Join us and other carers for a safe and confidential café where you can share experiences and information over a free coffee and cake. Our friendly team will also be on hand to give helpful advice and support.
Llys Herbert care home, Lisvane
Goldies Cymru sing-a-long
Last Wednesday of each month, 10.30am -11.30am
Join us for a sing-along with Sue Thomas & the Goldies to sing a variety of songs you know and love in a fun and friendly environment, to bring joy and laughter and get to meet new people. Everyone is welcome.
Natasha Leigh Bray, a Welsh entrepreneur from Bridgend, is now recognised internationally as a transformation coach and the creator of HeartHealing®, a therapeutic approach. Unlike many coaching or therapeutic models, HeartHealing® works with the subconscious mind, uncovering hidden imprints and relational wounds formed in childhood. Its impact has been so profound that Natasha now trains doctors, psychologists, psychotherapists, and professionals worldwide in her methodology through her training school, the School of Healing Mastery. But her journey began in South Wales, where she once faced what is often described as “hidden homelessness”.
In her late teens and early twenties, Bray spent time sofa surfing with friends and staying with extended family. These challenging experiences inspired her to pursue a career in homelessness services across Cardiff, where she helped develop initiatives to support some of the city’s most vulnerable people. It was during this time that she came to a realisation that has shaped her work and life ever since: “Unless the root causes of trauma are addressed, people can remain trapped in repeating cycles,” she says.
Her commitment to tackling those deeper issues continued when she trained as a social worker at Cardiff University. During her placement in the Vale of Glamorgan, she began referring women to local domestic abuse services, the very organisation she would later return to, more than a decade on, to support in a very different way.
Today, at 38, Bray is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur whose work has reached people in more than 100 countries. Earlier this year, she brought together practitioners from around the globe to contribute to "When Hearts Heal," a collaborative book that quickly became a bestseller. “It’s more than a book, it’s a movement,” Natasha explains, describing it as part of her mission to improve mental wellbeing and help people move beyond personal limitations to receive and achieve more success in their lives.
Yet despite her international success, Bray’s ties to South Wales remain strong. Earlier this year, she donated £5,000 from her business profits to Vale Domestic Abuse Services, doubling the charity’s fundraising target and funding two new projects: one designed to help women recognise the signs of abuse, and another to strengthen mother–child relationships after abuse.
For Natasha, who is herself a survivor, supporting the charity was deeply moving. “I’m both the survivor and the sponsor. To walk into that centre, see my business logo on the wall, and hear how my donation was changing lives, it was one of the proudest moments of my career.” She has pledged to continue supporting the lifesaving aftercare services provided by the charity moving forward.
Reflecting on her journey from sofa surfing to international recognition, Natasha Bray’s story is proof that where you start does not define where you can go. Her mission, she says, is simple: to heal hearts, break cycles, and inspire hope in Wales and far beyond.
‘When Hearts Heal’ is available to purchase on Amazon and you can find out more about Natasha’s services for entrepreneurs at www.natashabray.com and more about HeartHealing at www.schoolofhealingmastery.com
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“Gnashing of teeth.”
by Wyn Evans
Writing this particular column is like travelling back to one of the happiest times of my life. August 23rd 1989 was the day I got married for the second time. I first married a year after leaving university and, hindsight being a fine thing, I can today say with some certainty that my first wife and I both married the wrong person, at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons. We stuck it out until our mid-twenties by which time we recognised that there was no shame in separating. No children or third parties were involved and we decided that the least traumatic form of separation would be to divorce by mutual consent after two years apart.
During this two year period I met an intelligent, vibrant, beautiful woman and after a fifteen-month courtship we agreed to get married – AKA The Boss.
We agreed to plight our troths one Saturday and got hitched the week Wednesday following. We were both marrying for the second time and had both had big ‘white weddings’ the first time round the block. So we did the deed, as it were, in the Cardiff Registry Office, which was then on Park Place.
In fact, let me come to a sudden, screeching halt at this point…
In June this year my Cardiff Times column looked at some grammatical and lexicological faux pas that frustrate, annoy, or just plain drive me doolally. This morning, I read an article in the Times newspaper in which the journalist referred to a trope that caused him to gnash his teeth:
• “As a former registrar of births, deaths and marriages, once more I have taken to gnashing my teeth when coming across yet another glaring example of the place where marriages take place being wrongly and infuriatingly referred to as the registry office. Marriages, other than those which take place in a church or licensed building, are carried out in a register office.” The Times’s style guide supplies some context:
• “References to the “registry office” for marriages go back to 1836, and the dictionary notes that the latter form “dominates in informal and non-official use”. Far be it from me to get all formal and official, but our style guide is clear: register office is correct.”
The only problem with starting down these lexical paths is that they are moreish. No sooner have you looked at one grammatical horror story then you are tempted down another and another until half the morning has disappeared delving between the pages of Fowler’s English Usage or Strunk and White’s Elements of Style. By now, in most of these columns, I would be sharing some news of my nineteen year old daughter, The Girl. But she doesn’t return to College until 9th September which means anecdotes involving her are still on their summer breaks. I’ll share one with you though. She’s always been wary of hot and spicy food. So, when The Boss this week prepared a nice little curry for supper we were pleasantly surprised when The Girl got two-thirds of the way through it without complaint. But eventually she did volunteer that “I can’t feel my mouth”! Progress of sorts, nonetheless.
‘Me’ or ‘I’.
It is a bug-bear of mine that writers so often use ‘me’ and ‘I’ incorrectly. For example, one correspondent to the Times asserted: “Times readers are doubtless better informed than me”… “Surely the word ‘me’ should be ‘I’… If he thought that ‘better informed than I’ sounded odd, he could have written ‘better informed than I am’.”
Speaking personally (I know, guilty. I’m ‘writing’ not ‘speaking’ and the use of ‘personally’ is either or both tautologous or redundant) But, what the heck, speaking personally I would solve, or simply avoid this issue by writing “… than I am”, which is fully grammatical.
But, here is Oliver Kamm, himself:
“The short answer to the grammatical conundrum you raise is that ‘than’ belongs to more than one lexical category. It is both a subordinator” — I warned you about the subordinators — “and a preposition. In the first sentence of my column, which you quote, ‘than me’ is a preposition phrase in which the pronoun functions as an object and hence requires the accusative case. It would be fully grammatical to write ‘than I am’, as you suggest, where ‘than’ is a subordinator with a clausal complement, but it’s not mandatory and is more formal in register than I was seeking.”
This just goes to show that the more you know the more you know you don’t know.
Beg to differ
Another usage that frustrates me is ‘begging the question’ and its derivatives. “With reference to the lady sex athlete from Derbyshire. ‘The purported world record … begs many questions.’”
Here is Kamm again.
“More and more, ‘begs’ seems to be used when ‘raises’ or ‘prompts’ would be more correct. The trouble is less what I regard as its misuse but more that it’s in danger of getting rid of a useful phrase. ‘Beg the question’ means to make an unwarranted assumption. ‘Why is Feedback [a Times column] so readable?’ That’s raising a question. ‘Feedback being so readable, I look forward to its appearance every Saturday.’ That’s begging the question of your readability.”
Next month: less grammar, more of The Girl!
‘And Another Thing...’ Three Birds and Two Horses by
Vince Nolan
Herewith a Toucan, Puffin, Pelican, Zebra and Pegasus. Hence the above title. Let me explain. I recently learned that these are all types of UK pedestrian crossings. Who knew? The comedy kings must have been given a large fee to come up with these names. A Toucan allows both pedestrians and cyclists to cross simultaneously and hence, Two Can. Remind me to laugh. The Puffin stands for Pedestrian User-Friendly Intelligent (if you cannot spell). The old Pelican is Pedestrian Light Controlled, obviously. The Zebra is because of its colour of course but could equally have been called the Magpie or the Orca. Finally, we have the Pegasus which has the push button control at great height for horse riders, would you believe. Why it is called after a mythical Greek winged beast is not clear. However, what all these crossings have in common are the idiots who drive through red lights on them, every day, at speed. Red is not optional!
I was trying to cross a busy road when a passer-by said to me: “There’s a Pelican crossing up the road mate.” I replied: “I hope he’s having better luck than me.” So I was waiting at that Pelican crossing, when a tourist lady asked me: “What’s that beep, beep sound?” I said: “It’s so blind people know when to go.”
“Oh right.” she replied. “Where I’m from, we don’t let them drive.”
Last month I wrote about the “escaping” bears and their Devon zoo when they carried out a raid on the honey store. This month it’s all about a tortoise with similar designs on freedom. A guy approached The Leader of the Opposition and I in the road outside Chateau Nolan and said: “Have you lost a Tortoise?” An innocent enough question we thought but also a possible conversation starter from someone with no friends. Our reply was polite but negative as you will have expected and he was on his way. We read later that day on the local Spy On Your Neighbour website that said Tesudinidae had been reunited with its owner having travelled some 200 metres in a week in its daring getaway attempt. Who knew that the collective noun for tortoises was a creep? All right, you knew.
In related matters, a naked man was walking down the street with a woman on his back. A bloke on the other side of the road asked: “Where are you going?” The naked man said: “To a fancy dress party mate.” “As what?” asked the bemused gentleman. “A tortoise”, said the naked man. “Well, who is the woman on your back?” said the intrigued gentleman. “Oh, that’s Michelle” he said.
appointment with the nurse. Without looking up
He phoned his wife who told him he should look around and spotted a shellfish on the welcome
Finally, just remember that everyone is entitled
Her: “It’s calm before the storm.” Me: “Is it?”
Medi 13-14 September 2025
In The Words Of by Carl
Marsh
September 2025
And just like that, August’s flown by! Time always does when you’re in holiday mode, but when you’re faced with daily work, it crawls continuously! Regardless, I hope you managed to get away.
I mentioned last month that I was off to France with my dog Dora, embarking on a 2,000mile campervan adventure. A heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 41°C, forced me to drive northwest. Still, it was a fantastic journey, even though uncomfortable for many a night trying to sleep with rubbish air conditioning!
Interviews: Milo Edwards, and… Whoopi Goldberg!
As hinted last month, that audacious - and somewhat pie-in-the-sky - request to interview Whoopi Goldberg came to fruition! Among the many UK journalists vying for an interview through the PR firm, I alone secured the opportunity. And yes, I nearly choked on my tea upon hearing the news! Dear Cardiff Times readers, my UK exclusive awaits on the next page.
My second conversation features Milo Edwards, a seasoned comedian and near-permanent presence at the Edinburgh Fringe. His show, definitely not for children, unfolds at a fresh Cardiff venue for me: Motel Nights on Papermill Road.
Cinema [Experience] Review: Odeon IMAX with Laser, Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff
I was privileged to visit South Wales’ sole IMAX screen at the Red Dragon Centre to see Fantastic Four. This venue now boasts the pinnacle of cinematic innovation thanks to a landmark investment: IMAX with Laser.
My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed the immersive experience. The film’s explosive sequences—blasts and booms—were felt, heard, and wholeheartedly embraced, amplified by a giant screen that redefined grandeur. Any film would appreciate this IMAX with Laser treatment, although I’m eager to return and
test that theory. And after our night out, I hope that’s sooner rather than later!
Live Music Review: Tom Jones –Cardiff Castle, August 21st/22nd, 2025
Not just one night, but due to demand, a second night was put on at Cardiff Castle for the musical God, Tom Jones, who commanded the stage for nearly two hours on both nights. This Welsh icon possesses an unparalleled mastery over his audience… His performance was nothing short of genius.
The crowd showed appreciation when, after singing ‘Delilah’, he addressed the controversial ban from Welsh rugby internationals by the WRU. Tom asked the audience, “Who’s this man saying we can’t sing Delilah? They claim it’s about a man killing his wife with a knife. Well, it is, but it’s not meant to be taken literally.” His words sparked laughter, boos and cheers [all aimed at the song’s naysayers, not Tom himself], reaffirming the song’s cultural resonance. Tom took us through a six-decade journey, from his debut hit to his latest, weaving a set list of timeless melodies that have cemented his legacy as a living legend. One can only hope he’s still doing gigs like this for many more years.
Live Music Review: Will Smith –Cardiff Castle, August 25th 2025
Few of Hollywood’s talent can boast a musical career that is closely equal to their screen achievements, but Will Smith bridges into both worlds. On the August Bank Holiday Monday, he delivered an energetic performance of his hits that electrified the crowd.
At times, especially for me and my daughter, the show veered into somewhat eccentric “Hollyweird” territory, a testament (I guess) to his larger-than-life charisma. Though his set spanned only 75 minutes, every moment pulsated with energy, leaving the audience wanting more. Even though I wanted a longer performance, the experience was undeniably worth it and one I will not forget for a very long time.
Many thanks for reading. While I can’t guarantee UK exclusives with Hollywood icons every month, I’ll aim to deliver what I can!
Carl Marsh
YouTube InTheWordsOf
Twitter @InTheWordsOf_CM
Interview with Milo Edwards
Fresh from a summer at the Edinburgh Fringe, Milo Edwards is hitting the road with his latest nationwide tour. This British comedian’s latest show, ‘How Revolting! Sorry to Offend’, promises exactly what you’d expect with a tour title like that! It’s playing at a new Cardiff venue for me, Motel Nights on Papermill Road, and I can’t wait to see it!
Carl Marsh
I’ve seen a lot of your previous work, so I know what to expect, but how far have you pushed the boundaries for this latest tour?
Milo Edwards
What distance wise? [Laughter] This year’s show is about the British class system. I think I’ve managed to find the most, the most anus clenching, the uncomfortable thing for British people, which is talking about the class system from a middle-class perspective. I think we’re pretty happy with working-class people talking about it. We’re quite happy with posh people talking about it, but I think this is the most truly maligned group in society. But basically, I’m talking about how the British class system is all about signifiers, like how you speak or what university you went to, and it’s not really based on any kind of reality. And then it’s woven through a story about a breakup and other stuff. And like, yeah, I think it’s a really good show. I’ve been having a lot of fun. It went down well in Australia, bizarrely, given that they don’t have a class system in the same way. And, now I’m doing it in the UK.
Carl Marsh
Have you tweaked the material much since returning from Edinburgh and your time in Australia?
Milo Edwards
This is last year’s Edinburgh show, and it’s now done
two full festival runs, as in Australia and in Edinburgh, and it’s also had a decent-sized tour in Australia. So I think that it’s more or less there… I will adjust it a bit, because it’s always the way when you… I mean, the last time I performed was in April. So, it’s always the way, I think, when you’ve done something and left it for a bit, you always update a few things. I find it usually makes the show a bit better when you come back to it a little bit with fresh eyes, and you’re like: “It doesn’t need that”, or “It does need this”, or whatever.
Carl Marsh
Ahhhh… So I can only assume that, as it’s last year, and if you’ve any political content there, you’ve been wise to change it… Also, have you been checking out any other acts’ material in Edinburgh to see their current vibes with how the UK’s been run over the last 12 months or so?
Milo Edwards
Yeah, absolutely. Watching other comedians is a good way to get inspired. I mean, even if it’s stuff that you don’t like, I think sometimes that’s also quite instructive. You’re like, “Why don’t I like that?” And, yeah, it’s a constant process of improvement. When I wrote this show, we initially had a Tory government. And I still can’t believe that things would actually be worse just a year down the line. [Laughter]
Carl Marsh
You can’t make this s**t up. I mean, well… I expected it, but I don’t really do politics anymore. I’ve gone off it all now, they’re just all as bad as each other.
Milo Edwards
How very wise.
Milo Edwards: How Revolting! Sorry to Offend Motel Nights, Papermill Business Park, Paper Mill Rd, Cardiff, CF11 8DH - Sunday 28th September, 2025
by Carl Marsh
As a towering figure in the entertainment industry, Whoopi Goldberg’s name resonates with I’d say, all of us. Here’s my exclusive UK interview for you, the readers of Cardiff Times.
Carl Marsh
Have you ever had the opportunity to perform in Wales before, and if so, what was that experience like for you?
Whoopi Goldberg
The truth of the matter is: it’s possible, but I don’t remember everywhere I’ve performed in the UK, cause there have been several different places, but they’ve not all been together… so it’s been a little while! But I’m looking forward to it because I think I have some fun stuff to talk about… mostly about myself, my foolishness, and my crazy little weird life. So, I’m looking forward to it, and maybe I’ll have a new adventure in Wales!
Carl Marsh
Your candid and unfiltered style on The View is legendary, and I’ve heard your tour will be packed with captivating stories. How did you select the tales you’ll share, and what guided your choices for which moments to highlight?
Whoopi Goldberg
Let me be very clear, I’m not bringing any stories from the View. That’s a whole other… that’s a different world from what I’m doing right now. I’m coming, and I’m talking about myself and the stuff that’s got me going nuts. You know, ageing, all those great things! That’s what I’m into. That’s what I’ll be talking about. And, errr.. hopefully people will be able to relate to some of this stuff because it doesn’t really matter where you are. When you’re growing up, it’s tough, man! It’s hard to be a grown-up; that’s what we’re all facing, and that’s what I’m talking about.
I’m also looking forward to just sitting on stage with Jennifer Saunders. Who, to me, is just one of the all-time great funny women. And just talking to her, I haven’t talked to her for forever, so I’m excited about it. I’m very, very excited about it.
Carl Marsh
What is the most audacious or unconventional question you’ve ever been asked?
Whoopi Goldberg
I’m not sure... You know, I’ve been around a long time, and people have asked me any number of insane questions, and I’ve probably given equally insane answers. But I don’t really remember them. It’s like when people come up and say lines to me from my movies; oftentimes, I have no idea what they’re talking about. This is what happens when you get old!
Carl Marsh
Of all the prestigious accolades you’ve earned—an Oscar, Emmy, Tony, Grammy, or another honour—which holds the deepest personal significance for you?
Whoopi Goldberg
Any time I can work, it means a lot to me. If somebody gives me an award for it, for ten seconds I’m sceptical, but then I figure this is what they wanna do and I’m open to it. Because rewards are great, but you know, they’re subject to other people’s opinions. So, I try to stick to my own opinions, and all the awards are hidden on the third floor of my house. It’s like a treasure… You have to go for a … what do you call it… a treasure hunt! But they’re all there.
Carl Marsh
Which of your performances have you found to be the most fulfilling, which posed the most significant challenge, and what made these experiences stand out in your journey?
Whoopi Goldberg
I think the most challenging was in a film called ‘For Coloured Girls’. And the most rewarding was ‘The Lion King’, ‘cause I got to hang out with my… little kid, little granddaughter. She must’ve been maybe six or seven or something. And we’re sitting there, and James Earl Jones is sitting next to us, and I introduce her, and I say: “Hey! This is Simba’s dad. He’s playing Simba’s dad”, and he says, “Hello Amara”, in this very James Earl Jones voice, and she freaks out! And I say to her, “What’s the matter?” and she whispers back, “…Darth Vader!”. You know? That’s the kind of stuff that’s rewarding to me. I appreciated the fact that he freaked her out a little bit. Not because (laughs) he was Simba’s dad, but because he was Darth Vader. Gotta love it!
Whoopi Goldberg: Live - Utilita Arena, Cardiff, Friday, 5th September.
Image credit: Timothy White
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Study pressure, system failure: it’s time to rethink mental health in education.
Every stage of education, from nursery to university, brings unique mental health challenges for pupils, students, parents and teachers.
*Anxiety, overwhelm and emotional strain are often systemically generated by academic pressures and insufficient support.
*Teachers and parents face their own mental health burdens, often neglected in mainstream educational policy.
*Mental health must become a foundational priority in education, not a reactive afterthought.
The streets of Cardiff change every September
Schoolbags weigh heavier, the school run stress kicks in, young hearts beat faster and classrooms already start to hum with the tense excitement of a fresh school year.
But as parents snap first-day photos and headteachers deliver pep talks, what frequently gets overlooked is the mental health of the pupils, students, teachers and parents nervously bracing themselves for what can sometimes feel like an emotional marathon without its finish line anywhere in sight.
This article is a tour of the education system from nursery to college, pausing at the psychological exits and challenges each phase of education offers. Education is frequently portrayed as the golden ticket to opportunity.
But all too often, it can become a pressure cooker of unmet needs, impossible expectations and structural stress, with mental health as the collateral damage. It’s time we had a new conversation altogether.
Nursery: attachment, separation and anxiety
The emotional terrain starts changing from the moment a child joins nursery.
For many of them, it may be the first time they’ve been away from their caregivers for any meaningful length of time. This lifelong split however, is also developmentally significant, and can cause acute separation anxiety.
It was estimated that one in eight children under five are already experiencing symptoms of emotional disorder, according to national health guidelines. A crying child at the gate is not acting out; the child is voicing a primal fear of abandonment.
How we react in those moments shapes their emotional template for years to come.
Lower
primary: the ascent of anxiety and social moulding
Reception to Year 2 tend to be carefree and playful, but far beneath the colourful displays and storytime gatherings young minds have begun to pick up social cues, about what it means to be successful or to fail, to be popular or to belong.
Top child mental health experts like Professor Tamsin Ford say mental health problems only fully emerge at around seven and not before. A child’s sense of self can become tied to their reading level or handwriting. The seeds of doubt are planted early, and they often grow quietly.
Upper primary: Getting ‘big school’ ready
Years 3-6 are a time when academic pressure ramps up. SATs approach, peer groups make their first cliquey leanings and body consciousness starts to seep in: transition angst to secondary starts well before Year 6.
A recent national survey showed that almost one in five children, by the time they are 10 years old, feel anxious “all or most of the time.”
For others, their worry is compounded by seeing adult anxieties, like financial strain or insecurity at home. Childhood does not happen in a bubble.
Ready for big school: an emotional leap
The transition from primary to secondary is frequently seen as a rite of passage. But it can be a seismic psychological shock. A new uniform, school, group of friends and way of life signifies a complete identity transplant. In Wales, public health experts have noticed spikes in levels of anxiety, school refusal and behaviour changing during this time of transition.
The system isn’t able to contain the emotional nuance of it in the same way. It simply demands adaptation.
Grades 7 and 8: friendship, hormones and where to fit in
From Years 7 to 9 it is a hormonal storm. Brain plasticity, emotional regulation and identity formation all intersect. Friendship groups are fickle and the struggle to ‘fit in’ all-consuming. Social media has only made comparison culture and online cruelty worse. Campaign group YoungMinds has noted, one in four secondary pupils say that they have felt
symptoms of depression. But when we do talk about this, we often get stuck in punitive frames, concentrating on discipline rather than empathy.
High School, Exams, and Existential Dread.
GCSE and A-level years are sold to us as the makeor-break time for future opportunities. But more often they set off a full-blown existential crisis.
What if I fail? What if I’m not intelligent enough? What if this ruins my life? Sure, these thoughts don’t result from poor mental health, but are rational responses to a brutal system.
An analysis by the Education Policy Institute found that exam stress was one of the leading causes of teenage mental distress. Fear is not the enemy here. It is a system feedback loop.
Moving to college: Choice, identity, and confusion
In college, the conversation shifts from obedience to independence. But it’s still not a stress-free experience. With new settings, new expectations and new social norms to navigate, many young people feel overwhelmed. A freedom that has no scaffolding can disorient.
In one study, published in the British Journal of Educational Psychology, more than 40 percent of university first-years reported feeling ill-equipped to deal with the emotional dimensions of post-school study.
College: freedom, remoteness and the pressure to succeed
The university experience is sold as a ritual of liberation. But the scene is another when you open the glossy prospectuses.
Student Minds has said one in three students suffer from clinical anxiety or depression at university. Loneliness, academic overload, imposter syndrome and financial stress all play a role. The myth of the ‘best years of your life’ can make it even more difficult to speak out.
Grown-up or mature students: balancing act and reinvention
Going back to school after a long break is a brave path, but it’s not without its stress. Older students, like so many other people can be flexible enough to
balance work and family lives with academic demands, but second-guess their own belonging within a system not built for them. Mature students are much more likely than younger students to have high levels of stress,’ says research by the Open University. Their suffering is rarely at the fore of policy debates.
Teachers: cracked professionals on the edge
Teachers, teaching assistants and headteachers are more than merely implementers of a curriculum. They are frontline emotional workers. Yet they are also more burned out, underpaid and blamed. More than 60% of teachers have considered leaving the teaching profession because of stress, NASUWT teachers’ union survey finds. The profession is leaking talent because the system does not value wellbeing.
Parents and carers: the invisible carriers of anxiety
And then there are the parents and carers. Seldom mentioned in education stories, they bear the invisible weight of their child’s mental load. Preparing uniforms, going through homework, soaking up tantrums and meltdowns before and after school, while juggling their own professional and personal pressures.
Emerging research from the Harvard Centre on the Developing Child tells us that the level of stress experienced by parents has a direct effect on children. When schools refuse to give parents a break, children also lose out.
The dirty little secret: the system causes the crisis
Let us be clear. This isn’t just about personal grit. The system itself generates distress. Overemphasis on grades, behaviour, and productivity undermines joy, curiosity and emotional safety. The paradox is that in our quest to ready young people for life, we are causing them to burn out.
Education isn’t a sort of luxury that mental health is built in addition to. It is the indispensable basis for all real mental activity. We need trauma-informed classrooms, mental health as part of our curriculum and a culture that prioritizes process over perfection.
We need policies that service people, not performance tables
A child’s success at school shouldn’t depend on whether or not their parents can fork out for a counsellor and whether or not a teacher has time to notice your child’s withdrawal and whether or not they can hide their anxiety well enough to tick the attendance box.
Back to school doesn’t have to mean back to stress. But we have to stop pretending that the emotional cost of educating children is just an unavoidable evil. It is a design flaw. And it is fixable.
by Gareth Strangemore-Jones
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CARL GIZZI
Part one by Ralph Oates
Carl Gizzi was born in Rhyl on the 14 May 1944. He made his venture into the boxing paid ranks on the 30 June 1964. His opponent coming from the opposite corner was Billy Wynter, with a resume of 4 bouts comprising of 2 victories and 2 defeats. The contest which took place at the National Sporting Club in Covent Garden, London saw the Welshman win in round 3 of a bout set for 6. While it was Gizzi’s first bout it was noticeable that he was talented and would be a good addition to the domestic heavyweight division. During the rest of the year, he took part in a further 7 contests all seeing him finish with a win on his record.
Gizzi began his account on 1 February 1965, facing Jim Monaghan at the National Sporting Club in London. This was the third time that they had fought each other. The Welshman beat Monaghan twice in September 1964: first by a 4-round disqualification, then by a
6-round points decision. Monaghan now had a resume of 10 bouts consisting of 4 victories, 4 defeats with 2 drawn. It wasn’t third time lucky for Monaghan when he lost a 6-round points decision to Gizzi. In his next contest on the 18 February 1965, Gizzi featured in his first bout to be scheduled for 8-rounds. Len Rocky James was the man to oppose Gizzi at Dumfries Place, Drill Hall in Cardiff. James had a record of 7 bouts consisting of 3 wins and 4 defeats. At the end of the contest Gizzi had his hand raised in victory scoring a solid points win. He was now undefeated in 10 contests. The 8 April 1965 saw Gizzi climb into the ring to box Jim Monaghan for the fourth time. Monaghan now had a record of 13 contests of which he had won 5, lost 6 with 2 drawn. The GizziMonaghan meeting took place at The Stadium, in Merseyside. Once again Monaghan was defeated by the Welshman who stopped him in round 7 of a bout scheduled for 8.
Carl Gizzi on the right landing a solid left jab. Image courtesy of Derek Rowe.
On the 28 June 1965, Gizzi faced Len Rocky James for the second time, the venue for their contest being the National Sporting Club in Piccadilly, London. At stake was the vacant Welsh heavyweight title. The bout ended in round 5 of a scheduled 10, where Gizzi stopped his opponent. The previous holder of this championship was Tommy Farr. Gizzi had a further 6 bouts before he was matched with Ray Patterson on the 19 April 1966, at the National Sporting Club in Piccadilly, London. This was without doubt the best opponent the Welshman had met to date. The man from the USA had mixed with some good fighters in his time putting together a resume of 19 fights, consisting of 14 wins, 4 defeats with 1 draw. Patterson was the younger brother of former two-time world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson. Although he didn’t match his brother Floyd, he was still a skilled boxer who posed a serious challenge. Prior to meeting Patterson, Gizzi was undefeated in 21 bouts. However when the 10-round contest concluded, Gizzi lost the undefeated tag when Patterson was given the points decision. Any loss for a boxer is hard to take especially when you have an unblemished resume. However this is all part of the sport you win, and you lose, many learn from their defeats and come back stronger. Gizzi was back out again on the 11 May 1966 and crossed gloves with Ron Redrup. With experience in 47 matches, including 21 wins, 21 losses, and 5 draws, he had a substantial background in the sport. The bout took place at the Wyvern Sporting Club, Midland Hotel, in Manchester. Gizzi was back on the winning trail when he scored an 8-round points decision.
Next up was a return with Ray Patterson on the 12 July 1966 at the Afan Lido Sports Centre, in Aberavon. After beating Gizzi, Patterson fought once more, defeating Johnny Prescott in round 5 of 10, at Wembley on 14 June 1966. Patterson now boasted a resume of 21 bouts, winning 16, losing 4 with 1 drawn. At the end of the hard fought 10-round contest, Gizzi gained his revenge with a points decision. This was a good result for the Welshman, and it now looked as if he would further advance his career. Gizzi encountered roadblocks that
resulted in setbacks not anticipated by him or his management. Renato de Moraes from Brazil was the next opponent to share the ring with Gizzi on the 8 September 1966, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Mayfair, London. He came with a record of 36 bouts, with 26 wins, 7 defeats, 2 draws and 1 no contest. At the end of the 8-round contest the visitor was declared the points victor, not the desired result for Gizzi.
On the 26 September 1966 Gizzi gloved once more and entered the ring to do battle with Jose Menno of Argentina, at the National Sporting Club, Piccadilly in London. Menno brought with him a record of 29 contests, with 18 wins, 9 defeats and 2 drawn. The man from Argentina was a decent boxer but it was felt that Gizzi would handle him and take a win, but it was Menno who boxed his way to a 10-round points decision. This wasn’t part of the plan. At that point the situation did not look too good for Gizzi. The Welshman made his return to the square ring on the 17 April 1967 at the Hilton Hotel, Mayfair, London. The man he was facing was Italian Giuseppe Ros who came to fight with a good record consisting of 17 bouts with just 1 defeat. It was evident that the Italian had not come to the UK to be a stepping stone for the Welshman, he was ambitious and had come to win. After 2 defeats on the bounce Gizzi could not afford to lose yet again. Any fears of another loss disappeared when at the end of the 10-round encounter Gizzi boxed well showing a fine repertoire of punches to take a 10-round points decision.
Rocky Campbell who was born in Antigua and Barbuda was next in line to face the fists of Gizzi on the 11 July 1967 at The Stadium, in Merseyside. Campbell had fought 14 times, winning 10 and losing 4. Campbell was not an easy touch, he would make every opponent work hard. Gizzi boxed well and won on points over 8-rounds.
The Welshman was back on track and was now looking forward with keen anticipation for the future which awaited him in the ring.
Part 2 next issue
Today is a good day to play…
You may be familiar with the saying “Like a child with a new toy.” This phrase describes someone experiencing excitement and joy like a child with a new toy.
Beyond entertainment, toys offer valuable occupation, stimulate learning, build essential life skills, and help children explore and express their emotions. As child psychologist Jean Piaget famously proposed “Play is the work of childhood!”
There are of course benefits to creative play, imaginative play and time exploring the joys of nature but, as with many things in life, it’s a balance and toys can be a helpful prop.
Sadly, toys come at a cost which can sometimes lead to less provisions for those in need – luckily help is at hand thanks to the charity ‘The Toybox Project.’
‘The ToyBox’ Project take in your unwanted used/ new toys (including dress up items, ride on scooters, board games and puzzles) via a network of drop of points and rehome them to those in need across South Wales.
Since January 2025, 1,300 collections from the Caerphilly warehouse have supported schools, families, and the local community.
James Morgan, a GP practice manager in Caerphilly, launched this initiative five years ago with three main goals:
1.Gift toys to those in need.
2.Keep toys out of landfill.
3.Provide an affordable toy shop experience.
From providing a box of toys to help occupy a child in a DR’s waiting room, to offering activities for community groups, schools or play groups or helping individuals in need, TOYBOX has it covered. They currently cover a wide geographical area including Cardiff, Newport, Hengoed through to Swansea.
James Morgan the founder of “The ToyBox” Project told CT:-
“The ToyBox Project started with a simple idea: no child should go without the joy of play. Every toy we pass on is a small act of kindness that brings
by Natalie McCulloch
happiness, comfort and connection to a child who might need it most. It’s not just about recycling toys— it’s about restoring childhood.”
And the results speak for themselves:
“We’ve seen first-hand the difference a donated toy can make. It might seem small, but to a family under pressure, it’s one less worry and one more reason to smile. Communities supporting each other is at the heart of everything we do.” James relayed.
As with any service, it’s the service users feedback that really reinforces this…
One happy customer described the service:
“Absolutely amazing selection. Completely overwhelming that so many children will be able to use the toys I have collected. I will definitely be back again soon.”
Another stated:
“Absolutely fantastic. The staff are always welcoming and friendly. They have helped me massively to start again due to homelessness.”
But they need your help!
DONATE – If you have unused or gently used toys, consider donating them to ‘The ToyBox’ so others can enjoy them. It’s also a good opportunity to declutter before Christmas or the new school term.
If you would like to help, but do not have toys to donate, monetary donations are welcome to keep the service running. Even £5 per visit can make a massive difference. Cash can be paid in the warehouse or via the websites ‘go fund me page’
VOLUNTEER - As a charity they rely on amazing volunteers who organise collections, use their homes/workspaces as ‘drop off points’ for toys and help sort or check suitability of donations in the warehouse. Everyone 16+ is welcome to volunteer,
anyone under age 16 could consider remote volunteering too.
PROMOTE – spread the word, tell those who may benefit, display a poster, bring it to light in your community or workplace.
Equally if you could benefit from some puzzles or toys…
Don’t hesitate to contact the friendly ‘The ToyBox’ team today and let them know your requirements, then you can book a visit to the toy warehouse and find something suitable for your needs!
All items are free, whether you need one toy or a whole box. The team is ready to help anyone. Book your time to visit the warehouse and take what you need—options include a box per child, bags or boxes for groups, or carloads for schools.
For more information, please check out their website or follow them on socials!
https://toyboxproject.co.uk/
This is an ideal opportunity to be a part of something amazing this year!
Campaign to find Wales’ ‘Local Legends’ as two-thirds of the nation says they’re unseen
Jonny Owen, broadcaster and proud Merthyr boy, joins Ogi in search of Local Legends to capture and celebrate untold Welsh stories in a new digital storybook.
A survey released today reveals a striking disconnect between how life in Wales is portrayed on screen and in stories, and how people experience it.
In the new survey conducted by Ogi, two-thirds (65%) of Wales say that people and stories from their background and communities are missing from TV, films and traditional stories, with one in four (27%) saying they don’t feel any connection with the typical versions of Welshness they see.
The disconnect is particularly sharp among young people. Nearly half (44%) of 18–24-year-olds say they don’t feel connected to the versions of Welshness they see on screen or in books. What’s more, more than one in three (36%) under 24s report never seeing their lives reflected in the media, and 29% say Welsh stories simply aren’t there.
To showcase a more contemporary picture of the nation, the Welsh telecoms company is partnering with broadcaster, filmmaker - and proud Merthyr native - Jonny Owen, (The Aberfan Disaster, Svengali, Shameless) to launch Local Legends – a new digital storybook reflecting Wales today.
The new campaign aims to provide a platform to those who feel unseen in the stories told about Wales today, by capturing and sharing everyday stories of pride, humour, kindness and resilience from across the country – and through these stories it aims to connect Welsh communities online and to each other.
Curating stories in partnership with Ogi, Jonny is now calling for people across Wales to submit their stories to Ogi’s Instagram channel and website before 23.59 on Sunday 14 September. Three stories will be chosen and turned into a digital storybook for the nation recorded by Jonny, himself.
Submissions for Local Legends are now open until 23.59 on Sunday 14 September. To submit your own story and find out more, visit: https://ogi.wales/local-legends/
Jonny is donating his fee for this to Merthyr Town Football Club – who are fan-owned.
SHERMAN THEATRE LAUNCHES HONE YOUR CRAFT; A FREE, FOUR-MONTH, WEEKLY SKILLS COURSE
As part of its commitment to supporting as many people as possible to take part in theatre, Sherman Theatre is hosting a free, weekly writing programme this Autumn, offering expert advice and training on a broad syllabus including character creation, re-drafting and structure, how commissioning works and alternative ways to get work made.
Taught by the Sherman’s in-house Literary Department, which is funded by the Arts Council of Wales and Bad Wolf, and delivered across eight evening sessions (online and in person) between September and November 2025, Hone Your Craft is aimed at Welsh or Wales-based writers who wish to be or consider themselves to be playwrights. It is designed to upskill and inform writers from their initial idea to opening night.
The course will be delivered in English but open to writers who write in any language. It will be free to attend but places are limited. Writers are asked to apply for their place on the Sherman Theatre’s website at www.shermantheatre.co.uk/ theatre-makers/ by Friday 12 September 2025.
Hone Your Craft follows on from Sherman Theatre’s EXPLORE and EXPAND programmes; focusing on playwriting tools, but also taking a deeper dive into skills such as structure and dramaturgical rigour. More than 200 writers have gained skills and experience through the company’s writer development programmes over the past three years, several of whom have gone on to receive commissions from the company.
Sherman Theatre welcomes unsolicited scripts from writers too. Send Us Your Script service can be found at www. shermantheatre.co.uk/programme/send-us-your-script.
And Sherman’s Pit Stop sessions offer writers an opportunity to meet the literary department for support or advice, or even just a general chat. Full details on the pit stops can be found at www.shermantheatre.co.uk/programme/pit-stop.
Sherman Theatre’s Chief Executive Julia Barry said: “Our focus on the development and production of new writing and on nurturing Welsh and Wales-based artists is what makes us the engine room of Welsh theatre. This opportunity is one of many we offer to writers at all stages of their career, and as always it’s exciting to imagine who might take part and what skills they may gain or improve.”
* Broken Glass
* Replacement
* Misted Glass
* Replacements
* Faulty/Broken Hinges
* Locks, Handles
* Pa�o Door Problems
* Draughty/Leaking
* Windows, Doors
* Conservatories
* Ca�laps, Le�erboxes
* New Door Panels * Stained Glass Repairs and Replacements * Glass/mirrors of all types cut to size
* uPVC New Windows/ Doors Installed
* Upgrades to Locks and Handles
* Fascias, Gu�ering, Clading
* Coloured Composite Doors
£12 £12
12
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28 Medi / September
Gerddi Sophia / Sophia Gardens
Caerdydd / Cardiff
CF11 9HW
Archebwch nawr / Book now
nofitstate.org/sabotage
02921 321 021
SABOTAGE by NoFit State is coming home to Cardiff.
NoFit State Circus will bring its acclaimed large-scale show SABOTAGE, back home to Cardiff in September at the end of four years of national and international touring.
SABOTAGE is NoFit State's large-scale spectacle featuring outrageously talented performers, breath-taking circus, and an extraordinary live band at the heart of the show, directed by Firenza Guidi.
Escape the ordinary this summer and become totally immersed in this unique experience.
SABOTAGE will be performed in NoFit State’s Big Top in the field next to the Sophia Gardens Car Park in Cardiff from Friday 12 – Sunday 28 September 2025. Tickets are on sale now through the NoFit State website www.nofitstate.org/sabotage
Ffotograffiaeth gan / photography by Mark J Robson Rhif Elusen / Charity No: 1102850 Rhif Cwmni / Company No: 3180348
