Cardiff Life - Issue 245

TAKE ME

ISSUE 245 / NOVEMBER 2021 / £3

YOU DID IT, RHONA!

CELEBRATING THE BEST IN THE CITY, PENARTH & THE VALE

AWARDS SPECIAL

@CardiffLifeMag

WELL DESERVED, BLASUS SUCCULENT EMPORIUM!

ISSUE 245 / NOVEMBER 2021 / WINNER WINNER

PRESENT AND CORRECT SHOP LOCAL FOR CHRISTMAS

SHANE RICHIE CHATS EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE COMES TO CARDIFF

INSIDE SEVERN SQUARE

A DREAMY PONTCANNA PROPERTY

LAINGS RELAUNCH

MY SISTERʼS ONLY GONE AND WON IT!

THE LUXURY FAMILY JEWELLERS’ NEW SHOWROOM

OH MY GOD, THIS IS EPIC!

JOY OF SUCCESS

CELEBRATING THE CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS 2021

© PHOTO BY OWEN MATHIAS

EDITOR’S LETTER

W

hen I became the editor of Cardiff Life, it was in the middle of lockdown, and it was – to say the least – an apprehensive time. Businesses were shut, the streets were quiet – no events, no restaurants, no shops, just a pandemic. What to write about? Who to interview?

But wasted was my worry, because what happened next was utterly glorious. I was flooded with stories of the good that people and businesses were doing – how our local hotels such as the Clayton had the great tenacity to remain open during the pandemic, sheltering key workers; how companies showed their civic munificence, including Horn Development Association which stepped up proudly for Cardiff, delivering hundreds of families free food packages; how charities powered through the year, with children’s palliative care hospice Tŷ Hafan raising an extra £1million in funds, and its virtual programme taking much-needed stress off the NHS. It seemed that everywhere you looked, Cardiffians were lining up to support their community.

All of the above happen to be winners of the Cardiff Life Awards 2021, which took place at the end of September. Starting on page 11, you can see them all; let’s celebrate them – not just the winners, finalists and shortlisted folk, but everyone locally who made a difference, big or small, to lives during the rollercoaster of the past two years. And I’d personally like to say thank you, too. Thank you for your resilience, inventiveness, kindness, spirit and generosity, and thank you for sharing your moving, uplifting stories with me in the magazine. This city doesn’t cease to amaze me. #CardiffTogether, always

We loved watching the winners’ reactions at the Cardiff Life Awards 2021. This was one of our favourites: Cally and Gareth at Techniquest. See page 11 for more

P

an gefais fy mhenodi’n olygydd Cardiff Life, roeddem yng nghanol cyfnod clo a oedd yn adeg bryderus – a dweud y lleiaf. Roedd busnesau ar gau a’r strydoedd yn dawel – doedd dim digwyddiadau, dim bwytai, dim siopau, dim ond y pandemig. Felly, am beth y gallem ysgrifennu? Pwy y gallem eu cyfweld?

Ond doedd dim angen i fi boeni, oherwydd roedd yr hyn a ddigwyddodd wedyn yn wych. Cefais lu o straeon am y daioni yr oedd pobl a busnesau’n ei wneud – sut yr ymdrechodd ein gwestai lleol megis Gwesty’r Clayton i aros ar agor yn ystod y pandemig a rhoi lloches i weithwyr allweddol; sut y dangosodd cwmnïau eu haelioni at bobl, gan gynnwys Cymdeithas Ddatblygu Horn a gamodd i’r adwy yng Nghaerdydd gan ddosbarthu pecynnau bwyd am ddim i gannoedd o deuluoedd; a sut y llwyddodd elusennau i balu arni drwy’r flwyddyn, er enghraifft cododd Tŷ Hafan, yr hosbis gofal lliniarol i blant, £1 filiwn yn ychwanegol a thynnodd ei raglen rithwir lawer o straen oddi ar y GIG pan oedd gwir angen hynny. Ym mhob twll a chornel, roedd yn amlwg bod pobl Caerdydd yn fwy na pharod i gynorthwyo eu cymunedau.

Mae’r uchod i gyd yn digwydd bod yn enillwyr Gwobrau Cardiff Life 2021 a gyflwynwyd ddiwedd mis Medi. Gallwch eu gweld i gyd o dudalen 11 ymlaen; gadewch i ni eu clodfori – nid yn unig y sawl a gyrhaeddodd y brig, y rownd derfynol a’r rhestr fer ond hefyd unrhyw unigolion lleol a wnaeth wahaniaeth mawr neu fach i fywydau pobl eraill yn ystod trafferthion y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf. A hoffwn innau ddweud diolch hefyd. Diolch am eich gwytnwch, eich dyfeisgarwch, eich caredigrwydd, eich brwdfrydedd a’ch haelioni, a diolch am rannu eich straeon calonogol â fi yn y cylchgrawn.

Mae’r ddinas hon yn fy rhyfeddu’n gyson. #CaerdyddYnghyd, bob amser

LISA EVANS Follow us on Twitter @CardiffLifeMag Instagram @cardifflifemag Instagram @lisaevs89

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

Issue 245 / November 2021 COVER The incredible moment Rhona Duncan of Blasus Succulent Emporium was announced as a Cardiff Life Award winner, cheered on by her sister Lydia Duncan and her niece Harley Jenkins. Photography by Owen Mathias. See more on page 11 onwards

34

FEATURES

11 CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS 2021 All the action and

excitement from our ceremony this year

42 AND SCENE Visionary women in TV and film in Wales 47 ONE TO ONE We speak with veteran poppy seller for the

RBL’s centenary

ARTS AND EVENTS

34 WHAT’S ON Arts, shows and events, it’s all going on in

Cardiff , as always

36 FEELING JOLLY Christmassy goings on in the city 41 ARTS REVIEW Our thoughts on The Book of Mormon at

the WMC

SHOPPING, FASHION AND BEAUTY

50 PRESENT AND CORRECT Our pick of sense-ational

Christmas gifting ideas

74

66

52 FESTIVE FASHIONS A St David’s selection 55 MANE ATTRACTION Josh Lee Hair makes waves

FOOD & DRINK

59 TASTY BITES Marvellous morsels for you to chew on 61 GOING GREEN Cardiff’s sustainable spots 62 RESTAURANT REVIEW We visit Kuro on Albany Road

PROPERTY

65 PROPERTY NEWS Our pick of the coolest stories on

the scene

66 SHOWCASE Inside the modern Severn Square

development Pontcanna

BUSINESS

70 CARDIFF WORKS News and views and brilliant businesses

REGULARS © MAT T CROCKET T

9 SPOTLIGHT Just a handful of feel-good stories 49 WYBURN AND WAYNE Our columnists have been out

and about again

74 CARDIFF LIVES Shane Richie talks high heels for his role

in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Editor Lisa Evans lisa.evans@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 Nathan Wyburn, Wayne Courtney, Jane Cook Advertising manager Mark George mark.george@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 Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk 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 and Exeter. 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 7

SPOTLIGHT

WINNING WAYS

Huw Stephens is one of three new music ambassadors for Wales

Music

ANTHEM AMBASSADORS

Three Welsh musicians, composers, producers and industry experts will be Anthem’s new ambassadors, and will help champion, inspire and nurture diversification of youth music in Wales.

Anthem is a new music fund charity which is creating a Wales in which music can empower every young life. The three first Ambassadors for Anthem are musicians and composers Kizzy Crawford and Catrin Finch, and DJ and producer Huw Stephens (who we had the pleasure of inviting to be our Cardiff Life Awards host last month, see page 11 for more) who have all made their mark on the Welsh and international music industry.

For more: www.anthem.wales

Cerys Matthews presenting Katherine with the award

Welsh musician, author, and broadcaster Cerys Matthews MBE presented a major award to a Caerphilly volunteer who saved a local community landmark.

Katherine Hughes won the UK-wide Community and Charity category in the 2021 National Lottery Awards. More than 1,500 nominations were received in this year’s campaign, and Katherine, a volunteer and the secretary of Caerphilly Miners’ Centre for the Community, was selected as a winner of the award and the £30,000 prize for her unwavering voluntary efforts over the years.

When plans to demolish the former Miners’ hospital in Caerphilly were announced 15 years ago, Katherine, 72, was at the forefront of the group that helped save the building. When she heard about the plans to knock it down, she used her background of working as a town planner and community development consultant to lead the charge and rally the community to take it over.

She also helped to establish Caerphilly Miners’ Centre group in 2008, shortly after she overcame treatment for cancer. It’s now a fully accessible vibrant hub for the community where people of all ages and abilities are able to access a wide range of affordable services and activities.

“Katherine is a shining light, a remarkable community champion,” says Cerys Matthews. “I’m sure people in Caerphilly are immensely proud of her monumental efforts.”

For more: www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

Charity

SPARKLE ON

left: The Iris Prize saw a double-whammy win from Sam Arbor and Adam Ali; above: Iris presenter Tom Selway

Awards

THE IRIS PRIZE

At the start of October, the Iris Prize – Cardiff’s International LGBT+ Short Film Prize – took place at the University of South Wales. The ceremony saw a double win for UK filmmakers Sam Arbor and Adam Ali whose film, Baba, won both the prestigious £30,000 Iris Prize and Best British Award, which is only the second time in the festival’s 15-year history that a film has won both categories. The £30k prize will now enable Sam and Adam to make a new short film in Wales, becoming the 13th Iris production. “ “Baba is a skilfully constructed film that speaks to oppression, acceptance and the strength of community,” says Rasheed Bailey, chair of the jury. “The direction is impressive, coherent and offers moments of self-reflection while transmitting courageousness and pride in one’s identity.”

For more: www.irisprize.org

We love a heart-warming story on these pages. More than 200 people took part in the recent Sparkle Walk for City Hospice – the only provider of homebased specialist palliative care in the capital – raising thousands of pounds to support the local charity’s work. Participants donned glitter and glowsticks for the 10k night-time walk, which started and finished within the grounds of Insole Court, with many also carrying photographs of their loved ones to keep their memory close during the event. The starlit path took the shimmering strollers through Llandaff and Whitchurch and included a stop at City Hospice where participants could leave a message for their loved ones in the charity’s specially designed Memory Garden.

For more: www.cityhospice.org.uk

The City Hospice Sparkle Walk raised thousands

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 9

PHOTOGR APH BY NICK TREHARNE

PHOTOGR APH BY MAT T THOMAS

Community

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

© OWEN MATHIAS

CARDIFF IS THE WINNER – ALWAYS...

Joy and jubilation reigned supreme at the Cardiff Life Awards 2021. Here are some of the highlights from that glorious evening…

The photography in this feature is by Owen Mathias and Aga Hosking www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 11

T

he Cardiff Life Awards ceremony is always pretty spectacular – the event is an emphatic, wholehearted, enthusiastic celebration of the city, its talent, its businesses, its creatives, its entrepreneurs, and an evening of unbridled joy of getting to hang out together, catch up, and toast each other’s success.

Now set this year’s event against a backdrop of us all thinking we might not see normal ever again, and our happiness at being in Cardiff City Hall on 30 September was amplified to the power of a hundred. Cardiff Life Awards 2021 wasn’t just about rewarding success, it was about honouring resilience, determination and our amazing community.

It was an extraordinary night; there were tears, cheers, and a roll call of hugely inspiring runners-up and winners – from the glorious, flabbergastedness of ‘What?! Who?! Me?!’ from the double-whammy winners at Techniquest, to the screams of supportive delight for Rhona at Blasus Succulent Emporium – who features on our front cover – and the emotional standing ovation for children’s palliative care charity Ty Hafan.

The hundreds of attendees enjoyed the three-course dinner from the City Hall chefs; the starry and sparkly AV was by Genero; and the proceedings were held together by the effortlessly witty presenting of radio personality Huw Stephens, who’s a regular

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

host of world-famous events – including the NME Awards and the Bafta Cymru Awards – and who co-founded the Welsh Music Prize and Cardiff’s Swn Festival. Huw was joined by Greg Ingham – the jazzy-shoed, effervescent chief exec of MediaClash, Cardiff Life’s publisher. Together they made a fantastically entertaining duo.

The handheld awards themselves were created by Welsh Slate Wall Art, and winners also got to take home a bottle of gin from Hensol Cardiff Distillery.

Then there was the after party at Kuku Club at Park Plaza, which saw us all dancing into the wee hours, with much of the music provided by the band Green St, featuring our very own Cardiff Life advertising sales manager Mark George on drums (he’s a man of many talents).

This extraordinary night was photographed by Owen Mathias and Aga Hosking, and you can see the film by Christianstonesc Photographer & Videographer over on YouTube. And, just a reminder, next year, the Awards are resuming their normal March date (the 31st to be exact), so let’s get together and make 2022 another epic night to remember!

A final huge thanks to our sponsors, partners, our independent panel of judges, our nominees, our guests, and everyone who helped make this year’s awards extraordinary. With love from Lisa, Greg, Jane, Mark, Claire and all the Cardiff Life team.

MEDIACLASH.CO.UK 37

© OWEN MATHIAS

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

WHEELY COOL

© OWEN MATHIAS

O

n the night of the Awards, a grand reveal took place outside the doors of City Hall as guests arrived. Months before the Awards, Cardiff’s branch of Lexus teamed up with artist Nathan Wyburn – a finalist of the Arts category at this year’s Awards, and our very own Cardiff Life magazine columnist. Together, they collaborated on an incredible design: a Lexus car featuring a collage-style artwork wrap by Nathan. The artwork was created using thousands of tiny selfies of Cardiff people, sent to Nathan via social media.

“The selfies were arranged together to form four Cardiff landmarks: the Wales Millennium Centre, the Stadium, Roath Park Lighthouse and The Golden Cross pub,” says Nathan. It’s a true celebration of the city. It’s a huge honour to have been asked to do this; I’ve never exhibited my work on a car before.”

“Lexus Cardiff have for many years been a sponsor at the Cardiff Life Awards, which represent a celebration of our wonderful city, and we wanted to do something very different this year which demonstrated how creative we could be and also work alongside other local businesses,” says Darryl Evans, centre manager at Lexus Cardiff.

“As sponsors of the Arts category, we worked alongside Arts finalist Nathan Wyburn, an ultra-creative artist and huge advocate for our city, and we decided upon doing some landscape art choosing important landmarks in Cardiff to display on the car.

“The car will now be driven to different locations in and around Cardiff to show this celebration of our city.

“We would like to say a special thanks to Dragon Signs, Lexus GB, Nathan Wyburn, Sky Arts, Venture Photography Cardiff, and Cardiff Life.”

Lisa shared her deep love for Cardiff

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

When Cardiff Life magazine’s editor Lisa Evans walked on stage to give her speech, hosts Huw Stephens and Greg Ingham surprised and embarrassed her in equal measure by showing a bloopers reel on the big screen of her speech at last year’s virtual Cardiff Life Awards. The unedited bloopers included the camera falling over mid-presentation, a motorbike whizzing loudly past, and take after take to nail the perfect presentation. After the bloopers, Lisa went on to share a poem with the audience – Masks, by Shel Silverstein.

WIN TICKETS TO WALES VS AUSTRALIA

She had blue skin, And so did he.

He kept it hid And so did she.

They searched for blue Their whole life through, Then passed right byAnd never knew.

Lexus Cardiff are encouraging people to take a picture of themselves with the car, using the hashtag #LexusCardiff for a chance to win tickets to Wales Vs Australia in the upcoming Autumn Internationals. See Lexus Cardiff’s Instagram page for more.

ALL CAR PHOTOS © AGA HOSKING

© OWEN MATHIAS

“The reason I’m sharing this particular poem tonight,” she said, “is because Cardiff has welcomed me with open arms. I’ve been at Cardiff Life for just over a year now, and the welcome I’ve had has been incredible. It’s acceptance like I’ve never felt before. I not only get to do a job I adore, and write about an inspiring city and interview its wonderful people, but everyone is so lovely, helpful and friendly to me; which is the icing on the cake.

Cardiff folks just don’t judge you; we can all wear our blue skin with pride and never have to hide who we are. I’ve cried many happy tears about it, and just wanted to say thank you.”

above: Dominic Attard of Lexus Cardiff with artist Nathan Wyburn. Nathan and Lexus collaborated to create an epic car artwork, as revealed at the Cardiff Life Awards

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 13

CATEGORY WINNERS

ALL PHOTOS BY AGA HOSKING

BAR WINNER:

CRAFT REPUBLIC

ARTS

Sponsored by

BUSINESS SERVICES Sponsored by

WINNER:

THEATR IOLO

WINNER:

A&R SERVICES

CAFÉ

WINNER:

EARTHA

CIVIC WINNER:

HORN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION CIC CHARITY

WINNER:

TY HAFAN

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

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

CREATIVE Sponsored by

EVENT

WINNER:

JAMMY CUSTARD ANIMATION

WINNER:

MENTER CAERDYDD

EDUCATION

HAIR & BEAUTY

WINNER:

TECHNIQUEST

WINNER:

CREATE SALON

HOMES & INTERIORS WINNER:

BLASUS SUCCULENT EMPORIUM WINNER: HEALTH & WELLBEING CARDIFF AND VALE

ARTS FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING

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

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

LEGAL & FINANCIAL

WINNER:

HEK JONES SOLICITORS

LEISURE & TOURISM

WINNER:

CLAYTON HOTEL CARDIFF

NEW BUSINESS

Sponsored by

WINNER:

IUNGO SOLUTIONS

PROPERTY Sponsored by

RESTAURANT Sponsored by

WINNER:

THE GWAELOD Y GARTH INN

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

JOINT WINNERS:

MEANWHILE HOUSE & CARDIFF CONTAINERS, AND MWH HEATING & PLUMBING

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

RETAILER

WINNER:

CARDIFF DISTILLERY

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

WINNER:

BOX UK

WELSH LANGUAGE WINNER:

MWNCI PLATINUM AWARD Sponsored by

WINNER:

TECHNIQUEST

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 17

ARCHITECTS

Llinos Pritchard and Alice Harle

AWARDS 2021

Shakira Obaid and Alice Hole

Nathan Wyburn and Wayne Courtney

The sold-out ceremony Dixie Normous

Tracey Jones and Bonnie Harding

Dafydd Pierce-Evans, Jordan Fish, Tyler Hodges, Marc Hailes, Catrin Thomas, Dan Caddick, Ben Botto, Gabriel Bond

Paul McDonough, Jamie McCallion, Kevin Jose, Michael Oswald, Kaitlyn Garratley and Martyn Lewis

Charlotte White, Nathan Isaac and Craig Marvelley 18 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PHOTOS BY AGA HOSKING

Adam McGlynn, Angharad Phillips and Robyn Kelly

Tony Curtis MBE, Wendy Hobbs and Bridget Atkinson

Rayner Davies and Ashley Davies

Jemma Ajax and Megan Pollington Kasey Perks, Hannah O’Reilly and Danielle Vinson

Michelle Perez, Kayleigh Mcleod, Sara Pepper and Lee Lyford Craig Wall and Dr Rosie Oretti

Natalie Talbot and Carly Morgan

Helen Mahoney and Rob Pearson

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

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS

Ann Tudball, Caron Rockey and Tracy Horrigan

Kaitlyn Garratley

Wayne Courtney and Nathan Wyburn with the Cardiff Life/ MediaClash team – Mark George, Lisa Evans, Greg Ingham, Annie Kelly, Harriette Dixon, Claudia Butler and Liam Jones Dominic Garner, Gareth Shears and Mark Siddons

Mati Roberts, Rhian Pitt and Rhona Duncan

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

Aled Williams and Liz Williams

Bernadette Davies and Trystan Davies

John Warren Hailes

PHOTOS BY OWEN MATHIAS

Excitement building for the Awards reveal

Charlotte Leyshon and Rachel Fleri

Bridie Phillips and Leigh Phillips

Tipu Miah, Bethan Owens Jones, Sam Watkins and Pavlina Šilpertová The start of a standing ovation for Ty Hafan

Menna Rees, Zoey Allen and Kelly Allen Steph Dodd, Claudia Butler, Nell Robins, Annie Miekus and Liam Jones

Emily Cotterill, Carolyn Brownell and Emma O’Donnell

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 21

PHOTOS BY OWEN MATHIAS

Just a handful of our favourite reactions to the Award wins

Lydia Duncan, Harley Jenkins and Rhona Duncan

Saoirse O’Connor Ricky Smith and Grace Boston

Cally Birt and Gareth McTiffin Melanie Wotton and Lucie Barrett

Sarah Roberts Ben Carmichael and Lewis Jones

Claire Whalley and Timothy Whalley www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 23

Female run business based in Pontcanna.

Focused on helping nature to help us feel better.

Plastic free, chemical free, always kind.

6 Pontcanna Mews, Pontcanna, CF11 9DF

www.blossomandnectar.co.uk

Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday 10-5:30 & Sunday 11-3:30

f

PHOTOS BY AGA HOSKING

Fun and giggles were had until the early hours at our after party

The Cardiff Life Awards after party at Kuku Club in Park Plaza

Alan Grohl

Nadine Manfred and Dyfri Owen

Sion Dafydd, Adam Jones and Emily Dart

Kelly Reardon-Brown, Gavin Brown and Jay Page Zoe Binning and Jane Cook

Our co-hosts for the evening: Huw Stephens and Greg Ingham

Ben Carmichael

Alice Harle and James Karran

Grace Boston and Ricky Smith

Bridie Phillips

DATE FOR THE DIARY: Cardiff Life Awards return on 31 March, 2022

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 25

SPONSORED CONTENT

JOIN AN AWARD -WINNING TEAM

HEK JONES - your Cardiff Life Legal & Financial Firm of the Year 2021

H

ek Jones are immensely proud to have won the prestigious Legal & Financial Firm of the Year 2021 Award at the recent Cardiff Life Awards.

Managing director, Andrew Jones, attributed the success at the Cardiff Life Awards, following on from being voted the Residential Property Team of the Year at the Welsh Law Awards 2020, to the hard work, commitment and drive of the close-knit teams we have grown and developed at Hek Jones.

To expand on this success, Hek Jones Solicitors are looking to recruit more experienced and ambitious conveyancing staff to join our ever growing firm based in central Cardiff and the Bridgend area right now.

You will be joining a successful and highlythought of team of lawyers and support staff with national client coverage. We are a firm that embraces technology, flexible working conditions and competitive salaries. A firm that invests in its staff, via our internal training and development schemes, constantly improving your knowledge and skills or helping you to achieve professional qualifications.

Our staff develop and grow with us, which is why Hek Jones are multi-award winning during incredibly difficult times for the property industry. n

HEK JONES SOLICITORS – YOU’RE IN SAFE HANDS

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Winning smiles

© OWEN MATHIAS

#CARDIFF TOGETHER GREG INGHAM

The speech master himself

Greg Ingham, who co-hosted the Cardiff Life Awards with radio DJ Huw Stephens, shares the emotions, joy and wonderment of the night

N

ever before had there been so many smiles.

Beaming, happy, friendly excited people, with just a hint of wonderment, all gathering for the Cardiff Life Awards.

People were so delighted to be out (or, as several said, “out out” which appears to be a thing). There was a hint of those forgotten breaking-up-for-thewhole-summer wide-eyed not quite believing it youthful days, a new vista emerging, the sense of possibility, shouty-happy boisterous times. And more so than expected.

For sure, we’d all been confined. Yet surely we’d also all been released for weeks, well before Freedom Day ( just don’t…)? So why did it feel like so many hadn’t been out at all, let alone out out?

It seems that as with school

days, a larger scale event like the Awards required a form of permission to sanction that we were all, actually allowed to do this.

There had, of course, been the prior requisite precautions, of proof of double jabs, negative tests and Covid passports. From vaccination to celebration, the alpha and omega of this year.

A fundamental seriousness underpinned the happy emotions.

This was a chance to recognise that in the worst of times people had shown their best, to celebrate and thank those who had risen to the civic challenge.

Percolating through the first part of the evening was a ritualistic square dance played out with Partridgean awkwardness: are we, er, kissing, hugging, hand-shaking, fistbumping or, still weirdly, elbowbumping? Reader, I did all of the above (and possibly more) – after due hesitation and pausing to read the permissive signal from

“It really does become a rollicking playparty celebration”

the other side, of course.

On reflection, what helped was the artifice of an Awards ceremony. Adults don’t play enough. The kidult thing of believing you’re a teenager when ker-razily gooning around to music and films and TV shows from decades back doesn’t count. Nor the vicarious playing through your kids, wonderful though that is.

No, actual playing. Suspension of belief. Role-playing. Losing yourself to another reality.

Dressing up. Otherness.

The nearest most adults get to playing like a child is sport – directly playing or the ersatz version of watching, where tribalism by proxy adds another layer of unreality. Similar point with performing arts. Both have rituals of language and form; most also have costumes (though best not use that word at the Principality Stadium).

At a pinch, you might locate organised religion in an anteroom just off the hall of playing: rituals, convergence, different belief-set, an ineffable otherness.

Usually less fun though.

With Awards, there are elements of all these. We are allowed – no, encouraged – to dress up, to role play. We each don our own form of play

armour, where uberglam rules from trad DJs to the most outré of incarnations.

We play act. Some may have a distant memory echo of the Oscars as they swish around, like kids dressing up as adults.

Others may initially have that bashful self-conscious awkwardness like a parentdressed first-interviewee. All are performative, playing to the glam, losing themselves.

There is the formal game too, played out in 20 stages, the notional reason why all come: to see who has won which category.

(And secondarily, who will win the biggest acceptance speech cheer or burst into tears or thank just one or two too many family members or jawdrop swear in astonishment or try to be Joe or Jo Cool Unbothered but who can’t help but burst into smiles.)

Add the music and noise and the chatter and the food and the drink and it really does become a rollicking playparty celebration.

This year..? All of that turned up to 11.

It was good, so good, to be back…

Greg Ingham was a journalist back in the day and runs MediaClash – Cardiff Life’s publisher – jointly with Jane Ingham. He can be found @gregingh

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 29

WHAT’S ON From 30 October onwards

Adrian Green’s immediately recognisable city scenes are being exhibited at The Albany Gallery

PLAYS / SHOWS / PERFORMANCES Until 30 October

BACK IN PLAY This autumn, Sherman Theatre will welcome audiences through its doors for the first time since March 2020.

To celebrate its re-opening the theatre will mount a special festival, Back in Play, mixing drama, performance and stand-up comedy, designed to give audiences a playful, fun and joyous experience as they return to the theatre.

Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

Until 7 November

MYSTERIOUS MAUD’S CHAMBERS OF FANTASTICAL TRUTH Explore Wales’ gothic castle Castell Coch as a new immersive theatre show takes place inside its extraordinary walls. Mysterious Maud’s Chambers of Fantastical Truth will see Professor Anil Seth appearing as a disembodied head in a production designed to prompt a deep questioning about the nature

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

Always check Covid-19 restrictions and instructions with venues before your visit

of reality. It’s set to be a gloriously entertaining romp of a show that contains paradigm-shifting sciencebased ideas. www.cadw.gov.wales

Until January 2022

WELCOME BACK, ST DAVID’S HALL! St David’s Hall is finally back, with a full programme of events.

Highlights include two of the best classical crossover vocal talents: Russell Watson (29 October) and Katherine Jenkins (18 November); as well as the likes of The Waterboys (17 October), Billy Bragg (30 October), and Jason Donovan (22 Nov), plus plenty of upcoming Christmassy shows.

St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

Until January 2022

WEST END’S BEST SHOWS IN CARDIFF A dazzling array of the West End’s best musicals are coming to Wales Millennium Centre. They

include Whitney - Queen of the Night (8 November); Joker - Live in Concert (9 November); Rob Brydon: A night of Songs and Laughter (11 November); Everybody’s Talking about Jamie (15 – 20 November); Grease (22 – 27 November); Heathers (30 November – 4 December); Beauty and the Beast (9 December – 15 January); The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (18 – 22 January).

Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

30 October onwards

NEW THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS There’s lots coming up at New Theatre, including David Suchet (30 October); Ceri Dupree (31 October); Russell Brand (8 November); Jack Dee (14 November); and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (11 – 15 January). www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

4 – 7 November

FESTIVAL OF VOICE Wales Millennium Centre have announced the full line-up for their flagship international arts festival, Festival of Voice, including Gruff

Rhys, Charlotte Church, Ghost Poet and 17 others. Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

18 December

STEREOPHONICS The Phonics are back in Cardiff, supported by Tom Jones, and Catfish and the Bottlemen. Principality Stadium; www.principalitystadium.wales

ART/ PHOTOGRAPHY/ EXHIBITIONS Until 11 November

TRIBUTE INK The Royal British Legion’s unique exhibition, Tribute Ink, brings to life the powerful and poignant stories behind the tattoos of people in the Armed Forces. It showcases how the military community use tattoos to commemorate comrades and loved ones who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.

Firing Line Museum in Cardiff Castle; www.rbl.org.uk/tributeink

WHAT’S ON

left:

Hot Chip are at WMC for Festival of Voice; below: Explore Castell Coch as Mysterious Maud’s Chambers of Fantastical Truth, a new immersive theatre show, takes place inside its extraordinary walls; bottom left: Sophiaworks will return to Sophia Gardens this year on Bonfire Night

OTHER

Until 31 October

Until January 2022

THE FUTURE HAS A PAST This new multidisciplinary exhibition has been co-curated with Amgueddfa Cymru Producers and artist Henry Alles, and explores the past as a means of discovering the future.

St Fagans National Museum of History; www.museum.wales

Until 13 February 2022

HUMAN CONDITIONS OF CLAY This exhibition explores how humanity is expressed through the material use of clay artworks that carry a human trace and presence.

Chapter Arts; www.chapter.org

Until 12 November

CHAOS FROM THE TOP DOWN This exhibition, by Wales-based artist Keith Maiden, covers themes that include the pandemic, social injustice, and racism.

Blackwater Gallery; www.blackwatergallery.co.uk

Ongoing

HEAR WE ARE This project will focus on further developing a culture within Wales that encompasses the voices of deaf artists, their work, performances and productions. It’s a two-year Waleswide project with Chapter as lead venue partner, with a number of arts venue partners supporting it.

It will be led by Jonny Cotsen, deaf actor/artist.

Chapter Arts; www.chapter.org

12 November – 8 January 2022

WINTER EXHIBITION An exhibition of over 50 artists.

The gallery will also be featuring a collection from Cardiff-based artist Adrian Green with his humorous and captivating illustrations of immediately recognisable city scenes such as Cardiff Bay, Roath Park, Penarth and Cowbridge.

The Albany Gallery; www.albanygallery.com

EYE CYMRU A revolutionary sound and laser series of events, created by internationally acclaimed light artist Chris Levine, with contributions from Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja, musician Gruff Rhys, and folk singer Nick Mulvey.

Cardiff Castle; www.eyecymru.com

FOOD

Until 31 October

STREET FOOD CINEMA Street Food Cinema, the delicious drive-in, returns to Cardiff for Halloween, promising the full frightnight experience.

Splott Market, www.tickettailor.com

Until the end of October

5 November

STREET FOOD TERAS The Street Food Teras will host some of Cardiff’s best independent traders in an outdoor seating space, open daily for your lunchtime bites and fuelling your evenings with drinks and local foodie favourites.

Next to Wales Millennium Centre; www.streetfoodteras.co.uk

18 November

BAYSIDE BEAUJOLAIS A Beaujolais Day bottomless brunch celebration at the Bay, featuring live entertainment.

Mermaid Quay; www.baysidebrunch.co.uk

SOPHIAWORKS Sophia Gardens has announced that Sophiaworks will return this year on Bonfire Night. The exciting evening of family entertainment will fetaure a spectacular fireworks display, as well as food, drinks and a whole lot of fun.

Sophia Gardens; www.glamorgancricket.com

26 November

CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS Anticipation is building for the third Cardiff Property Awards.

Tickets are now on sale over on the website.

Coal Exchange Hotel; www.cardiffpropertyawards.co.uk

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

WHAT’S ON The Festive Quarter in the city centre

CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY

Are you in Christmas mode yet? We’re feeling the first sprinkles of magic spreading around the city. Here are a handful of the events we’re looking forward to CARDIFF CHRISTMAS MARKET 11 November – 23 December The Christmas Market returns! The traditional wooden market stalls are centrally located near Cardiff Castle and the main shopping streets, and when you visit you can be assured that you will be purchasing original work from a handpicked selection of talented makers. Combined with a variety of seasonal food and drink, there will be a vibrant festive atmosphere for you to enjoy with family and friends.

CARDIFF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS From 12 November Although there will be no ceremony held this year, Christmas in Cardiff will officially begin on Friday 12 November as the lights switch on in the city.

Alongside the beautiful displays in the city centre,

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

there will also be a new light show on the walls of Cardiff Castle.

CARDIFF’S WINTER WONDERLAND 16 November – 2 January Cardiff’s much-loved Winter Wonderland is bigger and better than ever before, now occupying two huge sites. This year, visitors will find the Ice Rink and Ice Walk in the grounds of Cardiff Castle, and over at City Hall lawn is the usual funfair and festive food and drink stalls. The twostory Sur la Piste ski-lodge will be back, alongside a brand-new Ice Bar, the coolest spot in town.

CHRISTMAS AT BUTE PARK 25 November – 31 December The new Christmas experience will take visitors on a breath-taking tour of festive delights through

the biggest Christmas lights trail Wales has ever seen. The park will be taken over by laser shows, an enchanting fairy tree avenue, flickering fire sculptures, spectacular mirror ball displays, illuminated trees and much more.

SANTA CLAUS IN CARDIFF Various dates At this hectic time of the year, Santa always finds time in his schedule to visit Cardiff. Sometimes he even appears in several places at once – it’s magic and we don’t understand it either, but probably best not to question it. He’ll be at the likes of Cardiff Castle, The Royal Mint, Queen Street, St David’s Centre and Future Inn. For more: www.visitcardiff.com/christmas

This year’s Winter Wonderland is going to be bigger than ever before with two separate sites, at Cardiff Castle and City Hall, featuring ice skating, fairground rides, food and drink, a ski lodge and an ice bar

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

THE ALB ANY GALLERY

WINTER SHOW

featuring work by more than 30 artists

12 November 2021 - 8 January 2022 74b Albany Road, Cardiff, CF24 3RS | T: 029 2048 7158 | E: info@albanygallery.com Gallery open: Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm | www.albanygallery.com

ARTS

© PHOTO BY PAUL COLTAS

The Book of Mormon is not a show for the faint of heart or the easily offended

MORMON MAYHEM Lisa Evans went along to The Book of Mormon at Wales Millennium Centre. After she stopped laughing and caught her breath, she wrote this review of the rudest, most offensive show around…

I

© PHOTO BY PAUL COLTAS

’m not even sure where to start. I can’t really talk about 90 per cent of the Broadway musical’s content because it’s riddled with lyrics and depictions that we mustn’t utter in this family-friendly magazine – examples being C-word song lyrics, and a scene in which a hell-housed Hitler receives a sex act, you know, that sort of thing.

I didn’t know what to expect of the show; I avoided reading about it beforehand as I didn’t want to spoil it for myself, but I’d been told it’s the funniest thing on stage. It’s anything but a ‘usual’ musical. Sure, it had the magical, joyous, uplifting, head-bopping sparkle of a typical offering, but the sheer inappropriateness,

intense offensiveness and glorious disgracefulness made for a doubleconcentrated experience. And the absolute hilarity surrounding it all literally made my body ache.

From Yoda to AIDS, dysentery to Genghis Khan, genital mutilation to Darth Vader, no subject was out of bounds, and it left me thinking ‘did they really just say that?’ more times than I could count; even Jesus swears on the stage.

Without giving too much away, as this is the type of production which thrives on shock factor, it follows a pair of dewy Mormon boys –Elder Price (played by Robert Colvin) and Elder Cunningham (Conner Peirson) – who have been sent, to their dismay, to Uganda, on a mission to spread the word of Jesus Christ and the LatterDay Saints.

The hugely talented duo, with unteachable stage compatibility, were a joy to watch, and Nabulungi, the third protagonist (played by Aviva Tulley) delivered powerhouse, goosebumpraising vocals. Throughout the show, Nabulungi’s name was mispronounced in various ways

by Cunningham – who calls her

Nutella, Neutrogena, necrophilia and Nicki Minaj – providing some of the most raucous hoots from the audience.

I daren’t spoil how the story pans out, because that’s the whole fun of it. The production comes from the creators of South Park, Park, so you know from the outset it’s going to have a mischievous streak, but nothing fully prepares you for the gargantuous lashings of sardonicism it actually gifts.

I overheard the woman next to me say that she was going to buy tickets for her partner’s grandmother, a Mormon, as a treat, not knowing the show was satirical; ‘Thank god I didn’t’, she said, while dabbing away laughter tears.

There were plenty of moments that made the audience gasp and look around the room, as if trying to seek permission from each other to chuckle at such taboo subjects – and we all did, collectively, progressively getting louder and louder once the safety net was cast.

In particular, the Turn It Off number, caused a muffled wave of ‘will I look evil for finding that funny?’ sniggering. The upbeat song, about the Mormon trick of repressing ‘pesky’ emotions,

told of sad, dark life experiences – cancer, abuse, alcoholism and homophobia – all performed jollily in pink sequin waistcoats and tap shoes.

Oh, and my personal favourite of the clever, catchy, ridiculous tunes was Hasa Diga Eebowai; Eebowai; when you find out what that means – after hearing the Mormons repeatedly and happily chant it, asking the Ugandans naively ‘does it mean no worries for the rest of our days?’ – it may make you spray-spit out your pinot grigio, just like I did.

Even putting aside the gorgeously naughty, devilishly risky bits, the acting itself was a marvel – perfectly executed with impeccable comedic timing, hence the standing ovation. And there were some wholesome messages embedded in the show, including the notion that beliefs – whether following traditional religious rules or not – can bring hope and happiness to communities. There’s no denying the top-notch quality of the production, despite your personal taste.

Saying that, the negative reviews on Trip Advisor are in great numbers – every writer of which has been deeply insulted by the nature of the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning show. Take that as a warning; leave your political correctness and sensitivities at the door, or don’t come in.

So wrong on so many levels, but hands down the best musical I’ve ever seen. n www.wmc.org.uk

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

Bafta Cymru host Alex Jones; inset: Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson filming His Dark Materials at Cardiff’s Wolf Studios

CREATING A SCENE With Bafta Cymru around the corner, we chat with its host Alex Jones and its chair Angharad Mair, among other visionary women in the TV and film industry, about Cardiff becoming the Hollywood of Wales

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

F

ifteen years ago, you were more likely to see rats in Cardiff docks than A-list movie stars. But ever since Doctor Who relocated to the capital in 2004, the city has grown to become a hub for some of the biggest TV dramas of recent years. Stars like Lin-Manuel Miranda, David Tennant, Lena Dunham, Olivia Colman, Gillian Anderson, Michael Sheen, Ruth Wilson and James McAvoy are now regularly seen filming in the studios and at locations around the capital city (has anyone spotted Tom Hardy filming for Havoc in Bute Street recently, by the way?). In addition to UK broadcasters like the BBC and Sky, we now have international networks like HBO, Netflix and Amazon coming to Cardiff because of our world-class production talent and studio facilities.

This year’s Bafta Cymru Awards, which take place on 24 October, will give a snapshot of some of the shows and Welsh stars that have recently filmed in Cardiff.

The One Show’s Show’s Alex Jones, who returns as host for the digital ceremony of Bafta Cymru 2021, says, “The Welsh Valleys are becoming more like the Hollywood hills these days with international actors like Tom Hardy and Judi Dench living and working here alongside Welsh talent like Michael Sheen, Luke Evans and Russell T Davies. Despite the setbacks of Covid, Welsh crews have risen to the challenge and made some of the world’s best TV in a very difficult year.”

News presenter and Bafta Cymru Chair Angharad Mair is excited about the transformation the city has seen over these last few years; she adds, “From the gloss and high-end production values of His Dark Materials and Gangs of London, London, to beautifully made documentaries and Welsh language entertainment shows, this year’s Baftas really highlight the breadth of what the city is capable of. We need to ensure the long-term future of the industry in Cardiff”.

Much of what has been achieved has been down to the visionary women in drama production from Julie Gardner (Doctor (Doctor Who) Who)

BAFTA CYMRU

“Wales is a hot bed of creativity and industry”

clockwise from top left: Bafta Cymru chair Angharad

Mair; Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode in A Discovery of Witches; a behind-the-scenes shot of Dafne Keen in His Dark Materials; Ruth Wilson in His Dark Materials – all shot at Cardiff’s Wolf Studios

to Sue Vertue (Sherlock) and Jane Tranter. Jane originally made the decision to locate Doctor Who in Cardiff, as well as move Casualty here and start to build the production teams that went on to make Da Vinci’s Demons, Torchwood, Sex Education and A Discovery of Witches.

“Wales is a hot bed of creativity and industry – a unique melting pot of literature, music and drama, and sheer bloody hard graft,” says Jane. “A few years ago, having been living the dream in Los Angeles, Julie Gardner and I decided to throw ourselves into a brand-new adventure; we created Bad Wolf/ Wolf Studios, an independent production company in Cardiff, built to make high-end ambitious drama for global audiences in

Wales. Our time making Doctor Who was challenging, joyous and creative – the best of experiences. Russell T Davies, Julie and I made five seasons together, becoming a trailblazer that led to the BBC making Atlantis, Sherlock and many other TV dramas here in Wales.”

Guaranteeing that the city still has a pipeline of talent and a new generation of TV crew in Wales is something that Allison Dowzell, who runs Screen Alliance Wales (SAW), addresses via a project that has seen over 17,000 people learn about the film and TV industry.

“At SAW, we work with people from the age of seven to 67 to educate them about the opportunities available to work within this fantastic industry,” says Allison. You can be a caterer or a carpenter or a camera person.

There is something for anyone with ambition.

Through education and training, SAW is working hard to create an established crew base that can service the needs of the evergrowing film and TV industry in Wales for years to come.”

In the aftermath of Bafta Cymru, Cardiff knows that the next few years will see yet more Hollywood stars heading to the city. In fact, Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda made headlines around the world when he went to a musical theatre open mic night at Porters in Cardiff while making His Dark Materials. If productions of this level continue to be made in Wales, then in a few years’ time, rather than mining and the steel industry being the mainstay of the country’s economy, people will be saying that there have been three generations of their family making TV here.

And that can only be a good thing for the capital as a creative centre. www.bafta.org/wales

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 43

RE U H C TE O SI R B EB R U RW O U W O E N VI O

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LEST WE FORGET The centenary year of the Poppy Appeal has arrived; here we chat with long-serving poppy seller Mizra Shahzad who, along with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, represents the peaceful message of Islam while showing its dedication to the British Armed Forces

L

ast year was the first in history that Poppy Appeal collectors weren’t on the streets; even through the Blitz they were there, so 2020 was a bleak moment for the Royal British Legion’s history books. They’ve now returned – with Covid safety measures of course – and the dedication to the cause is stronger than ever, in this, its centenary year, meaning 100 years of the RBL and the Poppy Appeal.

One group of poppy sellers who are particularly active in Cardiff is the AMYA, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, who are keen to challenge stereotypes in a heartwarming way. The group represents the peaceful message of Islam and gently challenges common misunderstandings about the faith while showing its commitment and dedication to Britain and its soldiers.

The group’s regional coordinator for the South West of the UK, Mizra Shahzad, says they have huge respect for the Armed Forces and they enjoy chatting to members of the public about misconceptions around the Muslim community.

“I love to see the responses that people on the street give when they see an Asian

person collecting for the Poppy Appeal,” says Mizra, who moved from Pakistan to Britain in 2012, where he has been heavily involved in collecting for the Poppy Appeal ever since.

“It gives us a great feeling that we’re doing something very positive by standing with our Armed Forces.

“I live in the UK, so I regard the British Army as my heroes. And we are helping the families of those soldiers. There aren’t any charities doing similar extensive work as the RBL. We should take a lot of pride in supporting them every single year.”

One of the things Mirza enjoys about collecting for the Poppy Appeal is how generous people are; it’s still something that amazes him each year. “The public is passionate about giving their money for the Poppy Appeal. People donate £10 for a poppy and I love to see that.”

AMYA is the youth section of the Muslim Elders Group – Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (AMA). The AMA are a set of Islam who follow what Allah says in the Quran about serving humanity, and that’s why the various groups are so passionate about supporting various charities, especially the RBL. Mizra explains AMYA serves not only the

“This year marks 100 years of the Poppy Appeal”

© PHOTOGR APHY BY MAT T ALE X ANDER /ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

ONE TO ONE

l-r: Sultan Sulmy, his son, Ammar Ahmad, Zeeshan

Ahmad and Mirza Shahzad of the AMYA, collecting for the Poppy Appeal

REMEMBRANCE IN CARDIFF

3 – 18 November CARDIFF FIELD OF REMEMBRANCE The Field of Remembrance in the grounds of Cardiff Castle continues a tradition that began in 1928 when poppies were planted around an original wooden cross, taken from the battlefield grave of an unknown British solider, located in the grounds of Westminster Abbey.

6 November WALES FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE As the poppy petals fall at St. David’s Hall, the festival will be a packed night of entertainment and music celebrating 100 years of support to the Armed Forces Community. Artists include Only Men Aloud, The Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Youth Choir, and The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Welsh.

9 November CARDIFF CITY POPPY DAY Volunteers, members of the Armed Forces, and organisations from across Cardiff will be supporting the Poppy Day, which is the largest one-day street collection in Wales. Members of the public will see plenty of activity across Cardiff on the day as the community comes together aiming to raise thousands for the RBL’s annual Poppy Appeal.

needs of its members but the British society as a whole, irrespective of colour, race, religion or creed and promotes interfaith dialogue and co-operation in order to promote peace and harmony.

It has over 80 local branches, with a membership of over 6,000, and one of its principal objectives is ensuring its members develop and excel in qualities such as piety, honesty and fair dealing so that they can better contribute to the country in which they live.

The group seeks to help those in need, by continuously partaking in fundraising challenges; each year thousands of its members, young and old alike, run, hike, cycle or walk to raise money. Not only, says Mizra, does this promote values of kindness and service to humanity among British Muslim youth, it serves to break barriers and brings British society closer together at a time we seem to be moving further apart. n www.britishlegion.org.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 47

cardiffnorth@bluebirdcare.co.uk

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

W

ow, what an incredible few weeks it’s been!

Let’s start by congratulating everyone at the Cardiff Life Awards! Another fantastic evening which we thoroughly enjoyed. Did you see the arty car that Nathan and Lexus collaborated on? The car features four iconic Cardiff landmarks made up of a collage of thousands of tiny images of… you, the great people of this city! You sent in your selfies and helped make this happen. It went down a storm outside the Cardiff Life Awards at City Hall and everywhere we’ve taken it since.

See page 13 for more.

Talking of brilliant events, there have been so many glorious shows of late, a stand-out for us being The Boy With Two Hearts – a story of one family’s life-changing journey from Afghanistan to

Cardiff – down at the Wales Millennium Centre. We had the honour of interviewing Hamed Amiri – the writer of the book that the play has been adapted from – prior to the world premiere production in Cardiff, and then we were lucky enough to meet him on the evening too. He’s such a genuine guy with the most heart-wrenching but powerful story of family and hope.

Also down at the Centre, we saw The Book of Mormon; hilariously funny but not for the faint-hearted or easily offended! See page 41 for Cardiff Life’s review.

Also, West End and Broadway star Marissa Wallace came to Cardiff. She blew the roof off the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with her flawless voice. It was an honour to finally meet her, and Nath created a ‘lipstick portrait’ for her too,

Nath created a lipstick portrait for West End and Broadway star Marissa Wallace

“You sent in your selfies and made this happen!”

© AGA HOSKING

top: When we met Hamed Amiri at WMC; middle: Here we are with the Cardiff Landmark car that Nathan desiged in collaboration with Lexus Cardiff; inset: Thousands of selfies make up the four landmarks on the car; left: Iris Prize Festival was bigger than ever

which she adored.

In other news, the 2021 Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival – the world’s largest short film prize which takes place annually in Cardiff – was bigger than ever, from the launch party, the events and the films and online talks to the amazing end party. And, as you all know, we do love a party!

Big shoutout to Berwyn and his team at Iris, and to our friend Matthew David Hill for debuting his incredible short film Skinny Fat at the festival too.

We’ll end with this: Cardiff is starting to become chilly in

the mornings; that means one thing… time to get stuck into the gingerbread and cinnamon hot drinks at our very own St Andrew’s Coffee Court in the city. Come down and see us!

About our columnists: Nathan Wyburn is a pop culture artist who uses nontraditional mediums such as Marmite, beans, soil and fake tan; and Wayne Courtney is a healthcare support worker at University Hospital of Wales. They are also Radio Cardiff DJs with their own show, and basically know everything and everyone in the city. Follow them on social: @wyburnandwayne / @wyburnwayne

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

COFFEE CLUB MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, FROM £10 Get a coffee-loving family member signed up to receive the dark stuff every month, or just go for a one-off bag of locally roasted goodness instead.

From Hard Lines Coffee, St Canna Court, Cardiff; www.hard-lines.co.uk

BROMPTON COFFEE SCOOP AND CLIP, £12 Who says scooping coffee can’t be done in style? It’s the little things.

From Lisa Valentine Home, Penylan; www.lisavalentinehome.co.uk

PRESENT SENSE

It’s time we wafted some Christmas gifting ideas around; engage the senses with these olfactory and gustatory delights from local shops

CARDS, CHRISTMAS CRACKERS AND WRAPPING PAPER, VARIOUS PRICES Buddug’s cute, quirky aesthetic has had a festive twist.

From Buddug, Warwick Studios, Cardiff; www.buddug.com

PHOTOGR APHY BY MANON HOUSTON

MINI OR GIANT WELSH CHEESE ADVENT CALENDARS, £38 – £149 Designed by The Welsh Cheese Company as festive celebrations of Welsh cheesemaking, the contents of these advent calendars range from creamy softs and crowd-pleasing cheddars to lip-smacking blues. The giant version is over a metre wide and contains over four kilos of artisan cheese.

From The Welsh Cheese Company, Cardiff; www.thewelshcheesecompany.co.uk

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

EDITOR’S CHOICE

P H OT

OGR A

PH Y B Y HE A THE

R B IR N

IE

HEIST CHOCOLATE, FROM £6 This small-batch beanto-bar chocolate, made in Cardiff, is a must try, trust us.

Available from Glory Stores, Upper Kincraig Street, Cardiff; www.glory-stores.com

JUNIPERL, £18.99 This booze-free gin, which hails from Penarth, will ensure no alcohol-fuelled family squabbles this Christmas.

Available from Hamptons, Ludlow Lane, Penarth; www.hamptonspenarth.co.uk

© CAR A HE ATH PHOTOGR APHY

ECO ADVENT CALENDAR 2021, £125 Packed with soaps, candles, bath bombs and other sweet-smelling eco treats, these advent calendars contain only products from UK small businesses, and each one purchased sees a tree planted.

From Authentic House, Splott; www.authentichouse.co.uk

CANDLES, £15 EACH Scents such as bergamot, fig and cassis, and neroli and ylang ylang will relax you to the core.

From Sadler Jones, Barry; www.sadlerjones.com

BARK LIFE BUTTER DISH, £34 From ceramist Hannah Turner is this adorbs dog-themed butter dish.

Available from Cooper’s, Beulah Road, Cardiff; www.hannahturner.co.uk

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

SHOPPING 1

FESTIVE FASHION We’ve been trend-spotting at St David’s shopping centre again...

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is almost the season for celebrations, and St David’s Dewi Sant is a cheerful destination for all things glitz and glamour. St David’s are going all out this Christmas, from indulgent skincare to stylish festive fashion for all the family; every day is a special occasion as far as the shopping centre is concerned, and with more than 150 stores and restaurants, it dubs itself the home of seasonal joy.

Nadolig Llawen!

Here are a few of our top partywear picks from their shops…

All items available at St David’s / Dewi Sant in Cardiff or online at the time of writing. To keep up to date with the latest trends, news and offers, see St David’s on Instagram @StDavidsCardiff or on www.stdavidscardiff.com

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SHOPPING LIST

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11 12 9

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

1. Moveable Moon and Star Necklace, £98, from Thomas Sabo; www.thomassabo.com 2. Chi Chi London Naarah Lace Dress, £78, John Lewis; www.johnlewis.com 3. Nail stickers, from £4, from Mallows Beauty; www.mallowsbeauty.co.uk 4. Nora Portland Dress, £99, from All Saints; www.allsaints.com 5. Devon Blazer, £250, from Reiss; www.reiss.com 6. Strappy sandals, £135, from Reiss; www.reiss.com 7. Bregman shoes, £80, from Skechers; www.skechers.co.uk 8. Gold Moon Earrings, £298, from Thomas Sabo; www.thomassabo.com 9. MAC Hypnotizing Holiday collection, from £12.50, from MAC; www.maccosmetics.co.uk 10. Rosetta Tinsel 2-in-1 Dress, £219, from All Saints; www.allsaints.com 11. Xena strappy openback dress, £188, from Reiss; www.reiss.com 12. Devon Tux Trouser, £150, from Reiss; www.reiss.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE AT: WWW.VALEVETCENTRE.CO.UK Cardiff: 233 Cathedral Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9PP. E-mail: cardiff@valevetcentre.co.uk Phone: 02920 004007

Barry: 7/8 Ty Verlon Ind Est, Cardiff Rd, Vale of Glamorgan, CF63 2BE E-mail: info@valevetcentre.co.uk Phone: 01446 739739

Newport: Unit 1 & 2 East Market Street, Newport, NP20 2AY E-mail: newport@valevetcentre.co.uk Phone: 01633 927927

HAIR & BEAUTY

Lisa’s hair after Josh got his hands on it

Josh Lee Hair has just celebrated its third birthday

MIGHT AND MANE

Lisa Evans visits Cardiff’s award-winning Josh Lee Hair salon

W

hile I sat in the waiting area at Josh Lee Hair salon, a woman tentatively creaked open the door, popped her head around and said, “Sorry to bother you, I’m here because I’ve heard you’re the best salon in Cardiff and I wondered whether you could fit me in”. Well, if that isn’t a confidence boost – both to the staff, and to me – I don’t know what is.

And I for one needed that vote of spontaneous and unbiased assurance, to be honest, because – and this is not a breeze to talk about, but this will only be printed in 10,000 copies of Cardiff Life mag, so why not share details of my private life, eh? – the last time I went to a hair salon, something disastrous happened. The bleach was left on my hair too long and each highlight snapped off from the root, leaving me with pretty much half my hair gone, taking with it my self-confidence, and my trust in hairdressers.

Before my recent appointment with Josh, I explained this miserable past experience from a not-to-be-named salon, and I confided in him, quite tearily, that I was actually terrified to have my hair touched with bleach ever again.

Josh assured me he was the man for me. He told me I could be seated in a private area off the salon floor, and that he would use the very lowest volume of bleach possible – mixed with bond-rebuilding Olaplex – and said his main goal was to rebuild my confidence in myself and in hairdressers.

Throughout the hourslong service, Josh, who has 15 years’ experience in the industry, was consistently reassuring and understanding, and I was made to feel cocooned in comfort – and we had a fair few belly laughs along the way. He suggested babylights for a very fine smattering of highlights which would leave no obvious root stripe once they’d grown out. He also insisted we leave most of the regrowth from the previous snapping-off situation well alone, and he was careful to select only healthy hair to

“Josh’s main goal was to rebuild my confidence, in myself and in hairdressers”

dye. The result – after a toner, a relaxing wash, a point-cut trim, and a carefully executed blow dry – was a freshened, shiny, bouncy, moisturedrenched look that I was proud to leave the salon with. They don’t call the salon ‘the blonde specialists’ for nothing.

To some, worrying about hair may seem shallow, but, to me, a good hair day can be the difference to wanting to hide in my living room with the blinds closed – asking my husband to answer the door if someone knocks – to releasing my inner Sasha Fierce and wanting to get out in the world.

If you’re looking for a huge boost, I’m willing to share this award-winning salon with you, I guess – as long as you don’t fill up Josh’s diary too much. I need him. n Josh Lee Hair, Beechley Drive, Cardiff; Instagram: @joshleehair

WHAT’S NEW?

Big news just in: Josh has just

announced an expansion, with a second Josh Lee Hair salon set to open in early 2022 in Dinas Powys.

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SPONSORED CONTENT CREATE SALON

KASEY PERKS & DANIELLE VINSON 07497104073; www.createsalon.co.uk

MEET THE HAIR EXPERT You could say these hair pros are the ‘mane attraction’ at these independent local salons

YUME HAIR & BEAUTY SALONS

SUSANNAH UNDERWOOD, GEORGINA HELENA BURCH & RAYJAY EMANUEL Rhydpenau: 02920766610; Cathays: 02920233270; www.yumecardiff.co.uk Tell us a bit about you and your background?

Susannah: 32 years in hairdressing, and 16 years at Wella as senior educator/colourist – working on fashion week and global competitions. I’m now manager and master colour expert at Yume.

What does Yume specialise in?

Georgina: At Yume we all cover all aspects of hairdressing. We have members of the team who are exceptionally good at wedding and celebratory hair, and others that are expertly

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

Tell us a bit about your background?

We started hairdressing together 13 years ago. We actually met on our first day at Vidal Sassoon in Cardiff. We’ve been best friends ever since and gone through our whole careers together.

What do you specialise in?

We work with your natural hair colour and texture to enhance and complement the natural hair without risking the integrity of the hair. Kasey specialises in colour and Danielle specialises in cutting.

What sets you apart from others?

We want to be a part of our local community which is why we’ve set up local litter picking events, donate profits to local charities and will soon be a drop of point for a local food bank. We are also a certified sustainable salon so you can enjoy your services knowing all “waste” from that service will be recycled correctly and not end up in a landfill.

The weather can leave the hair feeling battered. What treatments would you recommend?

Hair can often feel a lot drier during the winter. It is a good idea to switch up your hair care according to the season. We would recommend the Authentic Beauty Concept hydrating treatment.

It’s beautifully hydrating without weighing down the hair. All Authentic Beauty products are vegan, PETA approved, and silicone and paraben free. We also have 20% off the whole range in the salon at the moment.

What’s coming up at ‘Create’ that we should know about?

We have lots of exciting plans coming together before Christmas, Including our first birthday in November. We will invite people to the salon to enjoy some cocktails and canapés. We will also have hair tutorials taking place alongside a nail technician for hand massage, and a make up artist offering advice and techniques.

talented at precision cutting.

We’ve also a master colour expert. Our combination of talent and enthusiasm leads to exceptionally well executed hair.

What sets YUME apart from others?

Georgina: We aim to always offer our clients the best experience during their time at the salon, always listening to clients and understanding their needs, ultimately producing great hair.

What are the best bits about your hairdressing career at Yume?

Georgina: Working with a strong enthusiastic, creative team, and knowing that we’re supported with up-to-date, cutting-edge training and techniques.

What opportunities do you have to develop your hairdressing skills further?

RayJay: Yume has presented opportunities to me that I will be forever grateful for. Each year I get to attend courses in London and Manchester that keep me on top of my game.

Also at Yume I’ve been a semi-finalist in the prestigious Wella Trend-Vision competition; my wedding portfolio has increased dramatically, plus I’m also an experienced

session stylist working with Wella.

What trends do you see for this season?

Georgina: Trends for autumn are coppers, golds and bronzes. Curvaceous curls in finishing, and the use of beautiful products.

The weather can leave the hair feeling battered. What treatments would you recommend?

Susannah: We research, try and test the latest innovation of haircare treatments. We now offer Joico bond building, Keratin treatments for 80 per cent less breakage and five times stronger hair. Our main aim is for our clients to have beautiful and healthy hair. Our Davines hair masks are a sustainable alternative.

What’s coming up at Yume Salons?

Susannah: Our salon owners Giovanna and Tristan’s vision is to push the business forward.

They’ve recently created a new salon space, using sustainable products, that are sourced from natural ingredients by a family-run business (like Yume) beautifully packaged, and refilling station in the salon too.

Surprise us...

RayJay: I’m a huge nerd! British chess champion at the age of 13 and I love anything science!

Favourite place to eat out in Cardiff?

RayJay: Pasture, Potted Pig, Tom Simmons.

SPONSORED CONTENT

HOWELL’S JOINS THE FRONT ROW HOWELL’S CO-ED COLLEGE in Cardiff have signed the deal for an exciting new collaboration with Cardiff Rugby and CAVC

I

t’s any rugby enthusiast’s dream to train and play on the same pitch as the likes of Adam Jones, Jonah Lomu and Sam Warburton. Howell’s Co-Ed College in Llandaff is excited to announce its collaboration with Cardiff and Vale College, the official college partner of Cardiff Rugby, who work to develop and keep talented rugby players in Wales.

Howell’s College provides a challenging and supportive academic environment and the partnership with CAVC Rugby Academy will provide an outstanding wraparound programme alongside this for those who have an interest in performance and elite level rugby.

The Academy is led and coached by former Cardiff RFC Director of Rugby and Cardiff University Head of Rugby Martyn Fowler.

Martyn is a Level 4 coach with more than 15 years’ coaching experience. Five of those years were spent coaching in the Principality

Premiership with Bedwas RFC and Cardiff RFC. Howell’s College students who join the CAVC Rugby Academy programme alongside their A-level studies will benefit from outstanding rugby coaching, skill development, tactical awareness, strength and conditioning, nutritional advice, mental health and resilience and performance analysis, all with the goal of developing student athletes who can progress onto regional and national age grade rugby.

The partnership provides students with the opportunity to play regular, competitive and high-profile fixtures, with some home games played at the historic Cardiff Arms Park. Tours also take place to compete in high-profile tournaments and against notable teams across the UK and the world.

Recently the CAVC Rugby Academy represented Wales in the Sanix World Youth Tournament in Japan. The CAVC Rugby Academy Programme benefits from outstanding

facilities including CAVC City Centre Campus and Cardiff International Sports Campus.

The partnership also provides students with the opportunity to volunteer and be mentored

by Cardiff Rugby Officers, which can add great support for personal statements, university applications and employment opportunities.

Sports Scholarships and means-tested bursaries are available at Howell’s College for suitable students. ■

For more information about rugby at Howell’s, please contact Director of Sport Ceri Crawford, mail@how.gdst.net www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 57

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FOOD & DRINK

TASTY BITES

A handful of juicy food news morsels for you to chew on Gareth Bale busy planning for Par 59

BALE’S BAR

Wales and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has announced a new city centre location for his restaurant and mini-golf concept Par 59. The venue will open in spring 2022 at the 23,000 sq ft site of the former Liquid / Life nightclub on St Mary Street.

The concept is the result of a partnership between Bale’s company Elevens Group LTD and The DEPOT, one of Wales’ most successful, independent entertainment brands.

There’s set to be three adults-only mini-golf courses, two large bar and dining rooms, two independent street food kitchens, and a billiards room. Cardiff-based Paramount Interiors has been contracted for the £1.2m fit out scheme.

“I’m delighted to be working with a group of independent Welsh businesses to finally bring Par 59 to Cardiff,” says Gareth.

“For me, it’s all about creating safe, fun environments where people can enjoy something a bit different, play golf, and meet with friends.” www.par59.com

ALL THAI’D UP

Busaba, Cardiff’s newest Thai experience, opened in the Brewery Quarter at the end of October. It first opened 20 years ago in Soho; for their debut in Wales, think award-winning pad Thai, aromatic curries, and your favourite Thai dishes straight from the wok. Whether you’re looking for quality meat dishes or plant-based nosh, Busaba is a place to feed your soul, body, and mind.

Busaba’s living ethos is ‘Sookjai’, which is based on traditional Buddhist values of calming the mind and avoiding the everyday distractions that unsettle life. Literally, its meaning is ‘to enjoy’ and ‘happy heart’. www.busaba.com

Expect Thai dishes straight from the wok

Busaba in Soho, where it opened 20 years ago

Waterloo Tea comes to Whitchurch Road

TO A TEA

Gareth Bale’s Par 59 golf bar is opening soon; concept image from Par 59 architects, Studio Severn

Independent tea specialist Waterloo Tea has continued its expansion with yet another Cardiff site, on Whitchurch Road, bringing the portfolio up to a total of five chef-led teahouses. As one of the largest independent importers in the UK, Waterloo Tea has built its reputation on carefully selecting and importing a unique range of speciality teas, working directly with growers in India, China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Taiwan, supporting communities with fair prices and ethical trade.

“Whitchurch Road does seem as if it’s on the cusp of being a high street that mirrors the needs of its local residents so we are thrilled to be joining the eclectic mix of independent businesses who have already made it such a great place to be,” says Waterloo Tea founder Kasim Ali. www.waterlootea.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 59

© M HORWOOD

FOOD

HAVE YOU SPOTTED

Off the topic of food, but sticking with the sustainability theme, have you spotted the ‘Wild Wall’ on Atlas Place in Canton? Created by artist Spike Clark, it is one of several murals across the UK by youth environmental group UK Youth for Nature (UKY4N).

The mural depicts a kingfisher, which is on the UK’s amber list for conservation primarily due to river pollution from industry and agricultural run-off.

clockwise from top left: Canton Kingfisher mural; Nathan Wyburn’s fruit and veg art; filming at Kindle with ITV Wales; Sophie Durnan from Cardiff Salad Garden

CARDIFF’S GOING GREEN Our columnist, good food fanatic, local blogger and indie foodie PR consultant JANE COOK has her finger on the pulse when it comes to what’s new and tasty in the city…

W

ith the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as COP26) now just a few days away – starting on 31 October – a lot of my work over the last couple of weeks has looked at Cardiff’s role in driving climate action, particularly when it comes to the way we eat and drink.

I joined ITV Wales to film a short piece in Cardiff about sustainable restaurants. We filmed at Kindle, a restaurant which has been designed specifically with sustainability at its core, before walking up to Pettigrew Bakery, where most of the ingredients used are organic (an ecofriendlier method of farming) and come from within South Wales, reducing food miles. In fact, they even source their salads from a growing operation in the middle of Bute Park, Cardiff Salad Garden.

We talked about the rise in people around Cardiff signing up for veg box schemes – like Penylan Pantry’s fab weekly boxes packed with organic veg. We also filmed on day one of Food Cardiff’s Good Food Festival where fellow Cardiff Life columnist Nathan Wyburn was creating a giant piece of art out of local, seasonal fruit and veg;

lots of this was donated by the fab Paul’s Veg from Riverside Farmer’s Market.

Of course, all work and no play is not a good look for anyone, so I did manage to squeeze in a little wine tasting event with the guys from Chilled & Tannin – but their offering of ‘bodacious wine with a conscience’ means that organic, sustainable and authentic wines are par for the course.

Finally, I’ve been busy drumming up support for the COP Coalition’s Global Day of Action on 6 November. Hundreds of NGOs and grassroots community groups including Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, will come together to march in 10 cities, demanding that COP26 leaders limit global heating to below 1.5 degrees. You can sign up to take join the march at: campaigns. woodlandtrust.org.uk.

For more: www.janechicomendes.co.uk | @janechicomendes www.hungrycityhippy.co.uk

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KURO

Lisa Evans tries out new fine dining fusion restaurant and wine bar, Kuro, in Roath. Let’s just say, it wasn’t what she expected...

O

ne Friday morning, which happened to be a press day – always an intensely demanding day in the world of indie publishing – I received an email from an enthusiastic reader of Cardiff Life magazine, particularly of our food section, who told me that I must book in to eat at one of Cardiff’s newest fine dining restaurants, Kuro, immediately. She said she simply had to reach out to tell me this was the best food she had tried in a long time and that our readers deserved to hear about it.

So here I am, belly full, typing up a review of that very establishment on Marion’s recommendation.

She wasn’t wrong, it’s a corker. It’s a globally inspired fusion restaurant run by two Italian friends – Francesco and Michele (there they are on the opposite page), the former running front of house and the latter as head chef – and they experiment, successfully in our opinion, with combining world cuisines in an à la carte style, with inclusivity as their motivation.

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

“We want to inspire people to try foods that they might not normally go for because they’re put off by the name of a dish or aren’t familiar with it,” explained Francesco.

“That’s why our menu doesn’t name dishes, it just lists the ingredients so that people can see exactly what they’re getting, without preconceptions. Cardiff is a multi-ethnic city that opens doors and hugs people from any part of the world. Our vision is to spread the same spirit in our restaurant; we want our dishes to show the same mix of cultures.”

This cultural blending means the foodie combinations have an unusual edge to say the least. On my tasting menu, for example, a stand-out dish – the ingredients of which certainly didn’t strike me as a perfect match – was the pickled courgette with mango. The punchy courgette was spiked with fresh mint and garlic – so fragrant you could dab it behind your ears – and, atop of it, served to look like a poached egg, was a generous chunk of buffalo mozzarella with a zingy, orange dollop of mango purée plopped in the centre. An uplifting, mouth-tingling delight.

Other marriages included the spinach and garlic

RESTAURANT

arancini balls with apple slices, and ginger ketchup, a symphony of electric flavours; and then a lightly seared tuna steak with shaved fennel, soy dressing and pickled onions. After that came a medley of flame-licked mullet, hake, and king prawns – a plate with oceans of technique on show – which made friends with torched padrón peppers, a whole charred carrot, and a deeply flavoured aubergine purée for boosted umami.

And before dessert was brought out (caramelised pear with sheep’s ricotta and aged balsamic vinegar) there was cheesy al dente fettuccini with peas, broad beans, red pepper and tomato – complete comfort in a bowl.

There’s a meat menu too, but being a pescatarian I didn’t delve into that one – think beef two ways, with potato rosti and pumpkin; Welsh lamb stew with crispy pancetta and new potatoes; and spiced venison bolognese with garlic crumbs and raw chocolate. The menu changes each month, so there’s more to come soon.

The restaurant’s name comes from Curò, meaning ‘my heart’ – one of the sweetest words in the Sicilian dialect, conveying love, emotional connections, familiarity and conviviality – an apt choice considering this is such a passion project for Francesco and Michele. And they really do put love into the place; everything is cooked from scratch, and Francesco delights in chatting to customers, hearing their thoughts and sharing his stories.

Dare to leave any food on your plate, though, and you’ll feel like you’re kicking a puppy when you see Francesco’s disheartened face upon collecting your unfinished dish. “No no, I’m just getting a bit full as there have been six courses,” I explained reassuringly, desperately trying to elevate him.

To see the care that not only goes into the food but into impressing and pleasing the diners is exemplary; I don’t think I’ve seen restaurant owners take feedback so keenly or personally. Thankfully, we only had good things to say.

Something else we noticed was how, even though it focuses on fine dining, Kuro is intensely laidback – another unusual mash-up. It’s casual and quirky, and, as Francesco told us, it’s super chilled, “We think it’s important when you go to a restaurant that you enjoy the whole experience of relaxing, savouring the food, taking many breaks to chat, and, crucially, having no time limit on your booking; spend hours here.” We can get on board with that, as long as it’s not on press day.

Where to next, Marion? n

“This cultural blending gives the foodie combinations an unusual edge”

DINING DETAILS Kuro Restaurant and Wine Bar, Unit 11 The Globe Centre, Albany Road, Roath; 02921 321331; www.kurorestaurant.co.uk Food Bespoke, modern à la carte fusion dishes Drinks An extensive wine list inspired

by Italian origins. If you just fancy a drink, pop into their bar and let them introduce you to the Aperitivo Time, where tipples and nibbles go hand in hand Vibe An air of unhurried calm, and major wholesomeness

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

PROPERTY © PHOTO BY MAT THEW ROSE @MAT THEWJROSE86

P L A C E S T O L I V E , W O R K A N D P L AY

The Awards will celebrate the dynamic property sector in Cardiff

THE CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS Congratulations to all the finalists of The Cardiff Property Awards, run by MediaClash – our publisher.

There’s such a great array of companies shortlisted, from the smartest of indies to the largest of the corporates, all coming together once more, after that year. You can see the full list of finalists on page 72. The Awards

will be held at The Coal Exchange Hotel on 26 November, where we will celebrate the dynamic Cardiff property sector.

From residential to commercial, from lettings to new builds, from civic buildings to bold re-imaginings, Cardiff simply teems with clever property companies shaping our city’s destiny. Property matters to

us all. Professionally in financial terms; aesthetically in its creativity; practically in somewhere to live or work. So we are delighted to host the annual Cardiff Property Awards in 2021.

Tickets are now live and available at www.cardiffpropertyawards.co.uk

© PHOTO BY GEMMA GRIFFITHS

WONDER EMPORIUM

The indie traders at The Castle Emporium are looking for new homes

The Castle Emporium, an independent shopping hub on Womaby Street, recently received a letter from their landlord to say they’d have to leave the site in a month. Now the building looks likely to turn into a taproom for independent brewer Mad Dog Brewery.

The former traders within The Castle Emporium – from all-independent businesses, such as radical bookshop Shelflife, Cardiff Skateboard Club, and plant shop Tropigaz – are now looking for new homes, and are fundraising, to keep their small businesses thriving. Keep an eye out over on their social media for new developments. www.thecastleemporium.co.uk

IT’S COMING HOLM

Holm House Hotel and Spa in Penarth is undergoing a sparkly new refurbishment.

As we speak, the restaurant is having a gleaming refresh, and, after that, the garden will be transformed into an all-yearround al fresco space. www.holmhousehotel.com

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PROPERTY

SEVERN SQUARE A look inside the modern Severn Square development in Pontcanna

By Lisa Evans

N

estled within a converted Victorian cheese factory, which in later years became the factory of the 1970s coveted brand Gentle Folk jeans, in Pontcanna, is the Severn Square development.

We took a look around one of the meticulously executed apartments inside, which has recently come on the market. It’s replete with industrial features – such as gorgeous red brick walls, accent warehouse windows and exposed ceiling beams – and has been carefully curated for modern living by Rio Architects in collaboration with the current owners.

Severn Square itself is an award-winning development in the heart of a thriving creative community, and this apartment unfolds over the first and second floors of the converted warehouse building, which sit above the communal car parking areas.

Within the heart of the home – in the large, openplan living area – is an abundance of original attributes, carefully preserved and added to by the architects. These

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include exposed trusses and beams, plus steel girders that frame the expansive space. Organically hardened New Zealand solid wood flooring runs underfoot throughout the living space and the flowing area is wonderfully adaptable and versatile and would suit a variety of layouts – it is also brilliantly bright care of the large roof lights that allow floods of light in.

The kitchen, with its sleek, minimal palette of ice grey and white cabinetry and contemporary materials, lies within the corner of the open-plan design, and two walls of open shelving delineate a cleverly conceived office/studio area, creating storage while providing privacy for the home workspace.

Stairs ascend to the mezzanine level, where glass balconies overlook the living spaces below. There are two bedrooms on this level, plus a dressing area and two large, light bathrooms. Exposed wooden beams extend overhead in both bedrooms; the second bedroom has access to a bijou balcony, via full-height doors, with views over neighbouring rooftops. There is space for an al fresco dining area on the balcony, where we can imagine spending most mornings with a coffee and a magazine in hand.

As for the surrounding area, a wide variety of cafés, bars and restaurants are mere moments from Severn Square.

Local favourites include renowned restaurants Heaney’s, Bullies, Thomas by Tom Simmons, and Bangkok Café.

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A few minutes’ walk away is the popular oyster and wine bar Uisce, and cafés such as the Danish bakery Brød, Brava, Milkwood, and Kemi’s.

At the heart of Pontcanna is the Kings Road Yard Creative Mews, and the internationally acclaimed Chapter Arts Centre is nearby.

Fun fact: as South Wales has become internationally renowned for its fast-expanding TV and film industry (see more on page 42), Pontcanna is now a popular district to live in for those working in media and the creative industry. The apartment is a 15-minute walk to the new BBC Wales headquarters in the city centre and it’s within easy access to the major filming studios.

Severn Square is also very close to several green spaces, including the expansive and historic Bute Park and Arboretum, Pontcanna and Llandaff Fields, Coopers Field, and Sophia Gardens which encompasses the River Taff, the international Glamorgan cricket ground and several popular businesess including The Secret Garden Café, Pettigrew Tearooms, Kindle, and local microbreweries Crafty Devil, and the Brewhouse & Kitchen.

We can’t end this feature about a property within a former cheese factory without sharing this classic joke: Did you hear about the cheese factory explosion? All that was left was de brie.

HOUSE NUMBERS Where

Pontcanna, Cardiff

Price £550,000 Parking A dedicated parking space Bedrooms

2

Bathrooms 2 Outdoors A bijou balcony with views over neighbouring rooftops Square footage 1,622 For more: The Modern House; 020 3795 5920; info@themodernhouse.com; www.themodernhouse.com

PROPERTY

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

It’s the city’s business

CARDIFFWORKS The £3M Laings refurbishment is a huge deal for the city

SPARKLING TRANSFORMATION Luxury family jeweller Laings has unveiled the £3M expansion of its Cardiff showroom.

Celebrating the transformation, guests were given a first look at the expanded showroom in St David’s, ahead of the official relaunch weekend in mid-October. Laings showcased its unrivalled selection of fine jewellery and luxury watches, and introduced attendees to esteemed brands including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Fabergé.

Formerly Parkhouse, Laings has developed a strong relationship with its Cardiff clientele over the years and is proud to service jewellery and

BUSINESS CLUB

watch enthusiasts in the capital city. The Cardiff showroom transformation is one of the first steps of a £10M investment to reimagine its presence over the next two years.

On the official launch night, Laings also revealed an 8ft diamond sculpture outside the showroom on The Hayes; the extraordinary geometric faceted mirror and floral installation, created by visual artist Larry Walshe, captured the attention of passers-by while reflecting elements of the vibrant city.

For more: www.LaingsUK.com

Virtual one hour sessions, all free to attend Search Cardiff Life on LinkedIn for upcoming dates and registration If you would like to get involved, please email events@mediaclash.co.uk

CARDIFFWORKS BRAINS AND BRAWN

The two buildings at Cardiff Gate Business Park

Brains is selling 99 of its most famous pubs for £87M. The local pubs for sale include the City Arms in Cardiff city centre, and the Halfway in Pontcanna.

This comes less than a year after a deal between the Welsh brewery and pub company Marstons, in which the latter took over the operation of 150 of its pubs on a long-term lease agreement. www.sabrain.com

GO BIG

Two multi-let office investments at Cardiff Gate International Business Park have hit the market with Savills for £5.2 million. The buildings are situated on Copse Walk and Oaktree Court at Cardiff Gate Business Park, South Wales’ premier business park location with occupiers including Coca Cola, Mercedes, Audi, and International Baccalaureate Organisation.

“This is an exciting opportunity to acquire a multi-let office investment,” says Ross Griffin, director in the UK investment team at Savills Cardiff.

“The properties have a secure steady income with asset management potential and is likely to attract strong interest from investors.” www.savills.co.uk

Lydia started her sustainable swimwear business with the help of Big Ideas Wales

SINK OR SWIM

A fashion designer from Cardiff who launched her own sustainable swimwear business during lockdown is already making waves. Lydia Hitchings’ business, Rosy Cheeks, produces handmade, made-toorder bikinis in a bid to reduce waste and challenge fast fashion.

Putting her Cardiff Metropolitan degree in textiles to good use, Lydia designs the bikinis from her bedroom, between training with the Wales National Netball team.

Lydia started her business with the help of Big Ideas Wales, part of the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service, aimed at anyone between the age of five and 25 who wants to develop a business idea, including students and graduates. www.bigideas.wales

CHARITY DRIVE Dragon Taxis Vale of Glamorgan has donated £5,000 to Welsh children’s hospice, Tŷ Hafan. The campaign saw Dragon Taxis donate a percentage of all app bookings across the Vale of Glamorgan – one of the most recent regions to fall into Dragon Taxis’ service area – to the charity.

Tŷ Hafan offers comfort, care and support to life-limited children, young people and their families. This care is delivered at the hospice, in the community and in people’s homes, so that families can make the most of the time they have left together. It costs just over £12,000 to keep the hospice open for just one day. www.tyhafan.org The Coorp is a new indie shopping hub

HUB LIFE The Corporation pub in Canton, will once again solidify its place in the heart of the community, however, this time it will become a hub for independent traders. Renamed ‘The Coorp’, the building, dating back to 1889, will provide a home for a selection of local indie businesses – such as traders of organic foods, sustainable wine and vintage clothing, to artists, crafts people, barbers and beauticians, accompanied with a bar and coffee shop at the centre of the indoor space.

The venture, which is due to open at the end of October, will build on the success of The Corporation Yard market which has become hugely popular over the past year. The new venue will have doors that open onto the yard itself which will continue to feature a rotation of independent traders and street food vendors. www.coorp.co.uk

Kelly Dibble, corporate senior fundraiser at Ty Hafan, and Richard Daves and Shaun Garner of Dragon Taxis

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 71

CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS

THE FINALISTS 26 NOVEMBER 2021

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CONTRACTOR (Sponsored by Marsh Commercial) Lancer Scott Willmott Dixon

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DEVELOPER Acorn Property Group Linc Cymru

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RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT (Sponsored by Savills) Cowbridge Town Walls, Vale Consultancy The Links, Acorn Property Group Maesyffynnon Extra Care Facility, Linc Cymru

EMPLOYER (Sponsored by Cardiff Life) Goodsheds Hydrock Pentan Architects Principality Commercial Services Design Solution Watts Group Willmott Dixon FINANCIAL (Sponsored by MDA Consulting) Hodge Commercial

LEGAL Acuity Law Blake Morgan CJCH Conveyancing Insight Law Martyn Prowel Solicitors LETTINGS AGENT CF24 Property Services Edwards and Co NEXA Cardiff

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CARDIFF PROPERTY AWARDS | 26 NOVEMBER 2021 | THE COAL EXCHANGE HOTEL

SPONSORED CONTENT

Will at ease Wills, Probabate and Intestacy Rules are often confusing terrain.

Georgia Evans of BERRY SMITH LAWYERS breaks them down...

I

t is a common misconception that if you have a Will, your estate does not need to go ‘through Probate.’ This is not the case; however, it is important to have a Will in place.

What is ‘Probate’ and is it needed?

A Grant of Representation (Grant of Probate if the deceased left a Will; Grant of Letters of Administration if they did not) is a formal document with a seal which is issued by the Probate Registry.

A Grant (short for Grant of Representation) may be required to administer a person’s estate.

If the person’s estate consisted of property or investments and accounts exceeding £20,000 the executors will need to apply for and receive a Grant before they deal with those assets.

So, even if you have a Will your estate may need to go ‘through Probate’ – however, this should not make you question the importance of having a Will.

Why should I have a Will?

If you do not leave a Will, you are treated as dying intestate and therefore the Intestacy Rules will apply to your estate. These rules will dictate who is entitled to administer your estate (i.e. the ‘executor’) and will also dictate who will benefit from your estate.

Should I have concerns about the Intestacy Rules?

Yes, if you do not want the Intestacy Rules to dictate. The role of an ‘executor’ is difficult, time consuming, and often emotional; the person that may be entitled to act in the role in accordance with the Rules may therefore not be the right person for the role. If you make a Will, you can appoint your own executor(s) who may be notified that you have chosen them for the role before they need to accept it.

Similarly, you may wish to provide for people to receive sums of money or items on your death, and the Rules do not provide for this. You will

Georgia Evans

need to make a Will if you wish to make such provisions. You may also need to make a Will if you do not want your estate to pass to the beneficiaries as set out in the Rules. n

If you would like more advice concerning Wills and Grant of Representation, please contact either Georgia Evans or Christopher Beames on 02920 345 511 or gevans@berrymsmith.com.

© PHOTO BY MAT T CROCKET T

CARDIFF LIVES

“There’s a whole generation who would only have seen me as Alfie Moon” queen’, and because it was so different to the next character I was lined up to play on stage [Archie Rice in The Entertainer] I thought ‘I need to do this’.

SHANE RICHIE Shane Richie is playing Hugo, AKA drag legend Loco Chanelle, in the UK and Ireland tour of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, coming to Cardiff. Here he tells us about dancing in heels and daring to be different Shane Richie, known best as Alfie Moon in Eastenders, wants us all to know that the message within Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a hugely important one. And that is: be yourself, don’t be afraid to be different, and celebrate diversity.

The smash-hit musical – which was recently adapted into a movie – about an aspiring young drag queen is currently on tour and is coming to Wales Millennium Centre in November. Shane tells us more…

We’re looking forward to seeing you perform in Cardiff!

I think it’s the first time I’ll have performed at the Wales

Millennium Centre but I love Cardiff; I’ve got lots of friends in Cardiff and I’ve played other theatres there. Also, you only need to travel 15 or 20 minutes out of the city and you’re in some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK.

You first played Hugo/ Loco Chanelle in 2019, what hooked you in about the role?

I’d just come out of EastEnders and I was kind of happy just to have a break, but then Nica [the show’s producer] got in touch with my manager and said ‘There’s a part Shane’s perfect for.’ So I went to see Jamie and was like ‘Oh my God, I just love this show!’ They said ‘We’d like you to play a Sheffield drag

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

Did it take long for you to master the high heels?

It’s one thing standing in fiveinch heels, it’s another thing to walk in them and another thing entirely to dance in them. I’d do the school run, then come home, put the heels on and walk around the kitchen. My wife was like ‘Seriously, if the Tesco delivery man comes, you’re not answering the door in high heels!’ but I walked everywhere in them.

How did you prepare to play Hugo’s drag queen alter ego, Loco Chanelle?

My dad used to run clubs in London, so from age 10 I was used to seeing men in drag.

Then on one of my very first tours, when I was 17/18, there were three drag queens and two strippers in the show. I knew drag queens, I grew up with them, and I knew Danny La Rue. It’s funny now, if you’d have said to me 30-odd years ago that drag would be mainstream I’d have said ‘Don’t be stupid’ – but drag is mainstream now and quite rightly so.

What kind of feedback have you had from fans?

Those who have followed my career for years loved it, but

there’s a whole generation who would only have seen me as Alfie Moon. There’d be these young girls whose mums wanted to come see the show because they’re going ‘What? Alfie’s playing a drag queen? I’ll come see that with you, darling’. If I can bring another generation to come see Jamie – the 40-plusyear-olds who wouldn’t normally come see a show like this – and then they love it, then I’m happy.

From the outside looking in they might be like, ‘Oh, it’s about a gay boy who wants to wear a dress’ but it’s not about that at all. Right at the beginning he’s going, ‘I’m gay, get over it’. It’s not about someone being gay, it’s about someone who dares to be different.

How important do you think that message is?

It’s so relevant. We’re in a country where there are so many social, political and cultural changes going on and people are being divided. We’re getting angry with each other, there’s the Far Left and the Far Right, then here’s a show that goes ‘Be who you wanna be, let others be who they want to be, and celebrate diversity’. n

See Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Wales Millennium Centre from 15 – 20 November; www.wmc.org.uk

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