SPOTLIGHT Gareth Thomas on Sport Relief, and

MISS MARPLE MUMBAI STYLE A Wales Millennium Centre and Wiltshire Creative joint production of The Mirror Crack’d has just premièred in India. Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff from the Agatha Christie play, the UK production starred Susie Blake as Miss Marple, and Simon Shepherd as Scotland Yard inspector Dermot Craddock. The Indian version adapted by Ayeesha Menon recently performed at India’s National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai. This version saw super sleuth Miss Mistry played by Shernaz Patel and Superintendent of Police Daniel D’Mello played by Denzil Smith, and the story, set in 1976, revolves around fading Bollywood film star Mamta who is murdered in a sleepy Goan town. When the Indian production was announced, Mathew Milsom, managing director of Wales Millennium Centre, said, “We aim to make innovative and entertaining work that showcases Wales to the world, and which fires the imagination of the audience. Our productions have already toured to Africa, America and Australia and I’m thrilled that our next stop is Asia, working in collaboration with the NCPA to give this classic British thriller an exciting and original Indian twist.” For more: www.wmc.org.uk Arts

below: The Mirror Crack’d as seen in India; right: In the Indian version Miss Marple becomes Miss Mistry and is played by Shernaz Patel left: Susie Blake played Miss Marple in UK’s production of The Mirror Crack’d

Gareth worked wheely hard to raise funds for Sport Relief

Sport Relief GAME ON The biennial Sport Relief returns on 13 March and among the big names presenting the BBC TV show which include Jessica EnnisHill, Ellie Simmonds, and Rio Ferdinand, is Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas.

Gareth recently completed a gruelling 500-mile bike ride from Cardiff to Aberdeen, using both a solo bike and a four-person pedal bike, to raise money for Sport Relief, stopping off en route on 15 December to deliver the Sports Personality of the Year trophy live on stage. The Tour De Trophy took Gareth 12 hours a day, for seven days where he was joined by friends and family along the way. He says, “I am calling on Wales to join me and get behind this year’s Sport Relief campaign. I have seen first-hand the life changing work donations make possible around the whole country and believe me, it’s fantastic There’s so much more we can all do to keep raising funds. Here in Wales all sorts of projects are helped by Sport Relief – from mental health stigma to homelessness. Come on Wales, it’s game on!” For more: www.sportrelief.com

‘Hues that girl running around with you?’

Fun run TROOPING THE COLOUR The Color Run is heading to Wales for the first time bringing with it a rainbow of fun. The 5K fun run, called The Color Run Make Magic 2020 and which explodes with colour at every one kilometre point, comes to Bute Park on 5 September, and is now open for registration. The run ends with a huge colour throwing party at the finish line, to a soundtrack of dance music. Alan Brown, race director for The Color Run UK, says, “The Color Run has enormous appeal – more than seven million people across 50 countries have experienced this incredible event. There is a real party atmosphere from start to finish and you can see it in what people wear as well as they really go to town. “We see all kinds of crazy outfits and The Color Run has branded wigs, hair dyes, tutus, headbands and socks for those that want to be dressed for the most colourful event of the year. We can’t wait to bring The Color Run to Cardiff’s Bute Park.” For more: www.thecolorrun.co.uk

Education WALK THIS WAY Cardiff Council officially launched the School Active Travel Plan programme on 28 January with an event at Howardian Primary School in Penylan. The scheme is to help encourage parents out of their cars and to walk, cycle, and scoot as a way of travelling to and from school. Headteacher at Howardian Primary School, Helen Hoyle, says, “Active transport has been shown to have positive effects all round. The children’s physical and mental wellbeing has improved and they have become more confident and aware of road safety issues.

“By developing our own Active Travel Plan we hope that traffic congestion around the school will decrease and the roads will become safer and less polluted for everyone.” For more: www.keepingcardiffmoving.co.uk

Ditching the car on the school run gets a big thumbs up from Howardian Primary School

Iam Lily, one of the vets at Vale Veterinary Centre. After graduating from the University of Nottingham in July 2019, I moved to Cardiff to start my job at Vale Veterinary Centre. I have dreamed of becoming a vet since I was a child, and I am thankful that I am living my dream after years of hard work. I have learnt so much since joining the practice, and I am incredibly lucky to be working with such a fantastic team that have guided me through my first steps in the veterinary world. I have greatly enjoyed meeting the clients and patients of both the Barry, and the Pontcanna, practices, especially the puppies and kittens that I have watched grow over the months. I am looking forward to developing my skills in all fields of veterinary medicine. In particular I have a special interest in surgery, dermatology and neurology, which I hope to pursue with further training.

Originally being from Worcestershire, I am no stranger to Wales having been on many holidays

along the west coast. I have greatly enjoyed my time in Cardiff so far, and I am looking forward to exploring more of Wales over the coming months. Outside of the veterinary world, I have many hobbies to help maintain a good work-life balance. I started bouldering a type of rock climbing, when I moved to Cardiff, which is a great way of exercising whilst having a lot of fun. I also love travelling and I’m always thinking about the next adventure. Sadly, I do not have any pets myself in Cardiff, but I have many at home, including more exotics species such as snakes. n

For further info contact us on 01446 739 739 (Barry) or 029 2000 4007 (Pontcanna) or visit our website www.valevetcentre.co.uk

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE AT:WWW.VALEVETCENTRE.CO.UK