Cardiff Times - October 2023

OCTOBER 2023

CARDIFF TIMES

Sherman Theatre / Theatr y Sherman and / a Theatr Iolo

PETER PAN

7+

By / Gan J.M. Barrie

27 Nov / Tach 2023 – 6 Jan / Ion 2024

£16 – £27 Children and Under 25s HALF PRICE Plant a Dan 25 HANNER PRIS

A new version by / Fersiwn newydd gan Catherine Dyson Directed by / Cyfarwyddwyd gan Lee Lyford

Fly into the fantastical world of PETER PAN this Christmas Hedfanwch i’r byd rhyfeddol o PETER PAN Nadolig yma

SHERMANTHEATRE.CO.UK 029 2064 6900 “Peter Pan” is presented by arrangement with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk

Sherman Cymru Productions Ltd | Registered Charity Number / Rhif Elusen Cofrestredig 1118364 Image / Llun Emily Jones

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OCTOBER

CONTENTS

6 Preparation for adulthood/work experience

by Wyn Evans 10 And Another Thing by Vince Nolan 16 In the Word Of

by Carl Marsh 22 Kieran Gething

by Ralph Oates 28 Rousing National Anthems

by Sara John 34 National Fertility Week Natalie McCulloch 38 Bookworm

by Suzie Good

41 Christmas at The Sherman 45 Liga Cork 47 Dementia research charity awarded £387K 49 The Space Program touches down in Cardiff Bay EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING 029 2046 3028 EMAIL info@cardiff-times.co.uk WEB www.cardiff-times.co.uk

4 CARDIFF TIMES

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12/09/2023 09:46

Preparation for adulthood/work experience

byWyn Evans

attorney (LPA): for financial decisions; and for health and care decisions. The former would include running bank and savings accounts, making or selling investments, paying bills, and buying or selling her house. The latter include what medical treatment she receives such as life-saving treatment, where she lives, day to day matters such as diet, dress or daily routine. There are clearly going to be some areas where she has sufficient mental capacity to make decisions, others where she will need help and support. Parents of kids with DS will have come across too many examples where members of the public and professionals alike have lacked knowledge of the condition (or just been plain ignorant, in the more colloquial sense of that word).

Now that she is turning 18, The Girl’s life is too important to be left to strangers to make decisions on her behalf. Too important also to be left in the hands My daughter (The Girl), this autumn moved up to Year of her parents alone. The LPA process goes some 13 at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff, and set forth way to guaranteeing her all necessary advice and agency. upon her final year at secondary school. She has Down’s Syndrome (DS). This is the academic year in which she will turn 18; the year in which she applies Driving and public transportation to College; the year in which both her independence and her ability to work with others in a team will be For all sorts of reasons, it would be great if she never tested in the Duke of Edinburgh’s scheme Gold Award. had to worry about driving and that all her needs Preparation for work will extend her focus to the post- could be dealt with through fast and reliable public school world. transportation. Whitchurch High School run travel

Background, the challenge ahead

In short, she’s now entering the finishing straight of her childhood. How prepared is she for adulthood, independence and work? How prepared are we, her parents, to let go of the reins and watch as she steers her own ship (to maul my metaphors)? I propose to consider some of the ways that preparation for adulthood is being handled by us, her parents; by the school; and by voluntary organisations.

Parental roles It is wisely stated that a parent’s main function is to prepare their child successfully to leave the nest. In that respect the whole of the past eighteen years have been a preparation for the changes about to face The Girl. So let me limit this section to two new emphases that have landed in our parental in-tray.

LPAs Helping her make and register a lasting power of 6 CARDIFF TIMES

training - pupils have been on various trips (e.g. to Cardiff Bay and Bristol) in order to develop their confidence and proficiency in using public transport.

This has been supported through Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway.

But for those times when public transport is either unavailable or unreliable, we have placed ACE with ‘Young Driver’ (https://www.youngdriver.eu/lessons_ and_experiences), an organisation offering hour-long driver training for kids on private land. She has had three hour-long lessons so far and loves it. I think that it will take longer for her to learn the Highway Code than it takes her to learn to drive.

School roles Whitchurch High School is funded for a Specialist Resource Base, Ty Calon, which has in excess of seventy students. It runs many activities to help its young people prepare for adulthood and work. These include:

•the Year 13 Leavers’ Ball/6th Form Prom, which ties a bow around the school years and launches them out into a more adult world, one in which greater independence of thought and action will be required.

All Year 13 pupils attend the Prom in Cardiff City Stadium. This is fully inclusive with the mainstream part of the school.

•Craft fair - pupils use their practical skills to make various craft items, e.g. candles and costume jewellery, which is later sold at an event in the local church in order to raise funds for the school. This is a very successful event and involves collaboration with the local community. The pupils also develop their communication and money skills through working on the stalls.

•DFN project SEARCH Transition to Work Programme. This provides real work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills delivered in a business setting to help young people make successful transitions to productive adult life. It is a partnership between a host business, education provider, and professional adult-supported employment provider.

The goal is to provide full-time paid work for interns in an integrated setting. The project currently runs in the University Hospital of Wales and has seen past pupils gaining permanent jobs within the organisation. This year four Ty Calon pupils started the project.

•Work experience in the The Margaret Whittaker Coffee Lounge, which is linked to Beulah church.

Pupils gain valuable work experience through developing skills in money, stock-taking, cleaning and customer service.

•Insole Court - pupils gain valuable work experience at this local stately home through gardening, site maintenance and stock checking in the library.

•Panto - pupils have performed in Snow White and Aladdin on the stage in front of a large audience which developed their presentation, communication and teamwork skills.

•Ty Calon dance group in association with Debbie Chapman Dancers - once again this has involved collaboration with the mainstream part of the school.

•School trips - numerous trips have been undertaken in order to develop the pupils’ life skills e.g. to: The Senedd, to gain a greater understanding of politics and citizenship; Techniquest to gain a greater

understanding of Science and Technology and both the Aquarium and Wild Place projects (in Bristol) to enhance pupils’ understanding of the natural world.

Voluntary sector role There are almost too many groups to mention here, so I shall refer only to two that The Girl has found particularly beneficial. The 21 Plus charity (https://21plus.org.uk/) is one that, owing to the range and quality of its programmes, has been a mainstay of her recent development to being the happy, well-rounded young woman she is today. Its core purposes are: •To enable people with Down’s syndrome to reach their full potential and live fulfilled and active lives, through the provision of training, support, education and practical advice.

•To promote the education of the public, parents and carers of people with Down’s syndrome, and professionals involved in their care and education, in the specific needs and abilities of people with Down’s syndrome.

There are two specific groups run by 21 Plus that will continue to help The Girl (and her parents) as she transitions to adulthood: •Talk About is a youth group for young people with Down’s syndrome aged from 11-19. These sessions currently run fortnightly. During these sessions there is an hour of communication-focused activities, run by “Symbol” trained co-workers.

•the Residential Camp for young people, aged 1220, is an annual event. The camp offers intensive, specialist speech and language input from Symbol UK combined with a range of activities, including sports and drama, and the opportunity for the young people to spend time away from home in a safe environment.

Summing-up These are some of the ways that we shall be supporting our Girl through the transition to adulthood and work experience. We recognise that other parents and guardians will have other priorities to ours and different ways of delivering them but we hope this has been of interest.

CARDIFF TIMES 7

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CARDIFF TIMES 9

‘And Another Thing...’

Parasitic Python Poo

byVince Nolan

That title got you thinking I’ll bet. The international press recently ran a story of an Australian based neurosurgeon who removed this three inch live parasitic worm from a New snack idea, Cheesy Egg Mc Puffin (a ladies’ brain whilst performing a biopsy. Yuk. seabird in bun). What’s not to like? There are She had been foraging for food and ingested Cinnamon Puffin cakes apparently so the die the worm eggs which are normally shed by has been cast. carpet pythons in grasses. Quite how it got to her brain, I would not like to think. However our good friend Dr Helen McCarthy of Cardiff University School of Biosciences advised that: the parasite in question was a round worm and these normally live within the intestine of animals such as dogs and horses. Depending on the species, eggs or larvae are ingested and develop into adults in the intestine. The adult worms will live in the intestine until treated but in this woman’s case, a larvae has burrowed through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream Not many people will know that I am a bit of a and travelled up to the head. The patient was martial artist. I paint US Marshalls like Wyatt immunosuppressed, which the specialists Earp, Wild Bill Hickok, Pat Garrett shown here. suspect allowed the worm’s larvae to migrate through her blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system.

Bill Hickok looks a bit of a dude don’t he?

Seems like a moustache was mandatory.

As you will know, Martial Arts is an English translation of the Japanese word Η武芸 ďƵͲŐĞŝΗ “武武 bu-gei” (obviously). Alternatively, the term martial arts was derived from an older Latin term meaning “Arts of Mars”, the Roman God of War and was used to refer to the combat systems of Europe (European martial arts) as early as the 1550s. I am glad we cleared that up. I am sorry I started Fascinating stuff. Of course I failed my python this train of thought. This idiom, which uses breeding exam because I handed in my train in the sense of “an orderly sequence,” assignment too late because my homework ate was first recorded in 1651, in philosopher my dog.

Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan, (before trains 10 CARDIFF TIMES

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Next up “The Bowler.”

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Not criticising Staying with the drink, there has always She Who Must Be Obeyed and I have decided the rope very stupid question.

I would have said something mlinson work boots and a have bowler hat which are sme off.

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

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

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"Imagine theformer drunk muttered.

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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.”

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Oh yes it is. s." on the Future Heat Strategy For Wales.

Timely. scene. but enough about me.

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It should be snowing 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 moths in prison.

I understand that the RSPCA I’m in the toilet, please advise.” egotiate along and count them and face full ofon bright red now September.”

Is it me? saw Van She said, “It’s me talking to the sandals?

Phillipe Flop!

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Nophone wait, that’s not Mind you, Papillion……..just saying.

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 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 the they were looking for was with Dr Rword and Iwho encounter in a coffee shop onHe the car way ee that Street where four pensioners shouted back: I’ve already Sainted Mother-In-Law was looking for noisy which I thought was very up.

Wine every day all month! out of his pocket.

He opened saying.

Ox. Apparently this year is tothe be lucky words to that effect.

Then, inI assured a Having A final thought which Igoing was sent other day: Chocolate Orange into work most mornings. have mentioned Hadron as 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 ear.” ing.

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In The Words Of by Carl Marsh as to what I requested. I had the confit mushrooms [£6.50] and hand-cut chips [£6] to accompany the steak. Valerie recommended the Vina Patricia 2016 Malbec [£78], which on its own is divine, but with the ‘Lomo’, pure bliss. For dessert, I went for the lemon tart [£7.50], which was light on my palate and made such a memorable end to a meal that will stick in my memory for a long time. I missed a few cocktails we had; these were so good I forgot to note what they were called.

Granted, Gaucho may not be everyone’s weekly bolthole, for some, perhaps only for that special occasion, yet hands down, this has to be atop of your wish list when you are looking at eating out in Cardiff. Can I come back for a third visit, Gaucho? Please!

A FEW WORDS… Welcome, Comrades of the (Un)Democratic Peoples Republic of Wales (DPRW). Commander Drakeford has bestowed upon us the joy of travelling at 20 mph in most areas, previously 30 mph or around the whole vicinity of towns. It’s these towns where footfall is needed to keep their businesses afloat, but no… most people will now avoid them due to the fear of getting a speeding ticket or being overtaken by a sloth. Speaking of the latter Deputy Climate Change guy who’s the picture boy of all this chaos the roads in the DPRW we are facing. And shall we talk about a little Petition with over 440,000 signatures asking for the 20 mph nonsense to be scrapped? Do go onto Facebook and join the two leading Groups of which even the Deputy Climate bloke is a Member, yet he never posts.

The Facebook Groups are: ‘20mph Limit Democracy in Wales’, and ‘20 is not plenty stop the speed reductions a group to discuss the 20 mph’. Look at them and see the love people don’t have for the latest Draconian garbage from Welsh Labour!

RESTAURANT REVIEW

INTERVIEWS

Four interviews this month. Something for every man, woman and dog. Probably.

Dizzee Rascal - Boy In Da Corner Tour - Utilita Arena, Cardiff - Saturday 7th October No words are needed for this Mercury Prize-winning superstar. I got a Welsh exclusive video chat with Dizzee ahead of this gig. It was memorable.

Alfie Boe - this is a bit of a weird one as the gig has been cancelled at St David’s Hall because the venue is having some exploratory work on the building. No date has been set for if this gig will happen again, but I did the interview a few months ago and didn’t want to waste it. I chatted with Alfie on the phone.

John Sam Jones - Welsh author and former Welsh chaplain

Gaucho, 19 The Hayes, Cardiff - 02920 596979

Before John became the author we all know, he was a It’s not the norm that I get an invite to a new restaurant, Methodist chaplain who was asked to visit the Reverend and it doesn’t go to plan. In a nutshell, the gas had gone Emyr Owen, who was convicted of brutal crimes against dead out in the area, so my first attempt at Gaucho wasn’t bodies. John was interviewed for a new documentary film good, yet with no fault aimed at Gaucho. I had my meal, [The Rev] on the new Icon Film Channel, which can be found but it was missing items - as expected - for gas (lack of) on Amazon Prime and asked about when he visited Emyr in reasons! Subsequently, I was invited back. This second prison. I chatted via Zoom. time was perfection. And I don’t say that lightly. Our server was Valerie, who had been in Wales for nearly 20 years, Haircut 100 - 40th Anniversary (Pelican West) Tour having moved from her native France. She explained Tramshed - Thursday 2nd November every food or drink description I asked about as if she’d previously tasted or drank them! For my starter, I chose the This belated tour [2022 was the actual 40th year since ‘Seared Diver Scallops’ [£20.50], cooked with ‘Nduja butter, release] of the album’s debut - and only original lineup - as aguachile verde and lemon crumb. My verdict for these… Nick Hayward left the band before album two commenced. I extraordinarily tasteful and delightful; it is a shame there chatted with Nick and Graham Jones via Zoom. were only three, but it’s a starter, not a main. I need to keep telling myself this.

Enjoy October until next month, My main had to be steak—a fillet steak, or ‘Lomo’ as it’s called in Argentina. My ‘Lomo’ was a specialty cut called ‘Churrasco De Lomo’, a spiral cut fillet marinated in garlic, parsley and olive oil. [£60]. It was cooked to perfection,

16 CARDIFF TIMES

Carl Marsh Twitter - @InTheWordsOf_CM YouTube - InTheWordsOf

Interview with Dizzee Rascal

Words by Carl Marsh

DIZZEE RASCAL: “I can’t lie. I find some of the Welsh crowds can be a bit rowdy”

Since exploding onto the music scene as a teenager by winning The Mercury Prize, Dizzee Rascal has always been ahead of his years. Now here we are, over 20 years later, celebrating the re-release of ‘Boy In Da Corner’ and a new tour.

Carl Marsh You must be ecstatic that ‘Boy In Da Corner’ still resonates with fans to this day, but also is now creating new ones with this anniversary edition?

Dizzee Rascal Yeah, it’s almost the thing where I get to kind of just watch it. It’s weird, but it’s amazing to be doing that.

Yes, it’s a bit mad. I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel. I’m obviously happy. But I’m learning as well at the same time because I was so young when I made it. It came out in 2003, but I started making it in 2002, so it’s a little bit older than its official birthday. But obviously, I couldn’t fathom that in 20 years… you can’t think 20 years forward on most of anything, let alone something I was doing like that. At that time, I was a new artist for a start. So, just to see it in this day and age standing up and it’s just so celebrated is an honour. It’s encouraging and makes you not want to recreate it, but definitely have fun making music again, not necessarily trying to do what everyone’s doing right now. Because, at that time, I wasn’t doing what everyone was doing then.

Carl Marsh Yeah, I know you mean by not following any trend like most music is because that stuff will soon become outdated. Whereas with what you’ve done then and since, you’re creating music that is not.

I’ve just been listening to the 20th Anniversary

album about an hour ago, and it is timeless.

Dizzee Rascal Do you know as well, the day it got re-released, I was driving in my car and listening to it, especially with some of the older tracks that were added? Some of them didn’t make ‘Boy In Da Corner’ or were pre-’Boy In Da Corner’, and I was thinking how far I’d come listening to them myself, not as a kid, but as a teenager and listening to what I was thinking and it kind of took me back there. And that’s why it’s so good to be honest in your music, no matter how commercially… you want it to be as big as possible, but if you’re honest in your music, it will resonate with others. But more importantly, it’ll resonate with you later down the line.

Carl Marsh And you’re back in Cardiff on October 7th. How do you find the Welsh crowds?

Dizzee Rascal I can’t lie. I find some of the Welsh crowds can be a bit rowdy. [Laughter] Cardiff and Swansea can get a bit ‘Oof’. It’s been a long time since I was there, but I’ve always had good shows in Cardiff.

Dizzee Rascal is playing at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff - Saturday, October 7th Images courtesy of Dean Chalkley

CARDIFF TIMES 17

Interview with Alfie Boe

Words by Carl Marsh

ALFIE BOE: “I never wanted to be an opera singer.”

Known and loved all over the World for his voice, Alfie Boe was to appear at St David’s Hall in October, but many gigs have been cancelled for some structural investigation work [so I am told].

All tickets have been refunded, meaning no new date will happen. Regardless, here’s my chat with him.

Carl Marsh What was it that drew you to opera singing in the first place? Was it something you’d been passionate about from when you were a kid, perhaps?

Alfie Boe No, I never wanted to be an opera singer, mate.

[Laughs] I wanted to be a rock singer! I always wanted to be in a rock band. I was a drummer initially before I was a singer. I used to drum in lots of local bands and stuff. And I well… I don’t know. I just started singing in amateur operatics and that sort of stuff. And people said you’ve got a real big, classical sound, you should try out to be an opera singer. And then, when I went to work for this company that I auditioned for, one of the singers there said, “Look, if you want to take your voice as far as you possibly can technically, you should go and train to be an opera singer. And that will stand you in good stead to take on any other musical genre or work you want because you’ll have a good technique”.

So that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to take my voice as far as possible and train it as far as I could.

And that was really why I fell into opera.

Carl Marsh Do you know, I wouldn’t know where to start with attempting to sing opera? I’ll take my hat off to you and the other guys who can do it.

18 CARDIFF TIMES

Alfie Boe I started in karaoke. I was the West London Karaoke Champion in 1997. That’s the highlight of my career.

[Laughter] Carl Marsh I’m not joking by saying that if you went back now and entered it this year, you’d win it within five seconds of singing!

Alfie Boe It’s funny, I was representing The Eagle Pub on Askew Road [Sheperd’s Bush]. That was when I was a student, and they dragged me into this karaoke competition, and it was great, man. It was wonderful. [Laughs] Carl Marsh Did you win any money?

Alfie Boe I won £500 quid! It was brilliant. £500 quid and West London Karaoke Champion 1997. That’s on my CV that.

[Laughter] It’s a shame the gig was cancelled, as apart from his voice, the banter you would have got from Alfie on the night is second to none, as you can see from this interview. He is a lovely guy, very humble and down to Earth. I’m yet to find a British opera singer who’s not.

Image courtesy of Steve Schofield

Interview with John Sam Jones

Words by Carl Marsh

JOHN SAM JONES: “I don’t think he lived happily ever after…”

Welsh author and activist John Sam Jones was once a Methodist chaplain, and it was during this time that he was asked to visit a certain Reverend, Emyr Owen. You can find all about Emyr in ‘The Rev’ as it’s too graphic to write about here!

Carl Marsh Would you say the deployable things that Emyr did were on a par with someone suffering from Factitious disorder [commonly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy] in that he was avoiding self-harming himself and carrying out what he did on other bodies?

John Sam Jones Yes. Yeah. And in that sense, it’s unforgivable, but it didn’t do anybody any harm. Well, yeah, it did. It did a lot of psychological damage to relatives.

In the interview that Emyr gave after he came out of prison, I found it very disturbing because I only saw that interview just before I was interviewed for this film. So, four years ago. So, I was looking at that interview 36 or 38 years on, and it was filmed entirely through a homophobic lens. Or at least that’s how I see it today. And Emyr himself, you know, his own homophobia, his self-hatred, was crippling him, and that is the kind of treatment and support he should have been offered, and he should not be sent to prison. There was no crime. And abhorrent as what he did is, he didn’t commit a crime.

Carl Marsh Could it be the Presbyterian Church that could have affected his motives? I know you’re not a chaplain anymore, so I hope you don’t mind me saying that.

John Sam Jones I’m still a believer. But I’m not in good standing church. [Laughs] Carl Marsh OK, well, they’ve always come across as very hardline from the experiences I witnessed growing up! Would I be correct in saying that maybe Emyr, if he was part of a different church of Christianity, may not have gone down the path he

took?

John Sam Jones Absolutely. Absolutely. The narrative about homosexuality through the 19th and most of the 20th century was bad, mad, sad. And right up until the end of the 1970s, the old asylum at Denbigh was still giving homosexual men electric shock aversion therapy to treat them, you know, so I think we forget, the things have moved on such a lot in the last 30 years. We forget that you know, it’s not so long ago that homosexuality was generally considered to be abhorrent, and that comes through in the attitudes of the police officer in the film [The Rev].

Carl Marsh I know you visited Emyr a few times whilst in prison, but did you ever come across him once he was released?

John Sam Jones I went to visit him once in Carnarvon and was given a very warm welcome and a very cream tea. [Laughs] And it was as though nothing had ever happened. It was as though, let’s wipe that slate clean. This never happened. We’re moving on from here.

Carl Marsh Do you think he’d been mentally released from all that selfhatred of his sexuality?

John Sam Jones I think he carried it with him. I don’t think he lived happily ever after with Emrys [who Emyr lived with]. I don’t think he and Emrys were a couple in the sense that we might today understand a gay couple. I think Emrys relationship was with the other guy. [Watch the film to find out!]

The Rev is a Docshed in association with S4C production.

The Rev premieres exclusively on the Icon Film Channel from 9 October. Followed by all major UK digital platforms from 8 January 2024.

CARDIFF TIMES 19

Interview with Haircut 100

Words by Carl Marsh

HAIRCUT 100: “It then would become what it became.”

The band formed in 1980, and their debut album’ somebody like Bob in that position as producer, his job Pelican West’ was released in 1982. Four of the was to deliver a brand spanking new pop record. And original six in the band in 1982 are now touring to he brought it all together with his experience at that celebrate 40 years [plus one] since its release. I had a particular time in life. And then we had someone who’d video chat with Nick Heyward and Graham Jones. worked with AC/DC and Motorhead, and also someone who worked on [Queen’s] ‘Bohemian Rhapsody!

Carl Marsh For ‘Pelican West’, how did it all come together? Was So, the evolution of pop music was going like this… you it lyrics first or music? And was it when all of you had the studios of the day, the engineers, the producers, were maybe jamming away in a studio or bedroom you know, and then the young bands would come in to back then? learn off the older people who have got their experience and have given up their dream at that particular point Nick Heyward and had moved into production. So, you’re all colliding It was different, wasn’t it, Jonesy? Every song was just together, and music at that specific point was so healthy. a different thing. Some came in the soundcheck. Some It was just pop songs and bands, and everything was came in rehearsals. And with some, nobody knew what coming so quickly. It was so competitive but healthy, like it was until we’re in the studio, and it’s like, they’d turn to football, when football or rugby is good, and there are me and ask, “Have you got anything? [Laughs] loads of great teams, and everybody’s getting on, and it’s all happening and inspiring. That was what it was Graham jones like, and you took from anyone like magpies. Bob just Yeah, we would spend time around each other’s houses said, “We need a [trumpet] fanfare; it’s so celebratory at weekends. For instance, we would stay at Nick’s on this song”. We’d already got a trumpet player in doing a Friday or Saturday night and then in the morning or the brass on ‘Favourite Shirt’, and Bob told him what to the evening, you’d sit around, and he’d go, “I’ve got this do, and then Bob’s suddenly your Uncle! [Laughs] We riff!” and then he’d say, “Listen to these chords” and he had all these ideas flying around the place and having would only play a little bit. And we’d all go, “That’s just so such brilliant musicians. It was a fantastic time, wasn’t it, typically Haircut”. It then would become what it became. Jonesy, being in the band? Amazing.

Carl Marsh Graham Jones It’s with the trumpet on’ Fantastic Day’; who thought Yes, it was really creative, and we loved every minute of to add that instrument because I think it’s genius and putting that album together. It was great. made the song even better?

Haircut 100 are playing Tramshed, Thursday 2nd Nick Heyward November.

Well, a lot of that was Bob Sargeant, and when you get

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CARDIFF TIMES 21

Kieran Gething

In this month’s column I have interviewed boxer Kieran Gething who kindly gave his time to talk about his career to date. Kieran also gives his views on various aspects of the sport.

Ralph Oates In which year were you born?

Kieran Gething I was born in 1994 Ralph Oates Where in Wales were you born?

Kieran Gething Abergavenny Ralph Oates What made you take up boxing?

by Ralph Oates

Pontypool ABC Ralph Oates Have any members of your family ever boxed?

Kieran Gething Yeah, 5 generations!

Ralph Oates Can you remember how many amateur fights you had?

Kieran Gething Yes I had 55 Ralph Oates What made you turn to the professional ranks?

Kieran Gething

Kieran Gething

I felt my talent suited it better and I had less time to pursue a family along with an amateur career.

It’s been in my family for a long time, but I first started after my brother asked me to go with him.

Ralph Oates

Ralph Oates Which amateur club did you box for?

Kieran Gething

22 CARDIFF TIMES

Who is your manager?

Kieran Gething I’m pretty much self-managed, but Richard Garner and Mo Prior are definitely my advisors

Ralph Oates

fight means something. So it’s down to the situation.

Who was your first professional opponent?

Ralph Oates

Kieran Gething

Which is your favourite weight division?

Kevin Mcauley

Kieran Gething

Ralph Oates

I would say probably light- middle.

What has been your best moment in the professional ranks to date?

Ralph Oates

Kieran Gething Probably winning a Celtic title in my hometown, however I’ve won a fight of the year award and a National title which I defended. Both are given great recognition.

Ralph Oates Who has been your most difficult opponent in the professional ranks?

Who is your favourite old-time fighter?

Kieran Gething Sugar Ray Robinson who won the undisputed world welterweight and middleweight titles. In his time he fought all the very top fighters. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990 which speaks volumes for his talent.

Ralph Oates

Kieran Gething

Who is your favourite modern day fighter?

I’d say maybe Kev McAuley, such a hard man!

Kieran Gething

Ralph Oates

I would have to say Canelo Alvarez who is from Mexico. He looks like being a future Hall of Fame fighter.

In which stance do you box-southpaw or orthodox?

Kieran Gething Orthodox, mainly!

Ralph Oates

Ralph Oates Do you have a favourite boxing movie?

Kieran Gething

Kieran Gething

Yes it’s Raging Bull. It starred Roberto De Niro who played the role of Jake La Motta who won the world middleweight crown during his career.

I’m comfortable with them.

Ralph Oates

Ralph Oates

What do you do outside of boxing?

How do you feel about women’s boxing?

Kieran Gething

Kieran Gething

I run a few businesses. However, ‘bocsio yn y gwead’ means boxing in the blood. And a lot of my life revolves around my pro career and my amateur club I run in Abergavenny.

How did you feel about fighting southpaws?

I want my girls to do it, I’m also friends with Lauren Price as being on the national team with her. What she’s done is great for Wales.

Ralph Oates How do feel about there being so many weight divisions in professional boxing?

Ralph Oates What is the best advice that you have been given with regards to boxing?

Kieran Gething

Kieran Gething

Enjoy it, since it really doesn’t last long!

It could be whittled down, but I believe it’s healthy to have closer weight fighters boxing each other.

Ralph Oates

Ralph Oates

Kieran Gething

How do you feel about there being so many world boxing organisations like the WBC, WBA,

To create the promotional company that runs well for Welsh boxers. Also to win at least one more title belt before I retire from the sport.

IBF and WBO Kieran Gething I feel the IBO should be considered over one or two of those bodies to be honest. But the title only means something if the

What are your ambitions for the future?

Cardiff Times thanks Kieran for taking the time to give his interesting views on boxing.

CARDIFF TIMES 23

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ROUSING NATIONAL ANTHEMS

by Sara John

He offers the background to the Welsh anthem and the French one and having lived in Edinburgh for ten years or so I feel I must include the Scots anthem. It is the new kid on the block having only been established for twenty or so years after quite a lot of controversy.

Let’s get on. The referee is dying to blow that whistle.

Firstly the Welsh Anthem which is the automatic trigger for a very serious attack of contagious HIRAETH if you are far “away” from home at the time.

There has been consternation at the current Rugby World Cup about the singing of the various national anthems in the opening matches. It has now emerged that the anthems were sung by a French childrens’ choir and therefore did not sound quite as supporters normally heard them at their home grounds. Supporters (and no doubt players) were discomfited with the rendering which of course affected their own singing prior to each game. A vital element was missing which is essential in order to create an atmosphere, allow everyone present to participate and encourage the players to perform with appropriate fervour to represent their country. A rousing anthem at the start of the event is required with plenty of courage, vigour, passion, bravado and hwyl.

This debate brought to mind my own personal experience of national anthems at matches which moved me.

I happened to be rereading Morien’s book on the History of Pontypridd and the Rhondda Valleys recently and I came across two interesting articles, first published in his newspaper articles of 1903, explaining the origin of the Welsh Anthem and the French Anthem. At that time of writing the Corries were not even an eye twinkle in Grandpa’s eyes.

Surely the French, Welsh and Scots are among the favourite anthems of the world? With the Scottish anthem the most recent yet very, very popular.

Who was Morien you might ask? He was a prolific and very popular writer and journalist and something of an amateur academic and social historian.

He was blessed with the gift of writing and explaining situations and stories as though he was seated next to you on your sofa. His style of writing reads well even after all these years.

The book I refer to was published as an anthology of his musings, reports and articles and his output is as fresh today as it was when written.

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This is how it came about:

HEN WLAD FY NHADAU and its composers The town of Pontypridd had the distinction of being the birth place of the well known National Air, “Land of my Fathers”.

Its Kymric title is, “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau”.

The Stanzas were composed by the late Mr. Evan James (Ieuan ab Iago), Ty’r Factory which stood on the site of the present County Hotel (remember this was written in 1903), Mill Street, Pontypridd.

The melody was composed by his son, Mr James James, Harper of Aberdare (he passed away on June 11th, 1902) but at that time unmarried and living with his parents.

The writer (Morien of course) interviewed the old Bard, his father, on the subject, and gleaned from him the following particulars respecting the authorship of the stanzas and the tune.

As in the society of Myvyr Morganwg, and in the society of Ieuan ab Iago, one seemed to hear the murmurings of the souls of the long departed Druids, Bards, Ovates and Warriors and sages of the old times.

THE LAND OF MY FATHERS (from the Welsh of Mr Evan James, Pontypridd)

The land of my fathers is dear to me, The land of sweet singers, bards high in degree; Brave hearted old warriors and patriots ‘t ‘as bred; For Freedom their blood has been shed.

It was, said the Bard, on a Sunday evening, in January 1856, My wife, and some of my children had gone to the service in Carmel Chapel, and I was quite alone. I had been brooding over thrilling incidents in the past history of Wales.

My age at the time was 46 and James my eldest son, was 26 years old and he played excellently on the harp. I had gone upstairs, intending to retire early, and was partly undressed when I heard James entering the house and then calling out, “yn nhad, dewch I lawr yn union?” (father come down immediately). The harper spoke so excitedly that I went down as I was. ‘I have been’ said James, for a stroll along the side of the river Rhondda, and in the sound of its roar I have composed a new melody which has greatly moved me.

His face was aglow, said the father. The father invited him to play it on his harp. The harp of Wales was brought forth to the middle of the room, then, ‘Among the strings the fingers strayed,’ And with closed eyes the young Kimmerian sought to recall the notes which the dancing waters of the Rhondda River had suggested to his soul. While thus engaged the mother returned from Mount Carmel conventicle, and cried to James, ‘What in the world is the meaning of this? Playing the harp on a Sunday night!’. ‘Mam anwyl’ replied James, ‘don’t forget King David played the harp of the tribe of royal Judah in the house of the Lord’. Then the young harper of the Rhondda Riverbank caught the immortal strain, and the mother and father looked on as if entranced.

Cambria ‘of the Briton line’ had found her national hymn that night! The young harper little knew that he had been in the locality where the Ras Dyn (Tight Race) – Tarran y Ras Dyn – where the goddess Cariadwen, on festive occasions, was wont to race after Gwynion Bach. A Cloud of Witnesses was possibly there that Sabbath evening. The sentiments of the stanzas had flashed on the mind of the young James as the setting sun seemed looking down upon him from the summit of Mynydd Gelli Gwynion on the west side of the Rhondda River. The Bard, his father, and he immediately framed the sentiments in verses that are eternal.

The following literal translation from the original Welsh is by a Cardiff Bard:-

Wales, Wales, I’ll ever cling fondly to Wales, While rolls the sea, beloved she’ll be, Long live the old language of Wales.

Old mountainous country and bardic retreat, Each valley within thee is lovely and sweet; The patriots feelings are thrilled by the sound Of rivers and streamlets around Wales,Wales etc If sorely down trodden we’ve been by the foe, Our language retains its old vigorous flow; The Music, still living, is heard on each hand, And likewise, the harp of our land.

Wales, Wales etc It has been said by many that the Welsh National Anthem makes many people wish they were Welsh.

THE MARSEILLAISE As promised earlier in this article here is the tale of how the stirring (and second best?) anthem came about.

The following is Alphonse de Lamartine’s account of the manner The Marseillaise, the hymn of France came to be composed.

He describes it as ‘the song of glory and the shriek of death’.

There was a young officer of artillery in the garrison at Strasbourg named Roget de Lisle.

He was born at Lons-le-Saunier, in the Jura, that country of

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reverie and energy, as mountainous countries always are.

This young man loved war as a soldier, and the Revolution as a thinker. He visited the house of Dietrick, Maire of Strasbourg. The house of Dietrick was poor, the table humble, but there was always a welcome for Rouget de Lisle. The family consisted of Dietrick, his wife, and two daughters. They were a musical family, and Roget was a poet and a minstrel. It was midnight and very cold. Rouget retired to his lonely chamber, and took in his hands a small clavicord, and began composing an air. Now he composed the words before the air, next the air before the words. He combined them in such a way, that he could never say which was first produced, the air or the words. He fell asleep with his instrument in his hands. At daylight he awoke and wrote what he had composed then ran to Dietrick. He found him in his garden. His wife and daughters had not yet risen. They were called, and a number of musical friends came in to the house. Rouget sang his new song and one of the daughters accompanied him. All turned pale at the first verse :-

Allons, enfants de la patre, Le jour de glorie est arrive!

Contre nous, de la tyrrannie, L’etendart sanglat est leve (Chorus)

Aux armes, citoyens! Formez vos batallions!

Marchons! qu’un sang impur abreuve nos silons.

All present wept and were terrified by the anger, and then by the strains of victory characterising the extra ordinary production. It was heroism sung. It speedily became the hymn of the French Revolution, and rapidly swept all over France.

THE FLOWER OF SCOTLAND Is now the unofficial national anthem of Scotland. It was composed in the mid-1960s by Roy Williamson of the Folk group The Corries. It was first heard publicly in a 1967 television series.

It may be assumed that the “Flower” refers to the Bluebell as in the folk song and tune, The Bluebells of Scotland. Not so.

Perhaps it is the ever-present heathers that are the subject of the folk song. No, again.

Hugh MacDiarmid writes, beautifully of another contender;

The Little White Rose The rose of all the world is not for me.

I want for my part Only the little white rose of Scotland That smells sharp and sweet and breaks the heart.

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A final No to that possibility as well.

It refers to what we might consider not to be a flower at all. It is, of course, as the following story explains - the Thistle.

How did that come about? Read on.

No - one is truly sure of how the thistle came to be Scotland’s national flower. A popular story though attributes the thistle being chosen as the emblem of Scotland to the Battle of Largs (a coastal town in Ayrshire) in the 13th century. A Norse army journeyed to Scotland, intending on extending their empire. The legend has it that they left their ships under cover of night and were planning to ambush the sleeping clansmen. In order to be as quiet as possible, the Norsemen had removed their footwear. However, as they crept across the countryside, one of them stepped on a thorny thistle. His cry of pain aroused the Scots who rose up and routed the invaders.

THE FLOWER OF SCOTLAND O flower of Scotland When will we see your like again Who fought and died for Your wee bit hill and glen (CHORUS)

And stood against them Proud Edward’s army And sent them homeward Tae think again The hills are bare now And Autumn leaves lie thick and still O’er land that is lost now Which those so dearly held Those days are past now And in the past they must remain But we can still rise now And be the nation again

Contains at least one RGB ColorSpace Not surprisingly it was adopted as the (unofficial) anthem but usually only the first and third verses are sung together with the rousing chorus of course. Ever since winger Billy Steele encouraged his team mates to sing it on the Lions tour of South Africa in 1974. After that the song was adopted as the pre-game anthem in 1990 at the five nations final.

Which Scotland won 13-7!

Attending Murrayfield for a Scotland v Wales game in the early 2000’s, I was up at crack of dawn although the kickoff was 3 o’clock and we lived at least fifteen minutes walk away from the stadium. I did not want to be last minute!

My husband had the tickets and I had one or two of his immaculate pocket handkerchiefs in my pocket to deal with the likelihood of a touch of Hiraeth.

One or two unforgettable memories to recall.

At a distant tangent to this article is my visit to Fort McHenry on Chesapeake Bay in the USA during a long ago holiday.

The guide who took us there was concerned that we Britons might be upset on being reminded of the locals’ wish to be independent from Britain. No, No we explained we just wanted to visit the Museum and see the Flag which featured in the song. Was it still there? At the site on Chesapeake Bay, near Baltimore, an educational film explaining the politics and background to the war of independence of 1812 and the part played by that area in the newly formed united states at that time.

The incident being remembered was the siege by the British of the Bay and the stubborn resistance by the rebels.

Washington had already fallen and Baltimore was now under siege. The question being would the American flag still be flying at dawn rather than the Union Jack. If so, it would have meant that Baltimore had withstood the siege and the British force defeated. We all watched the film with intense interest and as it concluded and the credits rolled, the curtain covering one side of the room slowly opened.

The glass wall revealed the open landscape featuring the promontory with the flagpole still flying the star-spangled banner as it had been all those years ago. The sound of the famous song played against the original scene of the action was most moving, that tears were inevitably shed by Brits and Americans alike as we all stood to sing the anthem. A superb piece of enactment! The flag was still flying over, as the memorable last line of Key’s words make clear: “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

The words were written by Francis Scott Key to an old English tune in 1814 and adopted by Congress in 1931.

Red-scarfed Welsh supporters were waving and shouting to each other. This was my first Scotland v Wales game at Murrayfield and there were surprises to come. Although settled in our seats we had to stand and turn around to see the “lone Piper” on the roof of the opposite stand (yes, in the bleak midwinter, cold wind, nasty drop over the edge on to the pitch).

A military band and a huge male choir marched to their clearly marked positions on the pitch. The loud speaker announced we would be singing, Hen Wlad then Flower of Scotland. It was the moment I dreaded. I had been warned against “making a fuss” which could have included praying (loudly), crying (more loudly), running out of the stadium if things got really bad such as a Welsh player being sent off when it was clearly NOT his fault.

I thought if I can get through Hen Wlad, I will be okay. Those familiar few notes floated across the pitch. The choir led the way. It was wonderful but not over the top. Very loud at the end of course as usual.

But then the big surprise to me and all the Scots present, who were singing Flower of Scotland, I looked around because the sound was overwhelming almost greater than that for the Welsh anthem, because all the Welsh supporters were blasting out the Scottish anthem as well. The Scottish crowd was nonplussed and astonished at the sound. Some were overcome with emotion crying and sobbing into their scarves. They had never heard Flower of Scotland sung to perfection by the Welsh combining with the Scot. It was so unexpected, I can still hear them!

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National Fertilityby Week Natalie McCulloch

In the UK an estimated 1 in 6 people experience infertility and over 3.5 million people go through some kind of fertility challenge (WHO, 2023). Yet when you are the one experiencing it, it can feel like there is absolutely no one else in the world that could understand or feel the same.

November 5th 2023. Fertility Network UK are encouraging people to join in to help amplify their voice and to help signpost people to the support they need and change perceptions of the issues affecting millions of people.

These issues are often ‘taboo topics’ or simply ‘not spoken of’ and involuntarily childlessness is often met with a presumption that you ‘must not have wanted children’, or that there is ‘still time or other options’ or even that people are ‘so lucky to not have kids’ (usually mid holiday periods where parents are sometimes over stretched and therefore stressed galore with their children).

For me, this is probably going to be one of the hardest articles I’ll ever had to write but one of the most important.

The stark reality is that for millions of people it is a heartbreaking, traumatic and life changing situation which affects all aspects of their lives and the lives of those around them.

It can happen for all sorts of reasons to all sorts of people but hopefully there is a wide enough variety of services to help people in this time of need.

The emotional impact of infertility is huge. Feelings of sadness, frustration, isolation, tearfulness, inadequacy, guilt and anger are all common. Infertility has a wide range of causes, and there are many different treatments ranging from drug therapy to assisted conception.

Fertility Network UK are keen to encourage people affected by fertility issues to reach out, seek support and discover the wide range of services, resources and groups available to them, regardless of their stage or circumstance. They are keen to let people know that they are not alone!

National Fertility Week runs between October 30th -

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On a personal note

I have struggled with an eating disorder for approximately 25 years which has resulted in various lengthy admissions to specialist units and counselling sessions, alongside contributing to relationship breakdowns, physical difficulties and developmental difficulties.

One of the motivating factors for me, ever since I can remember, to recover, was to have a child of my own, to be a mother. Sadly, eating disorders can cause extreme losses, not just of weight or appetite, but loss of kinship in community, loss of years of ‘normal’ development and loss of physical abilities, including, for me loss of fertility. I cannot put into words the agonising feelings of guilt, grief, self-hatred, sadness and regret that I feel towards myself for this heart-breaking reality. I cannot tell you how many times I break down for the ‘simplest of reasons’ such as seeing someone pregnant or pushing a pram, hearing of someone’s ‘happy news’ or getting inevitable questions for any woman of my age about how many children I have. I cannot tell you how many friends I’ve isolated and missed out on time with because I haven’t coped well with their own happy pregnancy news, baby showers or events involving children despite the fact that I wholeheartedly adore my friends and wish nothing but happiness for them.

Perhaps it’s a bit of green-eyed monster creeping in amongst other demons in my head. I cannot discuss all the countless tears I’ve shed as I contemplate life without children.

I am fortunate that I have the most amazing dad and fabulous friends/family and compassionate colleagues around me whom, when I reached out, met me with compassion, sympathy and offers of support. However, at the beginning, I couldn’t help but feel all alone, the very worst kind of loneliness and that’s when I set about finding support outside of my immediate network.

I was so grateful to discover ‘Fertility Network UK’ who answered a rather emotional cry for help via an email from myself with the opening sentence “it is important to us that no-one feels alone.” They set me up with a support worker who gives me regular 1:1 sessions, offers of support from other organisations which may help and access to groups of people experiencing similar issues right here in Cardiff. For me, although this cannot possibly resolve the issues I face daily, it’s been a huge help just to know I’m not alone and to be able to share my thoughts, feelings and frustrations to someone who understands.

That’s why I knew I had to write this article as, however painful to put it in black and white or to ‘face up to it publicly’, I would hate for anyone in similar situations to go through this agonising time feeling alone when they really, truly, aren’t alone at all.

So, who are Fertility Network UK? They are a small charity working hard to help the 3.5 million people affected by the devastation and pain fertility issues wreak.

They do not receive any guaranteed funding and rely on grants and the generosity of supporters.

Dr Catherine Hill, chief executive at Fertility Network UK, said: “Fertility Network UK exists to offer free support and information to anyone affected by fertility issues. We realise that everyone’s fertility story is different, which is why we offer various specialist support groups that cater to those who are at different stages or who might be facing different barriers to accessing fertility treatment.”

when it comes to fertility, so that’s why they offer a wide range of resources and support.

For example, their ‘Fertility groups’ which offer a chance to chat and share experiences with others who are also trying to conceive.

Their informal online fertility groups offer a space to share journeys, meet others and listen to others’ experiences and provide mutual peer support and an opportunity to learn from others. They also have professional guest speakers at various points in the year. Everyone is welcome to join in.

There are groups running across the UK and some specialist groups which are open to everyone no matter where you live.

Fertility Network UK also provides free and impartial support, advice, information and understanding for anyone affected by fertility issues both online, over the phone and in person.

Their education project raises awareness of the importance of fertility education in protecting and maintaining future fertility and highlights some practical steps young people can take to help protect their future fertility.

And finally, their work with the media to raise public awareness of all aspects of fertility issues, to highlight the need for equitable access to NHS fertility services and to promote the need for fertility education in order to protect and maintain future fertility.

None of these things can take away the emotional impact of fertility issues, but hopefully they can help ease some of the turmoil people face and remind them that they are not alone.

On hearing my story, Dr Catherine Hill kindly reinforced this by saying “We are happy to hear that Natalie found the support and acknowledgment that she needed through the services we provide and hope to do the same for anyone else who might be feeling daunted and isolated by the issues they are experiencing.”

If you would like to know more, are interested in volunteering or in accessing services please do not hesitate to contact the Fertility Network UK team on one of the numbers below:

What is available thanks to Fertility Network UK? Fertility Network UK are the only organisation to offer a wide range of services and support to those affected by fertility issues in the UK. They can help: if you are considering your future fertility; if you are trying to become parents; if you are facing the challenges of childlessness; if you are successful after fertility problems and if you need help to access NHS-funded fertility treatment.

https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ If you have been affected by eating disorders or would like support of information on eating disorders, please do get support NOW. Contact your GP or BEAT (the national eating disorders charity)

They believe no one should suffer alone.

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/ get-help-for-myself/i-need-support-now/helplines/

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Bookworm

by Suzie Good

Introducing Lee Newbery Lee Newbery’s debut children’s novel, The Last Firefox, recently won Wales Arts Review’s People’s Choice Award at the Wales Book of the Year awards. With another novel already in bookshops and book three on its way, there seems to be no stopping this new Welsh writer.

Cardiff Times was lucky enough to chat to Lee about his recent success, being a writer and the importance of representation in his work.

Celebrating your Welshness is obviously important to you, so whereabout in Wales are you from?

I grew up in Llanelli. I was raised in one of the more deprived areas of Llanelli, and there was unfortunately quite a lot of anti-social behaviour - which makes for some interesting stories! We moved to a different area when I was around eight years old. I think Llanelli is a lovely place, it just needs a bit of TLC. What did you enjoy studying in school?

I was a typical artsy, bookish kid who enjoyed English, Art, History (I had a particular fondness for the Tudors). I remember one of my stories being read out loud by the teacher in Year 6, and that was when I realised I wanted to be a writer.

So, you always wanted to be a writer?

Not quite! When I was growing up, I always wanted to have a job involving the things I was obsessed with. I went through phases of wanting to be a palaeontologist, because I loved dinosaurs, then a volcanologist, because I was fascinated by volcanoes, and then I discovered that books were more fun than both those things and settled on wanting to be a writer!

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What is the best thing about being a writer?

I just love that feeling of being completely lost in a project. Time slips away when you’re working on it, and when you’re away from the project you can’t stop thinking about it. It becomes a part of you. And you don’t have to motivate yourself to write it every day – you just want to!

What is the worst?

This is more of a publishing thing rather than writing craft… but the waiting. Oh god, the waiting! There’s a lot of waiting involved in this industry, and it is absolutely torturous.

Who was your favourite writer growing up?

I loved JK Rowling, Lemony Snicket, Joseph Delaney, Holly Black, RL Stine and Darren Shan.

In the current writing world, who do you most admire and why?

Oh wow, this is a big question! I have a huge amount of admiration for those authors who are doing their best to uplift the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who are challenging ideas of gender – authors like LD

Lapinski, Lizzie Huxley-Jones.

Your debut novel, The Last Firefox, was a great success in bookshops and won the Wales Arts Review’s People’s Choice Award at the WBOTY awards - why do you think this book is so popular?

Sounds fantastic! What was your inspiration for writing The Last Firefox?

Pokemon was a huge inspiration for me. I loved Pokemon as a child and was always making up my own pocket monsters. One day, I made up a fox that was covered in magical fire which is governed by its mood – so it’s lovely and warm I’m so, so chuffed about this. I think it’s struck when it’s happy and searing hot when it’s angry a chord in people because it offers something or scared. that we don’t see too often in children’s fiction yet, which is a same-sex family dynamic.

What are you writing at the moment?

Charlie is adopted in the book and has two I’m working on my third book for Puffin, which dads. It has nothing to do with the plot, it will be out next May! I’m also working on an simply is – and I think people love that. I hope it’s offered a little bit of representation to uncontracted book for an older audience, which I’m hoping will go on submission to publishers those families who need it. one day in the near future.

What is the book about?

To the wannabe writers reading the Cardiff The Last Firefox is about a timid boy called Times, what advice would you give them?

Charlie who accidentally becomes the guardian of a magical creature from another The most cliché writing advice ever is what works land – a firefox. But this is the very last firefox for me… write the books YOU want to read. I just in existence, so Charlie and his friends must finished writing a book which is full of things I love, and it’s a bit of an eclectic, crazy concoction work together to keep him safe and secret of things, but it was the most fun I’ve ever had from a terrifying hunter that’s snuck through from his home realm… and Charlie might just writing a book. And if you have fun writing something, I think readers will have fun reading it. discover his own inner fire in the process.

Last question - where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

I just want to keep growing. I’ve been fortunate and had a wonderful start to my career, and I just want to keep expanding. I’d love to branch off into writing YA fiction as well as MG. But I think my big dream for that sort of time frame would be to have one of my books adapted for screen, and to be heavily involved in the script-writing process for it.

CARDIFF TIMES 39

Visit our homepage www.KelvinFrancis.com for the latest updates, advice and tips.

Tel: 02920 766 538 E: info@kelvinfrancis.com 40 CARDIFF TIMES

Christmas at The Sherman

Join Wendy on a breathtaking adventure and fly into the fantastical world of Peter Pan this Christmas.

a mother. Wendy must decide whether to stay in Neverland, or to return home to real life.

Christmas at the Sherman always offers Perfect for audiences aged 7+, the Sherman’s exceptional family entertainment that’s that little bit different. Specially created for ages 7+, and latest Christmas show will transport you into directed by Lee Lyford (The Wind in the Willows, the magical world of Peter Pan. Sherman Theatre; A Christmas Carol, Bristol Old Based on J. M. Barrie’s timeless tale, Vic), Peter Pan will be no exception.

Catherine Dyson’s fun, funny and moving This spectacular co-production with Theatr play with songs composed by Gwyneth Iolo features flying sequences designed by Herbert, sees the story through Wendy’s NoFit State. There are no limits to where your eyes. It will be performed by a talented cast of actor-musicians, including faces familiar to imagination can take you this Christmas.

Sherman audiences. This fresh new take on The Sherman wants to ensure that the cost a much-loved classic celebrates the power of tickets is in reach of as many people as of the imagination to help us navigate life’s possible. Tickets are priced £16 - £27. Two adventures. It thinks about what it means to adults and two children can see Peter Pan from grow up, and how we can all embrace living under £50. Children and under 25s can see the life in our own way. show for half price. The Sherman also runs a scheme, Pay What You Want Previews, which When Wendy meets Peter Pan, she escapes will allow audiences to pay between £4 and £24 to magical Neverland – a world of fairies, for Peter Pan on 27 November. mermaids, and a pirate pursued by a crocodile. It’s a land where you’re free to play, www.shermantheatre.co.uk to have adventures, to fly and sing. But she also discovers a new group of children to look after – a tribe of Lost Boys who are looking for CARDIFF TIMES 41

£12 £12 £12

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FIVE STAR ROOFING Established over 35 years Repairs & Re-Roof-Leadwork Slating Tiling-Guttering-FasciasSoffits Flat Roofing Systems Felt, Liquid, Single Ply EPDM Rubber Coatings Moss Removal Chimneys Rebuilt-Repointed All Work Guaranteed Tel: Joel 07798 637119 Email: jrj.11@outlook.com Tel: Steve 07389 786466 Email: sphillpott29@gmail.com 44 CARDIFF TIMES

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LIGA’s Cork recycling scheme in Cardiff LIGA.

In their endeavour to make a positive impact on the planet, LIGA have launched a new cork recycling scheme, putting waste wine corks to good use.

Known for their love of cork, sustainable homewares brand LIGA creates contemporary collections including placemats and coasters, trays, trivets, tableware, kitchen textiles and furniture. As well as providing sustainable options for home products, the team at LIGA strongly believes in encouraging people to work together towards protecting the natural environment. The cork recycling initiative is a simple yet powerful way to contribute to a greener future.

With 30 stores currently taking part in this recycling scheme, the idea is to simply take spent corks from wine bottles to the nearest participating LIGA stockist, where the corks are being collected. These corks will then be recycled into future LIGA products.

LIGA are also pledging to plant Cork Oak trees as part of this initiative, to support the future of the cork forests. For every 100 kilos of cork collected, LIGA will plant a cork oak tree—an emblem of biodiversity preservation and a powerful weapon against climate change.

“I am so excited to be able to offer our recycling cork scheme - it is something I feel passionate about and have fought hard to achieve. Not only will the corks be recycled into products, but we will plant more cork oak trees in Portugal. It’s a win-win situation for everyone - so next time you crack open the wine, save the cork and when you have a few take it to your nearest collection point and join in on the big cork recycle - Cheers!” Jennie Elderkin, Founder of

Beti Biggs and Whim Wham are stores in Cardiff taking part in the scheme with owner Jan Williams commenting “We are delighted to be taking part in the LIGA initiative to recycle corks into products.

LIGA products are very popular in the shops. My customers like the ethos behind them and are particularly drawn to the fact that something beautiful is made from waste.” Jan continues “I was surprised at how many people already save corks thinking that they must be recyclable. We’ve had several people empty their collections into our cork recycling collection bin. My son has a restaurant here in Cardiff and each time I visit, the barman gives me a big box of corks to add. Restaurants in our immediate vicinity have also been taking part.”

Cork is an incredible and sustainable material that has many uses, with this wonder natural resource continuing to ‘breathe’ and absorb C02 even once made into a product. Sadly, in recent years cork harvest yields have been diminished. With the hotter, drier summers being experienced, the resulting lack of water is impacting the quality and thickness of the bark that can be harvested. This is why recycling is so important and one of the reasons it is important to plant more cork oak trees.

By collecting used corks, each person involved directly contributes to the reforestation and restoration of natural habitats, ensuring a greener and healthier world for future generations. By participating in this initiative, each contributor instantly becomes an essential part of the global effort to reduce waste and promote a circular economy.

Visit Loveliga.com to find LIGA Cork Recycling Partners - there are currently 30 stores covering England, Wales, Scotland and Southern Ireland To recycle wine corks in Cardiff, visit: Beti Biggs and Whim Wham, 1 & 3 Romilly Crescent, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9NP

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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 46 CARDIFF TIMES

Dementia research charity awards Cardiff scientists £387K to accelerate the search for a cure Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, has funded two researchers from Cardiff University to carry out projects aimed at finding new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr Sarah Carpanini and Prof Philip Taylor have been awarded grants totalling £387k to reveal the role genes play in driving the development of Alzheimer’s disease, which could open new treatment avenues.

Over the past 25 years, Alzheimer’s Research UK has invested more than £4m into research at Cardiff University, one of the major scientific hubs for studies into dementia. The funding announced today is part of a £3m package of new nationwide research funding that will accelerate the charity’s search for a cure.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and is a progressive and irreversible brain disorder that affects memory, thinking skills and being able to carry out day-to-day tasks.

Sadly, one in two people will be directly affected by dementia by 2040, either developing the condition, caring for someone who has it, or both. We urgently need more research to bring about life-changing preventions and treatments if we are to change this.

Alzheimer’s Research UK has funded two projects at Cardiff University that could lead to new ways to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr Sarah Carpanini has been awarded £271k to better understand the link between the complement system and risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The complement system is the front line of defence for our immune system. It consists of a group of proteins that work together to identify pathogens and unwanted cells, so the immune system can remove them.

In the brain, complement tags the connections (synapses) between brain cells, marking them for removal by an immune cell called the microglia. This allows the brain to remove damaged or unhealthy cells. However, if the complement system becomes overactive, it can start tagging healthy synapses marking them for removal, causing damage to the brain that leads to diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Dr Carpanini will be using innovative techniques to create new cell models in the lab to help them find what changes are happening to the genes that control complement. They hope to pinpoint the changes that are making it overactive, and find new ways to prevent this from happening.

Dr Sarah Carpanini at Cardiff University said: “Thanks to our new grant, we can now investigate the

mechanisms which cause the complement system to malfunction and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This will hopefully identify new drug targets that could lead to new treatments for the most common form of dementia.

“The more we understand about how Alzheimer’s develops the more doors open to being able to stop the disease in its track. I’m incredibly excited about seeing where my project will go.”

In another project, Prof Philip Taylor and his team have been awarded £116k to look at the connection between variations in a gene called ATP8B4 and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The ATP8B4 gene is active in microglia – the brain’s immune cells that engulf and remove pathogens and unwanted cells – and changes to the gene can increase its activity. The gene is thought to be involved in maintaining the protective membrane around cells. However, researchers still don’t know how these changes lead to Alzheimer’s, which could lead to clues in how to tackle the disease.

Prof Philip Taylor at Cardiff University said: “We’re at a really exciting stage in dementia research where there are newly identified gene variants that may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Finding out the mechanisms behind this could reveal new targets for future dementia treatments, which is an extremely exciting prospect. Although the first treatments for dementia are now emerging from clinical trials, we’ll need to develop more, that target a diverse range of biological processes, to really drive progress for people who develop dementia.”

Emma Stone, Research Programmes Manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “Dementia is now the UK’s leading cause of death, with someone developing it every three minutes.

“Although we finally have new treatments for Alzheimer’s on the horizon, they only work for people in the earliest stages of disease and come with significant side effects. We need to keep searching for newer and better treatments that work beyond removing amyloid plaques from the brain.

“So, more than ever before, it is essential we keep investing into dementia research like these two projects in Cardiff.

Gaining a better understanding of the factors at play in dementia will help us reach a cure faster. It’s what people affected by dementia need and deserve.”

To find out how to do your bit for a cure, visit and donate at www.alzheimersresearchuk.org

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The Space Program Touches Down in Cardiff Bay: A Stellar Addition to the Self-Storage Galaxy!

The Space Program, a shining star in the self-storage industry, is delighted to open its newest depot in Cardiff Bay. Nestled on Viking Place within the Cardiff Port boundary, the new Cardiff Bay site boasts an out-of-this-world location, previously home to the Tilcon Mortar Plant.

Once a hub for aggregates and materials cement batcher, conveyor, weighbridge, and ancillary offices, the site is being transformed into the ultimate storage destination.

At The Space Program, they believe that storage should be an experience that’s light years ahead of the competition. That’s why they’re offering a cosmic selection of storage units in various sizes, tailored to fit your needs like a glove. From compact 5ft units, perfect for storing those little moon boots, to our spacious 20ft units, where you can comfortably stow your entire spaceship collection, they’ve got you covered.

But it doesn’t end there! The Space Program prides itself on its commitment

to stellar customer service. Their knowledgeable and friendly team is ready to assist you in navigating the vastness of storage options, ensuring your belongings are protected like precious constellations.

So, why choose the Cardiff Bay Space Program? Well, aside from our celestial level of service and an interstellar location, they also offer 24/7 access, up to £25,000 insurance and easy access, ground-level units. The fantastic security includes 24/7 monitored CCCTV, motion-sensitive lighting, and unique access codes. You can trust them to keep your belongings safe and sound, whether you're storing earthly treasures or your very own collection of moon rocks.

For more information about The Space Program and the new Cardiff Bay site, please visit: www.thespaceprogram.co.uk

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

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

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

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