chocolate (France) Some 60 years we achieve there areout many devotees out there, including eading his paper. The thinking about what had said, turned tofor the following: “Theatre isyou the only place where ioned from the Vale) “Well, it’s night 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 ses then delivered toMakes the shops and put he on the shelves with etched at present, but 40 months an hour? with She Who Must Be Obeyed the other anything like it. you proud. friends of ours, but alas, The King’s charms 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 carpet 5 and 4.” The answer was “gloss over.” them they at’s overwhether three years an fancied hour. The only way day whilst family.” A drunk who smelled like a have passed us by so we forof WSM she sipped a opted glass wine to deliver thatFunny, dream” which weand thought was don't have arthritis, Father," the drunk said,smile. "but I just read in the paper that poignant recommend. very 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 instead. However, this all reminded me that my “LiKle o Here’s one for you: “Knock knock.” “Who’s there?” “LiKle old lady.” rewery tour and free beer for the brewery got on amuch, bus and sat and she said, “I love you so you rather good. Oh yes it is. s." but enough about me. In it he recalls a tale “Hello.” Student – try it in a German accent: “If I pet mouse Elvis died recently. He was caught ey were referring to Dr Who. In “Imy world this “I need you like Van Gogh needed stereo.” had no idea you could yodel.” drinking, send me a So sip. If next you are send me Offizis cer cameofonto Fearing some kind trap, pCustoms and weft). Of to aatcrying, priest. about having chronic flatulence asever child understand correctly, inhoney ze afirst place you know. inI adon’t trap. down we pitched up WSM oraThe rather know how I could live ould be like driving at 40 hours mile which I was reading about a court case where the accused Thanks to my cousin Lawrence for this joke. the drink, there hasbut always been some convincing that my offer tried todrunk's because that very daytexted happened to which was both embarrassing and atwork times tears. Iwe love Her husband back: “ as Just hold up your passports brushing benease your carpet zen shirt was stained, his ould be quite slow not unlike towalked I trying amand awas man ofyou awithout certain age soyou.” my tolerance does aswine well thare the related you.” IAnniversary 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 be the 40th of the Weston Beach ery attached to wine. Indeed, very painful. During one particular attack he add shiny paint 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 the sandals? Phillipe Flop! Quickly by a I h Van Gogh sitting atwas the end afollowed bar stool. Motorbike Races. 1,000 bikes tearing upto the init,they the UK. The aactured living from butimpose I am making alanessaw went to the Doctors who managed to “release ty Centre as bike on the e scene, 5pmword a sunny weekday She WhoaMust Be Obeyed suggested I download anothing new app called what Ialong writ: quite topoem learn that had to doWhat3Wo sand which with the promenade was lipstick and he had athe halfost me and said “Ion didn’t know Staying with games, I completed wordwine.” shouted “Hey Vince do you want a drink?” emall of the lockdowns. I’m giving up disappointed the pressure” forthis him. He quotes Doctor sample: Pringles of us. et’s call her Dr closed to non-bike aficionados like us. My 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 Year Dear Reader, the Year of the ortpuzzle and Ion haven’t got and one.” I camping. with a), Colman’s English can be red, Violets are purple. Just how we laughed and the beach donkeys were 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 ofeither. his pocket. He opened not best pleased In fact we witnessed saying. Ox. Apparently this year is going to be lucky words to as that effect. Then, inassured a Having Chocolate Orange Hadron in the Hadron Collider. no 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 two donkeys standing at the roadside and one ear.” ing. We recently Finally, news, my friend David has lost his ID. his newspaper and started out on awhat first date. “Do this was really alllike Isad decided with the Ox representing diligence, persistence of aclue War 2 find prisoner ofabout war Parliament) Sauce (The the first @me the other day and the unique three word loca@on I was looking er. IWorld managed to a you reasonable policy, Doctors were working 40 months an hour. said the other: ”Shall fools we friend a top bathroom tip:cross?” Never leave your greatFinally, andtosmall. Little will His drink too mppost, for support, rather than y?” “Yes, but look itpinned. up. I don’t wishforIpronounce hadront (see .ducked Atocouple ofyou later, he asked the priest, "Father, what causes arthritis?" ote was Since I minutes mentioned Manchester Piccadilly replied: “No way, look what happened to that rted it out 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 down into the Adios Amigos much and fools none at all. My round. n. An they would Oh, Ok.” Looks at waiter: “Twobeing what Iafternoon did there): “Any member of athe class of Hasta la great Vista. Station earlier I wondered about origin zebra.” mbursed me with this immortal covering it's caused by loose living, with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, and door. Live Radio then is it? ed his coat and mine on top of of theparticles word the Piccadilly. that In 1612 subatomic that areItisseems built from quarks eremember. and Ammy.” Yamas Chums Hasta La Vista mail: “Thank you, Monet in the bank.” I Chums kpt knock.” “Who’s there?” for your fellow man," the priest replied. "Imagine a man named Robert Baker built a mansion Hasta Lathat," Vista 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 H has trained her dog Daisy to bring her a bottle of red wine. No surprise house just to the north of what is now Piccadilly 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 Circus. He made his wealth sale note: “Please Bordeaux collie. I was satCustoms with She from Who the Must BeofObeyed the other day whilst baryons and their many resonances.” Trouble but thank"I'm youcollars anyway.” dinting apologised: sorry, I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had and sat down next to aworn priest. Picadils, stiff by the fashionable , 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
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If you’ve reached a more mature vintage, then head to Techniquest on 14 November for a deep dive into the science of the seas at their next Over-50s’ Science Café. Themed around all things aquatic, guests can get to grips with the interactive exhibits and perplexing puzzles in a child-free environment, while learning about marine life and what can be done to help protect our precious ecosystems for future generations. Thanks to generous funding from Scottish Power Foundation, they can also enjoy a live science show, Ocean Extravaganza and a workshop in the KLA Lab: Is Water Wet? as part of the experience. Tickets are just £5 each and the afternoon session runs from 1pm – 4pm.
12 cardiff-times.co.uk
And if you’re planning ahead for a Christmas get-together with friends, anyone aged 18 or over can now book for After Hours: Silent Nights & Icy Science on Thursday 14 December, supported by Admiral. Complete with a silent disco in the low-light zone, Star Tours in the Planetarium, a live science show to send shivers down your spine, plus a pay-bar and festive food station, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season. Tickets are £15 each, including a drink on arrival, and the evening gets underway from 7pm. Book ahead online at techniquest.org
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In The Words Of by Carl Marsh has plenty of riding location suggestions around Great Britain and grades them: ‘Easy’, ‘Intermediate’ and ‘Difficult’. I plan on starting with an ‘Easy’ option in Wales, the ‘Millennium Coastal Path’. It’s a family-friendly route of 11 miles. I think I can muster that! The book is a great read, and whilst not promoting every single ‘Best Bike Rides’ Great Britain has, it offers enough for, I’d say, a year’s worth of exploration and adventures, and then some. You can get the routes downloaded, too, so you don’t need to take the book on your jaunts wherever possible. If a book could give you bike wanderlust, then this is that book.
The Joy of Wild Swimming - Lonely Planet (£19.99) For the record, I am not a wild swimmer. Would I try it? Well, that depends. Recently, I completed and passed my Open During the past few weeks, I have been to Rome [Italy], Water Swim Coach Level 2 qualification; therefore, I am a little Malta and Paris [France] - I know I didn’t need to highlight skilled in this field, but I’m not in the water. I fully understand what countries those cities were in! With Rome and Paris, the dangers of entering cold water and not acclimatising these were day trips bookended to a more extended Malta correctly, but the benefits of cold water and ‘Wild Swimming’ trip. I plan to write about the former as a viable day out versus going to London or Edinburgh. And mainland Europe are so good for the mind, body and soul. Whilst this book is not solely aimed at cold water swimming, it also has plenty of warm is so much cheaper and somewhat on par [or better] travel water suggestions. It is a world guide on wild swimming on time-wise. all the continents. Covering about 180 or more bathing spots, your budget for getting to any of these locations is the only For the foreseeable, I will be reviewing some books sent constraint. to me by those lovely people at Lonely Planet. I like to get out and about, like many of you do. These books will either make you want to explore areas you’ve always wanted to venture into or maybe you’re a first-timer at, ‘Wild Swimming’ or ‘Best Bike Rides - Great Britain’, which are this month’s BAR REVIEW book reviews. Proud Mary, 42-43 St Mary Street, Cardiff - 02921 509001 Where has this last year gone? I asked myself once I attended I was invited to Proud Mary again on its First Birthday—more the Proud Mary’s First Birthday bash, even though it seemed on this page, a few paragraphs below. only a few months when I participated in the opening.
NOVEMBER 2023
I have a travel review of my glamorous trip to The Maldives and three interviews in the following four pages. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed attending or conducting them all.
BOOK REVIEW
Unlike last year, where I had to visit two events, I got to eat this time at Proud Mary! A pizza was ordered in advance for my table, and it was enough to feed three people, yet I ate most of it myself. I was that hungry, and it was delicious! My arrival was relatively early, and it had not overtly filled up like it was at last year’s event. There was some live music on the bill, and the artist was pure quality. I only wish I’d known his name to promote him here. We left not long after 9 p.m., and it was starting to get busier by then. It was a Thursday night, and I had an early start, hence my leaving before the night owls came out to party! Proud Mary is a quality venue with really amiable staff in a perfect location.
Enjoy November until next month, Best Bike Rides - Great Britain - Lonely Planet (£15.99) Carl Marsh I am a mountain biker, well… I like to think that I am. Perhaps Twitter - @InTheWordsOf_CM not as daring as I used to be decades ago, but I have a YouTube - InTheWordsOf decent bike and still want - and do - ride my bike. This book
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The Maldives - Huvafen Fushi - Travel Review
Words by Carl Marsh windows that can only best be described as the most incredible fish tank one could wish for! All my fears subsided once the massage commenced; I think I dosed off at one point. It was that relaxing. The room I stayed in, as I mentioned already, was an Ocean Bungalow with Pool. As you can see from the pictures, this was as glamorous and homely in equal measures. I didn’t want to leave my bungalow! Each room comes with its own Thakuru [Butler] service, and all you had to do was make a phone call to arrange ironing, golf buggy pick-up, checking out, and even (un) packing your clothes.
After arriving at Male Velana International Airport via a Qatar Airways Business Class flight, I was led to a tranquil room that was both calming and had the best air conditioning - in my opinion - at this airport. This was where I was to await the boat’s arrival to take me and my fellow travel writers to the resort. After a short wait, we were guided a short walk to the jetty, which is across the road from the airport, to our Dhow, which is a traditional sailing vessel where we enjoyed canapés and champagne and could even rest on one of the beds in the short time it took to get to the resort. Still, we all chose to watch the many dolphins swimming next to the boat for most of the journey. You can opt to arrive by seaplane, but I recommend the option I took. Situated in the North Male Atoll, Huvafen Fushi isn’t - let’s face it - a cheap place to stay. Staying there simultaneously were two A-list Hollywood actors, and they didn’t even have the most expensive rooms over the ocean, which we, the writers, all had individually! However, The Maldives, for the majority of visitors, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it’s so unique that saving up for a few years is worth it. The food is impeccable. And you have a few restaurants to choose from even though the island isn’t that vast. Situated underneath the island is where the wine cellar is, and we got to visit it. This cellar had the best wines, champagnes, brandy’s and spirits that money can buy. You can even book a dining experience in there and marvel at those bottles!
It’s true when someone states that they have been to paradise, one other person may (a) not have been to the exact location, or (b) they had gone to the same place, yet didn’t think it was “their” paradise. For me and the other four writers invited by Qatar Airways to The Maldives, this was “our” paradise. Previously, I have only been to one other resort in The Maldives, and whilst I do know there is a vast amount still left for me to discover, for now, and for me, the Huvafen Fushi will take some beating.
Fly to The Maldives via Doha, Qatar, from Cardiff Airport. These are scheduled to recommence from December 18th. To stay at Huvafen Fushi, the best deals can be found on their website: www.huvafenfushi.com
With crystal clear waters and pristine beaches, this is a swim sports enthusiast’s dream. You can scuba dive, snorkel, jet-ski, sail, kayak; the list goes on. A highlight for me was snorkelling down past a sleeping Black Tip Shark, and on dry land, it was feeding the stingrays that came to the shore for sunset feeding times. Huvafen Fushi has the World’s only underwater ocean spa. At first, it was pretty surreal - and nerve-inducing - getting ready to have a massage mere meters underwater and be looking out of the many large glass
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Interview with Owain Wyn Evans
Words by Carl Marsh
OWAIN WYN EVANS: “We’re not looking for ‘Wales Mansion of the Year’” Wales’ Home of the Year is back for series two, and that lovely individual Owain Wyn Evans is presenting it again. I had a phone chat with him before its release, but it’s now on BBC One Wales and available on BBC iPlayer for catch-up.
got to five is because we’ve moved around so much, but we have now said to each other that we are back in Wales, and the Radio 2 job is fantastic; I’m loving it. So, hopefully, we’ll stay in this one for much longer. But because of all of that, I think I’m always more drawn to the houses that aren’t the ones that have got a bottomless pit (of money) as far as budget is Carl Marsh How does this new series compare to series one? As concerned. They’re not the ones that got the super-duper expensive finishings or, you know, the I remember, the winning home ‘Little Castle Cottage’ costly paint tones that you see and you go, “Oh yeah, was incredible, with the others just as stunning. Yet, all lived in houses, not some £10 million project. Is the I know what that is”. It’s the ones that have more love new series still following that mantra that a home to be in them or that people have to work a lot harder to put that love into them. And we see a few of those in this selected on the show has to be one that’s lived in? new series. Owain Wyn Evans Carl Marsh Well, series one was incredible. And yeah, I agree So, if anyone hopes to get their home on a potential ‘Little Castle Cottage’ was just “Wow”, and you could season three of ‘Wales’ Home of the Year’, what’s the see our faces’ reactions when we went into it. It was best advice you can give them? an incredible home. And they all were in the first series. And again, it’s a similar thing with the second Owain Wyn Evans series. But the thing I love about Wales Home of I think my advice would be, don’t worry about the the Year is that we’re looking for a home. We’re not wow factor. Yes, that’s in some of the houses, but looking for ‘Wales’ Mansion of the Year’ or ‘Dream we want to see an amazing home that is your home. Lottery Winning House of the Year’! These can vary so much. And that’s what I adore. I think we see even That’s the only advice I can give; this is your home. And it doesn’t need to be altered so people can more of that variety in the second series, everything enter them into ‘Wales’ Home of the Year’. We just from terraced houses to massive, detached homes want to see what you’ve done with a home. If you’ve that have a lot of history to them as well. And then to renovated or just bought something and have just put everything in between those two things. And I love your stamp on a home in a way, that is absolutely my amazing houses. cup of tea. Definitely. As somebody who’s renovated - I’m renovating my fifth Wales’ Home of the Year is airing weekly on BBC house, which my husband Arran and I have bought One Wales and catch-up via BBC iPlayer. to live in. We’ve never bought houses to flip on to make money or to do up and then rent out. We’ve purchased those houses to renovate to live in and make our own. And I think one of the reasons we’ve 18 CARDIFF TIMES
Interview with Ritesh Chams
Words by Carl Marsh
RITESH CHAMS: “It’s a privilege to be involved in this film.” With his new film, Gurkha Warrior, released somebody with actual experience as the background on one of the most important days of the year, for the role I got. ‘Remembrance Day’, and seeing as I actually spent three years of my Army career attached Carl Marsh to an Army Signals Regiment that housed You must have found it strange being the only one the 250 Gurkha Signal Squadron, and in fact, on the screen who’d experienced being on the Ritesh was medically discharged like myself - it battlefield in real life; furthermore, did the other actors go through some sort of boot camp, as I know was a must to chat to him. Gurkha recruit selection isn’t easy? Carl Marsh Ritesh Chams How does an ex-Gurkha soldier go from being one in real life to acting it out on the big screen, as Oh, yeah. So we did a little bit of a boot camp for the military stuff, like crawling around and all the you’re the only former soldier in this movie? fitness stuff. And then they found that they were very good at it because it was in their DNA, even Ritesh Chams When I was a young child, I used to do performing though most Nepalese are born and raised in and around Kathmandu; maybe their forefathers were arts. Still, back then, it was not possible as a profession to go into acting and the entertainment from the hills and had been in the Army. When we were shooting the film, many high-ranking officers industry, so I followed the footpath of my forefathers, where I trained to be a Gurkha. While and soldiers visited the set and asked the director when the Gurkha soldiers arrived to take part in this in the services, I used to be in the entertainment film and when they had to return to their units in the sector. Still, it wasn’t until I’d been medically UK. He told them that these were all actors from the discharged that I met the director {Milan Chams] theatre and screen, so it shows it was easy for them who happened to be an ex-Gurkha from 2 RGR to get into the roles, as it was in their blood. (Royal Gurkha Rifles), and he was telling me all about his dream project. He had been dreaming It’s a privilege to be involved in this film as it gives about making a Gurkha Warrior film for 20-25 the viewers an insight into the bravery, integrity, years, and I met him in 2015. So, I was very honour and loyalty that defies what it is to be a curious, and I knew that this was the project for me. I knew I had to devote more time to training to Gurkha. become an actor, as he could cast anyone else in this role. Even when I was shortlisted, I still didn’t Gurkha Warrior will be released on November 10th in cinemas across the UK. It’s in Nepalese know if I’d stood a chance until it was just before and Hindi with English subtitles. Covid in 2020 when I found out I’d got the role. I found out that I’d got the part as the director wanted CARDIFF TIMES 19
Interview with Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham
Words by Carl Marsh
MARK ‘BILLY’ BILLINGHAM: “I nearly had a fight in the dentist! I’d only been out of the Army a week!” Having spent most of his Army career in the SAS, Billy Billingham is as real as it gets to being the soldier all of us ex and currently serving soldiers would like to have had his career, even though the Official Secrets Act forbids us from knowing what he did! He’s on tour in Cardiff at the New Theatre - 13th November. Carl Marsh What has the transition been like for yourself, going from being a bodyguard behind the scenes to some celebrity to now being the one in front of the camera, likely not needing a bodyguard? Billy Billingham I just got used to it, if I’m honest, mate. I mean, it’s awkward. It’s weird. The beautiful thing about this show is it’s not a rehearsal. It’s not scripted. So, we’re just running a course, and even though there are cameras there and often in your face, you just get used to it and get on with it. Initially, doing it for the first time was a weird transition as I was thinking when I put my foot in the water if I was doing it right. It was hard. You were worrying about what people were thinking, how you would look, and what you would come across as. But now I love it. It gives me a platform for what I really want to do: the charity stuff I do. I’ve really embraced it now, but it did take a while. It was a bit like when I left the military, as I know you’re also an ex-military guy. So, when you leave the military, you don’t realise how much is done for you until I went and had to find a job, had to find and register at a dentist! I’m like: “What are you talking about?”. I found it really hard, mate. [The conversation in person at the dentist] -”What do you mean I’ve got to register and come back in a month? I want to go today”. And they said: “No, it doesn’t work like that”. And I’m telling you honestly, I nearly had a fight in the dentist! I’d only been out of the Army a week! Carl Marsh When it comes to the TV shows you’re in, how much input do
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you and the rest of the DS [Directing Staff] have for what goes on in the training of the recruits? Billy Billingham We are the producers, really. They’ve [producers] got ideas like, “Can we do this? Can we do that? They know what they’re looking for regarding narrative and all that stuff. It’s about giving somebody an experience of being pushed physically, mentally, emotionally, to and beyond their limits. And that’s easy for us. You know what, it’s going to involve: People are always scared of heights, scared of water, and are scared of claustrophobia. We often work in water, and we quite often work in the mountains, working on ropes, etc… People might say: “When did you run up a hill with a tyre in the SAS?” I didn’t, but I ran up a hill with a load of ammunition, which represents that. So, the idea will come from stuff we have done in some respects, and we throw those ideas in. To be honest, what I like about it is that it follows the sort of circle and ethos of the Regiment [SAS] in trying to train in the jungle - we’ve done a jungle one. We do the desert; we do the Arctic. We do European environments. So, it follows that. And there is another thing where people might go: “What’s the relevance to the SAS, other than the title?” The SAS, as I - and the instructors - know it, is that we’re looking at the person. We don’t care if you’re big, fit and good-looking. Noone cares. I don’t care how good of a soldier you think you are. Who are you? We want someone peeled back to their raw and vulnerable self, not broken down. And they can’t BS you, and they can’t hide and pretend they are someone else. That’s what the Regiment does. That’s why in the Regiment, it isn’t about image; people aren’t 6ft 6 and good-looking dudes. They’re small and fat. So, that’s the relevance of the show. I love doing it. It’s brilliant. Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham is at New Theatre, Cardiff, on Friday 13th November.
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Connection, support, or somewhere to just be yourself: The Hangout in Cardiff takes new approach to young people’s mental health October 2023 saw the 31st annual ‘World Mental Health Day’ which focused on the message that ‘Mental Health is a universal human right’. According to the ‘Mental Health Foundation’, one of the groups most likely to experience mental health difficulties, is young people, which is why it’s fantastic that Platfform and Cardiff and Vale Health Board (CAVUHB) have ‘stepped up’ with support for young people in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan! The need for Mental Health support for Young People is further highlighted by the findings of a study by Cardiff University (SHRN) which reported that: •Nearly ¼ of secondary school learners in Wales have reported very high levels of mental health difficulties in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. •About one in two (53%) young people also reported feeling at least some pressure from their schoolwork. •About one in four (27%) young people report feeling a lot of pressure from their schoolwork. These statistics alone show that more support needs to be put in place to meet the challenges and pressures young people of today face. One of the ways in which Platfform and CAVUHB are working to support young people going though a difficult time with their mental health is through an innovative safe space known as ‘The Hangout’. This amazing new hub in Cardiff is an ideal space for young people aged 11-18 to connect with others, access mental health support, find volunteering opportunities, and get involved in groups that could really help boost their wellbeing. And, as the name suggests, to ‘hang out’ away from some of the stressors and pressures of day-to-day life. 22 CARDIFF TIMES
by Natalie McCulloch
Located in Churchill Way in Cardiff and open everyday between 3pm-9pm, this space is in an ideal location for any young person experiencing mental health challenges to drop in and find support and connection. Any young person that feels like they need some support can come and talk to the dedicated team of Wellbeing practitioners, and together work out what to do next in a safe space, without pressure. There are some fabulous opportunities to get involved in wellbeing groups, creative groups and volunteering as well as a general safe space for young people to unwind and enjoy a little bit of sanctuary in an otherwise busy world. From a creative project to a game of basketball or a friendly listening ear, this hub has been specifically designed by young people, for young people, to support them when they need it most. The team at The Hangout believe that young people don’t need to be told what they need, or to be identified as being ‘broken’ or having ‘something wrong’ with them. Instead, the team listens to young people, supporting them to figure out what they need, as a unique individual, in order to keep safe and thrive. I was fortunate enough to visit ‘The Hangout’ and chat to the wonderful Jennifer Love, whose enthusiasm, dedication, and knowledge shone through and spoke volumes for the incredible work The Hangout is doing. The small building in Cardiff had separate rooms all designed by young people with young people in mind. The cupboards were fully stocked in case hunger pangs occur and there were a range of activities on the agenda. Jennifer detailed how people can just turn up and feel welcomed and safe for whatever duration they need during opening hours, and how a team of staff are onboard 365 days of the year to ensure the service works to its full potential. I was absolutely amazed by this incredible service and would urge any young people who could benefit to give it a go or get in touch with
the friendly team to find out more.
Resources
If this sounds like something you or a young person you know could benefit from, please do not hesitate to get in touch:
You can find out more about what Platfform does at https://platfform.org/projects/life-work-and-wellbeing/ young-people/
•You can come see The Hangout staff between 3pm-9pm, any day of the week.
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/2713528-nearly-aquarter-of-young-people-in-wales-are-reporting-veryhigh-levels-of-mental-health-symptoms-following-thepandemic
•You can also email hangout@platfform.org or call 0300 3732717. •If you want to make an appointment for oneto-one support, there’s a few quick questions to answer here: The Hangout online form. •Similarly. if you’re working with a young person aged 11-18 that you’d like to refer to us, you can do so using our online form here: https://bit.ly/3QCdcvw
If you, or a young person, needs help outside of the working hours please do not hesitate to contact:
The Samaritans on 116123 free from any phone at any time. Call 111 and press 2 for mental health support or visit your nearest A & E department. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO FACE LIFE’S CHALLENGES ALONE!
THE PUMPING STATION
ANTIQUES & INTERIORS
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.
info@thepumpingstation-cardiff.co.uk
02920 221 085
Monday to Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm Penarth Road, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF11 8TT
CARDIFF TIMES 23
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Lunch with Santa
Get in the festive spirit with our Sunday with Santa at The Angel Hotel. Enjoy a festive buffet Afternoon Tea, Christmas spirit and Santa himself! Although he’s very busy indeed preparing for the big day, we’ve managed to book a very special VIP for Sunday 17th December. Suitable for all ages this event is always a real treat for the big kids as well as the little ones. Enjoy a festive afternoon tea selection with sweet and savoury options, entertainment and special guests and a glass of festive cheer for the grownups. Then finish the afternoon with a trip into our cosy grotto where Santa will be waiting to hear what’s on your list. Arrival from midday, reservations available until 1.30pm. All reservations will keep their table until the event closes to enjoy the entertainment.
• Adults £29.95- includes afternoon tea, festive cocktail • Children £19.95 includes afternoon tea, festive mocktail and of course, a visit to Santa Even if that wasn’t enough, you will get the chance to enter our Christmas raffle in aid of Velindre Cancer Centre to spread a little extra festive cheer. To book your tickets please call the Angel’s elves on 02920649200 or email events@angelhotelcardiffcity.co.uk We look forward to welcoming you to The Angel Hotel Cardiff this festive season.
Entertainment from 1pm-3pm Grottos opens from 2pm-3pm cardiff-times.co.uk 25
CARDIFF TIMES 27
WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR GRANDAD? “Kept out of the way most of the time!” (Part one)
Having spent time in a sanatorium before the outbreak of War in 1939, Grandad was sent to a local farm, a sheep farm, not far from his home in Ystrad Rhondda, for recuperation. Because of the timing and his poor health, he was not considered fit enough to be called up to serve in the Armed Forces so instead he spent the war years serving his country on the farm. His health improved, he enjoyed the work, and he was safe and never far away from home. This debate brought to mind my own personal experience of national anthems at matches which moved me. As a child, after the war, I was intrigued by how people had survived during those years. I regarded Grandad as an expert on the subject because he had lived through it and was knowledgeable on the home front. Therefore, I was constantly asking him questions and now I can recall quite a selection. Many of us are still fascinated by the war years and how our parents and grandparents lived then. Here are some of those questions I asked in my childhood together with some of the answers, in alphabetical order.
A Air raids
. It was essential to maintain a total blackout! There were air raid wardens on duty after dark, every night and everywhere. No lighting cigarettes or smoking, you could be arrested. Grandad said he always carried two torches in his pockets, one with a flat battery (to show the warden) and one to find his way in total country darkness).
28 CARDIFF TIMES
by Sara John
Air raid alerts. The dreaded sound of the sirens
screaming out a warning that enemy aircraft were approaching. Stay indoors or take safe cover, preferably in an air raid shelter, NOW. Later another loud signal would sound to say “all danger has passed”. This was known as the “all clear”.
Anderson shelters. In the early months of the War
families with an income of less than £250 per annum, with a garden, were given an Anderson shelter free of charge. It was set into the ground with a roof of corrugated iron sheets which, it was hoped, was relatively bomb proof. In Cardiff for people with nowhere to shelter safely during a raid there were facilities within the castle walls. Enough space for 2,500. The cold stone low walls were reported as being “Very cold indeed and jolly uncomfortable. But SAFE.
B Barrage balloons
. In 1939 The Air Ministry purchased 31 acres at Caerau for storing Barrage Balloons. They were enormous and were used for the defence of important sites against enemy bombers. Part of Britain’s defences until 1943.
Bevin Boys. In 1944 young men could find themselves called up to work underground in the coalmines instead of joining one of the three services. There was no choice and names were drawn from a ballot and named after the Government Minister Ernest Bevin
British restaurants. The (more than amazing)
Women’s Voluntary Service staffed British restaurants and mobile canteens for the troops. They made tea for the homeless. They collected salvage, helped with billeting refugees, ran nurseries for working Mums and still found time and energy to organise everything and anything that needed organising.
C Church Army canteen
. A popular meeting place for all the armed forces was the Church Army canteen, in Cardiff based at the bombed premises of the Carlton Rooms in Queen Street. Volunteers who worked there said the “Yanks” who breezed in and out of there always offered to help with the washing up.
Dunkirk. 338,000 men were evacuated from the
beaches, many of them having spent hours lying still alongside the dead and the dying. Dunkirk will always be remembered as the success of the Little Ships. (Not long ago it was announced that they deserved Capital Letters!) Every seaworthy vessel (and some that were not) set off to rescue the trapped, injured and exhausted remnants of the British Army. In June 1940 J B Priestley said, “Our great grandchildren when they learn we began this War by snatching glory out of defeat and then swept on to victory, may also learn how the little holiday steamers made an excursion to hell and came back glorious.
E ENSA
. Stands for Entertainments National Service Association. Established in 1939 by two showbusiness stalwarts, Basil Dean and Leslie Henson, to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel during World War Two. The “joking” translation was “Every Night Something Awful”. Many of the performers went on to establish highly successful careers after the War.
Evacuation of children. On the outbreak of
War, South Wales provided a refuge for 20,000 children from London and the Midlands. Sadly, by January 1940 nine out of ten evacuees had returned home. Unhappy and disappointed.
Conscientious Objectors. Before Dunkirk there
East moors. The steelworks at East Moors was
had been some tolerance towards those holding pacifist views. The Peace Pledge stall in Cardiff market launched a petition calling for peace talks. Although, less than 2% of men eligible for call up refused to register for military service. These men were treated in a variety of ways undertaking work on the home front if deemed eligible. The stigma for these men lasted for many years after the war, particularly in the jobs market.
the destination for all scrap metal from a wide area of the country. Very important as there was a huge need for armaments and a distinct shortage of new steel. Everything from pots and pans, railings from churches and schools to a tank from WW One. In August 1940 the Lord mayor opened a fund to build more spitfires which cost £6ooo each. The people of Cardiff and the surrounding area were thanked and congratulated on their welcome contributions.
D D Day
F Fire Services
Double summertime. A government measure,
Flatholm A decision was taken early on to fortify
. It was so, so secret. The plan was suspected but not known or discussed, just in case. For the troops, there was an unwelcome delay of twenty-four hours prior to embarkation because of the weather conditions. Therefore, it was dawn on June 6 1944 when Operation Overlord was able to get under way. Supreme Commander AEF, General Eisenhower had received a reasonable weather report and sent out the message, “Let’s Go!” Overlord had begun! early on in the War, ordering clocks to be put forward an hour was introduced as a means of saving fuel. In the following June “Double summertime” ensured daylight until eleven o’clock at night. (I recall assuming that double summertime, when I first heard the expression, some years after the end of the War, meant another summer starting in September. I was about four at the time.)
. The nerve centre of the Fire Service in Cardiff was in Westgate Street. The station was six storied and the roof provided an excellent viewpoint for any fires starting up across the city. Eighteen other auxiliary fire stations were operational. Volunteers were given sixty hours of training and gained further experience fire fighting alongside the regular brigade. In August 1941 the local regular fire fighters were merged with auxiliaries to form the National Fire Service.
Flatholm, unlikely though it was that an invasion would begin in the Severn Estuary. The garrison set up there, at one time numbered 350 men and the concrete bases of their Nissan Huts can still be seen. In 1944 German prisoners of War were tasked with dismantling the installations.
Food (Ministry of). There had been a three year
delay during the First World War before a fair and equal system of rationing was introduced. There was near famine
CARDIFF TIMES 29
because of this and so decisions were taken early, prior, in fact, to the actual outbreak of War. On January 8th, 1940, every person in the country was issued with a ration book containing coupons and required to register with a retailer for rations. At that time the rations consisted of 4oz of butter, 12oz of sugar and 4oz of bacon per person per week. Many other foods were rationed shortly afterwards. The pressure of managing on rations meant a healthier population, but the food supply was very boring!
sailed into Cardiff. The people of Cardiff were well loved and respected by the newcomers. There were many occasions of invitations into people’s homes. The “Yanks” as they were known were very, very generous. They had access to food supplies, confectionery, petrol (in limited quantities) and the most precious of all, nylons. There were no nylons, silk stockings or even half decent cotton stockings available in Britain. Many women used a mixture consisting mostly of gravy browning on their legs, (meantime praying it was not going to rain!).
G Gas Masks
Handley, Tommy Nowadays it is difficult to
. The German threat to invade Czechoslovakia in September 1939 triggered the local authorities into ordering supplies of gas masks for everyone. The use of mustard gas in the first world war by the Germans was well remembered. There were three types of mask for babies, children and adults and in schools regular drills were held on the wearing of the mask.
German P’O’W’s
All Germans and Austrians in the city were interned as the Government declared Cardiff a “protected area”. Many of them had come to Cardiff to escape the Nazis but no exception was allowed. Even German Jewish nurses at the Royal infirmary were taken away for internment. The Detective Inspector at the Aliens Department of the Cardiff police arrested an ex-Berliner in Cyncoed whose wife sobbed amid her tears, “just like the Gestapo but Oh! so kind”. Italians were also interned for a while.
Graf Spee. Was the most formidable predator but
described as a “pocket” battleship amongst many. Their role was destroying merchant ships crossing the Atlantic to bring foods to Britain from the States. On one captured British vessel, the third engineer (from Whitchurch) was taken prisoner and delivered to the “Altmark” which was lying in neutral Norwegian waters when the prisoners became aware of the presence of a British destroyer. They made a deafening clamour and, as the Altmark was boarded by British sailors the third engineer was quoted as claiming he had never seen a more thankful lot of men who went on board the destroyer that night. He also heard of how the Graf Spee had been scuttled by its captain in Montevideo the previous December.
H Hitler
. The future may have looked dark and troubled as a result of this man’s attempt to rule the world, but WE were NOT alone. The British Council at the corner of Caroline Street and St Mary Street provided a welcoming and common meeting place for refugees and soldiers from every allied nation. In 1942 a club was opened for Belgians. A polish dentist based in Windsor Place formed the Anglo Polish Society. The friends of Free France met at 36 Park Place. The greatest foreign impact came from the United States. They first arrived early in 1942 when 900 men disembarked at Newport and in August the first liberty ship ARTEMIS WARD
30 CARDIFF TIMES
understand or even try to imagine the enormous popularity of a radio programme, or Wireless as it was better known. The radio played an enormous part as a news and entertainment provider by communicating from trustworthy sources. The public relied on the BBC to explain what was happening in the War, in the Houses of Parliament, and indeed all over Europe and, maintained a sense of positivity and hope for the future. In 1941 the BBC created The Forces Network, Vera Lynn became known as the Forces Sweetheart with a mailbox each week of over 1000 requests. Tommy Handley on the wireless with his talents, humour, warm broadcasting style and talented support team was unmissable. His programme was known by everyone as ITMA. Which stands for ‘It’s That Man Again. During the worst of the London blitz the programme production was transferred to BBC premises in Bangor, North Wales.
Home Guard Anthony Eden, the Secretary for State for War launched an appeal for men between the ages of 16 and 75, who were not eligible for the Armed Forces, to join the Local Defence Volunteers. Later on at the suggestion of Churchill the LDV became the Home Guard. Before Eden had finished his speech announcing this decision local police stations were inundated with floods of volunteers. Among the volunteers in Llantwit Major was a 63-year-old Zulu, whose eligibility was questioned as his father had fought at Rorke’s Drift. He was recruited, as some implied, because the Germans would assume they had made a serious navigational error if they encountered him after landing along the South Wales coast.
I Internment
Internment continued as the authorities questioned Spaniards who had come to Wales to escape the Civil War and were suspected of being Fascist sympathisers. There were many Italian communities (from the 1880’s to the present) well settled in South Wales, not just in Cardiff but in almost all the Valleys communities. They were interned at first on the Isle of Man, later many were taken to Canada on the ill fated Andorra Star which was torpedoed en route.
Incendiary bombs. On January 2 1941, Cardiff
was severely tested with modern warfare. It was a very cold night and had been snowing. It started at 6.37pm with about 100 aircraft who delivered very considerable damage.
Flares and incendiary bombs fell on buildings as well as open spaces such as Sophia Gardens, Leckwith and the Castle Grounds. They were followed by high explosives and parachute mines. The training the emergency services had undertaken more than proved its worth that night. Riverside felt the full onslaught on this occasion.
Invasion. At the back of people’s minds was the
ever-nagging problem of what if there is an invasion? The authorities put in place a number of rules and regulations - just in case. These included; all church bells were to be silenced, anyone asking directions was to be treated with suspicion, road blocks and obstacles were moved into position. All road signs, directions, place names, road names and numbers were removed. When the war was over it seemed to take a very long time to put them back in place!
J William Joyce
Lord Haw-Haw as he was called caused a great deal of worry, harm, sleepless nights and concerns for people who heard his nonsense on the wireless. This was propaganda created as false news to instil fear into the British public. Towards the end of the War he was arrested, found guilty, and hanged.
M
Movies Going to the cinema was a great treat before the war, if you worked in a busy shop or a factory or a restaurant it seemed like a refuge. Safe, warm, quiet, dark, soft seats and entertainment as well. At the outbreak of war cinemas and other places of entertainment were closed but this was such a blow to morale that they were soon reopened. Mrs Miniver One of the most memorable wartime films, directed by Willliam Wyler and starring Greer Garson in the title role with Walter Pidgeon as her husband. An American film depicting a British family during the war it was a great piece of propaganda in our efforts to bring the USA into the war. As Churchill put it, “More powerful to the war effort than the combined work of six military divisions”.
Dr Freidrich Schoberth was senior lecturer in German at the University College, Cardiff. He edited scripts for Lord Haw-Haw to use in his broadcasts. Lord Haw-Haw lived for a time in Colum Road. A typical broadcast of his, made up for the event, might be telling men of the armed services from Cardiff that City Hall had been razed to the ground.
K Kardomah Restaurants
Fancy a nice cup of tea? In the early days British restaurants had their problems. Fortunately, a cup of tea or very weak cup of coffee was available at The Kardomah or the Dutch Café in Queen Street and, even after it was bombed the Carlton continued to offer afternoon tea accompanied by a trio of musicians. The Louis in St Mary Street and the Continental, next to the Capital cinema were also among other popular restaurants.
L Land Army
The land army provided an important new source of labour. Of all the jobs carried out by women during the War this was one of the most important. They fed the pigs on waste food which had been collected, assisted with the birth of new piglets, lambing, haymaking, driving tractors, hauling logs and picking potatoes. For these back breaking tasks they worked fifty hours for 28 shillings! Discipline was very strict and would have been unthinkable in peacetime. Absenteeism or lateness for work was a criminal offence in this national service for women.
------------------
Part two next month
CARDIFF TIMES 31
amgueddfa.cymru
museum.wales
Te prynhawn Nadoligaidd
Festive afternoon teas
Marchnadoedd crefft
Craft Markets
Siôn Corn… A MWY!
Father Christmas… AND MORE!
Am ragor o wybodaeth a thocynnau ewch i’n gwefan.
For more information and tickets visit our website.
Celebrate Christmas with Amgueddfa Cymru-Museum Wales
As the weather turns colder, and with December fast approaching, many people’s thoughts are turning to Christmas. There are a host of exciting Christmas events and activities to choose from across Amgueddfa Cymru’s seven National Museums. Meet Father Christmas, enjoy festive afternoon teas and
Sunday lunches, explore craft markets, attend a film screening or take part in festive workshops. There are also seasonal offers and beautiful Welsh gifts and hampers for you to discover in the Museum shops and cafes. Some events and activities are pre-bookable, so don’t miss out, get your tickets today: https:// museum.wales/christmas/
cardiff-times.co.uk 33
THE RINGSIDE CHARITABLE TRUST
by Ralph Oates
continued until I was 22, reaching the NHBC finals in 1963 as our boxing club was about to close, I made an attempt on the world boxing endurance record which was held by the American Roebucks. This entailed doing 160 rounds against eight other boxers not only did we do this but we raised a considerable amount of money. I was also successful in breaking the world record boxing 162 rounds, losing around about a stone in weight during the eight hours and 10 minutes that I boxed. Ralph Oates What was the best fight you ever witnessed? Dave Harris When you say, what was the best fight I’ve ever witnessed, I would have to say it was the second Colin Jones versus Kirkland Laing fight, which took place in 1981, it was an amazing contest to see. I was fortunate that one of my boxers entered the ring in the very next contest. Ralph Oates
We often see in life how one man can make a difference, how one man will make it his mission in life to right a wrong. To go about a task which at first instance looks impossible to accomplish. A task which needs to be tackled urgently but one which many shy away from. In this month’s column I have the pleasure to interview Dave Harris a man who is dedicated to the sport of boxing, a man who cares for the health and welfare of ex-fighters once they have retired from the sport. He has recognised the hardships they go through once they have departed from the ring. The pit of darkness they can fall into without any hope of finding their way out.
What is your favourite weight division?
Ralph Oates When did you first become interested in boxing?
Willie Pep who held the world feather crown and of course, Sugar Ray Robinson, the former world welterweight and middleweight champion.
Dave Harris
Ralph Oates
When listening to the radio with my dad in the early fifties to the Johnny Williams-Jack Gardner British heavyweight title fight and the Rocky Marciano versus Don Cockell world heavy-weight title bout.
Who is your favourite modern day fighter?
Dave Harris I don’t really have a favourite weight division as such, however heavyweight boxing is always exciting, but then when you look at some of the great featherweight fights there have been over the ages, I guess that would be my favourite weight division along with the heavyweights. Ralph Oates Who is your favourite old time fighter? Dave Harris
Dave Harris
Dave Harris
Oscar De La Hoya was in so many great fights during his career, I thought he beat Floyd Mayweather when they fought on the 5 May 2007. I also like Sugar Ray Leonard, although in my opinion, neither would’ve beaten, Sugar Ray Robinson.
I started schoolboy boxing when I was 12, and
Ralph Oates
Ralph Oates Did you ever box at any time?
34 CARDIFF TIMES
Would you rather see one World boxing organisation rather than four like the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO?
I understand many boxers have taken part in various events in efforts to raise money for the charity?
Dave Harris
Dave Harris
By having four World organisation bodies, it does mean there’s more money for the fighters, although I would like to see one overall body in charge of the ring ratings.
There have been so many it would be difficult to mention them all here. Some professional boxers from the Portsmouth area, parachuted from a plane, 3 miles high, then we saw a dozen volunteers abseil down the Portsmouth Spinnaker including Boxing News Editor Matt Christie. Matt tells me he still has nightmares of the event. A number of us walked over hot coals including a 12-year-old girl, young people have collected plastic waste from beaches, raised money by walking over London rooftops, EBA associations throughout Britain have raised money by sponsored walks and many in the 80s and 90s. If that doesn’t make the power brokers of our sport have a conscience, I don’t know what else we can do.
Ralph Oates What changes if any would you like to see in boxing? Dave Harris I would like to see a better welfare system in place, and of course a pension scheme that should be made available and compulsory for those earning £5000 or more for a contest, and for a levy to be placed on all boxers of one percent, made payable to the ringside charitable trust, so that we can look after our boxers who are struggling with mental health issues and dementia pugilistica; just as the jockey club have in place which means any injured jockey is looked after in their state of the art home. I think my views on the subject are well known. Ralph Oates
Ralph Oates How has the response been so far to the charity? Dave Harris Sadly, there is an apathy that abounds from the top down, although the EBAs Throughout Britain have given their support and continue to do so.
Do you have a favourite boxing film?
Ralph Oates
Dave Harris
I understand Paul Fairweather is of great help to you in organising events in support of the charity.
I love to look at some of the real old film, reels in the days of Jack Johnson, Sam Langford, Jack Dempsey and Jess Willard especially the Harry Carpenter series. Harry visited all the world heavy-weight champions who were still alive in the 60s. Sadly I’m told the BBC did not save any of that film. Ralph Oates You have started a charity called The Ringside Charitable Trust. Can you tell me what is the aim of the charity?
Dave Harris Our treasurer Paul Fairweather like Karen Knight our secretary, works incredibly hard and both like our other trustees have stayed so loyal to our trust. Paul tells me he works harder now than before he retired, we are an outstanding team who’s commitment has never faltered. They are a shining example of all that’s good in our sport. Ralph Oates
Dave Harris
Where can any donations to the charity be made?
The aim of our charity is to open a home for the many boxers who are suffering with mental illness, pugilistica dementia and alcohol abuse. This home is so desperately needed. For five years, I and my fellow trustees have worked tirelessly to bring awareness to the plight of our boxers in their retirement, we can’t change boxing that’s why it is such an exciting sport, but we can and should support those who are given little, or no help. Our sport should be thoroughly ashamed of the lack of care that is available, and the power brokers it would seem do not understand what duty of care means. I hope by continuing to make them aware, change will happen I live in hope.
Dave Harris
Ralph Oates
By contacting Paul Fairweather, or access to our Facebook page ‘Ringside Charitable Trust’, particularly those who pay £5 or more a month. These monthly donations are so desperately needed, as we will continue to raise money until the home becomes reality. All at Cardiff Times and I am sure the many who follow boxing, wish Dave the very best for the future, in his incredible efforts to get the home for boxers in need of help underway, in the not-toodistant future.
CARDIFF TIMES 35
36 cardiff-times.co.uk
WELSH DIVING
NEW ADVENTURE! Why not try a new hobby this spring by learning to scuba dive?
bubbles illustration: @upklyak/freepik
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
Fashion Done Your Own Way
by Molly Dutton
Winter is back and, whilst many of you may be sat cursing the cold weather, I am embracing it fully. Whilst it is the season of Christmas, pumpkin patches, and New Year, it is also the season in which it can be extremely hard to think of what to wear. Coats are too heavy; jumpers are too uncomfortable and don’t even get me started on shoes. That is why this month I am dedicating the article to our very own “Winter style guide”. I have every intention to make you all utilise the bits and bobs that you may already have in the depths of the wardrobe as we really don’t need to be splashing too much cash before the festivities begin. To make things easier, I will begin by addressing the best daywear options to get us out of bed in the morning (it’s getting harder when it’s pitch black by 8am). We will then venture into the art of night out dressing, incredibly important when the temperature drops, and miniskirts aren’t going to be good for our health. When we think of summer, we might think of that one pair of shorts or that one top that can be re-worn and repeated every time we need to venture out into the heat; winter is no different. It is important to gather some classic items that you can mix and match to create some cosy outfits.
Zara is my immediate go-to for staple basics; the ones that you can layer and wear every day from September through to February. On my pay day this month, I bravely entered the shop with the aim to only buy items that I can make outfits with (a feat I did not think would be achieved). I came out with only four items that I have incorporated into the majority of my outfits since, and these are the picks I would recommend getting you started on your winter wardrobe. The first item I purchased was a rather cosy pair of cream trousers that feel fluffy to touch but maintain an element of sophistication (think office wear pyjamas). These have been a staple for me in the past few weeks as they feel comfortable whilst creating a professional look! The second item that caught my eye was a long sleeved, sage green top. Whilst this might seem far from eye catching, it is the perfect addition to any look; from a nice pair of light wash jeans to the standard grey joggers that the influencers rave about in this upcoming season.
Now my final two items are an ideal find for any SKIMS lovers out there. If you’re not familiar with the brand, SKIMS, created by none other than Kim Kardashian, is a shapewear brand that produces a wide selection of “basics”. They are known for the flattering, slinky feel of their items which is exactly what Zara are providing for a much lower price. I picked up a plain black strappy bodysuit to use as a layer under woollen jumpers or even as a going out top underneath an oversized leather jacket. To accompany this beauty, I found a long sleeve dark beige bodysuit in the same slinky material which Zara. Need I say more. No one else does AW looks wonderful when paired with some light-coloured fashion quite like the queen of the high street. I trousers and a blazer. The key thing to keep in mind know that these lovely items do come with a heftier is that you need basics that will help you construct price tag but there is a reason why the quality is so everyday outfits and that way you will always get your special, and the garments are long-lasting. money’s worth. 38 CARDIFF TIMES
One thing we almost never discuss is this article is shoes. I, myself, have grown to become a shoe collector as the years have gone on and winter is the perfect time to debut your own collection. Uggs have taken social media by storm over the last few years, and I had to test them out myself (for research purposes, of course). They feel like a slipper but are socially acceptable enough to wear out and about; I don’t think it gets any better than that. I opted for the ultra mini style in olive, and they have quickly become my shoe of the season. If you have avoided becoming a hermit crab like myself now that the weather has changed, congratulations are in order. Nights out in winter can be difficult to say the least and, unless you’ve freshly arrived at university, none of us are willing to put our health on the line for a little black dress. Here is how you can hit the town without catching a cold. Layering is our best friend. There is no need to sacrifice the shorter dresses and little tops when you have a strong thermal game plan.
black, white, or even red mini dress and look stunning with a good sturdy pair of black boots. Mine are from Amazon and feature a criss-cross style! Jackets will also be a saviour. Leather jackets are the standout favourite at this time of year (I have been joined at the hip with mine since September), however if you prefer a more unique approach, racing jackets have become a strong contender. I always believe it’s worth investing in a good quality jacket as it will stand the test of time, hence why I have purchased mine from a vintage shop. If you don’t have access to a quirky, stand-alone shop, Vinted is a good alternative as everything is preloved and at a great price. Layer up, get your boots on and tackle the British weather. Maybe even pop to a pumpkin patch!
The first thing to add to your basket is patterned tights. I’m not talking about the bumblebee patterned ones that I loved when I was ten, I’m referring to the stylish, runway style tights that feature tiny details on a plain black background. These can be worn under any
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Do you know where your Will is? Following the closure of Axiom Ince by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority, the firm has now closed down and their files have been seized. Why does this matter? If you made your Will with Thomas Simon, O’Brien Lewis & James, Gordon Dadds or Ince & Co, who who were ultimately bought out by Axiom Ince, your Will may be in the hands of the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. The Solicitors Regulatory Authority will allocate a firm to manage their client files, including all Wills, in due course. There is absolutely no guarantee that this firm will be local to you. If you want to ensure that your matters are dealt with locally, with a firm that has been operating for over 150 years, we are here to help. Our trusted Wills & Probate team are on hand to discuss moving your Will across to Harding Evans. You will find us in the heart of Whitchurch village, next door to Boots but if you are unable to come to us, we can come to you. Contact us today to make an appointment.
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Viney Hearing Care
How do you clean your ears? In my years of being a Hearing Audiologist I have been told many stories about what people clean their ears with from the everyday cotton swabs to pens, paperclips, hair grips, glasses arms, car keys. I’m sure nearly everyone reading this is guilty of sticking something in their ears they are not supposed to so I’m going to explain why the old wives tale ‘nothing smaller than your elbow’ is so true. Our ears are designed by nature to be both self-cleaning and self-protecting and that’s why by using the wrong cleaning methods, you risk causing injury to the ears, damaging your hearing or even causing infections. Earwax (also called cerumen) is necessary for the ear's self-cleaning mechanism to work properly. Earwax is manufactured by glands in the skin of the outer ear canal, the hole through which sound travels to the eardrum. Earwax serves several important functions. It coats the skin of the ear canal, repelling water and helping to protect it against injury and infection. It also helps to keep the skin inside the ears from
FREE hearing tests & advice with the latest diagnostic equipment FREE demontrations of the newest hearing aid technology FREE lifetime aftercare service Micro-Suction wax removal. The safest way to remove wax Service, repair and calibration of ANY hearing aid Video Otoscopy fibre optic camera to show the condition of the ear Speech Analysis - testing how well your hearing aids allow you to hear speech
getting dry and itchy. In addition, earwax traps dust and germs, keeping them from reaching the eardrum. Usually, you don't need to do anything to help this natural cleaning process unless you suffer from an impaction that may have to be removed. Trying to forcibly remove the ear's protective wax layer or stop an itch can damage the delicate skin of the ear canal or puncture (put a hole in) the eardrum. This can increase your risk of infection and lead to a permanent hearing loss needing either surgery or a hearing aid to correct the
impairment. So it is best to leave the inside of your ear alone and not disturb its natural environment. This means no cotton swabs, no fingers and certainly no sharp objects, keep your hair grips for holding your hair back and keep your car keys for unlocking your car! The ear canal is narrow and curved, consequently some people are susceptible to getting blockages of wax, skin, foreign objects, debris from infection. If a blockage is present you may notice your hearing seems, dull, there may be a ringing sound in your ears, your ears may feel full become itchy or ache. If this is the case you will need to have it professionally removed. Although there are several methods to clean your ears such as syringing, sprays and drops, Microsuction is renowned as the most efficient and the safest. It is highly recommended by GP’s, audiologists and ENT consultants. Microsuction of an ear canal is performed under direct vision using a microscope. The ear canal is cleared using gentle suction, proving to be the most effective way to clean the ears reducing all risks of infection.
Viney Hearing Care ...introducing Micro-Suction The safest way to clean your ears
Viney Hearing Care off er Micro-Suction, the SAFEST way to remove wax. No more ear syringing necessary, there is no Viney Hearing Care offer Micro-Suction, the SAFEST way to remove wax. No more ear syringing necessary, there is no longer any need to pump water into the ear to remove wax. It is performed under direct vision using a microscope using gentle suction and instruments to clean the ears. The ear canal is narrow and curved and can become blocked with: wax, skin, debris from infection and foreign objects. This can cause your hearing to become dull and the quickest relief is microsuction. If you are having problems and dull hearing, itchy ears, blocked feeling, it could be wax blocking your ear canals. Come along and have an ear health check to determine if wax is the problem. We will use a fibre optic camera to view and assess the condition of the ear canal and ear drum. If we find that the ears are blocked with wax, microsuction is the safest way to remove it.
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