2019 Vale Life Winter

VALE L IFE WINTER 2019

P R O U D

T he Vale

of

T O

B E

PRICELESS

I N D E P E N D E N T

G lamorgan ’s P remier L ifest yle M agazine

Flawless WE MEET EMMA GRIFFITHS OF VALE LASER CLINIC, ST ATHAN PLUS WE FOCUS ON RHOOSE, FOOD, FASHION, HOMES & MUCH MORE

Restaurant Reviews What’s On, Business, Shopping

There’s more online www.valelife.co.uk

Art, Music, Style Health, Homes and much more plus

THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

VALE L IFE Editor Jennifer Hobbs-Roberts jennifer@goodlifepublishing.co.uk Creative Director Mark Roberts mark@goodlifepublishing.co.uk Editorial editorial@goodlifepublishing.co.uk

www.valelife.co.uk 0845 130 6452 Cardiff House Cardiff Road Barry CF63 2AW Passionate about the Vale of Glamorgan We are a small independent publisher. We are not a large publishing group pretending to be home grown. Vale Life magazine is written, designed and printed in the Vale of Glamorgan for the people of the Vale of Glamorgan.

Our philosophy We are committed to quality. This quote by William Foster pretty much sums up our thinking: “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.”

Caveat emptor Advertisers supply their own copy or artwork, and therefore Vale Life cannot accept any responsibility for disputes between advertisers and their customers. Caveat emptor - let the buyer beware.

Important you read this We have made every effort to ensure that all information contained in Vale Life or on www.valelife.co.uk (or our social media streams) is correct and accurate. However, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions and can offer no compensation should we get it wrong. Please note that the opinions, thoughts, views or ideas expressed in articles contained in Vale Life are strictly those of the authors.

Intellectual property © Copyright Vale Life 2019. All rights reserved. Nothing in this magazine (including adverts) may be reproduced in any shape or form (in whole or part) without the express written permission of the publishers. We take breach of copyright and theft of intellectual property extremely seriously and will sue at the drop of a croissant. You have been warned (nicely); ignorance is no excuse.

Subscriptions To guarantee your copy, please send a cheque for £20 (four issues) made payable to Vale Life. Visit www.valelife.co.uk for special subscriber discounts and special offers.

Missed the last issue?

We hold a small number of each issue in stock so if you do need a pristine copy, please telephone us or email jennifer@goodlifepublishing.co.uk. Hopefully we’ll have the issue you want (but we cannot guarantee it). Each back issue costs £5 including postage and packing.

Yes it’s free. Priceless actually!

Vale Life is distributed free through a wide variety of outlets across Vale of Glamorgan and beyond and is given away free of charge on the understanding that we are happy for it to be lent, passed on, given to friends and generally read until it falls apart. At which point, you can recycle it and we’d be delighted if you did.

Green is good The pulp used in the production of the paper Vale Life is printed on is sourced from sustainably managed Scandinavian tree farms and utilises an elementary chlorine-free bleaching process.

We’re very sociable!

We’re on the web! www.valelife.co.uk Like on Facebook! www.facebook.com/valelife Follow on Twitter! @ValeLife #ValeLife

WELCOME

Welcome to the winter 2019 edition of Vale Life With Brexit still looming over our heads and the uncertainty that this brings, all we can do is hunker down and do what we do best - work together to offer great products and ever greater service. Yes, the big boys are encouraging us to shop online - even tempting us with bigger and better offers, but as more and more of them go into administration, it suggests customers value experiences more than cheaper prices. They want to be part of a community, greeted by name, with a smile and made to feel special when they part with their hardearned cash.

I know I say it every issue, but if we don’t use our local independent shops, we will lose them and our beloved high streets. An independent shop is not just for high days and holidays. Show them some love.

On a personal note, we have our own plans for 2020 and we’ll be sharing some of our aspirations in the Spring issue. We’ve called it our 20/20 vison. We are excited as can be!

With our impressive likes on Facebook and Twitter for both Vale Life and its sister title City Life Cardiff, means that now, more than ever, we’re spreading the message that the Vale of Glamorgan and the capital city of Wales are truly amazing places to live, play and do business.

Promote your business Butcher? Baker? Candlestick maker?

Whatever business you’re in, reach over 35,000 aspirational readers right across the Vale of Glamorgan and beyond! For more information call 07766 106701 or email jennifer@goodlifepublishing.co.uk

We are proud to provide a quality source of information for our loyal readers and a creative and effective vehicle for our advertisers. We especially thank them.

Wishing you a lovely Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous new year. Wrap up warm. We’ll see you again in spring.

Jennifer Hobbs-Roberts Editor 07766 106 701 jennifer@goodlifepublishing.co.uk uk.linkedin.com/in/jenniferhobbsroberts

Our cover stars Our front cover stars are the amazing Vale Laser Clinic in St. Athan owned by Emma Griffiths.

Read all about Emma and the salon on pages 6 and 7.

VALE LIFE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED US OVER RECENT MONTHS. OUR CONTRIBUTORS, OUR FAMILIES, OUR FRIENDS (INCLUDING ALL THE NEW ONES WE HAVE MADE) AND OUR ADVERTISERS - WITHOUT THEM VALE LIFE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. WE HOPE YOU LIKE WHAT WE’VE PRODUCED AND WE’LL TRY TO MAKE EACH ISSUE EVEN BETTER THAN THE LAST AND IF YOU HAVE A STORY THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH. VALE LIFE IS REGISTERED AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY AS A MAGAZINE ISSN 1757-1723. FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.VALELIFE.CO.UK

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We love our travels through the Vale in winter, but on December evenings, the Vale seems to come alive with Christmas lights. Luckily for us, we have some keen residents who seem to put life and soul into their festive decorations

AROUND THE VALE We stopped to look at one particular home on Jenner Road in Barry and got talking to owner James. We asked him why he went to such great effort every year and he tells us he does it for the kids!

James said, “I have a young family and they really love the lights, and the neighbours appear to as well.” While we were there, several cars stopped and children had a look and took photos with their phones - James’s efforts clearly bring a lot of pleasure.

One of our favourites is in Sully and, apparently, the owners decorate the house every year to raise money for charity. Our Facebook followers seem to love it too as it’s received several hundred likes.

We’ve posted quite a few on our Facebook page so if you’d like to see those or share your own, please do at www.facebook.com/valelife Have a lovely Christmas.

SHOE REPAIRERS & GIFTS

Frangoulis A family business with thirty years’ experience in the shoe repair industry.

Offering a wide and diverse range of services; shoe repairs, key cutting, engraving trophies, award shields, tankards, Zippo lighters, dancewear, gymnastic wear, masks and stage accessories, leather wallets and purses.

Suppliers of many local dance and theatre schools with a variety of dancewear needs.

Frangoulis 2 Windsor Road Penarth CF64 1JA 029 2070 0233 4

Boutique

79 High Street Cowbridge CF71 7AF 01446 773007 26 Blue Street Carmarthen SA31 3LE 01267 234008

Did you know?

We sell...

Paige Jeans, Cinzia Rocca Coats, BJ Waterproof and Thindown Macs, Luxury cashmere and merino wool knitwear, evening and day dresses

We make...

Bespoke clothes for every occasion using impeccable British, French and Italian fabrics. Exquisitely cut and hand sewn in-house to your individual style using couture techniques Made in Wales

We sell...

Decadent French lingerie by Empreinte for the fuller cup lady.

Lise Charmel Hanro finest cotton and hosiery by Gerbe and Falke

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10% off with this advert Ends 31st January

After owner Emma Griffiths received treatment for acne, she discovered a love for the science of skincare and became a passionate advocate of how effective active skincare can be. How passionate? Enough to open a clinic of her own.

VALE L ASER C LINIC

Vale Life caught up with Emma at her St Athan clinic to find out more about the science of skincare.

How long has Vale Laser Clinic been established?

We have been open nearly five years.

I had suffered with acne for years and always struggled to find the right products for my skin. Learning about the science of skin, how treatment can improve skin health without being invasive fed my passion to share this knowledge and give others the power to have confidence in their skin.

Why St Athan?

My husband David is the pharmacist at St Athan Pharmacy and opening treatment rooms upstairs has been a natural progression for the business. We have fantastic free parking around the building and people travelling from nearby towns always say how easy it is to visit us.

How has the business grown?

We waited for our three young children to become old enough for us to manage two businesses and I started offering treatments from one room. Carly joined me about eighteen months later and we extended our range to offer beauty treatments under Tathan Beautique. We now have four treatment rooms and Charlie and Morganna as additional therapists. We research all of our treatment modalities to ensure they offer the best value for money and deliver the results our clients want. This ensures that we have a great team working to the highest standards and providing fantastic customer service.

I’m also from St Athan and it’s great to see independent businesses in the village as it grows with the local development.

What services do you offer your clients?

We offer hair removal and tattoo removal, anti-ageing treatments such as our Signature Skin Rejuvenation, CACI Microcurrent Facials, SkinPen Micro Needling and AlumierMD Peels. We believe all of our treatments are the best in their field, with proven scientific evidence that they work and improve skin.

We invest heavily in training and continual professional development of all our therapists.

Does the clinic have any specialities?

Our skin treatments and active skincare ranges are fantastic. Each treatment is bespoke and customised for each client’s specific needs. We turbo charge results with clinically proven active skincare; dealing with skin concerns such as broken veins, rosacea, pigmentation, premature ageing and acne.

What are the most popular treatments?

Hair removal and anti-ageing skin treatments are really popular as you’d expect. All our treatment modalities complement each other so you know that your skin health is benefitting from each treatment. Our IPL Skin Rejuvenation targets broken veins and pigmentation. SkinPen Micro Needling is the gold standard for collagen and elastin boosting, making skin look younger and firmer. Our CACI facials tone and lift your facial muscles and all have our LED phototherapy treatment.

What’s popular at this time of year?

It has to be hair removal as you can’t have an active tan. It takes between six and eight treatments to treat the hair growth cycle, so still plenty of time before the summer to get hair free. Also, our AlumierMD Peels and Skin Rejuvenation is great to recharge and hydrate winter skin.

Do you have a payment plan option?

We don’t but you can pay for each treatment as you have them and each client has a credit account with us so they can add money as and when they want to.

We have an online booking system which makes finding the perfect appointment time really easy. And you are able to reorder all of our skincare through our website.

What do you think makes your clinic special?

We want our clients to understand how our treatments and skincare will make their skin better. How a body responds to the laser treatment and how active ingredients in Environ and AlumierMD homecare products make a physical improvement to your skin. We also offer skincare consultations and skincare online to reach people who can’t get to the clinic and for our clients to reorder their active skincare. Gift vouchers are available and make the perfect gift.

TESTIMONIALS

What clients say…

Anon “I’ve been coming to Vale Laser Clinic for regular CACI facials for over two years and love the results. I’ve also had some skin rejuvenation treatments and SkinPen micro needling, the results are tremendous.” Emma.

Anon “The hair removal I’ve had with Emma has been life changing. I was very self-conscious of my chin but after every treatment it reduced and now has totally gone. My bikini line is the same.

I don’t have to think about it when the children ask to go swimming and our summer holiday was fantastic with no ingrowing hairs or stubble rash.” Julie.

Vale Laser Clinic 1A The Square St Athan Village CF62 4PF 01446 750880 skin@valelaserclinic.co.uk www.valelaserclinic.co.uk

After a couple of hours shopping in the vibrant market town of Cowbridge, what could be better than enjoying a high-quality speciality cup of coffee and a slice of homemade cake? 96 Degrees offers both and more.

96 DEGREES COFFEE

So successful is the offering, that owners Lee Davies and John Howe have now added a wine bar which is already proving a huge hit. Here Lee tells us more.

What are your backgrounds?

I have seventeen years’ experience in hospitality from successfully owning and running The Mackworth Arms in Laleston, Bridgend. John has twentythree years of business and commercial experience and is currently responsible for Global Key account development with Michelin.

How long has 96 Degrees been open?

We’ve now been open five months. It has been two years in the planning with a lot of hard work in its preparation. Finding the right location was something we had as a high priority and feel we’ve got just that.

What do you offer your customers?

We offer outstanding high-quality speciality coffees, hot chocolate and loose-leaf teas. Our cakes are all homemade, straight from The Mackworth Arms which also supplies the homemade soup. The toast, croissants are locally sourced and toasties are made fresh on site every day.

What’s so good about your coffee?

Our speciality coffee is sourced straight from the farms. We have a wide range of coffees which help to cater for our customers taste preference. Speciality coffee is graded on a scoring from 0 to 100, all speciality coffee must score 80 or above, anything below is commodity coffee.

Are your cakes homemade? Give us a few flavours.

Yes, all are home made by my mum Sian and the kitchen staff and include millionaire short bread and custard slices. The cakes change flavours daily as they’re so popular.

What do your customers enjoy about their experiences with you?

Apart from everyone commenting on the quality of the coffee and cakes, we get so many comments about the ambiance and relaxed environment we have created.

Everything we do is about the experience.

Our customers say that they love the table service which means they don’t have to wait in a queue. They also love the sense of space on offer, you can have a private conversation with a friend or family member without being on top of one another. Not forgetting the chilled acoustic music, and the volume we play it at creates a nice vibe but allows customers to talk to each other easily.

What about food intolerances?

We have gluten free options and all the soups are always vegan.

What are your opening hours for the coffee shop?

We’re open from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9am to 11pm at night and we start serving alcohol from 3pm on both days. Sunday 9.30am to 2.30pm.

You’ve recently added a cocktail bar - what is the offering?

We prefer to call it a wine bar that does cocktails and gins! Like the coffees, all the spirits are about quality, they are all specially picked and very bespoke which ties in nicely with our other products.

The night vibe is a bit more upbeat but still maintaining the chilled feel.

Who does the wine bar attract?

We tend to get groups or couples in.

They love the atmosphere we have created, combined with the high-end quality wines, cocktails and gins. We have security on the door to reassure the customers that want to have a good night with the peace of mind knowing the place is in safe hands. There are a lot of good pubs in Cowbridge and that is not what we are trying to be.

We wanted to create somewhere with a chilled vibe that offers something a bit more special in its drinks offer, a perfect place to take your partner or a relaxed enjoyable evening with friends.

What has been the feedback so far from customers?

They love it! To be fair we had so many customers comments from the start telling us this place would be a great wine bar. They were not to know we had already planned it - so that was nice to hear.

What do you think makes 96 Degrees stand out from the crowd?

We are both in it for the legacy, not the currency! We want to create a special place for people to come and spend time with friends and family.

Everything we do is built around the customer experience. We want to have a positive impact on someone’s day. We believe the table service, our high-end quality offering and chilled atmosphere are what sets us apart.

Staff training is massive for us, all the staff have their SCA Barista diplomas and have all been on extensive customer service training to ensure we give the customers the very best experience.

96 Degrees Coffee Unit 7C, Old Masons Yard Cowbridge CF71 7EE www.96degreescoffee.co.uk Opening Hours Coffee Shop Monday to Thursday 8am - 5.30pm Friday and Saturday 9am - 11pm (Alcohol is served from 3pm) Sunday 9.30am - 2.30pm Wine Bar Friday and Saturday 3pm - 11pm

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Hawkes, in the beautiful Morgan Arcade, Cardiff, has an enviable reputation for fine clothing and tailored suits for men. However, with more and more women in senior roles in organisations, owner Russell Scott-Lawson says he has noticed a growing percentage of his clientele are professional women looking for a more tailored, stylish solution.

TAILORED TO SUIT

Vale Life was invited to Hawkes as Sofie Symonds, Director of Innovia Wealth Management, was being measured for her new tailored business suit. We chatted with Sofie to find out more.

How do you know Russell?

I know Russell through my husband Alex Symonds, Alex is an old customer of Hawkes, this is going back at least ten years ago when Alex used to play for Cardiff Devils, and the majority of the team uses Hawkes.

Why do you choose Hawkes for your suits?

As a financial adviser, investment is one of many areas that I deal with on daily basis. In my profession it’s important to look the part. High quality suits are simply an investment in myself and my business, and I do enjoy spending a little extra of my hard-earned money on quality, classic pieces that will last a lifetime and remain in style. After all, a perfectly tailored suit conveys gravitas, style and a sense of identity.

Why is tailoring important to you?

I have enough challenges throughout the workday, and my wardrobe shouldn’t be one of them. The business case for making a great first impression always applies. Studies have found that first impressions are formed within seven to seventeen seconds of meeting you and 55% of their opinion is based on physical appearance.

How important is good tailoring to you?

It’s about quality and style. And tailoring is about more than clothes; it’s an attitude, a way of life. Today, women’s tailoring is more relevant than ever. With professional women in increasingly high-powered positions, the demand for luxury tailoring has increased dramatically. In today’s modern world, in certain sectors certainly, image is everything. With the economic status and lifestyle changes, now, more than ever, women are indulging their tastes for the finer things, and quality tailoring is one of them.

“Hawkes offers a tailored service for off-the-peg suits which are adjusted to suit the client.”

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What do you enjoy about the process?

When I go to Hawkes, it is a tailoring experience. I absolutely enjoy every second of it. We start by selecting the finest fabrics, then choosing the style and cut. I love discovering tailoring techniques that will result in a suit crafted exactly to my measurements and personalised details inside and out.

There are so many aspects to consider; the cut, the cloth, colour, the lining, stitching etc.

What sets Russell apart?

Russell is a professional tailor and a total perfectionist. He always pays close attention to the shape of the silhouette which is achieved through precise cut of fabric and tailoring nothing short of perfection. Russell and his team have an excellent reputation in Cardiff for gentlemen’s tailoring, but I don’t think many women realise that they can use Hawkes. For women, Hawkes is one of Cardiff’s best kept secrets you could say.

Would you recommend Hawkes and why?

Of course, and I already do. If you want a luxury, high quality tailored suit, Hawkes is the only place to go in Cardiff.

Sophie is not the only female customer to be impressed with the tailored service that Hawkes offers. Russell asked Mandeep Sidhu after she had attended a recent leadership meeting if she was the best dressed lady in the room and she replied “No, I was the best dressed person!”

CUSTOMER PROFILE

Tried & Trusted...

Sofie Symonds is Principal of Innovia Wealth Management, Associate Partner Practice of St. James’s Place, and is based in Penylan, Cardiff.

Sofie says, “My life revolves around my family (husband and three children) and my company. My ultimate passion is to build and maintain a long-term relationship with clients to add value and make a positive difference to their finances.

Like Russell, I create tailored solutions that shape their future. I strive to deliver the highest level of commitment, transparency and ethical conduct in all relations and dealings.

In my spare time I love reading and go to the gym.”

Sofie Symonds Innovia Wealth Management www.innoviawm.co.uk Hawkes Bespoke Outfitters 37-39 Morgan Arcade Cardiff CF10 1AF 029 2037 3780 www.hawkesbespokeoutfitters.co.uk The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group's wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group's website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The titles 'Partner' and 'Partner Practice' are marketing terms used to describe St. James's Place representatives.

This was Beaujolais Day number five organised

by Chris Macnamara of The Brogue Trader and Spiro Borg of Cornerstone (and Spiro’s, the catering company). This year’s proceeds will be donated to Cardiff based charity, City Hospice.

BROGUE GOES

BEAUJOLAIS V

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of attending, you’ll appreciate how lucky you were. The tickets are as rare as hen’s teeth and it has to be one of the must-attend events on Cardiff’s social calendar.

Such is the popularity of Brogue Goes Beaujolais, it attracts many celebrities from the sporting community and huge support from the great and the good of the Cardiff and south Wales business communities.

If you were fortunate to have purchased a ticket this year, you would have been rubbing shoulders with rugby players including Alix Popham, Rhys Williams, boxer Nicky Piper, and the ‘very, very charming’ Rupert Moon. “Our little Beaujolais celebration is becoming extremely popular in Cardiff and, being invitation only, one of the most sought after events on the capital’s social calendar,” says The Brogue Trader’s Managing Director Chris Macnamara.

Chris is always keen to acknowledge the assistance and support he receives to put on this brilliant event.

“We are thrilled and very proud to announce that ‘The Brogue Goes Beaujolais V’, with the help of our dear friends Spiro and Lisa Borg from Spiros Fine Dining & Catering, our print partner Booie Sall of Harlequin Print along with match funding from the Hodge Foundation we raised a whopping £58,654.00!”

Chris added, “In life we all have a window of opportunity and this is currently ours”.

We are all endeavouring to take full advantage of it and do as much good as we can. So please spread some love and engage with your local communities, it feels amazing to give back in so many ways and these types of events show that the Macnamara family own and operate something that is truly much more than a shoe shop.”

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The event was a fun-packed affair from the word go. “Beaujolais Day kicked off at midday with a champagne reception.

Speeches and acknowledgments followed, and then four wonderful courses, with matching wine were served by our talented Cornerstone team,” says co-host Spiro Borg. And, from the reports we’ve received, the food was superb. This year over 170 attended the event which finished at 10pm.

The Brogue Trader #morethanashoeshop 27A Morgan Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AF 0843 658 1812 www.thebroguetrader.com

Chris and Spiro would especially like to thank Sony, WRU and FAW for donating various items to the auction, also Bryan Gunton for supporting us yet again with his magical skills and donating an evening in his Small Theatre, all contributing to a wonderful day.

Spiro’s Fine Dining & Catering www.spiros.com Cornerstone Charles St, Cardiff CF10 2SF 029 2049 4425 www.cornerstonecardiff.org

Finally, Chris would like to thank all the table hosts, and everyone who bid for the auction prizes. “All our guests should be very proud. They’ve made a massive contribution to the overall success of the event and we are eternally grateful,” said Chris.

Photography Sian Owen 13

BROW LAMINATION is currently taking the beauty industry by storm and is available at Blush Beauty!

BLUSH BEAUTY Brow Lamination is a process of restructuring the eyebrow hairs to keep them in a desired shape. It’s the perfect treatment for anyone whose hairs grown in an irregular in direction, have any gaps in between hairs or who want fuller, fluffier looking eyebrows.

How does it work?

Brow lamination involves two different solutions that do for our brows what a lash lift does to our lashes.

How long will they last?

Up to six weeks.

Who can have this treatment?

Anyone who is unhappy with the shape of their brows. Anyone wanting to grow out areas of sparse eyebrows. Anyone wanting to improve the shape of their eyebrows.

How long does it take?

Process in salon is around thirty to forty minutes.

The first is brushed through the eyebrow hairs to make them softer and more manageable. Next, is where the magic happens. the brows are brushed into the desired position and the lamination solution is applied to create the perfect brow.

Is a patch test required?

Yes, a patch rest is required.

Are the results natural?

Yes! Natural, bolder, fuller brows in a beautiful shape you can wake up to daily.

What’s the cost?

Our Brow Lamination treatment cost is £45. This includes brow tint and wax.

Is a brow tint and wax included in the treatment?

Yes, we advise a brow wax and tint with the lamination for best results!

Booking is required for all brow lamination treatments. To book call on 01446 677007.

A brow lamination gift voucher can also be purchased for the perfect Christmas gift this winter, these can be purchased in the salon or purchased over the phone and sent out 1st class.

What does Debbie Wildi have to offer at this time of the year? Here, she tells us about her new treatment.

“I am so excited to announce that I am now offering the 2 in 1 nonsurgical face-lifting facial to all of my clients.”

What does the Microcurrent do?

It helps to lift and sculpt the face by tightening and retraining your facial muscles.

So, what is this new treatment Debbie?

Radio Frequency Technology tightens, plumps skin and fills out lines on the face. This technology just on its own produces incredible results and my present clients have always been thrilled. However, now I am combining this with the other leading player in the world of non-surgical face-lifting facials, microcurrent technology.

Is it proving popular already?

Absolutely, plus combining these two types of technology really is the way forward in skin rejuvenation and facial sculpting and a difference can be seen after just one treatment.

This painless, relaxing innovative facial is available with me now at Blush Beauty with an Introductory offer of just £35 and courses of 6 are discounted too.

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Blush Beauty Specialists Unit 1, 13 Boverton Road Llantwit Major CF61 1XZ 01446 677007

Wales’ Pre-Owned Luxury Watch & Jewellery Experts

We Buy | We Sell Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantine, IWC Watches of Wales is a family run business specialising in the buying and selling of exquisite Pre-Owned luxury watches and jewellery. We have over two decades of experience and pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service.

call: 029 2192 1552 visit: watchesofwales.co.uk 35 Morgan Arcade, Cardi CF10 1AF | customerservice@watchesofwales.co.uk

POSH PAWZ RHOOSE SALON & SPA Your favourite Salon & Spa

Since opening in June 2012, this lovely salon in the Vale has become increasingly popular thanks to a friendly, one-to-one quality service provided by a professional K9 beautician, Kath who simply loves what she does.

All breeds are catered in a clean and safe environment, so if it’s a full groom, a freshen up bath or just a pawdicure, they’ll have a lovely time and plenty of TLC! Even the most nervous of clients can chillax and enjoy a bit of ‘me’ time. Your pooches often make doggie friends before they leave, and every groom is complete with a complementary Posh Pawz bandana!

NEW to Posh Pawz this autumn are a wide range of Johnson’s Veterinary Shampoos, Ancol Comfortable Safety Harnesses, Animal Instincts LED Flashing Safety Collars and a range of doggie inspired gifts (ideal for Christmas presents for doggie owners).

Stocking a range of coats, jumpers, toys, treats and pet products. They take great pride in our grooming, and give a high quality service and finish at reasonable prices.

Posh Pawz Rhoose Salon & Spa 11 Fontygary Road Rhoose CF62 3DR 01446 710044 www.poshpawzsalonandspa.co.uk poshpawzrhoose@gmail.com

A BARBERS AT THE HEART OF RHOOSE

Deano’s Deano’s is traditional barber shop.

The foundations of the owner Dean Chamberlain’s skills span several generations. Deano’s offers all types of cuts, beard trims and fades. They also sell gels and grooming products.

From the very young, to the loyal pensioners, Deano’s welcomes them all as it’s a barber that is right at the heart of the village. They also have disabled access - ramps are available and home visits can be made upon request.

TESTIMONIALS

What Customers say...

“A friendly, personal service that delivers what customers’ want as much or as little conversation as a customer needs.”

“Great banter. You can come in a bit flat and leave with a big smile on your face. It’s a cool shop with a great atmosphere.”

“Next to the local pub, for a man, it’s the heart of the village.”

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Deano’s Fontygary Road, Rhoose CF62 3DR 01446 710434

C OFFEE TIME CAFÉ IT’S COFFEE TIME! AND MUCH MORE!

Paula Ashman, the new owner of Coffee Time Café in the village has really put her interior design flair into great use. The café has undergone a transformation with a new contemporary look and feel.

There’s a new wooden look floor, new furniture, lovely mirrors and a light and airy look thanks to new wall and tongue and groove with paint from Little Green Company.

Like the original water colours on the walls? They are from a local artist and are available for sale. Paula has also transformed the menu and now offers the ever-popular all-day breakfast, homemade soup, chicken curry and chilli as well as bagels, club sandwiches, baguettes and much more. There are also gluten free options available. If you need a breakfast but don’t have the time to sit and enjoy it, then you can now order your breakfast or baguette to go.

LICENSED HO ME BOA R D IN G & D OG WAL K I NG

Sit ‘n’ Stay Petminding Sit ‘n’ Stay Petminding relocated to Rhoose during the summer and offers a licensed home boarding and dog walking service, together with doggy day-care, home visits for cats and small domestic pets, and a dog grooming service specialising in smaller breeds and elderly or nervous dogs.

TESTIMONIALS “Love my little trips to Coffee Time. Paula, Chloe and Elen are lovely ladies and always have a smile on their face when I pop in. The cake and sausage sandwiches are delicious too!” Natalie Thomas If you prefer a healthier option, then why not try the yoghurt, granola and berries with a drizzle of honey and a blended mango, apple, pineapple and strawberry smoothie?

“Fabulous home-made lentil/bacon soup followed by salted caramel sponge. Very tasty!” Phylis Nelson

The homemade cakes are to die-for, and a slice is perfect with a tea or coffee (especially Paula’s Christmas speciality, a spiced Christmas latte).

If you’re organising an event and want a quality buffet, give Paula a call to arrange. Coffee Time is proud to have been awarded a four star hygiene rating.

Coffee Time 21 Fontygary Road, Rhoose CF62 3DS 01446 711600

Proprietor and life-long animal lover Sue Brydon, who is also an accredited canine first-aider, started her business in Gloucestershire 20 years ago, before moving to Caerphilly in 2010. She is now building a new client base around Rhoose and the Vale but still has vacancies for dog walking as well as home boarding.

As people’s thoughts turn to next year’s holidays and who will take care of their pets, those seeking an alternative to kennels and catteries, or the goodwill of friends and neighbours, are welcome to contact Sue for availability and discuss their requirements as soon as possible.

Call Sue on 07749 660738 or visit www.sit-n-stay-petminding.co.uk for more information

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This successful Rhoose salon has been in business for eight years and is owned by Vanessa Bellringer. Vanessa is proud of her salon’s reputation with their colour experience. Vanessa used to be a colour educator so has trained her staff in all aspects of colouring techniques.

SUBLIME HAIR & BEAUTY

THE GO-TO SALON FOR GREAT HAIR AND BEAUTY!

Sublime is an Affinage Salon Professional salon and swears by their products because their colours are vegan friendly, cause zero damage, are gluten free and are ammonia free. The salon carries a range of ASP products with their Kitoko range, which includes Kitoko Oil Cleanser and Oil Treatments, perfect to treat hair damaged by the winter weather conditions, central heating and overprocessing and styling.

The salon was recently redecorated, giving it a fresher feel.

Charlie Jay Beauty, the salon’s most recent addition is proving a huge hit with clients. He offers lux brows, brow tints, brow wax and tint, brow has a growing client list.

He offers all you need to keep your brows looking amazing! He also offers brow tinting, waxing and threading. Charlie has also launched his new brow lamination service, the perfect treatment for anyone whose hairs are irregular in direction, have any gaps in between said hairs, or who want that groomed, brushed-up look.

TESTIMONIALS “I’ve been coming to see Vanessa and Tyler for more years than I care to remember and wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else. The haircuts are amazing and the colours are fab and last for ages. It’s such a relaxing place to go, more like sitting in a friend’s house than a salon.”

Donna Lisa Ward “Tyler does mine and my kids hair, always a lovely cut and always feel great when I leave. The girls are loads of fun and I have a good giggle with them all. A lovely atmosphere. Wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

Nicola Jane Davies Welch 18

Sublime Hair & Beauty 4 Stewart Road, Rhoose CF62 3EQ 01446 711799

Barratts Fine Meats considers itself a premier local butcher and has served the Vale and Cardiff with quality meats for more than forty years. The shop is now proudly owned and managed by Matthew Barratt.

BARRATTS FINE MEATS

Provenance is of the utmost importance to Matthew, and he prides himself of having close links to their farmers and suppliers. “The beef, lamb and pork are personally selected by me,” he says proudly. With a keen interest in the environment, reducing food miles is also important and that is why his suppliers are spread across south Wales, the Wye, Usk and the Severn Valleys.

Barratts also supplies a number of pubs and restaurants in the Vale and Cardiff. “Vale Life readers will probably have eaten our meat at many quality establishments locally,” he says. “The Three Horseshoes, Holiday Inn, The Beech Tree at Culverhouse Cross, The Potted Pig in central Cardiff, Porro in Llandaff, Gwaelod y Garth, Ceasars Arms, and also The Bear and Oscars in Cowbridge. We supply all those and more!”

The team are always on hand to give great advice on cuts of meat and how to cook them.

Need a supply of meat but can’t get to the shop? No problem, just give a member of the team a call with your requirements and they can arrange a delivery for you.

Why not give them a call, email them or, even better, drop in to the shop?

Barratts has been the quality family butchers in Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, since the early seventies.

The shop on Font-y-Gary Road dates back to before the First World War, when it was originally run by a local dairyman selling milk, cheese and provisions.

Matthew’s father Robin Barratt took over the shop in 1970 making him the fourth incumbent of the building.

Matthew is now running the business, along with his wife Victoria and his trusted team who are happy to serve its ever-growing list of satisfied customers from the Rhoose and surrounding areas.

Matthew has a wealth of experience in the meat trade both in the UK and Europe.

Returning to his roots in the Vale of Glamorgan has given him the opportunity to bring to Barratts Fine Meats his experience with major retailers and his farming and livestock selection skills. Matthew and his team of professional craft butchers will be more than happy to discuss your requirements; whether it is for fine dining at home, cooking on a budget for the family, summer barbeques, your Christmas Turkey etc. or supplying professional kitchens; they can match cuts to your recipe requirements, help with your seasonal celebrations and always have special offers available.

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Barratts Fine Meats 15 Fontygary Road, Rhoose CF62 3DR shop@barrattsfinemeats.co.uk 01446 710307 Opening Times Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5.30pm Saturday 7.30am to 1pm If you have any queries, Matthew is only a phone call away on 07867 546564.

Wales and the West’s premier loft conversion specialists Office and showroom: 107 Caerphilly Road, Birchgrove, Cardiff CF14 4QA

Recent Projects

The conversion of this property in the Cotswolds required careful consideration to it’s original features and the area as a whole. The owners had looked into moving but a loft conversion gave them everything they needed. Two bedrooms and a shower room have been added. Strict planning regulations made gaining permission was a challenge but the result blends perfectly with the surrounding area.

The star of the show here is the panoramic sliding doors with minimal frame and maximum glass. The property went through a big transformation with a hip to gable roof extension, front apex dormer and a large rear dormer. The client wanted a master bedroom, walk-in wardrobes, luxury shower room and a wow factor. Rhiwbina

www.loft-pro.co.uk T: 02920 628387

Gileston Manor, the stunning Georgian Grade II listed Manor House in the Vale of Glamorgan, is celebrating its first year as a wedding venue, and what a year it has been!

YOUR WEDDING YOUR DREAMS YOUR DESTINATION

Owner Lorraine Garrad-Jones welcomes you to this beautiful wedding destination. Unsurprisingly, every one of the available weekends has been booked for 2020 but, due to incredibly high demand, the Manor is delighted to now open the gorgeous Summer House and beautiful grounds to prospective brides and grooms during the week.

Why is Gileston Manor so sought after as a wedding venue? It could be that from enquiry to the big day itself, what you get from the team is time, commitment, dedication and energy.

It’s not just a business to them, it’s a life’s passion. The word “bespoke” is often mentioned when venues sell themselves, but at Gileston Manor, it truly is. Wedding Co-ordinators Wendy and Sue say, “We are committed to ensuring every couple has their dream wedding, and we do our very best to accommodate everyone’s wishes.”

The picturesque St Giles Church, adjacent to the manor’s grounds is available for church ceremonies, and if you are looking for a civil ceremony, Gileston Manor’s gorgeous Summer House and Secret garden is licenced.

Whilst a celebrant or humanist wedding can be held anywhere in the grounds.

Set within the curtilage of the Manor are beautiful, recently converted outbuildings include five luxury boutique suites, providing accommodation for up to eighteen guests.

Gileston Manor has an excellent website where every detail is explained and, if you do have any questions, you couldn’t wish for a more helpful team to help you organise your dream wedding.

The Lotus Marquee where the wedding breakfasts are enjoyed has stunning, panoramic views over the Heritage Coast to Devon and beyond creating many picturesque photographic opportunities.

Owner Lorraine says, “It gives me enormous pleasure to see our grounds being enjoyed by so many happy couples, families and friends. When I see them sipping champagne in their finery on the lawns, it is how I imagine Gileston Manor was enjoyed in years gone by and I am delighted to share this with our guests.”

Gileston Manor Gileston CF62 4HX 07591 203764 or 07794 611105 enquiries@gilestonmanor.co.uk www.gilestonmanor.co.uk

Finance expert Peter Lewis has fulfilled a lifelong dream of starting his own business. Now the proud franchise owner of First Vehicle Finance in Cardiff and The Vale, Peter tells us more.

FIRST VEHICLE FINANCE to different leasing companies, we have connections to a large number of dealers and this is where we get a lot of our deals and what differentiates us from our competitors.

What areas do you cover (geographically speaking)?

My franchise area covers Cardiff and most of The Vale. However if you have friends and family outside this area, I can still help them if they come to me directly, or they can get in touch with Head Office.

Can you source a vehicle if I’m on a tight budget?

Absolutely. Part of the process is to ensure that you can afford the vehicle you would like. Just give us a call. We’re confident we can help in most cases.

What does First Vehicle Finance offer?

First Vehicle Finance are brokers for both personal and business vehicles (cars and vans) contract hire and leasing sector. We are able to ensure you get the best advice, the most suitable vehicle, and then we find you the best price. Of course, if you know what you want that’s great, but if not, we can put together some options.

We also look after fleets including commercial and agricultural.

Who is involved in the business?

At the moment it’s just me, but I am hoping my son will come and join me in the future.

Why did you set up the business?

I have worked in the Financial Services Industry for nearly forty years which has included branch banking, IT and Change Management in companies such as Barclays, Lloyds and AA Financial Services. It’s been a lifelong ambition to run a business of my own. I have a passion for great customer service and a real interest in researching and finding best value deals. This meant I was naturally drawn to vehicle finance.

What are the benefits of using you?

For both businesses and individuals, I have access to not only a number of vehicle leasing companies such as Lex and Arval but also to a huge range of dealers. This means I have the ability to hunt for a great value deal for my customers right across the country.

Traditionally buying a new car for personal use has meant going to a dealer, telling them what you want, either organising a loan with a bank or taking the dealers finance option of either Hire Purchase or Personal Contract Purchase (where there is a bubble or balloon payment at the end).

Options that have only been available to businesses in the past are now available to individuals.

Do you finance luxury or high end vehicles?

Most definitely, in fact contract hire makes luxury or high-end vehicles much more affordable for the average person. You’ll be quite amazed at what’s available. www.firstvehiclefinance.co.uk/ testimonials

This means that trying to find the right type of finance for your car is getting quite complicated – and there are a lot more opportunities than dealers will normally offer you. There’s a lot to consider and it’s my job to simplify the process and present the benefits and pitfalls of a particular deal.

What’s best? Electric, hybrid, petrol or diesel?

Great question, and one of the reasons people should consider contract hire or leasing. There’s no one answer as it depends on so many variables, but an area I have experience in and happy to explore with each customer.

What sets you apart from other companies?

My aim is to delight my customers and exceed their expectations. For me this isn’t about getting a deal as quick as I can, it’s making sure that the customer gets the right vehicle with the right finance deal for them and I take all the hassle out of it. As well as access 22

First Vehicle Finance Covering Cardiff and The Vale Of Glamorgan 029 2167 2960 Peter.Lewis@FirstVehicleFinance.co.uk www.firstvehiclefinance.co.uk

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Tinkinswood Green Vale of Glamorgan CF5 6SH | Call: 01446 474241 | redrow.co.uk Details correct at time of going to print, terms and conditions apply, visit www.redrow.co.uk for full details. Image is indicative only.

UWC Atlantic is a remarkable campus based in the grounds of St Donat’s Castle, Llantwit Major and is offering a four day, non-residential, activity camp that will challenge and excite your children this Easter.

ATLANTIC EXPERIENCE

ACTIVITY CAMP

Led by the Atlantic Outdoors team, the course is designed to develop and enhance your self-confidence, problem solving abilities and teamwork through exposure to a series of challenging adventures in a relaxing and fun based environment.

You will have the opportunity to experience activities such climbing, high ropes, orienteering and more. You will also enjoy more conventional team activities such as badminton, basketball and indoor hockey using UWC Atlantic’s Moondance Sports Hall.

The team of highly experienced, skilled and knowledgeable instructors will guide and support you through this exciting journey. The Atlantic Outdoors team is registered and holds current licences for The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA). Adventure activities licensing ensures that activity providers follow good safety standards and management practices.

All instructional staff are highly qualified in their field and experienced at managing safety and risk whilst maximising the opportunities for learning and personal development.

An example day includes: 08.30-09.00 Drop off and sign in at the Moondance Sports Hall 09.30-12.00 Morning activity 12.00-13.30 Supervised lunch in the medieval dining hall of St Donat’s Castle and games 13.30-16.00 Afternoon activity 16.30-17.00 Collection and sign out from the Moondance Sports Hall

Keep your children active this Easter and register today for one of the following dates: Mon 6th April - Thurs 9th April 2020 or Tues 14th April - Fri 17th April 2020 Price includes a hot lunch, refreshments and snacks.

For more information visit www.uwcatlanticexperience.com Call 01446 799100 or Email info@uwcatlanticexperience.com 25

Tucked away, just off Cowbridge’s High Street, just next to the church is, if you’re a gentleman, probably the only gift shop you’ll ever need. I can’t tell you how many times this brilliant place has saved my bacon over the years.

HAPPY DAYS VINTAGE THE COOLEST PLACE IN TOWN

Happy Days Vintage Homestore is a remarkable place. Not only is it a must visit if you love all things vintage but it’s packed with cool stuff for the chaps in your lives.

There are guitars, cool furniture, retro phones, weird scientific stuff, old toys, memorabilia, religious icons - honestly, this great little warehouse of wonder has pretty much anything you need to deliver a gift that’ll bring joy to the ones you love.

Basically it’s an artisan market with several dozen individual sellers - an Aladdin’s Cave if you will. It is one of the biggest and best stores in Cowbridge and simply oozes vintage and retro charm. Full to the brim of restored vintage furniture, antiques and garden ware, Happy Days Vintage Homestore is home to around thirty diverse, local small businesses, including a talented upholsterer, local artists, hand sewn items, and jewellery makers.

In addition to the stock from local businesses they also stock ceramics, collectable toys, vintage cameras, books, magazines, comics, artwork, posters, vinyl records, ladies’ fashion, Harris tweed jackets, waistcoats and flat caps.

There are Welsh dressers and plenty of Welsh themed products and plenty of great upcycled and recycled ideas that would furnish any cool man cave.

“I love browsing in Happy Days. I’ve bought cool books here, a guitar, a 3D medical poster for my man cave. It never fails to deliver, and the prices are reasonable.”

Another great reason to visit Happy Days (not that it needed any more) is the cafe. The ladies are lovely. Every time I pop in I order a lovely piece of home-made Bara Brith with a cup of tea. Occasionally I’ll have lunch and the food is excellent. Great soups and stews in the winter months or a bacon sandwich.

Honestly ladies love this place but gents, you’re missing a trick, this is definitely worth a wander through next time you’re in town.

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“Great vinyl selection.

I’ve picked up some real gems here.”

Happy Days Vintage Homestore Church Street, Cowbridge CF71 7BB 01446 771191 www.happydaysvintagehomestore.co.uk

PENCOED HOUSE ESTATE THE PERFECT FAIRYTALE WEDDING VENUE

Getting married at Pencoed House is magical at any time of the year but, as Gavin and Jennifer Owen tell us here, their recent wedding was more romantic and exciting than they could have ever wished for.

How did you meet?

We met through a chance encounter in our place of employment eight years ago. We got engaged two years ago this Christmas in Edinburgh, where Gavin surprised me with an engagement ring hidden in a Christmas cracker at a stunning restaurant in a second-floor bay window overlooking Edinburgh Christmas markets and Castle.

Why did you decide to choose Pencoed House as your wedding venue?

We heard about Pencoed House through a colleague who, knowing our characters, thought this place would be perfect. We went to visit and fell completely in love with the venue, grounds its character and charm, and with Jamie, the owner. The feeling Pencoed House provides is incredible; the exclusivity, the history, the charm and romance of the place with its incredible grounds, stunning listed buildings and the ability to cater for our every wish really appealed to us.

With the architecture, the stonework and charm, Pencoed House offers the most gorgeous romance to a special day that it needs nothing more than the people to make an incredible wedding.

We decorated the venue ourselves with the help of an incredible florist and candlelight.

Did you look at other venues before choosing Pencoed House?

We looked at many venues across the south Wales area, from Swansea to Brecon, spending many days travelling to hotels, country houses and castles.

But on seeing Pencoed House and meeting with their team (it was actually the last place we visited), we fell in love with the venue and even now, after our wedding, the team have remained in contact. Their commitment to our incredible day will never be forgotten.

Did you use their caterers? How was the food?

We used Cresta Caterers for our food, and don’t think there are words to describe how incredible our food was. We chose our favourite food and Cresta delivered on an amazing level.

The food was beautifully presented, incredible flavour and taste and was piping hot, there was also plenty of it.

This was really important to us when looking for food to ensure there was plenty. The team did not fail. Their service was amazing. We received so many complements about the food that even family members came over to us and said people they met for the first time spoke with them and complemented the incredible quality of the food.

How did the day go?

We know it is every couple’s dream to have a perfect day, an expectation that is often very hard to meet, but without any question our day was amazing from the day before meeting staff at the venue, to bringing all our decorations to the night before bridal party staying at Pencoed House. Then the day, wow! It was spectacular! The attention to detail, the quality of the service of every member of their staff including two incredibly good, and fun, bar staff. The grounds, the games, everything was seamless and allowed us to enjoy every second of the day with guests and with each other.

What was the most special part of the day?

This is so hard to answer. We feel so incredibly blessed and lucky to

have experienced such an amazing day and to single out one part of it is impossible. We smiled ever second of the day!

Did you and your guests stay at Pencoed House? If so, what was that experience like?

Yes, we stayed, along with our family and closest friends. We always wanted to make a weekend out of our special day to be able to share time and memories with everybody and this was made our reality with Pencoed House Estate. Everyone who stayed thoroughly enjoyed it and it allowed us to spend time the following morning sharing a cooked breakfast with our closest. This breakfast was also amazing in both quality and taste, and was brilliant.

What was working with the people at Pencoed House like?

Incredible. Jamie was our Master of Ceremonies, his character gelled so perfectly with ours and made our day incredibly personal and amazing. The team from email contact, text and visiting the venue to their staff working on the day with us was faultless, they showed an incredible commitment, effort and love to us and our day.

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Even to wanting fireworks, which from numerous contacts with suppliers seemed to appear a challenge but Jamie gave us the details of a company called The Art of Sparks who put in an incredible display for us to match our dream of a firework send off - it was breath-taking.

Would you recommend Pencoed House to friends and colleagues?

A million times over!

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

We left Pencoed House the following day and travelled to Heathrow to start our honeymoon in America. San Francisco, Yosemite, Death Valley, Mexico and New York. This occasion was an experience we knew would be a once in a lifetime.

Pencoed House Estate Llantrisant Road Capel Llanilltern Cardiff CF5 6JR www.pencoedhouseestate.co.uk 029 2167 8090 Images courtesy of Philip Warren

Tequila Tins £12-£18 Paraben Free Hand poured Made in Wales available from www.candlewickcandle.co.uk

Powerful, lightweight, high shine drying hair dryer £69.99 www.untameduk.com

Favourite T HINGS...

MY

Coming Home to Winter Island

by Jo Thomas 99p on AmazonKindle

Here’s a roundup of some of the lovely things that have caught our eye this winter...

Kokkino, Electra Cascade Necklace in silver and 24ct gold plated silver £268 Scarlett Cohen French, Burnt clue and gold small circle earrings in sterling silver, copper, enamel and 24ct gold leaf £150 Available from www.annemorganjewellery.com

Underwear by Empreinte £138 Available from Bethan Jones, Cowbridge

Murdock London Beard Moisturiser 150ml £24 Available from @ASOS, @johnlewisandpartners @theofficialselfridges & @1847formen Jo Malone London Rose & Magnolia Cologne £104 per 100ml www.jomalone.co.uk Dirty Vegan Another Bite by Matt Pritchard published by Mitchell Beazley, £20

Tea Tonique Like a morning mist over a tea plantation, sparkling with citrus freshness and the coolness of green leaves.

Beth Slipper £32.50 available from www.prettyyoulondon.co.uk

50ml £75 100ml £105 www.millerharris.com

Limited Edition Aunt Lucy Paddington Bear £299 available from Wooden Tops Furniture, Bridgend

Scherzo A rush of colour and sweetness, like sugar flowers in a confection’s window floating above a garden.

50ml £95 100ml £140 hwww.millerharris.com

Velvet Sleeping Mask with Saffron Flowers £93 www.sisley-paris.co.uk

Knomo London Harewood Laptop Tote Backpack 15” £199 www.uk.knomo.com

You can judge a great restaurant by many things; the quality of its ingredients, the chefs, the ambience, its location and service. One that consistently ticks all the boxes for us is Keyif, the Turkish restaurant in Penarth. It’s consistently good and real value for money.

KONSISTENTLY KEYIF PENARTH

Owner, Mehmet Yidiz

The restaurant space feels just right with a very calming ambience.

Tastefully decorated it is light and airy.

Even if you’re in there with diners at just two or three other tables, it feels cosy. The atmosphere complements the food perfectly.

If we’re talking restaurants we have to talk about “service” and this is one area where Keyif truly excels. The service team are lovely. It’s really hard not to describe them without gushing praise and filling the page with clichés. They’re friendly, knowledgeable, super polite and nothing is too much trouble. What’s more it feels genuine, and is delivered effortlessly and, quite simply, makes you feel truly welcome.

We’ve enjoyed several meals at Keyif in Penarth over as many months.

Dinner, lunch - we’ve even popped in just for a snack and a glass of wine, and sometimes just a coffee – it’s that kind of restaurant. The one thing that has impressed us is its consistency.

It’s always good.

The food is excellent - we do love food from the griddle and Keyif does this exceptionally well. Their kebabs are simply scrumptious. We’ve ordered steak and lamb shanks and each time they’ve been perfectly cooked. We’ve yet to try the mixed grill but it’s on our Keyif bucket list.

Their rice is perfect each time and, on the odd occasion when we’ve ordered fries, they’ve been perfect too. One of the things I really love about Keyif is the salad. They do salads extremely well and everything is super fresh.

I’m not really a salad person (I often refer to it as rabbit food), but here, the salads are something special. They do a pomegranate dressing which is really lovely - not too sweet, but sticky and sublime, and it seems to lift the taste to another level. Jennifer recently had fish and it was divine - perfectly cooked and moist and full of flavour. In short, the food here is excellent.

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If you’ve dined at Keyif, you’ll know what we’re talking about. If you haven’t, you’ve missed out on a really lovely dining experience. The word keyif means pleasure and it’s the prefect name for this particular Turkish restaurant.

Keyif 21 Glebe Street Penarth CF64 1EE 029 2070 2429 www.keyif.co.uk keyifpenarth

Fresh Market Landed Fish

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PENARTH STORE OPENING EARLY 2020 108 Glebe Street, Penarth, Cardiff, CF64 1ED

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Romilly Associates was formed by David Stealey and has served the Vale of Glamorgan since 1995 with offices originally situated in High Street Barry. The firm moved to the Penarth office in 1999 and rebranded to Romilly Financial in 2012.

ROMILLY FINANCIAL

David has been a financial adviser for over thirty years having helped many clients from both Penarth and the Vale. We caught up with David to find out more.

Can you introduce the team at Romilly Financial?

We are a committed, friendly, professional and approachable team which includes myself as Managing Director and Senior Financial Planner, Marcus Rees, Director & Senior Financial Planner, Mandy Godfrey, Paraplanner and Office Manager, Tina Leonard, Marketing and Client Management, Katy O’Brien, Mortgage Processor and Lisa Fletcher, Mortgage Adviser.

What is it like having your office based in the Vale?

With both myself and Marcus living and working in Penarth, you couldn’t ask for a more stable work life balance. We have clients across the country, but the vast majority of relationships have been built up in and around the Vale.

Although we offer home visits many of our clients are happy to travel to Penarth and combine a meeting with a visit to one of its beautiful array of local coffee shops and restaurants. We are strongly committed to being part of our local community and take pride in the support we offer to local charities, organisations, businesses & Sports clubs.

What services do you specialise in?

Pensions, investments, mortgages, protection, tax efficient savings advice, long-term care, trusts & estate planning.

What do you think makes Romilly Financial different?

We offer an unparalleled service, sound advice and lower fees.

Where does your business come from?

We are very lucky in that most of our business comes from word of mouth.

We really appreciate clients taking time to recommend our services; our recommend a friend scheme allows us to send them a small token of our thanks. We are also grateful to our professional connections who are happy to recommend us also for our service and expertise.

What customers say... n

Keep up the great work – especially the personal contact

n

The service I received was great and I would fully recommend to friends and family

n

No one could or has explained things in a more clear and concise way – thank you so much.

n

By moving to better products, Romilly helped me to save £1000 per month which was a better outcome than I had expected. I was completely happy with the service!

TESTIMONIALS “I can’t recommend Marcus and David highly enough. I have no hesitation in recommended that my clients seek financial advice from Romilly Financial as I know that they will be extremely well looked after. They always dealt with my clients, some of whom are in particularly vulnerable positions, in a highly professional and empathetic manner.”

Angus Fergusson Solicitor & Director, Mooneerams Solicitors, Cardiff 35

Romilly Financial 26 Hickman Road, Penarth CF64 2AL 029 2041 5100 www.romillyifa.com Romilly Financial is a trading style of Romilly Associates IFA Ltd which is authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No. 450550

We would like to thank our clients for their continued support throughout the year and would like to wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

• • • • • • • •

See you all in 2020!

Highly trained, enthusiastic and friendly team Friendly salon environment Loyalty scheme Complimentary refreshments Town centre location Finest brand products Men, women and children welcome Creative cutting and styling to suit your lifestyle

029 2070 4040 www.bluhairdesign.com info@bluhairdesign.com Unit 1/1a Washington Buildings, Penarth, CF64 2AF

Winter has officially arrived, and whilst we may associate this with cosy nights and mulled wine, for some, it brings upon the dreaded cold and flu symptoms.

However, this doesn’t need to be inevitable, you can avoid the dreaded waiting time in GP surgeries by taking a few simple steps, and enjoy everything winter has to offer. Angharad Evans, Natural Therapist tells us how.

FIVE WINTER BUSTERS! 1.What to eat?

Let’s start by looking at our dinner plate. Is it colourful? Does it show all the colours of the rainbow? We need the antioxidants from our vegetables to boost our immunity. This means that we need Vitamins A, C, E, Bs Selenium, Zinc, Bioflavonoids and Cysteine.

What does this look like on our plate?

Dark green leafy vegetables, red, yellow, orange and purple vegetables.

Bioflavonoids are found in citrus fruit and grapes, buckwheat and cranberry are other sources of these essential antioxidants. asparagus, broccoli, sprouts, celery, cucumber, kale, red peppers, beetroot, tomatoes, carrots, orange peppers, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, swede, turmeric, ginger, yellow peppers, olives, purple sweet potatoes, aubergine, purple carrots, chick peas, shallots, seeds, onions, garlic, fennel, nuts, lentils and parsnips.

If your plate features NATURALLY colourful foods, you’re on the right track, giving your body the nutrients it needs to ward off those pesky bugs.

2.Supplement your diet Vitamin D is immune boosting and is important over the winter due to the reduction in daylight hours. Oily fish is a natural source of this vitamin too. Vitamin C and Zinc are the most effective tools to protect us against viral infections. It is definitely a supplementmust this winter. Garlic is anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal. Whether you take a capsule daily or eat a clove daily, either way, you’ll help fight infection.

Do you suffer from a sore throat or upset stomach? Make your own tea of ginger and cinnamon or ginger lemon and honey. In addition, Echinacea is a wonderful remedy to fight infections and to keep your immunity strong.

3.Sleep well Our bodies heal when we sleep, therefore, we need good quality sleep! Ensure your last meal is 2-3 hours before bedtime, switch off your broadband overnight, keep any blue light technology out of the bedroom, avoid coffee after 2pm and no napping after 3pm. All of these will help you get a better night’s sleep. We need a good dose of sunlight per day! Make sure you get out to the daylight for at least 30 minutes per day. It will help the quality of sleep.

4.Healthy mind, healthy body What’s good for immunity? A positive mind. Whether you spend quality time with family and friends, listen to music, relax through walking or yoga, you support your immune system by looking after you.

5.Get your blood pumping Getting the right balance of exercise will keep your immune system in shape.

Keep active and aim to do a form of exercise every other day. A determined walk for half an hour per day, swimming, cycling whatever you enjoy, will help boost your immune system.

Angharad Evans Therapïau Naturiol Angharad Natural Therapies by Angharad 07739210291 www.angharadevans.cymru AngharadsNaturalTherapy

SEVEN HEAVEN Living in Wales is wonderful but wanderlust always sets us off travelling and because we love our weekends in the smoke, we took ourselves for a short break rail-blazing around Seven Dials.

Seven Dials is a unique shopping and lifestyle destination in London’s West End positioned between Covent Garden and Soho. Seven atmospheric streets are filled with independent boutiques, international fashion labels, heritage brands, beauty boutiques, men’s grooming specialists, traditional pubs, cool cocktail bars, cafés, awardwinning restaurants, theatres and smart hotels. At the centre is a pillar bearing six sundials, a result of the column being commissioned before a late- stage alteration of the plans from the original six roads to seven. Seven Dials even warranted a mention in the operetta Iolanthe by W. S. Gilbert fame indeed!

It is compact and bijou, with great value and finish as well as value for money, and we love it.

For breakfast they offer a complimentary bag (yoghurt, fruit etc) but we opt to purchase the full English with tea and it doesn’t disappoint. We have to compliment The Hoxton, Holborn on their service. The staff are awesome and some of our establishments could learn a lot about customer service from The Hoxton, Holborn. They really are lovely people.

First we needed a base, so The Hoxton, Holborn pops up on our radar and has excellent reviews; we aren’t disappointed. It’s a mix between a business club, restaurant, café, bar and hotel, and oozes cool from every pore.

“The Hoxton, Holborn delivered one of the best night’s sleep ever.”

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“Any hotel that has an August 1990 copy of Elle for you to read is cool with us.”

Yes, we loved The Hoxton, Holborn – perfectly positioned on High Holborn to explore the Seven Dials.

So what does the area offer? Great access to Covent Garden, Soho and the West End. The seven streets are packed with cool independents so if shopping, rail-blazing and eating out is your forte, you’ll be satisfied indeed.

Our highlights…

Any weekend away is about experiences. In this area, you’re coming for the vibe, the buzz, the sounds, the smells, the tastes and boy, does Seven Dials deliver. We pushed the boat out on day one with dinner at Marcus Wareing’s Tredwells restaurant and enjoyed one of the best starters to a meal ever - afterwards, we took a walk and even the rain added to the mood reflecting the beautiful lights of Carnaby Street onto the cobbles, a wonderfully atmospheric start to a great weekend.

On Saturday, we actually slept in - The Hoxton, Holborn is super quiet despite our room overlooking High Holborn.

Great breakfast and we’re out, there’s so much to see. The Seven Dials Market is a must - lovely vibe about the place and some really excellent stalls.

We wanted to try Redemption, a vegan restaurant nearby in Shorts Gardens (as we’d heard excellent things) but, sadly, it was fully booked (we should have made a reservation). We head for Covent Garden and, again, it delivered exactly what we’d hoped for - by now, we are completely chilled and embracing London life.

Lunchtime Saturday we find ourselves sharing afternoon tea at Monmouth Kitchen on Monmouth Street, an Italian and contemporary Peruvianinspired tapas restaurant. Super scrummy. A treat yes, but isn’t this what life is about? The other food at Monmouth Kitchen looked excellent so certainly one we would visit again next time we’re here.

We head to Earlham Street and discover Knomo who design products to help get life organised.

From backpacks to briefcases and handbags to luggage, every product is cleverly designed and caters for technology and modern life on the move. Impressive, and we’re now proud owners.

Back to Monmouth Street to Miller Harris for what we both agreed was a really lovely experience – a bespoke fragrance profiling by Store Manager who instantly became a friend.

He was a gorgeous soul and we ended up promising to have dinner next time we’re in London. Having our own fragrance specially curated for us was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

We spent the rest of the afternoon browsing the seven streets and decided that we’d like to try something out of our comfort zones for dinner. After a quick freshen up at The Hoxton, Holborn, we were off to Flesh & Buns on Earlham Street, a Japanese Izakaya restaurant and bar serving steamed hirata buns with sirloin steak and some cool cocktails.

It was packed, noisy and wonderfully addictive. I imagine if we lived locally, it would be one of our favourite places.

Soho and Chinatown beckoned and we spent the next hour soaking up the sights, smells and sounds of this iconic area before heading back.

Sunday morning arrives and despite our mantras that we’d go easy at breakfast, one of us caved and the full English won again.

We head back into Seven Dials and find ourselves at Murdock London on Monmouth Street. We’d spotted it the day before and had booked in for a facial for Mark. Murdock London is a fine barber offering all the usual services but delivering in an exceptionally cool way. They have also created a range of signature products so even if you’re not in London, you can enjoy the experience at home. All products are made in England and offer a signature shaving collection along with colognes, skincare and accessories. Great facial - very relaxing and refreshing. Well worth a visit and a great gift for the chaps.

In the afternoon we are unable to resist passing Hotel Chocolat (we love the one in Cardiff). They offer a Chocolate Tasting Adventure in their Cocoa Vaults on Monmouth Street but, again, we should have booked.

We console ourselves with a variety of ‘train sweets’ in the form of Cherry Deluxe and Lemon Cheesecake.

We checked out and headed for Paddington in a black cab (no we don’t Uber – we’d rather support the cabbies).

Both agreed we’d had a fantastic weekend in Seven Dials and, as we wait for our train, we’re already planning our return. We’re in seventh heaven.

Seven Dials www.sevendials.co.uk

Flesh & Buns www.fleshandbuns.com

The Hoxton www.thehoxton.com

Murdock London www.murdocklondon.com

Monmouth Kitchen www.monmouthkitchen.co.uk

Hotel Chocolat www.hotelchocolat.com

Tredwells www.tredwells.com

The Trainline www.thetrainline.com

Knomo uk.knomo.com

COMING SOON!

Miller Harris www.millerharris.com 41

Travel Life Travel Life is our new online guide to holiday destinations in the UK and beyond www.travellifemag.co.uk

HERBERT R THOMAS I’ve often wondered what a day looks like for a Director in a busy estate agency. Here, Robert Calcaterra, one of the Directors of the well-established, popular agency in Cowbridge, Herbert R Thomas.

What is your role at HRT and how long have you been in this position?

As one of the Directors at HRT, my day-to-day role is being directly involved with the management of Residential Sales in the Cowbridge Office, dealing with all facets including initial valuation meetings, processing of sale details, negotiating and overseeing sales, together with day-to-day involvement with managing/decision making across the wider business alongside my Co-Directors.

I joined HRT in 1983 - 36 years ago!

When I joined HRT, it was a much smaller business and at that time there was no rental department and only three members of staff in sales. Year by year we have thrived and today there are nine members of staff in sales and three in our rental department.

Do you live locally?

Yes, I have lived in Cowbridge all my professional and adult life; brought up my family here and both my children went to the local primary and secondary schools in Cowbridge. I also represented the town in rugby and tennis - albeit a few years ago!

Describe a typical day at Herbert R Thomas‌ No two days are alike! I am very lucky to have a role which isn’t solely office based and gives me the opportunity to enjoy all that the Vale of Glamorgan has to offer while travelling to different appointments. I still never know what opportunities and challenges will 42

arrive on a daily basis. I am also lucky enough to have an excellent group of able and motivated staff around me who are a pleasure to work with and help to ensure the smooth running of the sales office.

What are your areas of expertise?

We pride ourselves on offering highly professional honest marketing advice and strive to achieve the best available price on the market - I can call upon a wealth of knowledge that has been built up over the decades. The process of selling can, at times, be very stressful for the buyer and seller and we do our very best to make this journey as trouble free as possible for sellers and buyers alike.

What do you believe sets Herbert R Thomas apart from other estate agents in the area?

We have all the advantages of being a long established local independent agent with a huge knowledge of the area and delivering a personal service but, at same time, large enough to deliver a wide range of property services including; auctions, agricultural matters, commercial, planning advice, residential sales, full rental services and professional valuations which has strengthened by the opening of our Cardiff Office.

We are independent, but big enough to cover all required options and are also part of the Guild of Property Professionals which is a National Network with 800 offices spread across

England and Wales and provides us with access to a prestigious Park Lane, Mayfair Central London Office.

For 2020 - New development in the area is a growing sector which we are involved in and we have recently been appointed as the selling agent for ‘Cottrell Gardens’ Bonvilston, which is a luxury development adjacent to Cottrell Park Golf Club providing access to the many amenities of the rural Vale of Glamorgan combined with an easy commute to Cardiff.

What are your expectations for 2020?

2019 - Posted excellent results across all three sales offices, despite challenging market conditions.

The winter and Christmas period is always a quieter time, but it gives us the opportunity to make strategic decisions for the new year and make sure we are best placed to deliver as we look forward to the new year and early spring.

We are excited about what 2020 brings and look forward to continuing to serve the local and wider Vale community.

Herbert R Thomas 59 High Street, Cowbridge, CF71 7YL 01446 772911 www.hrt.uk.com

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S H OW H O M E N OW O P E N AT C OT T R E L L G A R D E N S , B O N V I L S TO N

A collection of one hundred and twenty, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes located in the tranquil village of Bonvilston, overlooking the award-winning Cottrell Park Golf Resort.

Situated in the scenic Vale of Glamorgan, just a 20-minute drive from Cardiff.

The homes at Cottrell Gardens offer contemporary rural living, bespoke design, and a high specification. Visit the Show Home and see how we can help get you moving.

Prices from ÂŁ335,000 - ÂŁ790,000

S H OW H O M E O P E N DA I LY 10 A M - 5 P M C OT T R E L L G A R D E N S , B O N V I L S TO N , C A R D I F F C F 5 6 T R

For further information contact: 014 4648 9407 cottrellgardens@acornpg.org acornpropertygroup.org Computer generated images used for illustrative purposes only. Prices correct at time of print

Regular readers will know that Steve Collier of Atlantic Self Storage had an extremely successful ornamental and industrial fencing company which, several years ago, he sold and then set up the storage business. End of an era? Not quite…

STEEL FENCING CARDIFF Commercial Palisade Steel Fencing We provide a supply only, or supply and installation service for our Steel Palisade Fencing to all commercial clients across South Wales.

School Vertical Bar Steel Fencing We provide a supply only, or supply and installation service for our Steel Vertical Bar Fencing to all commercial clients across South Wales.

Council Palisade Steel Fencing We provide a supply only, or supply and installation service for our Steel Palisade Fencing to all councils across South Wales.

Playground & Park Bowtop Fencing We provide a supply only, or supply and installation service for our Bowtop Fencing to all playgrounds and parks across South Wales.

Domestic Bowtop Steel Fencing We provide a supply only, or supply and installation service for our Bowtop Fencing to all security companies across South Wales.

Sports Ground Palisade Steel Fencing We provide a supply only, or supply and installation service for our Steel Palisade Fencing to all types of sports grounds across South Wales.

Well, after not too much persuasion, Steve is back in the steel fencing business. We caught up with him (and we had to run - he’s a hundred miles an hour!), to find out more.

Steve why are you back in the fencing business?

I really like what I do. I’ve always loved it. I enjoy my work. Now Atlantic Self Storage is well established, why not?

I’m twiddling my thumbs a little and anyone who knows me knows I can’t sit still for a minute. I like being busy, and I love steel fabrication!

Is there still a demand for the ornate and commercial fencing?

Yes, there is and the main reason I started again is the amount of requests I’ve had over the past years for specialised contracts where our expertise has been necessary.

What are you offering potential customers?

We make steel palisade fencing which we can install for your business or on your land. This can help secure your premises from even the most determined intruders. Whether your premises are commercial, industrial, a school, playground, council land, sports ground or even residential, we can provide security fencing.

We want to be the number one fencing contractors for palisade fencing in Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan and south Wales. We can provide a supply only, or supply and installation service, for our steel palisade fencing.

What areas will you cover?

Across south Wales mainly; Cardiff, Newport, Barry, Penarth, Bridgend and anywhere within The Vale of Glamorgan.

“Anyone who knows me, knows I can’t sit still for a minute. I like being busy, and I love steel fabrication!”

EXPERIENCE

Tried & Trusted…

“We carry out a lot of work in the local community and surrounding areas of Cardiff and south Wales on behalf of local and central government and public transport, as well as other private and social sectors such as Housing Associations.”

Steve adds, “Some of our relationships with business go back forty years. Having handled large scale commercial and industrial projects in Cardiff over such a long number of years, we’re highly qualified and offer exceptional quality of work and unrivalled customer service.”

Steel Fencing Cardiff Unit 8, Atlantic Trading Estate Barry, Vale Of Glamorgan CF63 3RF For quotations, please call 07813 134123 info@steelfencingcardiff.co.uk www.steelfencingcardiff.co.uk

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4

5

4

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THE COTTAGE, YSTRADOWEN, NEAR COWBRIDGE VALE OF GLAMORGAN, CF71 7SZ £1,150.000

ARCHWAY HOUSE, WESTGATE, COWBRIDGE VALE OF GLAMORGAN, CF71 7AQ £POA

Elegance and simplicity. This gorgeous five bedroom

A simply stunning home with impeccably presented and

family home located within the stunning Vale countryside

extensive accommodation within a convenient, level walk

offers plenty of living space with stunning views of the

of Cowbridge town centre. Lounge and dining hall. Living

surrounding area. The property boasts an Entrance hall,

room open to kitchen with breakfast area beyond; Master

sitting room, study, kitchen, lounge and dining areas, a

bedroom suite with dressing room and bathroom and two

dedicated utility area and double garage. Master bedroom

further en-suite bedrooms to the first floor; Two addition-

suite with ensuite, three further double bedrooms; one

al double bedrooms, both en-suite, to the ground floor.

single bedroom and two bathroom suites. Wonderfully

Also, cloakroom and utility room. Wonderfully sheltered,

established gardens to the front and side; ample off road

low maintenance gardens to the front and rear; ample

parking, Stables, equine facilities and land.

off-road parking and twin garages.

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TRECASTAN, SETERSTON-SUPER-ELY £915.000 Set within a stunning plot of about 0.8 of an acre, Trecastan offers amazing views over sizeable gardens on to picturesque farmland. With close to 3200 sq ft of accommodation, it offers a great degree of flexibility and currently includes: lounge, galleried dining hall and sitting room, all with wood burners; kitchen-breakfast room and utility room; study and a large games room. To the first floor: 4 bedrooms, one en-suite and bathroom. A fifth,

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1

TREWALTERFAWR, WALTERSTON, NEAR LLANCARFAN, VALE OF GLAMORGAN, CF62 3AS £795,000 An exceptional, Grade II* listed home to the very heart of the Vale offering extensive family accommodation and an immense wealth of character. Two large living rooms, both with open fires. Kitchen-breakfast room, scullery and garden room. Five bedrooms including master bedroom with timber floorboards. Includes a two-storey barn, outbuildings and very generous gardens, in all about 1.4 acres.

en-suite bedroom could be used as an annex. Double garage and ample parking. Extensive gardens, bordered to the rear by open farmland.

BRIDGEND T 01656 644 288 E bridgend@wattsandmorgan.wales

COWBRIDGE T 01446 773 500 E cowbridge@wattsandmorgan.wales

LONDON T 020 7467 5330 E london@wattsandmorgan.co.uk

PENARTH T 029 2071 2266 E penarth@wattsandmorgan.wales

New Year New Home Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Watts & Morgan

Let us show you how we can make a difference to your 2020.

Please call us on 01446 773 500 for a free Market Appraisal.

@WattsandMorgan

wattsandmorgan

wattsandmorgan.wales

KITCHENS

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All too often businesses blow their own trumpet but if you really want to know how good a business is, ask the customers. Steve, Managing Director, is extremely proud of Atlantic’s excellent reputation and regularly receives excellent feedback from both private and business users.

TRIED & TRUSTED We caught up with Steve at the stateof-the-art facilities in Barry. “We’ve invested massively in Atlantic,” he says. “Security is one of our biggest investments - we have cameras everywhere monitoring the facility 24 hours a days, 365 days a year.”

Atlantic Self Storage is clearly held in very high regard. Just check out these testimonials from very satisfied customers.

Claire Hardy The staff were helpful, friendly & made everything very easy. We visited our storage unit a few times to drop off/ pick up and everything was clean, well organised and straight forward.

Kate Thomas Fantastic service! Steve, Jackie and the team are always so helpful in all

aspects. We have changed to different units a few times and it’s never any problem for them. Always there to help out if things are too heavy and always very professional. Would definitely recommend.

Dave and Julie Morgan We were very impressed with Atlantic Self Storage. Steve was helpful and nothing was too much trouble. Very easy to book and arrange storage. Our furniture was kept in storage whilst we renovated our home and we could gain access at any time if needed. The price was very competitive and easily accessible.

Jamie Smith Would highly recommend Atlantic Self Storage, 5 star quality service - Steve and the team are always willing to go out of their way and beyond to help out.

Atlantic Self Storage Unit 8, Atlantic Trading Estate Barry CF63 3RF 01446 677648 info@atlanticselfstorage.co.uk www.atlanticselfstorage.co.uk n Open

seven days a week hour access for containers n Over 70 CCTV cameras operated both internally and externally n Pay only for the days used after one month n Accept deliveries n No notice period n Lift access to all floors n Always help at hand n No nasty bites in the tail when you leave n 24

Atlantic Storage are proud to be associated with, and highly recommend, Bennetts Removals for all your moving requirements (Which Trusted Trader) www.bennettsremovals-removals.com

01446 677648 or 07813 134123

www.atlanticselfstorage.co.uk

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CALL 029 2066 7787

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CORIAN APPROVED FABRICATORS 61

Kitchen A After

D ON’T BUY N EW - RENEW! As well as offering a professional furniture spray painting service, Wooden Tops Furniture in Bridgend can also give your kitchen a new lease of life at a fraction of the cost of a brand new one.

Their unique painting service gives an ultra-hard finish, meaning your modern new kitchen stays looking good for years to come.

Contact Wooden Tops for a FREE no obligation quotation.

Kitchen B After

Kitchen A Before

Wooden Tops Furniture 15-16 Queens Court Bridgend CF31 3TQ 01656 856520 www.woodentopsfurniture.co.uk

Kitchen B Before 53

“Private Client household insurance is essential if the cost to re-build your property is above £250,000 or if your contents are worth over £75,000.”

TOWERGATE INSURANCE BROKERS Wales based Insurance Broker Wayne Thomas of Towergate Insurance Brokers advises that generally household insurance policies have inner limits on the sums insured for valuable items; jewellery, wine collections, fine arts or antiques.

“If you have any items that may be considered as high-value then they may not be fully insured under a standard insurance policy.

Using an Insurance Broker to handle your insurance can provide you with the one to one attention you require when protecting your most valuable and precious belongings. The larger the building sum insured, the more complicated a claim can be to reinstate a property following a fire or other incident. In terms of your contents, we understand that you may need worldwide insurance cover for items and our bespoke policy allows us to incorporate this cover for you.

Should you be the owner of a listed

building you will appreciate that establishing the value of your property is not as straightforward as with a standard build. We look to arrange ‘Unlimited Replacement Cost’ insurance coverage whenever possible, meaning that in the event of an insured loss, your home would be repaired/ reinstated as dictated by your Local Conservation Officer even if the cost were to exceed your sum insured.

We will make sure you have the cover you need and provide you with a dedicated one to one service.

If you would like to find out more about Private Client Household and Contents Insurance or High Value Motor Insurance, Enhanced Travel Insurance or Marine/Pleasure Craft Insurance please contact Wayne on 02920 441255.

Want to know more?

To find out more about: n Private Client Household n Contents Insurance n High Value Motor Insurance n Enhanced Travel Insurance n Marine/Pleasure Craft Insurance Contact Wayne on 029 2044 1255 wayne.thomas@towergate.co.uk Towergate Insurance Brokers 029 2044 1255

Towergate Insurance Brokers is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited.

Registered in England No.4043759. Registered Address: 1 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London, EC3R7AA. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Divorce and Dissolution C E R TA I N T Y, S TA B I L I T Y A N D C O N F I D E N C E F R O M B E R R Y S M I T H

Matrimonial & Family Services.

Armed Forces | Children | Cohabitation | Domestic Violence | Separation Conciliation & Negotiation | Divorce & Civil Partnerships | Surrogacy & Parental Orders Farming Divorce | Finances & The Property | Pre & Post Nuptial Agreements

Cardiff | Bridgend www.berrysmith.com 029 2034 5511 | 01656 645 525 54

Wherever you live in the Vale, from time to time as a homeowner or business there will be issues with security. Sometimes it’s a spate of antisocial behaviour and occasionally it can be more serious, so now more than ever it’s important to have a good deterrent in place.

PROTECT & SERVE We recently chatted with Kris Price of Greenpoint Security. Kris’s children had been attending the 1st Penmark & Porthkerry Scout Group in Rhoose (Kris also volunteers there occasionally) and the leader had mentioned they had suffered a series of incidents; anti-social behaviour and several attempted break-ins.

How did you get involved with the Scouts?

My children have been attending the Scouts for around four years - the team have certainly helped teach my children valuable life skills and they’ve enjoyed happy memories with camps and days out which I really appreciate.

And you’ve also been volunteering…

Yes, I’ve recently been lending a hand at the Scout hut in Rhoose to help with the upkeep of the building and garden area. Whilst helping build a new fence for the front garden this year, one of the leaders mentioned they were having a few problems so we decided to help and provide a discounted and affordable solution to beef up the security.

Are the Scouts delighted with the solution?

Absolutely. It’s piece of mind. And it’s true that if you make life difficult for the kind of people that cause these issues, they’ll go elsewhere. They’re always looking for easy targets.

TECH SPEC

Security equipment Installed Kris and his Greenpoint team installed two full HD cameras to cover the front and back of the hall. These can be monitored inside the hut on a flat screen and on the leader’s mobile phone when the hut is closed.

There’s now an alarm system installed that covers the property and alerts the keyholders if the alarm is triggered.

All parts were installed at cost price with no charge for labour from the team at Greenpoint Security.

At Greenpoint we enjoy working with local communities and making a difference. This is one of many projects we plan to work on every year to help local charities with security and networking issues they may have; this would include upgrading wireless and network points, access control systems or CCTV and alarm systems.

What other services do you offer?

Greenpoint also has an IT arm. We provide computer support for many businesses in the area and repair, service and upgrade computers and smartphones at our shop in Barry.

Greenpoint IT & Security 18 Holton Rd, Barry CF63 4HD 01446 484123 www.greenpoint-it.co.uk www.greenpoint-security.co.uk

WORKING ON WORK

FIVE STARTING POINTS FROM

LEWIS BALLARD We all want to be better, even those on top of their game should aim to improve. Dan le Sac tells us, ‘If your only goal is always to improve on yourself, then the quest is never over no matter how big your wealth.’ This is true of business too! If you’re not working on bettering your business it isn’t going to improve.

We know you’re working hard, but are you working right? Make time to work on work. Doing daily tasks is important, but it won’t make your business improve. Getting better at doing your daily tasks only gets you better at staying where you are!

1. Change You have to make changes to see changes. Setting a target to be bringing in more high value clients is great, but if you stick to the same process you’ve been following, day-in day-out, you’re going to get exactly the same results you’ve been getting, day-in day-out. A great way to identify where you should be changing your tactics is to ask people who are already doing what you want to do. The worst they can do is not tell you!

2. Commit Change can be hard to enforce, but it can be the most important part.

Frequently processes put in place to bring change fall by the wayside.

People revert to what they know, but that only keeps everything the same. Nothing can progress if nothing changes. Let’s say your goal is to drive up garlic bread sales and you’ve told everyone to offer it every time.

If you don’t monitor it, things will quickly revert to the previous statusquo. Want to get stuck with a load of garlic bread, or increased sales? Make those changes stick!

3. Goals What are you aiming for? Bettering yourself is great, but you need more specific goals. To become ‘better’ is too broad. What’s the best route to ‘better’? If you decide to get better at workflow management you need to identify how much and by when.

Before you know it, you won’t just be working towards ‘better’, you’ll know how much better you really are.

4. Time Want more time? Unfortunately, you can’t have it! There is no more to go around. Instead use what you have more wisely. Is it really only you who can do those routine daily tasks? Is that just vanity? Because to improve your business, you need to prioritise working on work, not just in it.

“You have to make changes to see changes.”

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5. ‘Better’ So you’ve achieved your goal and now you’re ‘better’. You’ve reached good or even great, but don’t stop there.

Super successful companies are always improving, which is why we see new innovation daily from the businesses we want to compete with and, eventually, exceed. They’re working on work right now. Are you?

Give us a call and let Lewis Ballard help you identify what your goals should be, and how you can be working on work today.

“So you’ve achieved your goal and now you’re ‘better’. You’ve reached good or even great, but don’t stop there.”

Lewis Ballard Celtic House Caxton Place Pentwyn, Cardiff CF23 8HA 02920 735502 info@lewisballard.co.uk www.lewisballard.co.uk

57

SOCIAL LIFE PONTYCLUN

Miss De-Vyliers celebrates first anniversary in style!

A little bit of drizzle couldn’t stop the excited customers (existing and new) celebrating the first anniversary of this gorgeous boutique in the heart of Pontyclun.

Owner Louise De-Vyliers and her staff welcomed customers with a glass of prosecco and showed them the expansion of the boutique and the stunning range of new clothing and gifts for the winter season.

Guests

Susanna Shannon, Hayley Anthony and Sarah Barnett

Agi May MakeUp Artist

The prosecco flowed throughout the day and customers took advantage of the 10% off purchases offer. Needless to say, there were lots of happy ladies laden with Miss De-Vyliers bags stepping out with big smiles on their faces!

Miss De-Vyliers 16 Cowbridge Road, Pontyclun CF72 9ED 07814 022483 www.missdevyliers.com

Collette Bevan, Annette Willett and Mary Simmonds

Mandy Davies (centre and friends) 58

Nicola Wheelen and Louise De-Vyliers

PARK CRESCENT, BARRY

Park Crescent, Barry Launch of Quadrant Financial Associates Ltd Quadrant opened its doors recently for the big launch at its new location at 115A Park Crescent, Barry and what an amazing turnout they enjoyed to help them celebrate.

They were extremely honoured to have the legendary Welsh Broadcaster Vincent Kane OBE fly in from Cyprus to officially declare them open for business.

Quadrant would personally like to thank all businesses who helped the business set up and those who helped with the launch. They include Russell Adams - Shop fitting, D & R Flooring, Arc Electrical, Sam Metcalf - plumbing, Ryan Harvey - plastering, Steve Jones - window and door fitter, Dynamic Creative – office printing, Omni Design - office décor, Gaynor & Ernie Adamson (Lindsey’s parents) and Tidy Food Company - buffet, Heaven Scent Floral Design - floral display, PJ Bakes - delicious cupcakes, Cocoa Therapy - chocolates, Bob’s Balloons, SW Catering Hire - crockery, glasses and tea urn, Bro Radio, Barry Magazine and Vale Life Magazine.

For more information please call Quadrant on 029 2081 4045 or pop into the new Park Crescent office.

Corinne and Ronald Pike

Sue Williams, Dot Lloyd, Rita Benson

Sue Boultbee and Ennis Matthews

Russell and Lindsey

Nick O’Sullivan, Julian Ings and Sam Kiley (West Coat Conveyancing)

Sue Williams, Dot Lloyd, Rita Benson

Faris and Julie Najjar (Omni Design)

Lindsey and Vincent Kane OBE Lucy Gulwell and Clair Stevenson

Hundreds of young people die every year from undiagnosed heart conditions Book a FREE* heart screening appointment at www.welshhearts.org/heart-screening-wales

FOR Ages 8 - 45 *ÂŁ20 deposit required

Paediatric and adult sessions available Email screenings@welshhearts.org Donate at www.welshhearts.org/ben-mcdonald Or call 02922 402 670

@WelshHearts

CARDIFF

Magenta celebrates with a Christmas event What a fantastic event at the Radisson Blu as Magenta Financial Planning held its annual Christmas event for sixty guests which includes clients, business contacts and acquaintances.

Guests enjoyed a magician, big band and fun quizzes and a delicious hot buffet.

It didn’t take long for the dance floor to see a little action and there were some good movers and shakers. www.magentafp.com

HIGHBULLEN Given that it’s only a leisurely two and a half hour’s drive from Cardiff, it’s no wonder city dwellers choose this beautiful hotel for a quick getaway.

It’s History Highbullen Hotel combines an interesting history dating back to 1879 enhanced with contemporary touches and modern luxuries, set within a sprawling 127 acre estate with magnificent views across the Mole Valley and Exmoor National Park. This really is the hotel to explore North Devon.

Accommodation At Highbullen Hotel, the main building, a Victorian arts and craft manor house, is home to twelve beautiful bedrooms, including the spectacular award-winning Loft Suite complete with its own steam room and infrared sauna, whilst a further thirty bedrooms can be found throughout the Estate in The Courtyard, Gardener’s Row, Golf View and Stable Cottage. Comfortable lounges to relax in can be found in the Manor House with stunning views across to Exmoor.

Highbullen also offers four luxurious self-catering cottages.

The Food There are plenty of dining options at Highbullen. Formal dining takes place in the AA 2 Rosette Devon View Restaurant, under the careful watch of head chef Stephen Walker.

The elegant dining room features floor to ceiling windows, granting spectacular panoramic views across the Devon countryside over to Exmoor.

The menu showcases seasonal and local produce with a modern British theme across all dishes. An extensive wine list offers wines from the old and new worlds and staff can suggest wine pairings.

Highbullen recently opened Laura Ashley The Tea Room. Designed in the distinctive Laura Ashley style, the room accommodates 74 covers, providing guests with unrivalled views bringing together the quintessence of England: the timelessness of afternoon tea, elegant country living and one of the most iconic English brands. This space is converted into The Supper Room between 6pm and 10pm daily.

The casual dining menu here includes a wide style of dining options that will entice everyone including ‘small plates and sharing platters’ priced from £4.50, ‘big eats’ priced from £12.50, ‘pizza and pasta’ priced from £11, ‘salads’ and ‘desserts’ priced from £6.50.

The Highbullen Hotel, north Devon, is best known for two things - walking and great food.

It’s an ideal base for exploring Exmoor and beyond and is the perfect place for a weekend or mid-week break.

HOTEL

Things to do There is an intimate green charm to walks around Exmoor. The Moors also provide plenty of myth and legend to explore. But walking here is a joy and walkers will encounter subtle blends of prehistoric past and wilderness present. Highbullen can provide written and mapped walk details for six walks local to the hotel. The shortest is a half hour route around the hotel and village, the longest a walk on Exmoor, taking in the highest cliffs in England with views over the Bristol Channel to South Wales, as well as Exmoor’s famous wooded combes and heather covered moorland with its wealth of wildlife.

Time to explore Golden sandy beaches perfect for rock-pooling, swimming and surfing, dramatic coastlines, rugged moors and verdant valleys all demand to be explored. Saunton Sands, Woolacombe, Putsborough are all good for surfing or family days out and within quick driving distance from the hotel.

The leisure facilities For leisure fans, Highbullen Hotel is a dream, especially in the warmer months with plenty of outdoor possibilities. Facilities include seven all-weather tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool and an eighteen hole USGA specification golf course set in wooded parkland.

We paid a visit to Minehead and were delighted to discover that it wasn’t just home to Butlins.

Indoors guests can make use of a twenty metre indoor swimming pool with sauna, steam-room and jacuzzi.

Highbullen Hotel has partnered with leading skincare brand ELEMIS to provide a wide range of wonderful spa treatments; facials, massages and holistic therapies are available.

There were plenty of interesting independent businesses, restaurants and cafes to keep us busy for the whole afternoon. Well worth a visit.

What we loved…

Sometimes country hotels can feel a little stuffy and uninviting. Not so at Highbullen. The staff are the jewel in Highbullen’s crown. Welcoming, attentive, but unobtrusive. From the receptionist to the maitre‘d’, it was clearly a labour of love and not just a job to them.

The near future Not ones to rest on their laurels, the hotel owners have plans to add lodges to the grounds next year to make the hotel more family and friendly.

Would we return?

In a heartbeat.

Highbullen Hotel Chittlehamholt, Umberleigh North Devon EX37 9HD 01769 540561 welcome@highbullen.co.uk www.highbullen.co.uk B&B is priced from £110 per room per night

Struggling to find that ultimate gift for the man in your life? You may still be, even after reading this. But hey, we can dream…

Tag Heuer Monaco 24 Steve McQueen CAL5111 FC6299-2014 Call for price 029 2023 3691 Watches Of Wales www.watchesofwales.co.uk

MAN CAVE If you’d like to promote your products or services in our Man Cave section, please contact Jennifer on 07766 106701.

MPower Boxing Equipment Excellent range Gloves from £35 bags from £135 www.mpoweruk.co.uk

Candlewick Man Flu Available in silver or rose gold tins £12 to £18 Hand-blended soy waxes Essential oils and fragrance oils Paraben free Hand poured and yes, they’re made in Wales www.gaucicandles.co.uk

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Concorde Edition Available to purchase now £321,350 Is being manufactured and delivered in October 2020

by Aston Martin Q Division www.dicklovett.co.uk/aston-martin

If you’re looking for more gift ideas for the man in your life, check out the Happy Days feature on pages 26 and 27.

The Loake / Saphir Luxury Valet Box £160 n Cleaning Cloth, Metal shoe horn, Oiled/waxy leather protector, Suede cleaner, Suede protector. n 6 x Saphir/Loake Shoe Creams: Black, Brown, Dark Brown, Conker Brown, Tan and Neutral. n 2 x Small applicator brushes and 2 x Large polishing brushes www.thebroguetrader.com

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The publisher or the retailer cannot be held responsible for any error or omissions. All offers are subject to availability and price changes.

Family breakdown is not a happy subject for discussion, but it does become a sad reality for many couples. Divorce Lawyers do not always get a good press.

TROUBLE AHEAD

Some observations from the Hollywood Greats corroborate this. “Divorce is a game played by lawyers” Cary Grant (divorced five times). “A lot of people have asked me how short I am. Since my last divorce, I think I’m about $100,000 short”. Mickey Rooney (divorced six times). “My husband taught me housekeeping; when I divorce I keep the house.” : Zsa Zsa Gabor (divorced seven times).

Vale Solicitors don’t have many clients in Hollywood but have been assisting local people with family problems for decades.

“I would hope that times have changed since Cary Grant’s experience of divorce.” says Michael Morgan, Director of Vale Solicitors. “The Law is constantly changing and procedures improving.

Modern Family Lawyers certainly do not play games. Those of us who are accredited by The Law Society as Family Law Practitioners, have undergone a rigorous process to achieve accreditation by demonstrating superior experience, knowledge and best practice in Family Law.” Says Michael.

Relationship breakdown can of course be more complex when there are financial, property and pension issues to resolve. The future care and support of any children is the absolute priority.

Here more considered advice should be obtained early on with a view to achieving a negotiated settlement that is fair for all.

Vale Solicitors have been established in the Vale of Glamorgan for over 150 years and in addition to Family Law provide a full range of legal services for families, individuals and businesses.

If you would like a free consultation, please give Michael Morgan a call.

“At Vale Solicitors, we do our best to resolve family issues without leaving a decision to the court. Litigation can be hugely expensive as Mickey Rooney found to his cost.” says Michael “As a firm, we are leaders in south Wales in the field of mediation. We hold the Law Society’s Family Mediation Accreditation, the quality mark for qualified specialists in family mediation.

All accredited mediators are trained and qualified to assist you in talking together to help you agree a solution that works for you, and if you are parents, for your children’s future, without going to Court.”

Vale Solicitors Advocates & Mediators 102 High Street, Barry CF62 7DS 01446 792535 and 07771 803639 Also at 1 Boverton Road, Llantwit Major CF61 1XZ 01446 792535

Often couples can agree matters between themselves and it is simply a matter of committing that agreement to writing in formal separation agreement. They may also need to deal with the formalities of the Court Application for divorce. Vale Solicitors can assist with these matters on an agreed fixed fee basis.

mail@valesolicitors.com www.valesolicitors.com 68

Crumbs, the much-loved restaurant/café in Cardiff’s beautiful Morgan Arcade, is approaching its 50th year and so, to celebrate, owner Paul has given what was the capital’s very first vegetarian/vegan restaurant a little makeover to celebrate.

Paul is keen to remind me that virtually nothing has changed since it opened back in the early seventies. We agree the subtle change of décor, chairs, and tables may, for the most part, go unnoticed.

“It was a little tired,” he says. It wasn’t. It always looked, and still is, exceptionally clean and beautifully presented. In fact, it looks and feels much the same as it did when I walked through its door for the first time back in the early eighties. Even the menu is almost as it was then.

As they say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

C RUMBS FINE AT FIFTY

I must confess, I generally hate veggie food but Crumbs won me over those many years ago (I just love their cheese and potato pie). These days, it’s a favourite for a breakfast with a friend or business lunch. The Crumbs breakfast is served up to 11.30am, given the customer plenty of time to enjoy a healthy and wholesome fuel stop before hitting the shops. But what to choose?

It all looks so good. You could go for a cereal bowl of either brans or mueslis (gluten free option available) served with fresh fruit and yoghurt, but you may fancy something a bit more substantial so perhaps the vegan porridge with mixed fruit and a drizzle of local honey, eggs Florentine, scrambled eggs on toast with spinach or the homemade American-style hash browns topped with fried eggs (I’m honestly salivating writing this).

There are an excellent selection of teas, coffees, soft drinks and choice of freshly squeezed carrot, apple and orange juice to choose from but I can’t resist their cappuccinos at the moment - fortunately the cups aren’t buckets like so many of the chains.

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Crumbs has always been a firm favourite for lunch due to its plentiful, super healthy salad bowls, Mediterranean Falafels, sweet potato pakoras, seeds and olives, homemade quiches, lasagnes and pies (remember my favourite, the cheese and potato).

Not forgetting the gluten free and vegan soups, vegetarian curry and chilli.

For those just wanting a coffee there’s a to-die-for selection of vegan, gluten free and organic cakes to tempt should your resolve weaken. If you happen on Crumbs mid-afternoon, you must try the afternoon tea; home-made scones with clotted cream and jam and a cup of tea (traditional or speciality), it’s to die for.

TESTIMONIALS

Crumbs is regularly rated five stars “Amazing for vegans!” ***** My sister and I went to Crumbs for lunch after hearing good things about it. We are both vegans and were really impressed with the range of vegan options. We had the spiced chickpea and spinach pie with salad and hummus - it was amazing! The staff were also very friendly and welcoming.

I’ll definitely be going back!

“Great for veggies, vegans and other humans too!” ***** Had a lovely breakfast here yesterday followed by the best vegan cake I’ve ever had - Morello cherry and vanilla!

Breakfast section is small but great quality. Lunch looked lovely with vegan and gluten free falafels and a very tasty looking chickpea pie also vegan and GF - also great selection of salads.

“Superb curries!” ***** I adore the Farrow & Ball interior. Taste is what sets Crumbs apart.

Why is the food so good at Crumbs?

The produce is fresh and locally sourced, so it’s full of flavour and goodness. Also, no meat is stored on the premises, which, for vegetarians or vegans, is of paramount importance.

The restaurant is bigger than it looks from outside. If it looks busy inside, take the stairs to the first floor where you’ll find two more rooms with even more seating and table space - a different vibe to downstairs (in one you can look over the arcade below! Great for people watching.

Don’t just take our word on how good Crumbs is. A quick visit to TripAdvisor will reassure you that this shrine to all things veggie is a must visit. It’s amazing that Crumbs has made it to fifty - testament to how good this little foodie gem really is. If you’ve never tried it, you must. Trust me, like myself and thousands of Crumbs fans, you won’t be disappointed.

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Crumbs 33 Morgan Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AF 029 2039 5007 www.crumbskitchencardiff.co.uk Like on Facebook, follow on Twitter

EMBRACING CHANGE During the last fifteen years the insurance broking industry has seen major changes.

Across the country local independent brokers have, sadly, sold out to large corporate businesses. Gina Dixon reflects on the changing world of insurance.

These changes have altered the landscape of the insurance industry across the UK and South Wales has not been immune. As a result, the region has very few Independent Brokers left and this has left a real gap in many communities.

Thankfully there are, as always, a few exceptions to the rule - one of these being Watkin Davies Insurance Consultants in Cardiff.

We were eager to catch up with the Managing Director, Gina Dixon, to find out the reasons for remaining independent and the challenges they face when competing with the corporate world and online brokers.

Why do you want to stay independent when a lot of your competition have decided to merge and consolidate?

Most of the independents that have sold their businesses have mainly done so for two reasons: succession planning is one and the opportunity to retire with generous cash deals. Secondly, regulation. This has been seen as a burden for many independents.

Neither of these apply to Watkin Davies, we have a succession plan in place, seeing the next generation coming through, and regulation has been good for the broking world. It has made us far more professional and, in the main, most of it is good business practice.

What are the advantages of being an independent broker?

We believe that “big isn’t always beautiful�. By remaining independent we are able to make quick decisions 72

and implement changes within the business in order to respond rapidly to developments within the insurance industry market.

Our drivers are also very different to the big corporate brokers. The business is owned by Roger Watkins and not by corporate investors, at the moment corporate investment is coming in from the USA and, quite rightly, they want an immediate return on their investment.

Roger Watkins strategy is long-term.

For over forty-two years he has built this business on customer service.

The simple ethos that if you look after customers with respect and integrity, they will look after us. Whilst of course we want to make a profit, this is not our primary focus.

This long-term strategy is a proven one - our retention on new and existing clients is extremely high. We provide a great service and so clients reward us with their loyalty.

What are your plans to grow?

I love growing our business organically, this is an excellent measure of your business, it proves our capability. We will continue to grow propositions that our clients will benefit from and attract new clients.

We cannot grow our business without good quality staff. We have a great team and are all committed to the cause. All employees of Watkin Davies have to be right for us and, equally important, we have to be right for them. Experience tells us when you get this right, the business develops itself.

We are very interested in acquiring small businesses, again the culture and the fit has to be right for us both.

We opened an office in Newport city centre and recently acquired Quentin L Jones Insurance Services and now have a presence in Ystrad Mynach. Newport and the valleys have great communities so we feel they’re a good fit.

Are your clients just in South Wales?

Whilst our focus is in South Wales our clients are spread across the country. We can service clients anywhere in the UK. Can you really compete with the “big boys”?

We can, and we do. It is a great time to be an independent insurance broker.

Corporate businesses are constantly going through change, as a result they take their eye off the ball and staff and clients become disgruntled. We are able to offer staff and our clients security, the constant change in a business is not good for either.

We have various links within insurance networks, coupled with long-standing relationships that provide us with the competitive contracts that we need. Our skill set allows us to compete at all levels. Our clients range from sole traders and small businesses to large corporate operations. We pride the same level of excellent service to every client regardless of size. Today’s sole trader can be tomorrows giant corporation.

As we’ve seen, anything is possible.

Watkin Davies Insurance Consultants Commercial, personal, property 15 Penlline Road Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 2AA 029 2062 6226 Watkin Davies Insurance (Newport) 1-5 High St, Newport NP20 1FQ 01633 250282 Also in Ystrad Mynach Quentin L Jones Insurance Services 22 Penallta Road, Ystrad Mynach, CF82 7AP 01443 816099

So how do you see the future?

Consistency is important. Keep doing what we do best but constantly evaluate. Invest in our people, continue to build our team, attract new clients and look for the right opportunities they are out there, and it is exciting. Life is good in Watkin Davies but we take nothing for granted - especially clients.

www.watkindavies.com Watkin Davies Insurance Consultants are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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G IN O’ CLOCK

Craft spirit distillery and flagship visitor experience coming to historic Hensol Castle in South Wales Planning permission has been secured to create a craft spirit distillery, bonded warehouse, gin school, visitor experience and bottling plant in Hensol Castle at the Vale Resort, as part of a £7m scheme to bring the castle back into use. Up to 120 new jobs to be created over the next three years.

The basement of a 17th Century, Grade I-listed castle in south Wales will be converted into a craft spirit distillery, bonded warehouse, gin school and visitor experience as part of a £7 million scheme to bring the castle back into use.

The company, trading as Hensol Castle Distillery, is a joint venture between the Leeke family, who own The Vale Resort and Leekes, and the Mallows family from Cowbridge, who own Bottlers and Distillers Wales. Current Vale Resort directors, Stephen Leeke and Mike Fowler, are joined by father and son team, Andy and Rhys Mallows, to form the new board.

Hensol Castle Distillery will produce a range of entry-level, mid-level and premium-quality gins, vodkas and other spirits including an exciting low calorie, low sugar and low alcohol range. The ambition is for these to be available in local pubs and restaurants as well as major supermarkets, wholesalers and cash and carry outlets.

Visitors will be able to distil their own bespoke bottle of gin made to their own specific taste in our gin school.

They will be able to look around the distillery operation, learn about the history of gin and Hensol Castle, discover the ingredients that go into the different gins and enjoy a gin tasting and cocktail bar.

The distillery is part of a wider redevelopment at Hensol Castle, which has already included turning the once derelict castle into a first-class wedding and conference destination. The introduction of a top-end restaurant will follow.

The visitor experience, gin school, and production facility will open later this year sign up to the gin club at www. hensolcastledistillery.com Extended photo caption: (l-r) Stephen Leeke, managing director at the Vale Resort, Rhys Mallows and Andy Mallows from Bottlers and Distillers Wales and Mike Fowler, group financial director of Leekes and the Vale Resort.

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