Cardiff Life - Issue 207

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property @CardiffLifeMag

CELEBRATING THE BEST IN THE CITY, PENARTH & THE VALE

SMALL PLATE HEAVEN

FINE DINING AT UISCE ISSUE 207 / SEPTEMBER 2019 / YES CHEF!

OF COURSE YOU CAN!

ISSUE 207 / SEPTEMBER 2019 / £3

ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL THE EATS, THE CHAT, THE WORKS

BACK TO SCHOOL

ACCESSORIES FOR GROWN UPS

DO THE HIPPY SHAKE

ADULT LEARNING MADE FUN

FASHION GETS FREE SPIRITED

HOME HELP

EXPERT ADVICE ON MOVING HOUSE

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT BLUNT TALKING FROM CHEF TOMMY HEANEY

CJCH Consulting is a global best practice consulting firm which offers a world class business to business service to some of the world’s biggest software companies. Having been established in 2015, CJCH Consulting evolved from the Intellectual Property practice of CJCH Solicitors and now runs in partnership with its parent brand.

We focus on the identification and investigation of incidents of software piracy where our client’s copyrights have been infringed through the illegal duplication, use and/or transfer of their software products. We then provide extensive and thorough licence compliance services which manage each case of infringement from identification through to recovery of the enforcement of licence for that product.

CJCH Consulting is a truly Welsh run global company, with an extensive operating network across 42 countries in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, and partner firms in the United States, South America and AsiaPacific regions. Our team collectively speak over 22 languages which further enhances the quality and authenticity of the service we offer our clients as we have a unique understanding and perspective of each geographic location in which we operate.

CJCH Consulting is proud to be a Cardiff based company, and in 2018 launched our bespoke graduate development program. We took on 6 top graduates from local universities, and trained them in various aspects of legal, consulting, and business acumen. Our vision is to create a workforce of thought leaders who not only bring leading thinking into the Welsh economy, but also to create a culture of knowledge transfer and innovation..

Our unique service offering is a world leader in Anti-Piracy and Licence Compliance services backed by a full-service law firm. We offer our clients in the software development and distribution industry the peace of mind of knowing their intellectual property is protected and secure.

Tim Hartland Group Chief Operating Officer

Andy Clarkson Managing Director

CJCH CONSULTING OFFICES: CARDIFF (HQ), AND LONDON

Online: www.cjchconsulting.co.uk Email: consulting@cjch.co.uk Phone: 0333 231 6405 j www.linkedin.com/ company/cjchconsulting/ b CJCH Consulting a @cjchConsulting

OUR EXTENDED SERVICES INCLUDE: ■ Training and Development (We offer a university accredited commercial investigator training program) ■ Business Intelligence and Analysis

Stephen Clarke Group Chairman

© SOUTH WALES PROPERT Y PHOTOGR APHY

EDITOR’S LETTER

E

very time I’ve ever moved home – whether that be as a foot-loose student, bottle of cheap plonk in one hand and a battered text book in the other or as a fully fledged grown-up with kids, kin, and the kitchen sink to be negotiated – it’s caused a meltdown of gargantuan proportions. The last move was so horrible and stressful, me and my husband couldn’t speak about it for at least a year. Turns out it doesn’t have to be like that – according to our local home-savvy experts on page 60, all that angst is avoidable if we just follow their advice.

On page 68, we’ve even got tips on whereabouts in and around Cardiff might suit you best. And if you’re really feeling flush, check out the magnificent home for sale on page 76.

We’re celebrating stress-free and happy food big style in this issue – there’s a visit to Tommy Heaney’s new Uisce restaurant on page 26, an exclusive chat with the main man himself who also happens to be our cover star on page 24, and turn to page 22 to savour all the treats being served up at the Abergavenny Food Festival.

Tuck in, and see you in three weeks’ time!

B

ob tro rydw i wedi symud tŷ – pan oeddwn yn fyfyriwr ffwrdd-â-hi â photel o win rhad yn y naill law a hen lyfr yn y llaw arall, neu’n oedolyn aeddfed â phlant a pheth wmbredd o stwff i’w symud – mae’r profiad bob amser wedi bod yn hunllefus. Achosodd y symudfa ddiwethaf gymaint o straen a gofid nes y methodd fy ngŵr a fi drafod y profiad am o leiaf flwyddyn. Ond mae’n debyg nad oes yn rhaid iddi fod felly – yn ôl ein harbenigwyr lleol sy’n gwybod popeth am dai, ar dudalen 60, gallwn osgoi’r holl ofid drwy ddilyn eu cyngor nhw.

Ar dudalen 68, mae gennym hyd yn oed ambell air o gyngor ynghylch pa ardal o Gaerdydd a’r cyffiniau allai fod fwyaf addas i chi. Ac os oes gennych fwy na digon o arian i’w sbario, edrychwch ar y cartref hyfryd sydd ar werth ar dudalen 76.

Rydym yn rhoi llawer o sylw yn y rhifyn hwn i fwyd diffwdan sy’n ein gwneud yn hapus – rydym yn ymweld ag Uisce, bwyty newydd Tommy Heaney, ar dudalen 26 ac yn cael sgwrs unigryw â’r dyn ei hun ar dudalen 24, sydd hefyd yn digwydd bod yn seren clawr y rhifyn hwn. Yna, trowch i dudalen 22 i weld yr holl ddanteithion a fydd i’w cael yng Ngŵyl Fwyd y Fenni.

Gobeithio y cewch chi flas ar y darllen.

Welwn ni chi eto ymhen tair wythnos!

SARAH MOOLLA Follow us on Twitter @CardiffLifeMag Instagram @cardifflifemag

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 3

Issue 207/September 2019 COVER Portrait of Tommy Heaney by Mary Wycherley; www.twocatsintheyard.co.uk. Turn to page 24

THE ARTS

13 INTRO The fantastic Ms Fox comes to the WNO as

part of their new autumn season

14 WHAT’S ON Arts, gigs, shows and comedy, it’s all

going on in Cardiff

FOOD & DRINK

22 FOOD FESTIVAL Find out what’s cooking at the

Abergavenny Food Festival

24 ONE TO ONE A quick chat and recipe from Cardiff

business owner, and our cover star, Tommy Heaney

26 RESTAURANT Our reviewer enjoys dining at

Tommy Heaney’s new venture Uisce

24

EDUCATION

30 COURSES AND CLASSES Why going back to

school can be an invaluable life lesson

68

SHOPPING

34 EDITOR’S CHOICE Go to the top of the class with

these back to school accessories

36 FASHION Just because it’s hippy, doesn’t mean it’s

not hip

BUSINESS

47 CARDIFFWORKS News, views and interviews with

the region’s professionals

53 CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS Catching up with

Education winners Media Academy Cardiff

PROPERTY

60 MOVING HOME Local experts share tops tips for

making house moves stress free

68 MOVING AREA I Loves The ‘Diff ’s Christian

Amodeo talks us through the ‘burbs

76 SHOWCASE This beachside home blows everything

else out of the water

REGULARS 8 19 40 82

SPOTLIGHT Upbeat stories from our upbeat city WYBURN & WAYNE The boys are back in town SCENE A bumper five-page society special CARDIFF LIVES Meet choreographer and artistic

director Fearghus Ó Conchúir

Editor Sarah Moolla sarah.moolla@mediaclash.co.uk Managing editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Mary Wycherley, Christian Amodeo, Sheri Hall, Lucy Wilkinson, Nathan Wyburn, Wayne Courtney, Elsie Chadwick, and John Mather Advertising manager Mark George mark.george@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy advertising manager Kate Butterfield kate.butterfield@mediaclash. co.uk Account manager Claire Hawkins claire.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk Production/Distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager/production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Cardiff Life MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Salisbury. We also publish foodie mag Crumbs (www.crumbsmag.com, @CrumbsMag). Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 5

ADVERTISING FEATURE

SPOTLIGHT Artist Eleri has painted a few legendary Cardiff traders

Art

ART WORKS

Following a successful opening exhibition at the Cardiff Night Market event in July, local artist Eleri Hâf Davies has brought her intimate portrait collection of Cardiff ’s independent traders to the Art Ty Collective pop-up store at 6 Castle Arcade. The exhibition, which is on until 2 August, features a few of the legendary business owners and traders of Cardiff, including the Brogue Trader, Jones the Barber and Hatts Emporium.

Eleri says, “Stuart Talbot from Hatts Emporium was the inspiration behind the series. I spotted him from the balcony around Christmas time and thought he would be incredible to paint. He looked great, as though he has stepped off the set of Peaky Blinders and commanded the market like a circus ringmaster with an unmistakably thick Cardiff accent.

We set up a photoshoot and it took no more than 15 minutes to get the shot, but what informs a portrait, I think, is the story. We’d spent hours chatting and it was through those moments, watching him interacting with customers and learning about the trade that I came to the composition. Hatts Emporium specialises in vintage menswear and so I wanted the focus to be on Stuart’s clothes and, of course, his hats.

Details like that were important to get right in the portrait.”

For more: www.eleridavies.com

Hatts my boys!

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT; The Cambodian team give thanks; HWC founder Mel Young and actor Michael Sheen present Mexico women’s team with the winning trophy; Welsh men’s team talk; Over 50 countries’ teams came to Cardiff including India

Homeless World Cup

FULL TIME RESULTS

The Homeless World Cup 2019 drew to an end on 8 August having seen more than 500 players from almost 50 countries arrive in the capital to represent their nations in a festival of football. The week-long event in Bute Park was attended by tens of thousands of spectators, who enjoyed hundreds of matches, discussions, debates and live music.

Both of Mexico’s men’s and women’s teams were crowned champions, with Wales men finishing 6 out of 44 overall, and Wales women, out of 6.

Next year, it is the turn of Tampere in Finland to host the 2020 Homeless World Cup, an event which was created to harness the power of sport in transforming the lives of people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion.

For more: www.homelessworldcup.org

8 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Speedway

GOING FULL THROTTLE

World-class racing comes to the Principality Stadium

The British FIM Speedway Grand Prix returns to Cardiff on 21 September as the city hosts the high-octane 2019 Adrian Flux British FIM Speedway Grand Prix (SGP).

With links dating back to the 1920s, Speedway has been deep-rooted in Cardiff ’s history. The first speedway meeting took place on Boxing Day in 1928 at the old White City Stadium on Slopper Road with over 20,000 people attending the event. Fast-forward nearly a century and Cardiff ’s connection with Speedway is as strong as ever in 2019, with thousands expected to attend what is the longest-standing third party event at the Principality Stadium.

BSI Speedway managing director Steve Gould says, “Speedway is one of only a few sporting events that offer multiple heats of exhilarating entertainment for the whole family, and you don’t need an extensive knowledge of motorsport to enjoy it.

“Cardiff is a great city for world-class events and since we hosted our first G meeting here in 200 , the atmosphere has elevated year on year and we’re sure this year will be no exception.”

For more: www.speedwaygp.com

Celebrity Cup

YOU CAN CALL ME PAL!

It’s not everyday you get to hear a royal on the karaoke. But on 13 July, for the lucky guests at a Celtic Manor Resort gala dinner, that’s exactly what happened. Zara Tindall née Phillips, who is the Queen’s eldest granddaughter and a world champion equestrian, wowed guests by taking to the stage to give a gutsy performance of Paul Simon’s You Can Call Me Al. Along with a few other pals, Zara was joined by star of Mrs Brown’s Boys, Danny O’Carroll.

Hubby Mike Tindall later took to the stage to deliver a rousing version of Mustang Sally.

Zara was there to support Mike who was competing in the starstudded Celebrity Cup, sponsored by Bulmers, at Celtic Manor Resort, which saw some of the biggest names in sports and showbiz, including Brian McFadden, James Nesbitt, Keith Duffy and Peter Jones, compete in the two day golf tournament.

For more: www.celtic-manor.com

ABOVE: Delightful duo and husband and wife team Mike and Zara were in fine voice at the Celtic Manor Resort gala dinner LEFT: Zara and her singing pals deliver a fine rendition of Paul Simon’s You Can Call Me Al

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the arts s n a p s h o t s o f C AR D I FF ’ S c u lt u r a l l i f e

THE fantastic Ms fox

The autumn 2019 Welsh National Opera season promises to be pretty special with both Bizet’s Carmen (21 September – 7 May 2020), and Verdi’s Rigoletto (27 September –30 November) on the bill. The Cunning Little Vixen, pictured here, written by Czech composer Janáček’s, runs 5 October – 28 November and reunites director David Pountney with WNO music director, Tomáš Hanus, who also happens to be a native of Janáček’s hometown Brno.

The opera tells the tale of a forester who stumbles across a young vixen, and takes her home as a pet for his family. But this playful creature has bigger plans and escapes to take on the world on her own terms.

For more: www.wno.org.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 13

WHAT’S ON 23 August – 30 September

Chuck Elliott’s bold and beautiful computer-generated work can be seen at Blackwater Gallery

PLAYS / SHOWS / PERFORMANCES Until 31 August

ANNIE Set in 1930s New York brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.

When will her luck change?

Tomorrow, perhaps. Maybe then the sun will come out. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

8 September – February 2020

WELSH NATIONAL OPERA NEW SEASON Featuring an incredible season of opera from Carmen to The Cunning Vixen, turn to page 13 for more.

Donald Gordon Theatre; www.wmc.org.uk

13 / 14 / 15 September

LUNA CINEMA Cinema and picnic under the stars and in the magical setting of the Castle grounds, starting with, Bohemian Rhapsody, then Mamma Mia! and on the final night, the classic, Monty Python’s Life of Brian. Cardiff Castle; www.cardiffcastle.com

15 / 18 / 22 & 25 September

A NIGHT IN THE CLINK This unique production, created and directed by Papertrail’s artistic director Bridget Keehan, is staged at The Clink Restaurant, HMP Cardiff. Audiences will enjoy a tapas style menu prepared by the in-house culinary team while listening to stories inspired by prisoners currently training as chefs and waiters as part

14 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

of their sentence. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

20 September – 5 October

BEAR RIDGE In a lost and near silent village, blurred by redrawn borders, is Bear Ridge Stores. Owners John Daniel and Noni, played by Rhys Ifans and Rakie Ayola, are not leaving. They are defiantly drinking the remaining whiskey and remembering good times, when everyone was on the same side and the old language shone. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

COMEDY 10 September

CHRISTINA BIANCO: FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The girl with a thousand voices returns to the Sherman Theatre with a brand new show, featuring her uncanny impressions and musical mash-ups. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

10 – 15 September

ONLY FOOLS: THE (CUSHTY) DINING EXPERIENCE Journey to The Nag’s Head to meet the pride of Peckham in a t’riffic Trotter night out of wheeling, dealing, eating and drinking that starts from the moment you arrive. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

14 September

PAUL SMITH: FOLLOWING Following his first national tour in 2018 which saw him go from

WHAT’S ON circuit act to one of the biggest selling names in UK stand up in less than a year, Paul returns with his second national tour show. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

Saxophonist and composer Dave O’Higgins who has been on the international ja scene for 0 years now, with 20 albums under his belt joins musical forces with Rob Luft, the award-winning 25-year-old musician who has been described as one of the UK’s most prominent and talented young contemporary jazz guitarists. The Flute & Tankard, Cardiff; www.thefluteandtankard.com

15 September

WAHALA This rib-tickling clash will see Jamaica take on England, but just who will have the last laugh? Comics include Kat MTV, Kevin J and Annette Fagon in this head-to-head battle. Glee Club; www.glee.co.uk

13 September

PIXIES What will this cult band be playing on the night? Quite frankly they don’t know – they will rehearse 0 songs in anticipation but musician Black Francis will decide what should be played as they go along.

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff; www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

17 September

BIANCA DEL RIO Expect a very potty mouth from this self-proclaimed ‘clown in a gown’ and former winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Motorpoint Arena Cardiff; www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk ABOVE: American rap star Fetty Wap goes to the Tramshed on 24 Sept LEFT: Things are getting woolly down at the Bay on 28 September BELOW: Rhys Ifans and Rakie Ayola star in Bear Ridge at the Sherman Theatre beginning 20 September

MUSIC

19 September

CHILDCARE The band will be incorporating a wellness section into the live show, with songs interspersed with mass meditation, mindful eating and yogic breathing. Clwb Ifor Bach; www.clwb.net

30 August

BASEMENT The band’s current album Beside Myself was featured as Kerrang’s album of the week and went on to feature in Rock Sound and Upset’s albums of the year lists.

Clwb Ifor Bach; www.clwb.net

24 September

4 September

SKUNK ANANSIE Rock out to this British band, bask in the talent of vocalist Skin, and enjoy classics including Weak, Hedonism and Twisted. The Great Hall, Cardiff Uni; www.cardiffstudents.com

7 September

MOD & SKA FESTIVAL Get your polo shirts ready because the annual Mod & Ska festival returns, raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust in the process.

Tramshed; www.tramshedcardiff.com

9 September

HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE IN CONCERT The Czech National Symphony Orchestra will perform live to Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in Concert as part of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series. Audiences will be able to relive the magic of the film in high-definition on a 40-foot screen while hearing the acclaimed orchestra perform John Williams’ unforgettable score live. St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

10 September

DAVE O’HIGGINS AND ROB LUFT

FETTY WAP American rap star Fetty Wap, who rose to prominence after his debut single Trap Queen reached number two in the U.S charts three years ago, is about to embark on on his UK and European tour this autumn. Tramshed; www.tramshedcardiff.com

ART, PHOTOGRAPHY & EXHIBITIONS Until 1 September

DAVID NASH: SCULPTURE THROUGH THE SEASONS Celebrating fifty years of working in Capel Rhiw, Nash displays his largest and most ambitious collection of work featuring key sculptures from the 60s to now. From photographs, films and drawings to living sculptures, Nash uses the natural environment to create his unique and striking work, which makes him one of Britain’s most important artists. National Museum Cardiff; www.museum.wales

Until 4 September

CHARLES BURTON At Cardiff College of Art in the late 40s, Charles urton was at the heart of the Rhondda Group. This his 0th birthday exhibition displays

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 15

WHAT’S ON paintings of the valleys evoking warm memories of a more innocent time, whilst managing to avoid any hint of sentimentality. Martin Tinney Gallery; www.artwales.com

experimental sculptural forms in felt, as well as meet the maker sessions during the opening and closing weekends. Craft in the Bay; www.makersguildinwales.org.uk

Until 14 September

SPORT

MARTIN LLEWELLYN Martin Llewellyn continues the tradition of Welsh impasto, palette knife painting laid down in the last century by such greats as Sir yffin Williams and Charles Wyatt-Warren. The Albany Gallery; www.albanygallery.com

Until 15 September

SNAKES! This touring exhibition from Blue Tokay explores snakes from live specimens, photographs, and interactive displays. It delves into the mystery and beauty surrounding these creatures. National Museum Cardiff; www.museum.wales

Until 30 September

CHUCK ELLIOTT Chuck lliott’s bold and beautiful work which is entirely computer generated, is a fluid investigation of colour, movement and light. Blackwater Gallery; www.blackwatergallery.co.uk

Until May 2020

THE FOSSIL SWAMP Look back to 300 million years ago, when a vast tropical swamp, with monster plants, giant insects, thunderstorms and floods, covered what is now Wales. National Museum Cardiff; www.museum.wales

5 – 26 September

MARY LLOYD JONES ary loyd ones is one of Wales’ most popular and established artists. he was born in evil’s ridge in 4, and trained at Cardiff College of Art. She is inspired by the Welsh landscape, and in particular, the manmade marks on that landscape, and her bold expressionist paintings are noted for their use of vibrant and rich colour. Martin Tinney Gallery; www.artwales.com

28 September – 10 November

WOOL WORKS An exhibition of makers from Wales and Finland responding to the theme of wool. Sally Moss is opening the show, and is curator of the National Wool Museum.

There will also be drop in workshops and demonstrations including stitching Welsh and Finnish motifs, Italian quilting, botanical prints,

30 August

CARDIFF CITY V FULHAM ky et Championship, kick off 7.45pm Cardiff City; www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk

31 August

CARDIFF DEVILS V MOUNTFIELD HK Champions Hockey eague action when the Devils take on their exciting C ech opponents.

Viola Arena, Cardiff International Sports Village; www.cardiffdevils.com

ABOVE: See singer Tina Cousins perform at this year’s Pride Cymru LEFT: Martin Llewellyn’s striking work can be seen at the Albany Gallery until 14 September

31 August

WALES V IRELAND World cup warm-up that sees Wales looking for retribution and a chance to set the record straight with ix Nations Champions Ireland. Principality Stadium; www.principalitystadium.wales

31 August

NXT UK TAKEOVER xpect tag teams and plenty of action when stars from WW enter the ring and try to stay off the canvas. Grapplers include Toni Storm and Trent Seven.

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff; www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

21 September

2019 ADRIAN FLUX BRITISH FIM SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX Fans will be hoping for a repeat of the drama that unfolded during the 2018 version where crowd favourite Tai Woffinden had to settle for the runners-up spot after Polish star artos mar lik blit ed the field with breath-taking speed and skill.

Turn to page 8 for more. Principality Stadium; www.principalitystadium.wales

OTHER

Until 1 September

AQUA PARK IN WALES Measuring more than 8,000 square metres and featuring 72 inflatable obstacles, including climbing walls, and trampolines, the Cardiff ay barrage is where all hot, bothered, and bored children (and their parents, in fact everybody) should be heading to this summer.

Cardiff Bay; www.aquaparkgroup.co.uk

16 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Until 20 September

THE GREAT BRITISH WATER FIGHT t’s a case of the wetter the better for this event. It goes without saying that a change of clothes is highly recommended. The Royal Mint Experience; www.royalmint.com

learning to make flapjacks and nettle soup, dishes up her favourite tastes and sounds from around the globe, mixing them in with memories of her touring travels, stories and poems from each country and the odd killer cocktail. Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

23 – 25 August

6 – 8 September

PRIDE CYMRU BIG WEEKEND Wales’s biggest celebration of equality and diversity takes to the streets for a three-day event.

Over 50,000 people are expected and there’ll be four stages of entertainment, comedy, and music from Texas, Liberty X, Tina Cousins, Atomic itten, Donna Marie as Lady Gaga, Joel ommett, Charlie Hides, and a Gok Wan disco. All this plus a parade.

City Hall Lawns; www.pridecymru.com

4 September

CERYS MATTHEWS: WHERE THE WILD COOKS GO To mark the publication of her new book, Where the Wild Cooks Go, , musician and presenter Cerys, who spent a childhood foraging and

ORGANFEST 2019 A biennial national event, this year’s OrganFest will be held at key venues and includes a gala concert from internationally acclaimed organist David Briggs. Various venues; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

15 September

NOAH’S ARK CHARITY FAMILY FUN WALK Best foot forward for this familyfriendly fundraising event with a choice of 3K or 10K routes.

There’ll be plenty to entertain walkers along the way including face painting, music and perhaps even the occasional water pistol. Proceeds will go to the charity, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales.

Cardiff Bay; www.noahsarkcharity.org n

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WYBURN & WAYNE Move over Ant & Dec. Make way Edina & Patsy. Stand aside Batman & Robin. Our dynamic duo are in town and they’re here to give us the low down on the Cardiff high life

Starry starry nights!

T

he past few weeks have been full of stars, stars and well... more stars!

Cardiff is such a focal point of huge shows now and it’s such an amazing achievement for us as a city. The capital became the land of Lola when Kinky Boots the musical came to town. The Wales Millennium Centre had two glorious weeks of hosting the hit show. We absolutely loved it from beginning to end – it’s one of those feel good productions telling the tale of two unlikely worlds colliding to create magic, music, and kinky boots! We interviewed Joel Jackson-Harper on our radio show who plays Charlie and he was super excited to be playing our beautiful WMC. Whilst on the topic of drag queens, our good pal Mary Golds had Yet Another Audience With down at The Exchange Hotel, which went down a storm. She knows how to handle a good crowd that The boys meet the darling bud of Wales

one, with even a few famous faces showing up to support her, like H from Steps and rugby legend Gareth Thomas.

Legend may be a term us Welsh use a lot, but when it comes to the line-up for Sophia Gardens mini festival, Feels Like Summer, two legendary music chart topping acts, in every sense of the word, were on the bill. Bananarama, whose success saw them listed in the Guinness World Records for achieving the world’s highest number of chart entries by an all-female group, and our very own Bonnie Tyler, who wasn’t Lost In France, but was turning it around in Cardiff and causing a total eclipse of our hearts! We were fortunate enough to meet them all later too. Nathan gave the Banarama girls their portraits collaged together using hundreds of images of bananas... obviously.

Whilst Bonnie received a golden glitter artwork, which she signed

Elsewhere Robert De Niro was waiting

to be displayed at The Golden Cross, as part of celebrating 21 years of it being a recognised LGBTQ+ venue.

We have to say a huge well done to Sophia Gardens and Orchard Live for pulling together such a great event, which also saw S Club, Liberty X and Mr Motivator hit the stage! Just awesome, and our kind of festival, and we can’t wait for next yearl!

The venue also invited us along to their 20:20 Vitality Blast Cricket, which was huge fun and really took us by surprise. Not being your general cricket fans we were sceptical, but it’s so much fun –singalongs, pyrotechnics, music, chants and well... great food and a bar, what more would you want? Oh yes cricket! Check out their website for upcoming cricket events.

Another great family thing to do in the coming weeks is the Cardiff Bay Beach. There’s a swimming pool, great rides and games, again food and drink plus of course the beach! It’s in the basin right outside the WMC all summer – so slap on the factor 50, find your flip-flops and head for the best beach in town.

Someone got crucified in the park at Sophia Gardens... no no calm down, it’s just the run of Everyman Shows of Jesus Christ Superstar down at Sophia Gardens/Bute Park. Those guys always put on such a wonderful few weeks of shows each summer

– great for all the family too as they diversify between shows such as The Little Mermaid, upbeat cabaret and movie nights.

They say lightning can’t strike twice but we were majorly star struck again when, following Bonnie, we got the chance to be in the same orbit as Catherine ZetaJones. The Oscar winning Welsh actress was given Freedom Of Swansea, and we had the pleasure of meeting her that evening and she was such a delight. Humble, calm and clearly very happy to be home. Nathan created three portraits, all of which she loved, for her to sign for auction of each of the three charities she was fundraising for that evening. We were even more overwhelmed when Welsh fashion designer Julien Macdonald bought the gold portrait. We were honoured to have spent some time with her, and even managed to have a quick chat with more Hollywood royalty, the actor and Catherine’s husband, Michael Douglas and their son, Dylan too, which was a surreal Hollywood moment, but they were both so polite and lovely.

See you in three weeks time for more superstar chat.

Keep up to date with the busy lives of DJs, compères, and Cardiff Life columnists, Wyburn & Wayne by following them on Facebook, Twitter @WyburnWayne and Instagram @wyburnandwayne

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 19

DREAMS & WISHES CHARITY Dreams & Wishes is an award-winning charity that is 100% volunteer-based and 100% of every single penny raised with no deductions or payments to anyone whatsoever goes to seriously ill children by making their dreams and wishes come true.

On the 9th June, the charity partnered with Italian Passion for Speed, Jayne Pierson, a Welsh London Fashion Week designer, and Studio 54 Blackwood, and hosted a spectacular event outside The Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, sponsored by Jelf Insurance, to raise funds for seriously ill children and their families.

Mr Tony Curtis MBE, Chairman, stated, “I am delighted that the event was a huge success, everyone enjoyed the fantastic entertainment, a powerful selection of rare and exotic Italian supercars, including, Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s, a stunning London Fashion Week show with the Welsh Guards, and the explosion of talented singers, together with Peter Karrie, Phantom of the Opera Star. We are thrilled that this will be an annual event due to the overwhelming support from the residents of Cardiff and visitors to the bay who had an absolutely amazing day.”

RECENT CHARITY AWARDS – ZOKIT BUSINESS AWARDS 2019, AND NEW AMBASSADORS, SPORTING LEGENDS, MARK COLBOURNE MBE AND ALIX POPHAM, WELSH RUGBY (33CAPS) The charity have won 6 awards for their outstanding work for seriously ill children and their families. This year, at the Zokit awards, the charity won 3 awards, presented by Ruth Wignall, ITV broadcaster. They won, ‘Online Influence’ ‘Breakthrough Brand’ and Wendy Hobbs, won ‘Inspiring Leader.’ At the awards, Wendy connected with Mark Colbourne MBE Gold Medallist -Paralympian and Alix Popham, HubXV – Welsh Rugby star, 33 caps. The charity are delighted that Mark and Alix are now Ambassador’s for the charity.

Since we began in 2011, we have been working with families across the UK, providing vital support throughout the child’s illness as well as helping to build happy memories by granting lifelong wishes.

Zokit

Battling a life-threatening illness is heartbreaking for both a child and their support network and can often mean countless hospital stays, painful treatments and a loss of a ‘childhood’, something which most children take for granted.

Award

s

Dreams & Wishes provide support for children and their families as well as ensuring that families are still able to make wonderful and long-lasting memories.

Wendy Mark,

x & Ali

Wendy & Ma rk Colb ourne

Upcoming Event!

Charity Lunch - 13th October 2019 at Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel, Usk to raise more funds.

We understand that every child is unique with their own dreams and wishes, so it is our aim to make sure that every child we work with is able to fulfil their dream. Some children want to meet their favourite TV stars, fly in a helicopter, visit Legoland or to just have their own playhouse. No matter how big or small a child’s dream is, our wonderful team of volunteers are dedicated to making sure it comes true.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE TREES EVENT The charity are delighted to have planted three Celebration of Life trees, a beautifully hand-carved stone boulder and three benches at Heath Park, Cardiff to celebrate the short lives of our beautiful angels. The Secretary of State for Wales, the Lord Mayor and the Welsh Guards attended the event which made the day more special.

“One snowy night, Claudia Quash, makes a special wish on the brightest star in the sky...”

Wendy wrote the book for the charity to inspire children never to give up on their dreams and wishes and to give parents hope. Wendy is delighted that the book raises funds and increases awareness of the charity. Wendy is honoured to read the book on behalf of the charity on their annual trip to 10 Downing Street and the House of Commons.

Claudia’s Special Wish is available to order via the charity or on Amazon.

Whether you, your company or your group would like to get involved with the charity, there are many ways you can do so. By taking on a fundraising challenge, volunteering for us or choosing us as your designated charity, you can help us to make more dreams come true.

For more information - wendy@dreamsandwishescharity.org | www.wendyhobbs.com | Twitter @WendyfHobbs Or Dreams and Wishes - www.dreamsandwishescharity.org | Twitter @DreamsWishesOrg

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Dyffryn Gardens is full of delightful dahlia blooms!

This season is the perfect time to visit DYFFRYN GARDENS and take in the last of the summer colour as hundreds of dahlias bloom across the gardens

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he beginning of autumn at Dyffryn can always be identified by the red, oranges and golds that appear on leaves, whilst the vibrant dahlias strikingly contrast with colours from across the rainbow spectrum. For over a century, visitors have journeyed to the Vale of Glamorgan to feed their imagination with the sights that can be found across the 55 acres of gardens at Dyffryn Gardens, just outside of Cardiff.

Before the First World War, the estate’s owner and renowned horticulturalist, Reginald Cory, found himself fascinated by dahlias, becoming President of the Dahlia Society. In 1913, Dyffryn

was at the centre of attention for British garden enthusiasts when it hosted a trial of over 7,000 dahlias from nearly 1000 different cultivars to discover the best garden varieties. The war marked the end of an era for Dyffryn and the gardens fell into disrepair after the last member of the family died. Since the National Trust takeover in 2013 the estate has been given a new lease of life, and now, dahlias once again cover these elegant welsh gardens with colour.

Dahlias are native to Mexico and became increasingly popular across Britain in the nineteenth century. They require plenty of sunlight and food to grow well. Consequently, it is towards the end of our British summer that these stunning plants reach their full potential. A September stroll around Dyffryn’s extensive gardens will offer visitors the opportunity to witness some of the finest dahlia displays across Wales.

One of the best places to catch a glimpse of these colourful flowers at Dyffryn is the South Front terrace that overlooks the main lawn across towards the newly restored fountain pool.

This area, along with the nearby Panel Garden, contains a variety of dahlias purposely set to contrast with surrounding plants and give the bedding superb character. If you are looking for something a little different, the Trial Garden is the place to be. Here, you can spy the gardening team at Dyffryn embarking on new discoveries,

with over 100 new dahlias being trialled there.

The plants are observed on whether they repeat flower, stay strong, succumb to disease, and where the variety could be used.

Of course, dazzling dahlias aren’t the only attraction at Dyffryn this September. You can also observe various salvias, ginger lilies, and the extensive summer bedding that guides visitors through this horticultural gem. Being a National Trust site, Dyffryn isn’t just for the big kids either. There is plenty to do for the entire family with the Victorian Mansion open to visitors and the Log Stack wild play area available for children to unleash their inner wild side with the National Trust. n

For more information visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyffryn-gardens tel: 029 2059 3328 Twitter @NTDyffrynG Facebook @NTDyffrynGardens www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 21

FOOD & DRINK

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Abergavenny Food Festival 2019 returns bringing with it a menu packed with everything a food lover could ever want

By John Mather

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he Abergavenny Food Festival is back in the Monmouthshire market town on the 21 – 22 September, but this isn’t just simply rows of stalls selling burgers, this is a celebratory event rich with foodie choices.

There’s an abundance of world-class chefs, cooks, food writers, producers and masters of their trade sharing their stories, passions and inspiration with visitors. Add to this a full-to-the-brim schedule of one-off feasts, masterclasses, tasting workshops, demos and cookery classes from some of the best in the business. It’s easy to see why the festival is often seen as the absolute highlight in any Welsh food lover’s calendar.

The festival’s CEO, Aine Morris, is particularly thrilled by this year’s programme which includes more women and more diversity than ever before. She says, “This year’s line-up is a real reflection of the dynamic change and entrepreneurial creativity underway across much of UK food and farming. We’re really excited that this year promises to deliver plenty of delicious experiences, whilst also dealing with the thorny issues facing the future of the food industry.”

ON THE MENU Asma Khan, the first ritish chef to feature on Netflix’s Chef ’s Table, and founder of Darjeeling Express, will be sharing the story of her ‘Life in Food’ and her belief in how food heals and connects at the Borough Theatre with Telegraph food writer Xanthe Clay.

The founding father of the modern fermentation movement, Sandor Katz, will be travelling from Tennessee in America for the festival; his fermenting masterclass ‘Beyond Sauerkraut’ will give guests the chance to troubleshoot their home-ferments. Sandor will also join acclaimed food writer Bee Wilson, author of The Way We Eat Now for a discussion at the Borough Theatre exploring what the modern age means for our diets and health.

Gareth Ward of Ynyshir, recently named the best restaurant in Wales at the National Restaurant Awards, will be cooking on the Market Hall stage; whilst Laurian Veaudour of Cardiff patisserie Cocorico will

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL By organiser Aine Morris Markets, street food, cookery lessons, talks and debates, the festival fringe and all manner of tasty treats can be found around every corner; so comfortable shoes, good hydration, and a little know-how beforehand are a must to help you make the most of the foodie weekend on 21 – 22 September.

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GET WITH THE BAND A day or weekend wristband will give you access to all the festival areas and markets plus free chef demos across the Market Hall and Welsh chefs stages. With a Saturday day or weekend wristband you will also be able to drop into the Street Food and Night Market which has live entertainment until late.

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BY THE BOOK Book your event tickets early. The ticketed events such as the Feasts and Tasting workshops, masterclasses, and Wild & Foraged tours, all have limited places available, so pre-book yours via the website so you don’t miss out.

22 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

be taking a masterclass on mouthwatering patisserie. Meanwhile, the Cooking Over Fire demo area at The Castle will see culinary super-stars, including BBC TV’s Dirty Vegan Matt Pritchard, producing a feast in the flames and is hosted by Sam and Shauna of Hang Fire Southern Kitchen.

A popular mutton tasting masterclass returns with Cyrus Todiwala, joined

by Nick Miller and Sarah Dickens of Black Welsh Lamb. Drinks writer Jack Bevan will be teaming up with leading producer Trealy Farm for a charcuterie and Vermouth pairing masterclass, and visitors can discover Welsh beers and ciders with drinks writer Pete Brown and brewer Jaega Wise. There is also a new all-Welsh demo stage at the The Festival Farmyard, and Tommy Heaney is just one of many chefs showcasing their culinary talents. Turn to page 24 for our Tommy chat and recipe.

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AFTER HOURS Dance the night away at the Friday Night Stomp at The Castle and there’s more live music at the Saturday Party at the Castle with spectacular fireworks, drinks served from the festival bar, and dribble-inducing street food from some of the UK’s most exciting producers.

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MARKET FORCES Get your map out and follow the festival signage to meet the producers at Fish & Fizz, Cheese & Wine, New Producers Market, Tiverton Producers Market, The Festival Farmyard, Horsington’s Yard, Upper & Lower Brewery Yard, The Castle, Castle Street, Frogmore Street, and of course the beautiful Abergavenny Market Hall itself.

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BRING A BOTTLE Bring a reusable water bottle and you can fill it up at any of the water points marked on the maps. Canned water will also be available at the bars.

clockwise from top left: Jaega Wise; Abergavenny Market Hall; Sam and Shauna of

Hang Fire Southern Kitchen; Asma Khan; Bee Wilson; Party at the Castle; Sandor Katz; Cyrus Todiwala and the team from CafĂŠ Spice Namaste; Aine Morris

CUT TO THE CHASE Meet Tommy Heaney, the chef and owner of Heaneys and Uisce in Cardiff, ho is also appearing at the bergavenny ood estival

Words by Sarah Moolla Portrait by Mary Wycherley

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hanks to his appearances on BBC ’s Great British Menu in and , Tommy Heaney may have earned the title celebrity chef, but really it is thanks to his ontcanna Heaneys restaurant and the ad oining isce, that has him inning Cardiff hearts. See overleaf to read about our isce visit . head of his appearance at the bergavenny ood estival, e give the orthern reland born chef a light grilling...

What’s your earliest foodrelated memory? y granny’s rish ste , ith plenty of bread, bro n sauce and stock cube rappers.

Any childhood food hates that you outgrew? asn’t a great eater gro ing up. couldn’t stand mayonnaise. also hated oysters but love them no .

Six unexpected guests for dinner. What’s cooking? fire up the Big Green gg and barbe ue anything in sight.

Do you get invited over for tea much, or are people too nervous to cook for you? ikki’s Tommy’s partner mum cooked me Christmas dinner once, but she ouldn’t let me eat there had to take it home

Swearing while cooking.

A vital part of the job or not ‘bleeping’ necessary?

Being rish tend to s ear a lot any ay. t’s a form of e pression, but best not to s ear directly at people.

Recent great local dining experience?

Gareth ard’s nyshir is incredible also had a really great meal at Black e angal.

Avocado on toast. Make it stop, or keep it coming?

Stop t’s not for me.

Your three staple ingredients aldon salt, capers, and a good olive oil.

In a hurry. Any fast food chain worth calling in at? entucky ried Chicken, e tra beans.

Underrated ingredients? tail is brilliant and not used as much as it should be. e serve it ith a ra hite cabbage salad.

Deliveroo speed dial. Do you, don’t you? ’ve never used it.

Vegans. Here to stay, or a foodie fashion fad?

They’re multiplying But ’m not against it e try and accommodate everybody.

Do you always manage to eat your five a day? couldn’t tell you hat they are ust care about coffee.

Any food-related tattoos? ever say never.

24 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Desert island dish? t ould have to be my granny’s rish ste stock cubes and all Ever sent a meal back? o, ust don’t eat it if don’t like it.

How much should we tip? s much as you think, it’s personal preference.

Where else do you like to eat in Cardiff? ikki and snack uite a bit at The Heathcock avid Heathcock is doing great things.

WHAT’S COOKING Tommy is appearing at the Abergavenny Food Festival on the new allWelsh demo stage, The Festival Farmyard, with this recipe BBQ LAMB, ONION, ANCHOVY, SEA VEGETABLE (SERVES 4) Ingredients 1 loin of lamb 2 roscoff onions 50g samphire 50g sea purslane 50g sea rosemary 3 egg yolks 15ml water 8g Dijon mustard 20ml lemon juice 12ml white wine vinegar 5g salt 11 anchovy fillets 375g pomace oil 2 shallots roughly chopped 1 garlic clove 50g sugar 1 tbsp mustard seeds 150g red wine 125g red wine vinegar 450g lamb stock Method 1. Season the lamb with garlic, rosemary, salt and oil. While that’s marinating start to make the sauce.

2. Sweat your shallots, garlic and seeds. Add sugar. Turn to a caramel. Add vinegar and reduce to a syrup. Add the red wine and reduce to a quarter.

Then add the lamb stock and reduce to the correct consistency – should coat the back of a spoon.

3. Put your lamb on the BBQ, fat side down. Sear for 2-3 minutes then rotate. Keep

rotating every 2-3 minutes until the lamb reaches 55 degrees. Take your lamb and set to the side. Cover with foil.

4. While your lamb is resting make your anchovy emulsion.

Add your anchovies, egg, lemon, sugar, salt, vinegar and mustard to a blender. Turn the blender on and slowly emulsify in the oil (must be done slowly to avoid sauce splitting).

5. For the roscoff onions, place them with the skin on directly on to the coal. Cook for about 8 minutes. The skin will be black, but the onion will be al dente. Slice in half and cook on the BBQ. 6. For your sea vegetables pick any tough spiky pieces from the samphire and remove the sea purslane leaves from the stalks.

7. When ready to serve, put a nice heaped spoonful of anchovy emulsion to the side of your plate. Carve your lamb, serving 2-3 pieces per portion. Remove onions from the BBQ, remove the skin and serve half an onion per portion. Blanch the sea vegetables in boiling water for 30 seconds and use to garnish the lamb. Strain your sauce through a fine sieve and serve in a jug on the side. www.abergavennyfoodfestival. com

FOOD & DRINK

“I wasn’t a great eater growing up”

Tommy’s a pretty sharp guy www.mediaclash.co.uk I Cardiff LIFE I 25

UISCE Sheri Hall gets her fooding, boozing, grazing groove on at Tommy Heaney’s latest venture, the Uisce café

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f you haven’t heard of Heaneys in Pontcanna, it’s highly likely you’ve been living under a rock or heavy piece of elsh slate . But the finedining restaurant, owned by chef and former Great British Menu contestant Tommy Heaney, is usually reserved for pay-day, special occasions or a posh Sunday lunch, when you, your mum, or your dad, can’t cook for toffee.

So if you’re feeling a bit more chill why not try his set up ne t door isce. ronounced ish-ka’, it’s Gaelic for ‘water’ – a nod to proprietor Tommy’s Northern Irish heritage. (There’s also another cheeky translation, but you’ll have to Google it. The phrase uisce beatha’ literally translates as ‘water of life’ and was the name given by Irish monks of the early Middle Ages to distilled alcohol. So it makes sense that Uisce, which opened in May of this year, is set up for boozing as well as fooding.

26 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Versatile is how I can best describe it. It’s a wine bar, but it does breakfast, tapas, high tea, light lunch – it’s whatever you want it to be. Wander over late morning for a full Irish and a morning snifter of Bucks Fizz or a Bloody Mary. Pop in for a light (or not so light) lunch and a glass of something yummy. Or stop by for a bottle or two in the evening and order charcuterie to snack on. If you’re lucky enough to have the weather, sit outside on the street of Costa-del-Cardiff and en oy the sun setting over the roofs of Romilly Crescent. If not, perch on a bar stool and huddle around a candle-lit table.

Uisce is all about a big friendly vibe and small plate loveliness. Only you know how much you need to eat to pace yourself. Sounds easy yes? However, knowing when you’ve had enough is the biggest challenge. Because every single plate that comes out of the kitchen is pretty special and once you start, you can’t stop.

RESTAURANT

In true tapas style, most of the dishes are Spanishinfluenced ith a fe t ists present here and there. Start the marathon ith bo uerones, a tapa of fresh anchovies marinated in vinegar and olive oil. e t move to meats ith a plate of salmon pastrami. y favourite, ick in the Head is spicy cured slivers made from pig’s head. hile other’s uin is infused ith gin. onderfully, you can really taste the gin. hen you’ve finished picking it’s time to move on to something a little more substantial. ing pra ns are truly royal in si e and served ith butter, a spicy seafood sauce originating from Hong ong. sparagus served ith curried hollandaise and a sprinkling of crushed ha elnuts sounds rong but is so darn right.

Then go for some really hearty plates. uck on toast ith apple, gooseberry and onion, and the robust and moreish Spanish tortilla. ne after the other is good.

The lamb crumpet ith salsa verde is hat it says on the tin slices of lamb served atop a homemade crumpet dri led ith plenty of gravy and salsa verde. ich this one, but delicious. nd last, but by no means least for the savouries , is the s uid, sobrassada and potato. ou kno hen you eat something once and you can’t stop thinking about it This is one of those. Cuts of s uid, cured paprika’d sausage, potato, and drenched in some sort of gorgeous creamy sauce. Best surf and turf ’ve ever eaten.

Still hungry surely not pt from churros ith arm chocolate mousse or espresso panna cotta and bro nie. ’m not usually a fan of churros, but these are like clouds in the middle and crispy on the outside. s for drinks, isce has an e tensive ine list ranging from rench to rgentinian. f, like me, you o n up to kno ing nothing about ine ask the ma tre d’ to recommend some food pairings. ctually, even if you do kno about ines, ask the ma tre d’ any ay and en oy the ride. h, and isce is conveniently situated to form part of the ontcanna mile a sophisticated stop-off after the obin Hood or omilly. But be arned if you begin to e plore the food menu, it’s unlikely you’ll go the distance. e roll out of isce the ay Tommy intends us to ith a full belly, slightly so led and ith a ne favourite place to dine and drink casual in Cardiff. nce you go, you’ll make up any e cuse to head back for another portion of s uid and sobrassada. have done this several times already. n

“Every single plate that comes out of the kitchen is pretty special” DINING DETAILS Uisce 6-10 Romilly Crescent, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9NR. tel: 029 2034 1264; www.heaneyscardiff.co.uk/uisce Opening hours Sunday 10am-4pm, Monday closed, Tuesday 5pm-11pm, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-11pm, Friday 9am-11pm, Saturday 9am-12am Owners Tommy Heaney and Nikki Curnock Chef Tommy Heaney Type of food served Rustic comfort food, snacks, sweet, and charcuterie from around the world Specialties Crumpet, tortilla, oysters Price examples Croissant £2.50, soup £5, plates £8-£10, churros £6, and a Bucks Fizz £6.50 Covers 30 Disability access Yes Outdoor space Yes

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 27

Printhaus run screenprinting and art workshops

CLASS ACTS Need to be taught a lesson?

You’ve come to the right place

By Elsie Chadwick

Students displaying their work after a Printhaus course

30 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ADULT EDUCATION

O FIVE REASONS TO KEEP LEARNING

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ACQUIRING NEW SKILLS KEEPS THE MIND ACTIVE Putting your brain to good use can mean benefiting from better memory, sharper reactions and greater attention spans.

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ADULT EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR RETRAINING As technology develops some jobs become redundant, so self-progression can be key to staying relevant to the job market.

3

CONTINUED LEARNING HELPS US KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGES IN THE WORLD To keep evolving as social beings it is good to interact with others outside of our usual family and friends circle. It helps us keep up with transformations within society, plus we can gain new nourishing and maybe unexpected friendships with like-minded souls.

n 1 September, the Festival of Learning month begins, which is a celebration of lifelong learning and encourages organisations and learning providers to offer free learning activities for adults, such as taster sessions, online learning, talks or lectures, and open days.

Whether it is to acquire new skills, make new friends, expand horizons, indulge a passion, e plore a ne field, or improve the old grey matter, there can be no doubting the value of adult education. Dr Michelle Deininger, co-ordinating lecturer in Humanities Felix Asare-Donkoh from Cardiff studied and coordinator of the Continuing with the OU Wales while in the army and Professional Education (CPE) department, hich offers hundreds of part-time courses for adult learners, variety of different reasons, such as personal says, Students returning to learning benefit development or to meet like-minded people, from keeping their mind active, increasing but also it can be to enhance career prospects, their kno ledge and building confidence. to gain a ualification or to begin degree studies.

Our course provision is vast so there are many t C , classes are taught by sub ect options available; for example, they could start specialists who believe in the value of lifelong learning a language for holidays or travel, learning and are able to support and encourage develop their creative writing skills in order to students throughout their time with us. Students get published, or gain management or computer could ork to ards a Certificate of Continuing programming knowledge to help further career ducation, Certificate of Higher ducation, paths and options.”

Diploma of Higher Education or study a Cardiff offers a hugely diverse range of Pathway to Degree Studies which has enabled activities including the perennially popular many people to graduate with a degree from painting, sewing and gardening available Cardiff niversity. lternatively, students ho through Cardiff Council’s dult Community have had a long gap since their first degree are Learning Programme to the unexpected such as increasingly taking our courses as a refresher how to learn to meditate the Buddhist way at the to make the leap into Masters courses, whether Cardiff Buddhist centre. nd hile many people that’s in education, counselling or film. are looking for evening classes to start a new “Whatever your goal, be it personal hobby or learn a fun new skill, some might want or professional, CPE is here to help you to ensure their studies help further their careers. achieve it.” s r eininger e plains, eople study for a

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

4

For more adult education and classes inspiration, check out the below

TO KEEP ON LEARNING HELPS US GET TO KNOW OURSELVES BETTER Our circumstances, our passions and even our minds are constantly changing. Achieving our full potential should always be part of our life goals and tapping into creativity and unknown strengths can release stress and improve our sense of self-worth.

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LIFE IS LONG / LIFE IS SHORT Increased life expectancy means we literally do have more time on our hands. It would be a shame to waste it on regrets on what could’ve been.

So sign up for that screen-printing workshop, enrol for an engineering refresher, or go learn to speak Welsh.

Mature students Tammy and Angharad graduated from Cardiff University

Cardiff Buddhist Centre; www.cardiffbuddhistcentre.com Cardiff Council Adult Community Learning Service; www.cardiff.gov.uk Cardiff University; www.cardiff.ac.uk Cardiff and Vale College; www.cavc.ac.uk Craft Courses in Cardiff; www.craftcourses.com Creative Cardiff; www.creativecardiff.org.uk Learn Welsh; www.learnwelsh.cymru Open University; www.open.ac.uk Photography courses; www.ffotogallery.org Screenprinting classes; www.theprinthaus.org The Vale of Glamorgan Adult Community Learning Service; www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 31

MAGIC PENCILS BY KOH-I-NOOR, £1.75 EACH Make learning and note-taking fun by writing in multiple colours all at once From The SHO Gallery and Shop, The Castle Emporium, Womanby Street, Cardiff; www.thesho.co.uk

GLUGG FIRE HYDRANT WATER BOTTLE, £10.99 Got a thirst for knowledge? From the sale of each lightweight aluminium water bottle, 50p is donated to WaterAid From Hamptons, Ludlow Lane, Penarth. tel: 029 2070 5391; www. hamptonspenarth.co.uk

HIGHER EDUCATION Back to school accessories but on our stylish grown up terms SHARPENER DESK TIDY, £14.95 Stay sharp and keep it tidy with this novelty pen holder From The SHO Gallery and Shop, The Castle Emporium, Womanby Street, Cardiff; www.thesho.co.uk

‘DOGFENNAU’ DOCUMENT FILE BOX, £12.95 EACH Organise your study space with these made in Wales dogfennau / document box folders made from rigid card covered in brown kraft paper From Bodlon Shop & Coffee Shop, 12 Park Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff. tel: 02920 650 564; www.bodlon.com

34 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

LAMY LEATHER BLACK PEN CASE, £52 This sturdy pencil case made from black calf leather will stay the course From Pen & Paper; www.penandpaper.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE METALLIC WOOD BLOCK DESK TIDY, £25 Inspired by architectural drawings, this desk tidy looks like a 3-dimensional sketch From Home by Kirsty, 64a Glenroy , oa C J www.homebykirsty.com

FLAMINGO NOTEBOOK, £4.99 If you’re going to use that homework excuse, then you need to up your game From Not Socks Again, 1 Windsor Terrace, Penarth. tel: 02920 191149; www.notsocksagain.com

TED BAKER BALLPOINT PEN, £40 You’ll be desperate to keep on writing with this beautiful pastel-coloured ballpoint pen rom es Cardiff, eo Deri, i ina, Cardiff nes cardiff co

HANDY MOBILE ESSENTIALS BAG, £25 Double zipped pockets, velcro sleeve pocket, sturdy and big enough for your books and a packed lunch From CSC Store, The Castle Emporium, Womanby ree , Cardiff cardiffs a e oardc com

LISA RIDGE VALENTINE DAILY DESK PAD, £8 This is more than just a day planner, this is a motivational organiser to help you succeed From Lisa Valentine Home; www.lisavalentinehome.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 35

HIP AND HAPPENING Follow your free spirit and embrace the casual yet chic style of the modern hippie

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ne of the themes that emerged from the Summer 2019 shows was Chloé’s ‘hippie modernism’. A fusion of the traditional hippie bohemian look with contemporary styles, the brand’s creative director atacha amsay- evi redefined the hippie look by taking inspiration from her journey to Ibiza and Morocco, two places she felt radiated a dizzying diversity.

Dressing down You can’t go wrong with a dress that mixes comfort with style, especially when it comes with a glorious Indian summer. This embroidered midi dress (1), with delicate sleeves and a drawstring waist that cinches your silhouette is perfect for a classy hippie look while delivering ultimate comfort. Alternatively, add a bit of colour ith the strappy dress ith ru ed hem to give you a casual summery look, paired with some red feather earrings. Looking for a mix of traditional and contemporary? Look to Vivienne Westwood for her balloon dress (9), specially designed for a unique and crinkled look with frayed and asymmetrical edges.

Love and piece The hippie modernism look is very versatile, so don’t fret if you’re not the dress type. Another great way to embrace the trend is ith flo y tops and baggy bottoms for a rela ed look. These elasticated cuff utility trousers (8) are as stylish as they are comfortable – with an elasticated waist and roomy patch pockets, they’ll wear ell ith this flo y, peasant-inspired blouse . e also love this speckle top (5), featuring a delicate print on sheer material that combines casual style and femininity. Pair with these cool, vintage-styled paperbag denim, belted shorts (7), which can be paired with black tights if the weather gets chilly.

Free thinking Tribal style and amulet jewellery are the perfect way to complete the hippy and happening look. We adore this as Stay Golden Sunrise pendant (2) to pair up with a long dress or blouse. Alternatively, opt for coin drop earrings to enhance your outfit’s brightness. dd the finishing touch and stay grounded with these stylish beige plaited wedges (10) that boast a neutral colour that can be paired with any of the looks, and will work well with blue jeans later in the season. i ems a ai a e a Da id s De i an in Cardiff or on ine a e ime of ri in o eep p o da e i e a es rends, ne s and offers, see Da id s on ns a ram, ace oo and i er Da idsCardiff or isi in s da idscardiff com

36 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Square neck broderie top, £55, and stripe tie waist culottes £59.50, both from Oliver Bonas

FASHION 1

2 5

4

3

SHOPPING LIST

6 9

1. Embroidered midi dress, £140, Karen Millen 2. Stay Golden sunrise pendant gold plated necklace, £38, Oliver Bonas 3. Bella blouse in white, £370, Vivienne Westwood 4. Strappy dress with ruffled hem, £25.99, Stradivarius 5. Nina speckle top in oyster, £98, AllSaints 6. Elizabeth Stone cluster and coin drop earrings £12, Oliver Bonas 7. Hannah paperbag shorts, £78, AllSaints 8. Elasticated cuff utility trousers, £130, Karen Millen 9. New balloon dress, white, £186, Vivienne Westwood 10. Beige plaited wedges, £29.99, Stradivarius

10 8

7

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 37

SCENE

AC ROSS C A R D I FF, O N E SH I N D I G AT A T I M E

Zahra Reardon-Smith and Wendy Hobbs

Karsan Vaghani Martyn Rainer, Mark George and Samantha James

Clare Brown and Andrea Gardner

Tracey Horrigan, Ann Tudball, Sarah Davies, Rebecca Goldsworthy and Julie Myles

OPEN HOUSE

The launch reception for the Cardiff Property Awards 2019 was held at Hotel Indigo on 22 July. Guests enjoyed networking, along with glasses of fi and canap s, hich included calamari cones, bruschetta with pancetta, and prawn spoons.

Cardiff niversity’s arsan Vaghani, who will be one of the judges for the Property Awards happening on ovember, delivered an inspiring speech.

Photographs by Nick Fowler www.nickfowlerphotography.co.uk

Sian Turvey and Chris Barber

40 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

John Ryder and Juliet Gamlin

James Morgan and Anthony Walsh

Jess Ware and Will Ryan

James Thomas, James Sanders and Richard Bowles

HOME TRUTHS

Cardiff Castle was the venue for an event hosted by Savills Cardiff on 12 June. Around 40 guests including local buyers, sellers and property professionals were briefed on Savills Cardiff latest residential property market analysis. Speakers included Dan Rees who heads up the residential sales team, and Kirsty Bennison the residential research team.

Photos by Sarah Barnes www.sarahbarnesphotography.co.uk

Ian Corfield and Tom Priest

Tom Merrick and Emily Meredith-Hardy Cenydd Mills, Jason Tuck and Paul Smith

Mark George, Claire Turner, Peter Reilly and James Thomas Tom Priest, James Sanders and Lydia Crane

John Lloyd Jones, Rob Johnson, James Gundy, and Jonathan David

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 41

SOCIETY

Spiros Fine Dining

Nicky Piper, Rosemary Fisher and Paul Fisher

Rob Howley, Linzi Coulter and Alex Bywater

Lloyd Howell, Kev Morgan, James Evans and Chris Mainwaring Ceri Howley and Joanne Macnamara

HEART AND SOLE

Adele Elliott and Bob Kennedy

The Brogue Trader Summer Banquet compered by Rupert Moon, with food from Spiros Fine Dining was recently held in the temporarily closed off organ rcade. round guests en oyed a magic sho , a three-course meal, sessions ith ales’ assistant head coach ob Ho ley and elsh ugby captain llis Jenkins. The night’s charity auction, raised more than , for City Hospice.

Photos by Mary Wycherley www.twocatsintheyard.co.uk

Gavin Burrough and Kirsty Burrough

42 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Ian Gough and Chris Macnamara

Booie Sall

Chris Tremlett, Peter Reilly and Tom Jewell

James Thomas, Ruth McKeddon and Lauren Widness

Tom Young, Junii Whyte and William Winter

BRICK THINKING

David Loosemore, James Sanders, Martin Pursall and Rob Evans

Portabella hosted the launch of two show apartments at the new development Brick orks, on Trade Street, Cardiff. round guests attended the early evening event on June and en oyed the view while taking drinks on the terrace.

Photos by Owen Mathias www.owenmathias.com

Kathy Rossi, Leanne Rudman, Paula Adams and Abbi Evans

GETTING COSY

A VIP preview of the brand-new opening at The Cosy Club in Cardiff Bay as held on June.

Along with enjoying the chance to mingle and network over drinks, the guests also got the chance to sample the ne tapas menu.

Photos by Mahtola Eagle-Lippiatt and India Mercer; www.mahphotographs.com

Florals are in this summer Open for business

Soaking up the vibe A good waistcoat is never out of style

www.mediaclash.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.ukI ICARDIFF CARDIFF LIFE LIFEI 43 I XX

SOCIETY

James Hook presents the trophy Milica Anscombe and Sophie Harries

Lydia Bright joined by her sisters Romana and Georgia

Great weather made the day even more special

POLO IS MINT

Celtic Manor Resort hosted Polo at the Manor on 15 June with celebrities flocking to the five-star resort to watch the thrilling games, along with enjoying a imm’s reception, a three course lunch with wine, cream teas, and live entertainment.

Photos by Steve Pope www.fotowales.com

The on-field action was fast and furious

The event showcased more than 200 cars

Motoring at the Manor saw classic cars alongside hyper cars, supercars, race and rally cars

POWER DRIVE

Almost 2,000 car fanatics flocked to the Celtic Manor Resort on Father’s ay to enjoy a celebration of motoring culture, otoring at the anor. Guests enjoyed an afternoon of dramatic demonstration drives, static displays, fabulous food and drink and live entertainment in a garden party atmosphere.

Photos by Steve Pope www.fotowales.com

A family affair for Lydia Bright

44 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

The cars were the stars

It’s the city’s business

CARDIFFWORKS In the fast lane £1billion vision to transform the way we move around Cardiff

A

game-changing £1billion transport vision designed to cut congestion and improve air uality in ardiff has been re ealed by the leader of Wales’ capital city. Speaking at a recent Welsh government conference about Active Travel, councillor Huw Thomas spoke about hy ardiff s trans ort net or needs to hange e said at the event on 4 July, “I am setting out a vision today for a greener, more sustainable city a vision which could transform the way people move around our city by 2030. It is a lan for the future of ardiff and it affe ts e eryone ho lives here and travels here to work.”

The proposed measures include: £ ardiff ross ail a ne light rail tram line from east to west connecting major population centres and new suburbs in the est ith ardiff entral £ ardiff ir le ine a oined u om lete orbital light rail tram line lin ing large residential areas to the trans ort network £ A new park and ride at junction 32 of the M4 connected to the ir le ine

£ ne a id us rans ort et or using green and electric vehicles £ e safe y le ays and al ing routes lin ed to bus rail and tram networks £ An integrated ticketing system allowing the user to move seamlessly from one transport mode to another £ a ing ardiff a miles er hour ity “This might well be our last opportunity to get transport right for ardiff e ha e onsistently argued that the ity s future ros erity relies on an effe ti e trans ort infrastructure, with seamless access to the UK’s motorway net or and free o ing routes into and around the ity said Councillor Thomas.

Cabinet member for Strategic Planning and Transport, Councillor Caro Wild, also said, “Get transport right and it’s a game changer. It adds real impetus to a city’s economic development agenda. It helps tackle inequality by better connecting people with opportunity. It improves quality of life and provides a visible pointer to the city’s environmental credentials.”

For more: www.gov.wales

Two wheels good confirms this young cyclist seen here owning the roads on Cardiff’s car-free day in May

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CARDIFFWORKS

WORLD CLASS Westbourne School’s International Baccalaureate graduates are revealed to be ranked in the top 2 per cent worldwide.

The Penarth co-educational independent day and boarding school ill top the league tables for the 5th year in a row as the No.1 school in the for results follo ing their academic success, which includes one third of graduates have achieved the elite category of

41+ points. rincipal r Gerard Gri ths says, These results obviously leave me proud, but this year’s performances have opened the doors not only to the top of universities for budding scientists but even further. This year has particularly shown that there are no universities our students cannot enter.

For more: www.westbourneschool.com

Westbourne School’s IB students are a smart bunch

SWIM DEEP Seven friends and colleagues are s imming the nglish Channel, from over to Calais, on September, to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation Cymru.

One of the swimmers is Joanne Oliver, health service lead at BHF Cymru, who was inspired to swim the channel after her experiences with heart disease. She says, “I’ve lost both my parents to heart disease. The British Heart Foundation initially funded my role as a heart failure nurse at Cardiff and ale HB. o , ant to give back to the vital research the charity undertakes.

The women, all from Barry, have various levels of s imming experience and will undertake the challenge ill take the form of a relay.

For more: www.bhf.org.uk

Larry’s foot problem is no longer occurring

SHIP(MAN) SHAPE arry amb, ho is currently filming the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special in Barry in which he plays Stacey’s dad Mick Shipman, visited the orthopaedic product clinic rthoti in landough on 25 July. Director Paul Cooper says, “He called in for drop foot support to help him with a condition which has affected him for over years. He said the product e fitted him ith ill be life changing and couldn’t thank us enough.

For more: www.orthotix.co.uk

In at the deep end to help BHF Cymru

48 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Aidan Lang is back in Wales

Free storytelling and dance performances were seen as part of last year’s Fair Trade in St Andrew’s

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC GENERAL DIRECTION idan ang has returned to ales from Seattle, S to take up the role of elsh ational pera’s general director. idan, ho had been staff director for the company in the early s, says, The values and vision for opera that holds have been the bedrock of my entire career, and am hugely looking for ard to orking ith the board and the company to create ork that speaks to the lives of people living and orking in the many and varied communities throughout ales and ngland. no or s

MY FAIR TRADING Cardiff ill for the first time host its o n uni ue cultural festival, air Saturday, later this year, as part of a ground-breaking global movement.

The event, hich began in Spain five years ago, aims to celebrate the arts as ell as spread support for social causes across the orld, and is deliberately held on the last Saturday of ovember, the day follo ing Black riday, the busiest shopping day of the year and a date seen as a symbol of modern consumerism.

Jordi lbareda reta, founder and organiser of air Saturday, e plains, ive years ago in Bilbao, the Bay of Biscay, a simple idea as born. hat if the day that follo s Black riday a strong mobilisation of arts and culture took place, supporting at the same time different

social causes Culture has never been needed more than right no . e are living in times of comple ity and uncertainty and here materialism dominates. air Saturday aims to change the focus on having’ to one here people reflect on the value of being and giving’, through arts and culture. rts and culture can help create richer, more diverse societies and connect communities in a ay the likes of Black riday cannot. ’m delighted that Cardiff has decided to oin this fast-gro ing movement and the city can look for ard to some ama ing, inspiring performances come ovember.

For more: www.fairsaturday.org

GROWING UP To provide a platform for their ne t phrase of gro th, Genero Group, the creative event specialists, recently ac uired ne head o ces in riority nterprise ark, ale of Glamorgan. enero prod c ions co

GOOD EGG Cardiff-based olk ecruitment has appointed a ne business development manager to further develop its footprint in public sector. Gareth Jones, ho has over years of e perience in the recruitment industry, oins the a ardinning business as part of olk’s ambitious gro th strategy, ith the firm on course to solidify its position as ales’ market-leading recruitment agency by . o recr i men com

FOLLOW THE NUMBERS

Countingup, the business banking and accounting app from the intech firm, has announced it is opening a ne o ce on Cathedral oad. ndre Garvey, the chief commercial o cer at Countingup, says, Cardiff is a gro th hub for small, fast-gro ing micro-businesses and also has a great reputation for financial services. co n in p com

It’s time to celebrate Cardiff’s property professionals

HOT PROPERTY The deadline of September at midday to nominate your company for the first-ever Cardiff roperty ards is looming. The event ill be held on ovember at The change Hotel as a daytime event, and ill celebrate all aspects of the dynamic property market covering residential to commercial, lettings to ne builds, civic buildings to bold re-imaginings. ore than companies are involved so far, hether as sponsors, udges, nominees or attendees. eader of Cardiff Council Hu Thomas says, ’m delighted to see the ne Cardiff roperty ards, hich ill celebrate

the success of our city’s property sector. nnovation in property can have a big role in shaping our economy, our communities, as ell as contributing to ards sustainable gro th, and it’s gratifying to see that this is reflected in the a ards hich include categories relating to issues such as social housing and the environment. or more information on ho to get involved through sponsorship, please contact rosanna. hood mediaclash.co.uk. nd turn to page for pictures of the Cardiff roperty ards launch party. or more cardiffproper a ards co

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 49

CARDIFFWORKS

“THE GROWTH OF LISTINGS ON AIRBNB IN CARDIFF IS AN INCREDIBLE 5,762 PER CENT WITHIN A THREE-YEAR PERIOD” for economic growth and currently pro ected to be the fastest gro ing city in the .

What are the misconceptions about Airbnb? common one is that irbnb can be anti-community, yet e see it as a vast opportunity to support and help grow local communities particularly relevant given per cent of guests choose to travel on irbnb in order to live like a local’.

Alli Carroll

Alli talks us through the concept of Hello Ted, a new Cardiff-based management company that looks after the A – Z of Airbnb We hear you’re an Aussie, so how did you come to be living in Cardiff?

I migrated to Wales in 2013 to join the leading independent estate agency firm, oginie James. es, they are so good that I moved my entire life to the northern hemisphere just to join them!

for brands such as T Hotels esorts and Hotels Group.

Creating Hello Ted afforded me the opportunity to merge my passion with my management background in the hospitality and property sectors, to bring about a -star and first-of-its-kind offering in Cardiff.

You are now part of Hello Ted that has been created by the team behind Moginie James.

What exactly is Hello Ted? Hello Ted is the first and only Cardiff-based irbnb management company, providing a premium and seamless end-to-end service that takes exceptional properties to the short-term rental market, whilst managing the entire process for homeo ners.

How did the initial idea of Hello Ted come about? t as born out of our entrepreneurial spirit and love for our city. t the time, there as a perfect storm taking place where e ere atching Cardiff continue to gro and attract so many orldclass events, yet e kne full- ell that the influ of visitors could not be accommodated given the shortage of hotel rooms available.

What jobs were you doing before Moginie James and Hello Ted? rior to oining oginie James and Hello Ted, orked in the field of bouti ue and five-star hotel management in ustralia,

What was the company’s inspiration in creating this type of business model?

Despite the growth of listings on irbnb in Cardiff an incredible , per cent ithin a three-year period , e also kne that some

homeowners were shying away from entering the short-term lettings market as they eren’t sure where to start or how to manage the entire process to their own commercial advantage – so we introduced a way for homeowners to reap all the benefits ithout having to put in any of the intense hard- ork needed to make a success of it.

What does Hello Ted offer? ur comprehensive irbnb management packages take care of everything, from property staging, professional photography, lockbo installation, handling of all guest communications, -star uality housekeeping, maintenance, organising insurance, changeovers, price setting, managing occupancy level, and the list goes on.

Why do you think there has been such a rise in people Airbnb in our area?

Cardiff is a young, talented and thriving university city, primed

Does Hello Ted have a philosophy it likes to live by professionally? pple founder Steve Jobs said it best our ork is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only ay to be truly satisfied is to do hat you believe is great ork. nd the only ay to do great ork is to love hat you do.’ e are so incredibly fortunate to have a team of specialists each at the top of their game in their respective fields and we can say hand on heart that our people really love what they do and it sho s.

Can you tell us a little about the team you work with?

Our interior designers have worked ith the likes of Starbucks and kea, our marketing team have worked with the Welsh Baftas and aramount ictures, our cleaning team is already placed in ellkno n five-star establishments, and e have included some of the best hoteliers and property managers for good measure.

Where do you see Hello Ted in the future? s a truly customer-centric company, our one, five and ten year goals are all the same, to offer an unparalleled service which places our clients at the heart of absolutely everything e do.

For more: Hello Ted, tel: 029 2104 0279, www.helloted.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 51

CARDIFFWORKS

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS 2019

Media Academy Cardiff Director Nick Corrigan talks about the groundbreaking work the not-for-profit organisation does with young people, which helped retain the Award for a second year running

How did you celebrate?

The actual Award evening is a very special night where the cr me de la cr me of the Cardiff business world and individuals get to showcase their exceptional talents and abilities. t’s great to be amongst such creative and awe inspiring movers and shakers from across the city. And well, when we won, three members of the team celebrated like professionals!

Where is your Award now? t is pride of place in the staff area of our new building and sits very proudly next to the Award from last year and our nomination from the year before. t is a very special Award as it’s made of welsh slate, so is grounded in our culture.

Dawn Attewell, Nick Corrigan, and Natalie Holohan

EDUCATION WINNER Tell us a little about Media Academy Cardiff (MAC) t started up in 20 0 and is a children and young people’s not for profit organisation that works across outh Wales offering opportunities for young people to achieve their potential in life.

What was the motivation for starting up?

There were two all-encompassing reasons as to why started AC. Firstly, every child should have access to education that is right for them, as education is the foundation stone for the whole of life. econdly, that we believe there is a better way to support children than simply giving them a criminal record. y receiving a piece of paper that goes on to put barriers in their lives for often silly mistakes for low level offending, society is only increasing the possibility for negative behaviours rather than trying to understand the reasons behind it.

© STUDIO 87

Congratulations on your win!

This isn’t for the first time though is it?

We were the proud winners last year so we feel we have retained our title’ and were over the moon to win again, as we were up against some really fantastic schools and education providers from across Cardiff.

How has MAC helped deal with such as the Welsh Government such complex issues? and the Youth Justice Board. We Together, with police and the local are currently creating a national youth offending team, we have created film project that is looking to lobby the first triage diversion for every Westminster to stop the unnecessary child when they are arrested, which criminalisation of children. This is we still run today and are immensely such an exciting piece of work as the proud of. The teams at AC have potential of a small Welsh non-profit diverted over 10,000 children and to contribute to a national shift in how young people from the criminal justice children are treated makes us very system. With its success, the teams proud. then trained several police forces across England the Any advice to value of diversion, someone who “EDUCATION IS which has since inspired to THE FOUNDATION isembark been adopted on STONE FOR THE as the primary similar work to response to reduce yourselves?

WHOLE OF LIFE” offending and to Working in the support victims of crime. third sector there are struggles every day, primarily around sustaining Tell us about the some of the services which are so very needed. arts opportunities you offer Acknowledgement from your peers, We offer free arts opportunities like the Cardiff Life Awards, for children as we believe this is a is a boost that sometimes help you fundamental right for children to be sit down, refocus, re-energise and children and have access to cultural start the process of a new funding and artistic projects, and we create bid or when challenging policy dynamic education programmes for makers and opinion formers on children and young people who may their decision making. need a little extra support to bump start a happier life.

What does winning an Award like this do for morale?

How many people do you think t’s important to highlight that MAC has managed to help? the operating environment for the ast year alone we worked with whole of the third sector has been over 6,000 children and young particularly challenging this year, people which, for our si e, is a truly with reduction in funding streams, remarkable feat. We always seem to be so recognition from the eminent punching above our weight in terms judging panel was a welcome boost of our si e versus our influence. exactly when we needed it. t’s a reminder about the great work that all How has being based in Cardiff the teams do in offering educational helped MAC? opportunities for children and young We are so lucky to be living and people from across the region. working in Wales as the Welsh Government was the first in the world to ensure rights of children are enshrined in all new laws and legislation. We also try and work in partnership and collaboration with a huge variety of local partners.

Can you tell us about some recent projects that might help illustrate MAC’s work?

We make content with, by and for young people with various partners

For more: Media Academy Cardiff, MAC HQ , Unit 12 Coopers Yard, Curran Road, Cardiff. tel: 02920 667 668; www.mediaacademycardiff.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 53

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Meet the conveyancer

Cardiff’s professionals talk about their work helping people buy and sell their homes JEREMY L. DAVIES

ANDREA COOMBES

What is conveyancing?

The legal process of transferring ownership of property from one person to another.

What does ‘exchanging contracts’ mean, and when does it happen?

It is the process by which a binding contract is formed between the seller and the buyer. It happens when the buyer’s solicitor has received proof of the seller’s title and satisfactory precontract searches and answers to enquiries and the mortgage finance is in place.

What is the difference between ‘exchange’ and ‘completion’?

‘Exchange’ is the making of the binding contract. ‘completion’ is the process of completion of the purchase following which the buyer takes possession of the property.

What happens on completion?

The purchase price is paid to the seller’s solicitor and vacant possession of the property is given to the buyer.

Can I pick my own firm of solicitors, or do I have to use the firm my estate agent recommends?

Yes, buyers and sellers are always free to choose their own solicitor.

Why is conveyancing important?

It is important to have a regulated process in place to identify ownership of property Talk us through the conveyancing process Once the conveyancer is satisfied that the title to the property is good and marketable they will advise the client to enter into a formal legal exchange of contracts, a completion date will be agreed at this point. The process varies however the key stages are normally,offer, pre contract searches and enquiries, exchange of contract, pre completion searches, completion and post completion.

How long does it take approximately?

A standard conveyancing matter will usually take 6-8 weeks from the date of offer to completion.

What are most common causes of delay?

The most common causes of delay are caused by resolving defects in title, missing consents and guarantees and the number of transactions involved in the chain.

I need to complete as quickly as possible.. how can things be fast tracked?

Advise your conveyancer from the outset that time is an important factor, they will use their best endeavours to expedite the conveyancing process on your behalf.

QUALITY SOLICITORS JA HUGHES 02920 619700; www.qualitysolicitors.com/jahughes

HOPKINS LAW LTD 029 2039 5888; www.hopkinslawltd.com

Jeremy L. Davies

Andrea Coombes

a friendly and high-quality service from our team of experts who do everything possible to make the process as smooth as possible. Providing great service is key for us and is reflected in our client satisfaction scores. Each client will have a dedicated fee earner dealing with the matter from start to finish.

How long does the conveyancing process take?

There is no set time frame as the conveyancing process varies from transaction to transaction.

We usually find it takes 6-8 weeks for most but again this can vary. If delays do occur, we ensure that you are aware of the reason for the delay.

JAMES PEARN

LOOSEMORES SOLICITORS 029 2022 4433; www.loosemores.co.uk What sets your conveyancing department apart from other firms?

We have a dedicated and experienced conveyancing team. Every client receives

Why is it a lengthy process?

Usually your transaction forms part of a chain of transactions. Generally speaking, the longer the chain, the longer the transaction will take to complete. If you imagine 10 parties in a series of transactions all having to undertake searches, investigate the title, obtain the mortgage advance etc. This will inevitably take longer than if there are two parties in the chain.

Do I have to use the solicitor my estate agent recommends?

In short, the answer is no. You do not have to use the solicitor recommended by your estate agent. Everyone has the right to choose their own solicitor. I would recommend that you do your own research and choose a firm which is part of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme. In my view it is vital that you appoint a solicitor that you can trust to act in your best interests, who will have the experience to complete the transaction properly and in a timely manner and who will charge you a fair price for doing so.

What happens if I change my mind part way through? Am I legally bound?

You can withdraw or reject an offer on a property at any time up to the exchange of contracts. After the exchange of contracts, you will have entered into a legally binding contract and you will be subject to the terms of that contract. If you decide to withdraw or reject the offer before exchange of contracts, you may be subject to certain charges.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 55

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Howdy partner!

The experts at BERRY SMITH LAWYERS can offer advice on all aspects of cohabitation

T

he Office for National Statistics published figures in August showing that the number of cohabiting couples continues to grow with an increase of more than 25 per cent in the 10 years leading up to 2018. Cohabiting couples, as the report states, are now the 'fastest-growing family type'.

In acknowledging the increasing number of cohabiting couples, the report highlights an important fact, often misunderstood, that "here is no such thing as common law marriage in the UK".

In short, the legal rights of married couples are not afforded to cohabiting couples. Whilst there is some progress in updating the law, there is no guarantee that change will occur in the near future.

If you count yourself amongst the ‘fastest-growing family type’, you should, as an absolute minimum, have a conversation with your partner about your financial arrangements whilst you cohabit (i.e. how will contributions to food, utilities, holidays etc be shared) and keep a written note of the agreement.

In the event that you intend to purchase property together you should consider in what proportion you will own the property; what contributions to the mortgage repayments you will each make (if unequal, whether you intend this to be reflected in any division of the sale proceeds); and what impact any contributions to improvements to the property (e.g. adding a conservatory) will have on your respective interests.

Once you have reached an agreement, this can be set out in either: a. Declaration of trust This document is appropriate where the property is owned by the couple in unequal shares (e.g. contributions made to the deposit to be refunded to either party, with any remainder divided 50/50) or b. Cohabitation agreement This is an agreement, in the form of a deed, setting out the financial arrangements for the couple. This document is more appropriate

Benjamin Delve

in circumstances where the couple are seeking a more comprehensive agreement that covers multiple properties, or interests (e.g. company shares, joint accounts and / or shared investments etc).

It is strongly recommended that anyone wanting to enter into an agreement should seek legal advice before preparing any form of agreement and, ideally, instruct a solicitor to prepare the paperwork. n

If you would like further information about the rights of cohabiting couples, or for advice on the content of written agreement, please feel free to contact our family team on 02920 345511 or family@berrysmith.com

Always Moving forward...

Reflecting the growth we have experienced at Hopkins Law we welcome some new faces to our existing strong and well respected Property teams in our Cardiff, Chepstow & Cowbridge offices.

ANDREA COOMBES

EMMA PENN

Joining Hopkins Law as our Senior

As part of that ethos we will also

Property Consultant is Andrea

shortly be welcoming Emma Penn

Coombes, a very well-known and highly

as a Senior Property Solicitor to

respected Property lawyer. This newly

the Property team at our Cardiff

created role allows Andrea to bring

Head Office. Emma has an enviable

her expert and insightful guidance

reputation and understands that

to the Practice. Amongst Andrea’s

having made the decision to buy and/

responsibilities in this innovative

or sell the process can sometimes be

role includes providing an individual

quite stressful. Emma understands

bespoke service to our clients. This is

that communication is key which helps

very important as our clients are central

to ensure that people’s experience

to our ethos at Hopkins Law.

matches their expectations.

hopkinslawltd.com

fal

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T: 02920 395888

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tel: 02920 492229 | email: info@pmglettings.co.uk www.pmglettings.co.uk

HOME COMFORTS Your frequently asked questions about home searching, buying, and moving answered by our Cardiff professionals

By John Mather

Happy boxing day!

60 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

MOVING HOME

I

t’s probably the biggest purchase of your life, and definitely the most stressful. And no matter how many times you do it, the pain doesn’t diminish. Here Cardiff ’s housebuying and moving-in experts have drawn up a A battle plan to help pave a smoother way

JESSICA WARE, field sales manager with Acorn Property Group

I’ve never bought before. What sort of things should I be considering, aside from loving the property?

ook for spaces where people want to live, work, and spend time. esirable locations where there is a strong existing community, good access to transport links, shops, restaurants and schools is key.

What are the benefits of buying off-plan?

uying earlier opens up more choice allowing you to select the best plot for your needs. Also there is no onward chain with new builds, meaning a stress-free experience.

I’ve been thinking of getting a UK holiday home, but is now a good time?

With the rise in popularity of Airbnb, and more ritons choosing a staycation instead of holidaying abroad, buying a holiday home is now not only a personal perk but a viable investment. Consider properties near to acclaimed leisure amenities or tourist interest points.

JANE MAYHEW, regional sales and marketing director with McCarthy and Stone

I want to downsize to a new development, but I’m not sure about making the change.

What if I hate it?

ee if your developers offer the opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ and to spend a night or two at your chosen development. This way you can downsi e with confidence by experiencing the lifestyle you could ultimately enjoy in a newly built apartment. Also not only does this give you the chance to take a closer

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 61

look at the build uality and specification of the homes available, you can also meet your potential neighbours, get a feel for the social events and the activities which take place at the development, and even get to know the local area a little better.

How do I know if I can afford it – not just the property now, but the service fees etc in the future?

It is important to have access to support to help understand which benefits you might be entitled to and how much financial support you can expect to receive. ven if you are not entitled to receive certain benefits straight away after downsi ing, but your situation changes in the future, we have dedicated entitlements advisors who can provide free, confidential entitlements advice service.

The service has helped 4,000 homeowners claim more than 6 million in benefits over the last three years.

I’m concerned about the amount of work and effort moving to a smaller place is going generate...

ook for someone who can help take away this stress if that’s what is stopping you. For example, we have, at selected developments, removal experts who can pack the homeowner’s belongings, help de-clutter, transport everything safely to their new home, and even do the unpacking too. Once in, we can even provide handymen to help with tasks such as hanging pictures, mirrors etc.

62 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

“No-one regrets using a good remo a rm ut a ot of eo e regret trying to do it alone”

MOVING HOME SARA TAYLOR is sales and marketing director at Taylor Wimpey South Wales.

I’m a first time buyer, won’t a new build be too expensive?

There are many benefits to buying a new build home – such as special deals for first time buyers where stamp duty or solicitors fees are paid to the security of a two year new homes warranty.

What are the help to buy schemes?

These are incentives to buy that include the government-backed Help to Buy scheme for homes under 00,000, available to both first time buyers and existing home owners. There is also schemes such as Help to Buy and part exchange, which can help you to sell your home quickly.

JULIE MILES, chartered legal executive at CJCH Solicitors Why do you need to do the searches?

These are carried out by the buyer’s solicitors and are vital to ensure a good and marketable title to the property is achieved and a requirement of almost all lenders.

What are you actually searching for?

The most common searches requested on the purchase of a residential property are: Local Search. This is made against the District and County Councils. The search will provide important information as to adoption of roads, planning applications granted against the property, whether the property is in a conservation area, subject to a tree preservation order etc.

The drainage search will confirm whether both foul water and surface water drain into a public sewer. And the environmental search will provide details of any environmental issues which may affect the property such as flood risk, radon gas issues.

What might delay my property purchase?

hands. This means that even if you’ve had an offer accepted, the property isn’t yours until contracts are formally exchanged.

Do I need to come to the solicitor’s office to sign anything on the day of completion?

This is the question we get asked the most.

Your solicitor will deal with the transaction and they shouldn’t need a signature from you on the day of completion.

Do I still need legal help after completion?

For you, the time after completion is used for decorating and unpacking; however for your solicitor there is still legal work to be completed after completion to file your stamp duty return and register the property in your name at the Land Registry.

MIKE WATKINS, partner at estate agents Mr and Mrs Clarke South Wales I love my home but I worry it’s not going to look good in photographs.

Often there are problems with the title – perhaps the plan is wrong, a deed is missing, there is no right of way to the front door, the correct planning permissions were not obtained – the list is endless. A common delay can be waiting for answers to pre-contract enquires. This could be due to solicitors on the other side not responding promptly, or that they are not receiving the information needed from their clients or a third party to respond.

There can also be delays in the chain.

What are you looking at? What’s grabbing your attention? Chances are it’ll be the homes that are marketed with strong, high-end magazine quality photographs. We aim for all our homes marketing to look great and tap into the aspirational nature that a new home should invoke in someone who is looking to buy. When we come to take pictures of a home, we bring a stylist and a professional photographer to capture the nuts and bolts of the home, but also the essence.

JAMES PEARN, partner and head of property at Loosemores Solicitors

What is the best way to market my home?

How do I know when the property is really mine?

Once contracts are exchanged, a legally binding agreement is in place which means that neither party can back out. Until that point, either party may withdraw.

The property is only yours on the day of completion when all money has changed

Posting a For Sale sign on your front lawn is all well and good, but you can do that yourself – without the aid of a fancy estate agent. Look for marketing plans that are bespoke to your own home. For example, not only the For Sale board, Rightmove and Zoopla but also use of PR and social media. We have used these relatively new channels so successfully, we are known as the insta agents!

OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP: New homes at Taylor Wimpy might suit you; BELOW; Julie Miles of CJCH Solicitors; Loosemores’ James Pearns; THIS PAGE, ABOVE: Finding a good home is key to happiness; Mike Watkins of Mr and Mrs Clarke South Wales

Will I know every time someone shows an interest in my property, or how a sale is progressing?

In most relationships, communication is key.

Your partnership with your estate agent is no different. You need to know, up front, how they will keep you in the loop. This means finding out several factors like what kinds of news they’ll update you on, the frequency of updates and how the agent will communicate them. A common complaint is that there isn’t enough information, but at the same time people often dislike receiving phone calls unless the reasons are urgent. We have tried to make this aspect more accommodating by asking what the client prefers, and often people opt for weekly updates via email, or What’s App.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 63

MOVING HOME

ABOVE: Mike Watkins of Mr and Mrs Clarke

believe good photography is essential to a successful sale as seen here with a home they recently marketed TOP LEFT: Mollie Ellerman from Robertson Solicitors LEFT: Panda Waddup of Go Panda Removals shares his expertise

MOLLIE ELLERMAN is conveyancing executive at Robertsons Solicitors

Why do I have to provide evidence of my source of funds?

The number of money laundering cases reported to the Solicitors Regulation Authority are rising. A responsible firm of solicitors are strictly governed by government legislation and will need to ascertain the source of all funds coming in to their accounts. Firms of solicitors play a critical role in detecting and preventing money laundering and terrorist financing and are therefore required to carry out proper customer due diligence on all clients.

At what point during the transaction do I have to pay my deposit?

Once your solicitor has confirmed that all the paperwork is in order and they are in a position to exchange contracts, you will need to pay the deposit to your solicitor’s client account. The deposit is usually 10 per cent of the purchase price of the property. Once the exchange of contracts has taken place, you will be contractually bound to purchase the property and the deposit is non-refundable.

When is the right time to tell my landlord of the property that I am renting, notice to vacate?

In England and Wales, your offer to purchase a property is always subject to contract until contracts have been exchanged. This means that both the buyer and seller are free to withdraw from the agreement, until the contract becomes legally binding, without penalty. This means we always advise our clients to hold off serving notice to vacate until exchange of contracts has taken place.

PANDA WADDUP is managing director of Go Panda Removals

When do I need to start looking for a removal firm? And what if it all gets cancelled for any reason? Wouldn’t it just

64 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

I like to live my life sustainably and hate waste packaging. Will moving create a load of waste paper? be easier to do it all myself?

Most people underestimate the length of time it takes to pack and struggle to get it to a movable standard in time for removal day. It may cost a bit more, but time is precious and moving to a new house is stressful enough.

Put it this way, no-one regrets using a good removals firm but a lot of people regret trying to do it alone. Do start looking for a removals company as soon as possible and make sure to source at least three different companies to quote for the job. Prices can vary, but always be wary of costs that are too good to be true, because it will be too good to be true. All removal companies will have a cancellation policy. The amount taken will usually depend on how close to the moving date the customer cancels.

DIRECTORY

Absolute Property; www.absolutepms.co.uk Acorn; www.acornpropertygroup.org Amarok Systems; www.amaroksystems.co.uk CJCH; www.cjchsolicitors.co.uk David Baker; www.davidbaker.co.uk Go Panda; www.gopanda.co Hopkins Law; www.hopkinslawltd.com J A Hughes; www.qualitysolicitors.com Loosemores; www.loosemores.co.uk Masons Moving Group; www.masonsmovingroup.co.uk

Not necessarily, there are ways these things can be done that is kind to the planet. Look for a firm that also upholds these principles. We, for example, believe strongly in environmentally friendly values, and work with Trees for Life to help offset the carbon emissions that we release. We do this by pledging to donate a tree to the Go Panda Grove for every new customer that uses our service.

Do I need separate insurance for when things are in transit?

All good removal companies should have full insurance coverage that covers your goods whilst they are in transit. The insurance should also cover your property from any accidental damage that could incur during the removal.

Some companies will charge for the insurance whilst others will include it for free. n

McCarthy & Stone; www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk Moginie James; www.moginiejames.co.uk Mr and Mrs Clarke South Wales; www.mrandmrsclarke.com PA Black; www.pablack.co.uk Portabella; www.portabella.co.uk Redrow; www.redrow.co.uk Robertsons Solicitors; www.robsols.co.uk Savills; www.savills.co.uk Taylor Wimpey South Wales; www.taylorwimpey.co.uk

ADVERTISING FEATURE

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Seventh heaven

Penarth-based property management company ABSOLUTE are celebrating seven years in business

A

bsolute Property Management Solutions are no longer considered to be the new kids on the block. Absolute was formed in 2012 to provide professional management services for blocks of apartments and are currently celebrating their seventh anniversary.

Absolute’s skilled and dedicated team now manage over 30 developments ranging from purpose-built apartment complexes, commercial offices and iconic buildings including the Tramshed Cardiff, Pump House in Barry and the latest development by Loft-Co Platform, the former train station in Cardiff Bay. Director John Poppleton believes the success of the company is a dedicated team providing

Image caption 3mm inset from edge

John and the team

“ABSOLUTE’S SKILLED AND DEDICATED TEAM NOW MANAGE OVER 30 DEVELOPMENTS” a personal, professional and transparent service whilst listening and understanding the requirements of each client.

If you are interested in the services of Absolute please visit the website or contact John Poppleton on 029 2070 7590.

Avon House, 19 Stanwell Road, Penarth CF64 2EZ Tel: 029 2070 7590; info@absolutepms.co.uk www.absolutepms.co.uk

T H E A L B A N Y G A L L E RY MARTIN LLEWELLYN Ceramics by Ruth Gibson

22nd August - 14th September View images on our website

www.albanygallery.com

74b Albany Road, Cardiff, CF24 3RS | T: 029 2048 7158 | E: info@albanygallery.com Gallery open: Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays 11am-4pm

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Want to know where to move in Cardiff? Who better to guide us round the ‘Diff, than the man who loves the ‘Diff?

By Christian Amodeo

I

t’s not just a case of finding a house, buying a house, and living happily ever after. It might be you’re looking for good schools, plentiful transport links, maybe you want to determine the location of your new home by the number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the area. So we turned to Christian Amodeo, who is Cardiff born and Cardiff bred, and loves the city so much, ten years ago he founded the award-winning cult Cardiff brand I Loves The ‘Diff, to take us by the hand and lead us through the streets and suburbs of Cardiff.

COWBRIDGE Situated seven miles west of Cardiff, in 2017 The Times deemed this affluent market town to be the best place in Wales to live. The long, bustling high street is crammed with interesting and high-end mostly independent retail, with the lovely recent addition of Penarth’s gift shop Hamptons opening a lifestyle store there in West Hampton. There’s plenty of highend, never off-road 4x4s aka the Cowbridge tractors, and some great places to eat, such as Elephant and Bun, and the original Bar 44, which opened here some 17 years ago.

Excellently situated for countryside, beaches, nearby cities, and the M4.

68 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PENARTH There’s a sedate and respectable sense of seaside Victoriana to Penarth front and the thin strips of parkland that cling to the steep hillside above whilst affording fabulous views out across the Bristol Channel. Penarth is to some of the grandest houses, the area’s only Michelin star restaurant James Somerin, and excellent schools.

The residents might have earned the moniker the ‘Penarth Prosecco Set’ but the area has some beautiful and fascinating old buildings, not least the wonderful Pier Pavilion and Turner House Gallery. Road after tree-lined road comprise large, pleasant family houses in an arts and craft style that mean we too wouldn’t mind being part of the Penarth Prosecco Set, if this is how they live.

everything from two independent butchers, including the award-winning Martin Player, to supermarkets, cafés, bars, pubs, and quality dining. Handily located close to the M4 and A470 in north Cardiff, Whitchurch is but a few minutes’ drive into the city centre. It features many a road of quality red brick, semidetached family homes built in the early 20th century. Bodlon, opposite Whitchurch’s smart free library, is a great place to sip a skinny latte and congratulate yourself for having moved here.

OLD ST MELLONS The area’s history dates back some 2,000 years – there’s an ancient cromlech in the grounds of Druidstone House, Old St Mellons is a longestablished semi-rural pocket of often large houses on the east of the city. A handy location for driving commuters as it is moments from the A48 and with easy access to Cardiff, Newport, and nearby business parks.

RHIWBINA Rhiwbina village features a fairly attractive hub of shops and cafés, some of which are brilliant, like Nest gift and homewares shop, and Snails deli and café. The railway station is just down the road. Ever changing murals on the nearby church hall wall suggest local creative vibrancy and an active community. Behind the little high street lies the district’s picturesque and leafy garden village, now a Conservation Area of highly sought-after white homes, built by a cooperative between 1913 and the World War II in order to improve city housing standards.

WHITCHURCH Whitchurch is probably Cardiff ’s most selfsufficient and largest village suburb, boasting

PONTCANNA More lines of copy are written about Pontcanna than any other Cardiff area, probably. That’s

MOVING AREA Cardiff is a great place to live, whichever you look at it

impressive when you consider its small size and the fact that until recently it technically (or politically) didn’t exist, being considered North Riverside. Pontcanna is that rare phenomenon, a place with a buzz, a happy transect of near-to-centre but leafy and villagelike location. Adding to its cool is bohemian Kings Road Yard, home to Pipes Beer, Lufkin coffee, and the Lazy Leek vegan street food.

Spot the various creatives, media types, the Welsh-speaking elite, and rugby players sipping juice at some of the city’s best coffee spots (like Canna eli, rod, and rava. t also offers three of Cardiff ’s best dining experiences, Bully’s, Heaneys, and Milkwood.

RADYR Grand interwar period houses, winding suburban roads, a golf club, toddler friendly caf s like the Orchard and also a uni uely aloof-to-Cardiff attitude. adyr seems to consider itself, somewhat independent of Cardiff. t even has its own sign to prove it, and all the trappings of a self-contained village, from surgeries to a tennis club. All that was missing was a boozer, which it now has in the form of micro-pub, Radyr Tap. A train will take you to Cardiff Central in just minutes, but you can also cycle along the largely car-free and picturesque Taff Trail and be in the centre in just 30 minutes.

CYNCOED This area features many large, inter-war properties, and a good many newer ones built in their vast grounds, filling in the gaps. Cyncoed illage has a Co-op and a newsagent and gathers elderly folks around it like a hive. You’ll have to venture to its peripheries for pubs but it is just three miles from town, close to lovely Roath Park, safe, quiet after dark, and highly desirable with this the home of the country’s best secondary school, Cardiff High. t also boasts some of the city’s streets with most expensive homes, including an-Y-Coed oad, Ty Gwyn Avenue, and Llandennis Avenue.

“Sip a skinny latte and congratulate yourself for having moved here”

Pinpointing your perfect place in Cardiff

ROATH / PENYLAN oath is to enylan what Canton is to Pontcanna in a way. Penylan is laid out on the hillside in neat, sometimes curved tree-lined streets of beautiful and expensive semi-detached and terrace town houses that were built for the ictorian middle classes.

On the corner of imberley oad and Blenheim Road is brilliant Penylan Pantry, an independent coffee shop with a big emphasis on quality and sustainability. At the bottom of the road, a ribbon of pretty ictorian parkland escorts Roath Brook towards the sea.

LISVANE One of the wealthiest residential areas in Wales, Lisvane lies on the north edge of Cardiff, affluent, and somewhat deliberately remote. It features many grand houses, often with long driveways on which residents have been known to get lost before reaching the

public highway. But it’s not all manor houses, there’s plenty of normal housing, though the average house price is well over £400,000.

There are three pretty good pubs in the vicinity The lack Griffin, The Old Cottage, and the Ty Mawr, with its fab views over the city.

LLANISHEN Llanishen is unpretentious, unassuming suburban Cardiff. very house type imaginable exists here, pretty much, covering all budgets, but a typical house is a red brick semi. Its thriving village with its sit-in chip shop, banks and cafés, features the ancient Church nn across the road from said pretty St Isan’s. Llanishen enjoys excellent transport links and more retail and leisure than you can shake a stick at.

LLANDAFF The city within the city, lovely Llandaff enjoys a village feel, and even before the construction of the 2th century landaff Cathedral, was established as a Christian place of worship in the 6th century AD. There is also plenty of holy spirit to be found in the three pubs on the high street. Meanwhile, up the road, The Heathcock, which was opened last year as a gastro pub by the same people who run the Hare and Hounds in Aberthin, offers great food. Roald Dahl’s childhood home was here, and so too was the sweetshop whose owner inspired one of his most famous characters, Mrs Pritchett. Nearby, newly refurbished nsole Court is a new centre of community activity, from pregnant yoga to creative writing.

Christian Amodeo, one time journalist and founder of I Loves The ‘Diff, has worked on campaigns and charity fundraisers with everyone from St David’s Cardiff to Cardiff Airport, and ot more rm with Cardiff in their name.

For more: www.ilovesthediff.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 69

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Making a move Meet the Cardiff-based firm MASONS MOVING GROUP who have more than 114 years of experience in home, commercial, and international removals

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id you know, the average Briton will move home five times during their lifetime and the stress of it will last more than three months? The stress starts even before official moving day, when the reality of just how much ‘stuff’ you’ve accumulated over the years and the realisation of just how long it’s going to take to carefully pack all the knick-knacks starts to dawn.

And once we’ve arrived at our new destination it appears much to our horror that our muchloved furniture doesn’t fit in its new home and our misplaced possessions will only add to the top of our list of stressful moving day moments……and just how long do you wait to unpack once you’ve moved into a new home?

Moving home can be a challenging and testing time of any good relationship, a little bit

72 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

like building flat pack furniture together…only on a much larger scale with far more risk involved as there’s no instruction manual to follow! Recent research by energy company E.ON found 60 per cent of over 2,000 adults interviewed placed moving home at the top of their stress list. In joint second, relationship breakdown, divorce and starting a new job were all joint second. In the same research by E.ON and over a quarter of these adults admitted to leaving it weeks before unpacking their boxes.

Although, it’s not all doom and gloom, when asked about their top tips for moving home, half of those questioned advised having a takeaway

meal lined up for the night you move while almost a third said keeping a chilled bottle of wine or beer in the fridge would make the move more manageable, along with having children and animals looked after whilst you take care of the move.

Moving home is undoubtedly a stressful experience and there is so much to think about but there are plenty of ways to make the entire moving process a bit easier. Choosing a reputable removals company such as the Masons Moving Group, will ensure that everything runs smoother.

Masons (often fondly known as Masons Removals) are based near Cardiff, in the Vale, and have been operating home, commercial and international removals for over 114 years.

Starting off as a horse-and-cart company with Sidney Mason back in 1905, Masons Moving Group are a family business with a fourth

ADVERTISING FEATURE

MASONS’ TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING A REMOVALS COMPANY Masons have put together a few tips for choosing a removals company to help take the stress out of moving home or office and enable you to have a smooth and efficient move 1. LOOK FOR THE BAR BADGE The British Association of Removers (BAR) are dedicated to promoting professional excellence in the removals industry, so ensuring that you, the customer, will receive a high level of service throughout.

All BAR members meet a strict membership criteria, are annually inspected and employ fully trained staff 2. CHOOSE A WHICH? TRUSTED TRADER The Which? Trusted Traders endorsement scheme can help you find a reliable removals company in your local area. All removals firms granted Which? Trusted Trader status have passed their rigorous assessment process, which involves a range of checks, as well as an interview from a trained assessor.

“WITH MASONS THE CLIENT WILL BE RECEIVING A QUALITY SERVICE” generation of Masons taking over the reins. Now with a much bigger fleet of vans than the original horse and cart (we’ll also get you there much quicker!) Masons have organised thousands of home and business moves, across Cardiff and from South Wales to far flung locations across the globe.

The customer is at the heart of every service Masons provide and maintaining high standards of service to ensure the move goes smoothly, is of prime importance. Anyone can get a ‘man with a van’ however, with Masons the client will be receiving a quality service keeping stress to a minimum.

Even if you only have a small amount of possessions or aren’t moving that far, it’s always worth hiring a professional removals company to help you move. Packing up and moving your belongings doesn’t seem like it would be that difficult, but, there is an art to packing fragile items so that they’re properly protected and do not get broken in the move.

Masons are part of the Which?Trusted Trader and the British Association of Removers (BAR).

Removal Companies displaying both these badges demonstrate that they are dedicated to promoting professional excellence in the

removals industry ensuring their customers receive a high level of service throughout.

The BAR Badge represents the benchmark for quality, so if you are moving to a new house or office and looking for a removals’ specialist, make sure you look for the BAR badge. n

Masons Moving Group are based near Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan, where they have been moving families and businesses alike all over the world for more than 100 years! You could say that they know their stuff!

To find out more, visit their website: www.masonsmovingroup.co.uk, call their friendly team on 0800 141 3688 or drop them an email: enquiries@masonsmovingroup.co.uk for your free quote! For Self Storage Solutions and to purchase Packaging Supplies visit: www. masonsselfstorage.co.uk or call 0800 533 5708

3. WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED THEM TO DO? Think carefully about what your requirements for a removals company.

Do you need someone to pack up your belongings for moving to a new house or office, or for storage? Are you moving to a new house, are you worried about fragile items, electronic items, etc? The more detail you put into your initial quote, the more precise and accurate the removals company can be with their quote.

4. CHECK THE REVIEWS Once you’ve found a removals company that you think you like the look of, check out their reviews, whether on Which?, Facebook or on Google, checking reviews, especially verified or trusted reviews, is an excellent way to reassure yourself that you’re choosing the right company.

5. DO YOU ALSO NEED STORAGE? Whether you’re downsizing or your new home isn’t ready when you are, if you also need storage, double check to see if your removals company also has container storage or self-storage options available as it will probably be cheaper and easier than finding a secondary storage option.

MEMB.NO.M012

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 73

CROFT LANE

Elsie Chadwick drifts around a beachside home and feels a wave of love at every turn 76 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

I

want to feature something that’ll take my breath away,” I say to the estate agent. “A property that will blow everything else out of the water.” They come up trumps it has to be said. Every step, every corner, every turn, and every aspect, of this fivebedroom Southerndown home blew my mind and stole my heart.

But where to start to describe this new love of my life?

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the staircase so let’s start there. You enter through grand double doors hich open into a circular to er ith a magnificent talian designed and created floating staircase, yes floating in a beautiful arc and leading up to first floor, and to the ground floor’s e pansive open plan living and entertainment areas.

Both areas feature floor to ceiling indo s hich overlook the back garden, the green, the cliffs and the sea beyond.

The spacious ground floor living room features a large chef ’s kitchen, media area and sitting area, including a bio-fuel fireplace.

The first floor’s e pansive lounge has infinity vie s from its dropped floor and a large living-room style outdoor

PROPERTY

terrace with motorised retractable awnings. This can be entered from both the lounge and guest bedroom. There is a second covered balcony to the master suite. The first floor entertainment area also has a kitchenette complete with dishwasher, fridge, bar and cupboards for entertaining on both levels.

The massive chef ’s kitchen has been artfully designed for entertaining and features lu e touches such as a uooker tap, large granite island with bar and granite counters, American style fridge/freezer, and Insinkerator. There’s an adjoining second utility room with even more work tops for when things get a little messy, with pantry and white goods.

But back to those views, which upstairs manages to drink in at every level. Three of the large sea facing bedrooms were designed as spacious suites with additional sitting areas, marble bathrooms, with separate shower and bath and two sinks. ach bathroom is uni uely designed ith bespoke uality designed sanitary are. ll three bedrooms including the master bedroom, feature walk-in wardrobes. The marble and travertine master bathroom features a double-sized Japanese soaking bath, two separate showers, two marble

sinks on washstands and a separate enclosed toilet.

Outside there’s a large car garage with an additional separate storage room in the back and a very large forecourt that can hold 12 cars easily. Yes, 12 cars. But before you think this house doesn’t have the green factor, let me tell you about the bamboo flooring ith underfloor heating the carpeting on the first floor made ith recycled fibre the rain ater flush toilets the hole house ater filtration system the eco cladding, roofing and eco insulation there’s a reverse osmosis ater filter in first floor kitchenette eco certified e tensive decking and balconies throughout the recycled materials hich make up most of the kitchen and all the ood throughout the house is made from sustainable sources.

So it ould seem this cliff top beauty ith its uni ue architecture and floor to ceiling indo s designed to capitalise on those breath-taking uninterrupted, and uninterruptible, sea views of the southeast coast of Wales, isn’t just ridiculously good looking, it’s also smart and forward-thinking and is going to make its new owners very happy. I just wish it was me… in fact I may turn up at key e change, singing t shoulda been me ’ n

HOUSE NUMBERS Bedrooms 5 Square feet 5,032 Bathrooms 5 Guide price £1.75m Living rooms 2 Floating staircase 1 For more: Savills Cardiff, 5th floor, 2 Kingsway, Cardiff. tel: 029 2036 8900; www.savills.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 77

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CARDIFF LIVES

“Dancing used all of me in a way that academic study didn’t” FEARGHUS Ó CONCHÚIR The choreographer and artistic director of National Dance Company Wales, talks about being different growing up, his love of dance and learning to speak Welsh Fearghus grew up in Ireland, studied English literature at Oxford before training as a dancer. For the past 25 years he has been an independent choreographer showing his film and live performances around the world. He is currently the artistic director of National Dance Company Wales, and is deputy chair of the Arts Council of Ireland.

My mother and grandmother were primary school teachers, however that doesn’t mean that school was always easy since didn’t al ays fit in. s a conscientious, sensitive and gay boy in the 1970s and 1980s, as different, but fortunately my family provided the security that school couldn’t al ays offer.

I grew up by the sea in Ireland. It was Irish-speaking and rural. I owe my creativity to that environment – a dual language upbringing opened up my perspective on the world and green surroundings in which I could exercise my imagination.

I think I always wanted to be a performer when I was younger but I expected I’d be a lawyer or civil servant. My first theatrical related memory is seeing my mother rehearsing a play in our kitchen. She did a lot of amateur dramatics, and I would help her write the school plays for her classes.

I have a very supportive family, who also happen to be very sporty. My parents, my brothers and sisters, my uncles and my aunts, all played and watched sports. I’ve taken that family legacy and transformed it a little into a related career in dance.

I didn’t have any sense of dance as a possible career whilst I was growing up in rural Ireland. I did céilí dancing and learned the moves of Thriller from music videos, but it wasn’t until I was at university that I saw proper contemporary dance.

82 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Dancing used all of me in a way that academic study didn’t. Companies like London Contemporary Dance Theatre and Rambert would come to Oxford and I thought it was amazing. So I took some classes and completely fell in love with dancing.

I didn’t start training professionally until I’d finished my Master of Philosophy at Oxford so I guess dancing was more like a plan B, or a late vocation. But since discovering it, I couldn’t imagine not dancing.

One of the most challenging and rewarding events I’ve organised was Féile Fáilte, a day of dance on a beach in the south west of Ireland, and a festival of welcome. I was proud of the inclusive and free celebration we created. It felt like the kind of world that I’d like to be helping create more of.

I have been inspired by the choreographer Merce Cunningham who kept dancing in his own work into his seventies and kept choreographing until his death at the age of 90. He was always embracing new technologies and new collaborations. I hope I’m as constantly curious as I grow old.

at NDCWales. It’s an honour but also a big responsibility as the Council helps to shape the landscape for the arts in Ireland for years to come.

Dw i’n dysgu Cymraeg.

I grew up speaking Irish so I really know the value of the perspectives that other languages bring. Though we have common Celtic roots, Welsh and Irish are uite different but ’ve been doing some practice each day.

I have a lot of friends in Hong Kong and I’ve been thinking of them during this period of unrest. In September I’ll be able to see them when we perform there.

We then go onto Japan where we’ll be performing the piece of dance I’ve just made inspired by rugby in Wales. It’s exciting because we’ll be performing around the Rugby World Cup, especially around the Wales fan zones and games. It’s great that as a national company, we’ll be representing dance in the same way that the national rugby team does.

My desert island item would be my husband.

Apart from his company, he’s a great gardener, he can grow plants and vegetables, and is very resourceful. n

When I moved to Cardiff to work, I knew I wanted to live by the water. I’m living in the Bay where I get to see the weather and birds cross the water, and from where I can keep an eye on the Wales Millennium Centre where NDCWales is based.

Rygbi Annwyl i mi / Dear to me

by National Dance Company Wales premièred at this year’s National Eisteddfod in North Wales on 8 and 9 August and is being performed at key events within September’s Rugby World Cup 2019 schedule in Japan

I was appointed to the Arts Council of Ireland last year, due in no small part to my job

For more: www.ndcwales.co.uk