CARDIFF TIMES JANUARY 2026

Cardiff times January 2026

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Aunties

It’s funny how families can be at Christmas.

Funny odd, rather than funny haha. We’ve just enjoyed as nice a family Christmas break as I can remember. Nonetheless, for all that we managed to be ‘in the present’ more often than not, past events and memories – good and bad – inched to the fore of my subconscious bringing with them unexpected feelings.

I was about seven years of age and had been advocating vigorously for a Batman car. This was a beautiful little toy; shiny black with fins the length of the car, a siren, ‘flames’ that shot out of the exhaust, a chain cutter that opened up from the bonnet, three rocket launchers towards the rear of the vehicle (with the three little rockets) and removable Batman and Robin figurines. It was sui generis, one of a kind.

These days the manufacturer would put the car on the market with half a dozen other models; one for the Joker, one for the Penguin, a pink car for Batgirl, etc. But clearly, the mid-1960s was a more innocent time.

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byWyn Evans

Anyway, there we were back in our family home and there were two boxes wrapped with my name printed on them.

One was the size of a shoe box the other was smaller, not unlike the boxes new mobile phones come in today (Again, a reminder that this was the 1960s; there was no chance of it being an actual mobile phone!)

Offered the choice which box to open I opted for the bigger one. Horror! It was not my desired toy. Plastic and matt blue with literally none of the bells and whistles of the smaller toy. Dad walked into the kitchen to “get a fresh cuppa”.

I’d opened the big box without reading the label. It was from “The Boss”. “Who’s The Boss?”, I asked mam. “Think about it”, she said. Dad! It was from Dad. I look back over the years now and would like to give myself some credit for the following immediate thought algorithm: ‘the gift was from dad, I’d shown my

disappointment on my face when I opened the big box and found it wasn’t the cool car, dad had gone out and bought me the gift (no Amazon then) and when he’d seen my reaction he had been hurt and gone into the kitchen to get away from my ungratefulness’.

I looked at my mam and, convinced I saw this chain reaction written in her eyes, I rushed into the kitchen and put my arm around dad and thanked him for the big car. I showed him quite how fast it could go. I overdid the thank yous (if you can overdo upsetting your dad).

People sometimes comment to the effect that people with Down Syndrome are always happy. Let me put that lie to rest.

The Girl, like all hear friends who have Down Syndrome can be as awkward, as grumpy, and as downright unreasonable as anybody else.

What she doesn’t do is bear grudges or make negative assessments of people’s motives.

She still assumes that people are, for the most part, helpful, reasonable and kind.

We returned to mam and my sister and opened the final present each. Mine was the cool, sexy Batman car with all its bells and whistles. I was delighted – and I’m sure it showed on my face, Still, that day, I played with both cars equally.

Which nicely describes my sisters.

Another new Christmas tradition chez nous is the Aunties’ shopping trip. The Girl has not had as many opportunities to go out shopping on her own as typically developing people have.

Many years later I reminded dad of this incident and apologised if I had hurt his feelings.

She is more vulnerable than many. She can ride a bus or a train but can get stumped by changes from the norm.

We parents are not much help. I have Parkinson’s and cannot walk very far. The Boss has Multiple Sclerosis but her “Because you had to put me out of your wheelchair does not cope well with large sight by going into the kitchen to hide your upset.” I remember the look he gave crowds in shops and arcades. me to this day. And his words: “I probably The Girl is strong and can walk all day. Her just wanted another cup of tea!” ballet skills seem to help her glide through the worst of the crowds. Thus has Mam and dad are long now, leaving my two younger sisters and I to maintain and developed the Aunties’ Christmas Shopdevelop the family’s Christmas traditions. ping Trip, where The Girl and her aunts One sister is six years younger than me; have a girls’ afternoon in town. the second is twelve; I am sixty-seven.

This is one new Christmas tradition that will run and run.

And there’s The Girl of course, our nineteen-year-old daughter who has May we wish you a very happy New Year!

Down Syndrome.

“Why would you think that?” he asked.

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‘And Another Thing...’

Optimist Drowns in Bath Half Full*

byVince Nolan

The Current Mrs Nolan and I were recently taking a stroll around Roath Park Lake (I know, living the dream) when we took this picture. Check out the spooky blue light on the far bank along Lake Road West. No, not the emergency services but it was clearly an alien spacecraft. OK, it might have been the refraction of the sun on the lens but I prefer the former option.

rendering himself extinct in the process.

Overheard in a recent visit to our local pub, The IQ Central Bar: “I didn’t realise that Copenhagen was just a bit further north than Jersey.” Oh please. It’s a long time since I studied geography but common sense told me this could not be so. I was right of course.

The reality is that Copenhagen is 55 degrees north whilst Jersey is 49 degrees north. One has snow As mentioned in my last epistle, Son Tom, Daughter- every winter, the other last had snow in 2013. A bit in-Law Shannon, (she is a cop – see what I did there) of a clue there. Mind you, it was Happy Hour when and two year old Grandson Jack visited from New the guy was talking about this or alternatively, he may York for Christmas thus proving that Santa really does have been working undercover for the Copenhagen exist. Musing on how to entertain a lively two year Tourist Board. All of which conveniently reminded old we figured that all little smashers love dinosaurs, me to throw out my Danish currency. I didn’t want so we checked the internet to see if the 3D printed to catch the Kronervirus again (sorry). I am sure (and life size) T Rex was still resident at the Museum that you will know that both the name and symbol for in Cardiff. A.I. told us the following: “The National Bluetooth are based on a Danish-Norwegian king, Museum, Cardiff, does not have a full Tyrannosaurus dubbed ‘Harald Bluetooth.’ What you may not have Rex but does feature a distant T Rex cousin.” We known is that he had three wives and four children. stood corrected. You try telling a two year old he is One of whom then became his heir, so in other words, going to see a Dracoraptor Hanigani. Not as exciting Bluetooth paired successfully (I’ll get my coat). is it? However Dracoraptor means Dragon Thief or Plunderer so that might explain why dragons died * No story attached to the title, just liked the sentiment. out round here. Mind you, the beast lived some 201 Always remember that a pessimist sees a dark tunnel million years ago on the coast at Penarth so he must whilst an optimist sees light at the end of the tunnel. have been quite posh. Having said this, he couldn’t A realist sees a freight train and the train driver sees have been the sharpest incisor in the mouth because three idiots standing on the tracks. he managed to kill off his only source of food thus 12 CARDIFF TIMES

Here’s a picture of a pub in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester which enjoys the longest pub name in the UK. Believe it or not it is called The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn or TOTCAVRCI for short. Imagine being stopped by the police and questioned about where you had been that evening. A bit of a mouthful there methinks, even when sober.

cleaned when it emerges before being returned to its rightful owner.

Moving on, I read an article which talked about an analysis of cabin bag prices charged by three budget airlines (I must get out more). It concluded that “The lowest advertised prices were not available in the vast majority of cases.” I am not being picky but I thought it was bags not cases?

After the recent Season of Goodwill, I told myself I should stop drinking but then again, I’m not about to So 2026 is now with us and our minds may have listen to some drunk who talks to himself. Having said turned to New Year’s resolutions (mine didn’t but this, the drinking got so bad that at one stage, after there we go). Apparently these have ancient roots, 10 pints, I found myself dangerously weaving in the starting over 4,000 years ago with the Babylonians’ middle of the road. With hindsight, it would probably Akitu festival. They made promises to their gods for have been far safer to make the basket at home. the new year, promising to repay debts and return borrowed items for good fortune. This tradition was In rugby news, Eben Etzebeth was recently banned adopted by the Romans, who associated January 1st and rightly so after his shocking eye gouge on Wales with the two-faced god Janus (looking forward and star Alex Mann. The South African was apologetic back), making vows for good behaviour and then of afterwards but is now serving a lengthy suspension. course further adopted by Christianity. So if I were The reporter also had this to say: “South African going to make a resolution, it would be to become coach moves to clear up rumour. Jacques Nienaber much more assertive and confident…… if that’s OK has moved to quash growing speculation that he is with you? eyeing a return to the Springboks.” What is it with the Springboks and eyes? In other Southern Hemisphere Live long and prosper Chums. news, this item caught my eye (ha ha). There was a robbery in New Zealand where the perpetrator was accused of allegedly swallowing a pendant worth $NZ 14,000 in order to smuggle it out of a jewellery shop.

A police spokesperson said: “Evidence of the theft had yet to emerge!” One assumes it will be suitably

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In The Words Of

by Carl Marsh

January 2026 Happy New Year — I hope you all had a great Christmas too.

Poland was every bit as good as I’d hoped. I did manage to see some snow — not everywhere, and mainly up in the Tatra Mountains — but I saw it, touched it, and that absolutely counts to me.

I’ve also just moved house. It was very last-minute, but sometimes you have to take those opportunities when they appear. Location is everything, and that’s what sealed it for me — definitely one of those moves that feels like it’ll be for the better.

Bryan Adams is one of those acts.

Newer songs were slotted in without killing the vibe — punchy, straight-ahead rock built for arenas rather than playlists. The best of them worked as palate cleansers As expected, December was notoriously quiet in the between the classics, and at times I had to question entertainment chatting world. PRs and talent tend to whether these were actually new songs or old ones, disappear completely, and that’s been the case for years now. That being said, I do have one chat lined up since I didn’t know a few tracks but felt like I did.

Cardiff got the complete sing-along treatment. “Can’t this month: Horrible Histories: Ahead of the new Horrible Histories Stop This Thing We Started” and “18 Til I Die” really did kick the room into motion, while “Everything I Do (I Do It live tour, I caught up with cast members Neal Foster and Ethan Lawrence to talk TV roots, comedy without For You)” turned the arena into one big karaoke bar.

Interview

fear, and why this latest stage show is very much cut from the screen rather than the school textbook.

Live Music Review: Bryan Adams — Utilita Arena, Cardiff (December 2025) Bryan Adams rolled into town with the kind of nononsense arena show that reminded me why his songs have been clinging to mine and probably all of the audience’s lives since cassette days, and physical records!!

The staging was clever rather than flashy: big screens, clean lights… and his band, wow! Adams’ voice was studio-perfect — it had that lived-in rasp that makes “Run To You” feel like a confession and “Heaven” land like a warm drink after a long walk or jog. It’s rare to hear someone live sound just as good, or even better, than what you may have heard on the radio or TV…

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If you wanted reinvention, you weren’t in the right room. If you wished for big-hearted rock’n’roll delivered with craft, charm and zero fuss, Adams nailed it — and you left smiling, and humming all the way home.

I hope 2026 is decent for us all.

So, until then…

Carl Marsh Twitter — @InTheWordsOf_CM YouTube — InTheWordsOf

Interview Horrible Histories

As Horrible Histories heads back on tour, Neal Foster and Ethan Lawrence explain why this show feels closer than ever to the TV version — and why dignity is the first thing to go.

Carl Marsh: We’ve had Terrible Tudors, Awful Egyptians, Barmy Britain, and more — where does this new tour sit in the Horrible Histories universe?

Neal Foster: Well, it’s a brand-new show. It’s been written again for the first time by the TV writers, Ben and Claire, who write all the TV stuff. They also write Horrible Science, which is the brand-new series that’s been on television.

Words by Carl Marsh

it exists as an escape valve, whereas After Life really pushes your face into the sadness and degradation. It requires a very different skill set.

But I’m very glad I did After Life, because it showed me I could unlock a more dramatic persona, which I was then lucky enough to use in things like Boat Story. You pick something up from every job — that’s one of the joys of being an actor.

Carl Marsh: Has anything from your time on Afterlife fed into how you’ve approached Horrible Histories, whether it’s timing, handling the pathos, or just being fearless on stage?

So it’s their take on Horrible Histories. Obviously, we’re all in the same world, but this is very definitely the TV version — and that’s what makes it different.

Ethan Lawrence: To a degree. I’d like to think by the time I got into After Life, I was already fairly across comedy — it’s all I’ve ever done.

Carl Marsh: Ethan, people may well know you from After Life and previous things you’ve done, but with After Life, it moved sharply between comedy and emotion. So, did working with Ricky Gervais influence how you approach rhythm or sincerity in Horrible Histories?

Fearlessness is an interesting one. I suppose yes, because on After Life I was often the butt of a lot of jokes, which is absolutely fair enough. That leads neatly into Horrible Histories, where we’re constantly covering each other in poo, farting at inappropriate moments, throwing up, or getting killed in stupid ways.

Ethan Lawrence: That’s a very interesting question.

After Life was an interesting job to do because, as you said, it skirted that line between comedy and sadness.

For my money, I was firmly on the comedy side of that.

So yes — After Life stripped me of my vanity and my dignity, and that’s proven very useful for being on a children’s sketch show.

I can’t take credit for the emotional heft — that rightly goes to Ricky Gervais, David Bradley, and Ashley Jensen. But getting the opportunity to watch how that balance can be struck was really valuable. It’s something I learned and something I carry forward.

That said, Horrible Histories is so different from something like After Life. I think people love it because

Carl Marsh: And Neal, if you had to pitch this Horrible Histories tour in one brutally honest line, what would your personal tagline be?

Neal Foster: It’s the most sensational Horrible Histories show you’re ever going to see. That’s it. That’s my tagline.

Horrible Histories will be at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay on Sunday, 1st February 2026.

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NEW YEAR BOXING QUIZ 25 questions on Welsh boxers

by Ralph Oates

Image Johnny Owen - question 10.

Image courtesy of Derek Rowe.

1. On the 26 December 1912 Percy Jones met opponent Curly Pullman in a 10-round contest. Jones won when he defeated Pullman by which methods? (a) Six round knockout (b) Eight round stoppage (c) 10 round points decision.

2. Where in Wales did the Percy Jones-Curly Pullman contest take place? (a) Tonypandy (b) Cardiff (c) Abertillery.

3. On the 28 February 1913 Freddie Welsh put a loss on the record of Young Nipper when he out-pointed him over how many rounds? (a) 10 (b) 15 (c) 20 4. In which weight division was Ronnie James a British champion? (a) Bantamweight (b) Featherweight (c) Lightweight.

5. Which British title did Jack Petersen not hold during his professional career? (a) Middleweight (b) Light-heavyweight (c) Heavyweight.

6. In which part of Wales was Jack Petersen born? (a) Llanelli (b) Cardiff (c) Aberystwyth.

7. In which weight division did Lennie Williams hold a Welsh title? (a) Bantamweight (b) Featherweight (c) Lightweight.

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8. Which opponent did Howard Winstone not box in the professional ranks? (a) Frankie Taylor (b) Billy Calvert (c) Terry Rees.

9. Dick Richardson held which heavyweight title during his professional career? (a) British (b) Commonwealth (c) European 10. Johnny Owen won the British Bantamweight title on the 29 November 1977 when he stopped defending champion Paddy Maguire in which round? (a) 10 (b) 11 (c) 12 11. Where in the UK did the Johnny Owen-Paddy Maguire British title fight take place? (a) Scotland (b) England (c) Wales.

12. In which weight division did Colin Jones hold a British, Commonwealth and European title? (a) Welterweight (b) Middleweight (c) Lightheavyweight.

13. Which version of the world featherweight title did Lee Selby hold during his career? (a) WBC (b) IBF (c) WBA 14. What was the reported height of Lee Selby? (a) 5ft 6inch (b) 5ft 7inch (c) 5f 8 ½ inch 15. In which year was Nathan Cleverly born? (a) 1986 (b) 1987 (c) 1988

16. Which boxer fought in the USA during their professional career? (a) Floyd Havard (b) Joe Calzaghe (c) Robbie Regan.

17. Who was nick named Cinderella Man? (a) Steve Robinson (b) Johnny Owen (c) Eddie Avoth.

18. In which division did Andrew Selby hold a British title? (a) flyweight (b) Bantamweight (c) Featherweight) 19. Which boxer did not win the British heavyweight title during his career? (a) David Pearce (b) Scott Gammer (c) Carl Gizzi

ANSWERS

20. On the 18 May 2024 defending IBF world superfeatherweight champion Joe Cordina lost his title to Anthony Cacace who was also defending the IBO version of the crown. When stopped in which round? (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 8.

1. 10 round points decision.

21. Prior to his defeat to Anthony Cacace, Joe Cordina was undefeated in how many professional bouts? (a) 16 (b) 17 (c) 18.

5. Middleweight.

22. Lauren Price retained her WBA & IBO world welterweight titles and also captured the WBC & IBF versions of the titles on the 7 March 2025 when she defeated Natasha Jonas by which method? (a) 4 round knockout (b) 6 round stoppage (c) 10 round points decision.

8. Frankie Taylor.

23. At this stage of her career Lauren Price was now undefeated in how many professional bouts? (a) 9 (b) 10 (c) 11.

24. Gerome Warburton failed in his attempt to win the vacant British middleweight & Commonwealth crown on the 17 May 2025 when Kieron Conway stopped him in which round? (a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 5 25. Where in Wales was Gerome Warburton born? (a) Bodelwyddan (b) Cardiff (c) Swansea.

2. Tonypandy.

3. 20.

4. Lightweight.

6. Cardiff.

7. Featherweight.

9. European.

10. 11.

11. England.

12. Welterweight.

13. IBF. 14. 5ft 8 ½ inch 15. 1987.

16. Joe Calzaghe.

17. Steve Robinson.

18. Flyweight.

19. Carl Gizzi.

20. 8.

21.17 22.10 round points decision.

23 9 .

24. 4 25. Bodelwyddan.

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Exchange Communications Delivers 5G SA Upgrade at St David Dewi Sant, Cardiff

Exchange Communications, a UK leader in in-building cellular and smart building solutions, has successfully delivered a major connectivity upgrade at St David Dewi Sant, Cardiff – one of Wales’ busiest shopping destinations.

As part of the project, Exchange Communications designed, managed and installed a cutting-edge 5G Standalone (5G SA) solution in the centre’s food hub, ensuring the site is now one of the most connected retail environments in the UK. The new system sits alongside existing 4G and 5G coverage, providing faster, more reliable mobile connectivity and the capacity to support the centre’s 49 million annual visitors, as well as hundreds of employees and retailers.

The installation is powered by Vodafone’s 5G SA technology, giving businesses across the food hub access to faster data speeds and future-ready digital capabilities. With innovations such as network slicing, which dedicates specific parts of the network to priority services, St David’s retailers can begin to explore transformative new applications, from augmented reality (AR) customer experiences to real-time stock management and advanced ePOS systems.

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“Exchange is delighted to have delivered this project and will continue to support its evolution.”

Adrian Corthine, In-building Coverage Lead at VodafoneThree, said: “Shopping centres contribute significantly to the UK economy, so having the right tools to trade effectively and attract customers in is extremely important to the sector.

“The introduction of dedicated Vodafone 5G SA at St David Dewi Sant opens opportunities for retailers to explore endless new and exciting business applications.

Meanwhile, we also know that fast and reliable connectivity is important to our customers – whether they visit – so we’ve ensured that our Vodafone customers visiting the shopping centre benefit from an improved signal, whether they are on 4G, 5G or 5G SA.” The project forms part of VodafoneThree’s £11 billion investment programme, which includes bringing 5G SA to 99.95% of the UK population by 2034 and expanding 4G coverage to previously unserved rural areas.

With more than 40 million visitors in a normal trading year, St David’s has long been at the forefront of regeneration and technology. This latest milestone, delivered by Exchange Communications, cements its reputation as one of the UK’s most forward-thinking retail hubs.

Tom Sime, CEO of Exchange Communications, said: “St David’s is a superb example of how smart building solutions, powered by 5G, can transform the way retail and leisure spaces operate. By leading this project, To find out more about Exchange Comminications’ unified we’ve created a connected environment that delivers communications solutions, visit: faster connections, richer customer engagement, and smarter, safer operations for the centre. This is the www.exchangecommunications.co.uk. future of retail connectivity, and we’re proud to be at the forefront.

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Things I’d like to achieve: the kinder goals that get done

January arrives with its usual sales pitch: reinvent yourself. A new body. A new bank balance. A new personality. It sounds hopeful, until you notice the language it travels in. Must. Should. Have to. The month begins as a pep talk and quickly turns into a private prosecution, with you in the dock and your habits as evidence of moral failure.

This is why so many New Year resolutions collapse. Not because people are weak, but because the framing is harsh, brittle, and oddly unrealistic. It turns change into a threat and then acts surprised when the brain responds like a threatened animal. We argue with it. We avoid it. We sabotage it. We quit, and then we interpret the quitting as proof that we were never going to change anyway.

So let us keep the ambition and replace the frame. The simplest upgrade is linguistic.

Instead of writing resolutions, write a list titled: Things I’d like to achieve in 2026.

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It looks softer. In practice, it is more serious, because it is designed for real humans rather than imaginary saints.

The first reason it works is that words do not only describe experience, they shape it. In medicine, clinicians have long known that negative suggestion can worsen symptoms and outcomes. The body often lives up to the forecast. You do not need to be in a hospital to recognise the pattern. When you speak to yourself in the language of threat, your nervous system hears it. Must and should tighten the chest. They narrow attention.

They make the smallest slip feel like a verdict.

Things I’d like to achieve is different. It keeps you in the driver’s seat. It turns goals from demands into choices. That matters because motivation is not simply a matter of wanting something. It is also a matter of whether you feel coerced or self directed. If a goal feels

imposed by shame, it is harder to sustain. If it feels chosen and connected to what you value, it becomes easier to return to, even when the week is messy.

Then there is the second trap hidden in many resolutions. They are written as prohibitions. Stop scrolling. Stop snacking.

Stop spending. Stop being anxious. These are all understandable wishes, but they keep you staring at what you are trying not to do.

They turn life into policing. The moment you break the rule, the goal feels broken.

A more effective way to write goals is as movement towards something, rather than war against something. In plain English, approach beats avoidance. Instead of stop scrolling, you might write: read for ten minutes before bed. Instead of stop eating rubbish, you might write: cook one meal that helps my energy three times a week. Instead of stop being anxious, you might write: practise one calming routine and ask for help earlier. The same intention, but a clearer path.

Once you have the direction, the next step is to make the goal concrete enough to do.

Vague aims evaporate because they never have to face the calendar. But there is a catch. Many people make goals specific in the wrong way. They make them specific and punishing, as if severity is the price of seriousness. They set targets that only work in a fantasy week where no one gets ill, work never runs late, and you wake up glowing with discipline.

A goal that collapses under ordinary life is not evidence you are failing. It is evidence the goal was poorly built. Specific does not mean harsh. It means actionable. Walk for ten minutes after lunch three days a week is more powerful than more exercise because you can actually do it. Write two paragraphs four days a week is more powerful when

writing a book because it creates momentum.

What makes goals stick, in practice, is often not desire but planning. Most people do not fail because they do not care. They fail because they leave the hardest decision to the hardest moment, the moment they are tired, hungry, stressed, lonely, or bored.

A simple fix is to pre decide what you will do when a cue appears. If it is Tuesday at 7pm, I walk for ten minutes. If I finish dinner, I wash up immediately. If I feel the urge to scroll, I set a timer and stop when it ends.

This removes negotiation. It turns intention into a script.

And because life is not tidy, every plan needs a rescue clause. If I miss a day, I restart tomorrow with the smallest version. Not because you are indulging yourself, but because you are designing for reality. A plan that cannot be restarted is not a plan. It is a trap.

There is also a quieter truth that January culture avoids, because it does not sell quick fixes. Behaviour is not only willpower. It is environment. Much of what we do is shaped by what is easiest to do where we are. If you want to walk, shoes by the door beat lectures. If you want to read, a book placed where your phone normally sits will do more than guilt. If you want to snack less, it helps to make the helpful food visible and the less helpful food less convenient. This is not trickery. It is taking human nature seriously.

The single most important part of any January plan, however, is the restart. The most common failure is not the slip. It is the story told about the slip. One missed session becomes: I have blown it. One stressful week becomes: I cannot change. That narrative is corrosive. It turns a stumble into an identity.

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A kinder approach is not about letting yourself off the hook. It is about staying on the road. When you wobble, shrink the goal, do the smallest version, and return. When you miss a week, restart with the easiest step. When shame shows up, talk to yourself as if you are someone you are responsible for, not someone you are punishing. This is not softness. It is functional responsibility.

There is a final piece that makes the whole thing lighter to carry. Fresh starts are not limited to 1 January. If you miss the first week, you have not ruined the year. The calendar gives you landmarks constantly, Mondays, month beginnings, birthdays, the day after you recover from illness, the morning after a difficult week. Treat them as legitimate reset points. A year that only allows one restart is a year built to fail.

And if you want the list to feel less like a self improvement regime and more like a life, include at least one aim that is outward.

Make one goal about connection or contribution. A proper conversation each week. Joining something local and going even when you feel awkward. One small act of service each month. Not for applause, but because it anchors meaning and belonging, and belonging is a more powerful fuel than self criticism.

So yes, write things you would like to achieve. But write them as movement towards what matters, in language your nervous system can live with. Make them specific enough to do, small enough to repeat, planned enough to survive tiredness, and kind enough to restart. Let 2026 be the year you stop treating growth as a trial and start treating it as a craft.

I wish you all, all that you want to achieve in 2026...and MORE!

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By Gareth Strangemore-Jones (Alchemy Life Therapy & The Brain Gym) MHFA, DCST, PDPCP, HPD, DSFH, DMH, AHD, MNCPS (Reg.), MNCH (Reg.), MAfSFH (Reg.), MCNHC (Reg.), NCTJ, MSC-CPA, PGCE I & II Mental Health First Aider | Pluralistic Counsellor | Clinical Psychotherapist | Consultant Medical Hypnotherapist | Mindfulness Teacher | PGCE-Trained Teacher | Lecturer | Corporate Trainer | Workplace Wellbeing Consultant | PR & Marketing Consultant | Psychology & Behaviour Advisor | Author | Journalist | Broadcaster

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cardiff-times.co.uk 29

Start 2026 as a good sport!

by Natalie McCulloch Famous sports commentator Bob Costas is quoted as saying “The best thing about sport is the sense of community and shared emotion it can create.”

Further to this, the ‘ukactive’ National Summit 2017 proposed that physical activity is a golden thread capable of solving many of our major national challenges from an ageing population to disconnected communities; a social solution that has the power to bring people together regardless of background, age, gender, ethnicity or religion.

Some people engage in sports by joining teams or taking part in classes, while others prefer participating in quizzes or having discussions with their peers. For some, isolation, mobility challenges, mental health issues, or lifestyle changes make participation difficult - that’s why SPORTING MEMORIES CLUB began in 2011.

Thanks to its founding members, Chris Wilkins and Tony Jameson-Allen, SPORTING MEMORIES now supports thousands of members across the UK, either online or in person, via over 100 clubs.

So, what is SPORTING MEMORIES all about?

As the name suggests, these charity clubs were established with the intention of giving older people a structured forum to connect, reminiscence and share a passion for sport with the initial idea of supporting people with challenges or long-term health conditions such as dementia, depression or isolation. For 14 years, these clubs have connected people from diverse backgrounds through a common passion for sport.

Rob Baker, Project Coordinator for Wales, told Cardiff Times “The great thing about our Clubs is that they offer a diverse range of activities depending on the membership and what they like to do during their time with Sporting Memories.” Rob is proud to be part of sporting memories clubs whose benefits are plentiful to participants including the social side whereby members are like a big happy family, with friendships that blossom outside of the sessions because of people meeting through sporting memories.

Weekly club sessions usually include a chat about what members have been up to throughout the week, followed by discussions about sports they’ve watched in person or followed on the telly. Later there is a spot the ball competition using an old sports image, a quiz testing the members sporting knowledge, then light physical activity which could either be boccia, indoor curling, darts or

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softball cricket. There really is something for everyone!

Who can get involved?

Even though it was predominantly set up for people aged 50+, Sporting Memories clubs are open to anyone in the community looking for a place to chat about sports and to be part of an activity in the local area. So, whatever your age or background, Sporting Memories would love to hear from you!

Alongside participating in a group as a member, the charity also welcomes volunteers who are willing to give up their time to support the running of the club. They are always looking for volunteers to support sessions whether this be to support an existing club or set up one in their local community. If you have an interest in sports and could spare a few hours why not get in touch?

If you’re unsure if volunteering is for you, do not fret, you are not alone. SPORTING MEMORIES acknowledge that volunteering can seem daunting and are always happy to chat to people who are unsure if it is for them or not with no commitment or judgement attached. Their supportive team will help you every step of the journey through offering free, online training, ongoing support online via Rob Baker and monthly online volunteer

meetings. If you feel you may have something sporty to give back to the community whether this be in a community hall, care home or sports centre, please contact SPORTING MEMORIES today.

So, what does 2026 hold for SPORTING MEMORIES? SPORTING MEMORIES would love to establish a club in each local authority in Wales. This can only be achieved through securing funding, so they welcome new opportunities and ideas and the ability to work in partnership with organisations to achieve this goal.

As a charity, they require funding to keep going, whether this is cost of renting out rooms for sessions, or providing refreshments for members and volunteers, so any donations or fundraising efforts will also be greatly received. If you have any interest in supporting them, please do get in touch.

Most importantly they want to reach out to more members and share the multitude of benefits these clubs evoke.

Don’t take it from me, here are what some of the Sporting Memories Penarth and Rumney Hub Club members have to say: Dave – Member at our Penarth Club – “I came along to a session a few years ago, I wasn’t feeling too good about anything and heard about the club from a friend... since then the highlight of my week is coming along to this session every Wednesday. The group members and volunteers are brilliant, and we have such good banter and laughs. We’ve been lucky enough to visit sporting arenas and attend live matches including football, rugby, cricket and ice hockey.”

backgrounds an opportunity to socialise and be with others. We have so many laughs and the quizzes are a great source of entertainment.”

Shirley – Member at our Rumney Hub Club in Cardiff – “The group in Cardiff has had such a positive impact on my wellbeing, I have been coming along for about 18 months and love the group, although I don’t know too much about sport it’s the laughs and friendly atmosphere that I enjoy - we look out and support each other, the games we play are great and enjoyed by all.”

Steve – Member at our Rumney Hub Club – “I have been coming along since the group started a few years ago, I haven’t missed many sessions as I enjoy them so much. I love Sport and this group has allowed me many opportunities to attend sporting events as well making friends for life.”

Paul – Volunteer at our Penarth Club – “The sessions are brilliant fun, it brings people together for a few hours each week for sporting chat. The members at the club are diverse and have so many stories to tell, we also have guest speakers that provide excellent presentations and chats about their careers and lives.”

If you would like to get involved, or know more about SPORTING MEMORIES, please do not hesitate to get in touch via www.sportingmemories.uk or by contacting Rob Baker, Project Coordinator for Wales rob.baker@ sportingmemories.uk or on 07515 916 305.

One of their main aims is to help isolated and lonely individuals find a place where they can belong and feel part of a community again, and we hope through our sessions we achieve this for older people across Cardiff and Wales. Afterall, teamwork makes the dream work!

Derek – Member at our Penarth Club – “Sporting Memories (sessions) are the highlight of my week; they are so welcoming and provide people from all

cardiff-times.co.uk 31

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