Cardiff Life - Issue 268

ISSUE 268 / LATE-FEBRUARY 2023 / £3

THE CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS FINALISTS’ AND SPONSORS’ PARTY PICS

CREATURE COMFORTS

ISSUE 268 / LATE-FEBRUARY 2023 / INTO THE WILD

THE WILD ESCAPE, THE LARGEST EVER COLLABORATION BETWEEN UK MUSEUMS, HAS LANDED IN CARDIFF

MUM’S THE WORD

OUR #SHOPLOCAL MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

LEGENDS WHO LUNCH

TOP OF THE POP-UPS

WE TRY OUT THE GORSE EXPERIENCE FOR OURSELVES

THAT’LL TEACH YOU

AN INSIGHT INTO THE LOCAL EDUCATION SECTOR

THE BIGGEST EVER LUNCH HELD IN WALES, CELEBRATING 50 YEARS SINCE 'THAT TRY'

© TAI SHANI

EDITOR’S LETTER

A Tai Shani artwork, created for The Wild Escape, currently showing at National Museum Wales, Cardiff.

See page 11 for more

O

n our front cover this month, you’ll find an FKA Twigs’ artwork, A Self-Portrait in Venus, Through a TwoFold Screen; it’s part of a major new project which sees 500 museums taking part, including Cardiff’s National Museum Wales. The Wild Escape aims to inspire hundreds of thousands of children to visit museums and learn about the UK’s natural environment through art (page 11).

Talking about big events, we were recently lucky enough to bag a ticket to the largest ever lunch held in Wales, where legendary rugby union players of the 70s gathered to mark a milestone in the sport’s history. Held exactly 50 years to the day since ‘that try’ was scored at the famous 1973 match between the Barbarians and the All Blacks in Cardiff, the event was a triumph; read about it on pages 20 and 47.

We document another memorable experience in this issue, too; we were invited to try out Gorse, a high-end, show-stopping pop-up restaurant with a current residency at Ground bakery in Pontcanna. There, we tried out the intriguingly different nine-course set menu from Tom Waters, a chef with a sparkling background of cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants in London (page 40).

Elsewhere in this issue, we’ve been finding out what’s new, what’s in the pipeline, and what the hot topics are at a handful of local educational institutions – from schools, to colleges to unis.

Turn to page 52 for that one. And we have plenty more too, in the form of shopping, business, what’s on and real lives.

Enjoy!

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A

r ein clawr blaen y mis hwn fe welwch chi waith celf gan FKA Twigs, ‘A self-portrait in Venus, through a two-fold screen’; mae’n rhan o brosiect newydd o bwys y mae 500 o amgueddfeydd yn cymryd rhan ynddo, gan gynnwys Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd. Nod ‘The Wild Escape’ yw ysbrydoli cannoedd o filoedd o blant i ymweld ag amgueddfeydd a dysgu am amgylchedd naturiol y DU drwy waith celf. Trowch i dudalen 11 i gael gwybod mwy.

Ac o sôn am ddigwyddiadau mawr, roeddem yn ddigon ffodus yn ddiweddar i gael tocyn i’r cinio mwyaf erioed i’w gynnal yng Nghymru, lle daeth chwaraewyr rygbi enwog o’r 70au ynghyd i nodi carreg filltir yn hanes y gamp.

Cynhaliwyd y cinio 50 mlynedd yn union i’r diwrnod y cafodd y cais cofiadwy hwnnw ei sgorio yn y gêm enwog rhwng y Barbariaid a’r Crysau Duon yng Nghaerdydd yn 1973. Roedd y digwyddiad yn llwyddiant mawr a gallwch ddarllen amdano ar dudalennau 20 a 47.

Rydym hefyd yn rhoi sylw i brofiad cofiadwy arall yn y rhifyn hwn; cawsom wahoddiad i Gorse, sef bwyty dros dro sy’n gweini bwyd moethus, trawiadol ac sydd ym mhopty Ground ym Mhontcanna ar hyn o bryd. Yno, buom yn blasu bwydlen osod Tom Waters, sy’n cynnwys naw cwrs ac sy’n rhyfeddol o wahanol. Mae Tom yn gogydd disglair sydd wedi bod yn coginio mewn bwytai â sêr Michelin yn Llundain (tudalen 40).

Fel arall yn y rhifyn hwn rydym wedi bod yn darganfod beth sy’n newydd, beth sydd yn yr arfaeth a beth yw’r pynciau trafod mewn llond llaw o sefydliadau addysg lleol – o ysgolion i golegau a phrifysgolion. Mae’r erthygl honno ar dudalen 52. Ac rydym yn rhoi sylw i ddigon o bethau eraill hefyd – siopa, byd busnes, digwyddiadau, a bywydau go iawn.

Mwynhewch!

LISA EVANS

Follow us on Twitter @CardiffLifeMag Instagram @cardifflifemag

Issue 268 / Late-February 2023 ON THE COVER A self-portrait in Venus, through a two-fold screen (2023)

by FKA Twigs. © The FKA Factory, courtesy of the artist, Art Fund.

For more, see page 11

FEATURES

20 THE GREATEST TRY Marking a milestone in rugby’s history 26 BIG INTERVIEW Chatting to the creator of The Rocky Horror

PHOTO BY MAT T HORWOOD

Show on its 50th anniversary

ARTS AND EVENTS

11 ARTS The Wild Escape, the largest ever collaboration between

the UK’s museums

40

14 WHAT’S ON Shows, music, exhibitions, family events and more 44 SCENE Papping some of the most popular events locally – can

you spot yourself?

SHOPPING

34 EDITOR’S CHOICE Local buys, local love

52

FOOD & DRINK

37 TASTY BITES A handful of foodie news morsels to chew on 39 JANE COOK Our food and drink columnist spills the tea 40 RESTAURANT REVIEW Chef Tom Waters treats us to the

Gorse experience

EDUCATION

51 LIVE AND LEARN Victoria Bond talks school issues 52 THAT’LL TEACH YOU Hot topics in the education sector

BUSINESS

56 CARDIFF WORKSNews and views and brilliant businesses

TRAVEL

60 TIME TO RETREAT Cardiff and Exeter’s best cosy staycations

and getaways

REGULARS

9 SPOTLIGHT Just a handful of feel-good stories 31 WYBURN AND WAYNE Our columnists have been out and

about again

66 CARDIFF LIVES Chatting with the star of Grandmother’s Closet at

Wales Millennium Centre

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, Victoria Bond Commercial manager Mark George mark.george@ mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Jordan Chambers jordan.chambers@mediaclash.co.uk Production/Distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah. kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager/Production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@ mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Cardiff Life MediaClash, Carriage Court, 22 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

SPOTLIGHT A FOCUS ON FEEL- GOOD STORIES

PHOTO BY KIR AN RIDLEY

Anniversary

LIFE BEGINS AT 40

WHAT’S COMING UP AT ST DAVID’S HALL

St David’s Hall celebrates its 40th anniversary this month

This month, St David’s Hall, the national concert hall and conference centre of Wales, on The Hayes, Cardiff, celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Since opening, millions of concert-goers have ocked to the venue to experience the auditorium’s awe-inspiring sound, which continues to host some of the world’s best orchestras.

The Hall hosts illustrious events such as the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, the International Concert Series, the Welsh Proms and the British Academy Cymru Awards, to name just a few.

As well as hosting world-class classical music, ballets and opera, the auditorium has had a hugely diverse array of stars grace its stage

including ir Anthony Hopkins, U2, Adele, Sir Elton John, Ray Davies, Johnny Cash, Tina Turner, Miles Davis, Joe Calzaghe, Brian Wilson and Sir Ranulph Fiennes among many others. And the L3 Lounge has provided exposure for the burgeoning careers of Amy Winehouse and Jamie Cullum.

It’s owned, managed and funded

by Cardiff Council with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Annually, it hosts approximately 300 performances attended by audiences in excess of 250,000. It continues to be a leading venue in the cultural and continuing development of Cardiff as one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities.

For more: www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

BBC NOW: ST DAVID’S DAY 1 March

oin BBC N W and conductor ac van Steen for a St David’s Day concert that will celebrate the diverse traditions of the storytelling Wales is so famous for.

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR 8 March

Embark on a thrilling night of adventure with a brand-new collection of short films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival.

St David’s Hall has hosted some of the world’s best orchestras

ANYTHING FOR LOVE 18 March

Following his 2022 sell-out tour, Steve teinman brings you his brand new production featuring Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman’s greatest hits.

I’M SORRY I HAVEN’T A CLUE 19 March BBC Radio’s multi award-winning antidote to panel games returns to the stage with its sell-out touring show.

With ack Dee, Rory Bremner, Pippa Evans, Milton Jones, and Marcus Brigstocke.

BBC NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF WALES 25 March

BBC National rchestra of Wales welcomes Conductor Laureate Tadaaki taka and imone Lamsma as they perform firm favourites.

Books

OPEN BOOK

Zoey Allen

Happy families come in many shapes and si es, and soon-to-be-released children’s picture book My Momma Zo showcases just that. Written by Cardiff’s oey and Kelly Allen, and illustrated by Tara ’Brien, the colourful book is about a family with two mums, one of whom is trans.

Written from the child’s point of view, it shows some of the di culties Momma o has when coming out as trans, but also highlights how accepting children can be. t’s due for public release on 2 March and is already available to pre order through Waterstones and Browns Books. t will be available at a few Cardiff shops too, including The Queer Emporium on St Mary’s Street, and helf Life at The Corp Market.

For more: www.ourtransitionallife.com

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INTO THE WILD

ARTS

A major project – which sees 500 museums taking part – has landed in Cardiff.

Here we explore The Wild Escape

Es Devlin, Phoenix Picture-Winged Fly, created for The Wild Escape

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ARTS

I

© THE FK A FACTORY, COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

xxxxx

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DID YOU KNOW

• 15 per cent of all wildlife in the UK is now threatened with extinction, and more than 40 million birds have disappeared from the UK’s skies since 1970.

• Hedgehog numbers have fallen by around 66 per cent since 1995.

• Butterflies and moths decreased in average abundance by 16 per cent and 25 per cent respectively between 1970 and 2016, and a third of pollinator species have declined.

© PHOTO BY ANGEL A PALMER

nspired by the BBC’s major forthcoming Wild Isles series presented by Sir David Attenborough, The Wild Escape is the largest ever collaboration between the UK’s museums.

The project – which sees 500 museums taking part, including Cardiff’s National Museum Wales – aims to inspire hundreds of thousands of children to visit museums. It will also encourage kids to respond creatively to the threat to our natural environment by looking for animals featured in museum collections and creating their own wildlife artworks. The children’s animals will be brought to life in a newly imagined epic-scale artwork, created by leading immersive games studio PRELOADED, to be unveiled on Earth Day 2023 (22 April).

Leading artists, including FKA Twigs, Es Devlin, Heather Phillipson, Rana Begum, Mollie Ray, Yinka honibare, Tai hani, Claire Twomey, Mark Wallinger, Angela Palmer, have created artworks based on animals in museum collections to inspire children to take part.

“The Wild Escape aims to change children’s awareness and understanding of biodiversity loss,” says Jenny Waldman, director at Art Fund, the UK’s leading arts charity, which is running the project.

“We want to show how museums, by working together, can bring a fresh angle to learning, especially to welcome children’s creative responses to our great collections. We want every child to learn from and enjoy what museums can offer while at the same time drawing attention to the threat of biodiversity loss in this country, one of the defining challenges of our lives.” n he Wild sca e at ational Museum Wales Cardiff is o en to take art in from now until uly www.artfund.org

ABOVE: Angela Palmer, If Pigs Could Fly and Fish Could Walk; BELOW: FKA Twigs (The

FKA Factory), A Self-Portrait in Venus, Through a Two-Fold Screen

© PHOTO COURTESY NATIONAL PORTR AIT GALLERY, ART FUNDED 20 02

“The Wild Escape aims to change children’s awareness and understanding of biodiversity loss”

Sam Taylor-Johnson, Self-Portrait in a Single-Breasted Suit with Hare

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The legend Sir Tom Jones is coming to Cardiff Castle this summer

WHAT’S ON From Fe ruary onwards

PLAYS, SHOWS & CONCERTS On now, until 26 February GRANDMOTHER’S CLOSET (AND WHAT I FOUND THERE) An autobiographical musical adventure that promises mischief and mashups and a whole lot of heart. For more, see page 66.

Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff Bay www.wmc.org.uk

On now, until 4 March

MAMMA MIA! Experience the ultimate feel-good factor at the world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical.

Set on a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity is cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA. ew heatre ark lace www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

On now, until 15 April

CABARET’S INAUGURAL SEASON New venue Cabaret opens in February as part of Wales Millennium Centre’s transformation.

Cabaret’s inaugural season features local collaborations with Cardiff Cabaret Club, Glitter Cymru and The Queer Emporium, as well as hot-ticket touring acts Big Band Burlesque and TV’s Paulus who celebrates the music of Victoria

Wood. Cabaret, Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff Bay www.wmc.org.uk

3 March

THE WELSH VARIETY EXTRAVAGANZA: TENOVUS CANCER CARE’S 80TH CELEBRATIONS A night of entertainment celebrating the Welsh charity’s rich history and many supporters over eight decades. Performers will include Strictly Come ancing’s Amy Dowden, singer Amy Wadge, comedian Mike Bubbins and West End star Sophie Evans, as well as Cardiff’s very own Victoria cone – drag queen and cabaret performer best known for competing on the third series of u aul s rag ace UK. St avid s all he ayes www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

5 March

THE MAGIC FLUTE Welsh National Opera will open a new production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute under the baton of WNO Music Director Tomáš Hanus. Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay www.wmc.org.uk

7 – 11 March

THE BET A48 Theatre Company has commissioned a new play by BAFTA Cymru award-winning writer Owen Thomas. he Bet is based on the lives of real people and

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real events portrayed by Owen in a witty, poetic and sometimes bizarre way. It provokes laughter, and then re ection.

Cha ter rts Canton www.cha ter.org

14 – 18 March

THE MOUSETRAP The 70th anniversary tour of The Mousetrap, the longest running play in the world, is visiting over 70 venues throughout the UK and Ireland. ew heatre ark lace www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

23 – 25 March

TREASURE ISLAND Based on the Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous novel, this new adaptation of Treasure Island by Ken Ludwig is a breath-taking yarn of piracy on the high seas. The Paget ooms enarth www. ods enarth.org

28 March – 1 April

MOTHER GOOSE Ian McKellen, John Bishop and Mel Giedroyc are to star in pantomime Mother Goose. Written by Jonathan Harvey (Coronation Street, Gimme Gimme Gimme) the show follows Mother Goose (McKellen) and her husband Vic (Bishop) who run an animal sanctuary and live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams.

But when a goose (Giedroyc) ies in, will fame and fortune get the better of them? Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay www.wmc.org.uk

COMEDY

Every Friday and Saturday

COMEDY NIGHTS Treat yourself to an evening of awardwinning comedy. Four superb stand-ups will keep you laughing until Monday. he lee Clu Mermaid uay www.glee.co.uk

25 February – 25 March (Saturdays)

THE COMEDY CABARET An award-winning variety stand-up show featuring three or more top UK comedians. All tickets include 3am nightclub access after the show. ry m ightclu reyfriars oad Cardiff www. ry m.co.uk

25 March

RUSSELL HOWARD As we reel from one global crisis to the next, join Russell, ‘the uplifting Comedy King’, as he puts the world to rights in his own uniquely hilarious way.

Cardiff nternational rena city centre www.cardi nternationalarena.co.uk

MUSIC & DANCING

On now, until 31 March

AMSERJAZZTIME RWCMD’s Friday jazz club performs everything from bebop, to funk and soul. WCM Cathays ark www.rwcmd.ac.uk

WHAT’S ON On now, until June

On now, until 11 March

PHOTO BY KIRSTEN MCTERNAN

THE CARDIFF CLASSICAL SERIES Expect 18 world-class concerts featuring the likes of award-winning cellist Laura van der Heijden and virtuoso pianist Paul Lewis.

St David’s Hall, The Hayes; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

24 March

FATBOY SLIM The announcement of Fatboy Slim’s tour arrives on the heels of his latest album, Right Here, Right Then.

Cardiff nternational Arena, city centre; www.cardi nternationalarena.co.uk

26 March

TOP: See Luke Hereford in Grandmother’s Closet (and What I Found There) at Wales Millennium Centre LEFT: Yinka Shonibare’s N.Starling artwork at The Wild Escape exhibition, National Museum Wales BELOW: The Rocky Horror Show celebrates 50 years of nonstop partying with a special anniversary production at the New Theatre

MICHAEL BUBLÉ: HIGHER TOUR Multi-platinum selling global superstar Michael Bublé has added an extra date, at Cardiff nternational Arena, to his highly anticipated UK tour, Higher – his first nationwide arena tour in more than four years.

Cardiff nternational rena city centre www.cardi nternationalarena.co.uk

PHOTO BY DAVID FREEMAN

On now, until 11 March

EDWARD MORLAND LEWIS Many of Welsh artist Edward Morland Lewis’s paintings were based on photographs he took himself. He tended to paint patchwork areas of colour laid over warm under-painting. He concentrated on the seaside towns of south Wales, reland, northern France and Spain. This rare exhibition brings together examples of his work. Martin inney allery St. ndrew s Crescent www.artwales.com

On now, until 17 March

SWINGS AND ROUNDABOUTS Welsh artist Charlotte Grayland will be presenting her largest solo exhibition to date; it will consider the exhuming of memory through objects and childhood games as a metaphor for how we can navigate our lives. Cardiff M ocha er Street oath www.cardiffmade.com

Most Fridays

NUKE Party anthems, cult classics and dance oor bangers. Clw for Bach Woman y Street www.clw .net

Most Saturdays

IWAN BALA AR BAPUR [ON PAPER] This exhibition presents new paintings by the prominent artist wan Bala. This new body includes over 30 mixed media works on paper – handmade cotton Khadi paper which is characteristic of Bala.This is Cymru on paper. allery oath www.gallery ten.co.uk

CARDIFF LATE NIGHT TICKET Grab your tickets to one of the biggest parties Cardiff has to offer, with banging anthems and bartenders who know how to get the party started. Ticket includes a cocktail, tequila shot and entry for the night. Arrival from 10pm. he Cocktail Clu St Mary Street Cardiff www.thecocktailclu .com

On now, until Mid-March

ARTS, EXHIBITIONS & CULTURE

WE ARE HERE, BECAUSE YOU WERE THERE n this collaborative project by photographer Andy Barnham and researcher Dr Sara de Jong, expect the use of portraiture and quotes to document the experiences of Afghan interpreters employed by the British Army who recently resettled to the UK. Ffotogallery Fanny Street Cathays www.ffotogallery.org

On now, until 4 March

NORTH WALES EXHIBITION A selection of great art from North Wales-based artists. he l any allery l any oad www.al anygallery.com

On now, until 5 March

WALES IS… PROUD This display will include objects from Pride events held across Wales, from protest banners to LGBTQ+ campaign badges.

St Fagans ational Museum of istory Cardiff www.museum.wales

PINK PORTRAITS REVISITED Portraits of the next generation of LGBT+ professionals working in film and TV will be exhibited across the city during February, in public spaces supplied by ack Arts in Cardiff as well as buildings across the city. cross Cardiff www.iris ri e.org

On now, until 25 March

On now, until 16 April

LEO ROBINSON: THE INFINITY CARD Artist and Musician Leo Robinson explores future world-building in The nfinity Card, his largest solo exhibition in Wales, at Chapter, Cardiff. Cha ter rts Canton www.cha ter.org

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PHOTO BY KIRSTEN MCTERNAN

On now, until 16 April

BBC 100 IN WALES This exhibition will explore a century of the BBC in Wales, featuring star items from programmes such as Doctor Who and Sherlock. ational Museum Cardiff Cathays ark www.museum.wales

On now, until July

THE WILD ESCAPE The Wild Escape is the largest ever collaboration between the UK’s museums. The project aims to inspire hundreds of thousands of children to visit museums. For more, see page 11. ational Museum Wales Cardiff www.artfund.org

24 – 25 March

DIFFERENT STROKES A fine art collaborative exhibition featuring Sadlier Art, Christopher Langley Original Art and Mo Ghrá Fine Art. avid loyd swich oad Cardiff www.davidlloyd.co.uk

Most weekends

CERAMIC WORKSHOPS Matthew Jones’ workshops cater for groups of up to four, all making pottery items on the wheel. Get creative, get your hands dirty and BYOB if you like. Matthew Jones Ceramics Barry oodsheds www.matthewjonesceramics.com

FOOD & DRINK Every week

CARDIFF FARMERS MARKETS More than 100 farmers and small producers sell food and drink across three regular markets every week: Rhiwbina Farmers Market on Fridays, Roath Farmers Market on Saturdays, and Riverside Farmers Market on Sundays. There is also a monthly market at St Fagans and pop-up markets at Cardiff Met University, and The Riverside night market takes place on the last Wednesday of the month. cross Cardiff www.riversidemarket.org.uk

From the National Dance Company Wales comes PULSE, at Sherman Theatre

SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

On now, until 18 March

SIX NATIONS FANHUB Every Wales game is being shown live at DEPOT Fanhub, described as ‘Cardiff’s most alternative venue to cheer on the lads’. Expect big screens, and scrumptious street food, plus live entertainment long into the night.

Curran m ankment www.de otcardiff.com

On now, until 17 April

THE VOICE OF THE RED WALL To celebrate Cymru qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, a new exhibition – part of the G yl Cymru Festival – shines a spotlight on some of the people and communities of The Red Wall.

The exhibition explores the fashion, music, identities and politics of the Cymru fans. St Fagans ational Museum of istory Cardiff www.museum.wales

26 February

CARDIFF DEVILS Calling all ice hockey fans the Cardiff Devils’ upcoming home fixtures have been released. The Devils attract sellout home crowds seeking a unique and thrilling entertainment experience on and off the ice. ce rena Wales lym ian rive Cardiff www.icearenawales.com

ST DAVID’S DAY 1 March

BBC NOW: ST DAVID’S DAY WELSH MYTH AND LEGEND – PAST AND PRESENT In a land long shrouded in myth and legend, storytelling is part of Welsh culture.

Many in Wales have grown up hearing the fabled stories in The Mabinogion, and the otherworldly folklore speaking of dragons, faeries, brave knights and patron saints. Join

BBC NOW and conductor Jac van Steen for a St David’s Day concert that will celebrate the diverse traditions of the storytelling Wales is so famous for. Expect Welsh folk ballads and music born in urban areas of the nation, to reflections of ancient Welsh myths told afresh by contemporary composers.

St David’s Hall, The Hayes; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

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OTHER

St avid s all he ayes www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

WINTER YOGA DAY RETREAT The day will start with an energising Gitananda Yoga session, then a break for tea and cake, before a walk around the grounds. The afternoon Yoga session will focus on relaxation. nsole Court landaff www.insolecourt.org

10 – 15 April

25 February

25 February

GRIFFIN BOOKS BOOKSHOPS EVENT The launch of aris e uiem by Chris Lloyd, where Chris will be interviewed by fellow Welsh author Alis Hawkins. he urner ouse allery enarth www.gri n ooks.co.uk

February – April, various dates

CARDIFF CASTLE GHOST TOUR Explore the majestic castle at night where you will discover its ghostly goings on. Cardiff Castle Castle Street www.darkwalestours.co.uk

26 March

WAG THIS WAY Dogs and their owners will be heading to Bute Park for a fun day out in aid of local charity City Hospice.

Bute ark ww.cityhos ice.org.uk

Every Friday

BINGO LINGO Cardiff, brace yourselves. This is one of the city’s biggest and wildest Friday nights out. They’ve taken bingo, shaken out the dust and turned it into one exhilarating, party, raving-mad event.

Curran m ankment www.de otcardiff.com

COMING SOON 1 April

SARA PASCOE: SUCCESS STORY The star of BBC2 stand-up special Sara ascoe: ads ads ads is back with a brand-new live comedy show.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW: 50TH ANNIVERSARY Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical celebrates 50 years of non-stop partying with this special anniversary production. Since it first opened in London in 1973, The Rocky Horror Show has become the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world. The show has been seen by over 30 million people worldwide in more than 30 countries and translated into 20 languages as it continues to delight audiences on its sell-out international tour. For more, see page 26. ew heatre ark lace www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

11 April

HIS LORDSHIP Rock ‘n’ roll duo His Lordship has announced a UK headline tour for spring. Having already made an indelible mark on London’s live scene, His Lordship is the new project from guitarist James Walbourne (The Pretenders, The Pogues, The Rails) and Kristoffer Sonne (Chrissie Hynde, Willie Nelson). It’s a riot of raging guitars and perverted drums from another dimension. Clw for Bach Woman y Street www.clw .net

22 April

PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT ‘JOY DIVISION: A CELEBRATION’ Peter Hook & The Light will be bringing ‘Joy Division: A Celebration’ to Cardiff. A founding member of the seminal Manchester act, Hooky will be revisiting Joy Division’s trailblazing debut Unknown leasures, plus its equally iconic follow-up Closer, live and in their entirety, with the accompaniment of his band The Light. ramshed Clare oad www.tramshedcardiff.com

WHAT’S ON The Lumineers are being brought to Cardiff by DEP T Live, the liveevents arm of The DEPOT – one of Cardiff’s most successful events venues. Cardiff Castle grounds www.de otcardiff.com

8 July

PHOTO BY NORMAN JEAN ROY

BASTILLE Bastille will headline a Saturday night set at Cardiff Castle this summer, as the headline act at DEP T in the Castle. Cardiff Castle grounds www.de otcardiff.com

21 and 24 July

Michael Bublé’s on his way to the CIA

11 May

PULSE From the National Dance Company Wales comes PULSE, a double bill which includes two brand new pieces: Walt from award-winning creator Marcos Morau, and Say Something by arah Golding Yukiko Masui.

Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road, Cathays Cardiff www.shermantheatre.co.uk

15 May

BEN FOGLE: WILD Broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle is taking his latest walk on the wild side to Cardiff with a new tour full of hair-raising and uplifting stories from a life of ama ing encounters. New Theatre, Park Place; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

17 May

BEYONCÉ: RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR This will be Bey’s third visit to Cardiff’s home of Welsh Rugby, first performing here in 201 , followed by 201 , as part of her much celebrated n The Run Tour, and her first ever joint tour with ay- .

Principality Stadium; Westgate Street; www.principalitystadium.wales

27 May

LET’S ROCK WALES The UK’s biggest retro festival brand has announced the headliners and performers for Let’s Rock Wales, at Cardiff’s Bute Park. They include Soft Cell, Wet Wet Wet, Tony Hadley, magination, Nik Kershaw, Go West, Heather Small, Heatwave, Hue & Cry, Five tar and many more. Bute ark Cardiff www.letsrockwales.com

28 May

JACK SAVORETTI Multi-chart-topping indie superstar Jack Savoretti will bring a special one-off outdoor performance to Cardiff’s Bute Park soon, on a Bank Holiday weekend. For one special evening, the tran uil 130 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland will undergo a Savoretti takeover, as the No1 UK chart topping singer songwriter steps onto the stage for an open-to-the-stars outside show.

Bute ark Cardiff www. ute ark.com

6 – 7 June

COLDPLAY: MUSIC OF THE SPHERES WORLD TOUR Since the band’s record-breaking tour began this year, more than four million tickets have been sold, and they show no signs of slowing down, with extra dates now added.

Principality Stadium; Westgate Street; www.principalitystadium.wales

16 June

BLONDIE Music legends Blondie are heading to the Welsh capital this summer.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame icons – whose chart-topping and era-defining career has seen them sell more than 40 million albums worldwide – will play at the iconic outdoor venue Cardiff Castle. Cardiff Castle Castle Street www.cardiffcastle.com

20 June

HARRY STYLES LOVE ON TOUR Due to popular demand (of course), international superstar Harry Styles has announced the continuation of Love n Tour with 19 newly

announced dates in Europe, including a show in Cardiff.

Principality Stadium; Westgate Street; www.principalitystadium.wales

22 – 25 June

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS Circus meets theatre in Around the World in 80 Days, a brand-new adaptation of ules Verne’s iconic story. Each member of the cast will multi-roll as a rag-tag band of travelling circus performers that embark on a daring mission to recreate Phileas Fogg’s race around the world. New Theatre, Park lace www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

2 July

STING: MY SONGS WORLD TOUR Rock icon Sting is bringing an exuberant and dynamic show, featuring his most beloved songs, to Cardiff. Cardiff Castle grounds www.de otcardiff.com

3 – 8 July

THE LUMINEERS BRIGHTSIDE WORLD TOUR

7 – 9 September

THE BAY SERIES The Bay Series is Wales’s biggest open-air concert series, delivering music, food and culture to Cardiff Bay with the help of some great musical names. The custom-built site at Alexandra Head will play host to headline acts The Streets on the 7th, N-Dub on the th, and The Chemical Brothers on the 9th. le andra ead Cardiff Bay www.livenation.co.uk

10 – 15 October

ANNIE Craig Revel Horwood will star as Miss Hannigan in a smash-hit production of the musical Annie. et in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, liver Warbucks. Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff Bay www.wmc.org.uk

7 July

SIR TOM JONES: AGES AND STAGES TOUR Following unprecedented demand, legendary music icon Tom Jones has confirmed an extra date at Cardiff Castle this summer. This will be ir Tom’s first headline concert in the Welsh capital in over two decades.

Sir Tom’s remarkable music career spans more than six decades in the business, and at the age of 82, he is without a doubt one of the most famous singers on the planet.

Cardiff Castle Castle Street www.cardiffcastle.com

IRIS PRIZE The ‘Oscars’ of the LGBTQ+ short film world are now open for submissions. The event is the world’s largest short film festival of its kind. The ris Pri e LGBT Film Festival is looking for short and feature films and has 14 awards to hand out, including the internationally coveted 30,000 ris Pri e. www.irisprize.org

20 – 22 October

S N FESTIVAL n 2023 earlybird tickets are on sale now. The festival is focused on new music, emerging artists and homegrown acts. They take over a great big handful of venues and spaces in Cardiff and curate an electrifying weekend of refreshing music. www.swnfest.com

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

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SPORT

THE GREATEST TRY At the biggest ever lunch held in Wales, many of the most legendary rugby union players of the 70s gathered to mark a milestone in the sport’s history. Held exactly 50 years to the day since ‘that try’ was scored at the famous 1973 match between the Barbarians and the All Blacks in Cardiff, the event was a triumph, and we were invited to experience it first hand Words by Alex Brown Photography by Steve Pope, Fotowales

Gareth Edwards

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

SPORT

I

Mike Gibson, John Bevan, Tommy David, Derek Quinnell, JPR Williams, Willie John McBride and Sir Gareth Edwards

t is, of course, Sir Gareth’s try. A moment in time as legendary as the great man who crossed the line himself.

But it is also Phil Bennett’s. And JPR’s. And everyone else who touched the ball in those few seconds that dazzled everyone who ever saw it.

But something occurred to me, while I sat with more than 1,100 people to celebrate The Greatest Try: There’s a little bit of this try that belongs to all of us. t may have been scored five years before was born, but because this is rugby being played the way we all dream of playing the sport, it means something special to me and I bet that’s true of all rugby fans. t may have been scored in Cardiff, in our nation’s cathedral of rugby, but because it was in that beautiful black and white shirt of the Barbarians, the team we all cheer on no matter the opposition, it is a moment which unites all rugby fans – even now, half a century later we are cheering them on. t is the glorious length of the field, o oading, running rugby that we dreamed of playing as youngsters, and if you’re anything like me, it still exists in my dreams now, despite the boots being hung up many years ago.

It is perfection (everyone has a favourite something) – for music fans it is the song you can close your eyes to and let it take over; a favourite book might transport to another world; some people sit for hours in a gallery and gaze upon a painting, unable to break their stare. For rugby fans, this is the moment. It is sport, but it is also poetry, song, art, sporting perfection. It is skill, it is beauty and it is absolutely unrivalled.

I was lucky enough to be among the guests at the luncheon at The ICC Celtic Manor Resort to celebrate The Greatest Try – held at the end of January, exactly 50 years to the day since ‘that try’ was scored at the famous 1973 match between the Barbarians and the All Blacks.

For a rugby bore like me, it was heaven. Sat in the same room as the greats of our game, the legends – dare I say, the Gods – of rugby.

Sir Gareth Edwards CBE, Willie John McBride CBE, JPR Williams MBE, Tommy David, Derek Quinnell, Mike Gibson MBE and John

Bevan were all on stage recalling their roles in that perfect moment (the chief takeaway being that they all expected Phil Bennett to kick the ball up the line, rather than sidestep away from a quarter of the New Zealand team).

The players – and the audience – were also treated to a surprise video call from three key All Blacks players from the famous 1973 game: Ian Kirkpatrick, Sir Bryan Williams and Alistair Scown, who dialled in live from their New Zealand homes to take part in the celebration.

Away from the stage, I was sat with even more rugby royalty. To my left I had Wales and Llanelli heroes Roy Bergiers and Delme Thomas.

And all afternoon two voices of pure rugby poetry drifted across the table the former Wales and Lions anker, and commentator, ohn Taylor, and Welsh journalism’s voice of rugby, Peter Jackson.

And as the highlights of the match were played on four huge screens, we were reminded of what we have lost. The sound of Cliff Morgan, another player seemingly blessed with a gift from above, whose commentary of The Greatest Try (“Brilliant…oh, that’s brilliant”) is almost as famous as the score itself. And Phil Bennett, who passed away last year, the man who started the score. Without the magnificent Benny, it wouldn’t have happened. Every mention of the great man brought smiles at our table as the greats around me recalled their friend.

The event closed with a surprise moment as Tommy David, Derek Quinnell, John Bevan, John Taylor and Delme Thomas were called up to the stage to be inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame.

A special charity auction also took place, with prizes including lunch with ir Gareth Edwards and Lady Maureen Edwards, and a coffee date with Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones – which scored a winning bid of £8,000. With individuals and businesses making pledges, a sizeable amount was raised on the night to support The Greatest Try’s two sponsored charities: Working Options in Education, and the Sir Gareth Edwards Cancer Charity. n

“Sat in the same room as the greats of our game, the legends – dare I say, the Gods – of rugby”

For more: www.thegreatesttry.com

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

SPORT

Can you remember what was going through your head in those few moments after the try? Did you think “this is going to be a try we talk about forever” or was it more a case of “we’ve got 76 minutes left to beat a pretty special New Zealand team here?”

I was glad that my hamstrings were still intact after sprinting so hard, so early in the game, and my second thought was that I wished I had scored that in the last few minutes rather than the first few. I knew the way we scored the try from virtually own line would rile up the All Blacks to come at us even harder.

5 MINUTES WITH SIR GARETH EDWARDS The sequence that led to ‘that try’ was famously started by the late Phil Bennett sidestepping away from trouble near the goal line. As the ball had been in play for a while at that point, was there any part of you that was hoping he’d kick the ball out?

As the game had started frantically and with no real structure, it was my first thought as soon as it left Bryan Williams’ boot. Phil will gather the ball and put it into touch, we can have a breather and start again.

Almost all of us know this try from the TV footage (and commentary), but what can you remember from your view?

My immediate thought after John Dawes started running was that I needed to catch up with play pretty quickly, so I started sprinting for what I initially thought would be a breakdown somewhere on halfway, and as a scrum half I needed to be there.

How was the 50th anniversary celebration for you?

It was an amazing day, and it was great to see so many old friends together again. It’s not often these days that we get to do it. And to have more than 1,000 people come and celebrate rugby’s history – and our part in it – well, that was incredible.

“Having Ian [Kirkpatrick], Bryan [Williams] and Alistair [Scown] with us live from New Zealand was the icing on the cake really, because they were truly some of the greatest players I’ve ever faced, I respect them immensely and to have them celebrate with us was really special.

What are some of your favourite places in Cardiff?

Since the age of 18, one of the most special places in my heart has been Cardiff Rugby Club.

Tell us something not many people know about you…

I once represented England as a schoolboy athlete.

What are your hobbies and/or hidden talents?

Fishing.

Finally, surprise us…

Boo!

The Greatest Try painting, featuring Sir Gareth crossing the try line, by Elin Siân Blake

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 23

SPONSORED CONTENT

NIPT AND ME LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY Planning a pregnancy and being pregnant is an important time but also a time of uncertainty and anxiety for many. INNERMOST HEALTHCARE are here to help...

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lthough many pregnancies are unplanned, there is an opportunity prior to getting pregnant for women to optimise their health and the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Consider issues such as stopping smoking and alcohol consumption, adopting a healthy diet and managing your weight, taking folic acid, checking your blood pressure and talking to your GP about any health issues like diabetes, epilepsy etc.

PRENATAL SCREENING IN THE UK

Currently in the UK all pregnant women are offered an ultrasound scan and a hormone blood test (Combined Test) around 11-13 weeks of pregnancy to screen for Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome and Patau Syndrome. These are genetic conditions due to an extra copy of a chromosome e.g. chromosome 21 in Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21). These conditions are associated with learning difficulties, heart and structural developmental problems, miscarriage and stillbirth. They are also more likely to occur in babies born to older pregnant women.

Those with an increased chance are then offered a blood test called NIPT which can analyse DNA from the pregnancy which is circulating in the mother’s blood stream. If this shows a high chance of the baby having the condition then amniocentesis would be offered.

This is a diagnostic test based on a sample of fluid taken from the pregnancy sac. This test, however, carries a 1:200 risk of miscarriage. This approach to screening can only identify about 85 per cent of pregnancies where the baby has one of these conditions. This is because only those with a more than 1:150 chance are offered NIPT and / or amniocentesis.

NIPT TEST

Some people will choose to have NIPT directly as it is a more reliable test than the Combined Test with a 99 per cent detection rate for Down Syndrome, Edward Syndrome and Patau Syndrome. PANORAMA NIPT can be done from nine weeks of pregnancy and works for twins.

Another advantage of the PANORAMA NIPT test is it can screen for a wider range of genetic conditions and identify the sex of both the 24 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

baby or babies if twins. Not only can it identify the chance of having extra chromosomes but also the chance of having certain missing parts of a chromosome (microdeletions). One of the common microdeletions is due to a missing part of chromosome 22 called Di George Syndrome.

Babies with this condition have an increased risk of heart defects, cleft palate, immune problems, seizures and learning difficulties.

Not all NIPT tests are the same and some of the more advanced tests such as PANORAMA use artificial intelligence and advanced laboratory testing to analyse the results making them even more accurate and allowing them to identify a wider range of conditions. They can also identify some pregnancies at higher risk of placental problems, miscarriage and poor growth in later pregnancy that may benefit from closer monitoring.

THINKING ABOUT TESTING

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condition occurs, how it will affect the baby and what it would mean for them and their families. It also helps them to make specific plans of care for babies who might need them.

For more information about NIPT and our testing services, please get in touch or scan the QR code below. n

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Ashtree Medical Clinic, 3 Ashtree Court, Woodsy Close, Cardiff, CF23 8RW Email clinic@innermosthealthcare.com Tel: 03331217121

BIG INTERVIEW

TIME WARP Here we chat to the creator of The Rocky Horror Show, Richard ’Brien, about its 50th anniversary, coming to Cardiff in April

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ichard ’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical celebrates 50 years of non-stop partying with a special anniversary production coming to Cardiff’s New Theatre. ince it first opened in London in 1973, The Rocky Horror Show has become the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world.

The show has been seen by over 30 million people in more than 30 countries, and it’s been translated into 20 languages. As it continues to delight audiences on its sell-out international tour, here we chat to the brain behind it...

What was your original inspiration behind the Rocky Horror Show?

Someone asked me to entertain the Christmas staff party at the EM Film tudios and so wrote a song, Science Fiction Double Feature, and with the help of some jokes, performed it to much laughter and applause. n the New Year wondered whether it might serve as a prologue to the germ of an idea that had for a musical. shared that thought with Jim Sharman who had directed Jesus Christ Superstar. im liked the concept and away we went.

Why do you think it is still successful today, half a century later?

t is simply a musical comedy and as long as it rocks, and the audience are laughing what more could you wish for t’s very inclusive, it’s very easy to watch. t’s not rocket science as far as narrative is concerned – Brad and anet are a couple that we kind of recognise as Adam and Eve or Romeo and uliet, like a stereotypical couple, we can all relate to them. t is also a fairy tale which allows us to feel comfortable with its rites-of-passage storyline; a retelling of Hansel and Gretel if you like, with Frankfurter standing in for the wicked witch.

The Rocky Horror Show creates an atmosphere that is different from other theatre shows. What about the show do you believe makes audiences feel comfortable joining in?

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

The innocent, rather naughty, fun of it draws not only a ‘theatre’ crowd but also people who want a fun evening and a guaranteed return on the investment of their ticket price.

What was happening in your life at the time you wrote the show?

was a recent father of my first child and out of work when wrote the show. 1972-73 was a moment of change. Glamrock and overt sexuality was around, gay people were coming out and there was a ‘bu ’ in the air. There are certain parts of the world where we are a little bit more free to be ourselves. London is certainly one of them. Back in the seventies you had gay bars, but now you don’t need to because if you walk into most bars in London there will be a gay man behind the bar. That is rather nice.

“Luck plays an awfully big part in our lives. ou should never underestimate that” How do you believe the show supports those who are questioning their identity or sexuality?

The support for the LBGT community was unintended but it is a very welcome addition to the laughter and toe tapping.

Has the show supported your own journey surrounding your identity?

t has been, to some extent, cathartic but have always gone my own way and played the cards that was dealt at birth the best way that can.

Do you have a favourite character?

would have loved to have played Rocky, that would have been cool, wouldn’t it But one thing is essential, you have to be rather handsome, and you know, muscular, and that ain’t going to work. could have played anet. They’re all so stupidly wonderful these characters, they’re iconographic.

How do you think the live shows compare to the film?

The live show has an energy that the movie doesn’t have – it wasn’t intentional, but the film was very slow. nce some fans came up to me and said, did you leave the gaps between the lines so that we the audience could say our lines said, Well, ok yes . But no, we didn’t.

The movie is a very surreal, almost dreamlike journey, the live show is far more rock and roll.

What’s your favourite part of the show?

The noise at the end of Rocky is wonderful – it is empowering and exhilarating, and at the same time it is uite joyous. Rocky never fails to deliver. Each performance lifts the heart and the nightly laughter and roars of approval leave the whole cast with a sense of wellbeing and accomplishment that you rarely get from any other shows.

It remains a huge hit around the world. Do you think the show would be as successful if written today?

Timing is very important, as is luck. eitgeist sums it up. There are lots of variables in this e uation, for instance, would it have been as successful if someone other than Tim Curry had played the lead

How has the show developed over time?

Have there been any adaptations in the past 50 years?

t has remained much the same through the years. f it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

How different do you think your life might have been without Rocky?

have no idea but, would have had a good life because am made that way. My journey has been a different one than others. guess some people have a game plan. would imagine they’re rather humourless. Most of us get an opportunity and we wing it. Luck plays an awfully big part in our lives. You should never underestimate that. am the luckiest person on the planet. shall be happy as long as can keep singing. n See The Rocky Horror Show from 10 – 15 April at Cardiff s ew heatre www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

Richard O’Brien

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WYBURN & WAYNE

“Beyoncé, Bublé and Blondie have all added Cardiff to their summer tours”

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

S

o many exciting acts have announced concerts in Cardiff this summer and, yes, we joined that massive online queue to snap up tickets for Tom Jones Live in Cardiff Castle.

Tom wasn’t the only big name to announce Cardiff gigs this month; Beyonc , Bubl and Blondie have all added Cardiff to their summer tours.

In other news, Matthew Bourne brought his spellbinding Slee ing Beauty to Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) recently, and in true Bourne style it was mesmerising and packed full of all the slick choreography we’ve come to expect of him.

Also, this month saw the opening of the new Cabaret venue at the WMC; some incredible acts have already announced shows there and we are very excited to see our Dragged to Church superstar Wilma Ballsdrop sing re udice to ride: he reat ay Song ook next month.

Buffy evam ed came to The New Theatre recently and of course we were there; we are the biggest fans of the TV show so we were super excited to see anything related. Star of the show Brendan Murphy invited us backstage to see the set, and Nathan got to show off his Buffy tattoos before Brendan had us in stitches throughout the performance. It was an absolute hoot and the theatre was packed to the rafters.

We continue to bring diverse and entertaining events to St Andrews and the Coffee Court in Roath, and it was so exciting to have New Wave Wrestling back with us this February; it was another sold-out show featuring some of the best Welsh wrestlers in the business. Keep an eye out for future matches at St Andrews, exciting times ahead.

So many new bars and restaurants have opened in the last few months in the city, but we recently celebrated a birthday at an old favourite in the city, Ty Madeira. After many years of business in the city it still remains as popular as ever.

At the time of writing, the Cardiff ife Awards (on 23 February) are fast approaching, and as nominees – for Cardiff Theatre Cafe and Pride in Roath – we attended the Finalists party at The Park Plaza recently. It’s always great to see and hear about the people who are making Cardiff such a successful and vibrant city.

As proud ambassadors of Kinetic School of Performing Arts, we are thrilled to see it go from strength to strength and starting extra classes all over Cardiff. The launch of Kinetic Premiere has proved successful as an adult class for anyone interested in stage and acting.

If you follow our socials, you’ll know that Wayne became very unwell in January and it resulted in him being admitted to The University Hospital of Wales. He’s making great progress and is now home. He would like to thank everyone for their well wishes but would like to say an extra thank you to the incredible NH staff that took care of him in A&E, CCU and Ward B7. We are lucky to have such dedicated NH staff here in Cardiff to care for us when we need it. Thank You. out our columnists: athan Wy urn is a o culture artist who uses non traditional mediums such as Marmite eans soil and fake tan and Wayne Courtney is a healthcare su ort worker at niversity os ital of Wales. hey are also adio Cardiff s with their own show and they run St ndrew s Coffee Court in Cardiff. Follow them on social: wy urnandwayne wy urnwayne

TOP 5

The Cardiff events we can’t wait for…

• The Welsh Variety Extravaganza: Tenovus Cancer Care’s 80th Celebrations 3 March; St David’s Hall; www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk • Mamma Mia! On now, until 4 March; New Theatre; www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk • Glitter Cymru presents: A Glittery Evening! 5 March; Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk • A48 Theatre Company’s The Bet 7 – 11 March; Chapter Arts, Canton; www.chapter.org • Romeo and Julie 13 – 29 April; Sherman Theatre; www.shermantheatre.co.uk

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY (LPA) Georgia Evans of BERRY SMITH LAWYERS answers your FAQs

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n LPA enables your chosen attorneys to make important decisions on your behalf. Currently there are two types of LPA; LPA for Property and Financial Affairs, and LPA for Health and Welfare.

Who can be my attorney?

Your attorney(s) must be nominated by you and must be 18 or above. You can also appoint replacement attorneys (who step in if the main attorneys are unable to perform their duties) if you wish. It is vital that you choose a person/ people that you trust as they will be making very important decisions on your behalf.

What does an LPA allow an attorney to do?

In broad terms, the LPA for Property and Financial affairs enables your attorney(s) to deal with day-to-day matters such as accessing your bank accounts as well as being able to deal with your investments and sell any property.

The Health and Welfare LPA deals with medical decisions and decisions about the care that you receive – this includes decisions such as whether to receive or continue with life-sustaining treatment.

How do I know my attorney will make the right decision?

Again, this is why it is vital to appoint people you trust and who you know will act in accordance with your wishes. You can include instructions or preferences in the LPAs, however, instructions can result in inflexibility and preferences are not legally binding. Your attorney(s) need to act in your best interests, and this is something that the Office of the Public Guardian may check on from time to time.

When should I make an LPA? It is very important to note that you can only make a valid LPA whilst you still have capacity. If you lose capacity before having made an LPA, it is for

the Court of Protection to appoint a deputy to deal with your affairs. This is an onerous process and may mean a significant delay in your affairs being dealt with.

When do LPAs take effect?

Both types of LPA need to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. The Property and Financial Affairs LPA can either take effect immediately upon registration or once you lose capacity. The Health and Welfare LPA can only take effect once you have lost capacity. n

We’d be happy to assist you in discussing/ drafting your LPA – please contact privateclient@berrysmith.com or call 029 2034 5511 for further information.

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

FOOD & DRINK SNAPSHOTS OF CARDIFF’S FOOD SCENE

THE WELSH HOUSE

The Welsh House launched its very first restaurant and gin bar, on Cardiff’s High treet, in February.

The concept is focused on supporting local Welsh suppliers, sourcing predominately Welsh produce and creating core Welsh partnerships.

The Welsh House is backed by former Wales and British and rish players Mike Phillips, ames Hook, hane Williams and Lee Byrne. t will stock their FabFour Coffee and their Welsh Perthyn low-alcohol gin, both founded by the four Welsh rugby stars.

We are excited to be a part of a business that represents Wales and supports Welsh businesses, says Lee Byrne. The location of the venue is ideal being next to the iconic Cardiff Castle and around the corner from the Principality tadium.

The business has also received support from famed chef Marco Pierre White due to his close friendship with the people creating the menus, Welsh Chefs ohn Taylor and Daniel Crouch. nstagram: heWelsh ouseCardiff

Welsh food and drink producers at the official opening of A Welsh Secret in Cardiff

TRADE SECRET

The Welsh House restaurant and gin bar

BIG SCOOP

woon Gelato opened their new site, on Duke treet, Cardiff, in February. This is the fifth store opened by the artisan gelato business, following their successful outlets in Bristol, Bath, xford and a permanent concession in the prestigious elfridges Food Hall in London. t was founded by the Forte family Bruno, his wife Ana Maria, his sister Patricia and mother Louise. Bruno is the latest generation in a long line of ice-cream makers that can be traced back 120 years. www.swoononas oon.co.uk

Gelato cakes at Swoon

A Welsh ecret, the first permanent shop dedicated to Welsh food and drink, at Cardiff’s t David’s Dewi ant hopping Centre o cially opened in anuary. an Paul, the founder, has been in the retail sector all his working life. He spotted a gap in the market which would benefit Welsh producers and bring a ‘missing element’ to the wide variety of shops in the area. ver the years, many pop-ups in t David’s have featured Welsh food and drink producers, but don’t think they succeeded in everything they wanted to achieve, he says. thought could help by opening a permanent shop that can support smaller businesses that do not have the range to open full shops of their own. an has been helped in his uest for suppliers by Cywain. Designed and developed

by Menter a Busnes, the Cywain project works with food and drink producers across Wales, helping them grow and build their businesses with support in a range of areas, including marketing, brand development and finance. www.stdavidscardiff.com

FANGS VERY MUCH The Big Fang Collective is set to open their latest Golf Fang site on Cardiff’s Mary Ann treet in March.

Each Golf Fang venue – Cardiff will be the sixth – offers an 1 -hole cra y golf experience, combined with themed cocktails and D s in a ‘sprayground’ environment featuring work from gra ti artists. The brand’s goal is to create a uni ue set of courses that provide guests with an experience that both inspires and positions gra ti as an art form.

Cardiff is a great location for the newest Golf Fang and we love the energy and atmosphere the city has to offer, says Kip Piper, co-founder of The Big Fang Collective.

The newest venue will feature some of our most popular experiential elements and we can’t wait to see how the guests interact with the gra tiled space. www. igfangcollective.co.uk

Golf Fang offers a crazy golf experience and themed cocktails

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

FOOD & DRINK

THREE THINGS I LOVED EATING THIS MONTH:

1

A woodfired mushroom shwarma flatbread from Lahmacun at Riverside Market (@cardiffarmersmarket)

2

Crispy, smoky potatoes with bravas sauce from Kindle’s street food spin off at Canton’s Corp Yard (@potheads_cardiff)

3

A frankly massive pizza with a delicious airy crust from Grano in Birchgrove (@grano.cardiff)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Mushroom shwarma; Cardiff Wine Passport wine and food pairing at Bacareto; Cardiff Wine Passport; Toast has been popping up at festivals and events around Cardiff; pizza at Grano; pancakes, bacon and syrup from Toast at TwentySix; a summer of live music awaits

IN GOOD TASTE

E

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

arlier this month, kicked off the second ever version of the Cardiff i e ass ort. For £25, you can pick up a passport and get it stamped six times in return for six glasses of wine at a choice of eight different venues – brilliant places like a areto, ermut and ar . We’ve picked out suggested food pairings to go with each glass, too – so you can effectively take yourself on a mini tapas tour of the city. With the cost-of-living crisis hitting hospitality hard, the scheme is designed to help support the indie bars and restaurants which make our capital city uni ue; my hope is that it will become a

regular fixture in Cardiff’s event calendar ( d i e ass ort).

I also helped to plan the launch of a brandnew venue e t i at the Boneyard in Canton. ffering coffee and brunches from from Wednesday to Sunday, the venue will also host regular street food traders on the weekends – expect names like erala ara a , ire la , a sa ha , ra s otdo s and ao ele ta ( t e t si ardiff . I can’t tell you how chuffed am to have this opening less than 500m from my house, along with a monthly market called he o e ard a aar which will celebrate local art, crafts, street food, fresh

local produce and more. The first market is set to take place on Saturday 4 March ( o e ard a aar).

As well as all these foodie events, over the last couple of weeks, I’ve helped the team at Live announce a string of major dates at the castle this year, from om o es to lo die to litter o – and ’ve nabbed my tickets to all of them! Between me and you, there are lots more exciting announcements to come, so it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled and bookmarking their nstagram page ( li e .

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

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 39

GORSE With a background of cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants in London, chef Tom Waters has brought a high-end pop-up restaurant to Cardiff.

Here we try out the Gorse experience for ourselves…

Words by Lisa Evans and Jane Cook, photos by Matt Horwood

A

Welsh chef who cut his teeth in some of London’s top restaurants is now creating multi-course tasting menus to rival any Michelin-star venue – and all from the kitchen of a local Cardiff coffee shop.

Chef Tom Waters worked under acclaimed Welsh chef Bryn Williams at Odette’s before moving on to the two Michelin-starred restaurant The uare under legendary chef Phil Howard.

Quickly rising through the ranks, Tom went on to become sous chef at Michelin-starred Bonhams in Mayfair, and, most recently, became part of the leadership team at Heston Blumenthal’s agship restaurant, The Fat Duck, in Bray.

A move back to Wales in 2021 came with ambitions to open a brand-new restaurant in the Welsh capital. But with the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, Tom had to rethink his plans.

Instead, he launched Gorse, a pop-up restaurant, which, since it opened, has toured independent kitchens around Cardiff, including Glory tores, Little Man

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

Coffee and Waterloo Tea, but, as of the beginning of this year, it is now enjoying an extended residency at Pontcanna coffee shop and bakery Ground.

This latest residency gives Tom free reign to showcase his own unique style of cooking, and, as the venue’s kitchen is also fully visible through a huge glass window, guests can look on as each dish on the menu is singlehandedly prepared and served to an intimate 18 covers per night.

Combining seasonal produce with exacting technique and attention to detail, the menu features nine courses (you get an extra course if you order the wine ight, as we did).

First on the menu is ‘snacks’. ne of them looks like carrot jerky but tastes a bit like a pastry dessert; and the other is a lemony prawn cracker topped with burst-inthe-mouth salty roe. Although but a mouthful, this course comes with our first wine pairing a bright Geminae Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

Next its silka deer (or creamy chestnut mushroom if you’re not a meat fan) with an array of accompaniments

RESTAURANT

which don’t particularly sound as if they’re going to match well – preserved cherry and trout roe, for example, and green coffee spelt and laverbread, and roasted kelp and cultured cream – but do yourself a favour and leave assumptions at the door, because this is an eye-popper; it leaves our mouths tingling.

The portion is just one bite in si e. A teaspoon amount of the interesting and avour-rich combination of ingredients is perched neatly upon a crisp, structurally impeccable potato cube. The topping reminds me of one of Professor Brian Cox’s observable universe lectures, where he’ll show a photograph of a five-pence-piecesi ed section of space, and you’ll marvel at just how much can possibly be crammed into one tiny area. And all of it is beautiful and mesmerising and mind-blowing.

Bread is next. A piece of bread as a whole course on a 70-per-person menu You may balk. But, again, leave those assumptions well alone. It’s a warm, pillowy, ower-shaped buttermilk roll with a generous amount of soft seaweed butter ready for spreading. want to be miniaturised to Honey I Shrunk the Kids si e and lay on it, sink into its heat and comfort, and nap in its amber glow.

Next up is Pembrokeshire mackerel with horseradish, preserved elder ower and fig leaf. The esh is buttertender, the sauce creamy, and the toppings crunchy and fresh. A glass of Little Beauty pinot gris slices straight through.

Then comes the most surprising dish of all; not because of its unfamiliar combination of ingredients, nor for its aesthetics, but because it is simply a bowl of turnips. Who would have thought a bowl of turnips could be eye widening t looks like pasta beige, cheesy and peppered. And for the first few bites, do believe it to be something akin to al dente pappardelle, until read over the menu and realise it’s Baldrick’s favourite obsession. t’s full avoured – with dulse, kampot pepper and mellow, nutty Caws Cerwyn cheese – and paired with a distinctive Frascati. ’ve never been served just turnips before; nor, if ’m honest, would be inclined to select it as a full course. Ah, the beauty of taster menus, eh The head-bopping soundtrack of the feast so far is an eclectic mix of everything from Buffalo pringfield and MGMT to The mashing Pumpkins. The noise of dishes being enthusiastically scraped clean by fellow diners in the filled-to-capacity space is the only thing more audible than the playlist. My misophonia would normally be mortified, but let it go; all scraping, and even slurping, is justified when the food is this good.

An outstanding Brixham pollock with greens, paired with an Albari o, is next. try my best not to scoff it.

“Who would have thought a bowl of turnips could be eye widening?” consciously have to pause to between bites; would be making like a Dyson if were alone. Tom manages to make every ingredient on the plate not just sing, but perform; this is certainly the first time ’ve ever wanted to applaud a mouthful of kale.

Next is another sweet-savoury fish course for me Cornish monkfish with walnut miso; and for my plus one, the meat-eater option aged duck with parsnip and radicchio, and a tart glass of Beaujolais to accompany. n to dessert, and there are four; the first has a cryptic menu description ‘malt, brown butter, chestnut’. What comes is a fudge-like, soft-whipped, silky delight, washed down with a sprightly talian Moscato. And to follow, fruity, texture-contrasting mini bites a Williams pear nibble, a russet apple and caramel treat, and a lemon thyme and elderberry indulgence to finish.

I can safely say it’s one of the top meals I’ve ever eaten in Cardiff, or indeed anywhere. Tom is an experimental genius. He still has his sights set on his own restaurant, but until then, his Gorse residency at Ground will run every Friday and aturday night for the foreseeable. n

DINING DETAILS Gorse, Ground Bakery, Pontcanna Street, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9HQ; 07864 923 231; www.gorserestaurant.co.uk The food Modern, Welsh, high-end and intriguing We ate The set, nine-course menu at £70 per head We drank the wine pairing option, at £45 per head

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

MEET THE

CHEF

Find out what’s cooking with our selection of talented local chefs...

KEITH CLASH

opportunity to grow and develop talent within the team. We’re always looking for youngsters who are keen to learn the trade to apply to work here. The team we’ve got here are amazing and are like a second family, so it’s always a pleasure to come to work.

CULLEY’S KITCHEN & BAR AT COAL EXCHANGE HOTEL 02921 991904; www.culleys.restaurant Tell us about your career background...

I started my apprenticeship at 16 in The Celtic Manor before moving to the Hilton in 2000 where I quickly progressed through the ranks.

I was given the opportunity to train under some great chefs in different restaurants and banqueting kitchens around the country.

What’s one of the most memorable dishes you’ve ever served?

Possibly not the finest dish I’ve ever served, but as a massive rugby fan one of the most memorable dishes I cooked was after Wales beat England 30-3 to win the Six Nations in 2013 and we were cooking for the teams that evening.

Everyone was buzzing.

What made you want to become a chef?

Being a chef was the only thing I ever wanted to do. Growing up, both my grandmothers were amazing cooks, and I was in the kitchen with them at every opportunity. They were always making me try new things. Even now they still have a massive passion for food and are always cooking.

How would you describe your style of cooking?

Classic with a modern twist. I like using local produce, and especially Welsh products, as much as possible. We have so many great producers right on our doorstep, it would be crazy not to let that guide your style of cooking.

When we opened Culley’s I wanted to create a place in Cardiff Bay where you could go and eat unpretentious, good quality food that’s affordable and perfect for sharing with your family, friends, or other half.

Hilton. Getting to be a head chef at 32 and be part of the opening team at The Coal Exchange was a real privilege, and then developing the concept for Culley’s and opening the restaurant was a real career high. It’s such a pleasure to be part of a team that want to bring this incredible building, that’s so iconic in Welsh history, back to life.

What will we find on the menu?

My favourite main dish on our current menu is Welsh lamb rump, which we serve with a mini shepherd’s pie and lamb’s fat fondant.

The hoisin duck crumpet starter that’s just gone on the menu is flying out, along with our ever-popular house scotch egg. For the sweeter tooth, I’d recommend the dark chocolate cremaux with salted caramel and peanuts, which taste like a grown-up version of a popular chocolate bar!

The hardest part of the job?

At the moment, it’s managing the spiralling price rises. Costs are going up every month and there’s no sign of it stopping. We want to offer the best produce we can but that all costs, and we’re also aware that our customers might not have as much money to spend now. We won’t compromise on quality so it’s a real balancing act. The long hours can also be testing with a newborn baby!

Tell us about some stand-out moments of your career?

There have been so many stand-out moments so far. I enjoyed meeting and cooking for all the international sports teams that stayed at the

And the best bit?

Knowing that the food and service we’ve given has made someone’s day is definitely very rewarding, however undoubtedly the most rewarding part of my job is having the

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

Is sustainability becoming ever more present in the world of food? How are you implementing change?

I think people are certainly much more aware of sustainability in the industry and asking questions about where their food is from. My philosophy is that if you cook with local and seasonal products as much as possible then it’s better for the environment as well as the flavour.

At Culley’s, we only use Welsh lamb, beef, and cheese. We are constantly developing, learning, growing and reviewing what we do. We don’t claim to have it 100 per cent right just yet, but that’s all part of the journey and we have a genuine desire to keep improving.

Why would you encourage the next generation to go into this line of work?

Working as a chef is not an easy career. The hours are long, the kitchen is hot, and the pressure can be overwhelming, but the rewards 100 per cent outweigh any negatives. The bond you make with your team, the places it can take you, the discipline it gives, the satisfaction of making other people happy, the laughs you have every day! No two days are ever the same so even if you have a bad day, the next day will be different.

Can you give us an expert cooking tip to impress our friends with...

Buy the best quality, in-season ingredients you can afford; season well and don’t overcomplicate it. Or just take your friends out to any of your local independent restaurants and let us do all the hard work for you!

SPONSORED CONTENT RHODRI DAVIES

VASANTHAN NAVAMANI

Tell us about your career background?

I’ve worked in some top places in Cardiff and its surroundings – The Heathcock, Heaneys, The Potted Pig, and Sommerins to name a few.

Tell us about your career background?

I’m a versatile, innovative chef with 20+ years of experience in culinary skills and maintenance of kitchen operations at high standards.

What made you want to become a chef?

I was working in education until I was 28; I decided to persue my dream of becoming a chef due to my passion for food!

What made you want to become a chef?

I’ve loved learning about various spices across the world and methods of cooking, and it developed into my passion. My family are from a tropical part of India that known for cultivating sugar, rice, lentils, chilli and mango, which made me fall in love with nature and food. I also love travelling a lot and visiting different places made me want to experiment mixing flavours.

THE PILOT, PENARTH 02920 710615; www.knifeandforkfood.co.uk/pilot

CLAYTON HOTEL CARDIFF 0292 066 8866; www.claytonhotelcardiff.com

How would you describe your style of cooking?

Welsh/British, I like classic flavours with a more contemporary style.

Rhodri Davies

What will we find on the menu?

We currently have a lamb rump dish with celeriac dauphinois, lamb belly and rainbow chard. It’s also forced rhubarb season to expect to see it dotted around the menu.

How would you describe your style of cooking?

My style of cooking is a combination of art and science put together. I love cooking with red meat and seafood as I grew up close to the sea, and with the agricultural surroundings all around me while I was learning, cooking food like this reminds me of my childhood.

Tell us about some stand-out moments of your career...

One of the highlights for me was getting reviewed by Jay Rayner; I had put a dish on that day as a bit of an experiment and he loved it. Reading the review was a very emotional experience.

Best bit of the job?

Being able to express yourself and the enjoyment that brings to others. There’s something amazing about the universal language of food and how it brings people together.

LIAM WILDE

THE DECK AT PENARTH 02920 099737; www.thedeckpenarth.co.uk Tell us about your career background...

I’ve worked in pubs, hotels and restaurants all over the UK. I trained as a pot wash in a hotel back home in Wolverhampton and moved up to work on the line with the head chef who taught me the basics. I then worked for a pub chain front of house, but missed working in the kitchen! I then trained as a sous chef and learned to develop my skills further. I’ve worked all over England and Wales as a relief chef helping restaurants out and have ended up in the

The most challenging part of the job?

The hardest part is maintaining a good, positive attitude in a stressful and busy environment.

Vasanthan Navamani

And the best bit?

The best part is that this job is fulfilling and rewarding for those who love and relish the job.

beautiful Penarth marina where I have been for the past few years.

another legend who performed magic for my team and gladly signed autographs.

What made you want to become a chef?

When I was little, my nan used to cook with me when my parents were at work. We used to bake and experiment together in the kitchen.

She grew her own fruit in the garden and we would try making dishes with them. These fond memories I carry with me every day. Working in a kitchen is a fun way to earn money and works well around me bringing up my children.

Best bit of the job?

Going home from a long shift and seeing a 5* TripAdvisor review telling you that you did a great job and you helped make an occasion extra special. This positive feedback makes all the sacrifices of the job worthwhile.

What will we find on the menu?

We will always have the classic fish and chips and our Deck burger as these are staples in our restaurant, but the menu will also include a lot of fresh fish as we are a waterside venue.

Our new spring menu launches at the end of March and includes contemporary classics with a twist, such as sharing steaks and ever so popular Sunday roasts. We are trying to stay up to date with the latest trends, and continue to develop this everyday.

Tell us about some stand-out moments of your career...

I’ve cooked for Alan Shearer in a hotel I previously worked at (he’s one of my all-time heroes). Meeting with him afterwards and getting to shake his hand is a day I will never forget. I also cooked for and met Dynamo –

Is sustainability becoming ever more present in the world of food?

Sustainability is at the forefront of my mind when creating new menus. I always make sure our suppliers are local and also have the same values as we do. We try to sell steaks that are less popular to reduce waste – I always work with our butcher to ensure this. For the new menu, we have no single-use products – all ingredients can be used elsewhere; for example, celery with our cheeseboard is used to create a puree for our scallops. I’ve recently recycled raspberries from Valentine’s to make a raspberry dust to add a bit of colour and flavour to a dessert plate.

Can you give us an expert food/cooking tip to take away?

Taste everything as you go along to adjust seasoning if needed. Don’t restrict yourself, enjoy and experiment – don’t be afraid. If you mess up, you can learn from it!

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

SCENE

AC ROSS C A R D I FF, O N E SH I N D I G AT A T I M E Sophie Puet, Emma O’Donnell and Iesha Meah

Out come the nibbles

Xxx

Sebastian Tomkinson, Alun Jones, Rhian Jones, Hannah Johns and Meg Walters

Cardiff Life magazine editor Lisa Evans giving the welcome speech

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS FINALISTS’ AND SPONSORS’ RECEPTION

Lee Skeet and Helen A’Bear

The Finalists and Sponsors of the Cardiff ife Awards 2023 were invited to an exclusive evening at Kuku by Park Plaza at the end of January to toast to another year of successful, thriving Cardiff businesses and organisations, and to wish each other all the best for the big night: the Cardiff ife Awards 2023. Drinks were sipped, connections were made, speeches took place, and good vibes owed.

Adam Sanders, David Adams, Benjamin John and Christie Doyle-John

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

t was, in effect, a mini Cardiff ife Awards to get the party started early. By the time this issue of Cardiff ife magazine hits the city, the Awards will have already taken place (23 February), but at the time of writing we’re still very much looking forward to the most glamorous event in the city! www.cardi ifeawards.co.uk Photos by Owen Mathias

Caroline Tucker, Gemma Roberts, Elis De Souza and Matt Barnby

James Askey, Ellis Thomas and Pete Mota

SOCIETY

Claire Wood, Elizabeth Rees, Gemma Griffiths and Fiona Robson

Mark George giving a speech Annie Golledge and Richard Golledge

Mark Hobbs, Danny Hargreaves, Carmela Carrubba, Wendy Hobbs, Tony Curtis and Claudia Hobbs Mingle mingle

Shaun Moody, Francis Taylor, Caroline XxxxGeorge, Rhiannon Thomas and Oli Ford Guests arriving

Melissa Cox, Mark George, Julie Wallis, Kathryn Lloyd-Thomas and Jordan Chambers

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 45

SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS Introducing the opening of our Deluxe 4* refurbished rooms at the centrally located Clayton Hotel in Cardiff.

The hotel is currently undergoing a multimillion pound bedroom refurbishment, so we can enhance our guests experience and help make those memories.

To book please call 02920 668866 or email res.cardiff@claytonhotels.com

SOCIETY

Welsh stars of the 1970s John Taylor, Derek Quinnell, John Bevan, Delme Thomas and Tommy David were inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame by British Lions legend Willie John McBride

Guest, Sir Gareth Edwards and Derek Quinnell

James Williams entertaining

More than 1,000 people attended

THE GREATEST TRY

Miss World Karolina Bielawska

The biggest ever lunch held in Wales – with 1,100 guests – was held at the end of January to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Greatest Try. Some of the most legendary rugby union players of the ‘70s gathered to mark a milestone in the sport’s history. Held exactly 50 years to the day since “that try” was scored at the famous 1973 match between the Barbarians and

Host Sean Holley put the questions to the Barbarians of 1973

the All Blacks in Cardiff, a celebratory lunch took place at The ICC Celtic Manor Resort.

Organised by The Greatest Try, a project set up to pay homage to this moment in rugby union history, the 50th anniversary lunch event made history itself, as it brought together a room full of living legends from the world of rugby.

Sir Gareth Edwards CBE, Willie John McBride CBE,

JPR Williams MBE, Tommy David, Derek Quinnell, Mike Gibson MBE and John Bevan were all in attendance for the event.

Hosted by TV Rugby analyst and coach, Sean Holley, the event also featured performances from comedian Rod Woodward and singer James Williams.

For more, see page 20. www.thegreatesttry.com Photos by Steve Pope, Fotowales

JPR Williams

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE HOSPITAL CARE IS HERE The NEW NORTH BRISTOL PRIVATE HOSPITAL is passionate about patient care

T

his new facility of medical excellence is set to become the private treatment epicentre for patients in Bristol and the south west of England and Wales. The North Bristol Private Hospital (NBPH) has individualised, bespoke treatments at the heart of its offering, with expert care within exemplary facilities locally. With an eye on the detail and patient welfare at its core, your stay at NBPH promises to provide the best possible recovery experience. Plus, it’s located only a 30-minute drive from Bristol Airport and very close to both the M4 and M5 motorway junctions, and Bristol Parkway Train Station.

MEET OUR VIBRANT SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

Kelly Cavallo (back centre) is hospital operations manager, in charge of running our facility and staff to the highest standards. Ms Elena Prousskaia, a consultant plastic surgeon (front centre), is our medical director. Maria Porter (right) the theatre manager is in charge of running our theatres safely and efficiently. Lynn Cottle (left) is our administration lead and patient coordinator, and is always there for our patients to make every step of their journey with us a wonderful experience.

A PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE

Specialist care governed by safety will be the hallmark of your hospital treatment. You can expect best-in-class nursing support and clinical facilities delivered in luxurious surroundings and supreme comfort.

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

• Round-the-clock nursing staff, with femaleonly team available on request • Ultimate in luxury and comfortable surroundings for the perfect post-operative overnight stay – a home from home experience • A variety of restaurant options and comfortable hotel accommodation facilities for your family and visitors within walking distance • Free onsite parking Come and see why we are different and contact us for a consultation. n The Senior Management Team

YOUR TREATMENT, OUR SPECIALITY

Whether you are visiting us for cosmetic surgery, a routine operation or medical treatment, our facilities are designed to make your entire journey smooth, safe, relaxed, and comfortable.

AT NORTH BRISTOL PRIVATE HOSPITAL, WE PROMISE:

• Meticulously trained administrative and front of house staff • Exceptional management staff who take pride in making your treatment journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible • Friendly specialist consultation provided in the privacy of comfortable chaperoned consultation rooms • Excellent and spacious operating theatres and treatment rooms

150 Aztec West, Bristol, BS32 4UB; www.northbristolprivatehospital.co.uk; info@NBPH.co.uk;

OPENING OFFER

The North Bristol Private Hospital is offering an introductory opening promotion to the first 20 patients who contact us for a free 15-minute mini-cosmetic consultation with our expert patient advisor. To book your free consultation appointment, please email us at info@NBPH.co.uk quoting ‘Cardiff Life Magazine’ offer.

A WORKSPACE BEYOND COMPARE. Offering premium private offices, coworking, dedicated desks and virtual offices.

COBALT THE EMBASSY 389 NEWPORT ROAD CARDIFF, CF24 1TP 02920 150256 hello@cobalt.space

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A PLACE TO THRIVE HOWELL’S SCHOOL, LLANDAFF GDST is a place where your daughter can flourish

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oung children are naturally inquisitive, but at Howell’s School, Llandaff GDST our Prep School’s exceptional teachers and unique facilities develop this into a deep love of learning. By making lessons what they should be: fun. We inspire girls to fully explore their imagination and experiment, then to question and reflect to form their own conclusions. All the while learning to take and assess risks and never be afraid of making mistakes. The sheer variety and richness of the learning experiences on offer – whether indoors, outdoors or on a trip – constantly keeps the girls engaged and eager to know more.

PROBLEM SOLVING We want girls to think confidently and creatively, to take calculated risks and not to be afraid of making mistakes on the way to success. We are preparing them for a world that requires courage, resilience and flexibility.

CREATIVE EXPLORATION We make learning fun. Throughout the school our emphasis is on enquiry-based learning and critical thinking which encourages creativity and a brave independent approach.

CURIOSITY We build on children’s natural curiosity by structuring the curriculum to give lots of open-ended activities focusing on personal and intellectual qualities such as risk-taking, reflection and initiative where there is no ‘right answer’. Pupils come up with a multitude of possible creative interpretations and solutions.

Girls gain the confidence to take risks and grow less fearful of making mistakes and learning from them.

CREATIVITY Music, drama and art are generously timetabled so girls have plenty of time to explore and develop their creative skills. Research shows how important music skills are to building other more academic subjects too.

MAKING A SPLASH The Prep School girls are taught all their PE lessons by sports specialists, and have access to the superb facilities of the Senior School, which

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

include a sports complex, extensive playing fields and a swimming pool.

AN ENHANCED CURRICULUM Extra-curricular clubs and activities to appeal to all interests and developing talents. Early morning yoga gets the day off to a fantastic start, and there are various sports clubs, including football, tennis, gymnastics and ballet.

Gardening club and Forest School both get the girls exploring the expansive school grounds; and for budding linguists there are after-school clubs in French, Mandarin and Spanish.

To discover more about what makes Howell’s so special, visit the Prep School Open day on Wednesday 22nd March; contact Admissions Officer Chrissie Hall-Davis on 029 2056 2019 to book a tour at a time to suit you; or visit www.howells-cardiff.gdst.net.

Will ChatGPT make homework a thing of the past?

SCHOOL GUIDE VICTORIA BOND

AI or A*?

The rise of the chatbot homework cheat, ChatGPT

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cross the land, teachers are huddling over essays in school staff rooms trying to figure out who – or what – has written the homework. Is it A* or AI? Bot or not?

ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence language model that can generate human-like text in real time, only launched in November, but the freakishly intelligent tool is already making seismic waves in schools. Input a basic task or question, and it can spew out a sonnet; write a piece of music; fix computer code; oh… and write your child’s GCSE history essay while they scroll through TikTok. t’s been called both a ‘ ashy

CHAT UP LINES I decided to try ChatGPT myself. It was free to sign up and took less than two minutes to join its 2 million active daily users. I asked the below question, and the answer was generated in just a few seconds. It felt more engaging than Wikipedia and required way less effort than a cut-and-paste job via Google. Pretty impressive.

demo with zero understanding of the real world’ and ‘the beginning of the end of homework as we know it’.

In the United States, where an experiment saw it y through a set of medical school final exams in less time than it would take to apply a sticking plaster, ChatGPT has already been banned from students’ devices in thousands of schools. It’s the new educational bogeyman.

British teachers are taking a more pragmatic approach.

Alleyn’s School in London hit the headlines when its head teacher announced they would no longer set essays as homework for fear of ChatGPT cheats. Instead they would switch to meaningful research tasks at home and essays

Q: In simple terms, what is ChatGPT? A ChatGPT is an AI model developed

by OpenAI that uses deep learning to generate human-like text. It’s trained on a large amount of data from the internet, including websites, books, and social media, so it can answer questions and have conversations with people. When you ask ChatGPT something, it processes your request, generates an answer based on its training, and sends it back to you.

The goal of ChatGPT is to provide helpful and informative responses that seem like they were written by a person.

would only be written – robotfree – in class.

Schools know banning things rarely works in an environment where young minds are hardwired to figure out workarounds.

Indeed, savvy teens have already sussed-out that you can ask ChatGPT to write in a specific style to deep fake work.

“I can ask it to produce an essay on Romeo and Juliet in the style of a British 14-year old so it adds in a couple of grammatical errors and even spelling mistakes typical of someone my age,’ one Year 10 pupil told me.

But would it make sense to go one step further and embrace ChatGPT and its potential as an educational tool? Some argue it could help students decipher facts from so-called hallucinations – when ChatGPT gives completely wrong answers with absolute confidence – and stop Generation Google thinking that asking Alexa equates to any kind of academic research. It could, in theory, offer highly personalised tutoring and also better prepare

students to work alongside AI systems as adults. Schools could treat ChatGPT the way they treat calculators – allowing it for some assignments, but not others.

I would argue there is much more interesting learning at stake, however, for those who dictate how we test our children.

British pupils are squished into an examination system that rewards learning by rote and gives the highest grades for the best regurgitators of facts.

Critical thinking, despite the very best efforts of every single person with a teaching ualification, has no room in league tables. Our children are bot-like and, while this technology is still learning, our bots are child-like. Change what children are being asked to do; and perhaps the problem of bots short-circuiting education will simply go away.

Victoria Bond is the founder and CEO of School Guide, an easy-to-use website that helps parents discover exam results, catchment maps and parent reviews for all their local schools.

For more: www.schoolguide.co.uk

“It can write your child’s GCSE history essay while they scroll through TikTok”

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LIFE LESSONS We’ve been finding out what’s new and what’s in the pipeline at a handful of popular local educational institutions…

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PHOTO BY KIRSTEN MCTERNAN

The Book of Dust, performed

by RWCMD students

EDUCATION

E

very few months, we check in with a selection of local schools, universities and colleges to see: what’s on the agenda, what can’t be ignored, and what everybody’s been talking about...

HABERDASHERS’ MONMOUTH SCHOOLS

Here we chat with Mr Simon Dorman, headmaster at Monmouth School for Boys At Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, we provide an excellent, inspiring and rounded education for boys and girls, aged three to 18 years, in the heart of the beautiful Wye Valley. We support day and boarding pupils to be the best versions of themselves and enhance their future opportunities to enable them to take their place in the world and make a valuable contribution to society.

What’s been going on recently?

We have some very exciting and major news to share. From September 2024, our schools will be fully co-educational throughout. Our Prep School became co-educational in September 2021. The merger of our two senior schools is the final step in creating an exciting, fully co-educational setting at Monmouth. We place a high value on the quality of our teaching and learning. Our pastoral care, sport, music, co-and extra-curricular provision and boarding will continue to be central to Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools.

What else is in the pipeline?

With support of the William Jones Foundation, we will be making a considerable investment in the refurbishment and extension of our existing buildings as part of the merger. From September 2024, all girls and boys in Years 7 to 11 will be taught on the site that is currently home to Monmouth School for Boys. The west of the Hereford Road, currently home to Monmouth School for Girls, will be our new Sixth Form Centre for students in Years 12 and 13. The transition will also see the Prep School accommodated on one site; in the main building currently occupied by Monmouth chool for Girls and also at nglefield House, the former home of Monmouth School Girls’ Prep, which is based to the rear of the current girls’ school. www.habsmonmouth.org

PHOTO BY KIRSTEN MCTERNAN

Tell us about the schools in a nutshell…

ABOVE: Sir Ian McKellen at RWCMD; BOTTOM: Haberdashers’ Monmouth

Schools are going to become fully co-educational next year

THE ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC & DRAMA

Here we chat with Kara Bassett, head of strategic engagement Please tell us about the college in a nutshell…

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff is Wales’s national conservatoire. We are passionate about attracting the very best talent from around the globe and delivering world-class training.

We currently have almost 1,000 actors, musicians, designers, technicians and arts managers from over 40 countries. The energy you feel when you walk into the college is palpable.

With so many disciplines being taught, collaboration is key. We have over 400 live performances a year, so students have opportunities to get involved from the moment they arrive. With our strong industry links in Wales, students have experience working in TV, theatre, film, arts organisations and community projects.

We strive for excellence across the college. It’s that discipline and passion which sees our students go on to have such varied and interesting careers.

What recent news can you share?

Last term, we launched a new annual Shakespeare prize, judged by Sir Ian McKellen, which encourages the students to engage and work with language in a way that is natural, personal and truthful. The five finalists will perform in front of a special panel of judges, including Sir Ian, in London next spring.

“We launched a Shakespeare prize, judged

by Sir Ian McKellen” www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 53

EDUCTION

ABOVE: Adult courses at Cardiff University include everything from creative writing to coaching and mentoring; RIGHT: A happy student at Cardiff University

What else is in the pipeline?

n March, we have our first open day for the brilliant National pen Youth rchestra (N Y ) which is a pioneering inclusive ensemble where talented young disabled and non-disabled musicians rehearse and perform together. Working in partnership with BBC National rchestra of Wales, the college will be the first N Y centre in Wales.

We are also excited to have a new venue in the heart of the city, the ld Library. The building will not only provide rehearsal space for our growing numbers of students but will offer a public performance programme.

What’s a hot topic in the world of education at the moment?

Financial support will always be a key factor to a student choosing where to study. n 2021, we announced a sector-leading bursary programme, awarding bursaries of up to 1,200 to all its new UK undergraduate students with a household income of below 30k a year. t’s important that we contribute to deep representation and inclusion in the creative industries. www.rwcmd.ac.uk

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

Here we chat with Dr Michelle Deininger, co-ordinating lecturer in humanities Please tell us about a popular aspect of the university…

Cardiff University’s Continuing and Professional Education is a place where adults can study a huge range of short courses, whether in the classroom or online. There’s such a wide choice, including creative writing, coaching and mentoring, geology, talian, and lots more besides.

We also offer the Pathways to a degree programme, which gives adult

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“It’s important that we contribute to representation and inclusion in the creative industries” learners a chance to return to study and progress onto degrees, whether that’s in mental health nursing, journalism, or history, to name but a few.

What recent news can you share?

ne of the things we’re most excited about at the moment is the expansion of the Fee Waiver scheme, supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW). This scheme enables adults from a wide range of backgrounds to access 20 credits of learning for free each year. Many of our current students have been surprised that they’re eligible, whether that’s from being a carer, having a disability, or receiving Universal Credit. The criteria have been made much more inclusive recently – it’s really worth a look on our website for the full list.

What else is in the pipeline?

We’re currently planning our courses for 2023 24, which will feature old favourites like our novel-writing workshop, alongside new opportunities, including options in Chinese, apanese, or Portuguese on our Pathway to modern languages. ur new prospectus will be available in uly, but we still have plenty to offer in the summer term this year.

EDUCATION We’re continuing to provide some courses online so that studying can fit into people’s busy lives, especially in humanities and languages, as well as classroom-based courses for many of our social science and health care courses.

What’s a hot topic in the world of education at the moment?

Given the issues around sta ng in the NH at the moment, the ability and capacity to train more nurses is a key issue in education. Through our Pathways courses, we’re providing life-changing opportunities for local people to take the leap into a new career, whether that’s occupational therapy, adult nursing, or physiotherapy. www.cardiff.ac.uk

CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Here we chat with professor Julia Longville, Dean, Cardiff School of Education and Social Policy Tell us about the university in a nutshell…

Cardiff Met is a progressive university, working with purpose, impact and compassion. We aim to transform lives through high- uality, high-impact education informed by our cuttingedge research and innovation. We’re the first choice for students studying art and design, sport and health sciences, teaching, business and management, and tech and engineering.

What recent news can you share?

Cardiff Met has been named the best university in the UK for sustainability in People Planet’s Green League 2022 23 – the only comprehensive and independent league table of all UK universities ranked by environmental and ethical performance.

This comes after being named the UK and reland University of the Year by the imes igher ducation last year and the Sunday imes Welsh University of the Year in 2021. We’re really committed to being a sustainable university, investing in renewable installations on campus like solar panels, solar thermal panels and air source heat pumps. We want to give students and staff easy ways to join our sustainability drive, so the university runs many eco-friendly initiatives, including subsidised bus services, rentable electric bikes, free repair caf s and community litter picks – to name only a few.

What’s in the pipeline?

We’ve launched a series of new degree courses to add to the university’s roster of high- uality and diverse courses across our five academic schools. The BA (Hons) professional policing course is well underway after launching in 2020, while the very first cohorts on the BA (Hons) aviation management course are now in their second term since its launch in eptember 2022. Coming up, we’ll also be welcoming our first students onto the new B c (Hons) criminology course which launches this eptember. n www.cardiffmet.ac.uk

BELOW: Cardiff Met’s Cyncoed campus; RIGHT: Cardiff Met students

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It’s the city’s business

CARDIFFWORKS CENTENARY CELEBRATION

Coincover co-founders David Janczewski and Adam Smith

CRYPTO MARKET Cardiff-based Coincover – a leading digital asset protection technology company – has announced 30M in funding, led by ilicon Valley’s Foundation Capital.

The fresh capital will accelerate recruitment, product updates, and partnerships to safeguard the crypto ecosystem – preventing, compensating, and protecting against crypto threats.

Founded in 201 and launched in 2019, Coincover provides digital asset protection that addresses the biggest barrier to mainstream adoption trust. For years, security issues and the ever-changing threat landscape have dominated the global perception of digital assets. Coincover challenges this perception by providing businesses, infrastructure providers, and consumers with access to products that proactively protect them from both hackers and human error.

Coincover already works with more than 300 businesses, from exchanges and wallets to hedge funds, family o ces, and banks. The firm also works directly with a number of digital asset custodians to keep their clients safe.

Current customers include Fireblocks, Bitso and many more.

Before Coincover’s inception, co-founder and CE David

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

anc ewski spent five years working in blockchain at The Royal Mint for the UK government. During his time there, he defined and created a digital gold currency in conjunction with CME Group, the world’s largest commodity derivative exchange.

Co-founder and CT Adam mith previously ran a successful cybersecurity consultancy with cryptocurrency, government, law enforcement, and defense clients. At Coincover, he focuses on engineering for safety at scale.

We’re delighted to partner with Foundation Capital, a firm with an unparalleled reputation for helping businesses scale to support customer growth, says David. At Coincover, we’re proud to prevent users from losing access to their cryptocurrency, whether that be through a mistake or the misfortune of being targeted by malicious online hackers. n the wake of a challenging year for the crypto market, Coincover is in high demand, as businesses and consumers scramble to safeguard their digital assets. Through this new funding, we can supercharge our service for all existing and future customers – building a better and more mature digital asset ecosystem in the process.

For more: www.coincover.com

Stephanie Richards of The Parade Specialist Dental Centre

The Parade pecialist Dental Centre in Cardiff is celebrating 100 years this year. And far from resting on their laurels, the practice has just been awarded a sustainability achievement from The Greener Primary Care Wales Framework, getting gold for their efforts, which is no mean feat in dentistry.

We’re so pleased that our actions to be more environmentally friendly in the running of our practice have been recognised alongside only a handful of companies in the whole of Wales, says tephanie Richards, practice manager at the dental centre. ntegrating sustainable practices in dentistry is challenging, making it even more fulfilling to reach gold status and showing the impact small wins can have on the end goal. What’s more, we are celebrating our 100-year anniversary this year, which makes the award extra special. Great teamwork made it all possible!

For more: www.bupa.co.uk

The Bengo Media team

ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH

Cardiff audio production company Bengo Media has won the contract to produce Radio 2’s Early Breakfast Show with new presenter Owain Wyn Evans after the station put the strand out to tender.

The programme will be broadcast from the BBC Cymru Wales broadcast centre in Cardiff, making it the network’s first weekday programme to broadcast beyond the London and Salford studios.

The move is part of the broadcaster’s Across The UK plans allowing it to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country.

The show launched on 13 February, which also marked the 100th anniversary of the national broadcaster in Wales.

“Radio 2 is one of the biggest radio stations in the world, with 14.29 million people tuning in every week,” says Bengo Media co-founder Steve Austins. “As a Wales-based company, we are delighted to produce Owain as Radio 2 brings the Early Breakfast Show to Cardiff. The production team were lucky enough to get some new alarm clocks for Christmas, and we can’t wait to help Owain keep the UK entertained in the early hours!” www.bengomedia.com

CARDIFFWORKS

CHANGE UP Professor Cara Aitchison has announced that she will retire as President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff Metropolitan University in January 2024. Appointed in 2016 to lead a major transformation of the university, Professor Aitchison will depart having overseen the successful completion of a range of ambitious targets and projects that she and the Board of Governors set out for delivery by 2023.

During her tenure, Cardiff Met has grown its student enrolments from approximately 17,000 to over 25,000. The centrepiece of her vision was the development of Cardiff School of Technologies which was launched in 2018 with almost 20 new degree programmes developed in partnership with industry in computing, data science, cyber security and robotics. A further 20 new high-quality and high-impact degree programmes in subjects such as architecture, law, policing and primary education have resulted in growth across all of the University’s chools and to Cardiff Met having the best Graduate utcomes of all universities in Wales last year.

For more: www.cardiffmet.ac.uk

FOR STARTERS

Claire Richards and Hannah Hawkes

OUR OWN EVENTS

Towergate nsurance Brokers continues to strengthen its Cardiff team with the addition of two new starters.

Claire Richards has joined Towergate as a claims team leader, and Hannah Hawkes has become a claims executive, both leaving previous roles in Thomas Carroll.

For more: www.towergate.com

The publisher of Cardiff Life magazine, MediaClash, is hosting two huge events soon

ENTRECONF The conference for entrepreneurs and new business thinkers returns. This time, it’s live and in person! The event is dynamic and insight packed; it aims to inspire our region’s entrepreneurs with practical advice – financial, legal, marketing, management.

It helps broker valuable new relationships and seeks to bring together some of the most exciting companies of this time who will be among the most valuable businesses in the future. une at Watershed Bristol www.entreconf.com

ROLL ON FRIDAY

Clarke Willmott CEO Stephen Rosser

National law firm Clarke Willmott LLP – which has o ces in Cardiff – has been named the country’s joint third best law firm to work for in a prestigious industry survey. Clarke Willmott shared the spot with Bird Bird in this year’s Roll nFriday Best Law Firms To Work For poll, which is regarded as the most comprehensive satisfaction survey in the UK legal sector.

Burges almon claimed top spot this year, with Sidley Austin in second place.

For more: www.clarkewillmott.com

© PHOTO BY JOHN CASSIDY THE HEADSHOT GUY

PROPERTY SYMPOSIUM 23 MediaClash is once again hosting its annual Property Symposium – a conference for the region’s leading property companies. This year, it’s focused on the City of the Future (as well as the future of the city) and it will concentrate on the four cities our magazines cover Cardiff, Bristol, Bath and Exeter.

One of the keynote speakers will be Tim Fendley – founder, CE , and creative director of world-renowned Applied Information Group.

21 April at The M Shed, Bristol. www.cardiff ro ertyawards.co.uk

Professor Cara Aitchison

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 57

PHOTO BY MAT THEW HORWOOD

Look out for the Property Symposium 23

GREAT

TRAVEL

ESCAPES From national park hideaways to waterside retreats, we’re looking at luxe staycations in Cardiff, plus a handful of rural getaways in Devon

By Matt Bielby

Aerial view of Bovey Castle

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ABOVE: Gidleigh Park, Devon; RIGHT: The Deck’s floating bedrooms, Penarth

BOVEY CASTLE Devon

Where is it? Near Moretonhampstead, a half

hour south west of Exeter.

What’s so special? For a break that combines

the action-packed with supreme relaxation, baronial Bovey Castle on a vast estate in Dartmoor National Park is hard to beat.

Bracing walks are a must, but so – we’d say – are clay pigeon shooting, archery and even 4x4 off-roading. And, afterwards, why not unwind with a treatment at the Elan Spa, followed by afternoon tea? The guys are currently opening a new PlayZone, featuring a KidZone (for under eights) and a TechZone for older kids, while a new Wellness Studio, offering yoga, Pilates, meditation and more, is coming in 2023.

For more: www.boveycastle.com

GIDLEIGH PARK

THE DECK

Where is it? Near Chagford, a half hour or so

Penarth

Where is it? Right on the water at Penarth

Marina, near the Cardiff Bay Barrage.

What’s so special? Ever fancied sampling

the serene houseboat lifestyle, perhaps on Australia’s Gold Coast or a lake in ndia’s Srinager? Well, here’s the local alternative: 10 luxury oating bedrooms, berthed at the marina, just four miles south of Cardiff city centre. You can pick your size (single, double or twin, all with en suites), then fish for your dinner off the little deck at the front – or, probably preferable, retire to The Deck’s newly refurbished bar and restaurant, just moments away.

For more: www.thedeckpenarth.co.uk

Devon

from Exeter.

What’s so special? Tucked away down a

mile-and-a-half of single track lane, with signs that encourage you to ‘keep heart, you’re still en route’, Gidleigh Park is a magical retreat you turn a corner, the hotel and grounds open up, and you’re transported to a wonderland far from everyday life. But though the location is stunningly beautiful, it’s the staff who really make the difference, offering everything from formal events – such as Master Sommelier Wine Dinners – to craft workshops and garden tours, or even unique experiences tailored to you: a private wine tasting for two, in Gidleigh’s famed wine cellar, perhaps After winter yomps across Dartmoor (right on the

doorstep) or more stately wanders around the 107 acres of grounds, enjoy open fires, the pretty water garden, the 18-hole putting course, or the super-indulgent spa suite, which includes an in-room sauna and steam room, as well as a huge bath in front of double doors which can be opened to take in treetop views while you soak.

For more: www.gidleigh.co.uk

PARADOR 44 Cardiff

Where is it? On Quay Street, right in the

city centre.

What’s so special? This place is perfect

for guests who dream of winter sun, but are unable to escape to warmer climes. Whether you’re cosying up with a sherry in the guest lounge or tucking into fire-cooked Asturian

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CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: THE PIG-at Combe; The Parkgate: Parador 44

food, Parador 44 is like a little slice of Spain dropped into the heart of Cardiff. Though it only opened last summer, the hotel has already earned a strong rep for the fare at its Asador 44 restaurant, and the relaxed atmosphere throughout. The nine bouti ue rooms are stunning too, making this an excellent place to bed down after, say, suckling pig and grilled pumpkin. There’s even an honesty bar packed with panish snacks – and the hotel’s own sherry – in the guest lounge.

For more: www.grupo44.co.uk

THE PARKGATE Cardiff

n Westgate treet, next to the Principality tadium.

What’s so special? The Parkgate Hotel is perfectly located in Cardiff city centre, offering both the capital’s near-endless attractions on your doorstep and a chic retreat from the crowds behind its revolving doors. The rooftop spa, with its stunning views of the city skyline, infinity pool and the finest Elemis treatments, has to be tried it’s one of Cardiff’s most exclusive wellness destinations. Part of the Celtic Collection, The Parkgate has just celebrated its first birthday and is now ramping things up in its second year, offering a range of glamorous party nights and a particular enthusiasm for sport. New this year, The orting Room, the hotel’s vibrant brasserie restaurant, has been added to the Michelin Guide as part of the nspectors’ Favourite New Restaurants’ list.

For more: www.theparkgatehotel.wales Where is it?

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TRAVEL a large Georgian townhouse opposite, across leafy Southernhay Gardens. The newest room, the Apartment at NineExe, combines all the hotel’s comforts with a sense of independence – perfect for medium-term stays! – while a second apartment is planned for 2023.

Alternatively, choose one of the individually designed rooms with a decadently deep rolltop bath. The public spaces are fun to explore too, with the new Green Room (a lockdown project) hugging the private garden and terrace.

For more: www.southernhayhouse.com

VOCO ST. DAVID’S Cardiff

Where is it? Havannah treet, near the

Mount Stuart dry docks.

What’s so special? voco t. David’s is a

Working re laces a menu of classic cocktails seasonal menus and superbly comfortable beds”

stunning, family-friendly contemporary waterfront hotel offering breathtaking panoramas across the Bay and Penarth Marina.

Its elegant design, reminiscent of a boat’s sail, offers plenty of ‘wow factor’, from the fullheight lobby to bedrooms with oor-to-ceiling windows and balconies. There’s also a newly opened Welsh dining experience, thanks to restaurant and bar Tir a Môr, (‘land and sea’), which celebrates local produce. Here, executive chef David Woodford gives classic dishes a modern twist, while even the cocktail menu re ects the spirit(s) of the country Coctel sur Bara Brith (Bara Brith our) features Devil’s Bridge spiced rum, say, while the Coctel Hen Ffasiwn Myglyd (Smoked Old Fashioned) is made with Penderyn peated whisky. There’s also a fully-equipped gym, and 142 luxury bedrooms alongside two luxurious open-plan suites. Wellbeing at its best!

For more: www.stdavids.vocohotels.com

ABOVE: Southernhay House; RIGHT: food at voco St. David’s

THE PIG-AT COMBE Devon

Where is it? In the Otter Valley, 15 minutes

from the Devon coast.

What’s so special? There are plenty of PIGs

dotted about, but which porker might suit you best Well, may we suggest the Devon version As with all THE P G hotels, this is really a restaurant with rooms – everything revolves around the working kitchen garden on site, where ingredients are grown for both restaurant and bar. (And what can’t be grown or reared is sourced from local suppliers, within a 25-mile radius.) What it’s really all about, however, is rolling hills and crunchy forest walks in other words, the perfect relaxing getaway. Whether you want to stay in and play a board game, or venture out onto one of the many trails, this Devon P G can accommodate it all. Numerous snugs with roaring open fires are dotted around, meaning you’re never short

of somewhere quiet to snuggle after a fresh, chilly stroll. This year and next there’s a huge focus on English wine too – this is, after all, the hotel group with the biggest English wine list in the UK. For more: www.thepighotel.com

SOUTHERNHAY HOUSE Exeter

Where is it? In quiet, sophisticated yet central

outhernhay, just five minutes from Exeter’s gothic Cathedral.

What’s so special? Southernhey House is a Grade II* listed townhouse within easy striking distance of Exeter’s original Roman walls, while at the same time housing so many attractions you could be forgiven for never leaving the hotel with working fireplaces, a menu of classic cocktails, seasonal menus and superbly comfortable beds, it’s a minidestination in itself. Southernhay also owns

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THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN

2023 LOADING The conference for entrepreneurs and new business thinkers returns in June. This time, it’s live…

22 June 2023 Watershed, Bristol CONTENT: claudia.butler@mediaclash.co.uk COMMERCIAL: annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk CONCEPT: greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk

EntreConf.com

@Entre_Conf

CARDIFF LIVES

PHOTO BY KIRSTEN MCTERNAN

“I’m proud of Cardiff s mi i ueer re olutio ”

LUKE HEREFORD

Chatting with the star of Grandmother’s Closet (and What I Found There), an autobiographical musical adventure featuring mischief and mashups, and dresses and divas Growing up in a close-knit South Wales community, Luke Hereford relied on his nan as a personal cheerleader to guide him through his queer childhood. Luke, along with Wales Millennium Centre (WMC), has turned his journey of self-discovery into a wholesome, joyous production – all to the tune of Madonna, Kylie, Kate Bush and all of his favourite pop divas.

One year on from its premiere, Grandmother’s Closet returns to Cardiff after an award-winning run in Edinburgh. Here we chat with Luke…

Where did you grow up?

How would you sum up Grandmother’s Closet?

How does Cardiff embrace and support LGBTQ+ communities?

always find myself coming back to the importance of remembering, respecting and appreciating those who are there for us in our formative years. t’s also hugely about memory, and growing up.

In Caldicot – so really close to Cardiff, where now live. feel very connected to Cardiff and can’t think of any other city I would have first mounted the play.

What do you love about it?

My favourite thing is the sense of community that exists here. studied musical theatre at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in the city, and uickly stepped into making my own work after graduating. When started making Grandmother’s Closet, the support had from Cardiff’s ueer community was unrivalled.

’ve always felt comfortable existing in Cardiff’s LGBT spaces. However, since coming out as non-binary, and as my network of LGBTQ+ friends has expanded, ’ve realised that a lot

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

of these spaces are catered to gay men. There are some spaces that are trying really hard to be more inclusive of other parts of the community, particularly spaces like The ueer Emporium, and I hope we can see the ripple effects in the city. ’m really proud of Cardiff and its mini ueer revolution, but we do have a way to go. Hopefully work like Grandmother’s Closet will give other ueer people the confidence to be their truest ueerest selves!

director), Josh Bowles (sound designer) and Bobby Harding (pianist). When the first song kicks in, it’s about five minutes into the play, and it’s a real treat for me seeing how the audience responds. They realise what kind of show they’re in for – something fun, camp, and hopefully a little bit magical.

Is Grandmother’s Closet your first work as a writer?

feel so lucky to have been able to share it with new audiences in new cities, but the highlight is getting to travel with such a beautiful entourage of queer artists and collaborators, without whom this play wouldn’t be happening.

Yes! First play! Exciting and scary. t’s been a labour of love, and ’ve had the most talented team around me, particularly director Fran ois Pandolfo. He’s been a part of the development since sent him the idea as a fren ied voice note in late 2019. A pandemic and several rewrites later, we’ve finally made something that feel re ects both of us as artists in a unique and special way. His work on the play is tender and thoughtful.

What impact has your nan had on your life?

he’s shaped me in more ways than can mention. guess the play goes into it in more detail, but she’s been everything from my first style icon to my personal therapist, and my best friend.

How different do you think life would have turned out had you not had your family’s support?

My family has always encouraged my interests in the arts. was an avid amdrammer growing up, so I really don’t know what else I would be doing other than making theatre.

Maybe a yoga instructor !

What are your favourite moments of the show?

The songs! They’re really transportive, thanks to the incredible talents of David George Harrington (musical

The show has been to Edinburgh Fringe and appeared abroad too. Are you proud of how it’s growing?

What do you think about WMC being so inclusive and championing LGBTQ+ acts?

WMC is making a conscious effort to represent a spectrum of LGBTQ+ life, people and artforms – it’s not just theatre that’s being programmed, and there’s no focus on one particular part of the community. Their new Cabaret space feels like an opportunity to continue platforming ueer artists, so can’t wait to see it develop.

What’s your message to people who haven’t yet managed to love their own identities?

Every path is different. t took me until my mid-20s to really understand who am, how to wear that proudly, and channel it into my work. The important thing to remember is there are always people to talk to. We’re never alone in this. ometimes it’s friends, sometimes family members, sometimes udy Garland through the power of potify! n See Grandmother’s Closet until 26 February at Wales Millennium Centre; www.wmc.org.uk

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